Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise SEATTLE, December 8, 2014 There may have been many anecdotal reports about cannabis and its derivative cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of people with epilepsy, especially in very young children who have catastrophic forms of epilepsy such as Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) or Dravet Syndrome (DS). Despite all the media and legislative attention, there is little scientific evidence about its effectiveness. Three studies presented at the American Epilepsy Societys 68th Annual Meeting offer new insights into diverse patient experiences with CBD. The first of three studies (Poster 1.326) is from Colorado, where much of the nations attention has been captured by issues surrounding cannabis. The physicians and researchers at Childrens Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado have a unique perspective on CBD given the large number of cases they have treated. In addition to the many children already in their care, these professionals are now caring for many of the patients who have ventured to Colorado in search of cannabis treatment. Dr. Kevin Chapman, associate professor of pediatrics and neurology at the University of Colorado, and his colleagues conducted a retrospective review of the 58 children and adolescents (average age of … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Embargoed for release until December 8, 2014 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET Newswise SEATTLE, December 8, 2014 Researchers have long known that dietary therapy, in conjunction with a regimen of anti-seizure medications, can enhance seizure control for people with epilepsy. A number of studies have touted the benefits of dietary therapy in pediatric patients, but little is known about the effects of dietary changes in adults. A pair of studies presented at the American Epilepsy Societys (AES) 68th Annual Meeting will offer insights into the therapeutic effects of specialized diets in adults with epilepsy. In the first study (Platform Session B.07), researchers at Johns Hopkins University unveil the findings of a 4-year study conducted at the institutions Adult Epilepsy Diet Center. From August 2010 to August 2014, the authors followed 134 adults with epilepsy, including 21 participants who were already following a ketogenic diet (KD). Of the 113 adults new to diet therapy, 100 qualified as having drug-resistant epilepsy (tried 2 or more anti-seizure drugs with continued seizures). Seventy-eight began a modified Atkins diet (MAD), 2 began an enteral version of the KD in addition to MAD by mouth as tolerated, … Continue reading →

The results of a public event held in November by a new nonprofit group to raise awareness and build a specialized center for autism treatment and therapy in Greenville were better than expected, a board member said Friday. People from in and around the Greenville area played in a tennis tournament and attended a dinner and auction, raising more than $40,000 for Aces for Autism, according to Margaret Turner, an organization board member. Aces for Autism is leading an effort to open an autism therapy treatment center that offers applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, in eastern North Carolina, Turner said. The closest center offering the treatment is in Cary. ABA therapy is most effective as an early intervention tool for younger children with autism, according to physicians. The first Samuel C. Robinson Tennis Tournament, Dinner and Auction was a huge success, Turner said. With one in 58 children in North Carolina now being diagnosed with autism, the need is growing in the east for the kind of highly impactful treatment offered through ABA therapy. Suddenlink, Rucker Johns and Alpha Xi Delta sorority were major sponsors for the event. Nearly 100 tennis players, including players from both the womens and … Continue reading →

Health officials hit back at e-cig claims Health professionals say more research is needed to prove using e-cigarettes is a good way to quit smoking. According to new health figures, Australian women are far less likely to survive a heart attack than men. Research says high factor sunscreen can't be relied on to protect against the deadliest skin cancer form. A British study using skin electrodes has found men experience greater levels of emotion than women. High protein diets may protect against stroke, especially if they contain a lot of fish, scientists say. Driving too much is bad for your health, according to a study of 40-thousand middle-aged Australians. Researchers say the financial crisis may have led to thousands of suicides in Europe and North America. Biologists have devised a new weapon against malaria by genetically engineering mosquitoes. Stomach-shrinking bariatric surgery beats other forms of treatment in bringing about remission of diabetes. View post: Autism and pre-eclampsia linked … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 9-Dec-2014 Contact: Yves Vandermeeren yves.vandermeeren@uclouvain.be 32-473-192-557 Universit catholique de Louvain Neuro-rehabilitation (physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) helps hemaparetic stroke patients confronted with loss of motor skills on one side of their body, to recover some of their motor functions after a cerebrovascular accident. One of the most promising tracks in neuro-rehabilitation consists in amplifying the motor learning ability after a stroke, in other words how to learn (again) how to make movements with the parts of the human body impacted after a stroke. Pilot studies have shown at this matter that tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) - a non-invasive and painless cerebral stimulation method - allowed to modulate the cerebral activity and to increase the motor performances of patients who have been victim of stroke. This method consists of applying low voltage electric currents on the patient's head by means of electrodes during short periods of time. In 2012, a first study conducted by the teams of Professors Yves Vandermeeren and Patrice Laloux allowed to demonstrate that tDCS amplified the motor learning and the long-term motor memory of the patient after a stroke. This study was awarded with the Fernand Depelchin Prize of the Universit catholique de … Continue reading →

Last Friday marked one months time since Democrat Jim Mowrer of Boone tried unsuccessfully to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King in Novembers District 4 election. These days, Mowrer and his wife, Chelsea, are asking for support of a different kind. One year ago, their 4-year-old son, Jack, was diagnosed with Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects about 500 people in the U.S. and 40- to 100,000 people worldwide. The Mowrers are seeking donations for the A-T Childrens Project (ATCP), a not-for-profit group that raises money for research for A-T, as its commonly called. Were hoping to raise about $20,000 before the end of the year, Mowrer said Friday. We appreciate how the community is helping out. To date, the Mowrers have raised about $16,000 for ATCP. Jack is pretty active now, Mowrer said, but he will likely lose the ability to walk in the next few years. Eventually, everyone is in a wheelchair by age 10. Life expectancy is about 24. There is no known cure for A-T, he said, and treatment consists of treating the symptoms. If we can find a cure for this, scientists say it would unlock a cure for more common diseases … Continue reading →