Central Nervous System News and Research

RSS

Brain cell transplants help replace degenerated neurons, finds Swiss research team

A Swiss research team has found that using an animal's own brain cells (autologous transplant) to replace degenerated neurons in select brain areas of donor primates with simulated but asymptomatic Parkinson's disease and previously in a motor cortex lesion model, provides a degree of brain protection and may be useful in repairing brain lesions and restoring function.

29 Oct 2009

Medtronic announces the international launch of PoleStar N30 Surgical MRI system

This week at the annual Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) announced the Conformite Europeen (CE) mark and international launch of the PoleStar® N30 Surgical MRI system, the latest in neuro oncology surgical solutions.

28 Oct 2009

Ziehm NaviPort interface and BrainLAB Fluoro 3D surgical navigation software improves surgical procedures

Ziehm Imaging and BrainLAB have extended their cooperation to assist surgeons in the intra-operative guidance of pedicle screw and hardware placement during surgical trauma and spinal instrumentation procedures.

27 Oct 2009

New significant tool to improve the quality of care for patients with brain tumors released

While the nation is debating how best to reform healthcare, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) announce a new significant tool to improve the quality of care for patients who suffer from brain tumors.

27 Oct 2009

Innovative approach to build a new drug to treat a number of CNS diseases

Working like an architect, Prof. Hagit Eldar-Finkelman of Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine is "building" a new drug, L803-MTS, to treat a number of central nervous system (CNS) diseases like Alzheimer's. In pre-clinical studies, it also shows promise against Parkinson's, Huntington's and diabetes.

27 Oct 2009

In the House, Democrats opposed to abortion threaten reform bill

Some House Democrats opposed to abortion are threatening to thwart health care reform legislation if it does not clearly steer away from funding abortions. Congress Daily reports: "With Republicans likely to try to use the emotional issue to draw support and money for 2010 contests, Democrats tried to make the bill 'abortion neutral' -- maintaining existing federal policy without further restricting abortion rights.

26 Oct 2009

Results from Phase I dose-escalation study of AT-101 announced

Ascenta Therapeutics announced today that encouraging results from a Phase I dose-escalation study of two combination therapy regimens containing AT-101, an oral, pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor, in patients with the most malignant type of brain tumor, were described in an oral presentation at the 2009 Joint Meeting of the Society for NeuroOncology (SNO) and AANS/CNS Section on Tumors in New Orleans, Louisiana (Concurrent Session VI: Radiation Oncology, October 23, 2009; Abstract # 449).

26 Oct 2009

UCSF presents update of Phase 2 clinical trial of Oncophage cancer vaccine at SNO 2009

Antigenics today announced that the Brain Tumor Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), has presented an update on a Phase 2 clinical trial of Oncophage (vitespen) for recurrent high grade glioma (brain cancer) at the 2009 Joint Meeting of SNO (Society for Neuro-Oncology) and AANS/CNS Section on Tumors 2009 in New Orleans, LA.

26 Oct 2009

Enzyme Mst3b is essential for regenerating damaged axons in live animal model, say researchers

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston report that an enzyme known as Mst3b, previously identified in their lab, is essential for regenerating damaged axons (nerve fibers) in a live animal model, in both the peripheral and central nervous systems.

26 Oct 2009

Democratic infighting on abortion and health reform will peak this week

Examiner: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) intends to bring the legislation to the floor early this week, but Pro-life Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) and a posse of conservative Democrats might just throw a wrench in Pelosi's plans.

26 Oct 2009

Orthovita to present comparative study data of its Cortoss product to polymethylmethacrylate

Orthovita, Inc., an orthobiologics and biosurgery company, is pleased to announce that Dr. Pierce D. Nunley, Director of the Spine Institute of Louisiana, will present his abstract, “A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Adjacent Level Fractures in Patients Receiving Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Compression Fractures Using CortossTM or PMMA: A Prospective, Randomized Trial,” at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS).

24 Oct 2009

Elekta to demonstrate stereotactic solutions at the 2009 CNS Annual Meeting

At the 2009 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Annual Meeting, October 24-28 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Elekta will demonstrate how its line of stereotactic solutions expand treatment capabilities and bring new hope for patients presenting serious conditions.

From Elekta 24 Oct 2009

University neurologists launch multiple sclerosis research study

Neurologists at the University at Buffalo are beginning a research study that could overturn the prevailing wisdom on the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS).

24 Oct 2009

Updated data on XL184 study in patients with glioblastoma multiforme presented

Exelixis, Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today reported updated phase 2 clinical data which show that XL184 demonstrated activity in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer.

24 Oct 2009

TransMolecular announces final results from its Phase 2 clinical study of 131I-TM601

TransMolecular, Inc., a developer of innovative oncology drugs through targeted delivery technologies, today announced final results from its Phase 2 clinical study comparing the toxicity and overall survival of three versus six intracavitary injections of its anti-cancer compound 131I-TM601 in the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma.

24 Oct 2009

Archexin has potential to target and treat multiple life-threatening cancers, finds new study

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential best in class oncology and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics, today announced the results of an animal study that further demonstrates the company’s Phase II oncology drug, Archexin™, as having the potential to target and treat multiple life-threatening cancers.

23 Oct 2009

KemPharm commences KP106 Phase 1 clinical trial for ADHD

KemPharm, Inc. today announced that it has commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers of its novel prodrug compound, KP106, which is in development for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). KP106, a new chemical entity (NCE) composed of d-amphetamine and a ligand, is the lead investigational candidate from KemPharm’s proprietary ligand activated therapy (LAT) platform, which creates improved versions of FDA-approved drugs. KemPharm began the KP106 program in 2007 and has initiated the Phase 1 clinical trial of this candidate in less than 24 months.

22 Oct 2009

Drugs affecting the central nervous system effective against fibromyalgia, study finds

People suffering from fibromyalgia have reduced activity in the parts of the brain that inhibit the experience of pain. Drugs that affect the CNS can be effective against the disease, and are thought to be even more so if administered early in its course. This according to a new thesis from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.

22 Oct 2009

FDA extends Acorda Therapeutics' Fampridine-SR PDUFA goal date

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the PDUFA goal date for its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for Fampridine-SR to January 22, 2010. The original Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for this priority review application was October 22, 2009.

22 Oct 2009

HBO treatments may improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury

Hard to Treat Diseases, Inc. (HTDS:PK), http://www.htdsmedical.com announced that researchers in its Slavica BioChem division have reported new positive results of experiments in which the potential beneficial effects of Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) after traumatic brain injury have been explored.

22 Oct 2009

Central Nervous System News and Research

Brain cell transplants help replace degenerated neurons, finds Swiss research team

Medtronic announces the international launch of PoleStar N30 Surgical MRI system

Ziehm NaviPort interface and BrainLAB Fluoro 3D surgical navigation software improves surgical procedures

New significant tool to improve the quality of care for patients with brain tumors released

Innovative approach to build a new drug to treat a number of CNS diseases

In the House, Democrats opposed to abortion threaten reform bill

Results from Phase I dose-escalation study of AT-101 announced

UCSF presents update of Phase 2 clinical trial of Oncophage cancer vaccine at SNO 2009

Enzyme Mst3b is essential for regenerating damaged axons in live animal model, say researchers

Democratic infighting on abortion and health reform will peak this week

Orthovita to present comparative study data of its Cortoss product to polymethylmethacrylate

Elekta to demonstrate stereotactic solutions at the 2009 CNS Annual Meeting

University neurologists launch multiple sclerosis research study

Updated data on XL184 study in patients with glioblastoma multiforme presented

TransMolecular announces final results from its Phase 2 clinical study of 131I-TM601

Archexin has potential to target and treat multiple life-threatening cancers, finds new study

KemPharm commences KP106 Phase 1 clinical trial for ADHD

Drugs affecting the central nervous system effective against fibromyalgia, study finds

FDA extends Acorda Therapeutics' Fampridine-SR PDUFA goal date

HBO treatments may improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Latest News