Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Latest Alzheimer's & Dementia News and Research

Neuralstem files IND with FDA for spinal cord stem cell Phase I clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase I safety clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury with its spinal cord stem cells. This multicenter Phase I safety trial will enroll a total of 16 long-term, or chronic, spinal cord injury patients, with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Grade A level of impairment, one-to-two years post-injury.

26 Aug 2010

Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance increases risk for Alzheimer's disease: Research

People with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes appear to be at an increased risk of developing plaques in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to new research published in the August 25, 2010, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

26 Aug 2010

Vitamin D2 in AbM mushroom can neutralize oxidative stress: Research

Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc., announced that it has completed a research study comparing the therapeutic effect of single nutrient forms of synthetic Vitamin D3 and D2 versus natural Vitamin D2 within a whole food. The study focused on the control of Paraquat induced oxidative stress/biologic death.

25 Aug 2010

BIO president comments on U.S. District Court injunction on embryonic stem cell research funds

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement today regarding the injunction issued yesterday by a U.S. District Court prohibiting the use of federal funds to support embryonic stem cell research.

25 Aug 2010

Scientists discover Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can rapidly diagnose degenerative disorders

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can distinguish between neurological diseases in patients without clear symptoms.A team of American scientists claim that a new method of testing for neurological diseases could provide doctors with a rapid and non-invasively method of diagnosing degenerative disorders.

25 Aug 2010

Vigilan named on Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies

Today Inc. Magazine recognized Vigilan, provider of software for better senior living, on the Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year. This year, Vigilan ranks No. 2849 on this exclusive list of America's fastest-growing private companies, with revenue of $3.6 million and a three-year sales growth of 77 percent.

25 Aug 2010

Researchers identify specific gene responsible for Kuf's disease

A North Carolina State University researcher has helped to locate and identify a gene responsible for a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects American Staffordshire terriers. This same gene may be responsible for a similar rare, fatal disease in humans. Its discovery will lead to improved screening and diagnosis of the disease in dogs and is the first step in working toward a cure for both canines and humans.

25 Aug 2010

Judge blocks federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research

The Washington Post: "A federal judge on Monday blocked the Obama administration from funding human embryonic stem cell research, ruling that the support violates a federal law barring the use of taxpayer money for experiments that destroy human embryos.

25 Aug 2010

New book provides vision on reforming Alzheimer's disease treatment

Although a new surge of scientific research has uncovered telltale signs of Alzheimer's disease that show up in brain scans and spinal taps, many questions remain unanswered about the clinical value of early testing and the overall direction of patient care, according to Dr. Kenneth S. Kosik, Harriman Professor of Neuroscience Research at the University of California and co-director of UCSB's Neuroscience Research Institute.

25 Aug 2010

BioScale installs ViBE analytical tool at Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company

BioScale Inc., an innovative life science company that develops, manufactures and promotes novel analytical tools enabling advancements in protein research, today announced the first shipment and installation of the ViBE™ Protein Analysis Workstation at a major Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company.

25 Aug 2010

Stem cell research issues fought out in the court

A US district court has issued a temporary injunction stopping President Obama’s plans to increase funding for human embryonic stem cell research. The US government will appeal. According to a Justice Department spokesman, they are likely to file a case this week.

24 Aug 2010

UNT Health Science Center analyzes DNA from unidentified human remains

Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) analyzes DNA from unidentified human remains for law enforcement organizations and medical examiners across the country in an attempt to put a name to a body or victim. The result, in many cases, is resolution for family members who have spent years wondering about the fate of their loved one.

24 Aug 2010

Maria Shriver joins Alzheimer's Association to release The Shriver Report

Maria Shriver, in Partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, Takes a Groundbreaking Look into the Epidemic's Effect on Women as Caregivers, Advocates, and People Living With Alzheimer's.

24 Aug 2010

'Village' movement and community health clinics offer alternative models of care

"The village movement dates to the 2001 founding of Beacon Hill Village in Boston. This year, the Village to Village Network launched to help other communities create their own senior support groups. Other sites created to help arrange help for seniors who want to live independently at home: Senior Helpers' services include companionship, conversation, meal planning and house cleaning as well as Alzheimer's and dementia care."

23 Aug 2010

Novo Nordisk reaches exclusive agreement to market Vagifem 10 mcg

Novo Nordisk Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. to market Vagifem (estradiol vaginal tablets) 10 mcg. Under the terms of the agreement, Upsher-Smith will exclusively market Vagifem 10 mcg to physicians in the U.S. beginning August 2 through the company's existing field sales force.

23 Aug 2010

GM-CSF protein reduces AD pathology, reverses memory loss: Study

A signaling protein released during rheumatoid arthritis dramatically reduced Alzheimer's disease pathology and reversed the memory impairment of mice bred to develop symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease, a new study by the University of South Florida reports. Researchers found that the protein, GM-CSF, likely stimulates the body's natural scavenger cells to attack and remove Alzheimer's amyloid deposits in the brain.

23 Aug 2010

UNT Board of Regents approves new M.D. degree program at UNTHSC

The University of North Texas System Board of Regents today voted to approve a proposal to develop a new M.D. degree program at the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNTHSC). The M.D. program will be an independent fifth school in addition to the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, and School of Health Professions.

21 Aug 2010

U-M launches new program to prevent sports-related injuries

Christopher Roth doesn't remember the train wreck on the practice field: As a University of Michigan fullback, he and another player were running at each other from about 10 yards apart. The resulting collision left him stumbling around, unaware of what he was doing.Like 3 million athletes every year, Roth had suffered a concussion. It wasn't the first time, but this injury ended his football career.

21 Aug 2010

New squeeze test for screening potential drugs for Alzheimer's

Brain cells exposed to a form of the amyloid beta protein, the molecule linked to Alzheimer's disease, become stiffer and bend less under pressure, researchers at UC Davis have found. The results reveal one mechanism by which the amyloid protein damages the brain, a finding that could lead to new ways to screen drugs for Alzheimer's and similar diseases.

21 Aug 2010

Muscular Dystrophy Association awards $14.1M in new grants

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, which has invested almost $39 million in 2010 in worldwide research seeking treatments and cures for muscle diseases, today announced that it has awarded $14.1 million in new grants.

20 Aug 2010