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Myelin is the fatty substance that covers and protects nerves.

Dalfampridine drug for multiple sclerosis now available in the U.S.

A drug whose clinical benefit in treating multiple sclerosis was discovered at Rush University Medical Center was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on January 22 and is now available in the U.S.

6 Apr 2010

Opexa Therapeutics to discuss on personalized medicine for treatment of MS

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a company developing a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis, announced today that the company will participate in a panel discussion on Personalized Medicine for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis on April 7, 2010.

5 Apr 2010

Is relief round the corner for multiple sclerosis patients in the form of bee stings?

A recent development can raise the hopes of many sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – a dreaded, debilitating, fatal nerve disorder. Charity worker Sami Chugg, 45, claims to have overcome her condition after being stung by bees.

5 Apr 2010

Study suggests two distinct versions of multiple sclerosis

There may be two distinct versions of multiple sclerosis, a study in both animal models and human blood samples suggests. What's more, a patient's responsiveness to the most popular first-line drug for this episodic and all-too-often recurring autoimmune condition seems to depend on which version that patient has.

30 Mar 2010

Acorda Therapeutics submits applications to extend patent protection for AMPYRA to USPTO

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the Company has submitted applications to extend patent protection for AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

22 Mar 2010

Robertson Foundation commits $10.2M for Duke Medicine's cell therapy research

A $10.2 million commitment from the Robertson Foundation to create a state-of-the-art Translational Cell Therapy Center (TCTC) will advance Duke Medicine's pioneering cell therapy research and treatment programs for children and adults with cancer, cerebral palsy, stroke and brain injuries suffered at birth.

19 Mar 2010

BeaconEquity.com: STEM losses $5.2M in fourth-quarter of 2009

BeaconEquity.com announces an investment report featuring biotech company StemCells Inc. The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and pertinent industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.

16 Mar 2010

Molecular master switch plays a key role in maturation process of brain cells

About four out of every 10 cells in the brain are so-called oligodendrocytes. These cells produce the all-important myelin that coats nerve tracts, ensuring fast, energy-efficient transmission of nerve impulses.

11 Mar 2010

Peptimmune granted US patent for PI-2301 peptide copolymer in treatment of multiple sclerosis

Peptimmune, Inc. a privately held biotechnology company, announced today the grant of US Patent Number 7,655,221 (the '221 patent) which protects the target product profile for its PI-2301 peptide copolymer for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases.

6 Mar 2010

Thymosin beta 4 improves neurological functional outcome

REGENERX BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. announced that a research team from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI reported that Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), administered to rats one day after embolic stroke, improved neurological functional outcome compared to control animals.

6 Mar 2010

Opexa Therapeutics reports net loss of $1,433,922 for year ended December 31, 2009

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a company developing Tovaxin®, a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009 and provided an update on its progress.

5 Mar 2010

Acorda Therapeutics' AMPYRA now available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg is now available by prescription in the United States and Puerto Rico. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is indicated for use in all types of MS, and can be used either alone or with existing therapies, including disease-modifying agents.

1 Mar 2010

Cause of multiple sclerosis: Researchers test autoimmune hypothesis

A non-pathogenic bacterium is capable to trigger an autoimmune disease similar to the multiple sclerosis in the mouse, the model animal which helps to explain how human diseases work. This is what a group of researchers from the Catholic University of Rome, led by Francesco Ria (Institute of General Pathology) and Giovanni Delogu (Institute of Microbiology), have explained for the first time in a recently published article on the Journal of Immunology.

26 Feb 2010

Transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into injured spinal cord increases movement recovery

Researchers at UTHealth have demonstrated in rats that transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into an injured spinal cord can help restore the electrical pathways associated with movement. The results are published in the Feb. 24 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

25 Feb 2010

Highly fit MS patients perform better on tests of cognitive function than less-fit patients: Study

Highly fit multiple sclerosis patients perform significantly better on tests of cognitive function than similar less-fit patients, a new study shows.

18 Feb 2010

Study calls for individualized therapeutic interventions for MS patients

Fewer African Americans than Caucasians develop multiple sclerosis (MS), statistics show, but their disease progresses more rapidly, and they don't respond as well to therapies, a new study by neurology researchers at the University at Buffalo has found.

6 Feb 2010

Shire's clinical study results for treatment of Gaucher disease to be presented at LDN World Symposium

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that data from one of three Phase III clinical trials for velaglucerase alfa, the company's enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in development for the treatment of Type 1 Gaucher disease, will be presented at the Lysosomal Disease Network (LDN) World Symposium, February 10-12, 2010 in Miami, Florida.

4 Feb 2010

AMPYRA for MS: Acorda Therapeutics announces wholesale pricing and patient assistance program

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets will be $1,056 per 30-day supply (60-count pill bottle), an annual cost of $12,850. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is expected to be available in March 2010.

3 Feb 2010

New approach may prove useful in labor anesthesia, orthopedics and more

One of the holy grails of local anesthesia is the ability to achieve a long-lasting nerve block that eliminates pain sensation while not affecting motor function. Now, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered an anesthetic approach that seems to do just that.

2 Feb 2010

Study assesses gray matter concentration deficits in multiple brain areas of people with OSA

A study in the Feb. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found gray matter concentration deficits in multiple brain areas of people with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study suggests that the memory impairment, cardiovascular disturbances, executive dysfunctions, and dysregulation of autonomic and respiratory control frequently observed in OSA patients may be related to morphological changes in brain structure.

1 Feb 2010