Autumn Issue, 2017

Prevention of Ageing-associated Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease and Glaucoma with a Wolfberry Extract “ In our experiment, we find that wolfberry extract can prevent neuronal loss triggered by the toxins in Alzheimer’s disease, stop neurodegeneration in the retina, and can preserve eyesight. This means one stone can hit two birds. With our increasing ageing populations, more and more people will suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and Glaucoma than ever before. We hope our discovery in wolfberry extract can help people to use more Chinese medicines in future to prevent neurodegeneration and to cure these two diseases. ” Dr Raymond Chang 鄭傳忠 School of Biomedical Sciences A Soft Robot Hand for Neural Rehabilitation of Degenerative Neurological Diseases and Strokes  “ The existing robotic systems use rigid controls that are not flexible but the soft robotic hand uses gas or fluid in tubes to make (soft) hand movements. The advantage of the soft robotic hand is that with the friendly interface it adapts to your motions and follows the intentions of the subject. The use of this new technology can train and help patients rehabilitate their hands efficiently without any extra assistance. Even we can allow patients to use chopsticks in future. ” Dr Yong Hu 胡勇 (PhD 2000) Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Technology-based Management of Swallowing Difficulties  “ My first area of research is the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve swallowing functions in stroke patients. So what it does is that we have a big magnet on the head and this magnet will create an electrical stimulation to the brain, hoping to improve the swallowing functions. The other part of my research is to develop an app for swallowing and communication exercises that can be practised at home. We are also looking into the use of acupuncture to improve swallowing in post- stroke patients. We hope that this will help them to eat and drink more safely. ” Dr Karen Chan 陳文琪 (BSc(Sp&HearSc) 2000; PhD 2005) Faculty of Education (Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences) Wearable Transcranial DC-Stimulator Helps Patients with Degenerative Brain Diseases   “ Many patients suffering from neurodegeneration and trauma in the brain want to be able to take care of themselves at home, but this is not always possible. That’s why we developed this transcutaneous stimulator that can be used at home by the patient themselves. This device is unique from others as it has a dry electrode and a self-control system. It uses a nanoparticle coating on the dry electrode to connectivity between the electrode and surface of the brain. This stimulator is only for the modulation of brain activity so it can change the level of response to treat depression and cognitive disorders, and other conditions. ” Dr Yong Hu 胡勇 (PhD 2000) Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Gerontechnology Innovations at HKU: http://www.ke.hku.hk/story/innovation/gerontechnology 35