Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Nektar Therapeutics presents the results from Phase 2 clinical trial of oral NKTR-118

Nektar Therapeutics presented topline data today from its Phase 2 clinical trial of oral NKTR-118 at the American Academy of Pain Management's (AAPM) 20th Annual Clinical Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

12 Oct 2009

U.S. women with RA feel less self-confident in their sex-life, reveals survey

A new survey of U.S. women living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) published today reveals that RA has a clear emotional impact on people living with the disease, with loss of self-confidence seen in their sex lives, in the workplace, and in their social lives.

12 Oct 2009

Medical liability reform to save $54 billion over 10 years

The nation’s neurosurgeons are urging lawmakers to pay close attention to the newly released findings of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) which confirm that medical liability reform does indeed reduce the use of healthcare services and will save the system money. In an October 9, 2009 letter to Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), CBO Director Douglas W. Elmendorf stated that a comprehensive set of tort reforms will reduce the nation’s deficit by $54 billion over 10 years.

12 Oct 2009

Additional Zenvia Phase III results in multiple sclerosis announced by AVANIR

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNR) today announced additional detailed results from the confirmatory double-blind Phase III STAR trial evaluating two doses of the investigational drug Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine) compared to placebo in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) among patients with underlying multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Over the course of the 12-week study in the MS patient subset, Zenvia 30/10 mg met the primary efficacy endpoint by reducing PBA episode rates by an incremental 11.9% beyond placebo

9 Oct 2009

Researchers discover that ATP transmits temperature information to afferent sensory neurons

A Japanese research group led by Prof. Makoto Tominaga and Dr. Sravan Mandadi (National Institute for Physiological Sciences: NIPS) found that ATP plays a key role in transmitting temperature information from skin keratinocytes to afferent sensory neurons. Their findings were presented in the Pflugers Archiv European Journal of Physiology published on October 2009.

9 Oct 2009

Bicycling is a way to fight Parkinson's disease for an 81-year old patient

Bob Wilson is not a quitter, and the Parkinson's Center of Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University will benefit from his steely determination October 10 when he and other members of "Team Bob" mount specially constructed bicycles for a fund-raising outing at The Springs at Tanasbourne.

9 Oct 2009

The Quebec Biopharmaceutical Strategy lauded by Sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis Canada welcomes the Quebec Biopharmaceutical Strategy and sees a strong link with its new corporate strategy.

9 Oct 2009

Premature aging of immune system develops amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Premature aging of the immune system appears to play a role in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, according to research scientists from the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and Sheba Medical Center in Israel.

9 Oct 2009

American Shared Hospital Services updates on Todd Cancer Institute's proton therapy center development

AMERICAN SHARED HOSPITAL SERVICES, a leading provider of turnkey technology solutions for advanced radiosurgical and radiation therapy services, today shared a recent announcement regarding progress in the development of a proton therapy center at Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

8 Oct 2009

Omeros announces the pricing of its initial public offering of 6.82 million shares

Omeros Corporation today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 6.82 million shares of its common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. The underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional 1.02 million shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

8 Oct 2009

New Leaf Brands' initiative to find cure for MS, will sponsor a participating team for bike ride event

New Leaf Brands, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baywood International, Inc. (OTCBB: BAYW) ("Company"), today announced that the Company will sponsor a participating team in the Multiple Sclerosis/Tappan Zee Bike Ride taking place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 in Tarrytown, New York.

8 Oct 2009

Johns Hopkins researchers identify several genetic links to autism

About 90 percent of autism spectrum disorders have suspected genetic causes but few genes have been identified so far. Now, leading an international team, Johns Hopkins researchers have identified several genetic links to autism, chief among them a variant of semaphorin 5A, whose protein product controls nerve connections in the brain.

8 Oct 2009

Study suggest childhood cancer survivors are less likely to get married

Childhood cancer survivors typically suffer from the long-term effects of cancer treatment on physical health, and results of a new study suggest that social implications also exist, which may affect their chance of an "I do" at the altar.

8 Oct 2009

Zenvia patent application: AVANIR Pharmaceuticals receives USPTO "Notice of Allowance"

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has received a “Notice of Allowance” from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announcing that it intends to grant the Company a new patent, extending the period of commercial exclusivity for its lead drug candidate Zenvia™ well into 2025.

8 Oct 2009

Scientists make significant advance towards a solution for neuronal repair

The repair of damaged nerve cells is a major problem in medicine today. A new study by researchers at the Montreal NeurologicaI Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) and McGill University, is a significant advance towards a solution for neuronal repair.

8 Oct 2009

Study reveals large structural differences between natural prions and man-made synthetic analogs

A collaboration between scientists at Vanderbilt University and the University of California, San Francisco has led to the first direct information about the molecular structure of prions. In addition, the study has revealed surprisingly large structural differences between natural prions and the closest synthetic analogs that scientists have created in the lab.

7 Oct 2009