Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

HTDS announces closure of Regulation D 504 offering

Hard to Treat Diseases (the "Company") (HTDS.PK) announced today that it has closed its Regulation D, Rule 504 offering and is no longer selling shares of its common stock to accredited investors.

4 Sep 2009

StemCells’ novel neuroprotective approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases

StemCells, Inc. today announced the publication of preclinical data demonstrating for the first time that transplantation of its proprietary, purified human neural stem cells delays the loss of motor function in a mouse model of infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL).

4 Sep 2009

Fashion show to help raise public awareness of psoriasis

Today, Tim Gunn, television host and fashion consultant ("Project Runway," "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style") and chief creative officer of Liz Claiborne, Inc., is hosting the Addressing Psoriasis(TM) Fashion Show, sponsored by Amgen and Wyeth, in New York City.

3 Sep 2009

Biogen Idec's MS franchise to present at the 25th Congress of ECTRIMS

Biogen Idec today announced more than 70 platform and poster presentations from the company’s multiple sclerosis (MS) franchise being presented during the 25th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Düsseldorf, Germany.

3 Sep 2009

Sepracor to be acquired by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma for $2.6 billion

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (“DSP”, TSE: 4506) and Sepracor Inc. (“Sepracor”, Nasdaq: SEPR) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which DSP will acquire Sepracor for approximately $2.6 billion through a cash tender offer of $23.00 per share, followed by a merger to acquire all remaining outstanding Sepracor shares at the same price paid in the tender offer.

3 Sep 2009

FDA approves Meda's ASTEPRO Nasal Spray

Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ASTEPRO(R) (azelastine HCl) Nasal Spray 0.15%, for the treatment of the symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (SAR and PAR). New ASTEPRO Nasal Spray 0.15% is the first nasal antihistamine to offer convenient once-daily dosing for patients who suffer from seasonal allergies.

2 Sep 2009

NCI to announce the results of follow-up study of PharmaGap's lead drug GAP-107B8

PharmaGap Inc. (TSX-V: GAP; OTC.BB: PHRGF) ("PharmaGap" or "the Company") today announced that results are expected during September from the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) follow-up study of the company's lead drug GAP-107B8.

2 Sep 2009

Strategy to enhance diabetes management across Canada

Research being driven by The University of Western Ontario that will enhance diabetes management across Canada recently received support from two of Canada's leading pharmaceutical companies in the form of a $500,000 contribution.

2 Sep 2009

PROTECT clinical study aimed at the assessment of rolofylline effects

Despite the promising findings of the PROTECT Pilot study, the larger PROTECT trial found no difference with rolofylline versus placebo with respect of the primary and main secondary end-points of the study. Although more rolofylline patients than placebo patients experienced moderate or marked dyspnea improvement at 24 and 48 hours from randomization, this was counterbalanced by a lack of effect on persistent renal impairment. Lastly, the risk of important neurological events was increased in patients on rolofylline.

2 Sep 2009

Irbesartan drug minimizes heart failure complications in patients with atrial fibrillation

In a major international trial, researchers from McMaster University in Canada, found that the hypertension drug irbesartan reduced the risk of heart failure complications and the combination of stroke, other embolic events and transient ischemic events, also known as ministrokes, in patients with atrial fibrillation.

2 Sep 2009

White matter hyperintensities could lead to permanent thinking problems

Elderly people with no memory or thinking problems are more likely to later develop thinking problems if they have a growing amount of "brain rust," or small areas of brain damage, according to a study published in the July 14, 2009, print issue of NeurologyÂ®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

2 Sep 2009

Scientists shed light on the relationship between hypertension and obesity

Some of the first information about how fat causes hypertension have been identified by researchers who say the findings should one day help identify which obese people - and maybe some thin ones too - are at risk for hypertension and which drugs would work best for them.

2 Sep 2009

Playing Tetris may increase brain efficiency

Brain imaging shows playing Tetris leads to a thicker cortex and may also increase brain efficiency, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Research Notes. A research team based in New Mexico is one of the first to investigate the effects of practice in the brain using two image techniques.

2 Sep 2009

The biology of apoE and apoE receptors in Alzheimer's disease to be researched under new NIH program

A researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine has been awarded more than $9.8 million to head a five-year National Institute on Aging Program Project Grant.

2 Sep 2009

Children suffering from chronic headache may outgrow the condition

Most children who suffer from chronic daily headache may outgrow the disabling condition, according to research published in the July 15, 2009, online issue of NeurologyÂ®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Nearly 1.5 percent of middle school children are affected by chronic daily headache, which includes chronic migraines and tension-type headaches.

1 Sep 2009

Research reveals that practicing Tetris increases brain efficiency

Researchers at the Mind Research Network today announced the findings of a scientific study that used brain imaging and Tetris to investigate whether practice makes the brain efficient because it increases gray matter. Over a three-month period, adolescent girls practiced Tetris, a computer game requiring a combination of cognitive skills. The girls who practiced showed greater brain efficiency, consistent with earlier studies. Compared to controls, the girls that practiced also had a thicker cortex, but not in the same brain areas where efficiency occurred.

1 Sep 2009

Brain research reveals that juggling practice increased gray matter in the motor areas of the brain

1 Sep 2009

Clinical Data raises funds by selling certain assests to Intrexon Corporation

Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) today announced the sale of certain assets to Intrexon Corporation, a transaction that is consistent with the Company’s ongoing plan to focus resources on its valuable late-stage and preclinical drug programs.

1 Sep 2009

Cigarettes and not Swedish snuff increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis

While smoking cigarettes appears to significantly increase a person's risk of developing multiple sclerosis, using Swedish snuff does not, according to a study published in the September 1, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

1 Sep 2009

Cimzia approved for treating adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis

UCB Canada Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved Cimzia, the only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

1 Sep 2009