PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 3-Oct-2014 Contact: Olle Melander Olle.Melander@med.lu.se 46-704-546-820 Lund University @lunduniversity Many of those who are genetically predisposed to develop atrial fibrillation, which dramatically raises the risk of stroke, can be identified with a blood test. This is shown by new research from Lund University in Sweden. The number of people affected by atrial fibrillation is rising rapidly, partly as a result of the ageing population. Over recent years, a research group at Lund University in Sweden, working with other universities and hospitals in Europe and the USA, has identified twelve genetic variants in the human genome that increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. The research group has now studied the possible clinical benefits of a DNA test: "One in five people have a genetic weakness that means they have twice as high a risk of developing atrial fibrillation as those with a low genetic risk. This genetic risk is therefore one of the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation that we know of in people without overt cardiac disease. It increases the risk as much as high blood pressure, for example", said Olle Melander, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Gustav Smith, Associate Professor in Cardiology, both from Lund … Continue reading →

SUFFIELD A local family is now in its second year of selling lollipops to raise awareness of epilepsy and money for research. Lilly Hoyt's Lillypops, the "sweetest way to help lick epilepsy," are made from scratch and vary in shapes and flavors. The money raised by selling Lilly's homemade lollipops is given to the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut in Middletown, as well as the national Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Therapy Project. Last year, Lillypops raised about $800, according to Lilly's father, Geoff Hoyt. So far this year, the family's sales effort has already raised about $500. Lilly, now 13, had a severe seizure when she was 4 months old, her parents said. Geoff Hoyt said his daughter still experiences seizures, but they can be difficult to see unless one recognizes changes in her demeanor or facial expressions. "She doesn't know when they're going to happen or how bad they're going to be," Hoyt said. "The physical and emotional effect of this condition is hellacious." Hoyt, who works as an individual giving officer for the Epilepsy Foundation, said epilepsy affects more than 60,000 Connecticut residents and 2 million people across the country. The medication that helps reduce the number of seizures … Continue reading →

Los Angeles, CA-based NeuroSigma (NSIG) is set for its IPO of 3.6M shares of common stock at $13 - 15. The commercial stage life sciences firm develops bioelectric products based on external trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) to treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy and depression. Its lead product is the Monarch eTNS system which is currently approved in the European Union as adjunctive treatment for epilepsy, in Canada for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy and in Australia for adjunctive treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. A portion of the proceeds from the IPO will fund the Phase 3 trial to support a regulatory submission in the U.S. Financial results for 2013: Revenues: $35.8M; COGS: $47.9M; Gross Profit: ($12.1M); Operating Expenses: $6.2M (+8.6%); Net Loss: ($5.8M) (-11.9%); Loss Per Share: ($0.83) (-18.6%); Cash Burn Ops: ($2.6M) (-20.1%). Financial results for 1H 2014: Revenues: $23.9M (+195.1%); COGS: $12.1M) (+348.1%); Gross Profit: $11.8M (+118.5%); Operating Expenses: $6.9M (+153.9%); Net Loss: ($7.5M) (-205.4%); Loss Per Share: ($1.12) (-229.4%); Cash Burn Ops: ($2.1M) (-82.4%). S-1 ETFs: IBB, BIB, BIS Share this with a colleague See the original post: NeuroSigma on deck for IPO … Continue reading →

(HealthDay News) -- Children with autism are more sedentary than those without the disorder, but they're fully capable of being more active, a small study suggests. Researchers tested the fitness and activity levels of 29 children, some with autism and some without. Children with autism averaged 50 fewer minutes per day of moderate physical activity and 70 more minutes each day sitting than those without autism. The 17 children with autism scored lower on strength, but had similar body-mass index (a measurement of body fat based on height and weight) scores, and aerobic fitness and flexibility levels, as the 12 without autism. "These kids, compared to their peers, are similarly fit. That's really exciting, because it means those underlying fitness abilities are there," study author Megan MacDonald, an assistant professor at Oregon State University, said in a university news release. "That's really important for parents and teachers to understand, because it opens the door for them to participate in so many activities," she added. The study was published recently in the journal Autism Research and Treatment. Further research is required to find out why children with autism, a brain-based disorder, tend to be more inactive, said MacDonald. She suggested it … Continue reading →

BRIGHTON TWP. Heritage Valley Health Systems hospitals in Brighton Township and Sewickley each have received an achievement award for stroke care from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. The Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver Plus quality achievement award recognizes Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the associations for the treatment of stroke patients. The hospitals each met specific quality measures for rapid diagnosis and treatment, which include aggressive use of medications and therapies aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients. Get With The Guidelines-Stroke helps hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines, with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability. It also helps staff implement prevention measures, including educating stroke patients to manage risk factors, take medications properly and be aware of warning signs. In addition, the health system also participates in a telestroke program that uses video equipment to connect expert stroke neurologists with Heritage Valley teams, patients and their families. The Heritage Valley Beaver program is linked to neurologists at UPMC, and the Heritage Valley Sewickley program is linked to neurologists at Allegheny Health Network/Allegheny General Hospital. Originally posted … Continue reading →