Dravet syndrome is one of the more challenging forms of epilepsy and has a profound impact on an individuals life, requiring constant care that can take a significant emotional toll on caregivers, said Elaine Wirrell, MD, lead investigator of the study and pediatric neurologist at the Mayo Clinic. The CLOVER I Study will help us better understand the effect of clobazam on Dravet syndrome in this patient population, and hopefully provide more information for both physicians and their families when considering treatment options. The CLOVER I Study is designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of clobazam as adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients aged one to 16 years of age with Dravet syndrome. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the effect of clobazam on the frequency of tonic-clonic and clonic seizures after 16 weeks of treatment.2 The multicenter study will enroll 54 patients in approximately 25 sites in three countries: Argentina, Mexico and the United States.3 At the end of the study, participants may have the option of joining the CLOVER II study (a 52-week, open-label extension study). Lundbeck has a deep commitment to the epilepsy community, with a particular focus on those living with rare … Continue reading →

Rep. Munsterman on 2015 Session Rep. Scott Munsterman (R-7/Brookings) mentions mandatory insurance coverage for autism treatment, the transportation bill, and juvenile justice reform as top achievements of the 2015 South... By: Dakota Free Press … Continue reading →

The Legislature's Appropriations Committee heard from state health officials Monday that millions of dollars will be needed for new hepatitis C treatments for Medicaid recipients. The treatment for hepatitis C, a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness, could cost nearly $6.5 million in the next two-year budget, said Calder Lynch, the new director of Medicaid and Long-term Care for the Department of Health and Human Services. The illness results from infection by the hepatitis C virus, which is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. Lynch also told the committee the department is involved in a lawsuit regarding providing Medicaid behavioral health services for children on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities. At issue is coverage of intensive behavior interventions as an appropriate treatment for children with autism. It is estimated that 2,305 Nebraska children covered by Medicaid would be able to receive the treatments over a full 12 months. If the court would also order intensive behavior interventions for children with developmental disabilities, outside the autism spectrum, that could add another 781 children. The cost for the treatments would be … Continue reading →

The Royal Stoke University Hospital. STROKE victims will be able to access pioneering treatment 24-hours a day thanks to a new NHS service. The Royal Stoke University Hospital is the first in the country to have specialist stroke research nurses on call around the clock. It means more patients, who have suddenly suffered an acute stroke, will have the opportunity to take part in potentially life-saving research trials. Previously, only those who were admitted to A&E between the hours of 7am and 8pm were given the chance to trial new drugs that could help to limit the damaging effects. Professor Christine Roffe, a consultant stroke physician at the hospital, who is leading the project, said: "This is a really exciting step for us because it means more patients will be able to try the latest cutting-edge treatment. "We are one of eight hyper-acute stroke research centres in England so all the new modern trials come to our centre. "Most of the drugs are tried and tested but a lot of them are used to treat other conditions. "For example, we are currently trialing a tablet which is being used to treat depression but we are looking to see if it … Continue reading →