What's Happening in Durham, NC…

Warren Grill, a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist at Duke University, has won a $4m grant to explore the effects on Parkinson’s patients of deep brain simulation.

Thanks to the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, Gill will have funding for his work over the next four years, and additional three years of funding is possible pending administrative review. The scientist’s research targets deep brain simulation, which has been used to alleviate symptoms of a number of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s, since 1990.

The Durham researcher would improve the use of surgically implanted electrodes in the brains of Parkinson patients to do a better job of quieting the uncontrolled movement of those with the disease. Grill and his students have found that by altering the electrode's electric pulse in rhythm and frequency, the pulse alleviates symptoms more effectively.

The electrodes currently receive their power via a battery pack implanted in the patient’s chest, which every three to four years must be replaced. The changes to the electric pulse would lengthen battery life as well as allow for the use of smaller batteries that would last longer, and could be implanted in the patient’s head rather than chest.

According to Gill, long-term funding permits scientists to work on groundbreaking projects that might require several years to show progress. Funding can also be aided by using one of Durham's printing companies to supply updates on how research is going.