In July 2024, the Federation for Brain Research launched its annual Call for Projects titled “Essential Mechanisms Underpinning Common therapeutic Approaches to Brain Diseases,” as part of its three-year program “At the intersection of Brain Diseases.” This initiative aims to bridge the gap between neurological and psychiatric disorders, which, despite their differences, share the commonality of affecting the brain. The call seeks to enhance understanding of the underlying mechanisms of various therapeutic approaches, ultimately improving their efficacy, minimizing side effects, and identifying new treatments for these conditions. Researchers had until October 7, 2024, to submit their letters of intent, resulting in 63 applications from across France, including several international collaborative projects.
Research Focus Areas
The majority of submissions can be categorized into three main research axes based on the nature of therapeutic approaches and their mechanisms:
- Elucidating the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies – approximately 46% of submissions. These projects aim to clarify how certain therapies combat specific diseases, assessing their potential benefits and ways to enhance them, reduce side effects, or reposition them. Therapeutic methods include medications or molecules (55%), brain stimulation (21%), physical exercise (10%), cognitive therapy (10%), dietary interventions (3%), and other therapies (1%).
- Identifying new common therapeutic targets – approximately 46% of submissions. These therapeutic targets may be molecular in nature (38%), focusing on specific biological pathways that could be leveraged for treatment.
molécules clés d’un mécanisme pathologique sur lesquels des traitements pourraient agir,de nature cellulaire (34% des cas) c’est-à-dire que la cible est associée au fonctionnement globale de la cellule,les chercheurs peuvent également s’intéresser aux interactions et réseaux de neurones au centre d’un mécanisme pathologique (14% des cas) ou à des régions cérébrales particulières; enfin d’autres projets ont pour objectif d’identifier des cibles à des échelles plus larges (2% des cas).
il est intéressant de noter que 74% des projets s’intéressent à de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques (cibles ou traitements en phase exploratoire).
À noter que la majorité des dossiers traitent de plusieurs axes à la fois.
Au croisement des maladies du cerveau
Les chercheurs ont présenté des projets permettant d’aborder l’utilité d’approches thérapeutiques :
- au croisement des maladies neurologiques et psychiatriques (41% des dossiers) comme par exemple la stimulation cérébrale profonde dans la maladie de Parkinson et les troubles obsessionnels compulsifs,
- au croisement de maladies neurologiques entre elles (41% des dossiers) tel que le développement d’une forme d’immunothérapie dans la maladie d’Alzheimer, de Parkinson et les démences à corps de Lewy.
- au croisement de maladies psychiatriques entre elles (18% des dossiers) pouvant être illustré entre autres par l’étude d’un métabolisme du cholestérol en cible thérapeutique dans l’autisme et l’addiction.
Les méthodes de recherche utilisées
80% des projets présentés propose une approche de recherche fondamentale, et environ 29% propose une approche clinique. Certains projets combinent ces deux approches.
Le Conseil Scientifique de la FRC s’est réuni le 21 novembre 2024 afin de clôturer la première phase de sélection, et déterminer les projets qui seront expertisés en phase 2. Les porteurs de projets retenus à l’issue de la phase 1 auront jusque début février pour remettre un rapport détaillé de leur projet.
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Title: Exploring New Frontiers: An Insightful Dialog on Brain Disease Research
Participants:
- Editor (Time.news): Emily Roberts
- Expert: Dr. Thomas Leclerc, Neuroscientist and Researcher specializing in therapeutic approaches to brain diseases.
Emily Roberts: Welcome,Dr. Leclerc! It’s great to have you with us today. I’m excited to discuss the recent initiatives from the Federation for Brain Research. They’ve launched the “Essential Mechanisms Underpinning Common Therapeutic Approaches to Brain Diseases” call for projects, focusing on bridging the gap between neurological and psychiatric disorders. Could you elaborate on the meaning of this initiative?
Dr. Thomas Leclerc: Thank you for having me, emily! This initiative is crucial as it recognizes the interconnectedness of neurological and psychiatric disorders, which often share underlying mechanisms. By exploring these connections, we can enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce side effects, and possibly uncover new treatment pathways for a range of conditions affecting the brain.
Emily Roberts: It’s fascinating! I noticed that about 63 applications were submitted, with significant interest in elucidating the mechanisms of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. What can you tell us about the therapeutic methods highlighted?
Dr. Thomas Leclerc: Absolutely,about 46% of the submissions are focused on understanding how various therapies work. This includes pharmacological treatments like medications and molecules, which comprise approximately 55% of that group, alongside brain stimulation techniques and cognitive therapies. It’s a thorough approach that assesses not just the efficacy but also the potential for repositioning existing therapies to maximize their benefits.
emily Roberts: That sounds promising! Additionally, the call emphasizes the identification of common therapeutic targets, with another 46% of submissions dedicated to this area. What are these targets, and why are they vital for developing treatments?
dr. Thomas Leclerc: Target identification is a core element of therapeutic research,focusing on molecular,cellular,and even broader neural network interactions. As an example, about 38% of researchers are identifying key molecules involved in pathological mechanisms, while another 34% are examining cellular targets. Recognizing these targets helps in tailoring treatments more precisely, potentially leading to breakthroughs in addressing complex brain disorders.
Emily Roberts: You mentioned innovative therapeutic approaches,which comprise about 24% of the submissions. What innovative therapies are being explored?
Dr. Thomas Leclerc: The research is quite dynamic! One-third of submissions in this category are looking at gene therapy and immunotherapy, which hold great promise for treating various pathologies. These approaches aim to address the root causes of conditions rather than just alleviating symptoms,opening up exciting possibilities for long-term recovery strategies.
Emily Roberts: It seems the integration of various therapeutic modalities could lead to more effective treatments. How do you envision the future of brain disease research evolving from these initiatives?
Dr. Thomas Leclerc: I believe we’re entering an exciting era in brain disease research, where collaboration across disciplines will be crucial. By integrating findings from both neurological and psychiatric studies,we can develop comprehensive treatment strategies that target the brain’s complexity more effectively. As we gather more data and refine our understanding of the underlying mechanisms through initiatives like this one, we will likely see faster developments in identifying and implementing effective treatments.
Emily Roberts: Thank you, Dr. Leclerc! your insights are invaluable, and it’s clear that the work being done in this field will have significant implications for patients suffering from brain diseases.We look forward to seeing how these initiatives progress!
Dr. Thomas Leclerc: Thank you, Emily! It’s a pleasure to discuss such critically important work.I’m hopeful that our collective efforts will lead to meaningful advancements in brain health.
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This dialogue encapsulates the essence of the ongoing research efforts in brain diseases and the collaborative spirit necessary for progress in this vital area.