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.

New Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has established a Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, led by Dr. Heakyung Kim. In this role, Dr. Kim will provide specialized care for children with neuromuscular disorders and other special needs at the Hospital's two major centers for pediatric care: Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and the Komansky Center for Children's Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

25 Mar 2011

XenoPort reports preliminary top-line results from arbaclofen placarbil Phase 2b clinical trial in GERD

XenoPort, Inc. announced today preliminary top-line results from a Phase 2b clinical trial of arbaclofen placarbil (also known as AP) as adjunctive therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who do not experience complete relief of GERD symptoms while being treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

21 Mar 2011

Benefits and underutilization of ITB therapy for multiple sclerosis

A new scientific article has been published demonstrating the profound impact of spasticity on patients with multiple sclerosis and the benefits and underutilization of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy from Medtronic, Inc. as a treatment option for these patients.

4 Feb 2011

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

Exciting advances were made in 2010 in virtually every field of MS research. Progress toward finding new therapies for MS is illustrated by the availability of the first oral disease-modifying therapy for MS. Progress was also made toward finding ways to restore function and improving quality of life and specific MS symptoms through exercise, meditation, rehabilitation and medications, including the first therapy specifically approved to treat a symptom of MS (Ampyra).

20 Dec 2010

Celebrity chef, registered dietitian team up to create nutrition program for people with MS

Amanda Freitag, celebrity chef and recurring judge on the Food Network's "Chopped," and Julie Barto, a registered dietitian specializing in multiple sclerosis, have teamed up to create a nutrition program especially for people with MS.

17 Dec 2010

Physiotherapy Associates announces new MS Specialty Program

Physiotherapy Associates, the nation's foremost provider of outpatient rehabilitation services, announced its new MS Specialty Program, which includes physical therapy services and a health and wellness program designed to reduce or alleviate the symptoms of MS for patients, available in its more than 600 clinics throughout the United States.

10 Dec 2010

Study raises questions about therapeutic use of botulinum toxin A

A new study by researchers at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, is raising questions about the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin A.

3 Dec 2010

FDA clears Multi-Lead Trialing Cable for SCS therapy

Medtronic Inc., the leader in spinal cord stimulation for more than 25 years, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and the global launch of the Multi-Lead Trialing Cable for use in the patient screening test for Medtronic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy.

19 Nov 2010

GBS meningitis in infants still very serious

Although now less frequent because of preventive antibiotics, meningitis caused by group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteria is still a serious illness causing a high rate of death and severe complications in infants, reports a study in the November issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

9 Nov 2010

XenoPort third quarter net loss decreases to $19.9 million

XenoPort, Inc. announced today financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010. Revenues for the third quarter were $0.4 million, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2009. Net loss for the third quarter was $19.9 million, compared to a net loss of $24.4 million for the same period in 2009.

8 Nov 2010

Merz to present data on Xeomin clinical studies for cervical dystonia at AAPM&R

Merz Pharmaceuticals announced today that data from stability and clinical studies evaluating Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), a botulinum toxin type A free from accessory proteins, will be presented at the 71st Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) in Seattle, Wash.

8 Nov 2010

UCSF scientists receive grants to refine embryonic stem cell-based strategies for neurological diseases

UCSF scientists have received two grants from the California Institutefor Regenerative Medicine to refine their human embryonic stem cell-based strategies for treating neurological diseases and liver failure. The goal of the grants is for researchers to make significant strides toward the development of potential therapies within the next three years.

25 Oct 2010

Optogenetics helps to restore optimal movement in people with physical disabilities

Researchers at Stanford University were able to use light to induce normal patterns of muscle contraction, in a study involving bioengineered mice whose nerve-cell surfaces are coated with special light-sensitive proteins.

28 Sep 2010

XenoPort intends to initiate Phase 3 XP19986 trial for multiple sclerosis

XenoPort, Inc. announced today that it plans to move arbaclofen placarbil (AP), also known as XP19986, into Phase 3 development as a potential treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

13 Sep 2010

Botox maker agrees to pay $600 million for misbranding

The Associated Press: "Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a yearslong federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug. The Justice Department and the company said Wednesday in a statement it will plead guilty to one misdemeanor charge of 'misbranding,' in which the company's marketing led physicians to use Botox for unapproved uses. Those included the treatment of headache, pain, spasticity and cerebral palsy in children.

3 Sep 2010

Cerebral palsy risk rises in post term babies: Study

Babies born past their due dates – at 42 weeks or later, are at increased risk for cerebral palsy compared to those born at 40 weeks, according to new research. That said, the actual risk of cerebral palsy remains low. According to the CDC one in 303 children have some type of cerebral palsy. Common symptoms may include movement problems, muscle stiffness, poor muscle tone, and spasticity. The symptoms are thought to result from injury to the brain as a fetus or early in infancy.

2 Sep 2010

Cannabis Science seeks entry into European medical cannabis market

Cannabis Science Inc., a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is pleased to announce that the Company is currently raising working capital in the European market and pursuing listings on the Frankfurt and other major European exchanges.

30 Aug 2010

Researchers recommend traumatic brain injury reclassification for additional funding

Traumatic brain injury, currently considered a singular event by the insurance industry and many health care providers, is instead the beginning of an ongoing process that impacts multiple organ systems and may cause or accelerate other diseases and disorders that can reduce life expectancy, according to research from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

27 Aug 2010

Abilities Expo to be held August 27-29, 2010 in Houston, Texas

Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, veterans with disabilities and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on Friday, August 27, through Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Reliant Center. Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.

24 Aug 2010

Medtronic launches educational campaign to promote awareness on spasticity

Medtronic, Inc. today announced the launch of an educational campaign, called Release Your Potential, that is designed to raise awareness of spasticity, a condition that makes it difficult to voluntarily relax muscles.

14 Jul 2010