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Nature Medicine publishes dexpramipexole Phase 2 ALS study results

Knopp Biosciences LLC today announced the publication in Nature Medicine of comprehensive results from the Phase 2 study of dexpramipexole, a small-molecule modulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics, in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

21 Nov 2011

Promising results from dexpramipexole phase 2 trial on ALS

Treatment with dexpramipexole - a novel drug believed to prevent dysfunction of mitochondria, the subcellular structures that provide most of a cell's energy - appears to slow symptom progression in the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Promising results of a phase 2 trial of dexpramipexole are receiving advance online publication in Nature Medicine.

20 Nov 2011

Modified story memory technique may help cognitive rehabilitation in MS patients

John DeLuca, PhD, Vice President for Research at Kessler Foundation presented findings on the use of a behavioral technique for cognitive rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

17 Nov 2011

Researchers discover human genes that might contribute to ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a universally fatal neurodegenerative disease. Mutations in two related proteins, TDP-43 and FUS, cause some forms of ALS. Specifically, these two proteins are RNA-binding proteins that connect to RNA to regulate the translation of proteins and other cellular functions such as RNA splicing and editing. In a new study, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania discovered additional human genes with properties similar to TDP-43 and FUS that might also contribute to ALS.

16 Nov 2011

EPO-secreting engineered vessels could reverse anemia

Patients who rely on recombinant, protein-based drugs must often endure frequent injections, often several times a week, or intravenous therapy. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston demonstrate the possibility that blood vessels, made from genetically engineered cells, could secrete the drug on demand directly into the bloodstream.

15 Nov 2011

Two proteins conspire to promote amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Two proteins conspire to promote a lethal neurological disease, according to a study published online this week in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

15 Nov 2011

Global demand to join pioneering adult stem cell study to treat ALS

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., an innovative developer of adult stem cell technologies and CNS therapeutics, today announced that patients from across the globe are demanding to be included in the pioneering clinical study started earlier this year at Jerusalem's Hadassah University Medical Center.

14 Nov 2011

Genzyme's alemtuzumab Phase lll trial on MS meets co-primary endpoints

Genzyme, a Sanofi company, reports today that the Phase lll CARE-MS ll trial met both of its co-primary endpoints. Relapse rate and sustained accumulation (worsening) of disability (SAD) were significantly reduced in multiple sclerosis patients receiving alemtuzumab as compared with Rebif.

14 Nov 2011

Damaged mitochondria equivalent to an environmental disaster in the cell

Current thinking about Parkinson's disease is that it's a disorder of mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles inside cells, causing neurons in the brain's substantia nigra to die or become impaired.

11 Nov 2011

New cellular targets for devastating neurological disorder

In a paper published in the November 9 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and University of Washington describe in deeper detail the pathology of a devastating neurological disorder, but also reveal new cellular targets for possibly slowing its development.

10 Nov 2011

Kessler Foundation neuropsychologists receive National Multiple Sclerosis Society grants

Two neuropsychologists at Kessler Foundation Research Center were awarded more than $100,000 in grants by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, received $63,000 to conduct a pilot study, "Speed of Processing Training for Improving Processing Speed in Persons with MS".

8 Nov 2011

BioScrip third quarter revenue increases 2.9% to $454.0 million

BioScrip, Inc. today announced 2011 third quarter financial results. Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $454.0 million and net income was $0.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, including $5.0 million in restructuring charges, severance and other employee costs.

8 Nov 2011

FDA grants Fast Track designation to Opexa's Tovaxin for treatment of SPMS

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., announced today that its lead drug candidate Tovaxin® has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

8 Nov 2011

Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s

U.S. researchers have finally found a way to overcome difficulties in coaxing human embryonic stem cells to become the neurons killed by Parkinson's disease.

8 Nov 2011

ISET 2012 to discuss latest advances in chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency

Innovators in the field of endovascular therapy will explore the often-contentious topic of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), which is theorized to be a contributing factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), at the 24th annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy.

7 Nov 2011

Potential predictors of spinal damage progression in people with spondyloarthritis

The presence of syndesmophytes (bony growths in the spine), acute phase reactants (proteins that are released into the blood in response to inflammation), and smoking status can all serve as predictors for the progression of structural damage in the spine in people with spondyloarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

7 Nov 2011

Phase III study of BG-12 in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis sparks excitement

Citeline, an Informa business unit, and the world's leading research authority on pharmaceutical clinical trials recently reviewed results presented at the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European and Americas Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, a major multiple sclerosis conference which was held October 19-22, 2011 in Amsterdam.

5 Nov 2011