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State appeals order to pay for special autism treatment

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

Already facing sharp criticism over policies that have resulted in the rationing of care to severely disabled children, Florida healthcare regulators are challenging a federal judges order that the state provide a costly but potentially life-changing treatment to children with autism. Last spring, U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard struck down the states refusal to pay for applied behavior analysis (ABA) for autistic children, calling the states policy arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable. The court case involved three autistic youngsters then-5-year-old K.G., 2-year-old I.G. and 4-year-old C.C. whose efforts to obtain behavioral therapy had been denied by the states Medicaid insurance program for needy and disabled people. Lenard ordered that the three children be given the care they sought and that the state provide such care to other autistic children, as well. The state Agency for Health Care Administration has appealed the order, and, in a pleading submitted in November, argued that the ruling strips the state of its ability to weigh requests for the therapy on a case-by-case basis to ensure the treatments are medically necessary. There is no evidentiary support for the district courts conclusion that [behavior analysis] services are medically necessary for all autistic Medicaid recipients under 21, the … Continue reading →

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Stroke Survivor Embraces Post-Stroke Life and Mobility Challenges in Latest Faces of Stroke(SM) Campaign in Honor of …

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

CENTENNIAL, Colo., Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/-- Julie Hyman, 51, had a stroke at age 37. At the time, she was busy juggling home, family and work, but her lifestyle was stressful in the midst of balancing everything. Like so many people, she ignored the warning signs of her stroke, feeling that she was too young to experience such a devastating event. After her stroke, Julie felt that her life as she knew it was over. She was paralyzed on the left side and only had the use of one hand. She also had spasticity, a condition in which muscles become tight and stiff, making movement difficult or uncontrollable. "Relearning how to do simple things like buttoning my shirt were major challenges. Washing dishes, doing laundry and preparing meals were almost impossible," said Julie, a Faces of Stroke(SM) Ambassador for National Stroke Association's January mini-campaign honoring International Quality of Life Month. Nearly 60 percent of stroke survivors experience spasticity, which significantly affects their quality of life. Spasticity is a condition in which muscles become tight and stiff, which makes movement, especially of the arms or legs, difficult or uncontrollable. Through rehabilitation and therapy, Julie was taught to "think-plan-act" for every action … Continue reading →

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Stroke “robot” saves critical minutes

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

4.5 hours is the maximum window for giving a blood-clot busting drug to treat strokes; Lees Summit Medical Centers new robot helps speed up diagnosis Lees Summit Medical Center recently added robotic technology to its arsenal for treating stroke patients. Andy, for android (the nickname hospital staff gave the device) allows a neurologist from another location to interview and observe patients first hand, saving crucial time in diagnosing strokes. Its better than relying on a description from the nurse, said Gina Gregg, who is the stroke coordinator for the hospital. Heres how it works: A stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to the brain, either from a clot or hemorrhage. The sooner treatment starts, the less damage there is to the brain. Time is brain its said and the emergency room staff doesnt want to wait for a neurologist to drive to the hospital in the evenings or on weekends when one is not at the hospital. Instead they reach the on-call neurologist who logs on to a laptop computer, using a secure wireless network, and links to robot at the medical center thats in the patients room. The doctors face shows up on the robots screen, with a … Continue reading →

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Acorda Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update at 31st Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

ARDSLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that AMPYRA (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg unaudited net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $73 million and unaudited AMPYRA 2012 full-year net sales were $266 million. These results are subject to completion of the Companys year-end audit. The Company provided 2013 guidance for AMPYRA net sales revenue of $285-$315 million. Guidance for Zanaflex (tizanidine hydrochloride) and ex-U.S. FAMPYRA revenue is $25 million, which includes sales of branded Zanaflex products, royalties from ex-U.S. FAMPYRA and authorized generic tizanidine hydrochloride capsules sales, and $9.1 million in amortized licensing revenue from the $110 million payment the Company received from Biogen Idec in 2009 for FAMPYRA ex-U.S. development and commercialization rights. Guidance for 2013 sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expense is $170-$180 million and 2013 research and development (R&D) expense is $60-$70 million. The increase in SG&A and R&D expenses in 2013 over 2012 is primarily related to research and commercialization expenses for the recently acquired product Diazepam Nasal Spray. Based on this guidance, the Company expects to be cash flow positive in 2013. President and CEO Ron Cohen, M.D. will provide a corporate overview, including the Companys recent acquisition … Continue reading →

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Small step is giant leap forward for Rochdale cerebral palsy boy Adam Kutereba

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

A little boys new year wish came true when he managed to stand unaided for five minutes for the first time in his life. Brave Adam Kutereba has had a whirlwind 12 months in which he captured the hearts of thousands of people who raised 86,000 for surgery to change his life forever. The 10-year-old was born with tetraplegic cerebral palsy and has spent much of his life in a wheelchair. But an operation in the USA known as selective dorsal rhizotomy has given him renewed hope. Specialists at St Louis childrens hospital in Missouri lengthened his hamstrings, heel and knee cords to help him walk. Adam has been improving bit by bit since the treatment in August. He can now walk with a frame and has managed 21 minutes on a treadmill without a break. And on Christmas Day he stunned his family by standing up for five minutes without any aid. "Things have been amazing since the operation," said Adams mum Rachel, 34. "He is getting better all the time. It was a very special Christmas for our family." See the rest here: Small step is giant leap forward for Rochdale cerebral palsy boy Adam Kutereba … Continue reading →

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Cerebral palsy stalks parents

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

Balurghat, Jan. 6: Their son died when he was 18. Now Ranjit Ghosh and his wife Jharna are spending sleepless nights afraid that they are going to lose their 11-year-old daughter Arpita soon. Both children began to suffer from cerebral palsy from early childhood. Ranjit, a resident of Andirpara, who sells sweets he makes to various shops, could not afford treatment. Neither Balurghat, nor any other place in South Dinajpur, has any help to offer to those suffering from cerebral palsy. The patients need rehabilitation at specialised centres, absent in South Dinajpur. The nearest facilities are in Siliguri. "Arpita was normal for some time after birth. But eight months onwards we noticed that she was not developing like other kids. We met local child specialists, who said that she would be normal after some time. But the girl did not grow. Later, we came to know that it was cerebral palsy," says Ranjit. "My second son Ripan died from the same disease. He died two years ago. He was 18. We exhausted all our in his treatment. Now we don't have any money. I don't know what I can do for Arpita. She is going to die," Ranjit said. Their … Continue reading →

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Family in lurch without cerebral palsy treatment

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

Their son died when he was 18. Now Ranjit Ghosh and his wife Jharna are spending sleepless nights afraid that they are going to lose their 11-year-old daughter Arpita soon. Both children began to suffer from cerebral palsy from early childhood. Ranjit, a resident of Andirpara, who sells sweets he makes to various shops, could not afford treatment. Neither Balurghat, nor any other place in South Dinajpur, has any help to offer to those suffering from cerebral palsy. The patients need rehabilitation at specialised centres, absent in South Dinajpur. The nearest facilities are in Siliguri. "Arpita was normal for some time after birth. But eight months onwards we noticed that she was not developing like other kids. We met local child specialists, who said that she would be normal after some time. But the girl did not grow. Later, we came to know that it was cerebral palsy," says Ranjit. "My second son Ripan died from the same disease. He died two years ago. He was 18. We exhausted all our in his treatment. Now we don't have any money. I don't know what I can do for Arpita. She is going to die," Ranjit said. Their elder son is … Continue reading →

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Long-term consequences of suffering traumatic brain injury discovered

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

Washington, January 6 (ANI): Researchers studying the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) using rat models, have found that, overtime, TBI results in progressive brain deterioration characterized by elevated inflammation and suppressed cell regeneration. However, therapeutic intervention, even in the chronic stage of TBI, may still help prevent cell death. "In the U.S., an estimated 1.7 million people suffer from traumatic brain injury," Dr. Cesar V. Borlongan from the University of South Florida (USF) said. "In addition, TBI is responsible for 52,000 early deaths, accounts for 30 percent of all injury-related deaths, and costs approximately $52 billion yearly to treat," he said. While TBI is generally considered an acute injury, secondary cell death caused by neuroinflammation and an impaired repair mechanism accompany the injury over time, said the authors. Long-term neurological deficits from TBI related to inflammation may cause more severe secondary injuries and predispose long-term survivors to age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic dementia. Since the U.S. military has been involved in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the incidence of traumatic brain injury suffered by troops has increased dramatically, primarily from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to Martin Steele, Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine … Continue reading →

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Thurso woman is first in Scotland to use new MS drug

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

NHS Highland are the first to prescribe Fingolimod to patients A MULTIPLE Sclerosis patient from Thurso has become the first person in Scotland to be using a new treatment on the NHS to help her condition. Louise Smith has become the first NHS Highland patient to have started using Fingolimod, a tablet that can be used to help people with highly active relapsing remitting MS. The tables aims to ensure that patients will spend less time travelling to hospital to treat their condition, however, doctors say that it is only suitable for a percentage of patients. Ms Smith, (47) who was diagnosed with MS four years ago, has been taking Fingolimond since November and said that the tablets will help her led a more independent life. She said: To date I have been treated with drug infusions as well as having to self-inject to prevent relapses. MS can take over so much of your life but I have set up my own business which means I can work flexibly. I do try and lead as normal a life as possible and this will definitely help. Now Im on the tablet I dont have to carry needles. I dont have to … Continue reading →

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East Wenatchee resident's podcasts on MS go global

Posted: Published on January 7th, 2013

EAST WENATCHEE Deanna Kirkpatrick spends 80 percent of her days in bed or in a recliner. She walks short distances with a cane. Multiple sclerosis has mostly condensed her world to a small apartment in East Wenatchee, Douglas County. Once an avid skier, runner, softball player, Seattle radio host and pharmaceutical sales representative, she's lost her job and her lifestyle to the disease. What she hasn't lost is her ability to communicate. The 45-year-old's voice has gone global. The podcasts on multiple sclerosis that she produces with two others with MS have been listened to 17,000 times in the past year, she said. They draw listeners from as far as Australia, Japan, Germany, Italy and India. The shows have been picked by Blog Talk Radio, which calls itself one of the largest platforms for Internet radio, as a featured production. "I love it," Kirkpatrick says. "The show has just given me a passion for helping other people. I've lost my health and my career, and a lot of loss happens when you're diagnosed with a chronic disease. But there are blessings that come out of this. I'm here to say, there are opportunities to help yourself and other people." She … Continue reading →

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