Spasticity News and Research

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Spasticity is a condition involving an involuntary increase in muscle tone that leads to resistance against normal movements of the body and may cause pain in some individuals.

RowanSOM researcher awarded NINDS grant to develop stem cell-based therapy for Canavan disease

Paola Leone, PhD, the director of the Cell and Gene Therapy Center and a professor of Cell Biology at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, has been awarded a three-year, $477,000 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to develop a stem cell-based therapy for Canavan disease, a rare but devastating neurological disorder in children that typically takes a child's life by age 10.

26 Feb 2015

New treatment may bring hope for people suffering from muscle cramps

A new treatment may bring hope for people who suffer from muscle cramps or spasms from neuromuscular disorders, diseases such as multiple sclerosis or simply from nighttime leg cramps that keep people from sleeping, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015.

19 Feb 2015

Experts discuss therapeutic potential of medical cannabis in a symposium organized by MUHC

While debate about recreational marijuana use continues, researchers are investigating the effectiveness of cannabis for treating pain, spasticity, and a host of other medical problems. In a symposium organized by the McGill University Health Centre as part of the 2015 American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting held this week in San Jose, California, world-renowned experts from North America and the U.K. share their perspectives on the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis and explore the emerging science behind it.

16 Feb 2015

Intronix Technologies, Western University collaborate to develop rehabilitation devices

Intronix Technologies will be collaborating with Western University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to develop technology to be incorporated into rehabilitation devices.

16 Dec 2014

Dantrolene drug may be effective treatment for rare form of diabetes

A commonly prescribed muscle relaxant may be an effective treatment for a rare but devastating form of diabetes, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report.

24 Nov 2014

Pros and cons of medical marijuana to be discussed at Queensland Epilepsy Symposium

The pros and cons of medical marijuana is a discussion focus at the fifth annual Queensland Epilepsy Symposium, Epilepsy – On the Horizon.

18 Nov 2014

Stretch sensors respond weakly to muscle stretch caused by external forces

Stretch sensors in our muscles participate in reflexes that serve the subconscious control of posture and movement. According to a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, these sensors respond weakly to muscle stretch caused by one's voluntary action, and most strongly to stretch that is imposed by external forces. The ability to reflect causality in this manner can facilitate appropriate reflex control and accurate self-perception.

9 Oct 2014

TSRI study points way to potential therapies for hereditary spastic paraplegia

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered that a gene mutation linked to hereditary spastic paraplegia, a disabling neurological disorder, interferes with the normal breakdown of triglyceride fat molecules in the brain. The TSRI researchers found large droplets of triglycerides within the neurons of mice modeling the disease.

30 Sep 2014

Researcher designs remote medical care system to support rehabilitation of people with spasticity

Yadira Alatriste, researcher at the Autonomous Metropolitan University of Mexico designed a remote medical care system that supports the rehabilitation of people with spasticity, an alteration of the nervous system related to increased tone muscle making motor skills difficult or impossible for those affected.

9 Sep 2014

Researchers investigate functional performance in children with spina bifida

Spina bifda (SB) is a complex congenital central nervous system disease that is caused by the incomplete closing of the neural tubes during the embryonic phase.

26 Jul 2014

Massage therapy can alleviate symptoms of multiple sclerosis

An estimated 2.3 million people worldwide live with multiple sclerosis (MS) each day, a debilitating disease that can often cause severe pain, muscle spasms, poor circulation, anxiety, stress and clinical depression.

26 Jul 2014

FDA approves marketing of first motorized device for patients with spinal cord injuries

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today allowed marketing of the first motorized device intended to act as an exoskeleton for people with lower body paralysis (paraplegia) due to a spinal cord injury.

27 Jun 2014

Vibration exercise may reduce pain in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia

A pilot study by Indiana University researchers found that whole-body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms and improve aspects of quality of life in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

30 May 2014

Form of baclofen works better at treating narcolepsy

Neuroscientists at SRI International have found that a form of baclofen, a drug used to treat muscle spasticity, works better at treating narcolepsy than the best drug currently available when tested in mice.

8 May 2014

AAN review finds certain forms of medical marijuana can help treat some symptoms of MS

A review by the American Academy of Neurology of available scientific research on the use of medical marijuana in brain diseases finds certain forms of medical marijuana can help treat some symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), but do not appear to be helpful in treating drug-induced (levodopa) movements in Parkinson's disease.

29 Apr 2014

Concert Pharmaceuticals announces 2013 year-end results; posts record revenue of $25.4M

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2013 and provided an update on corporate activities.

31 Mar 2014

Core stabilization exercise in stroke patients could be enhanced by real-time video feedback

About 80% of stroke survivors experience hemiparesis, which causes weakness or the inability to move one side of the body. Core stabilization exercise to improve postural stability and independent walking in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients could be enhanced by real-time video feedback, report researchers in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.

31 Jan 2014

GLNT study to evaluate abnormal muscle tone caused by neurological disorders

Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies announced today that it is launching a study to determine the feasibility of a clinician-worn glove to objectively evaluate abnormal muscle tone, such as stiff joints or muscle tightness, due to neurological disorders.

16 Jan 2014

Ipsen reports positive initial results from Dysport phase III study in Adult Upper Limb spasticity

Ipsen today announced positive initial results from the double-blind phase III study of Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) in Adult Upper Limb spasticity. Regarding the primary endpoints, treatment with Dysport showed statistically significant response versus placebo in the improvement of muscle tone, as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale.

17 Dec 2013

Brain damage treatment could be as close as the wardrobe

For those with brain damage or neurological disorders - such as MS or Parkinson's - treatment could be as close as the wardrobe.

16 Oct 2013