FRIDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- In children as young as 6 months old, changes in the brain that can lead to autism spectrum disorder may have already begun, preliminary research suggests. Although early signs of autism, such as problems communicating and repetitive behaviors, can often be seen as early as 1 year, processes in the brain linked to communication are seemingly being altered months earlier, University of North Carolina researchers report. "We know that there is evidence that autism affects the ability of different brain regions to communicate with each other. This study confirms that this atypical brain development begins very early in life," said study co-author Geri Dawson, the chief science officer at Autism Speaks. "These findings raise the possibility of developing imaging markers that could detect risk for autism in advance of actual symptoms, and [to] begin treatment before symptoms begin," she said. However, whether these brain changes occur in all autistic children isn't known, Dawson said. It is possible that the developmental problems of autism start even earlier, while in the womb, she said. "One can imagine a day when you would use these imaging biomarkers to identify a young baby who is at risk and … Continue reading →

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital has received a stroke care awareness award after the hospital implemented a higher standard of stroke care. The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award is given to hospitals that ensure stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations, according to a statement from Henry Mayo. The Santa Clarita Valley's only hospital has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the Emergency Department, it said in a news release. The program means the hospital will always be equipped to provide brain imaging scans, have neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and use clot-busting medications when appropriate. The program uses the time soon after a patient has had a stroke when he or she is most likely to listen to and follow doctor's guidance. Studies show patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.     More: Henry Mayo receives stroke care awareness award … Continue reading →

Having developed the FAST acronym – face, arms, speech and time – which has been seen on TV ads, the University and NHS team are now trying out an app to help people who have had a stroke and their medical team work out which course of treatment is most suitable for them. Its potential benefits have caught the attention of the national NHS after the team were nominated by a public vote as one of the top 50 uses of technology. The app will be demonstrated to the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, at the Maps and Apps Showcase in London (on Weds 22nd Feb). From the moment people suffer a stroke medics only have a four and a half hour window to treat them with clot busting drugs – and this means doctors, nurses, the patient and their families need to have a clear idea of the treatment options so they can make a considered but rapid decision. An iPad app, called DASH II, is being trialled in Newcastle and North Tyneside hospitals to help weigh up the risks and benefits of different treatments for people who have had an ischaemic stroke, caused by a blood … Continue reading →

Public release date: 17-Feb-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Chris Balma balma@science.ubc.ca 604-202-5047 University of British Columbia New international agreements are required to ensure nations benefit equally from medicines, foods and biofuels derived from the ocean's untapped genetic riches, according to a panel of University of British Columbia and European researchers presenting at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Vancouver on Feb. 17. "The reservoir of genetic diversity contained in the oceans' microbial life is a huge potential source of natural products and genes with applications in medicine, food development and bio-energy," says Curtis Suttle, an expert on marine virology and microbiology at the University or British Columbia and member of the panel. "The question is whether they fall under a regime of 'freedom of the high seas' which allows the discoverer to keep what they find, or under a regime of 'the common heritage of mankind' which would require benefits from the use of genetic resources to be equitably shared amongst countries." Marine genetic resources discovered in coastal waters are subject to bilateral 'benefit sharing' under international agreements currently being ratified. But no such agreements govern the patenting … Continue reading →

By Andrew Zajac and Susan Decker - Fri Feb 17 06:01:01 GMT 2012 Enlarge image Genetic Medicine Advances Shadowed by Regulatory Issues Gene-sequencing breakthroughs, spawning fast-growing, multibillion-dollar markets for drugs, software and medical tests, are also creating thorny issues over how to regulate commercial use of the human genetic code. Illustration: Rich Clement/Bloomberg Gene-sequencing breakthroughs, spawning fast-growing, multibillion-dollar markets for drugs, software and medical tests, are also creating thorny issues over how to regulate commercial use of the human genetic code. Illustration: Rich Clement/Bloomberg Gene-sequencing breakthroughs, spawning a fast-growing, multibillion-dollar market for drugs and medical tests, are also creating thorny questions over how to regulate commercial use of the human genetic code. Health regulators are fashioning rules for bolstering oversight of laboratory-developed tests, including genetic analysis, that may show whether an individual is predisposed to certain diseases. Congress is determining whether patents on genetic material should be treated differently from other intellectual property. The agencies, along with the U.S. Supreme Court in cases on genetic patents, are reviewing laws and policies enabling the use of genetic data to tailor treatment for each patient. The changing landscape affects companies including Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX), Roche Holding AG and Pfizer Inc. (PFE), … Continue reading →

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Histogenics Corporation, a privately held regenerative medicine company, today announced that the Company will present at the 7th Annual New York Stem Cell Summit on February 21st at Bridgewaters New York City. Kirk Andriano, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Development for Histogenics, will speak about current and future cell therapies being developed by the Company as it works toward commercialization. Lead candidates include NeoCart®, an autologous bioengineered neocartilage grown outside the body using the patient’s own cells for the regeneration of cartilage lesions, and VeriCart™, a three-dimensional cartilage matrix designed to stimulate cartilage repair in a simple, one-step procedure. NeoCart recently entered a Phase 3 clinical trial after reporting positive Phase 2 data, in which all primary endpoints were met and a favorable safety profile was demonstrated. Dr. Andriano earned his BS in chemistry and biology from Utah State University and his MS and Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Utah. Prior to his work at Histogenics, he was the Chief Technology Officer for ProChon Biotech, Ltd. which was acquired by Histogenics in May 2011. About Histogenics Histogenics is a leading regenerative medicine company that combines cell therapy and tissue engineering technologies to develop highly … Continue reading →