Central Nervous System News and Research

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Researchers identify three sets of genetic markers linked with CNS PNET

Researchers at The University of Nottingham have identified three sets of genetic markers that could potentially pave the way for new diagnostic tools for a deadly type of brain tumour that mainly targets children.

16 Jun 2012

NextGen commercializes new assay for identification of biomarkers in brain disorders

NextGen Group Plc, the AIM listed company developing its own diagnostics product pipeline and providing diagnostic biomarker development services, announces the commercialisation of a new assay for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers in brain disorders in animal models.

15 Jun 2012

Impel NeuroPharma announces important POD technology milestones

Impel NeuroPharma, a medical device company developing a novel drug delivery device that enables drugs to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using direct nose-to-brain delivery, today announced a set of important milestones in its drive to commercialize its POD technology.

15 Jun 2012

New analogues effective in inhibiting NOS activity in Parkinson models

University of Granada researchers have tested melatonin analogues in rats as it inhibits the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is involved in the development of conditions as inflammatory bowel disease, septic shock or rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in neurodegenerative conditions as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

14 Jun 2012

EnVivo to present results from EVP-6124 Phase 2b trial on AD at AAIC 2012

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals, a company dedicated to developing a broad range of novel central nervous system (CNS) therapies, today announced that the company will present a comprehensive analysis of its recently completed Phase 2b clinical trial of EVP-6124 in Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 (AAIC), being held July 14-19, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

14 Jun 2012

Gut microbes regulate brain levels of serotonin

UCC scientists have shown that brain levels of serotonin, the 'happy hormone' are regulated by the amount of bacteria in the gut during early life. Their research is being published today in the leading international psychiatry journal, Molecular Psychiatry.

13 Jun 2012

Uncertainty over efficacy of clopidogrel in hemolytic uremic syndrome

Clinical outcomes for children hospitalized with diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome are comparable between those treated with clopidogrel and those who are not, show study findings.

12 Jun 2012

Mutation responsible for rare, hereditary motor neuron disease disrupts vital links

Studying how nerve cells send and receive messages, Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered new ways that genetic mutations can disrupt functions in neurons and lead to neurodegenerative disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

11 Jun 2012

UF Proton Therapy Institute successfully treats first eye cancer patient

The fixed beam room, or eyeline, at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute is up and running and radiation oncologist Robert Malyapa, M.D., Ph.D. completed treating the facility's first eye cancer patient this week.

10 Jun 2012

JMC publishes results from Rexahn’s RX-3117 preclinical cancer study

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing potential best in class oncology and CNS therapeutics, today announced the publication of a research article in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry on the anti-tumor activity of its RX-3117 compound.

1 Jun 2012

ProCure Proton Therapy Center successfully treats first cancer patient

Bound Brook, N.J. resident Frank Mackinson became the first patient to complete treatment at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, N.J.— a milestone that was celebrated with family, friends and Mackinson's treatment team. The Somerset Center opened officially on March 20 (one month ahead of schedule), enabling Mackinson to begin treatment on March 28. Proton therapy is a precise form of radiation treatment for cancer without many of the short- and long-term side effects often experienced with standard X-ray radiation.

31 May 2012

Use of transplanted induced pluripotent stem cells could lead to new treatments for HD

Researchers from South Korea, Sweden, and the United States have collaborated on a project to restore neuron function to parts of the brain damaged by Huntington's disease (HD) by successfully transplanting HD-induced pluripotent stem cells into animal models.

30 May 2012

DFG to establish 20 CRCs by 1 July 2012

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is to establish 20 Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) by 1 July 2012. This decision was taken by the Grants Committee at its spring session in Bonn. The new CRCs will receive funding totalling 176 million euros (including a 20 percent programme allowance for indirect project costs) for the initial 4-year funding period.

30 May 2012

Positive results from Alkermes’ ALKS 5461 phase 1/2 study on MDD

Alkermes plc today presented positive results from the phase 1/2 study of ALKS 5461, a novel drug compound for major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients who have an inadequate response to standard therapies for clinical depression, in an oral session at the 52nd Annual New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit (NCDEU) Meeting in Phoenix.

30 May 2012

Glia seem to play two opposing roles in protecting nerve cells from damage

A protein produced by the central nervous system's support cells seems to play two opposing roles in protecting nerve cells from damage, an animal study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests: Decreasing its activity seems to trigger support cells to gear up their protective powers, but increasing its activity appears to be key to actually use those powers to defend cells from harm.

30 May 2012

Neural protein plays two opposing roles

A protein produced by the central nervous system’s support cells seems to play two opposing roles in protecting nerve cells from damage, an animal study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests: Decreasing its activity seems to trigger support cells to gear up their protective powers, but increasing its activity appears to be key to actually use those powers to defend cells from harm.

29 May 2012

Tβ4 offers both neurorestoration and neuroprotection after TBI

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. reported that data showing that Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) "provides both neuroprotection and neurorestoration after traumatic brain injury (TBI)," was published in the current (May 2012) edition of the Journal of Neurosurgery, 116:1081-1092.

28 May 2012

UC Irvine immunologist to create new line of neural stem cells for MS

A UC Irvine immunologist will receive $4.8 million to create a new line of neural stem cells that can be used to treat multiple sclerosis.

28 May 2012

Fever during pregnancy associated with autism or developmental delay

A team of UC Davis researchers has found that mothers who had fevers during their pregnancies were more than twice as likely to have a child with autism or developmental delay than were mothers of typically developing children, and that taking medication to treat fever countered its effect.

25 May 2012

UCSF scientists aim to use embryonic stem cells for treatment of neuropathic pain

Chronic pain, by definition, is difficult to manage, but a new study by UCSF scientists shows how a cell therapy might one day be used not only to quell some common types of persistent and difficult-to-treat pain, but also to cure the conditions that give rise to them.

25 May 2012