BrainMatTrain · Development of Biomaterial-based Delivery Systems for Parkinson’s disease - an Integrated Pan-European Approach

Development of Biomaterial-based Delivery Systems for Parkinson’s disease - an Integrated Pan-European Approach

The problem being addressed Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neuro-degenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a particular part of the brain resulting in various motor and non-motor symptoms. The loss of these cells is caused by chronic neuro-inflammation and results in a feed forward cycle promoting further inflammation and neuro-degeneration within the brain which characterizes the pathophysiology of PD. Current treatments for PD are symptomatic pharmacotherapies that neither address the underlying disease pathogenesis nor prevent, slow or halt the chronic, progressive neuro-degeneration. The BrainMatTrain research program aims to develop novel biomaterial-based scaffolds, which facilitate functional regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). Our project addresses both the inflammation and neuro-degenerative phases of the underlying pathology by using collagen reservoir scaffolds incorporating drugs and cells that are targeting these phases of the disease. Overall Objectives The main scientific and technology objectives of the research program are to: • Design collagen-based scaffolds for the delivery of therapeutic moieties • Investigate their efficacy in in vitro models of Parkinson’s disease • Conduct pre-clinical studies in in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease • Scale up collagen scaffolds • Develop a device for delivery of functionalised scaffolds Importance for society Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neuro-degenerative disease affecting more than ten million people worldwide. Many neuro-degenerative diseases are incurable due to the progressive degeneration and/or death of neuron cells. As research advances, many similarities appear that relate these diseases to one another on a sub-cellular level. Discovering these similarities offers hope for therapeutic progress that could ameliorate many diseases simultaneously. Therefore, this project supports the EU objectives on research on neuro-degenerative disease diagnosis and treatment as the European Parliament has repeatedly emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges of neuro-degenerative disease in research as well as in social and health policies.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union