Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Valentin Bragin
Stress Relief and Memory Training Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Keynote: Integrative rehabilitation maintains cognitive function in patients with Mild AD and MCI: Case studies
Biography:
Valentin Bragin, MD/PhD, has his clinical expertise in evaluation and treatment of people suffering from memory loss, dementia and depression. Based on his experimental and clinical experiences, he developed and implemented a rehabilitative protocol for patients with dementia. Results of this treatment protocol have been presented at different conferences starting in 2000. Simultaneously, a computerized program
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unknown to this day. Over the past decade, clinical treatment of AD went far beyond amyloid and Tau protein theories. The most successful treatment model for AD is integrative. It combines all available modalities, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the results of rehabilitative treatment in patients with Mild AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) via utilization of a novel computerized program. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The theory behind this treatment is the notion that increased cerebral blood flow is a highly modifiable factor as well as a crucial element in the treatment of people with dementia. Our computerized program consists of the motor speed (MS) and reaction time (RT) registration. Among the registration parameters there are simple and complex RT (SRT and CRT, accordingly) and working memory (i.e., numbers) RT (WMRT). Findings: We present 4 people with duration of therapy ranging from 4 to 8 years. In this group, the MMSE score, clock drawing test, and verbal fluency (animals and letters) were stable for the whole period of treatment. The same stability was noted for MS, SRT, CRT, and WMRT. Performance and errors across all tested categories remained stable for SRT and CRT for the whole group, and for WMRT only in two patients. Conclusion & Significance: Stabilization of cognitive functions in patients with AD and MCI was achieved as a result of utilization of the computerized program. Integrative rehabilitation is a feasible treatment option for dementia patients to improve their quality of life until new effective medications and other approaches become available
- Parkinson Disease
Location: New York, USA
Session Introduction
Ashok Chakraborty
CEO and President of the Company, Allexcel
Title: Allogeneic Cell Replacement Therapeutic Approach with a Novel Neural Cell line
Biography:
Dr. Chakraborty is a Retired Faculty Reearch Scientist from Yale, and presently working at AllExcel as CSO. Dr. Anil Diwan is a Ph.D. Biotechnology and a Chemical engineer. He is the CEO and President of the Company, Allexcel
Abstract:
Parkinson’s disease is caused by the progressive impairment or deterioration of neurons (nerve cells) in an area of the brain known as Substantia Nigra.
OBJECTIVE:
• Curative therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
• Current therapies are based on dopamine supplementation in the brain. They are only palliative, and require adjunct therapies to minimize side effects. Yet long term side effects such as motor neuron defect and Bradykinesia, Dyskinesia etc occur.
• Cell Replacement Therapy is the Only Approach that Promises Functional Reversal of Parkinson’s Disease.
METHODS:
• AllExcel, Inc. has Developed a Platform Technology for Developing Designed, Functionally Improved Cell Lines without the use of viral vectors or DNA manipulation.
• Technology is based on concepts derived from naturally observed Human Cell-Cell Interactions (CCITM).
RESULTS:
Fast growing potent Dopaminergic cell lines have been produced with long survival in cell culture. In animal studies (6-OHDA treated Rat model for PD), 4 different clones showed very effective reversal of the disease.
CONCLUSIONS:
Highly potent modified neural cells have been produced in our lab to treat PD patients
- Managing life with Parkinsons disease
Location: New York, USA
Session Introduction
Anaiya Kaka
12th standard student at the International Baccalaureate program at The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai
Title: The Impact of Parkinson’s Disease and Chronic Stroke on Simple Multitasking Abilities : Anaiya Kaka, guided by Dr. Poonam Bajaj and Dr. Aashish Contractor
Biography:
Anaiya Kaka is a 12th standard student at the International Baccalaureate program at The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai. During an internship at Sir. H. N Reliance Foundation Hospital, she conducted a research project on the effect of Parkinson’s Disease and Chronic Stroke on simple multitasking abilities. She conducted this research under the guidance of Dr. Poonam Bajaj and Dr. Aashish Contractor. Dr. Contractor is the head of department of Rehab Medicine and Sports Medicine at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital. He is the Vice Chairman of ICCPR (International Council of Cardio vascular prevention and rehabilitation) and governing council member of the National Society for Prevention of Heart Diseases and Rehabilitation (nSPHERE). His is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Chester, UK. Dr. Bajaj is a consultant physiotherapist with the same department. She has also done several research studies on Gait Deviations and Fall prevention in the elderly
Abstract:
It is hypothesised that Parkinson’s disease and chronic strokes may interfere with patient’s ability to multitask. Both diseases cause the inability to perform simple activities such as walking and mental mathematics simultaneously. In patients with chronic stroke or Parkinson’s disease, special attention must be paid to these impairments as they significantly affect independent living1.
In a controlled sample of 15 patients of Indian origin with either chronic stroke or Parkinson’s disease it was observed that there was a significant deterioration in the ability to multitask (increase in time taken to multitask between Timed up and Go (TUG) and Dual Timed up and Go (Dual TUG) versus a normal control group). The study found that the average increase in time required to complete the tests was 49% (for chronic stroke patients) and 36 % (for patients with Parkinson’s disease) as compared to a normal baseline of less than 10%.
This study effectively shows that TUG dual task scores are significantly higher than TUG scores in the chronic stroke and the Parkinson’s disease population. This shows a definite involvement of attention to a supposedly automatic activity such as gait. Most people can walk and perform simple cognitive tasks at the same time such as talking, texting or performing simple calculations. However patients with chronic stroke or Parkinson’s are not able to multi or even dual task. We may conclude from this that both Parkinson’s disease and chronic stroke do significantly impair multitasking capabilities. Special care must be taken to improve the cortical attention of these patients given that this can significantly affect the ability to live independently
- Parkinsons disease: Complications
Location: New York, USA
Session Introduction
Phani Sankar Potru
PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, Rostock, Germany.
Title: R-SMAD-dependent TGFβ signalling mediates TGFβ-induced effects on microglia
Biography:
Phani Sankar Potru has completed Bachelor of Pharmacy from RGUHS, Bangalore, India and Master of Science in Biomedicine from University of Skovde, Sweden and currently a PhD student at the Institute of Anatomy, Rostock, Germany
Abstract:
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) which are exclusive conciliators of immune responses in CNS. Previously, it has been shown that TGFβ1 signalling is crucial in maintaining the resting state of microglia (Spittau et al., 2013), and that it also blocks LPS induced microglia activation. . Microglia are also associated with ageing in which changes in microglia gene expression is also linked to ageing where they are reported to be performing immunosuppressive and immune tolerant functions. (Zöller et al., 2018)
It is well established that TGFβ1 signaling requires formation of a complex between R-SMADs 2 and 3 and Co-SMAD4. However, our previous results suggested that microglia specific
TGFβR2-/- results in impaired pSMAD2 mediated transcription but not in SMAD4-/- mouse model. To address this discrepancy, we performed subcellular fractionation and Co-immunoprecipitation analysis of BV-2 immortalized murine microglial cell line. Western blot analysis of protein fractions demonstrated the presence of pSMAD2 and SMAD2/3 in all the fractions. However, SMAD4 was undetectable in chromatin fraction despite the presence of SMAD2/3. The Co-IP results suggested a weak Smad 2/3 and Smad4 interaction irrespective of treatment. Non canonical pathway analysis was performed using PathScan Intracellular Signaling Array Kit. Surprisingly, no non-canonical pathway activation was detected in BV2 cells upon stimulation with TGFβ1.
Taken together, our data suggests that SMAD2/3 and SMAD4 are not necessarily interacting with each other upon stimulation with TGFβ1 in microglia. Our initial results also suggested a lack of non-canonical pathway activation in BV2 cells.
- Novel Insights and therapeutics for Parkinsons disease
Location: New York, USA
Session Introduction
Christopher K. McLeod
Christopher K. McLeod OMS-II, NYIT-COM, USA