Neuroscience News and Research

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Researchers identify link between genetic mutation and schizophrenia

In what may provide the most compelling evidence to date, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have illuminated how a genetic variant may lead to schizophrenia by causing a disruption in communication between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain, areas believed to be responsible for carrying out working memory.

2 Apr 2010

Scientists discover how bats are so adept at avoiding objects

For years, Brown University neuroscientist James Simmons has filmed bats as they flew in packs or individually chased prey in thick foliage. All the while, he asked himself why the bats never collided with objects in their paths or with each other.

1 Apr 2010

Insight into how mutations in LRRK2 gene may cause familial Parkinson's disease

Using new one-of-a-kind "mouse models" that promise to have a significant impact on future Parkinson's disease research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers are among the first to discover how mutations in a gene called LRRK2 may cause inherited (or "familial") Parkinson's disease, the most common form of the disease. The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, is the first in vivo evidence that LRRK2 regulates dopamine transmission and controls motor performance, and that the mutation of LRRK2 eliminates the normal function of LRRK2, leading to Parkinson's disease.

1 Apr 2010

Eisai Europe seeks EMA approval of eribulin mesylate for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

Eisai Europe Ltd. today announced that it has submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval of eribulin mesylate, also known as 'E7389', for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in Europe. Eribulin mesylate, a non-taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor, is an investigational chemical compound discovered and developed by Eisai. Regulatory applications for eribulin mesylate have also been submitted in the United States and Japan.

31 Mar 2010

HHMI awards 2010 Gilliam Fellowship to UT Southwestern student

Mariam El-Ashmawy, a student enrolled in UT Southwestern Medical Center's prestigious Medical Scientist Training Program, has been awarded a 2010 Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

31 Mar 2010

AAN awards 2010 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine researcher

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award to Martin J. Gallagher MD, PhD, with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Gallagher will receive the award during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

AAN awards Cedars-Sinai researcher 2010 Sheila Essey Award for ALS research

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 Sheila Essey Award-An Award for ALS Research to Clive Svendsen, PhD, with the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Svendsen will receive the award during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

2010 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research awarded to Yale University researcher

The American Academy of Neurology is awarding the 2010 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research to David A. Hafler, MD, with Yale University. Hafler will receive the award during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

Astellas Pharma extends all-cash tender offer of OSI Pharmaceuticals

Astellas Pharma Inc. announced today that it has extended its all-cash tender offer for $52 per share for all of the currently outstanding shares of common stock (including the associated stock purchase rights) of OSI Pharmaceuticals to 11:59 p.m. New York City time on Friday, April 23, 2010, unless further extended.

31 Mar 2010

Eisai seeks simultaneous approval of eribulin mesylate in U.S., EU and Japan

Eisai Inc. today announced that it has submitted simultaneous regulatory applications for approval of eribulin mesylate (also known as E7389) for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer to agencies in Japan, the United States and the European Union (EU). Eribulin, a non-taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor, is an investigational chemical compound discovered and developed by Eisai.

31 Mar 2010

NeurOp and Bristol-Myers Squibb announce drug discovery collaboration

NeurOp Corporation today announced a collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) focused upon the development of NeurOp's proprietary small molecules for use in the treatment of major depression and other central nervous system disorders.

31 Mar 2010

Top neurologists to receive 2010 AAN Alliance Awards

The American Academy of Neurology will recognize the outstanding achievements of researchers in neurology during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 through 17, 2010, the world's largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,000 presentations on the latest advances in neurologic research.

31 Mar 2010

Facts and treatment options for endometriosis

One out of every two women struggling to conceive may suffer from endometriosis - the leading cause of infertility - according to research from Camran Nezhat, M.D., gynecologist at El Camino Hospital, the hospital of the Silicon Valley.

31 Mar 2010

FDA issues Complete Response Letter for CERTRIAD NDA

AstraZeneca and Abbott announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter (CRL) for the New Drug Application (NDA) for CERTRIAD™ (rosuvastatin / fenofibric acid delayed release) Capsules.

31 Mar 2010

Higher levels of CRP associated with brain changes: Study

New research shows that a high level of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation in the blood, is associated with brain changes that are linked to problems with executive thinking skills. The study is published in the March 30, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

30 Mar 2010

Astellas Pharma, OSIP enter into confidentiality agreement

Astellas Pharma Inc. confirmed today that it has entered into a confidentiality agreement with OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Under the agreement, OSI will provide Astellas with access to certain non-public information. This follows Astellas' approach to OSI after OSI's announcement that its board of directors had instructed its management and financial advisors to contact interested third parties regarding a potential transaction.

30 Mar 2010

Unrestricted availability of food can trigger overconsumption and obesity

Some of the same brain mechanisms that fuel drug addiction in humans accompany the emergence of compulsive eating behaviors and the development of obesity in animals, according to research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health.

29 Mar 2010

Addiction to high calorie fat rich food: likened to cocaine and heroin addiction

In a new research our worst fears are confirmed – fatty, fried and fattening foods are addictive. The addiction with these delicious ‘yummies’ may be as potent as that with cocaine or heroin. The study was conducted on experimental animals, rats in this case. When fed with fatty foods in great quantities these rats showed a compulsive need to eat.

29 Mar 2010

Scientists link gene expression profiling effort to identify potential novel therapeutic for ALS

In an article published in Nature Genetics today, scientists at the ALS Therapy Development Institute describe how they have linked an unbiased gene expression profiling effort to the identification and successful preclinical testing of a potential novel therapeutic for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

29 Mar 2010

Cortex signs agreement to sell certain AMPAKINE compounds to Biovail

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Biovail Laboratories International SRL in which Biovail acquired certain AMPAKINE compounds and the rights to the patent filing for respiratory depression and vaso-occlusive crises associated with sickle cell disease.

29 Mar 2010