The Promise of Gene Therapy for Rare Diseases – The Medical Futurist Newsletter

Many exciting breakthroughs I'm well aware that the terms 'futures studies' and 'futures methods' sound odd or almost esoteric, but in reality, they are more important to you than you might think now. I'll give you [three reasons why](. 1. There is no one single, definitive future. 2) Established futures methods eliminate anxiety about what lies ahead. And 3) These tools democratize the future: anyone can become a proactive architect of their life using them. I hope you will find the newsletter useful! Best regards, Berci Bertalan Meskó, PhD The Medical Futurist [GENE THERAPY’S GIANT LEAP: FROM RARE CONDITIONS TO COMMON CURES]( --------------------------------------------------------------- We have seen incredible progress in gene therapies in the past decade, with many exciting results emerging just in the last year. From treating rare genetic disorders to targeting more common conditions, the potential of gene therapy has expanded remarkably. However, these treatments are still incredibly, frighteningly expensive costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars for a one-time treatment, so we cannot expect widespread use in the short term. But we have reasons for optimism. [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? With applications extending into broader fields that impact millions or even hundreds of millions of people, we may eventually develop therapies that are accessible and affordable for everyone. [AI TOOL SIMPLIFIES HEART MONITORING: FEWER LEADS, SAME ACCURACY]( --------------------------------------------------------------- "Now, a team of scientists and clinicians from Scripps Research has shown that heart conditions can be diagnosed roughly as accurately using just three electrodes and an artificial intelligence (AI) tool. In a study published on August 1, 2024, in npj Digital Medicine, the scientists report that their AI algorithm can recreate full 12-lead ECGs with data from only three ECG leads. Moreover, clinicians can identify heart attacks with nearly the same accuracy when they review the AI-generated ECGs as compared to original 12-lead ECGs." [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? Very important results that could revolutionize remote readings and make ECG more accessible. [A GUIDE TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The 2024 edition of our book will guide you to understand what you can anticipate from AI in healthcare and how to control this technology. From covering the basic terms and concepts to introducing the use cases, and already existing diagnostics solutions, discussing social and ethical implications and facing the greatest challenges - you will get up to speed in no time. [GET IT HERE]( [THESE SLEEPBUSTING EARBUDS DETECT DROWSINESS TO SAVE LIVES ON THE ROAD]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Berkeley researchers have made prototype earbuds that detect drowsiness-related brain activity through EEG (by detecting alpha waves) and could alert users before their fatigue becomes dangerous. "The results were promising: the earbuds were able to detect the onset of drowsiness with accuracy comparable to more complex, bulky EEG systems. Sure, the signals picked up by the earbuds are smaller than those picked up by traditional EEGs. But, the researchers found them good enough to do the job." [READ MORE]( WHY IT'S IMPORTANT? Drowsy driving causes about 20% of all car crashes. Imagine, how many lives can be saved with such a device! [MEDIGPT: EXPLORING POTENTIALS OF CONVENTIONAL AND LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS ON MEDICAL DATA]( --------------------------------------------------------------- We have two major ways of developing medical large language models. 1) Developing and training them on medical databases from day one. Google has done the same with its MedPaLM model. This method might yield LLMs that are highly efficient working with medical data and questions. 2) Using existing non-medical LLMs and using specific prompts to make them better at discussions about medical/health issues. This study used the second one. [READ MORE]( WHY IT'S IMPORTANT? I think both methods can lead to some results, but the future lies in method one for the sake of patients and physicians. [EXOSKELETONS IN HEALTHCARE: THE ERA OF GREAT ADVANCEMENTS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Exoskeletons have left the realm of science fiction and have become part of our reality - so much so that French para-athlete Kevin Piette became an Olympic torchbearer wearing a self-balancing exoskeleton. In the past years, exoskeletons started finding their place in healthcare systems, so it was time to take a closer look at where those once sci-fi robotic structures stand today. [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? With over a dozen FDA-approved exoskeletons and 84 existing medical products on the market we must prepare for great advancements in this segment. [AI FRIEND HANGING AROUND YOUR NECK?!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The AI friend device from the movie Her seems to be becoming real by 2025, it can be pre-ordered now - for $99. Technologically, I find excitement in all this, but as people and as society, I'm sure we are not ready for such a change in our relationship dynamics. I'm not kidding, we should receive education about using such tools in our lives. [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? AI will inevitably change our social lives and habits - just as the internet and social media did the same. But we need to be mindful of the illusory nature of AI-human relationships. MORE NEWS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE --------------------------------------------------------------- FUNCTIONAL ORGANS – [3D-printed blood vessels bring artificial organs closer to reality]( CLAUDE 3 – [Evaluating multimodal AI in medical diagnostics]( BABY STEPS – [Epic rolls out new feature to make it easier for patients to share medical records with health apps]( NOSE SPRAY – [University of Houston Researchers Create New Treatment and Vaccine for Flu and Various Coronaviruses]( [color-forwardtofriend-48.png](mailto:berci@medicalfuturist.com) [color-facebook-48.png]( [color-youtube-48.png]( [color-linkedin-48.png]( [color-twitter-48.png]( [color-instagram-48.png]( © The Medical Futurist 2024 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Medical Futurist · Budapest · Budapest, Pest 1118 · Hungary