PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 20-Oct-2013 Contact: Jim Fessenden james.fessenden@umassmed.edu 508-856-2000 University of Massachusetts Medical School WORCESTER, MA In a biological quirk that promises to provide researchers with a new approach for studying and potentially treating Fragile X syndrome, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) have shown that knocking out a gene important for messenger RNA (mRNA) translation in neurons restores memory deficits and reduces behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of a prevalent human neurological disease. These results, published today in Nature Medicine, suggest that the prime cause of the Fragile X syndrome may be a translational imbalance that results in elevated protein production in the brain. Restoration of this balance may be necessary for normal neurological function. "Biology works in strange ways," said Joel Richter, PhD, professor of molecular medicine at UMMS and senior author on the study. "We corrected one genetic mutation with another, which in effect showed that two wrongs make a right. Mutations in each gene result in impaired brain function, but in our studies, we found that mutations in both genes result in normal brain function. This sounds counter-intuitive, but in this case that seems to be what has happened." Fragile X syndrome, … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Life Stem Genetics Inc. (the Company), an emerging innovator in the advancement of Adult Stem Cell therapy announces that the Company's new stock symbol, LIFS, is now active. The Company is also pleased to release the general details of its recent financing commitment. This financing is for $1 million (the Private Placement) of 1,000,000 units (each, a Unit) at a price of $1 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one warrant to purchase an additional common share of the Company (each, a Warrant Share) at $1 per Warrant Share for a period of one year. The Company is to close the Private Placement within 45 calendar days of this press release. Gloria Simov, CEO of Life Stem Genetics, commented, "Our new trading symbol and recent financing are key components to provide future value to our shareholders and to our fulfillment of our long term objectives in the emerging Adult Stem Cell therapy industry." All shareholders of the Company are encouraged to view the Company's complete filings at the following link: http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Life+Stem+Genetics HYPERLINK "http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Life+Stem+Genetics&owner=exclude&action=getcompany"& HYPERLINK "http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Life+Stem+Genetics&owner=exclude&action=getcompany"owner=exclude HYPERLINK "http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Life+Stem+Genetics&owner=exclude&action=getcompany"& HYPERLINK "http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=Life+Stem+Genetics&owner=exclude&action=getcompany"action=getcompany About Life Stem Genetics Life Stem Genetics (LSG) is a … Continue reading →

Benjamin, left, Zander and Ty participate in circle time with tutors Kris Bradford, back left, and Madison Fujimoto during the Autism Bridges program at Kids on the Move in Orem, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Ravell Call, Deseret News OREM A little boy looking at his mom and saying "hi" may not seem significant for many, but it is for the mother whose son wouldnt even acknowledge her before he started treatment for autism spectrum disorder. This is just one success story to come out of a Kids on the Move program called Bridges, which provides services for children ages 28 with autism spectrum disorder. The program has grown immensely over the past year for a variety of reasons, from 30 children to nearly 100. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 47 individuals in Utah are on the autism spectrum the highest rate in the United States. Rising statistics over the past decade can be attributed to increased awareness and less stringent criteria for diagnosis, according to Deborah Bilder of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic. Consequences from this can be seen in rising enrollment numbers at autism clinics and schools, particularly because Utah government funding is … Continue reading →

(CNN) -- Here are some fast facts about autism. April 2 is World Autism Day. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders, causing impaired communication skills and social skills. ASDs generally start before three years of age and last a lifetime, but early intervention plays a role in treatment and progress. Types: From the American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V) There are several types of ASDs: Autistic Disorder, Asperger Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Possible characteristics: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "The main characteristics of autism are difficulties in social interaction, communication, and restrictive and repetitive interests and activities." The National Autism Association on the "Signs of Autism." Boys are five times more likely than girls to have ASDs. ASDs can be found amongst all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. Estimates: The CDC on "Determining How Many People Have ASDs." World: Tens of millions worldwide are affected with ASD (Autism Speaks) Follow this link: Fast facts: What is autism? … Continue reading →

Researchers say MRI scans show very specific brain activity that could help diagnose autism and aid people in determining early treatment options. This brain scan shows weaker neural connectivity in participants with autism compared with the control participants. Brain scans may reveal signs of autism, which could eventually aid in early intervention therapies, according to new research. Researchers using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner measured the brain activity of volunteers with autism spectrum disorders against controls and say the comparisons reveal disrupted brain connectivity that could serve as a neural signature of autism. While the study is both preliminary and small -- including only 30 volunteers -- the findings, which appear online Friday in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, joins a wider range of autism research that could ultimately help supplement current behavior-based diagnoses and possibly help in deciding early intervention therapies. "This research suggests brain connectivity as a neural signature of autism and may eventually support clinical testing for autism," said Rajesh Kana, an associate professor of psychology and the project's senior researcher. "We found the information transfer between brain areas, causal influence of one brain area on another, to be weaker in autism. There's a … Continue reading →

Researchers say MRI scans show very specific brain activity that could help diagnose autism and aid people in determining early treatment options. This brain scan shows weaker neural connectivity in participants with autism compared with the control participants. Brain scans may reveal signs of autism, which could eventually aid in early intervention therapies, according to new research. Researchers using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner measured the brain activity of volunteers with autism spectrum disorders against controls and say the comparisons reveal disrupted brain connectivity that could serve as a neural signature of autism. While the study is both preliminary and small -- including only 30 volunteers -- the findings, which appear online Friday in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, joins a wider range of autism research that could ultimately help supplement current behavior-based diagnoses and possibly help in deciding early intervention therapies. "This research suggests brain connectivity as a neural signature of autism and may eventually support clinical testing for autism," said Rajesh Kana, an associate professor of psychology and the project's senior researcher. "We found the information transfer between brain areas, causal influence of one brain area on another, to be weaker in autism. There's a … Continue reading →

As a precursor to World Stroke Day 2013, the Indian Stroke Association (ISA) underlines the importance of creating awareness on the third largest killer in India Stroke. As a part of this initiative, ISA commissioned a survey across India to understand the extent of knowledge that prevails about Stroke amongst the Indian population. The research conducted by Ipsos, a leading market research agency, revealed that a majority of Indians do not know the real causes of stroke.The survey was conducted across men and women aged between 25-50 years. A total of 1507 people were interviewed from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai. It mainly captured the respondents awareness & understanding of the term Stroke, its symptoms, perceived causes, the prevailing knowledge about treatment options and their experiences with stroke sufferers.Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and death. Brain attack or stroke, is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. It is caused due to block in blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or rupture of the blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) in the brain. Ischemic stroke has to be properly treated with the only available treatment approved … Continue reading →

Thirty-eight-year-old Thane resident Samir Shah (name changed) lost his ability to speak and his limbs were paralysed after he suffered a brain stroke. This happened because he failed to seek treatment within the first two hours of the attack. According to World Stroke Association statistics, one in six persons are liable to suffer from a brain stroke in their life time. In spite of stroke being the third-largest killer in India, the latest survey by Indian Stroke Association (ISA) reveals that most persons in six cities Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata were ignorant about what causes stroke and how to avoid the consequences that can lead to disability in a person. Stroke is a rapid loss of brain function due to loss of blood supply. A blood clot in artery or blockage causes it. Of the 1,507 respondents surveyed between 25 and 45 years in six cities, half of them were not aware of what a stroke is and did not associate the term with brain. Persons surveyed in Mumbai had the lowest awareness: 73% of them did not know that a stroke patient suffers from confusion and trouble in speaking. Also, 91% of them did not know … Continue reading →