Andrew Duff, MEP Proposals to restrict stem cell research have been opposed by a Cambridge-based MEP. Liberal Democrat Andrew Duff voted against a report in the European Parliament which he said would result in stricter requirements on voluntary and unpaid donations of tissues and cells for medical research. Afterwards, he said: The report swings the debate on stem cell research in the wrong direction, allowing individual EU member states to stop important medical science in its tracks. It is unhelpful to call for further restrictions on the donation of tissues and cells in the EU at a time when the number of patients in need of treatment based on stem cells is growing exponentially. The report was drawn up by a Conservative MEP. Mr Duff added: Cambridge is a world leader on life sciences. The European Parliaments restrictive conservative philosophy usually driven by ill-judged ethical motives puts our research centres at risk and could drive away high quality science abroad, for example to India. Regenerative medicine relies on a steady supply of stem cells. See the article here: MEP fights European proposal to restrict stem cell research … Continue reading →

Nearly every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke, regardless of age or seemingly good health. Its the leading cause of disability within the United States. In Kansas, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death. A stroke or a brain attack occurs when blood flow to part of the brain suddenly stops due to a blocked or ruptured blood vessel. When the blood flow stops, oxygen cannot circulate to that area of the brain. This usually leads to the death of many brain cells, the number of which is determined by both how large the blood vessel is and how long blood flow has been interrupted. A stroke can cause paralysis, affect language, memory and vision and cause many other problems. While anyone can have a stroke, nearly 80 percent of strokes are preventable if the patient knows the risk factors and is willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes. Many of the risk factors for a stroke are controllable or treatable, such as high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol and illegal drug use, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and obesity. High blood pressure (or hypertension) is the No. 1 cause of stroke. A reading of more … Continue reading →

Stroke patients in Marlborough are not receiving the necessary care laid down in national guidelines. The service in Marlborough lacks rehabilitation teams, proper dysphagia or swallow assessments for patients and an efficient referral system between GPs and Blenheim's Wairau Hospital to prevent early attacks leading to full-blown strokes. Nelson Marlborough District Health Board older person health manager Jane Large said a review of the service was ongoing and that the board was working to bring the service into line with the National Stroke Clinical Network guidelines for New Zealand. About 50 people were admitted to Wairau Hospital every year with a stroke, she said. Between 100 and 120 people a year were admitted to Nelson Hospital. "There are things that need to be done but we know what they are and have plans for many of them," Mrs Large said. Wairau Hospital didn't have the staff to provide a community rehabilitation team, which was available to patients in Nelson. The rehab team played a vital role in helping patients to develop the skills and functions needed to remain at home. The various disciplinary teams within the hospital setting, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech language therapists, didn't have time … Continue reading →

HATFIELD, England, September 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fycompa(R)(perampanel), is launched today in Denmark as the first in an entirely new class of treatment for uncontrolled partial epilepsy (the most common form of the condition). The new therapy has demonstrated efficacy in partial onset seizures, in particular with secondary generalisations. It is indicated as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures, with or without secondarily generalised seizures, in people with epilepsy aged 12 years and older.[1] Following the UK and Germany, Denmark is one of the first countries in Europe to launch Fycompa. Perampanel is the first and only licensed anti-epileptic drug (AED) to selectively target AMPA receptors, a protein in the brain which plays a critical role in causing seizures.[2] This mechanism of action is different to other, currently available AEDs. In addition, perampanel has the added benefit of convenient, once-daily dosing at bedtime[1] and, significantly, is the only new-generation partial epilepsy treatment approved to treat adolescents with epilepsy from launch. There are approximately 46,000 people in Denmark living with epilepsy.[3] The successful treatment of partial-onset seizures remains a significant challenge in some patients and the incidence of uncontrolled partial epilepsy remains high despite many AEDs. Currently, between 20 - 40% … Continue reading →