Neurology News and Research

Latest Neurology News and Research

Children with hypertension more likely to have learning disabilities, ADHD

Children who have hypertension are much more likely to have learning disabilities than children with normal blood pressure, according to a new University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) study published this week in the journal, Pediatrics. In fact, when variables such as socio-economic levels are evened out, children with hypertension were four times more likely to have cognitive problems.

10 Nov 2010

Boston Scientific announces first implantation of Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System in Parkinson's disease trial

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the first implantation of its Vercise™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System as part of the VANTAGE clinical trial. VANTAGE is a multi-center, prospective trial designed to examine the improvement of motor function in approximately 40 European patients implanted with the Vercise DBS System for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

10 Nov 2010

Ultrasound needle guidance improves performance and outcomes of knee injections

The use of ultrasound needle guidance improves the performance, outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of knee injections in people with osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

9 Nov 2010

Arena and Eisai report positive results from lorcaserin BLOOM-DM trial in obese, overweight diabetics

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eisai Inc. reported today that top-line results from the one-year lorcaserin BLOOM-DM trial demonstrate statistically significant weight loss in obese and overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. In this trial, lorcaserin met all three co-primary efficacy endpoints. In addition, as described below, lorcaserin patients taking lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily (BID) achieved statistically significant improvements in multiple secondary endpoints, including HbA1c, as compared to patients randomized to placebo.

9 Nov 2010

Patients undergoing THR likely to have serious falls than orthopedic procedure

Patients who undergo total hip replacements are more at risk for having a serious fall while recovering in the hospital than patients undergoing other orthopedic procedures, according to a recent study. The study, which will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting, Nov. 7-11, in Atlanta, also identified other factors involved in patient falls that could help hospitals devise strategies to reduce these accidents.

9 Nov 2010

Speaking two languages could delay onset of Alzheimer's disease

A Canadian science team has found more dramatic evidence that speaking two languages can help delay the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms by as much as five years.

9 Nov 2010

Dabigatran etexilate benefits AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack

Today, The Lancet Neurology published positive results from a sub-group analysis of the landmark Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy (RE-LY®) trial - the largest atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes trial ever completed (18,113 patients in 44 countries worldwide). The new findings fully support the convincing results from the RE-LY® trial and show that AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may benefit substantially from treatment with dabigatran etexilate.

9 Nov 2010

Scientist sheds new light on cellular basis of neural impulse transmission

Neural impulse transmission and its effects on the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) have always been in the forefront of discussion and studies, in the field of memory and behavioural changes.

8 Nov 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from LEVADEX QT trial for migraine

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported successful results from a thorough QT trial of its investigational LEVADEX™ orally inhaled migraine therapy. The trial evaluated the potential of a supra-therapeutic dose to cause an increase in the QT interval. Results of the trial showed that a supra-therapeutic dose of LEVADEX does not increase QTc intervals. LEVADEX is a novel orally inhaled migraine therapy that has completed Phase 3 efficacy development for the acute treatment of migraine.

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

Sudden epilepsy death explained

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a condition that kills about 150 Australians a year. Now researchers have discovered the reasons behind such deaths. The study was conducted by scientists at the Centenary Institute at the University of Sydney who looked at blood samples taken from epilepsy suffers who had died suddenly and found that there were genetic faults in the heart and brain.

7 Nov 2010

Valeant declares one-time special dividend

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. today announced that the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") has declared a one-time special dividend of US$1.00 per common share (the "Special Dividend") that shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2010 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to receive on December 22, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Valeant third quarter revenue decreases 2% to $208.3 million

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. announces third quarter financial results for 2010. The merger of Biovail Corporation and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International was completed on September 28, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Valeant's board approves $1.5 billion securities repurchase program

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. today announced that it may make purchases of its convertible notes, senior notes and/or common shares under a $1.5 billion securities repurchase program (collectively, the "Securities Repurchase Program") approved by Valeant's Board of Directors.

4 Nov 2010

Study identifies promising therapy to overcome limitation in brain's ability to recover function after stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, due to the brain's limited capacity for recovery. Physical rehabilitation is the only current treatment following a stroke, and there are no medications available to help promote neurological recovery.

4 Nov 2010

Scientists discover gene variant that rewires brain's circuitry in neurological disorders

Many gene variants have been linked to autism, but how do these subtle changes alter the brain, and ultimately, behavior. Using a blend of brain imaging and genetic detective work, scientists at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior are the first to illustrate how a gene variant tied to autism rewires the brain.

4 Nov 2010

Cerebral palsy risk doubles with IVF: Study

There is now evidence that rates of cerebral palsy are higher among children born via in vitro fertilization (IVF). There has been speculation that the parents’ infertility could be a reason but this new study is the first that links the procedure to the condition.

3 Nov 2010

Questcor announces launch of H.P. Acthar Gel for infantile spasms

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the commercial launch is now underway for H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) as monotherapy for the treatment of Infantile Spasms (IS) in infants and children under the age of two years. This new Acthar indication was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 15, 2010.

3 Nov 2010

APS summit focuses on Antiphospholipid Syndrome research

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is a condition that may be responsible for up to one-third of strokes in people under age 50, up to one-fifth of all cases of blood clots in large veins, and one-quarter of recurrent miscarriages. Nonetheless, relatively few randomized clinical trials have been conducted involving people with APS, and those completed have included small numbers of participants.

3 Nov 2010

People hospitalized after stroke on a weekend more likely to die: Study

People admitted to the hospital on a weekend after a stroke are more likely to die compared to people admitted on a weekday, regardless of the severity of the stroke they experience, according to new research published in the November 2, 2010, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 Nov 2010