In a healthy business: brain pathologies will be treated by robots with an ultrasound "scalpel"

New technologies have been developed in Russia to treat brain diseases and study the mechanisms of aging. They were presented at the forum "Science of the Future — science of the young" in Nizhny Novgorod. Among the developments are biosensor molecules for detecting pathologies and a robotic complex for their treatment using focused ultrasound. The scientists also talked about "mini-brains" — organoids that allow testing therapies and selecting personalized drugs. At the same time, the researchers note that the body's own defense mechanisms play an important role in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.

How to deal with chronic inflammation

The fight against brain diseases and increasing life expectancy have become one of the key areas of the forum "Science of the Future — science of the young". Scientists presented technologies for the prevention of neurodegenerative pathologies, the management of aging mechanisms and the transformation of active longevity into a medical norm. The conference started on September 22 and brought together representatives of leading Russian and foreign scientific schools. The participants discuss developments in a wide range of fields, from neurotechnology and biomedicine to quantum technologies and artificial intelligence.

— One of the causes of aging is the accumulation of inflammatory "debris". These are abnormal or damaged cells that form in the body throughout life. The older a person is, the worse their purification systems work," said Claudio Franceschi, Head of the Laboratory of Systemic Medicine of Healthy Aging at Nizhny Novgorod Lobachevsky State University, Honorary Professor of Immunology at the University of Bologna.

The immune system perceives such "garbage" as a threat and triggers a chronic sterile — that is, not related to an external infection — inflammatory reaction. Over time, it becomes a permanent background for the body, the scientist explained.

According to him, the researchers have identified marker molecules that can be used to determine the biological age of a person and individual organs. Based on these data, AI systems are able to predict possible causes of death with high accuracy. The results obtained can be used to develop strategies for treatment and lifestyle correction.

Physical activity and proper nutrition are of particular importance. Another important reserve for healthy longevity is the gut microbiome. In particular, it affects brain function and is involved in the development of Parkinson's disease and other pathologies, the specialist noted.

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"Mini-brains" will help create new medicines

— Research shows that aging is nonlinear. This process is characterized by abrupt transitions caused by molecular shifts. They occur throughout life," explained the professor of clinical Biochemistry in the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences at the Medical Institute of the University of Catania (Italy) Vittorio Calabrese.

In particular, to study pathological processes in the brain, as well as ways to counteract them, scientists grow "mini-brains," the researcher said. These are three-dimensional tissues grown from human stem cells, which are very close to the structure of the central nervous system and go through the same stages of development.

This technology allows them to simulate the processes occurring in the real brain, including in schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and autism, as well as when exposed to viruses. For example, a group led by Vittorio Calabrese has shown with the help of such systems that polyphenols from seaweed are able to protect the brain from the effects of toxins.

Physical activity gets rid of neurotoxins

According to Andrey Abramov, head of the Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Pathology at the Scientific and Technical Center for Biomedical Photonics at the I.S. Turgenev Orel State University, Professor at the Institute of Neurology at University College London (UK), scientists often observe the combination of proteins in abnormal large molecules, oligomers, which are highly toxic, in neurodegenerative diseases.

— They kill brain neurons very quickly and, moreover, can spread. If you plant such an improperly folded protein in the environment of brain cells, it is like a prion (an infectious agent that does not contain DNA or RNA. — Ed.), it begins to reproduce in them, and a process similar to infection occurs," the scientist explained.

In addition, by accumulating in cells, oligomers disrupt the recycling of damaged mitochondria, the organelles responsible for energy production. As a result, mitochondria begin to produce excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species, which also leads to damage to neurons.

According to Andrey Abramov, in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases, it is better to rely on the body's own defense systems. For example, to engage in physical activity. Even short exercises trigger mitophagy, which is the cleansing of cells from damaged mitochondria.

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A robot for the treatment of brain tumors

Russia is developing a large number of advanced technologies for studying the brain and countering diseases associated with its malfunction, said Vsevolod Belousov, director of the Federal Center for Brain and Neurotechnology at the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. These include biosensor molecules. They glow when they react to an increase in the level of hydrogen peroxide and other molecules, which indicates a lack of oxygen in the brain tissues.

Russian specialists have also learned how to influence human thermoreceptors— proteins that are usually responsible for the sensation of warmth and cold, the expert said. These structures can be embedded in some neurons, and then activate the latter by acting on thermoreceptors with a laser or ultrasound. Experiments have shown that the method makes it possible to combat focal forms of epilepsy.

One of the promising developments is a robotic complex for the treatment of brain pathologies using an ultrasound "scalpel," said Vsevolod Belousov. The technology involves operations without incisions and opening of the skull.

— In cooperation with an industrial partner, a robotic complex has been developed that can affect not only deep but also more superficial areas of the brain. At the same time, due to ultrasonic navigation, the device has high accuracy, which will allow it to be used in any neurosurgical operating room. The production of the complex is currently being completed," said Vsevolod Belousov.

The scientist also spoke about the bioprinting of brain regions with a given architecture for the manufacture of implants. For this purpose, the technology of layered hydrogel application and special frames with directional fibers are used. They "force" neurons to grow in the right direction, which is important for the proper reconstruction of brain areas lost as a result of stroke or injury.

The forum will last four days. New materials for energy and industry will also be presented, climate issues and prospects for the development of biotechnologies will be discussed.