Let's Hear it for Plastic!

Whoever thought that having plastic put in your brain could help your health??? Sounds completely ridiculous doesn't it? Even sounds kind of scary at first blush.

But... that is exactly what some researchers are working on in order to help Parkinson's patients and other disease sufferers too.

Here's the gist of what is going on in terms of Parkinson's Disease. Scientists already have neuronal implants that are currently used for Deep Brain Stimulation in some Parkinson's patients. What's Deep Brain Stimulation?? Essentially tiny electrodes are placed in the brain and hooked up to a "pacemaker" that then can stimulate the brain, in a regulated way, to release more dopamine. This procedure is generally done in an effort to minimize the symptoms in fairly advanced cases. I do not know any scientific studies about the exact effectiveness of this treatment (I'm sure they exist and I have not found them yet), but the anecdotal evidence I have read is quite amazing. People that have been quite incapacitated often seem to have a significant reduction in symptoms after this type of treatment. Since there is still no cure for PD no treatment works forever.

Now you're asking... "Exactly how the heck does plastic come into the picture?" And here's the answer... Researchers are creating polymers (strings of plastic molecules in this instance) that are infused with neurotrophins. What's a neurotrophin you ask? Neurotrophins are proteins that allow neurons to grow and survive. Think of them like food at a neuronal level. Researchers are coating the neuronal implants with these neurotrophin-infused polymers.

The idea is to have the polymers release the neurotrophins in a steady dose over time. The aim is to have the actual neurons grow and connect with the implants both because of the neurotrophins and because the plastic coatings on the implants provide a scaffold-like structure for the neurons to grow onto.

Because the plastic coatings encourage the neurons to grow into the implants they may allow for smaller implants to be developed and implanted. It may also make them more effective as the neurons interact with them more directly and possibly in a more complex way.

Researchers are working to have the implants release neurotrophins for up to 90 days after implantation in the brain. It takes approximately 3 months (90 days) for nerves in the body to heal after surgery so releasing the neurotrophins for 3 months may greatly improve the chances for the neurons to grow with the implants and make the implants more effective.

Now how cool is that? Who would ever think that plastic could be used in such an ingenious way?

For more information please see this article. http://www.physorg.com/news138526436.html