Neurological Disease News and Research

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Studies suggest role for IL-10 in prevention and treatment of neurological disease in newborns

This bacterium, Escherichia coli K1, is the most common cause of meningitis in premature infants and the second most common cause of the disease in newborns. "The ineffectiveness of antibiotics in treating newborns with meningitis and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria require new strategies," explains Nemani V. Prasadarao, PhD, associate professor of infectious disease at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

17 Jun 2010

ISB, GIND collaborate on whole-genome sequencing to identify drug targets for Huntington's Disease

The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) of Seattle, WA, is collaborating with the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease (GIND) and its Taube-Koret Center for Huntington's Disease Research to use whole-genome sequencing to identify genes and novel drug targets related to the onset and progression of Huntington's disease (HD). The research team, led by GIND associate director and senior investigator Steven Finkbeiner, MD, PhD, will also use induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from patients with HD to screen for drugs that might delay, prevent, or even reverse this devastating condition.

16 Jun 2010

Parkinson’s disease linked to gene variant and pesticide: Study

Researchers from France reported in their new study that bad genes and exposure to certain banned pesticides could be blamed for development of Parkinson’s disease in men. In their study, published in the Archives of Neurology journal they show that men exposed to pesticides such as DDT and who had inherited genes for Parkinson’s disease were three and a half times more likely to develop Parkinson's than those with the normal version of the gene.

14 Jun 2010

NYBA recognizes Acorda Therapeutics President with The Cures Start Here Business Leader of the Year Award

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that Ron Cohen, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, is the recipient of the New York Biotechnology Association "The Cures Start Here" Business Leader of the Year Award. The award is presented for outstanding service to the patient community and to NYBA.

8 Jun 2010

Researchers induce memory of safety in brain of rats

Researchers have found a way to pharmacologically induce a memory of safety in the brain of rats, mimicking the effect of training. The finding suggests possibilities for new treatments for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders.

4 Jun 2010

Discovery reveals a new approach to target cancer

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and the School of Medicine have discovered that inhibiting a key molecule in a DNA repair pathway could provide the means to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy while protecting healthy cells.

3 Jun 2010

Raptor Pharmaceutical acquires exclusive license to intellectual property for Huntington's Disease treatment

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp., announced that the Company has acquired an exclusive worldwide license to intellectual property related to the potential treatment of Huntington's Disease from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and Niigata University in Japan. In addition, Raptor has added Professor Lawrence Steinman, M.D., an inventor on the Weizmann patent, to its Advisory Board.

2 Jun 2010

Famous painters, musicians, and writers who fought against neurological disorders

The third part of Neurological Disorders in Famous Artists presents painters, musicians, and writers who had to fight against an acute or chronic neurological disease. Sometimes this fight was without success (e.g. Shostakovich, Schumann, Wolf, Pascal), but often a dynamic and paradoxical creativity of the clinical disorder was integrated into their artistic production (e.g. Klee, Ramuz).

29 May 2010

Five Prime Therapeutics, Fast Forward partner to develop Multiple Sclerosis therapeutic candidate

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc., a leader in the discovery and development of innovative biologics, and Fast Forward, LLC, a subsidiary of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, today announced an alliance to fund the development of a FivePrime pre-clinical stage therapeutic candidate for treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Fast Forward will commit up to $1 million to fund the advancement of the therapeutic candidate.

25 May 2010

Research aims to describe women's experience of living with MS

The women who I asked would like to have time and opportunity to express grief and vulnerability in contact with health services. They also expect a response based on their individual situation and needs, "said Malin Olsson, Ph.D. at Luleå University of Technology.

21 May 2010

The Neuropathy Association joins with the Empire State Building to recognize National Neuropathy Week

For National Neuropathy Week, May 17-21, The Neuropathy Association will join with the Empire State Building to raise neuropathy awareness, recognize National Neuropathy Week, and commemorate the Association's 15th Anniversary.

17 May 2010

Athersys presents data supporting MultiStem programs

Athersys, Inc. today presented data supporting its MultiStem® programs in cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and immune system modulation, and highlighted advancements in other areas, including progress in its drug development program in the area of obesity.

15 May 2010

Researchers receive $250,000 to study inventive cell-transfer therapy to treat cortical dysplasia

University of Florida researchers will receive $250,000 to study an inventive cell-transfer therapy to treat cortical dysplasia, a condition where the brain develops abnormally before birth, causing severe epilepsy in children and adults.

4 May 2010

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to collaborate with New York Stem Cell Foundation

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) are establishing a collaborative program to advance the development and use of stem cells in therapies for a wide range of diseases, the organizations announced today. The program will train researchers to use stem cells and foster joint research projects.

27 Apr 2010

Cellular IPOD plays role in prion biology

Cells take advantage of a biologically ancient compartment to sequester prions, an action that can initially prevent the prions’ phenotypic expression, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. While in this compartment, less heritable prion plaques mature to a more transmissible state.

27 Apr 2010

Study describes relationship between gene expression and intelligence in WS patients

Although genetics is the most significant known determinant of human intelligence, how specific genes affect intelligence remains largely unknown. A multi-institution team led by a University of Utah USTAR researcher has found that the brain gene STX1A plays a significant role in the level of intelligence displayed by patients with Williams Syndrome.

23 Apr 2010

Obesity related FTO gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are an American of European origin and carry the FTO gene which causes obesity, you have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles claimed that 'A commonly carried allele of the obesity-related FTO gene is associated with reduced brain volume in healthy elderly'.

21 Apr 2010

Study shows ultrathin flexible implants can effectively record brain activity

Scientists have developed a brain implant that essentially melts into place, snugly fitting to the brain's surface. The technology could pave the way for better devices to monitor and control seizures, and to transmit signals from the brain past damaged parts of the spinal cord.

19 Apr 2010

New data on Cladribine Tablets presented at AAN annual meeting

EMD Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced that new data providing further understanding on Cladribine Tablets as a potential new therapeutic option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis were presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 Apr 2010

Research may help develop new ways to diagnose and treat communication disorders

An international research consortium has identified more than 800 genes that appear to play a role in the male zebra finch's ability to learn elaborate songs from his father. The researchers also found evidence that song behavior engages complex gene regulatory networks within the brain of the songbird- networks that rely on parts of the genome once considered junk.

5 Apr 2010