A hospital in Amsterdam has achieved a world first in rheumatism research. The Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam has begun research into microchips that are inserted under patients’ skin to relieve symptoms of this debilitating condition.
The microchip transmits an electrical signal that reduces inflammation in the joints - the cause of the terrible pain suffered by Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Microchips have been tested on rats and mice successfully; the next step is to start trialling it on human patients. Approximately 10 patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) will be tested to see if the chip reduces their symptoms.
Research is being managed by Paul-Peter Tak, a professor at the medical centre. The computer chip is implanted in the nervus vagus, a primary nerve in the neck that regulates breathing and heart rate. When tested on rodents, results showed that the small electrical signals, if applied for one minute every day, could reduce the level of inflammation significantly or even remove it altogether.
The electrical signals are similar to those in pacemaker technologies that are used to treat epilepsy and depression.
RA is a painful condition that can vary from a mild treatable condition, to an aggressive form that can cause severe disability. It affects the patient’s ability to carry out everyday tasks and can progress very rapidly. Symptoms include swelling and damaging cartilage bone that surrounds joints such as those in the hands, feet and wrists, along with insomnia, fatigue, weight loss and flu-like symptoms. It can also affect internal organs like the heart and lungs. Sufferers of the disease are more prone to heart attacks and strokes compared to non-sufferers.
The disease is more common in women and can occur at any age yet it generally deteriorates from the age of 40-60. Mild forms of the disease affect children under the age of 16, with around 12,000 cases of youngsters affected worldwide. It is a lot more common than Leukaemia and Multiple Sclerosis.
Scientists have not yet discovered the true cause of RA but there are numerous theories that surround it, one example being smoking. Many people are not aware of the disease and its affects as it is not publicised as well as other life-changing conditions.
The global medical technology company conducting the research, Salient Surgical Technologies Inc., has launched its European headquarters in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area and aims to expand internationally. The organisation is advanced in the production and development of surgical devices for hospitals, surgeries and other medical institutions. Their headquarters will also house the international sales and marketing team that intends to make the microchip available for countries worldwide, if successful.
Salient expanded in the European market in 2001 and has been thriving there ever since. They have firms in the five largest markets in Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, and are responsible for over one million orthopaedic reconstruction procedures per year. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is home to numerous life science research companies that focus strongly on human health.
For further information about life sciences in Amsterdam please visit our Amsterdam Metropolitan Area pages.
