Neurological Disease News and Research

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Study reveals interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

"Our study reveals the interaction of genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease," explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum M-nchen, lead author of the study.

18 Jan 2010

GIND scientists identify major role of TDP-43 in two neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease (GIND) have identified the reason a key protein plays a major role in two neurodegenerative diseases.

13 Jan 2010

MedGenesis Therapeutix enters into license agreement with Amgen

MedGenesis Therapeutix Inc. ("MedGenesis"), a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative treatments for patients with serious central nervous system (CNS) diseases, announced today that it has successfully entered into an agreement with Amgen Inc. ("Amgen"), granting MedGenesis an exclusive, worldwide license for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein in CNS and non-CNS indications, subject to the rights of a co-exclusive licensee for CNS indications in certain countries, as further described below.

12 Jan 2010

GIVI scientists discover anti-HIV molecule that enhances infection, reduces transmission

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology (GIVI) have discovered a new agent that might inhibit the infectivity of HIV. The agent, surfen, impairs the action of a factor in semen that greatly enhances the viral infection.

5 Jan 2010

SVA submits the first clinical trial application for HFMD vaccine in China

Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, announced today that it has filed the application with China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to commence a human clinical trial for its vaccine against human enterovirus 71 (EV 71), which causes hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). This is the first clinical trial application for HFMD vaccine submitted in China.

28 Dec 2009

GIND scientists identify drug treatments that can normalize neuron development in AD

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease (GIND) have discovered that two main causes of AD amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides and apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) impair the growth of new neurons born in adult brains. What is more, they have identified drug treatments that can normalize the development of these cells even in the presence of Aβ or apoE4. The findings are described in two separate papers published in the current issue of Cell Stem Cell.

4 Dec 2009

Refuse to file letter on NDA for Cladribine Tablets issued to EMD Serono

EMD Serono, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that it received a refuse to file letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the New Drug Application (NDA) for Cladribine Tablets, EMD Serono's proprietary investigational oral formulation of cladribine, as a therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

1 Dec 2009

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada to invite research operating grant proposals related to CCSVI and MS

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada announced it will request research operating grants related to chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS.

25 Nov 2009

Raptor Pharmaceutical announces Phase 2b results of DR Cysteamine trial

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp., today announced results from a Phase 2b clinical trial of its proprietary delayed-release cysteamine bitartrate ("DR Cysteamine") in patients with nephropathic cystinosis ("cystinosis"). The trial, conducted at the University of California, San Diego ("UCSD") General Clinical Research Center, evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single dose of DR Cysteamine in nine cystinosis patients.

23 Nov 2009

Recent developments at Burnham Institute for Medical Research

New antibiotics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other pesky bacteria. Andrei Osterman and collaborators have used comparisons of bacterial genomes to identify new targets for antibiotics and produced first-generation chemical inhibitors of a class of bacterial enzymes, called NadDs (nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferases).

17 Nov 2009

NMO patients are misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, says Mayo Clinic neurologist

Thousands of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients are potentially being misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to Mayo Clinic Neurologist Sean Pittock, M.D., largely due to lack of awareness of NMO within the medical community.

12 Nov 2009

Men more likely to abandon partners diagnosed with cancer

A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played in so-called "partner abandonment." The study also found that the longer the marriage the more likely it would remain intact.

11 Nov 2009

GICD, Stanford University collaborate to develop stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) and Stanford University School of Medicine will collaborate in a new consortium funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to develop stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies. GICD investigators, led by GICD Director Deepak Srivastava, MD, will collaborate with a Stanford team led by Robert Robbins, MD, professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery, to investigate how to use induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, to repair damaged heart muscle.

3 Nov 2009

NIH launches randomized trail to determine whether lower BP goal cuts the risk of heart and kidney diseases

The National Institutes of Health is launching a large multicenter randomized clinical trial to determine whether maintaining blood pressure levels lower than current recommendations further reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, or age-related cognitive decline.

30 Oct 2009

Fondation Jacques-F. Gougoux donates over $57,000 to the Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society

The Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is delighted to be able to count on the Fondation Jacques-F. Gougoux in improving the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and their families. A donation of $57,386, spread over 15 years, will enable the MS Society to make some of its services more accessible.

29 Oct 2009

Montreal Chapter of the MS Society receives funds for physical activity program for people with multiple sclerosis

Under the Foundation of Greater Montreal's Community Grants Program, the Montreal Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada will receive $10,000, which will ensure the continuity of its program of physical activities adapted for people with multiple sclerosis.

29 Oct 2009

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutes funds multi-year project

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) will receive $10 million over the next 6 years to find the genetic causes of congenital heart disease.

28 Oct 2009

Curriculum to increase science literacy and generate enthusiasm for life sciences among high school students

A new curriculum called The Great Diseases will bring real-world biomedical research to students in three Boston high schools. The result of a collaboration between scientists from Tufts University School of Medicine and teachers from the Boston Public Schools, the curriculum presents current threats to global health through laboratory learning, multimedia, and case-based studies

24 Oct 2009

Findings provide new insight on skin pigmentation

The skin's pigment cells can be formed from completely different cells than has hitherto been thought, a new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet shows. The results, which are published in the journal Cell, also mean the discovery of a new kind of stem cell.

19 Oct 2009

Specific immune system cells linked to susceptibility of younger people to variant CJD

Specific cells within the immune system could help explain why younger people are more susceptible to variant CJD, scientists believe.

15 Oct 2009