Better diagnosis and drug delivery

There is no test for detecting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) before obvious symptoms develop. Yet, this is the time — before major symptoms are seen — when treatments could be most effective. Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center researchers have teamed up to accelerate the search for a diagnostic tool for ALS.

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Robert Brown at Harvard Medical School collaborated with the staff physicist at the NeuroDiscovery Center’s Imaging Facility to develop tiny particles (nanoparticles) that, when injected in the body, stick to nerve cells. The researchers developed methods to detect the nanoparticles in living mice using magnetic resonance imaging. They then observed differences in the activities of nerve cells in normal mice compared to mice with ALS.

The work could lead to the development of a new diagnostic tool for detecting ALS before any clinical symptoms arise. The method could also be a starting point for using the nanoparticles to deliver drugs directly to nerve cells.

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A new approach

Neurodegenerative diseases have a devastating impact on millions of individuals and their families. Left unchecked, the prevalence of these diseases will grow at an alarming rate — impacting the aging baby boomer generation, and society as a whole. There is an urgent need to accelerate the search for effective treatments and cures.

We contend that the fastest way to find and develop promising treatments and cures is to bring together teams of experts to work on an integrated approach. The Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center embraces a bold approach, with an emphasis on:

Collaboration

Neurodegenerative diseases are far too complex for any one lab or academic institution to tackle on their own. Solutions require the involvement of a broad range of expertise... from neurology to genetics... brain imaging to drug discovery... stem cell research to computer science. We draw together disparate groups — from the Harvard medical community, leading research centers worldwide and the private sector — into a shared mission.

Translating discoveries into patient treatments

There has been recent stunning progress in the field of neuroscience basic research and related technologies. Now's the time to focus on the basic mechanisms that cause neurodegenerative diseases and advance such discoveries into treatments! Patients need new therapies. Our aim is to develop treatments that strike at the causes of these diseases.

Industry-like efficiency

We combine the "creativity" of the academic research community with "business-like" project management and financial discipline. We maintain a relentless focus on each initiative's objective and timetable, and how best to advance the most promising discoveries.

We know our approach is working. Our Research Initiatives and Shared Resources have already yielded important progress toward patient-related applications.