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Mechanism that leads to sporadic Parkinson's disease identified

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

Public release date: 25-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Karin Eskenazi ket2116@columbia.edu 212-342-0508 Columbia University Medical Center New York, NY (September 25, 2012) Researchers in the Taub Institute at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have identified a mechanism that appears to underlie the common sporadic (non-familial) form of Parkinson's disease, the progressive movement disorder. The discovery highlights potential new therapeutic targets for Parkinson's and could lead to a blood test for the disease. The study, based mainly on analysis of human brain tissue, was published today in the online edition of Nature Communications. Studies of rare, familial (heritable) forms of Parkinson's show that a protein called alpha-synuclein plays a role in the development of the disease. People who have extra copies of the alpha-synuclein gene produce excess alpha-synuclein protein, which can damage neurons. The effect is most pronounced in dopamine neurons, a population of brain cells in the substantia nigra that plays a key role in controlling normal movement and is lost in Parkinson's. Another key feature of Parkinson's is the presence of excess alpha-synuclein aggregates in the brain. As the vast majority of patients with Parkinson's do not carry rare familial mutations, a key question has been … Continue reading →

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Total Rehab and Fitness: Changing Lives of People Living With MS One Work-Out at a Time

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - Sep 25, 2012) - Total Rehab and Fitness (TRF) will be hosting an open house on September 27, 2012 from 12-2 p.m. to showcase their multiple disciplinary models of care for patients with multiple sclerosis. Two current patients will be at the open house to share their success stories. The Greater Delaware Chapter of the National MS Society has been able to provide funding for TRF to continue providing life-changing treatment. TRF provides their patients with tailored programs with services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy and speech therapy. Congressman Jon Runyan will be there to show his support for members of the National MS Society, as well as his chief of staff, Stacy Palmer-Barton. TRF staff members who will be in attendance include founder and Director of Therapy Services John Marmarou, Director of Behavioral Services John Armando and Medical Director Marshall Lauer. Chapter President Tami Caesar, Vice President of Advocacy Karen Mariner and Client Services Manager Melissa Bruno will also be at Friday's open house. The open house will take place at TRF's headquarters located at 1111 Marlkress Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003. There are more than 14,000 members of the Greater Delaware Valley community … Continue reading →

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38th Annual Dinner of Champions Raises $2.1 Million for MS Research & Programs

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, was honored at the 38th annual Dinner of Champions. The gala event took place on Monday, September 24, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The event raised $2.1 million that will support the National MS Societys vital programs and services to improve the quality of life for people with MS, as well as cutting-edge research for better treatments and a cure. Melissa Sherak Glasser, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1987 when she was only 15 years old, was presented with the Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life award for educating, motivating and inspiring so many to live well and pay it forward. Director Christopher Nolan and his wife, producer Emma Thomas, presented the award to Jeff Robinov in recognition of his and Warner Bros. continued support in helping the National MS Society move closer toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. Rock musician Chris Cornell and Carolina Liar performed at the dinner. Byron Allen was master of ceremonies for the 20th year and also served with Joe Roth and Tom Sherak as Dinner Chairs. Other special guests in attendance included Ben Affleck, Jason … Continue reading →

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Battle Lines Drawn in the MS Market

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

For years, patients suffering from multiple sclerosis had to endure injection therapies to stave off the horrible disease. Oral medications have finally emerged from development recently, and it turns out the competition is heating up fast: Results arrived on two major clinical trials for Biogen Idec's (NYSE: BIIB) own oral MS drug, BG-12, and the data looks rock-solid. With the MS market suddenly red-hot, will Biogen's latest success propel the company to higher heights? Mopping up the competitionBiogen's two phase 3 trials for BG-12 came out in Wednesday's New England Journal of Medicine with promising results. The two trials demonstrated strong efficacy for BG-12, with chronic relapses falling 44% to 51% at the two-year mark. Given that drugs currently used to combat MS relapses typically demonstrate only a 30% improvement, BG-12's success looks sharp. While the FDA won't rule on BG-12's approval until later in the year, Biogen's drug looks to become just the third oral medication for MS on the market. Sanofi's (NYSE: SNY) Aubagio received the green light from the FDA earlier this month, following Novartis's (NYSE: NVS) Gilenya, the first oral MS treatment launched in 2010. Unfortunately for Biogen's two competitors, their drugs come with serious questions … Continue reading →

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Seven days: 21–27 September 2012

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

Business | Events | Policy | People | Research | Trend watch Database case The American Chemical Society (ACS), the worlds largest scientific society, is likely to have to pay US$11.5million in compensation to a small start-up company after a ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court on 18September. The court ruled that the ACS, based in Washington DC, filed a lawsuit to unfairly suppress chemical-informatics firm Leadscope of Columbus, Ohio. See page482 for more. Drug-makers unite Ten giant pharmaceutical companies have formed a non-profit organization called TransCelerate BioPharma, with the goal of making clinical trials more efficient. By setting universal standards in trial design and data collection, the group could shave time and expense off the drug-development process, says Garry Neil, head of TransCelerate and a former vice-president of science and technology at Johnson & Johnson. Smaller companies are invited to join the team. See go.nature.com/jj2sky for more. Dark Energy Survey Collaboration/FERMILAB First light for dark-energy lens A camera designed to hunt for signs of dark energy, a force thought to be responsible for the Universes rapid expansion, snapped its first images on 12September. The images from the Dark Energy Survey camera (Nature 489, 190191; 2012), which is mounted on … Continue reading →

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Pacemaker from Stem Cells Receives Research Funding

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Deborah K. Lieu, a stem cell scientist in cardiovascular medicine at UC Davis Health System, has received a $1.3 million research grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to develop stem cells that could serve as a biological alternative to the electronic pacemakers that people now use to regulate heart rhythm. According to Lieu, each year 350,000 cardiology patients with abnormal heart rhythms receive electronic pacemakers to maintain a normal heart beat. The devices, while effective, have several disadvantages, including limited battery life and poor response to changing heart rates, such as when a person is exercising. Lieu, who is working with colleague Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, the Roger Tatarian Endowed Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at UC Davis, plans to examine ways to improve the generation of pacemaking cells using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), potentially creating what she calls a "biopacemaker." "There are more than 3 million patients around the country who are dependent on electronic pacemakers," said Lieu. "Each one costs about $58,000 to implant and requires follow-up surgery about every 5 to 10 years to change batteries. Creating a biopacemaker from stem cells would avoid the burden of battery replacement and provide the physiological … Continue reading →

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Research and Markets: Cell Culture Life Science Dashboard Series 4 (China)

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/j9wdgd/cell_culture_life) has announced the addition of the "Cell Culture Life Science Dashboard Series 4 (China)" report to their offering. The growth and propagation of mammalian cells in culture is a routine but critical precursor to the investigation of such fundamental cellular processes as gene expression and protein function and to the development of therapeutics. Cell culture products are widely used not only by scientists working with traditional cell lines but also by researchers engaged in experiments with such emerging model systems as stem cells and engineered cell lines. This Cell Culture Dashboard for the Chinese market was developed based upon the aggregated responses to a 21-question survey and completed by 398 scientists actively engaged in mammalian cell culture predominantly located in China. This Dashboard reveals key market indicators for the research market for cell culture products as a whole as well as for the following product segments: - Basal media - Fetal bovine serum - Animal sera - Balanced salt solutions - Serum free media - Dry powdered media More here: Research and Markets: Cell Culture Life Science Dashboard Series 4 (China) … Continue reading →

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Frederic Chereau Joins Shire Human Genetic Therapies to Lead Angioedema Franchise

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

LEXINGTON, Mass., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Shire plc (LSE: SHP; NASDAQ: SHPG), today announced the appointment of Frederic Chereau as Senior Vice President and Franchise Lead, Angioedema, for its Human Genetic Therapies (HGT) business. In this role, Frederic will oversee the development and execution of the global strategy for the angioedema franchise. He will report to Sylvie Gregoire, President of Shire HGT. Frederic will be based in Shire's office in Lexington, Massachusetts. "Frederic brings a wealth of experience from top pharmaceutical and biotech companies to Shire HGT, and we know he will be an important asset as we continue to grow and develop our Angioedema Franchise," said Sylvie Gregoire, President, Shire HGT. "With our recent strategic hires, we continue to strengthen our leadership team at HGT, and Frederic will support our goal of helping those with rare diseases lead better lives." Frederic was previously President and CEO of Pervasis Therapeutics, which was recently acquired by Shire Regenerative Medicine. Prior to Pervasis, he spent nine years with Genzyme Corporation where he held a number of positions of increasing responsibility in Europe and the US, including Vice President and General Manager, leading the company's global cardiovascular business unit. Frederic began his career … Continue reading →

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New tests indicate progress in identifying the genetic roots of autism

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

One of the most agonizing questions that parents of children with autism ask iswhy? Now, a growing number of genetic tests are providing some answers. Scientists say that roughly 20 percent of autism cases can be linked to known genetic abnormalities, and many more may be discovered. Pinpointing a genetic explanation can help predict whether siblings are likely to have the disorderand even point to new, targeted treatments. Last week, for example, researchers reported that an experimental drug, arbaclofen, reduced social withdrawal and challenging behaviors in children and adults with Fragile X syndrome, the single most common genetic cause of autism. Related: Experimental drug to treat Fragile X syndrome shows promise No single blood test or brain scan can diagnose autism spectrum disordersin part because environmental factors also play a major role. But once a child is diagnosed, on the basis of symptoms and behavioral tests, researchers can work backward looking for genetic causes. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Medical Genetics recommend that all children diagnosed with ASD be tested for Fragile X Syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities. The newest tests, called chromosomal microanalysis, can identify submicroscopic deletions or duplications in DNA sequences known … Continue reading →

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International Stem Cell Corp Granted Key Patent for Liver Disease Program

Posted: Published on September 26th, 2012

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 25, 2012) - International Stem Cell Corporation ( OTCQB : ISCO ) (www.internationalstemcell.com) ("ISCO" or "the Company") a California-based biotechnology company, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the Company a patent for a method of creating pure populations of definitive endoderm, precursor cells to liver and pancreas cells, from human pluripotent stem cells.This patent is a key element of ISCO's metabolic liver disease program and allows the Company to produce the necessary quantities of precursor cells in a more efficient and cost effective manner. The patent, 8,268,621, adds to the Company's growing portfolio of proprietary technologies relating to the development of potential treatments for incurable diseases using human parthenogenetic Stem Cells (hpSC).Human parthenogenetic stem cells are unique pluripotent stem cells that offer the possibility to reduce the cost of health care while avoiding the ethical issues that surround the use of fertilized human embryos.Aside from the Company's current liver disease program, this new patented method can be used as a route to create pancreatic and endocrine cells that could be used in future studies of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. ISCO currently has the largest collection of hpSC including … Continue reading →

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