Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy metabolism that declines with age. NAD+ precursors like NMN and NR are studied as longevity interventions.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin, a key nutrient-sensing pathway that regulates cell growth and aging. Inhibiting mTOR (e.g., with rapamycin) has shown lifespan extension in multiple organisms.

A class of drugs that selectively eliminate senescent (aged, dysfunctional) cells to reduce inflammation and improve tissue function.

What is Epigenetic clock?

A biomarker based on DNA methylation patterns that estimates biological age, often more predictive of health outcomes than chronological age.

The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disability associated with aging.

An immunosuppressant drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway. Research shows rapamycin may extend lifespan and improve age-related health outcomes in multiple species.

What is Biological age?

A measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your chronological age, assessed through biomarkers such as DNA methylation, telomere length, and blood panels.

What is Caloric restriction?

A dietary regimen that reduces calorie intake without malnutrition. Caloric restriction is one of the most studied interventions shown to extend lifespan across species.

Protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Telomere length is associated with aging and age-related diseases.

A state in which cells permanently stop dividing but resist death, accumulating with age and secreting inflammatory factors that damage surrounding tissue.

A second-generation epigenetic clock that predicts time to death and is considered one of the most accurate measures of biological aging.

What is Inflammaging?

Chronic, low-grade inflammation that increases with age and contributes to the development of age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.

The large-scale study of proteins in biological systems. In longevity research, proteomics identifies blood protein signatures that predict biological age and disease risk.

What is Yamanaka factors?

A set of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) that can reprogram adult cells to a pluripotent state. Partial reprogramming with Yamanaka factors is being explored to reverse cellular aging.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a precursor to NAD+ that is widely studied as a supplement to boost cellular energy and combat age-related decline.

A gene-editing technology that allows precise modifications to DNA. In longevity research, CRISPR is used to study and potentially modify genes associated with aging.

CorTec Receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Its Brain Interchange System in Stroke Rehabilitation — the First BCI Worldwide Designated for Stroke Motor Rehabilitation

CorTec GmbH has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for its Brain Interchange™ system, a fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) aimed at enhancing motor recovery in individuals with chronic stroke-related impairments. This designation is reserved for medical technologies that promise significant improvements in treating life-threatening or debilitating conditions, facilitating expedited development and regulatory engagement. The Brain Interchange system integrates neural signal recording with adaptive stimulation in a closed-loop format and is currently undergoing clinical evaluation at the University of Washington, marking a pivotal moment in stroke rehabilitation.

The significance of this development lies in the alarming statistics surrounding stroke: approximately 9 million ischemic strokes occur annually, with over 80% of patients experiencing upper-limb impairments and around 50% remaining permanently disabled despite existing rehabilitation methods. The Brain Interchange system targets chronic stroke patients whose recovery has plateaued, addressing a critical gap in available treatments. Initial results from the first human study indicate promising improvements in neurological function, including the recovery of upper-limb motor skills, which had previously stagnated under conventional therapies. The system’s demonstrated stability over 500 days further supports its potential for long-term use.

This advancement could reshape the landscape of stroke rehabilitation and BCI research by establishing a new paradigm for therapeutic neurostimulation. As CorTec prepares for larger clinical trials, the Breakthrough Device Designation not only accelerates their regulatory pathway but also positions them uniquely within the BCI market, where few competitors have achieved similar recognition for therapeutic applications. The implications extend beyond stroke recovery, with the Brain Interchange platform also being explored for conditions such as epilepsy, paralysis, and depression, suggesting a versatile approach to neurological treatment that could significantly enhance healthspan and quality of life for affected individuals.

Source: globenewswire.com