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Cambridge scientists are developing an innovative brain implant to repair neural pathways damaged by Parkinson’s disease. Led by Professor George Malliaras from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering and Professor Roger Barker from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the project is part of a £69 million ($85 million) investment by the UK’s Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA). Their approach involves using midbrain organoids—tiny clusters of brain cells—to restore lost connections in the brain, a breakthrough that could improve treatments for Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.
Current treatments for Parkinson’s rely on dopamine-replacing drugs, which lose effectiveness over time and cause severe side effects. With 130,000 people affected in the UK alone, new solutions are urgently needed. The researchers aim to implant midbrain organoids into animal models of the disease, using advanced materials and electrical stimulation to integrate them into the brain’s existing network. If successful, this technique could offer a more precise and lasting therapy compared to current transplantation methods.
The project is one of 18 funded by ARIA’s Precision Neurotechnologies program, which supports cutting-edge brain-computer interface research. ARIA’s goal is to develop elegant, minimally invasive techniques to treat brain disorders, moving beyond traditional, invasive implants. Other projects under this initiative include biohybridised neuron technology, neural robotics for epilepsy treatment, and novel gene therapy delivery systems. Together, these advancements could transform how we treat complex brain diseases, potentially restoring lost functions and improving the lives of millions.
