World / Health & Beauty
Parkinsons treatment Deep Brain Stimulation also effective for psychiatric conditions
03.07.2008 09:35
b4uindia.com
After being approved for Parkinson’s disease, a treatment called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is now showing some promise to benefit people suffering from some psychiatric conditions too. Dr. Douglas Anderson, a professor of neurological surgery at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine who first used DBS to treat a middle-aged woman confined to a wheelchair due to her Parkinson’s, says that he has used the technique to treat patients for obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and debilitating headaches also. Deep brain stimulation involves implantation of an electrode that delivers mild electrical signals deep in the brain, which in turn help reorganise the organ’s electrical impulses. "DBS can quell or eliminate tremors. It increases the percentage of time that a patient is functional. It also improves a patient's ability to move arms and legs in a more coordinated fashion. And there is a lessoning of bradykinesia," said Dr. Anderson. Describing DBS as a "pacemaker for the brain", Dr. Anderson said that though it did not stop the disease from progressing, the treatment might significantly improve symptoms in the right patients, especially tremors. Dr. Anderson also said that although patients' response to treatment might vary, overall he was pleased with the results. "Patients are more mobile and can move more freely. Occasionally their medications can be reduced," he said. He, however, strongly believes that collaboration with neurologists is vitatl to the overall successful treatment plans for patients with movement disorders. "This treatment is an adjunct, not a substitute, for medications," he cautioned. While making a presentation at the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Dr. Anderson revealed how DBS was used to treat body dysmorphic disorder in one patient, and debilitating headaches in another. “The benefits of DBS for intractable psychiatric conditions outweigh the risks," Dr. Anderson said. "The great advantage of DBS over earlier surgical treatments is that it's reversible. If there are side effects, we can turn the device off and reverse them," he added. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Weighing Up The Benefits Of Weight Watchers Vs. Fitness Centers
03.07.2008 09:17
medicalnewstoday.com
In the first study of its kind, using sophisticated methods to measure body composition, the nationally known commercial weight loss program, Weight Watchers, was compared to gym membership programs to find out which method wins in the game of good health. A University of Missouri researcher examined the real-life experiences of participants to determine which program helps people lose pounds, reduce body fat and gain health benefits.
World
Weight Correction
FDA Grants Conditional Approval To Interventional Spine's PercuDyn™ System IDE Application
03.07.2008 09:17
medicalnewstoday.com
Interventional Spine, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Company's investigational device exemption (IDE) application for its PercuDyn System for the treatment of degenerative disc disease (DDD). This approval is conditional upon the Company providing some additional information to the FDA. Walter A. Cuevas, Interventional Spine's CEO, observed, "We are pleased by FDA's action.
World
Neurology
Aethlon Medical Announces Second HIV/AIDS Treatment Site
03.07.2008 09:17
medicalnewstoday.com
Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD) announced today that it has added a second HIV/AIDS clinical study location at the Bhvani Hospital in Bihar, India. Aethlon previously disclosed plans to initiate the "first-in-man" clinical study of a medical device to treat the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
World
HIV/AIDS
Former Pa. Sens. Santorum, Wofford Serve As State Co-Chairs Of ONE Vote '08, Bring Attention To HIV/AIDS
03.07.2008 09:16
medicalnewstoday.com
Former Pennsylvania Sens. Rick Santorum (R) and Harris Wofford (D), who competed in a "bitter and high-profile" Senate race in the 1990s, are joining together to serve as state co-chairs of ONE Vote '08 -- which aims to bring attention to issues of extreme poverty and global disease, including HIV/AIDS, during the presidential campaign -- the
World
HIV/AIDS
Potential New Drug Candidates To Combat 'Bird Flu' Identified By UC San Diego Researchers
03.07.2008 09:16
medicalnewstoday.com
As the specter of a worldwide outbreak of avian or "bird flu" lingers, health officials recognize that new drugs are desperately needed since some strains of the virus already have developed resistance to the current roster of anti-flu remedies.
World
SARS
Study Of Glaucoma Surgery In Medicare Patients
03.07.2008 09:16
medicalnewstoday.com
Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) continue to develop treatments to help the more than three million Americans with glaucoma. The July issue of Ophthalmology includes a large, national study of outcomes of incisional surgeries, used to reduce pressure inside the eye, in Medicare patients. Also covered is research that may brighten the outlook for patients with end-stage glaucoma.
World
Eyesight Disorders
Special Diabetes Program
03.07.2008 09:16
medicalnewstoday.com
Volunteers representing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) have presented Senator Byron Dorgan with the 2008 Congressional Leadership Award for his leadership on extending the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) in Congress.
World
Diabetes
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals Submits 510(k) Application To FDA For Xyfid™, A Novel Topical Agent For The Treatment Of Various Skin Disorders
03.07.2008 09:16
medicalnewstoday.com
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB: VOQP) announced the submission of a 510(k) application to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
World
Dermatology
Applied NeuroSolutions Achieves Q2 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Serum Diagnostic Development Program Milestone
03.07.2008 09:15
medicalnewstoday.com
Applied NeuroSolutions, Inc. (OTC BB:APNS), a biotechnology Company focused on the development of products for the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease ("AD"), today announced the achievement of a key milestone directed to a multi-product program to develop serum-based diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease.
World
Alzheimer's Disease
Planned Parenthood Cuts Ties With Five Florida Clinics
03.07.2008 09:15
medicalnewstoday.com
Planned Parenthood Federation of America on Monday officially ended its relationship with an affiliate once known as Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties after a March review found many problems, including harassment complaints, plagiarism and possible mismanagement of nearly $450,000, the
World
Gynecology
Risk Of Infection And Death Greater In Carriers Of MRSA
03.07.2008 08:17
medicalnewstoday.com
Patients harboring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for long periods of time continue to be at increased risk of MRSA infection and death, according to a new study in the July 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, currently available online. MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium that can cause a variety of serious infections. The bacterium most commonly colonizes the nostrils, although it can be found in other body sites.
World
Food and Drug Administration
NanoViricides' Anti-EKC Drug Candidate To Be Studied In Japan
03.07.2008 08:17
medicalnewstoday.com
NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC.OB) (the "Company"), said that an internationally renowned Japanese ophthalmologist and corneal researcher, Kazuo Tsubota, MD, PhD, has agreed to perform confirmatory animal efficacy studies of the nanoviricide anti-EKC drug candidate, EKC-Cide™, against EKC (epidemic kerato-conjunctivitis) in Japan. Dr. Tsubota is currently Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan.
World
Eyesight Disorders
International Meeting To Feature Knowledge Translation Symposium
03.07.2008 08:16
medicalnewstoday.com
The mission of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), convening here today for its 86th General Session, is to advance oral health research worldwide, and to facilitate application of its findings. A special symposium will directly address the latter by drawing attention to methodologies that can ensure the improved uptake of research knowledge through Knowledge Translation.
World
Dentistry
Fourth Annual Symposium On Liver-Directed Microsphere Therapy Raises Awareness Of The Latest Advances For Treating Metastatic Liver Tumors
03.07.2008 08:16
medicalnewstoday.com
More than 170 physicians and health care professionals specializing in the treatment of liver metastases gathered May 2-3 in Chicago for the fourth annual clinical symposium on liver-directed microsphere therapy. The symposium, sponsored by the Goshen Center for Cancer Care, was supported by an educational grant provided by Sirtex Medical. Sirtex manufactures SIR-Spheres microspheres, the only FDA-approved microsphere therapy for colorectal liver metastases.
World
Cancer
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