Join Walking Mountains Science Center for a discussion on the Science Behind Stem Cell Treatment for Joint Pain on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. ThriveMD medical director Scott Brandt will discuss how stem cells carry huge potential to restore an active and pain-free life. Autologous (self-derived adult) stem cell therapy is one of the newest and most innovative avenues in regenerative medicine. Brandt will walk attendees through the minimally invasive procedure that works to relieve the pain and limitations of damaged joint cartilage without resorting to an invasive joint replacement surgery. The procedure involves harvesting a patient's own stem cells found in fat tissue, most often from the abdominal region. The tissue is then prepared in a cell-processing laboratory and injected into the ailing joint an hour later, using fluoroscopic guidance. Once injected, the cells can sense proteins that have been generated from cartilage damage. In response, these cells have the ability to make chondrocytes, which are the type of cells found in healthy cartilage. Then, through chondrogenesis (cartilage cell division), the damaged cartilage can be replaced with healthy cartilage tissue. Brandt will also discuss the results he is seeing with autologous stem cell therapy and why he prefers using … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/k87884/epicast_report) has announced the addition of GlobalData's new report "EpiCast Report: Epilepsy Epidemiology Forecast to 2022" to their offering. Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide each year and is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world (WHO, 2005). Epilepsy is defined as a collection of brain dysfunction disorders characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures. The prevalence of epilepsy varies among countries due to a mosaic of economic, political, and social differences. Epidemiologists expect that the number of active and lifetime prevalent cases of epilepsy will increase during the forecast period (2012-2022) in the nine markets covered. In 2012, we estimated that there was a total of 17,542,651 active prevalent cases of epilepsy in the nine markets, and GlobalData epidemiologists forecast that by 2022, the number of active prevalent cases will grow to 18,565,967. A major strength of this analysis is that the forecast methodology was consistent across the nine markets to allow for a meaningful comparison of the patient populations in each country. Scope - The Epilepsy EpiCast Report and EpiCast Model provide an overview of risk factors and global trends for epilepsy. - Data is provided for the seven major markets … Continue reading →

MANSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Covidien (COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the launch of a new study, SWIFT PRIME, which enrolled its first patient at the University at Buffalo. The new multi-center, randomized controlled trial will be one of the largest global studies to examine the adjunctive use of mechanical thrombectomy during the early stages of acute ischemic stroke onset. Acute ischemic stroke occurs when a clot in a blood vessel blocks blood supply to the brain. According to the American Heart Association, acute ischemic stroke is the leading cause of disability and the fourth most common cause of death in the United States. The SWIFT PRIME study will examine acute ischemic stroke patients treated with either intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) alone or IV tPA in combination with Covidiens Solitaire FR Revascularization Device, an overlapping stent-based technology that provides substantially improved clinical outcomes to the previous generation of devices. The study will also include an extensive health economics analysis. The launch of the SWIFT PRIME trial is an important milestone in the evolution of stroke therapeutics, said Jeffrey L. Saver, MD, FAHA, FAAN, Professor of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director, UCLA … Continue reading →