Engineering Applications: Neurodegenerative Diseases
Engineering can have various applications to neurodegenerative diseases. In this image above from Binghamton University, electrical engineering is used to explore more details about these diseases.
As more individuals in our society reach older ages, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are an increasingly important issue. These disorders progressively impair the nervous system, leading to cognitive and motor function decline. The different subfields of engineering each offer hope for potential treatments and indirect support for these conditions.
Biomedical Engineering Advancements
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and they can cross the blood-brain barrier, enhancing neuronal survival, promoting neurogenesis, and modulating neuroinflammation. In many neurodegenerative diseases, for instance Parkinson’s, nerve cells outright die, and so it’s essential that the survival of these neurons can be sustained, or at the very least new ones can be formed for replacement, making EVs a promising avenue for treatment methods (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
Tissue engineering also appears to have potential solutions. Scaffolds made using additive manufacturing techniques support stem cell therapy by providing an environment conducive to neuronal growth and repair. Alzheimer’s involves the progressive disruption of neuron communication and eventual destruction of individual neurons, and thus these tissue engineering techniques could help alleviate these symptoms.
Electrical Engineering Contributions
The key technologies made by electrical engineers are neurostimulation devices. These technologies allow for Deep Brain Stimulation, in which electrodes are implanted into patients, delivering electrical impulses to specific brain regions. This has alleviated motor symptoms in some Parkinson’s disease patients. A similar method, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate neural activity, and it’s shown promising results in treating early-stage Alzheimer’s.
Mechanical Engineering Innovations
Mechanical engineering has contributed to the creation of robotic exoskeletons and mobility aids designed to assist individuals with neurodegenerative diseases in maintaining mobility and independence. These devices incorporate sensors and adaptive control systems to provide personalized assistance based on the user’s movement capabilities.
Mechanical engineering has led to robotic exoskeletons and mobility aids, which have been extremely useful in assisting patients with movement amidst neurological disease. These tools use sensors with adaptive control systems to adjust movement based on user capabilities.
Future Avenues
Interdisciplinary work, both within engineering and blending engineering with other fields, will pave the path to successful treatment in the future. As for field-specific areas that may lead to future solutions, advances in gene therapy may correct genetic mutations associated with these diseases . Additionally, the development of biohybrid implants that combine biological and electronic components could restore lost neural functions.
Bottom Line
Engineering has played a vital role in advancing our understanding and management of neurodegenerative diseases. These innovations are improving patient outcomes and offering hope for the future. Continued research and collaboration across engineering disciplines will be essential in developing effective treatments and ultimately finding cures for these debilitating conditions.
Bibliography
Palanisamy, C. P. (2023). New strategies of neurodegenerative disease treatment with extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
García-León, J. A., et al. (2019). Advances in current in vitro models on neurodegenerative diseases. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. frontiersin.org
Sarmazdeh, M. (2022). Engineering protein therapeutics for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. University of Nevada, Reno. unr.edu
Frontiers in Neuroscience Editorial. (2020). Gene Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Frontiers in Neuroscience. frontiersin.org
Kocher, C. (2024). Using Electrical Engineering Principles to Study Neurodegenerative Diseases. Binghamton University. https://www.binghamton.edu
