Neurology News and Research

Latest Neurology News and Research

tDCS electric stimulation can improve motor function in stroke patients

A noninvasive electric stimulation technique administered to both sides of the brain can help stroke patients who have lost motor skills in their hands and arms, according to a new study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

10 Nov 2010

Dementia deaths & incidence on the rise

A new report highlights the fact that one in six deaths are caused by dementia in England. The report looked at death certificates between 2001 and 2009 and found that conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease account for 15 per cent of deaths in England. Two-thirds of victims died in nursing or residential care homes and a third in hospital. Most campaigners claim that the actual figures may be higher and put it as one in three deaths. The report also says that the total number of deaths due to dementia are rising.

10 Nov 2010

Simple test and an MRI predicts future Alzheimer’s disease

Until now is has been believed that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia could be diagnosed only when symptoms appear which almost always means when patients are in their 70s or 80s. Now the latest research shows that some brain lesions are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and can be detected in the brains of healthy people in their 40s. Along with this a simple mental skills test may be able to detect the problem many years sooner than previously thought.

10 Nov 2010

Researchers identify molecular cascade that drives process of reconnection in adult brain after stroke

A stroke wreaks havoc in the brain, destroying its cells and the connections between them. Depending on its severity and location, a stroke can impact someone's life forever, affecting motor activity, speech, memories, and more.

10 Nov 2010

Jefferson awarded $2.6M grant for study on cognitive decline in older African Americans with MCI

Researchers in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University were recently awarded a $2.6 million grant from The National Institute of Health to study whether increasing participation in cognitive, physical and/or social activities prevents cognitive decline in older African Americans with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

10 Nov 2010

Breast cancer patients more likely to have joint pain from taking AIs: Study

Breast cancer patients are more likely to have joint pain from taking aromatase inhibitors if they have advanced stage cancer, according to a study presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting, held Nov. 7-11, in Atlanta. The study is one of the first to identify factors that increase the likelihood that a patient will suffer joint pain from AI therapy.

10 Nov 2010

Clot-busting drug remains the most beneficial emergency treatment for strokes

The clot-busting drug rt-PA remains the most beneficial proven emergency treatment for strokes caused by blood clots, according to an editorial in the November issue of Archives of Neurology by Dr. Jos- Biller.

10 Nov 2010

Special Surgery investigators to present future of clinical care at ACR annual meeting

Hospital for Special Surgery physicians who focus on lupus, scleroderma and related conditions are traveling from New York City to Atlanta this week to share their recent findings at the 74th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

10 Nov 2010

Children with hypertension more likely to have learning disabilities, ADHD

Children who have hypertension are much more likely to have learning disabilities than children with normal blood pressure, according to a new University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) study published this week in the journal, Pediatrics. In fact, when variables such as socio-economic levels are evened out, children with hypertension were four times more likely to have cognitive problems.

10 Nov 2010

Boston Scientific announces first implantation of Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System in Parkinson's disease trial

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the first implantation of its Vercise™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System as part of the VANTAGE clinical trial. VANTAGE is a multi-center, prospective trial designed to examine the improvement of motor function in approximately 40 European patients implanted with the Vercise DBS System for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

10 Nov 2010

Ultrasound needle guidance improves performance and outcomes of knee injections

The use of ultrasound needle guidance improves the performance, outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of knee injections in people with osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

9 Nov 2010

Arena and Eisai report positive results from lorcaserin BLOOM-DM trial in obese, overweight diabetics

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eisai Inc. reported today that top-line results from the one-year lorcaserin BLOOM-DM trial demonstrate statistically significant weight loss in obese and overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. In this trial, lorcaserin met all three co-primary efficacy endpoints. In addition, as described below, lorcaserin patients taking lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily (BID) achieved statistically significant improvements in multiple secondary endpoints, including HbA1c, as compared to patients randomized to placebo.

9 Nov 2010

Patients undergoing THR likely to have serious falls than orthopedic procedure

Patients who undergo total hip replacements are more at risk for having a serious fall while recovering in the hospital than patients undergoing other orthopedic procedures, according to a recent study. The study, which will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting, Nov. 7-11, in Atlanta, also identified other factors involved in patient falls that could help hospitals devise strategies to reduce these accidents.

9 Nov 2010

Speaking two languages could delay onset of Alzheimer's disease

A Canadian science team has found more dramatic evidence that speaking two languages can help delay the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms by as much as five years.

9 Nov 2010

Dabigatran etexilate benefits AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack

Today, The Lancet Neurology published positive results from a sub-group analysis of the landmark Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy (RE-LY®) trial - the largest atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes trial ever completed (18,113 patients in 44 countries worldwide). The new findings fully support the convincing results from the RE-LY® trial and show that AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may benefit substantially from treatment with dabigatran etexilate.

9 Nov 2010

Scientist sheds new light on cellular basis of neural impulse transmission

Neural impulse transmission and its effects on the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) have always been in the forefront of discussion and studies, in the field of memory and behavioural changes.

8 Nov 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from LEVADEX QT trial for migraine

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported successful results from a thorough QT trial of its investigational LEVADEX™ orally inhaled migraine therapy. The trial evaluated the potential of a supra-therapeutic dose to cause an increase in the QT interval. Results of the trial showed that a supra-therapeutic dose of LEVADEX does not increase QTc intervals. LEVADEX is a novel orally inhaled migraine therapy that has completed Phase 3 efficacy development for the acute treatment of migraine.

8 Nov 2010

Merz to present data on Xeomin clinical studies for cervical dystonia at AAPM&R

Merz Pharmaceuticals announced today that data from stability and clinical studies evaluating Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), a botulinum toxin type A free from accessory proteins, will be presented at the 71st Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) in Seattle, Wash.

8 Nov 2010

Sudden epilepsy death explained

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a condition that kills about 150 Australians a year. Now researchers have discovered the reasons behind such deaths. The study was conducted by scientists at the Centenary Institute at the University of Sydney who looked at blood samples taken from epilepsy suffers who had died suddenly and found that there were genetic faults in the heart and brain.

7 Nov 2010

Valeant declares one-time special dividend

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. today announced that the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") has declared a one-time special dividend of US$1.00 per common share (the "Special Dividend") that shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2010 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to receive on December 22, 2010.

4 Nov 2010