Dystonia News and Research

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Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder, in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures.

Electrode devices emerge as potential stimulation treatments for depression

Approximately ten to thirty percent of patients with depression do not respond to drug treatments commonly used for the disorder, and this has spurred a search for alternatives. According to Kalorama Information's report "Electrical and Magnetic Neurostimulation," electrode devices that stimulate nerves have emerged as a solution and there is competition among notable device companies to provide the most effective stimulator.

28 Jan 2010

Neurosurgical journals influence neurosurgeons and their patients

A compendium of articles in the Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) provides evidence that specialty medical journals are not only an invaluable resource to physicians and researchers, but to the media and public. Clinical and basic science papers do not have to be published in large, high-impact publications to garner attention, and in fact when it comes to specialized areas of medicine such as neurosurgery, publications devoted to the subspecialty produce many citation classics. "Citation classic" is a term given to articles that have been cited more than 400 times.

18 Jan 2010

Neurocrine to advance its NBI-98854 VMAT2 Inhibitor into a multiple repeated dose Phase 1 study

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. today announced their highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, NBI-98854, will be advanced in clinical development.

21 Dec 2009

Multidisciplinary pediatric neurosurgery program launched

Responding to a growing need in central and northeast Pennsylvania for highly specialized care of pediatric brain tumors and other central nervous system disorders, Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital has launched a state-of-the-art and comprehensive pediatric neurosurgery program. The multidisciplinary program is led by pediatric neurosurgeon Amir Kershenovich, M.D., who says he is pleased to accept his challenging role.

24 Nov 2009

FDA approves sNDA for pediatric autism drug ABILIFY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.

20 Nov 2009

Xeomin receives approval for post-stroke spasticity of upper limb in European countries

Today, Merz Pharmaceuticals announced Xeomin®, the first botulinum toxin type A free from complexing proteins has been granted an extension of indication for post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb presenting with flexed wrist and clenched fist in adults in various European countries.

19 Nov 2009

Brain disorder that causes early dementia is highly hereditary: Study

New research shows that a rare brain disorder that causes early dementia is highly hereditary. The study is published in the November 3, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 Nov 2009

Dysport drug for treatment of cervical dystonia launched in the United States

Ipsen, an innovation-driven global specialty pharmaceutical group, today announced that Dysport® is now available in the United States for the treatment of cervical dystonia in adults.

29 Oct 2009

Deep brain stimulation: New treatment option for people with severe Tourette syndrome

Deep brain stimulation may be a safe and effective treatment for Tourette syndrome, according to research published in the October 27, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

27 Oct 2009

Guidelines for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis identified

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology identify the most effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig's disease. The guidelines are published in the October 13, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Oct 2009

Research to explore diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases

The National Institutes of Health announced today a second phase of the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) including funds for 19 research consortia.

7 Oct 2009

Merz publishes Phase III study results assessing the impact of NT 201 on muscle tone

Data results published this month in Clinical Neuropharmacology, revealed that Merz Pharmaceuticals' NT 201 (botulinum toxin type A free from complexing proteins), also known by the brand name Xeomin in Europe and Canada, was statistically significantly more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

7 Oct 2009

Allergan files declaratory relief action to allow it to share relavant information on BOTOX

Allergan, Inc. today filed a declaratory relief action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a ruling that would allow Allergan to proactively share truthful and relevant information with the medical community to assist physicians in evaluating the risks and benefits of BOTOX (onabotulinumtoxinA) for certain “off-label” therapeutic uses.

5 Oct 2009

Transient ischemic attack can trigger stroke

One out of every eight strokes is preceded by a "warning stroke," which is a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke, according to research published in the September 29, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

29 Sep 2009

Children with microcephaly should be screened for neurologic and cognitive problems, says guideline

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology, developed in full collaboration with the Child Neurology Society, finds that children with microcephaly that is, children whose head size is smaller than that of 97 percent of childrenare at risk of neurologic and cognitive problems and should be screened for these problems. The guideline is published in the September 15, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

15 Sep 2009

Cognitive abilities decline more for people with Alzheimer's disease due to infections

Getting a cold, stomach bug or other infection may lead to increased memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease, according to research published in the September 8, 2009, print issue of Neurology-, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

8 Sep 2009

VAERS calls for reporting of GBS cases following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) are requesting neurologists to report any possible new cases of Guillain-Barr- syndrome (GBS) following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination using the CDC and U. S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

1 Sep 2009

Ipsen Group announces first-half 2009 financial results

The Board of Directors of Ipsen (Paris:IPN), chaired by Jean-Luc Bélingard, met on 27 August 2009 to review the Group’s results for the first half 2009, published today. The full 2009 half year financial report is available on the Group’s web site, www.ipsen.com, under the Regulated Information heading in the Investor Relations pages.

28 Aug 2009

Positive results obtained from phase 3 clinical trial of lurasidone for treating schizophrenia

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., (DSP) announced today positive results from PEARL 2 - a phase 3 clinical trial of lurasidone for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. In this trial, both lurasidone 40 and 120 mg/day were significantly more effective than placebo for the treatment of schizophrenia. Lurasidone was well-tolerated with an overall discontinuation rate that was similar to placebo.

26 Aug 2009

People with high diastolic blood pressure more likely to have cognitive impairment

High blood pressure is linked to memory problems in people over 45, according to research published in the August 25, 2009, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 Aug 2009