University to perform groundbreaking brain procedure
CARDIFF University is set to perform a groundbreaking procedure which could slow down the development of a serious brain disease.
The Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) Unit has unveiled plans to conduct a stem cell transplantation procedure that could benefit people affected by Huntington’s disease (HD).
Often known as Huntington’s chorea because of the movement problems it causes, Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that damages certain nerve cells in the brain and leads to problems with mobility, thinking and perception.
An estimated 7,120 people in England and Wales are diagnosed with the condition which is often managed through medication.
It typically affects people in their 30s and 40s and causes involuntary body movements – much like Parkinson’s disease – which can look like jerky dancing.
Unlike any other neurodegenerative disorder, Huntington’s disease is caused by a single faulty gene, which is currently incurable.
But the new procedure, using robotic technology, will deliver stem cells into patients who are living with the disease in a bid to slow down its progression.
Professor of functional neurosurgery at the (BRAIN) Unit, William Gray, was awarded a Life Sciences Bridging Fund to conduct the new procedure.
It will assess the effectiveness of a novel delivery system in stem cell transplantation in three patients with Huntington’s disease by March 2018.
The delivery system will be based on the drug delivery technology developed by Renishaw, one of the world’s leading engineering and scientific technology companies.
This will be the second time the university has collaborated with Renishaw, whose neuromate technology also enabled Prof Gray to perform the first ever robotassisted epilepsy neurosurgery in Wales earlier this year.
This latest advancement is hoped to be a next step for the university’s path towards becoming a centre of excellence for developing and delivering novel therapies for brain repair in neurodegenerative diseases.
“The procedure marks a next stage in our battle to combat the debilitating effects of this currently incurable disorder,” said Prof Gray.
“While the measurability of the surgery’s success may not be clear-cut for more than a year post-transplantation, we are hopeful the procedure could significantly contribute to the longterm development of therapies for thousands of people living with Huntington’s disease.”
Health and Care Research Wales Director, Jon Bisson, said: “I am delighted to see BRAIN playing such a vital role in driving novel therapies into clinical practice. The unit is one of many internationally recognised research centres and units in Wales, making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.”
Paul Skinner, general manager of neurological products at Renishaw, added: “We are pleased that Renishaw’s expertise in engineering is continuing to support pioneering research at the University Hospital of Wales.
“It is exciting to be part of a collaboration that sees precision engineering and innovative surgical practice working in synergy to improve patient outcomes.”