Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Gene that tells embryonic stem cells when to stop producing neurons identified

Researchers from North Carolina State University have identified a gene that tells embryonic stem cells in the brain when to stop producing nerve cells called neurons. The research is a significant advance in understanding the development of the nervous system, which is essential to addressing conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

18 Nov 2009

Monetary gain and risky tactics stimulate brain activity, says new study

Monetary gain stimulates activity in the brain. Even the mere possibility of receiving a reward is known to activate an area of the brain called the striatum.

18 Nov 2009

Alkermes commences phase 2 study of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced the initiation of a phase 2 clinical study of ALKS 33, an investigational oral opioid modulator for the potential treatment of alcohol dependence and other central nervous system disorders. The study will assess the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence and is designed to further define the clinical profile of ALKS 33.

17 Nov 2009

Neuralstem provides financial and business updates for third-quarter 2009

Neuralstem, Inc. today provided a financial and business update for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

17 Nov 2009

Perceptual Control Theory may soon revolutionize psychological and social sciences

Just as 400 years ago a correct explanation of the solar system set the stage for major progress in the physical sciences, so today a correct explanation of control is setting the stage for major progress in the life sciences.

17 Nov 2009

Genentech submits sBLAs to the FDA for Avastin

Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group, today announced that the company submitted two supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLAs) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Avastin® (bevacizumab) for the treatment of women who have not received chemotherapy for advanced (metastatic) HER2-negative breast cancer (first-line treatment). One sBLA is based on the Phase III study AVADO that investigated Avastin in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy.

17 Nov 2009

Phase II clinical study to evaluate Nanocort commenced

Galapagos NV announced today that it has started a Phase II clinical study to evaluate Nanocort's effectiveness in treating flares in multiple sclerosis (MS). Nanocort combines less frequent treatment with lower dosage and potentially more effective delivery than other MS flare treatments.

17 Nov 2009

FDA approves Par Pharmaceutical's new painkiller drug

Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PRX) today announced that it has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for the 100mg and 200mg strengths of tramadol ER.

17 Nov 2009

China Medicine reports total revenues of $19.2M for the third quarter of 2009

China Medicine Corporation, a developer and a leading distributor of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), nutritional and dietary supplements, and medical devices and medical formulations, today announced its third quarter 2009 results.

16 Nov 2009

Genetic test for familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy launched by PGxHealth

PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, Inc., today announced the launch of its genetic test for familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart disease which is the leading cause of heart transplants and a possible cause of sudden cardiac death.

16 Nov 2009

Alkermes' phase 3 trial of naltrexone XR-NTX meets primary endpoint

Alkermes, Inc. today announced positive preliminary results from a phase 3 clinical trial of naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension (XR-NTX) for the treatment of opioid dependence. The six-month phase 3 study met its primary efficacy endpoint and data showed that patients treated once-monthly with XR-NTX demonstrated statistically significant higher rates of clean (opioid-free) urine screens, compared to patients treated with placebo, as measured by the cumulative distribution of clean urine screens (p<0.0002).

16 Nov 2009

NIDA awards $17 million to University of California to establish TMARC

Igor Grant, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and colleagues have been awarded a $17 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to establish the Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC) at UC San Diego. Grant is director of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), a clinical research center designated and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

16 Nov 2009

Abbott signs agreement to acquire global rights to PanGenetics BV's PG110

Abbott announced today a definitive agreement to acquire the global rights to PanGenetics BV's PG110 fully humanized antibody to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), expanding the company's pain care portfolio and leveraging its expertise in biologics. PG110 is a novel biologic in Phase I clinical trial development that targets NGF for the treatment of chronic pain.

13 Nov 2009

Mithridion reports progress with its potential oral small-molecule drugs for AD and schizophrenia

Mithridion, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing drugs for serious Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, announced today progress with its pipeline of potential oral small-molecule drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia.

13 Nov 2009

Exposure to deadly bacteria can result in stillbirths

A new study shows the risk for severe effects of exposure to Listeria monocytogenes among susceptible populations may occur at doses lower than suggested by previous studies.

13 Nov 2009

Pharmos announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

Pharmos Corporation today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009.

12 Nov 2009

Third-quarter 2009 results announced by Neurologix

Neurologix, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative gene therapies for the brain and central nervous system, announced today its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

12 Nov 2009

Third-quarter 2009 results announced by Catalyst Pharmaceutical

Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

12 Nov 2009

Millennium Laboratories announces new clinical quantitative assay and drug screening tests for healthcare

Millennium Laboratories, a leading provider of therapeutic drug monitoring and education to physicians and staff treating chronic pain patients, announced today the company’s development and validation of a clinical quantitative assay for the new drug tapentadol (Nucynta™) by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

12 Nov 2009

NMO patients are misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, says Mayo Clinic neurologist

Thousands of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients are potentially being misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to Mayo Clinic Neurologist Sean Pittock, M.D., largely due to lack of awareness of NMO within the medical community.

12 Nov 2009