VA’s Office of Research and Development recently published three News Briefs highlighting a possible blood test for head and neck cancer treatment response, a potential new treatment for PTSD-linked psychosis, and technology to make brain-computer interfaces safer and more effective.
Blood test may predict response to head and neck cancer treatments
Kansas City VA researchers identified blood-based markers that may help predict survival outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer.
The study analyzed blood samples from 100 patients being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. Surprisingly, DNA-based indicators of more advanced biological aging were associated with longer survival times without the cancer progressing, as well as better overall survival.
The results could be used to develop a non-invasive test for how well patients will respond to immunotherapy, which could help clinicians better personalize treatment strategies for patients with head and neck cancer.
View the full study from “Epigenomes.”
Potential new treatment for PTSD-linked hallucinations, delusions
South Texas VA researchers developed two compounds as potential treatments for PTSD-associated hallucinations and delusions.
The two chemical compounds bind with receptors in the hippocampus of the brain. Mouse models showed these compounds successfully calmed hippocampus overactivation and normalized dopamine activity, which can calm stress-induced psychosis related to dopamine dysfunction.
The results suggest medications targeting these specific receptors in the hippocampus may be able to treat PTSD-linked brain overactivity without affecting the rest of the brain.
View the full study from “Psychopharmacology.”
Antimicrobial coating improves brain-computer interfaces
Intracortical microelectrodes are sensors implanted into the brain to record brain activity and allow the person to control brain-computer interfaces, such as robotic prostheses. However, their use and longevity are limited because they often cause inflammation triggered by disruption of the blood-brain barrier, which lets gut bacteria infiltrate the brain.
To address this problem, researchers at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center engineered a titania nanotube array to coat intracortical probes. The new nanotube coating is naturally antimicrobial and can also be loaded with medicines such as antibiotics to be released over time.
Testing showed a marked decrease in neuroinflammation at nanotube-coated implant sites, and mouse models showed electrodes treated this way continued to function significantly longer than un-coated electrodes. The new technology has the potential to make brain-computer interfaces safer and more functional.
View the full study from the “Journal of Materials Chemistry. B.”
For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.
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