THE International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), an independent, non-profit organization has been established to promote and foster the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas relating to stem cells, to encourage the general field of research involving stem cells and to promote professional and public education in all areas of stem cell research and application. Members are admitted on the basis of their professional credentials as scientists or clinicians working in the field of stem cell research. Over the years, ISSCR has raised its concerns regarding stem cell therapies that are being offered worldwide before being scientifically and clinically proven safe and effective. The Catholic Church, supports stem cell research, with an introduction for a book on the subject by no less than now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Associated press has reported that Benedict XVI wrote the introduction for "The Healing Cell: How the Greatest Revolution in Medical History Is Changing Your Life" co-authored by Dr. Robin Smith, Msgr. Tomasz Trafny, and Max Gomez. The Catholic Church supports using adult stem cells in scientific research, especially when it will benefit society. However, The Church has consistently opposed research on embryonic stem cells. Stem cell therapies are just about … Continue reading →

NEW YORK, NY and PETAH TIKVA, ISRAEL--(Marketwired - Jul 29, 2013) - BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCQB: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the European Commission has granted Orphan Drug Designation for NurOwn, the Company's stem cell therapy consisting of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells secreting neurotrophic factors, for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.NurOwn received Orphan Drug Designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011. Orphan drugs benefit from 10 years market exclusivity in the European Union (EU) after marketing approval. Additional benefits for sponsor companies include reduced fees for various centralized activities including applications for marketing authorization, inspections and protocol assistance, as well as possible eligibility for EU grants and other R&D-supporting initiatives. BrainStorm is currently conducting a Phase IIa dose-escalating trial with 12 ALS patients at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. The company anticipates launching a Phase II multi-center trial at three leading institutions in the United States towards the end of 2013, pending FDA approval. About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of first-of-its-kind adult stem cell … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --NeuroSigma, Inc., today announced conditional approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application to commence a Phase III pivotal trial of theMonarch eTNSSystem for treatment of drug resistant epilepsy. The Company is planning to conduct a multi-center trial at leading medical institutions in the U.S., Europe and Canada. The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the device and provide the basis for a PreMarket Approval (PMA) application to the FDA. In earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of external Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS), over 40% of patients treated showed a 50% or greater reduction in seizures. "We are eager to take this next key step in the regulatory approval process of eTNS in the United States," said Leon Ekchian, Ph.D., President and CEO of NeuroSigma. "We believe a safe, non-invasive and affordable alternative to pharmaceuticals and invasive treatments is urgently needed by the 50-million people with epilepsy worldwide." The Monarch eTNS System is currently available with a physician's prescription in the European Union and Canada as adjunctive treatment of epilepsy and depression, for adults and children 9 years … Continue reading →

At the Autism Speaks National Conference: Making Medication Decisions In this video blog from Autism Speaks 2013 National Conference, pediatric neurologist Evdokia Anagnostou, a child neurologist discusses strategies for famili... By: AutismSpeaksVids … Continue reading →

At the Autism Speaks National Conference: Challenging Behaviors In this video blog from Autism Speaks 2013 National Conference, clinical psychologist Jacquie Wynn, provides tips for families trying to manage challenging b... By: AutismSpeaksVids … Continue reading →

Grand Forks, N.D. (PRWEB) July 29, 2013 Five-year-old Maddy Robinson is the newest face of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders' (CARD) Mission Possible: Portraits of Hope online video series that highlights the personal journeys, challenges, and successes of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Maddy achieved recovery from autism after early intervention using applied behavior analysis (ABA) led by her parents using the Skills curriculum. Maddys story can be viewed at http://portraits-of-hope.centerforautism.com/. Skills was created by researchers at CARD, the worlds largest provider of state-of-the-art, early intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with ASD, in an effort to address the global need for affordable access to an effective and comprehensive autism curriculum. The online program is based on the principles and procedures of ABA, an empirically-supported treatment, and is designed to be both comprehensive and easy to use, increasing treatment effectiveness to produce positive results for every child. Maddy was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and began using Skills at two-and-a-half years of age. Now, after receiving 30 hours per week of intensive ABA-based intervention through her customized treatment program designed by Skills, Maddy has fully recovered from her diagnosis of autism. Maddy recently entered kindergarten … Continue reading →

Encino, CA (PRWEB) July 29, 2013 Working With Autism announces latest program, an Adolescent Services Unit, following a service area expansion in Santa Clarita Valley. The Adolescent Unit fills the gap for people looking to continue utilizing services and resources for their autistic children as they reach adolescence. The Adolescent Unit at Working With Autism (WWA) helps children with socialization, teaches them how to deal with other teeenagers who may not understand autism spectrum disorders, and even prepares them to enter the workforce after graduation. Many parents may not be familiar with the availability of such services, and the coverage options. In fact, the relevant sections of insurance code state the following: every policy of disability insurance covering hospital, medical, or surgical expense in the state of California must profive treatment for severe mental illness. This includes developmental disorders and autism for anyone under the age of 18. Following a childs 22nd birthday, they may continue to be covered in the event that they are considered a Medical Dependent. Working With Autisms Adolescent Unit offers specialized services in order to meet the challenges of individuals in this stage of development. Children in this age group are often seen as different … Continue reading →

Andrew Marr will be back in the presenting chair for his self-named show in the autumn, eight months after he suffered a massive stroke. The 53-year-old presenter, who spent two months in hospital, and has spent many more undergoing physiotherapy to help him walk again, will return full-time to presenting duties from 1 September, the BBC have confirmed. These will include helming 'The Andrew Marr Show' and presenting Radio 4's 'Start the Week'. Andrew Marr has been away for eight months, following his stroke in January Marr told the BBC: "I'm hugely looking forward to coming back and want to give it my all but recovering from a stroke does take time. 'We've taken the decision to start with the Sunday show in the autumn and I'm delighted to be returning to present Start the Week on Radio 4 later on in the year.' A Radio 4 spokesman said: 'Andrew is a fantastic presenter and we look forward to having him back on Radio 4. 'Meanwhile Start the Week will continue to be presented by Stephanie Flanders and a few other regulars.' Marr previously revealed that doctors indicated to his wife Jackie he would not make it through, when he … Continue reading →

July 29, 2013 redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports Your Universe Online Stroke patients who have parts of their brain stimulated with a magnetic coil prior to taking part in speech and language therapy made three times as much progress than those who did not undergo the procedure, according to research recently published in the journal Stroke. By using a non-invasive technique to temporarily shut down the parts of the brain that function properly, researchers from McGill University in Montreal discovered the side of the brain that had been damaged by the stroke could re-learn linguistic skills, Telegraph Science Correspondent Nick Collins explained on Saturday. According to Collins, the researchers said the stimulation should be offered within five weeks of a patient suffering a stroke because genes which allow the brain to recover are most active early on. He added the treatment is directed toward patients suffering from a condition known as aphasia a disorder characterized by a disturbance of the comprehension and formulation of language caused by dysfunction in specific brain regions. Twenty to 30 percent of all stroke victims experience aphasia, Collins noted. Lead author Alexander Thiel, an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the university, and his … Continue reading →

No hospital sends a stroke patient home without a detailed plan to help them regain as much of their normal functioning as possible. Yet cancer patients are routinely released with no guidance on how to deal with the impairments that may linger after their treatment is done. A lot of cancer survivors feel ditched after treatment, says Catherine Alfano, deputy director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute. Research shows that cancer rehabilitation can help people reduce disability and improve their functioning, yet too few cancer survivors get such care, says Julie Silver, a physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She encountered the problem herself after undergoing rigorous treatment for breast cancer in 2003. Afterward, she felt abandoned. Recognizing an unmet need, Silver launched the Survivorship, Training and Rehab program. STAR helps hospitals and other health-care facilities develop cancer rehabilitation programs that coordinate care among diverse providers. The programs are tailored to each person and their cancer, whether its breast, lung, prostate or something else. Cancer patients should seek out such programs even before beginning treatment. (Ask your doctor for a referral.) Among hospitals in the area, Inova Alexandria Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center … Continue reading →