PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 27-May-2014 Contact: Harry Dayantis h.dayantis@ucl.ac.uk 44-020-310-83844 University College London A new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy with the potential to suppress seizures 'on demand' with a pill, similar to how you might take painkillers when you feel a headache coming on, has been developed by UCL (University College London) researchers funded by the Wellcome Trust. The treatment, described in Nature Communications, combines genetic and chemical approaches to suppress seizures without disrupting normal brain function. The technique was demonstrated in rodents but in future we could see people controlling seizures on-demand with a simple pill. Epilepsy affects around 50 million people worldwide including 600,000 in the UK and around a quarter of cases are resistant to conventional treatments. Many of these cases could be addressed by the new treatment method, which relies on genetic modification of brain cells to make them sensitive to a normally inactive compound. "First, we inject a modified virus into the area of the brain where seizures arise," explains Professor Dimitri Kullmann of the UCL Institute of Neurology, senior author of the research. "This virus instructs the brain cells to make a protein that is activated by CNO (clozapine-N-oxide), a compound that can be taken … Continue reading →

Childrens Specialized Hospital will host an autism symposium 8:15 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30 at the Pines Manor, Edison. Participants will receive instruction on useful approaches and tips to help people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their daily lives. The event is for health care providers, mental health professionals, adults with ASD, parents/caregivers, school personnel, therapists and other professionals interested in autism. Steven Shore, author and president emeritus of the Aspergers Association of New England, will be speaking. Shore was diagnosed with autism at a young age and was nonverbal until age 4. Today, he is recognized nationally as a dynamic speaker and powerful advocate for bettering the quality of life of people affected by ASD. Other speakers will include Amy Mansue, president and CEO of Childrens Specialized Hospital; Amy Smith, information services director for Autism New Jersey; Susan Mendelson, director of Social Skills for Children; and author Jeffrey Cohen. Additional experts in autism treatment and education will be speaking. The panel of recreation professionals will include Leslie Fanelli, Kaylee McGuire, Mickey McNany and Dina Trunzo. The parent panel of speakers will include Evelyn Delgado, Beth Giannobile, Tom Newbon and Kelly and Mike Sampson. Advance registration is required by May … Continue reading →

Hong Kong's Prince of Wales Hospital has enlisted two University of Sydney information technologies researchers to examine why post-stroke patients are drawn to integrative medicine - a combination of western and Chinese therapies. Drs Simon Poonand Josiah Poon, authorities in IT-based bioinformatics will assist a multi-disciplinary team of neuroscientists and clinicians to investigate integrative medical practises. The pair will use data mining techniques to explore the clinical and hospital records of more than 10,000 acute-stroke patients from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical School and Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital. "The first 3 to 6 months post-stroke is considered a vital phase of rehabilitation, new information on the behaviour patterns of post-stroke patients can assist in the design of recovery options for of these patients" says Dr Simon Poon, senior lecturer in health informatics, School of Information Technologies. The current length-of-stay for a stroke patient in a Hong Kong hospital is approximately three weeks during which time their treatment consists of acute western medicine (WM) therapies and early rehabilitation such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. "However there is an increasing trend observed in clinical practice where patients and their relatives actively seek Chinese medicine treatments, including … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 27-May-2014 Contact: Elena Falcone-Relvas efalconerelvas@lifespan.org 401-793-7484 Lifespan PROVIDENCE, R.I. The Miriam Hospital has received the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for using American Heart Association/American Stroke Association quality improvement measures when treating stroke patients. The distinction, which recognizes evidence-based clinical guidelines, acknowledges The Miriam's commitment to quality, excellent care. The hospital treats more than 600 stroke patients each year and has received the Gold or Gold Plus designation for stroke care every year since 2008. "Receiving this acknowledgement from the Heart Association/American Stroke Association over the last eight years validates the proven, comprehensive model of care we use when treating our stroke patients," said Thomas F. Tracy, Jr., M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs at The Miriam Hospital. "Our exemplary team of physicians, nurses, and staff in The Miriam Stroke Center and Emergency Department work together as one to consistently administer the highest level of quality care." The Get With The Guidelines-Stroke quality program embodies adoption of the latest, research-based treatment guidelines intended to speed recovery and reduce death and disability among stroke patients. In receiving the award, The Miriam met specific quality achievement measures for the rapid diagnosis … Continue reading →