Gold nanocrystals show promising results for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis (MS). Millions of Americans suffering from the same condition could benefit from the new nanomedicine.
Gold Nanocrystals May Reverse Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center researchers found a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The possible solution comes from an unlikely source -- suspended nanocrystals of gold.
In the new study funded by Clene Nanomedicine, the team recruited 11 patients with relapsing MS and 13 with Parkinson's for two phase two clinical trials. The participants were first scanned with an MRI machine to establish their baseline levels of key energy metabolites in their brains. In other words, molecules can be used as a proxy to determine levels of energy production in the brain.
For the following 12 weeks, the participants were given a daily dose of gold nanocrystals before receiving a second brain scan. Among those with Parkinson's, participants saw an average 10.4 percent increase in essential markers for energy metabolism compared to their baseline levels.
Patients also reported improved motor function, suggesting that the intervention may relieve some of the functional symptoms of the disease. No adverse side effects were reported.
"We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to prevent or even reverse some neurological disabilities with this strategy," said neurology professor Peter Sguigna.
The team collaborated with Clene Nanomedicine for the research. Clene Nanomedicine has been developing gold nanocrystals as a therapeutic drug that may be used orally to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
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Nanorobots to Decrease Bladder Tumors
Nanotechnology has been widely used in medicine. In January, researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the CIC biomaGUNE, in partnership with IRB Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), discovered a promising treatment for bladder cancer -- self-propelled nanorobots. The nanobots can reduce the size of bladder tumors in mice by 90%.
A porous silica sphere with multiple components connected to its surface, each with a specific function, makes up the nanomachines. Among these is the urease enzyme, a protein that mixes with the urea in urine to propel the nanoparticle. Another crucial component is radioactive iodine, a radioisotope widely used for the localized treatment of malignancies.
According to Samuel Sánchez, lead author of the study and an ICREA research professor at IBEC, they found that the tumor volume decreased by 90% after just one injection. With the average number of hospital appointments for patients with this kind of tumor being between 6 and 14, this is far more effective than current treatments.
The study also paved the way for bladder cancer treatments that minimize hospital stays, saving costs and improving patient comfort.
Additionally, a revolutionary new wound dressing utilizing nanotechnology has been created. The nanocellulose wound patch can identify the early indicators of infection without interfering with the healing process.
By instantaneously detecting whether a wound has gotten infected without removing the dressing, the novel approach to wound care can lead to more successful therapy and improve the quality of life for patients with difficult-to-heal wounds is made possible. The dressing is meant to remain in place for the whole healing period. Furthermore, if an infection exists, it will be visible because the dressing material's color will change to reflect the condition.
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