Nervous System News and Research

Latest Nervous System News and Research

Bayer's gadobutrol injection for CNS imaging receives FDA Advisory Committee approval

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously that clinical trial and postmarketing data for gadobutrol injection, a macrocyclic 1.0 molar gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA), support approval of the product for proposed use in diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in adults and children.

24 Jan 2011

Researchers reveal how genetic mutation contributes to cancer development

Scientists around the world have been hot on the trail of a genetic mutation closely associated with some brain cancers and leukemia since the mutation's discovery in 2008. The hunt is now yielding fruit. In the Jan. 18, 2011 issue of Cancer Cell, researchers reveal how the mutation contributes to cancer development and suggest potential ways to counter its effects.

21 Jan 2011

Teva invests $3.95M in Rexahn for development of anti-cancer compound RX-3117

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential best in class oncology and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics, announced that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Teva) purchased 2,334,515 shares of Rexahn's common stock in a private offering for $3.95 million, or $1.692 per share.

21 Jan 2011

Researchers examine brain's role in breathing

Much of our knowledge of the brain's role in regulating breathing comes from research with mice and rats. A chemical receptor within the brain stem communicates with the central nervous system to generate the basic pattern of breathing. The next step is applying that information to human tissue to identify these critical components in the human brain and their medical implications.

21 Jan 2011

NGOs, IAOMT urge to ban mercury-containing products, including dental amalgam

Mercury, the main ingredient in "silver" or amalgam fillings, will be the subject of a United Nations conference to be held in Chiba, Japan on January 24-28. Members of various non-governmental organizations, as well as dentists and scientists from groups such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, will be attending and urging a ban on products containing mercury, including dental amalgam.

21 Jan 2011

Preliminary top-line results from levomilnacipran Phase III study for MDD

Forest Laboratories, and Pierre Fabre Medicament today announced preliminary top-line results from a Phase III study of levomilnacipran for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

20 Jan 2011

Cognition Therapeutics closes $2.5 million Series A1 financing

Cognition Therapeutics Inc., a drug discovery company developing novel, small molecule disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's, has closed on a $2.5 million Series A1 financing it will use to bring one or more of its compounds to Investigational New Drug (IND) candidate status. The round was led by Golden Seeds, one of the nation's largest angel investing groups, and was syndicated with Tech Coast Angels.

20 Jan 2011

Chelsea reports top-line data from Phase III NORTHERA extension study in NOH

Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. reported new 12-month data from Study 303, a safety extension study from its Phase III NORTHERA™ (droxidopa) registration program in symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH). Preliminary, top-line results demonstrate Northera provides clinically meaningful and durable symptomatic improvements in patients with NOH throughout a one-year observation period.

20 Jan 2011

Damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread in a 'prion-like' manner: Study

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reveals that damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread in a 'prion-like' manner, an infection model previously described for diseases such as BSE.

20 Jan 2011

Study validates MultiStem as potential stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Athersys, Inc. announced a joint scientific study on spinal cord injury will be published today in the January issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

20 Jan 2011

New research: HIV individuals are more likely to have stroke

New research suggests that people infected with human immunodeficiency virus may be up to three times more likely to have a stroke compared to those not affected with HIV. The study is published in the January 19, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

20 Jan 2011

First group of patients 'graduate' from treatment at CDH Proton Center, A Procure Center

Two months after the opening of the CDH Proton Center, A ProCure Center, the first patients have "graduated" from their treatment surrounded by family, friends and staff. The group of graduating patients, whose tumors included prostate, brain and a non-cancerous tumor on the spinal cord, received proton therapy, an alternative to standard X-ray radiation that spares healthy tissue and results in far fewer short- and long-term treatment side effects.

20 Jan 2011

Positive top-line results from TC-5619 Phase 2 trial in patients with schizophrenia

Targacept, Inc. today announced positive top-line results from a Phase 2 clinical proof of concept trial to assess TC-5619 as an augmentation therapy to improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia.

20 Jan 2011

Salk Institute uncovers presenilin's productive side

Mutant presenilin is infamous for its role in the most aggressive form of Alzheimer's disease-early-onset familial Alzheimer's-which can strike people as early as their 30s. In their latest study, researchers at the Salk Institute uncovered presenilin's productive side: It helps embryonic motor neurons navigate the maze of chemical cues that pull, push and hem them in on their way to their proper targets.

19 Jan 2011

Geron commences enrollment in imetelstat Phase 2 clinical trial in essential thrombocythemia

Geron Corporation today announced enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the activity of the company's telomerase inhibitor drug, imetelstat (GRN163L), in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET).

19 Jan 2011

Case Western Reserve, Athersys enter partnership for scientific study on spinal cord injury

19 Jan 2011

Study demonstrates role of alpha-synuclein cell-to-cell transfer in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis

The misfolding of abnormal proteins in brain cells is a key element in Parkinson's disease development. A recent study suggests that the sick proteins slowly move between cells, eventually triggering the destruction of the new host cell. The discovery could potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases aimed at blocking the spread of protein misfolding throughout the brain.

19 Jan 2011

Forest Laboratories third quarter net sales increase 6.7% to $1,063.9 million

Forest Laboratories, Inc., an international pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketer, announced that reported earnings per share equaled $1.11 in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 after taking a charge for a new product licensing fee of $66.1 million or $0.23 per share, net of tax.

18 Jan 2011

Alexza completes FDA review for AZ-004 NDA

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it completed an End-of-Review meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) for the AZ-004 New Drug Application (NDA), and has received the official FDA minutes from the meeting. In December 2010, Alexza held the End-of-Review meeting in response to a Complete Response Letter (CRL) received in October 2010.

18 Jan 2011

New guideline recommends plasmapheresis usage to treat people with severe relapses in MS, neuropathies

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology recommends using plasma exchange to treat people with severe relapses in multiple sclerosis and related diseases, as well as those with certain kinds of nerve disorders known as neuropathies.

18 Jan 2011