Neuroregeneration: From Predictive Biomarkers to Brain Repair

The report describes how predictive biomarkers are changing the global landscape of neuroregeneration and transitioning from the concept of control of brain injury to an active repair of the brain. This report describes how brain injuries from scans were being replaced by blood tests being developed to measure the burden of Alzheimer's disease, measure the presence of brain injury after an acute brain injury (e.g., as a result of a stroke), and measure early nerve fiber damage that will happen for years before the first symptoms of various diseases such as multiple sclerosis, ALS, and dementia occur. Furthermore, this report describes the various types of biomarkers that comprise an integrated approach to the measurement of brain function and health, describes how biomarkers are being used to categorize patients, time interventions to windows of opportunity for repair, and use pharmacodynamic biomarker data as an indication of what drugs will repair the brain, and serve as an indication of how long the brain will take to recover from injuries. The report describes four major methods used in human studies to develop brain repair therapies in cell replacement; pharmacologic treatments that neutralize chemicals that inhibit the formation of scar tissue; partial resetting of aging through gene therapy; and closed loop neuromodulation to restore standing and stepping ability to subjects with chronic paralysis. The report also highlights the linkage of various advances in biomarkers and therapies to changes in competition and creative partnerships among key participants in the industry, including pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic laboratories, medtech developers, and artificial intelligence firms; and to new business models that will combine diagnostic tests, therapeutic delivery systems and the delivery of data services to create complete outcomes based solutions for patients with neurodegenerative disorders.