Latest news with #neurologicalConditions
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Volunteer's award for 40 years of treating MS
A volunteer has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to helping ease the symptoms of patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. Keith Taylor, 84, from Yatton in Somerset, co-founded the West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bristol after his wife developed the autoimmune disease in 1973. The centre treats patients with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which increases the delivery of oxygen to the body. Mr Taylor was recently awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for his work. "I'm one of these folk that needs a role, a purpose, and this has provided me with that," he said. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol When his wife Pat Taylor was diagnosed with the lifelong condition, "there was virtually nothing available to help", he said. "We eventually heard about hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the States," Mr Taylor said. "When people breathe almost pure oxygen under increased pressure, like a diving chamber, that increases the amount of oxygen that can go into the body – it helps with healing and comfort." The first centre opened in Nailsea, Somerset, in 1985 and in 2012 it moved to The Brightwell in Bradley Stoke. Mrs Taylor died in 2010, so was not able to see the new centre open – but Keith continued volunteering there. Mr Taylor said he "couldn't believe it" when he heard his community and local church had put him forward for the British Empire Medal. "It really did knock me back on my feet, everyone has said it's well deserved, but I've just done things I enjoy doing and I find very rewarding. "It never occurred to me anything like his would ever happen – it's absolutely fantastic," he added. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'This chamber transformed my fight with long Covid' 'Pride meant I didn't discuss my MS diagnosis' Women with MS call for change to benefits criteria The Brightwell
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Neurotech will reshape how we live, predicts CEO Ana Maiques
Neurological conditions affected more than 3 billion people worldwide in 2021, according to a major study published in The Lancet in 2024. These conditions impact the nervous system and comprise a wide variety of disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and many others. Today, neurological diseases are the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide, and beyond the toll they take on patients and their loved ones, they also impose a significant economic burden. According to another study published in The Lancet, brain disorders are projected to cost the global economy 16 trillion dollars between 2010 and 2030, a figure largely driven by the early onset of these conditions and the resulting long-term loss of productivity. Given the need for research and treatment of brain disorders, some companies are investing in this area to advance our understanding of the brain. Among the most high-profile is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016. However, Europe has also emerged as a powerhouse in neurotechnology. A notable example is the Spanish company Neuroelectrics, launched by Ana Maiques and Giulio Ruffini in 2011. Over the years, Neuroelectrics has expanded from its European roots to establish a presence in the United States, becoming an international leader in the field. Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics, joined My Wildest Prediction to share her boldest insights and vision for the future of brain technology. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Businesswhere we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Ana Maiques, CEO and Co-Founder of Neuroelectrics. 'My wildest prediction is that neurotechnology is going to impact our daily lives in ways we cannot even imagine,' Ana Maiques told Euronews Business. Maiques clarified that neurotechnology tools should and will not be used to enhance individual traits such as intelligence or reverse ageing. However, she believes these tools will be applied to treat medical conditions, broaden people's experience of reality and strengthen our general understanding of how the brain works. 'A lot of people approach us! (...) We have a paper written with Refik Anadol where we monitored the impact on the visitors' brains of his AI-generated sculptures. Now, we are talking with Michelin-star chefs who want to study the impact of food on the brain from a scientific perspective,' she explained. Maiques acknowledged the fears some people have about using electricity in the brain but emphasised that much of this concern stems from a lack of understanding of the real, positive impact neurotechnology can have. Related What if health tech ends up with us being our own best doctors? Whether to support sleep or performance, everyone will use mind-reading devices Unlike Neuralink, which develops in-brain implants, Neuroeletrics takes a non–invasive approach, using external tools to monitor and interact with the brain. Neuroelectrics' standout product is the Neoprane Headcap. The cap features electrodes connected to a wireless module located in the back. These electrodes can both monitor the brain activity and deliver electrical stimulation. This tool can help diagnose sleep disorders, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions. It is especially useful in hospital settings where electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment may not be available or where technicians are not present. To develop these tools, Neuroelectrics has been using machine learning and AI for years. 'There is no way we can, as humans, decode the brain without the help of these kinds of tools,' Ana Maiques said. The CEO noted that advancements in AI could lead to the potential modelling of the brain, raising many ethical and scientific questions. However, she emphasised the importance of continued experimentation, as achieving a complete scientific understanding of the brain remains highly complex.
