Multiple Sclerosis News and Research

Latest Multiple Sclerosis News and Research

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

Genmab announces Phase II ofatumumab study results in RRMS patients

Genmab A/S announced today encouraging results from an ofatumumab Phase II safety and pharmacokinetics study in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

13 Sep 2010

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy ranked #554 on Inc.'s Top 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy announced today they have earned a position of 554 on Inc. Magazine's exclusive, annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

10 Sep 2010

Highlights of 23rd Congress of European College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2010

More than 7,000 psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists and neuroscience researchers from all over the world met at the 23rd Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) from 28 August to 1 September 2010 in Amsterdam.

10 Sep 2010

Researchers discover generation of pyramidal neurons by glial cell precursors

In an unanticipated finding, researchers at the UC Davis School of Medicine have discovered that, during early adulthood, the brain produces new excitatory neurons, and that these neurons arise from non-neuronal support cells in an area of the brain that processes smell.

10 Sep 2010

Questcor Pharmaceuticals provides update on sNDA for H.P. Acthar Gel

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has informed Questcor that the FDA will require additional time beyond the current action date of September 11, 2010 to complete its review of Questcor's supplemental new drug application for H.P. Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) in the treatment of infantile spasms.

9 Sep 2010

PLX4032 trial shows high degree of selectivity to achieve tumor shrinkage

Plexxikon today announced publication of key data in this week's edition of Nature demonstrating that the high degree of selectivity of PLX4032 (RG7204) enables substantial RAF/MEK/ERK pathway inhibition, which may be necessary to achieve significant tumor shrinkage and clinical response in patients with BRAF mutant melanoma.

8 Sep 2010

Schizophrenia linked to lack of Vitamin D: study

Researchers at Queensland Brain Institute have found that babies born with low vitamin D levels are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia later in life. This could mean that it may be possible to prevent schizophrenia, which affects almost 200,000 Australians.

7 Sep 2010

British, Austrian scientists awarded K. J. Zülch Prize for basic neurological research

British and Austrian scientists receive award for basic neurological research. Alastair Compston and Hans Lassmann are this year's recipients of the K. J. Zülch Prize for basic neurological research. In bestowing this award, the Gertrud Reemtsma Foundation is honouring two scientists who have made crucial contributions to research on multiple sclerosis. Alastair Compston's work has provided important insights into the genetics and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

7 Sep 2010

Protagen AG announces € 10.0 Million for second round of finance totaling

Protagen AG, a specialist for in-vitro diagnostics and GMP-compliant protein analysis announced today a second round of finance totalling a volume of € 10.0 Million.

7 Sep 2010

Dilemmas created for healthcare professionals by medicinal use of cannabis

Nurses have a responsibility to respect and support patients who use cannabis for medicinal purposes, but must stay within the law and follow professional guidance at all times, according to a research review in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

3 Sep 2010

'Aspartame danger' myths

Heard the one about how aspartame single-handedly caused the Gulf War syndrome? In recent years, outlandish allegations – often spread via the Internet by individuals who have little scientific or medical expertise – have tried to link the low-calorie sweetener to every ailment ranging from Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease to cancer and weight gain. However, the overwhelming body of scientific evidence via more than three decades of research and over 200 studies demonstrate that aspartame is safe.

3 Sep 2010

Study demonstrates safety of cord blood stem cell transplantation protocol to treat neurological conditions

In a new peer-reviewed article published by the Journal of Translational Medicine, scientists from Beike Biotechnology,China's leading stem cell research and regenerative medicine company, and Medistem, Inc.,reported positive safety data in 114 patients who were treated by doctors at Nanshan Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College (Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital) in Shenzhen using Beike's proprietary cord blood stem cell transplantation protocol.

3 Sep 2010

Benefit of delaying cognitive decline comes at the cost of more rapid dementia progression

New research shows that mentally stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles, reading and listening to the radio may, at first, slow the decline of thinking skills but speed up dementia later in old age. The research is published in the September 1, 2010, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

2 Sep 2010

CIHR announces recommendations on multiple sclerosis research priorities

On Thursday, August 26, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in collaboration with the MS Society of Canada, convened a meeting of leading North American experts in multiple sclerosis (MS) to identify research priorities for Canada in this area.

2 Sep 2010

New research clinic in Edinburgh to improve outcomes for multiple sclerosis sufferers

A research clinic for multiple sclerosis patients is being set up with a -10 million donation from the author J K Rowling.The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh will place patients at the heart of research to improve outcomes for multiple sclerosis sufferers.

2 Sep 2010

Event Pulse report reveals impact of new therapies on MS drug market

The study titled Event Pulse Preview: Multiple Sclerosis shows that 84% of neurologists expect to prescribe Gilenia for some MS patients if approved, but prescribing will likely be limited to second- or third-line therapy until concerns about safety and monitoring requirements are resolved.

1 Sep 2010

UBC researchers lead development of new 'toolbox of MiniPromoters' for gene research and therapy

University of British Columbia researchers have led the development of a new "toolbox of MiniPromoters" for research and future therapies on brain, spinal cord and eye function.

31 Aug 2010

Brain lesion scan appearance shows increased multiple sclerosis activity during spring and summer

New research shows that multiple sclerosis (MS) activity can increase during spring and summer months. The research is published in the August 31, 2010, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

31 Aug 2010

SIR issues position statement to determine safety, effectiveness of interventional M.S. treatment

Recognizing that venous interventions may potentially play an important role in treating some patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis an incurable, disabling disease the Society of Interventional Radiology has issued a position statement indicating its support for high quality clinical research to determine the safety and effectiveness of interventional M.S. treatments.

31 Aug 2010