Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Vanda acquires license from Lilly to develop and commercialize NK-1R antagonist

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for central nervous system disorders, announced today that it has acquired an exclusive world-wide license from Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to develop and commercialize a small molecule neurokinin 1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonist for all human indications.

17 Apr 2012

ONO-4641 reduces number of lesions in people with MS

An investigational oral drug called ONO-4641 reduced the number of lesions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the results of a phase two clinical trial to be presented as Emerging Science at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

17 Apr 2012

Steroids still work better for patients with sciatica

Despite the great promise that injecting a new type of anti-inflammatory pain medicine into the spine could relieve the severe leg and lower back pain of sciatica, a Johns Hopkins-led study has found that the current standard of care with steroid injections still does better.

17 Apr 2012

New drug to detect beta-amyloid plaques may help diagnose AD earlier

Use of a new drug to detect the beta-amyloid plaques in the brain that are hallmark signs of Alzheimer's disease may help doctors diagnose the disease earlier, according to research that will be presented as part of the Emerging Science program (formerly known as Late-Breaking Science) at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

16 Apr 2012

Neurosurgeons from NYU Langone to present at AANS annual meeting

Neurosurgeons from NYU Langone Medical Center will present research and discuss surgical approaches and use of new technologies to treat neurosurgical conditions at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), held April 14-18, 2012 in Miami Beach, FL.

16 Apr 2012

Study examines cellular and molecular organization of human and mouse brain

Scientists at the Allen Institute for Brain Science have identified similarities and differences among regions of the human brain, among the brains of human individuals, and between humans and mice by analyzing the expression of approximately 1,000 genes in the brain.

16 Apr 2012

UVA engineer and biologist named recipients of Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Awards

University of Virginia engineer Silvia Salinas Blemker and biologist Christopher Deppmann have been named recipients of 2011 Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Awards, which provide $100,000 in annual research support for three years to each awardee.

16 Apr 2012

First study to show genetic adaptation of human fat metabolism

About 300 000 years ago humans adapted genetically to be able to produce larger amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This adaptation may have been crucial to the development of the unique brain capacity in modern humans. In today's life situation, this genetic adaptation contributes instead to a higher risk of developing disorders like cardiovascular disease.

16 Apr 2012

Huntington’s disease may protect against cancer: Study

Dr Jianguang Ji, Lund University, and Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden, and colleagues investigated data from the Swedish Cancer Registry. Researchers analyzed Swedish hospital data from 1969 to 2008. They found 1,510 patients with Huntington's disease. During the study period, 91 of those patients subsequently developed cancer. The authors said that was 53% lower than the levels expected for the general population.

15 Apr 2012

Newer antidepressant decreases depression in Parkinson's patients without worsening motor problems

Certain antidepressants appear to decrease depression in people with Parkinson's disease without worsening motor problems, according to a study published in the April 11, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

12 Apr 2012

Abnormally low level of SMN protein linked to movement problems in spinal muscular atrophy

An abnormally low level of a protein in certain nerve cells is linked to movement problems that characterize the deadly childhood disorder spinal muscular atrophy, new research in animals suggests.

12 Apr 2012

Biogen Idec launches FAMPYRA in Canada

Today, Biogen Idec Canada announces that FAMPYRA (fampridine sustained release tablets or fampridine SR) is now available for prescription for patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Canada.

12 Apr 2012

FDA clears Cerecor’s FP01 IND for treatment of cough

Cerecor Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals whose primary activity is in the human nervous system, today announced that its Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for FP01 for the treatment of cough has cleared the 30 day deliberation period by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

12 Apr 2012

New 4th Edition of Practical Neurology for clinicians, residents and fellows

The new 4th Edition of Practical Neurology, the respected "real-life" guide to diagnosing and managing neurologic disorders, has been completely rewritten to known neurologist and chair of the Department of Neurology of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

11 Apr 2012

Lauren Sciences, BGN Technologies sign licensing agreement for V-Smart- drug delivery technology

BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), has signed a licensing agreement for its V-Smart- drug delivery technology with Lauren Sciences LLC, a privately held biotechnology company in New York.

11 Apr 2012

Omeros initiates enrollment in second Phase 3 trial of OMS302

Omeros Corporation today announced that patient enrollment has begun in the Company's second Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating OMS302 in intraocular lens replacement (ILR) surgery.

10 Apr 2012

Bioness commences StimRouter Neuromodulation System study for chronic peripheral nerve pain

Bioness Inc. today announced the initiation of a study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the company's StimRouter Neuromodulation System for those suffering from chronic peripheral nerve pain. This prospective, multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, partial crossover study will enroll 126 patients at up to 10 study sites throughout the United States.

9 Apr 2012

Nuron Biotech licenses DNA amyloid beta 42 vaccine for AD

Nuron Biotech, Inc. today announced it has licensed from VITRUVIAN BioMedical, Inc. a gene-based (DNA) amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) vaccine in preclinical development for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

9 Apr 2012

Swedish Neuroscience Institute to open new MS Center

Swedish Neuroscience Institute (SNI) will open its new MS Center at Swedish to patients on April 9. Carefully designed for easy accessibility and to promote the well-being of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the new 11,700-square-foot center gives SNI the ability to consolidate all of its MS services into one facility.

7 Apr 2012

Don't let Parkinson's drive what you want to do, says NASA astronaut

Former NASA astronaut Michael "Rich" Clifford is calling on fellow patients with Parkinson's disease not to let the disease drive what they do. Clifford's inspiring story and advice for patients is featured as the cover story in the latest issue of Neurology Now, the American Academy of Neurology's award-winning magazine for patients and caregivers.

6 Apr 2012