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Alcohol boosts the pleasurable effects of nicotine

In tests on human volunteers, Duke University Medical Center researchers have found that even small amounts of alcohol boost the pleasurable effects of nicotine, inducing people to smoke more when drinking alcoholic beverages. The findings provide a physiological explanation for the common observation that people smoke more in bars. The findings also explain statistics showing that alcoholics tend to smoke more than non-alcoholics, and that smokers are more likely to be alcoholics.

24 Mar 2004

Olopatadine nasal spray shown to minimise hay fever

Alcon announced today results from a Phase III clinical trial demonstrating that olopatadine nasal spray, a nasal formulation of its market leading ophthalmic anti-allergy product, Patanol(R) ophthalmic solution, reduced seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms compared to placebo.

22 Mar 2004

Raptiva, 20 percent improvement in an individual's signs and symptoms of arthritis.

Genentech, Inc. and XOMA Ltd. today announced preliminary results of a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II study with RAPTIVA™ (efalizumab) in 107 patients with psoriatic arthritis. The study did not reach statistical significance at 12 weeks (84 days) for the primary endpoint, ACR 20 response. An ACR 20 response indicates at least a 20 percent improvement in an individual's signs and symptoms of arthritis.

22 Mar 2004

The placebo effect, study suggest pain management is possible

A Columbia professor has uncovered fresh evidence of the existence of the often-debated placebo effect. Even the professor himself, Tor D. Wager, of the Department of Psychology, was surprised by his team's findings. The study showed that the human brain processes pain differently when people believe that they have been given a pain-relieving skin cream. Wager, lead author of the study, defines "placebo" as a treatment that has no direct pharmacological effect and that may influence one's experience and physiology through one's beliefs.

22 Mar 2004

New pill for post-traumatic stress disorder

Every day, people suffer traumatic experiences that scar their minds. Combat, rape, bombings, burns, beatings, and horrific car accidents haunt them with memories impossible to suppress. Such day- and nightmares are part of a problem known as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

22 Mar 2004

Forward step in treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced the presentation of clinical data for R112, the company’s lead candidate for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, during a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) in San Francisco, CA. The phase I/II single dose trial demonstrated that R112 was well tolerated and showed favorable biological effects.

22 Mar 2004

Tablet of Modafinil may improve a schizophrenics memory

Researchers from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge recently identified a method of improving cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia, without the side-effects traditionally found with cognitive enhancers. Ms. Danielle Turner, together with colleagues from the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Prof. Barbara Sahakian, undertook research to explore the potential for a memory drug to improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia. The project received funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. The work was published online on March 10 2004 at The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology website and is now in press in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

22 Mar 2004