ScienceDaily (Nov. 5, 2012) Painkilling drugs that make many therapies possible are a blessing for patients. Thanks to modern anesthetics, not only can surgical operations be conducted without causing pain, they are also used for various diagnostic procedures. Anesthetics can be very useful in therapies for stroke patients, as psychologists and physicians of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) and the University Hospital Jena are now able to demonstrate. In the Journal of Neuroscience the researchers present the results of their study, showing how a local anesthetic can distinctly improve the motor skills of patients after a stroke. "Many stroke patients suffer from chronic impairment of the hand or of the complete arm," Professor Dr. Thomas Weiss explains. Together with expert colleagues the psychologist of the department of Biological and Clinical Psychology at Jena University has been working for a number of years on a specialized medical training therapy which clearly enhances the mobility of stroke patients. In the 'Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy' (CIMT) the healthy arm is being restrained in a cuff, while the stroke-affected arm and hand are intensely training fine motor skills. Patients are asked to carry out tasks such as stacking small toy blocks or putting tiny … Continue reading →

About 35% or 500 out of 100 000 strokes that occur in South Africa every year can now be prevented. This is thanks to a new drug registered for use in the country this week for the prevention and management of strokes in people with a heart condition known as Atrial Fibrillation. Sufffering a stroke is becoming more common in South Africa, affecting about 130 people a day. About half the people who suffer a stroke are likely to die within the first year of having it. Adults over the age of 40 are at highest risk. This is because 1 in 4 adults over 40 are more likely to suffer a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, which is responsible for a third of all strokes. Dr Kevin Ho, the Medical Director at Boehringer-Ingelheim, explains that atrial fibrillation is a condition where the normal heart beat is affected and becomes irregular. Atrial fibrillation is the commonest cardiac arythmia or rhythm disturbance of the heart and the significance of atrial fibrillation in stroke is that it increases the risk of stroke five-fold and is also associated with particularly severe and disabling strokes. Atrial fibrillation is the condition where the upper … Continue reading →

By KRISTIN BUEHNER kristin.buehner@globegazette.com MASON CITY Hundreds of people turned out Saturday for Haydens Hope, an event to raise funds to find a cure for Friedreichs Ataxia and for treatment for a 9-year-old Mason City boy who has it. Hayden Despenas, son of Sara and Dana Despenas, has been diagnosed with the rare genetic neurodegenerative disease. Funds raised Saturday will be given for research and to help Hayden participate in clinical trials that could have a profound impact on the progression of the disease. Its amazing, said Rosanne Pals, a volunteer at the event that included live and silent auctions, live band, childrens carnival in Central Park, bake sale on the Plaza and food vendors, in addition to sprints for children 12 and under and 10K and 5K runs for adults. Medals were given to top runners and to all sprint participants. An estimated 300 runners participated. Sara Despenas, Haydens mother, called it a great day. I am just overwhelmed, she said. The event started out small and grew as more and more people came forward to help, Despenas said. Items ranging from furniture to sports memorabilia were being sold at a silent auction that filled the Ballroom of the … Continue reading →