Neuroscience
A Brown University press release describes a study published in this week's issue of Science:
- Hiv Dementia
From the BBC's website: HIV's double hit on brain cells HIV can trigger learning and memory deficits by launching a double attack on the brain, research shows. It was already known that a protein on the surface of the virus could kill off mature...
- Parkinson Disease
From an NIH press release on 04 July 2006: Dopamine Drug Leads to New Neurons and Recovery of Function in Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease In preliminary results, researchers have shown that a drug which mimics the effects of...
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From the FDA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE P06-25 February 16, 2006 Media Inquiries: Susan Cruzan, 301-827-6242 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA Allows Clinical Studies of Tysabri (natalizumab) for Treatment of MS to Proceed The Food and...
- Antipsychotic Medications
The new issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal includes a review article of modern and older antipsychotic medications. The article is available in free, full-content format. David M. Gardner, Ross J. Baldessarini, and Paul Waraich. Modern...
- Business World: Biogen Idec, Elan, & Tysabri (natalizumab)
From today's Boston Globe:Biogen MS drug gets lift from reports Medical journal suggests Tysabri may make a return By Jeffrey Krasner The Boston Globe 10 June 2005 Biogen Idec Inc.'s drug Tysabri might be safely given to multiple sclerosis patients...
Neuroscience
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
A Brown University press release describes a study published in this week's issue of Science:
Antipsychotic Drugs Stop Fatal Viral Infection In Brain Cells[ ... Read the full press release ... ]
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Generic antipsychotic drugs can protect brain cells from a virus that causes a fatal nervous system disorder, according to research conducted at Brown University and Case Western Reserve University.
The disorder, called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML, affects hundreds of Americans with suppressed immune systems, including kidney transplant recipients, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and an estimated 4 percent of people with AIDS.
PML is caused by the JC virus, which destroys the cells that produce the fatty sheath that covers nerve cells. This causes dementia, vision loss, movement and speech impairment, paralysis and coma. The disorder is fast moving and fatal; Many patients die within four months after onset. PML is also on the rise. Due to the AIDS pandemic, incidence of the disorder rose 20-fold in the United States between 1979 and 1994, according to a study conducted by federal researchers.
But a team of scientists, led by Brown virologist Walter Atwood, has found that a handful of antipsychotic drugs can prevent brain cells from becoming infected by the JC virus. The drugs may prove to be an effective, ready-made therapy for PML prevention or treatment. Their results are published in the current issue of Science.
"This is very promising," Atwood said. "These are generic drugs we can take off the shelf that may help a lot of people."
"It is likely that there are many other drugs with none of the potential side effects of antipsychotic drugs that will also block infection," said co-author Bryan Roth, professor of biochemistry at the Case School of Medicine and director of the National Institute of Mental Health's Psychoactive Drug Screening Program.
- Hiv Dementia
From the BBC's website: HIV's double hit on brain cells HIV can trigger learning and memory deficits by launching a double attack on the brain, research shows. It was already known that a protein on the surface of the virus could kill off mature...
- Parkinson Disease
From an NIH press release on 04 July 2006: Dopamine Drug Leads to New Neurons and Recovery of Function in Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease In preliminary results, researchers have shown that a drug which mimics the effects of...
- Business World: Biogen Idec, Elan, & Tysabri (natalizumab) And Ms
From the FDA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE P06-25 February 16, 2006 Media Inquiries: Susan Cruzan, 301-827-6242 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA Allows Clinical Studies of Tysabri (natalizumab) for Treatment of MS to Proceed The Food and...
- Antipsychotic Medications
The new issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal includes a review article of modern and older antipsychotic medications. The article is available in free, full-content format. David M. Gardner, Ross J. Baldessarini, and Paul Waraich. Modern...
- Business World: Biogen Idec, Elan, & Tysabri (natalizumab)
From today's Boston Globe:Biogen MS drug gets lift from reports Medical journal suggests Tysabri may make a return By Jeffrey Krasner The Boston Globe 10 June 2005 Biogen Idec Inc.'s drug Tysabri might be safely given to multiple sclerosis patients...