Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Parkinson’s (ADP) Research Team

Borrelia: a group of bacteria with a typical spiral-corkscrew shape, which is why they are also called spirochetes. They are mostly known as the cause of Lyme disease and other pathologies like relapsing fever, which are caught through bites from infected ticks or lice.

Amyloid-beta plaques: amyloid-beta (Aβ) is a small protein which is naturally produced in our brain. However, excessive amounts are produced during the development of Alzheimer’s disease, leading to Aβ accumulation outside of brain cells to form clumps called plaques.  These are toxic and damage the brain over time, causing neurodegeneration.

Blood-Brain barrier (BBB): a filter between blood and brain, stopping potential toxins or pathogens present in the bloodstream from reaching and damaging the brain. It is formed by three main cell types: endothelial cells which form the walls of the blood vessel, pericytes which wrap around the vessel and astrocytes, star-shaped cells which support neurons and ensure brain health.

In vitro: scientific term that refers to work done in the laboratory, where live cells are grown in plastic vessels (like petri dishes or flasks) outside of the live organism they originate from. It is opposed to in vivo experiments, which are carried out in live animal models or humans.

Nanofibres scaffold: a web-like framework formed by interconnected nanometre scale threads which provide support for growing cells in 3D. We can make these scaffolds either flat (like a multi-layered nanofibres disc where cells of the BBB are grown on opposite sides) or folded in the shape of a tube to better mimic the blood vessels natural architecture.

Organ-on-chip: innovative devices that mimic human organs in the lab. They are usually made with clear and flexible materials (providing the general structural support), a network of tiny channels which allow flow of liquids through the chip mimicking the bloodstream (microfluidic system), and growth chambers where human cells grow to form a simplified miniaturised organ. They are becoming more used in research as a viable alternative to animal experimentations for drug testing.

Focused ultrasound (FUS): a technique that concentrates sound waves to a single point, similarly to what a magnifying glass can do with sunlight. The concentrated sound beams can heat/disrupt cells at the point of focus, without damaging the surrounding tissue. This non-invasive approach is used to treat targets inside the body like tumours, without recurring to traditional surgery. In the neurodegeneration field, FUS is being studied for its ability to target specific brain regions and potentially reduce amyloid plaque formation.

Red-light therapy (Photobiomodulation): non-invasive therapy that uses red light to boost cells’ energy, promoting tissue repair. This approach is already used for several applications, including skin regeneration, pain relief and speeding up recovery of damaged tissues.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): medical imaging technique which allows to obtain detailed images of soft tissues like the brain or other organs, mostly used for diagnostic applications. In relation to FUS, MRI is used to guide the beam and ensure accuracy when targeting the desired location within the brain.

Nanobubbles: gas filled biocompatible spheres that are injected in the bloodstream without causing any damage. When FUS is applied, these bubbles contracts and expand at the focus point, temporarily damaging the BBB and allowing drugs to pass through and reach the brain. Nanobubbles, especially lipid-based ones, can also be used as a delivery system to transport drugs through the bloodstream and designed so that they release the therapeutic molecule at the target site only.

Stem cells: the cells in our body which can turn into many different cell types, using a process called differentiation. Mesenchymal Stem cells are a specific type of adult stem cells located in the bone marrow, fat tissue and umbilical cord, and they can differentiate in bone, cartilage, muscle, or fat cells. They are known to have neuroprotective potential.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs): small bubble-like shuttles released by all cells in the body. They carry a variety of molecules (proteins, lipids, RNAs) and are used by cells to communicate with each other’s. Mesenchymal stem cells release a lot of EVs, and some of their content is known to have neuroprotective functions, suggesting that they could be a source of new potential therapeutic molecules to treat neurodegenerative diseases.