A clinical trial aimed at slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease was launched after the
"successful"
operation
of a first patient who had a brain implant that diffuses near infrared light, have announced Friday the Grenoble University Hospital and the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
Read also: Will we soon be able to cure Parkinson's disease?
This new therapeutic approach, which has been proven in laboratory on animals,
"could slow down the loss of motor functions in patients"
with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative pathology that affects more than 6.5 million worldwide and that we can not cure, they specify in a press release.
The
"deep brain stimulation",
diffused by an electrode in the brain, currently makes it possible to significantly improve the symptoms, but not to slow down the degenerative process.
A new technology, developed for several years at the experimental level, consists in
"delivering light near infrared (a specific range of wavelengths, NDLR) near the area of the brain which is degenerating",
explained to AFP Professor Stephan Chabardès from the University of Grenoble Alpes.
"In mice, rats and monkeys, this infrared has been shown to have significant effects on slowing down the cell death of neurons"
involved in the disease, continued this neurosurgeon at CHU Grenoble Alpes.
The CEA, the CHU Grenoble Alpes, the Université Grenoble Alpes and Boston Scientific Corporation, a company specializing in medical devices, have therefore developed a probe which, once implanted in the human brain, is capable of delivering this infrared light.
Without being too invasive.
Unlike deep brain stimulation which delivers an electric current,
"near infrared illumination targets the substantia nigra in the brain, the site of degeneration of the neurons responsible for the symptoms of the disease," he
explains.
By illuminating the dark substance, the photons of light would act on the suffering cells, as if they were giving them energy again.
"It worked on animals but we must remain cautious,"
added Professor Chabardès.
On March 24, the neurosurgeon
“successfully”
operated on
a patient with the disease, who joined the clinical trial.
The research team wants to include 14 patients in the protocol, lasting four years.
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