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Neurological Disorders Center
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NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - NEWS CENTER |
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Cloning to Treat Parkinson's Disease?
April 2, 2008
Therapeutic cloning involves removing the nucleus from a donor egg and replacing it with a different person's nucleus in order to yield embryonic stem cells that have the capacity to develop into different types of cells which can then be used to treat disease.
Another Older Drug with a New Use
December 24, 2007
Baclofen (also known as Lioresal®) is a derivative of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and is used as a muscle relaxant in such conditions as spinal cord injury, trigeminal neuralgia, and multiple sclerosis (MS). It's also found to be helpful in treating hiccups.
NSAIDs May Protect Against Parkinson's
November 14, 2007
This headline is intriguing - but is it based on sound evidence? Well, a report in the journal Neurology seems to say "yes".
Saturday Quack - TV Ads for Restless Legs Syndrome
November 10, 2007
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) has become a popular disease in recent months. This is probably due to a TV commercial for a drug that claims to treat it in a miraculous fashion. You've probably seen this ad, which gives the impression that RLS is a common condition, readily cured by a drug which doesn't have any really serious side effects - just ask your doctor.
The First Real Triumph for Gene Therapy - Parkinson's
August 19, 2007
Phase I clinical trials are intended to define the general safety profile of an experimental drug, to enable a dose schedule to be worked out for Phase II efficacy trials. Any indication of effectiveness from a Phase I study is a bonus. According to a report in the medical journal Lancet, the first study to use gene therapy to treat any neurodegenerative disorder - in this case, Parkinson's disease - showed no toxic effects and 25% to 30% improvement in a specific rating scale after 1 year.
An MS Mystery - the Role of Childhood Suntan
August 13, 2007
An interesting study of twins has been reported in the journal Neurology. Sun exposure levels were compared in 79 pairs of identical twins, where only one twin had multiple sclerosis (MS). The twin with the disease was found to have less sun exposure than the healthy twin. Of course, the investigator didn't focus on the sun exposure - it was just one question in a 60-page questionnaire exploring as many causative factors as possible. This just makes it all the more surprising.
An Unexpected Source of Relief for Multiple Sclerosis?
July 22, 2007
In January this year the Annals of Neurology carried an article reporting an interesting approach to treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Argentinean researchers conducted a small study to try to determine if parasitic worm infections conferred any benefits on MS sufferers.
Metronomes and Parkinson's Disease
June 17, 2007
An instrument of childhood torture - at least for those of us learning the piano - has found a use in treating Parkinson's disease. I refer to the metronome, that little tick-tocking device the teacher set going, and expected you to keep pace (or rhythm) with. Interactive metronome therapy is an extension of the classical metronome; it's coupled to a computer that responds to uneven responses to the task - falling behind the beat, or going too fast - with a signal like a cowbell. Parkinson patients are trained to keep time by performing repetitive tasks like clapping their hands or stomping their foot at regular intervals. The concentration required of the patient improves their learning processes and diminishes their Parkinsonian symptoms.
Can Exercise Ward Off Parkinson's?
May 5, 2007
Harvard researchers have found that people who are active or who exercise have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. They obtained this information from 143,000 men and women in the Cancer Prevention Study. The participants were between 50 and 74 at baseline in 1992, and were followed up at intervals for 9 years. Answers to questionnaires gave the individual's time spent on light, moderate, or intense activity.
Trial finds risedronate is useful in protecting Parkinson's patients from hip fracture
March 19, 2007
The drug risedronate is helpful in reducing the risk of hip fractures in patients with Parkinson's disease.
New research uncovers possible genes involved in Lou Gehrig's disease
February 23, 2007
A genome-wide search has revealed some interesting genetic variations among patients with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Chronic dizziness may have a range of different causes
February 20, 2007
Psychiatric and neurologic conditions may be the root cause of many cases of chronic dizziness.
Certain patients are more likely to develop compulsive gambling with Parkinson's medication
February 13, 2007
Study shows which Parkinson's patients are most at risk of compulsive gambling.
Levetiracetam offers hope for epilepsy
February 9, 2007
New drug looks promising for epilepsy, according to clinical trial.
Study looks at family influences in multiple sclerosis
February 2, 2007
Family members may share onset age of multiple sclerosis, but not disease severity.
Study shows dogs can respond to both types of brain seizure
January 23, 2007
Dogs that help people with seizures may not always be responding to an attack caused by epilepsy.
Epilepsy drug improves Parkinson's symptoms
January 8, 2007
Zonisamide, which is used to treat epilepsy, is also found to be effective in Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease linked to driving errors
November 28, 2006
People with Parkinson's disease may make errors in driving test.
Osteoporosis drug might help in osteoarthritis too
November 28, 2006
Risedronate may have potential as osteoarthritis treatment as well as for osteoporosis.
Gene therapy shown to prevent epilepsy in animal study
November 13, 2006
Gene therapy can prevent the development of epilepsy among experimental animals, according to a new study.
Early warning signs of impulse control in Parkinson's disease are uncovered in new study
October 19, 2006
A study shows that there are warning signs when someone on Parkinson's drugs is at risk of an impulse control disorder.
Vitamin may help with multiple sclerosis
September 26, 2006
Experiments in mice reveal that nicotinamide can protect from multiple sclerosis.
Study reports good outcome for polio survivors
August 25, 2006
Childhood polio survivors are not disadvantaged as they get older.
Link between gene variant and Parkinson's disease discovered
August 22, 2006
Variations in the SNCA gene could contribute to susceptibility to Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.
New study uncovers link between allergic rhinitis and Parkinson's disease
August 8, 2006
People who have allergic rhinitis have three times the risk of Parkinson's disease.
Antisense drug shows promise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
August 7, 2006
Experiments in rats suggest it is possible to slow down amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using an antisense approach to therapy.
New guidelines on coma outcome issued
August 4, 2006
Some tests are better than others when it comes to predicting survival after a coma.
Input of neurology expert improves deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's
July 20, 2006
While deep brain stimulation can improve Parkinson's disease symptoms the results are even better if a neurologist is involved.
Apathy is an important feature of Parkinson's disease
July 19, 2006
A new survey shows that apathy and depression occur among patients with Parkinson's disease at a high level.
Pesticides increase Parkinson's disease risk
June 19, 2006
A study shows that men with Parkinson's diease were more likely to have had exposure to pesticides.
Glucose metabolism link to nerve disorder
June 15, 2006
Gene mutation may influence age of onset of Parkinson's disease
June 14, 2006
In a family study, researchers investigate a link between mutations in the parkin gene and age at which Parkinson's disease sets in.
Movement symptoms not the only problem in Parkinson's disease
June 6, 2006
Depression, cognitive problems and compulsive behavior are just a few of the issues troubling those who have Parkinson's disease.
Some human genotypes more prone to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
May 30, 2006
An analysis of tissue from patients with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease suggest the existence of a new genotype susceptible to the disease.
Lead exposure leads to brain damage years afterwards
May 25, 2006
People who worked with lead suffer loss of brain cells and brain damage in years to come, according to a new study.
Antiviral drugs may help shingles pain
May 17, 2006
Both intravenous and oral antiviral medication can improve the nerve pain that comes with shingles.
The psychiatric aspect of epilepsy
May 10, 2006
There is some overlap between epilepsy and mood disorders, say doctors at Harvard Medical School.
Gene variants linked to Parkinson's disease
April 11, 2006
Women carrying variants of an estrogen-linked gene have a higher risk of Parkinson's disease.
New guidelines for Parkinson's disease
April 4, 2006
Better diagnosis and treatment will improve the quality of life for people who have Parkinson's disease.
How accurate is imaging in diagnosis of multiple sclerosis?
March 28, 2006
A review suggests that magnetic resonance imaging could give false results when it comes to diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Dealing with restless legs
March 13, 2006
There are treatments available for people who have restless leg syndrome.
Risk takers less likely to have Parkinson's disease
February 16, 2006
A study shows a link between sensation-seeking behavior and reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.
Drug is helpful in trial of patients with restless legs
December 14, 2005
Two new studies show that pramipexole is effective in the treatment of restless legs syndrome.
New drug may help with multiple sclerosis
December 13, 2005
According to a study, azathioprine reduces new brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Occupation and education influence Parkinson's risk
November 22, 2005
A study shows a link between years of education and the risk of Parkinson's disease.
Restless legs can be a far-reaching problem
November 3, 2005
A survey shows that restless legs syndrome often co-exists with psychiatric and social problems.
New drug helps in Parkinson's disease
September 30, 2005
A clinical trial suggests that rotigotine improves symptoms of early and advanced Parkinson's disease.
Oral contraceptives reduce multiple sclerosis risk
September 29, 2005
A comparison reveals that women on oral contraceptives are less likely to develop multiple sclerosis.
Blood test to determine seizure type
September 20, 2005
A study shows that a simple blood test can determine whether or not someone has had an epileptic seizure.
Telephone therapy helps with multiple sclerosis
September 8, 2005
A study shows that telephone therapy can really improve depression among patients who have multiple sclerosis.
Comparing treatment for brain aneurysms
September 7, 2005
A study shows that treating a burst aneurysm in the brain with platinum coils is better than surgery.
Birth order does not affect multiple sclerosis risk
August 30, 2005
A study shows that older siblings do not, as had previously been believed, run a higher risk of multiple sclerosis.
Parkinson's drug linked to compulsive gambling
July 18, 2005
A small study suggests that a drug for Parkinson's disease may trigger compulsive gambling and other problem behaviors.
Most patients with ALS are not depressed
July 15, 2005
A new study demonstrates the emotional resilience of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Evaluation of epilepsy through imaging
June 30, 2005
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain helps assess patients with seizures for suitability for surgery.
Drugs can help treat essential tremor
June 30, 2005
A study shows that drugs which are used for high blood pressure and seizures can also help relieve essential tremor.
Link between epilepsy and schizophrenia
June 28, 2005
People who have a history of epilepsy would seem to be at increased risk of developing schizophrenia.
Epilepsy surgery shows good result long-term
June 17, 2005
Surgery for epilepsy shows benefits even 30 years on, according to a study.
Best to delay medication for infrequent seizures
June 14, 2005
Giving medication immediately, after single or infrequent seizures, does not stop recurrence, according to a new trial.
Deep brain stimulation works in Parkinson's disease
April 13, 2005
A study shows that deep brain stimulation improves uncontrollable movements in patients with Parkinson's disease.
New drug for Parkinson's reduces disability
March 14, 2005
An additional drug called rasagiline can reduce disability among patients who have advanced Parkinson's disease.
Why women are more likely than men to get multiple sclerosis
February 1, 2005
Genetic influences may explain why women are more susceptible to multiple sclerosis.
Sibling exposure reduces multiple sclerosis risk
January 28, 2005
Having higher exposure to infant siblings during the first six years of life is linked to a lower risk of multiple sclerosis, according to a new study.
Seizures after epilepsy surgery predict continuing problem
January 27, 2005
Patients who have seizures after surgery for epilepsy have an eight times greater chance of continuing to have attacks.
Parkinson's disease mutation uncovered
January 20, 2005
Three new studies pinpoint mutations in a newly discovered gene as a cause of Parkinson's disease.
Relief from carpal tunnel syndrome
January 10, 2005
Night-time splinting is an effective way of relieving the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome in its early stages.
Cannabis for multiple sclerosis
November 10, 2003
Results from trials of cannabis in multiple sclerosis have given mixed results.
Antibody test helpful in multiple sclerosis
October 10, 2003
People with multiple sclerosis who have antibodies to interferon will not do well on this treatment.
Stress makes multiple sclerosis worse
October 6, 2003
A study shows that stressful life events serve to worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Unusually high incidence of Lou Gehrig's disease in Gulf War vets
October 3, 2003
Researchers have found that Gulf War veterans develop the neurological disorder Lou Gehrig's disease three times more often than the rest of the population.
Study on early treatment for multiple sclerosis
October 2, 2003
The longest study to date suggests that interferon prescribed early can help people with multiple sclerosis.
Therapeutic cloning cures Parkinson's in mice
October 2, 2003
New research shows, for the first time, that cloned cells can cure Parkinson's disease in animals.
New guidelines for multiple sclerosis diagnosis
September 11, 2003
MRI scans can help make the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis as early as possible, according to new advice.
Long term outcome of epilepsy surgery
September 4, 2003
Patients who are seizure-free after surgery for epilepsy tend to do well in the long term.
Sunlight reduces risk of multiple sclerosis
August 8, 2003
Higher sun exposure in early life is linked to a decreased risk of multiple sclerosis later on.
Gene therapy may help in epilepsy
August 6, 2003
Delivery of a compound that suppresses seizures by gene therapy could benefit patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Discovery of gene involved in Parkinson's disease
July 2, 2003
Mutations in a newly discovered gene can lead to Parkinson's disease, even where there is no family history.
New technology for treating brain aneurysms
July 1, 2003
Physicians are using a bioactive coated coil to repair brain aneurysms and getting promising results.
Radiosurgery is effective for benign brain tumors
June 2, 2003
Treating patients with benign brain tumors with gamma knidge surgery is effective in keeping the tumor under control long term.
Growth factors looks promising in Parkinson's disease
April 10, 2003
Infusing a growth factor protein directly into the brain was safe and improved the symptoms of patients with Parkinson's disease.
The impact of levodopa in Parkinson's disease
April 8, 2003
The drug levodopa slows the progression of Parkinson's disease, despite some brain imaging evidence to the contrary.
Pain reduction after shingles
April 2, 2003
Capsaicin, the active ingredient of chili peppers, can provide relief in patch form for nerve pain after shingles.
Viral encephalitis can have severe consequences
April 2, 2003
A study of patients with viral encephalitis reveals that it can lead to serious movement problems.
Parkinson's implant improves quality of life
April 1, 2003
An implanted electrical stimulator improves functioning and quality of life in Parkinson's disease.
Cholesterol-lowering drug looks promising in multiple sclerosis
April 1, 2003
Early trials suggest that simvastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, may be effective against the most common form of multiple sclerosis.
Minimally invasive surgery can remove brain tumors
March 3, 2003
Tumors can be removed from the brain by minimally invasive techniques, helping to preserve sensation and function.
Parkinson's disease impairs driving skills
December 10, 2002
People with Parkinson's disease, when tested on a driving simulator, had more collisions than healthy controls.
Stress triggers multiple sclerosis flare-ups
December 5, 2002
Women with multiple sclerosis were more likely to experience an attack if they had been exposed to a stressful event over the previous week or so.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may help multiple sclerosis
October 8, 2002
A new study suggests that statins, which lower cholesterol, may also help fight multiple sclerosis by reducing inflammation.
Opiates relieve shingles pain
October 8, 2002
Opioid painkillers, such as morphine, bring relief to those suffering the persistent pain that follows shingles.
Device makes spinal surgery safer
October 3, 2002
A monitoring device that ensures that spinal surgery does not affect movements in the arms and legs has just been approved.
Link between athleticism and neurological disease
September 10, 2002
People who were student athletes and have always been slim are more likely to develop two rare neurological diseases.
Surgery better than medication in temporal lope epilepsy
September 9, 2002
Brain surgery gives a better quality of life to those who have temporal lobe epilepsy.
Psychiatric problems common in brain disease
August 9, 2002
People with degenerative brain disease are highly likely to have treatable psychiatric disorders, say researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
Vaccine delays prion disease
July 11, 2002
A vaccine can hold off the development of fatal brain disease in a group of mice.
New Parkinson's guidelines
January 14, 2002
American Parkinson's disease experts have reviewed the most recent research to update treatment guidelines.

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