Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

ScienceDaily (Nov. 12, 2012) A new study shows that people who have had a head injury and have lived or worked near areas where the pesticide paraquat was used may be three times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease. The study is published in the November 13, 2012, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Paraquat is a herbicide commonly used on crops to control weeds. It can be deadly to humans and animals. "While each of these two factors is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's on their own, the combination is associated with greater risk than just adding the two factors together," said study author Beate Ritz, MD, PhD, of UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health. "This study suggests that the physiological process that is triggered by a head injury may increase brain cells' vulnerability to attacks from pesticides that can be toxic to the brain or the other way around, for example, chronic low dose exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of Parkinson's after a head injury." The study involved 357 people with Parkinson's disease and 754 people without the disease, all of whom lived in an agricultural area … Continue reading →

JERUSALEM, Nov. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further to Brainsway's (BRIN.TA) announcement regarding the association between Brainsway and Advanced Technologies Innovation Distribution SRL ("ATID") for the marketing and sales promotion of Brainsway's Deep TMS devices in Italy, in the context of which ATID has been conducting - among its other activities - clinical trials in the San Raffaele medical center in Milan, Italy, the Company is pleased to announce the following clinical trial results: 1. Clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a specialized Deep TMS therapy for Parkinson's disease patients. The trial was carried out in two phases. The first was a double-blind placebo-controlled phase. The data from this phase are still being analyzed. The following are the final results of the second, open-label phase of the trial, in which all patients received REAL Deep TMS treatment. The trial included 27 Parkinsonian patients who received 12 high-frequency Deep TMS treatment sessions over the course of 30 days. Analysis of patients' scores on the motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (a commonly used scale for rating the severity of Parkinson's disease symptoms) revealed a significant improvement in severity of motor symptoms compared to the patients' … Continue reading →

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (AMBS), a biotechnology company developing new treatments and diagnostics for Parkinson's disease and Traumatic Brain Injury centered on its proprietary anti-apoptosis therapeutic protein MANF, today announced that it has appointed Robert J. Zimmerman, SD as product development advisor. In Dr. Zimmerman's advisory role, he will assist Amarantus management with expansion of the Company's MANF product development strategy. Dr. Zimmerman will also assist in the procurement of relationships with top-tier vendors to ensure that state-of-the art development data are gathered with high quality test article materials. Amarantus expects to gather data in additional indications through its research grant with the Center of Excellence in Apoptosis Research, collaboration with highly-respected academic labs, and through outsourcing efficacy and toxicology studies with independent contract labs. "I have been involved with Amarantus formally and informally for the past three years supporting the founders as they work tirelessly to advance MANF to a stage where it has real commercial potential," said Robert J. Zimmerman, SD. "While that effort has been centered on Parkinson's disease, I believe additional opportunities exist to diversify this therapeutic candidate. Ischemia/reperfusion, cardiovascular disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, diabetes and potentially other disease … Continue reading →

BURLINGTON, W.Va. Dale Sines is the first person at the Winchester (Va.) Medical Center to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery to treat Parkinsons disease, and the surgery has been life-altering for the 70-year-old Burlington resident. Im able to hunt and fish all day now, which for me is a big thing. I love the woods, said Sines. I have fewer tremors, my speech and walk have improved and most importantly, my sleep schedule has gotten 100 precent better. Before the surgeries I didnt fall asleep until 3 or 4 in the morning and wake up early. Now I wake up later and stay asleep longer. The surgeries have also gotten rid of my stiffness (in the limbs and trunk), I can talk faster and louder and I can walk up and down the steps faster. Before the surgery I could only take one step at a time. Not only is Sines the first to have the surgery in Winchester he is the only person to have undergone the operation at the medical center thus far. Several patients there are in the process of being evaluated but havent yet had the surgery, according to Dr. Mariecken Fowler, a neurologist with Winchester … Continue reading →

Forty people bobbed their heads and swung their feet to Dont Worry, Be Happy as the second installment of the Creative Medicine Series kicked off last night. The lecture and interactive workshop, Artists and Scientists as Partners: Dance, Music and Neuroscience, focused on the power of dance as a therapeutic tool for individuals diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Creative Medicine Series is the result of a collaboration between the Cogut Center for the Humanities, the Creative Arts Council and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Alpert Medical School. Are we ready to move our hips? lecturer Rachel Balaban asked the diverse crowd of students, dancers, Parkinsons patients and doctors as the audience loosened up. Balaban is the regional coordinator for Dance for Parkinsons Disease, a program that teaches dance to individuals with Parkinsons. Dance classes help Parkinsons patients to regain some of the fluidity and ease of movement they once took for granted, Balaban said, citing improved stability, reduction in tremor and a greater sense of social inclusion as some of the programs main benefits to participants with neurodegenerative disorders. Balaban was joined by Julie Adams Strandberg, professor of theater arts and performance studies, who spoke … Continue reading →

NOKOMIS, Fla., & SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rainbow BioSciences, the biotech subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC), and Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (AMBS), a biotechnology company developing new disease-modifying treatments and diagnostics for Parkinsons disease and Traumatic Brain Injury, have finalized the framework of their proposed joint venture (JV) and will execute material definitive agreements within 30 days. The JVs first priority will be to advance Amarantus NuroPro Parkinsons Diagnostic Blood Test (NuroPro) towards commercialization. NuroPro works by identifying differentiated levels proteins and peptides in the blood of patients who have Parkinsons disease, versus those who do not. Under the terms of the pending agreement, RBCC will invest $150,000 in various funding tranches to re-establish the NuroPro 2D Gel platform and re-analyze samples from the previous Phase 1 clinical trial. Thereafter, the JV will further fund the Phase 2 clinical trial. RBCC will be repaid for their investment out of proceeds from the sales generated by NuroPro and will share revenues once the initial investment is repaid. RBCC has received a commitment from private, outside sources to provide the capital necessary to fund the JV. NuroPro has completed a Phase 1 human clinical trial, and JV will initiate a Phase 2 clinical … Continue reading →

NOKOMIS, Fla., and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Rainbow BioSciences, the biotech subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC), and Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (AMBS), a biotechnology company developing new disease-modifying treatments and diagnostics for Parkinson's disease and Traumatic Brain Injury, have finalized the framework of their proposed joint venture (JV) and expect to execute material definitive agreements within 30 days, subject to closing documents. The JV's first priority will be to advance Amarantus' NuroPro Parkinson's Diagnostic Blood Test ("NuroPro") towards commercialization. NuroPro works by identifying differentiated levels of proteins and peptides in the blood of patients who have Parkinson's disease, versus those who do not. Under the terms of the pending agreement, RBCC will invest $150,000 over a 6 month period in various funding tranches to re-establish the NuroPro 2D Gel platform and re-analyze samples from the previous Phase 1 clinical trial. Thereafter, the JV will further fund the Phase 2 clinical trial. RBCC will be repaid for their investment out of proceeds from the sales generated by NuroPro and will share revenues once the initial investment is repaid. RBCC has received a commitment from private, outside sources to provide the capital necessary to fund the JV. NuroPro has completed … Continue reading →

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. (AMBS), a biotechnology company developing new disease-modifying treatments and diagnostics for Parkinson's disease and Traumatic Brain Injury centered on its proprietary anti-apoptosis therapeutic protein MANF, today updated shareholders on the timing of the final data set from its grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation being released to the marketplace. The Company expects to have the data set available in December. Upon completion of the data analysis correlate of the positive behavioural animal data for MANF previously reported with histology data confirming re-innervation of the striatum due to MANF delivery to the substantia nigra, the Michael J. Fox Foundation will consider funding additional studies to advance MANF as a disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson's disease. About Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. Amarantus BioSciences, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company founded in January 2008. The Company has a focus on developing certain biologics surrounding the intellectual property and proprietary technologies it owns to treat and/or diagnose Parkinson's disease, Traumatic Brain Injury and other human diseases. The Company owns the intellectual property rights to a therapeutic protein known as Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor ("MANF") and is developing MANF-based products as treatments for brain disorders. The Company also … Continue reading →

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Depomed, Inc. (DEPO) today announced top line results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of DM-1992, Depomed's investigative novel gastric-retentive, extended-release formulation of carbidopa/levodopa, in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuations. Phase 2 Study Design and ResultsThe trial was a randomized, active-controlled, open-label, crossover study evaluating DM-1992 dosed twice daily against a generic version of immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa (IR CD/LD) dosed as needed (mean daily dosing frequency = 4.8).34 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuations enrolled in the study at eight U.S. clinical centers.All enrolled patients completed the study. Baseline measurements were established over a three-day patient self-assessment period during which patients were maintained on existing Parkinson's medications.DM-1992 and IR CD/LD were each administered over a ten-day period that included a six-day dose optimization period, followed by a three-day patient self-assessment period and one in-clinic day for clinician evaluation and pharmacokinetic measurements. The primary endpoint for the study is change in percent "off" time during waking hours, as measured by patient self-assessment during the treatment period relative to the baseline period.Patients' mean baseline "off" time during waking hours was 5.4 hours per day (32.5%), compared to 4.5 hours (27.2%) during … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/88l8xd/global) has announced the addition of the "Global Parkinson's Disease Epidemiology and Patient Flow Analysis - 2012" report to their offering. Fore Pharma announced the results of its Parkinson's Disease patient population study in a new report Global Parkinson's Disease Epidemiology and Patient Flow Analysis - 2012'. The report provides insights into Parkinson's Disease epidemiology, Parkinson's Disease diagnosed patients, and Parkinson's Disease treatment rate for top seven pharmaceutical markets. The study measures key indicators such as prevalence of Parkinson's Disease derived from epidemiological analysis, percentage of patients diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and percentage of patients treated with Parkinson's Disease therapy. The study helps executives estimate Parkinson's Disease market potential, assess unmet need, develop drug forecasting models, and build population-based health management frameworks. The information presented in this study is used to evaluate market opportunities, effectively identify target patient population, and align marketing decisions. The report provides estimates and forecasts of Parkinson's Disease prevalence, Parkinson's Disease diagnosis rate, and Parkinson's Disease treatment rate for the period 2012-2019. The information is presented by leading geographies including the US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, UK, and Japan. The study design is based on collection and interpretation of data from … Continue reading →