Neurology News and Research

Latest Neurology News and Research

UMMS, RXi receive MLSC grant to develop RNAi therapeutics for ALS

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies addressing major unmet medical needs using RNA-targeted and immunotherapy technologies, today announced that the company's proposed research collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Medical School has been selected for Cooperative Research Matching Grant funding by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.

29 Apr 2011

Shielding body protects brain from “shell shocking” blast injuries

Stronger and tougher body armor to shield the chest, abdomen and back may be just what soldiers fighting in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars need to better protect their brains from mild injuries tied to so-called “shell shock,” results of a Johns Hopkins study in mice suggest. Such mild trauma, resulting from the initial shock of exploding mines, grenades and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) now accounts for more than 80 percent of all brain injuries among U.S. troops. Some 160,000 American veteran men and women are estimated to have sustained this kind of trauma.

29 Apr 2011

Experts to present stem cell therapies for neurological disorders at Cedars-Sinai conference

Experts from stem cell programs at respected research centers around the country will present information at an April 30 conference on stem cell therapy for neurological disorders, hosted by the Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in collaboration with the Genetics Policy Institute of Wellington, Fla.

29 Apr 2011

MGH's telestroke program selects Vidyo healthcare solution for video conferencing

Vidyo, Inc., the first company to deliver personal telepresence, today announced that the Partners Healthcare Telestroke Program at Massachusetts General Hospital - supporting 27 hospitals throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine -- has deployed a revolutionary telemedicine communication and collaboration solution based on the company's award-winning platform.

28 Apr 2011

Simple blood test can diagnose early Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson's disease, the human body generates antibodies to combat the amyloid-producing protein alpha synuclein early in the course of the disease. A simple blood test that measures these antibodies can facilitate early diagnosis of the disorder, writes Ludmilla Morozova-Roche and her associates at Umeå University in Sweden in the latest issue of the journal PLoS One.

28 Apr 2011

New blog for parents and caregivers of children with autism

Seattle Children's Autism Center today announced the launch of The Autism Blog, a new blog for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Authored by physicians, nurses, psychologists and other staff, the blog offers a practitioner's perspective on topics relevant to parenting a child with autism.

28 Apr 2011

Tips for parents to identify concussions in young athletes

A recent study found that many parents feel they lack the knowledge to adequately detect symptoms of head injuries in their children. Yet keeping young athletes off the field until they've fully healed from a concussion is key to preventing serious and potentially fatal complications.

27 Apr 2011

New study sheds light on sleep problems in children with autism

The current prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is alarmingly high. Although there is no cure for autism, it is possible to manage and treat the comorbid medical conditions associated with autism. One of these conditions, sleeping disturbance, can be challenging to treat.

27 Apr 2011

Northwestern Asthma-COPD Program with palliative medicine can enhance patient care

When faced with a long-term illness, patients often retreat or are left feeling hopeless, a response that can negatively impact one's prognosis and impair their quality of life. When coping measures are offered however, the opposite can hold true.

27 Apr 2011

Researchers investigate new device that can recognize early heart attack signs

When a heart attack begins, a stopwatch starts. With each passing minute heart tissue is deprived of blood, causing it to deteriorate or die. In order to minimize damage to the heart, blood flow must be restored promptly, or the effects can be serious, often even fatal.

27 Apr 2011

Rxi secures SBIR grants to develop novel RNAi therapeutics for ALS

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies addressing major unmet medical needs using RNA-targeted and immunotherapy technologies, today announced that it was awarded two Small Business Innovation Research grants from the National Institutes of Health.

27 Apr 2011

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may help clot-busting drugs treat strokes

Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may help clot-busting drugs treat strokes, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

27 Apr 2011

AAN honors BIDMC neurologist with Epilepsy Award

Bernard Chang, MD, a member of the Department of Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, received the Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, held recently in Honolulu, HI.

27 Apr 2011

Lilly and Medtronic’s joint venture in Parkinson’s disease therapy

Lilly has already developed a protein called GDNF (glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor) known to preserve the function of neurons and Medtronic will provide a system that carries the medicine to a key area of the brain.

From Medtronic 26 Apr 2011

MRI referrals determined by loyalty to unit rather than patient choice

Referrers were found to have a strong sense of loyalty to external medical units, with almost eight per cent saying that they had used the same MRI provider for over 25 years. Clinicians, who identified location, staff expertise and scanner quality as key reasons for initially referring patients, said they were difficult to influence thereafter.

26 Apr 2011

Humana declares quarterly cash dividend, anticipates first quarter diluted EPS of $1.86

Humana Inc. announced today that it has realigned its business segments to more closely reflect the company's evolving business model. Effective immediately, the company will be managing and reporting its operating results using the following segments: Retail, Employer Group, and Health and Well-Being Services.

26 Apr 2011

FDA approves Bayer's new Kogenate FS storage option for hemophilia A treatment

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new storage option for Kogenate FS, antihemophilic factor, now allowing the product to be stored at room temperature for up to one year.

26 Apr 2011

ACC/AHA release consensus document to help clinicians reduce risk of hypertension in older adults

Hypertension is very common among older adults. 64 percent of older men and 78 percent of older women have high blood pressure, placing them at heightened risk for heart disease including heart failure, stroke, coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, as well as chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.

26 Apr 2011

Bayer's oral contraceptives may increase risk of blood clots, stroke or heart attack

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is aware of two studies published today in The British Medical Journal, ONLINE FIRST.

25 Apr 2011

Individuals on SSRIs still exhibit depressive symptoms

Even people who show a clear treatment response with antidepressant medications continue to experience symptoms like insomnia, sadness and decreased concentration, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found after analyzing data from the largest study on the treatment of depression.

25 Apr 2011