Author Archives: Fredricko

Genzyme Demonstrates Depth of MS Pipeline at AAN with Results from Multiple Sclerosis Phase lll Trials

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Genzyme, a Sanofi company (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today that 12 data presentations, including six platform presentations, from the companys multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trial programs for alemtuzumab and teriflunomide will be featured at the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La., April 21-28. Presentations will include full data results from CARE-MS II (The Comparison of alemtuzumab and Rebif Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis), a Phase III trial investigating alemtuzumab in MS patients who had relapsed while receiving prior MS therapy, as well as new findings from the teriflunomide clinical program, one of the largest and broadest of any MS therapy in development.

Genzymes robust development programs for alemtuzumab and teriflunomide were designed to understand how these therapies can best address significant unmet medical needs of people living with MS, said David Meeker, M.D., President and CEO, Genzyme. We are committed to becoming a long-term partner to the MS community with the goal of raising the expectation of what life with MS can be.

Marketing applications for teriflunomide for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS are under review by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA). Genzyme is on track to submit applications to the FDA and EMA for approval of alemtuzumab to treat relapsing forms of MS in the second quarter of this year.

Following are selected scientific abstracts highlighting new results from the Phase III CARE-MS II and CARE-MS I trials for alemtuzumab, as well as the Phase III TEMSO (Study of Teriflunomide in Reducing the Frequency of Relapses and Accumulation of Disability in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis) trial for teriflunomide.

ALEMTUZUMAB CARE-MS II Platform Presentation:

ALEMTUZUMAB CARE-MS I Platform Presentations:

TERIFLUNOMIDE TEMSO Platform Presentation:

Additional Genzyme MS portfolio data to be presented include:

ALEMTUZUMAB:

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Genzyme Demonstrates Depth of MS Pipeline at AAN with Results from Multiple Sclerosis Phase lll Trials

Top Five Ways Swimming is Beneficial to People With Multiple Sclerosis

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Swimming in the summertime is one of my favorite activities. There are a lot of reasons that I enjoy going for swims in the summertime, and there are plenty of benefits to swimming for me since I have multiple sclerosis. I try and swim at least three times a week in the summertime since it allows me to choose between a swimming pool and a lake.

The benefits, for me, are both health and social benefits.

Benefit number one

Social interaction is the first reason I love to swim. I'm able to interact with people that are perfectly healthy, and people that have medical conditions like me. Since I'm not able to work any longer I choose to swim to get my source of social interaction.

I have met many new friends swimming at the local swimming pool. Without these friends my life would be more difficult since I would be closed up inside my house. I spend time going out to eat, and just talking with these friends. My new-found friends have given a sense that not all is lost in my life, even though I have multiple sclerosis.

Benefit number two

Strength training is easiest for me to accomplish through swimming. While I enjoy other strength training exercises like cycling, scuba diving, and walking, swimming is the easiest on my body. I'm able to build strength in my arms and legs through this one healthy exercise. The strength training of swimming comes from the motions in swinging my arms and kicking my legs.

Before I got back into swimming I had to use a walker to get around. Since I started strength training through swimming I have regained my strength and am now able to walk freely. I no longer require the use of a walker or a cane on a daily basis. There are times that my multiple sclerosis is so bad, though, I do use my cane to get around.

Benefit number three

It is easy to become relaxed while swimming. With my multiple sclerosis, high levels of stress are not good for me. High levels of stress can lead me to a relapse in my multiple sclerosis. This is another reason I love to swim. Swimming allows me to relax, therefore bringing down my stress level.

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Top Five Ways Swimming is Beneficial to People With Multiple Sclerosis

Dreams of Olympic and Paralympic Games Stripped Away by Multiple Sclerosis

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I have spent my entire life playing sports both competitively and for fun. I idolized another athlete, though, that had multiple sclerosis and was supposed to represent America in the 1988 Olympics as a cyclist. This athlete's name is Maureen Manley. She lost her Olympic dream, which is the reason I always wanted to be like her and one day make it.

Since this is the year of the Olympics, I will look at another type of Olympic Games. The Olympic Games I will look at will focus on the Olympics that people with disabilities are able to compete in. These Olympic Games are the Paralympics. The Paralympics are played alongside the Olympic Games, which come every four years.

I have always competed at the highest level I could with the dreams of making the Olympics. This dream was stripped away in 2006 with my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, though. I knew that I was not able to compete with healthy bodied people the way that I once was able to. This dream being taken away did not take away the drive to still be the best at the sports I participate in, though.

There are a number of sports that I will follow at the Paralympics, since I have participated in these sports at some point in my life.

Wheelchair Basketball

I played basketball in junior high and high school. I still like to play games such as horse and around the world. With my multiple sclerosis, running has been removed from my life even though I still go for walks. Since I'm not bound to a wheelchair, the game of wheelchair basketball is not something I can compete in. I will be watching the wheelchair basketball players, as I still love the game of basketball.

Paralympic Shooting

I was in the United States Navy in 2000, which where I first fell in love with shooting. The shooting range was my favorite part of boot camp. I learned that I was actually a pretty good shooter while in the Navy, but now enjoy going target practicing in the summertime when it is nice outside. I had dreams of one day participating in the Olympic Games as a marksman for the United States. This dream was stripped away after my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, though. This is the reason that I will be following the Paralympic shooters.

Paralympic Cycling-Road

I grew up riding bikes and fell in love with the sport of cycling. I do not enjoy track cycling, though. I have multiple sclerosis and like the feeling of the open road versus track cycling as I have a fear that I will be in a crash with countless other cyclist. For this reason I stick to road cycling. I look forward to seeing the road cycling events being held at the Paralympics this year in London.

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Dreams of Olympic and Paralympic Games Stripped Away by Multiple Sclerosis

Cycling With Multiple Sclerosis: 5 Stop Tour

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I grew up cycling in the summertime. This is the reason I still love cycling. It provides me with a great form of exercise for my multiple sclerosis as well. I have cycled in some beautiful places all across the United States as both a child and an adult.

This is the reason I will take you on a 5-stop tour for cyclist. These are 5 of the top places that I have either been cycling as a child or an adult. These 5 stops are also the most memorable stops that I have made in my lifetime.

Stop number one

I grew up in the Hudson Valley area in New York. This is one of the reasons that I love to revisit this area as one of my cycling destinations. The one park that I have returned time and time again to ride through is Minnewaska State Park. This is one of the most beautiful places to go cycling in New York's Hudson Valley area.

The reason I love this park so much is that it offers some of the most beautiful landscaping in New York. As I ride through this park I enjoy stopping and looking over the cliffs at the scenery below. It offers views of the surrounding lakes. As I continue to ride through the park I eventually arrive at my favorite spot. This is the wonderful waterfall that runs through the park.

This allows me time to stop and reflect as an adult who is fighting multiple sclerosis. This is the reason I always find the time to stop by this waterfall.

Stop number two

I was born and raised in Palm Springs, Calif.; this is the reason it is stop number two on my tour. My favorite stop in the Palm Springs region is Joshua Tree National Park. This ride is one that allows me to reflect, while riding through this park. I always tend to forget about my multiple sclerosis while riding in this park. There are miles of ground to cover and for me the longer I'm able to ride on these trails the better I feel about my accomplishments in life.

Stop number three

Murrells Inlet, S.C., is my third stop on this cycling tour. In particularly I will be heading straight for Huntington Beach State Park. This is a ride that blows my mind every time I take it. Huntington Beach State Park is known for its alligators, and, boy, have I ever seen them. These are creatures that put fear into me. The only time I do not seem to fear these creatures is when I ride in this park.

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Cycling With Multiple Sclerosis: 5 Stop Tour

For Elders With Dementia, Musical Awakenings

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Enlarge Michael Rossato-Bennett

Joe, a nursing home resident, broke into song during a personalized music session. His story and others are documented in the film Alive Inside.

Joe, a nursing home resident, broke into song during a personalized music session. His story and others are documented in the film Alive Inside.

Henry, an elderly Alzheimer's patient in an American nursing home, recently became a viral star. In a short video that has been viewed millions of times online, he starts out slumped over and unresponsive but undergoes a remarkable transformation as he listens to music on a pair of headphones.

The clip is part of a documentary called Alive Inside, which follows social worker Dan Cohen as he creates personalized iPod playlists for people in elder care facilities, hoping to reconnect them with the music they love. Cohen tells NPR's Melissa Block that the video of Henry is a great example of the link between music and memory.

"He is able to actually answer questions and speak about his youth, and this is sort of the magic of music that's familiar for those with dementia," Cohen says. "Even though Alzheimer's and various forms of dementia will ravage many parts of the brain, long-term memory of music from when one was young remains very often. So if you tap that, you really get that kind of awakening response. It's pretty exciting to see."

Cohen says his goal is to make access to personalized music the standard of care at nursing facilities. An early concern, he says, was that headphones might isolate the patients even further. But when he first implemented the project on a large scale in 2008, putting 200 iPods in four facilities around New York, he got the opposite result: a flood of stories from the staff about increased socialization.

"People wanted to share their music with others: 'Here, you've gotta listen to this,' or 'What was the name of that song?' " Cohen says. "The music is great, but to me, perhaps the even bigger win is people having better and more relationships with those around them."

Get the playlist right. Find out the person's tastes and create a varied mix: no more than five to seven songs per artist. Have them weed out tracks that are so-so, so you end up with 100 or 200 songs that all resonate.

Keep it simple. Make sure the elder knows how to use the player, or that someone nearby can help. Use over-ear headphones rather than earbuds, which can fall out.

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For Elders With Dementia, Musical Awakenings

For Elders With Dementia, Music Sparks Great Awakenings

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Enlarge Michael Rossato-Bennett

Joe, a nursing home resident, broke into song during a personalized music session. His story and others are documented in the film Alive Inside.

Joe, a nursing home resident, broke into song during a personalized music session. His story and others are documented in the film Alive Inside.

Henry, an elderly Alzheimer's patient in an American nursing home, recently became a viral star. In a short video that has been viewed millions of times online, he starts out slumped over and unresponsive but undergoes a remarkable transformation as he listens to music on a pair of headphones.

The clip is part of a documentary called Alive Inside, which follows social worker Dan Cohen as he creates personalized iPod playlists for people in elder care facilities, hoping to reconnect them with the music they love. Cohen tells NPR's Melissa Block that the video of Henry is a great example of the link between music and memory.

"He is able to actually answer questions and speak about his youth, and this is sort of the magic of music that's familiar for those with dementia," Cohen says. "Even though Alzheimer's and various forms of dementia will ravage many parts of the brain, long-term memory of music from when one was young remains very often. So if you tap that, you really get that kind of awakening response. It's pretty exciting to see."

Cohen says his goal is to make access to personalized music the standard of care at nursing facilities. An early concern, he says, was that headphones might isolate the patients even further. But when he first implemented the project on a large scale in 2008, putting 200 iPods in four facilities around New York, he got the opposite result: a flood of stories from the staff about increased socialization.

"People wanted to share their music with others: 'Here, you've gotta listen to this,' or 'What was the name of that song?' " Cohen says. "The music is great, but to me, perhaps the even bigger win is people having better and more relationships with those around them."

Get the playlist right. Find out the person's tastes and create a varied mix: no more than five to seven songs per artist. Have them weed out tracks that are so-so, so you end up with 100 or 200 songs that all resonate.

Keep it simple. Make sure the elder knows how to use the player, or that someone nearby can help. Use over-ear headphones rather than earbuds, which can fall out.

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For Elders With Dementia, Music Sparks Great Awakenings

Labour in dementia pledge

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Eric Baxter Published 20 Apr 2012 16:00

LABOUR'S 11 candidates for next month's council elections have all signed up to Alzheimer Scotland's pledge to make dementia a priority in their ward.

The issue of dementia care has already been raised in the campaign by independent candidate Peter Campbell, who highlighted his wife's experience as a sufferer of the condition last week.

Labour's Inverclyde South West contender, Councillor Gerry Dorrian, who sits on the Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership, said his party was committed to delivering the best services possible for affected families.

Mr Dorrian said: "Like Alzheimer Scotland, Inverclyde Labour believe that people with dementia, their carers and families are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.

"They should be supported by skilled workers who understand the illness and be included in their local communities."

Mr Dorrian said over the past five years Labour have launched the Inverclyde Dementia Support and Development Service to provide continuous support, information and education to people coming to terms with dementia and their carers.

He added: "We recognise that more needs to be done.

"We pledge to continue to improve services for people with dementia to better meet their needs, and to work to remove the stigma that surrounds dementia by making Inverclyde a 'Dementia Friendly Community'.

"Labour councillors will ensure our most vulnerable citizens receive the standards of care they deserve."

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Labour in dementia pledge

Govt to boost funds for dementia care

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The government is set to announce new funding for dementia care and diagnosis as part of an overhaul of the aged-care sector.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to unveil measures for aged care including a shift in focus from aged homes to in-home care.

The plan will also reduce pressure on the elderly to sell their homes and wealthy Australians will be required to chip in more for the cost of their care.

But the strategy is likely to ignore key parts of a Productivity Commission report released in August 2011, including a five-year reform timetable and a $60,000 cap on out-of-pocket care costs, government sources say.

The cash for dementia falls well short of the plea from Alzheimer's Australia for $500 million.

The government will spend $268.4 million over five years on dementia, including $164.3 million to be paid as supplements to sufferers in aged-care facilities and at home, Fairfax reports.

The remainder will promote early diagnosis over the disease.

Ms Gillard and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler will address the media on Friday morning.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the government would be making the elderly pay more for aged care.

He told the Nine Network the prime minister was announcing 'big new additional charges' for people going into aged-care facilities.

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Govt to boost funds for dementia care

Autism awareness event in Framingham on April 29

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MetroWest families are invited to celebrate autism awareness at the 12th Annual Kite Day at Bose Mountain on Sunday, April 29.

Festivities from noon to 4 p.m. are sponsored by The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and the Autism Alliance of MetroWest, a program of Advocates Inc.

The first 500 families will receive free kites, and there will also be free balloons, games, face painting, raffles, character appearances and Framingham Police and Fire vehicles on hand. WODS-FM 103.3 will play music and have giveaways throughout the afternoon, while the police and fire departments will provide fingerprinting to children.

Kite Day allows families whose lives are affected by autism spectrum disorder to network with other families facing the same challenges. It also gives autistic children the chance to participate in a community event.

According to the Flutie Foundation, autism affects one in 88 children in the U.S., and the number of diagnoses continues to climb. April is Autism Awareness Month.

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Autism awareness event in Framingham on April 29

Autism Coverage Legislation Signed

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LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Insurance companies will have to offer coverage for autism treatments six months from now, a move the parent of one autistic boy said will make a huge difference to families struggling to pay for their children's treatment.

"This legislation means the world to us and to thousands of other families across the state of Michigan," said Scott Koenigsknecht of Fowler, who attended a bill-signing ceremony at the official governor's residence Wednesday with 7-year-old Cooper and the rest of his family. "The beauty of this legislation is ... no family will have ever to leave a doctor's appointment without some kind of hope."

Diagnosed with autism at age 2-1/2, Cooper now is attending 1st grade with the help of a full-time aide, and he's functioning at a higher level than he would have without treatment, his father said.

As the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District superintendent, Koenigsknecht said Michigan school districts pay more than $150 million a year to educate children with autism, an amount that could decrease if more families get insurance to cover treatment.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, whose daughter, Reagan, has been diagnosed with autism, signed the measures into law Wednesday with Reagan standing nearby. Gov. Rick Snyder is visiting Michigan National Guard troops in Afghanistan, so Calley was able to sign the legislation he had pushed unsuccessfully for so long.

Lawmakers gave final approval to the measures last month, and both Republicans and Democrats who worked on the legislation said it was the plight of families trying to pay for their children's treatment that made the legislation so critical.

"When things are personal, you work a lot harder," said Democratic Sen. Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, a Monroe Republican who has been a state lawmaker for nearly a dozen years, called the effort "the single best piece of bipartisan work I've seen in my career."

Richardville said he had to find a bill that would not be an unfunded mandate on employers while still helping families. His solution was to set up a fund to help reimburse some companies for paid claims related to diagnosis and treatment of autism.

Some mental health advocates said the measure should have required coverage for all mental health issues children face, including depression. It's possible more children may be diagnosed with autism because that's the only ailment the legislation covers.

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Autism Coverage Legislation Signed

Autism Resources for Children and Families Available Through UJA-Federation of New York's J-1-1 Information & Referral …

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NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -04/19/12)- With the national prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) reaching 1:88 children, and as more children are diagnosed with autism, with the greatest increase in diagnoses in the Hispanic community, many families find themselves in need of resources but might not know where to turn. Through UJA-Federation of New York's J-1-1 Information and Referral Center, families in the greater New York area have immediate and free access to a wide range of programs and support services to address the needs and special challenges that arise from caring for individuals on the autism spectrum.

With resources available in all five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester, UJA-Federation is able to provide access to a holistic set of services for families and individuals, no matter their background. This includes everything from the point of diagnosis to socialization opportunities to helping those on the spectrum successfully transition to adulthood. Through its unparalleled network of agencies, UJA-Federation continues to expand on existing services and develop new initiatives for children and adults with developmental, behavioral, and physical disabilities.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and UJA-Federation is proud to play such an important role in funding, developing and providing access to a wide range of valuable services for the autistic community. Caring for a loved one with autism can be overwhelming, and UJA-Federation is there to ensure that everyone can find the help they need. For more information, contact UJA-Federation's J-1-1 Information and Referral Center at 1-877-852-6951. Resource specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with 24-hour voice mail, or they can be reached by email at J11@ujafedny.org

About UJA-Federation of New YorkFor more than 90 years, UJA-Federation has been a central force for communal planning and philanthropy in the New York Jewish community. Through UJA-Federation, more than 60,000 donors pool their resources to help people in need, inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning, and strengthen Jewish communities around the world -- to address the issues that matter to us most as Jews and as New Yorkers, such as helping those affected by autism. Working with more than 100 network beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 60 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. Because we do the most good when we do it together. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.ujafedny.org.

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Autism Resources for Children and Families Available Through UJA-Federation of New York's J-1-1 Information & Referral ...

Autism Resources for Children and Families Available Through UJA-Federation of New York’s J-1-1 Information & Referral …

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NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -04/19/12)- With the national prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) reaching 1:88 children, and as more children are diagnosed with autism, with the greatest increase in diagnoses in the Hispanic community, many families find themselves in need of resources but might not know where to turn. Through UJA-Federation of New York's J-1-1 Information and Referral Center, families in the greater New York area have immediate and free access to a wide range of programs and support services to address the needs and special challenges that arise from caring for individuals on the autism spectrum.

With resources available in all five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester, UJA-Federation is able to provide access to a holistic set of services for families and individuals, no matter their background. This includes everything from the point of diagnosis to socialization opportunities to helping those on the spectrum successfully transition to adulthood. Through its unparalleled network of agencies, UJA-Federation continues to expand on existing services and develop new initiatives for children and adults with developmental, behavioral, and physical disabilities.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and UJA-Federation is proud to play such an important role in funding, developing and providing access to a wide range of valuable services for the autistic community. Caring for a loved one with autism can be overwhelming, and UJA-Federation is there to ensure that everyone can find the help they need. For more information, contact UJA-Federation's J-1-1 Information and Referral Center at 1-877-852-6951. Resource specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with 24-hour voice mail, or they can be reached by email at J11@ujafedny.org

About UJA-Federation of New YorkFor more than 90 years, UJA-Federation has been a central force for communal planning and philanthropy in the New York Jewish community. Through UJA-Federation, more than 60,000 donors pool their resources to help people in need, inspire a passion for Jewish life and learning, and strengthen Jewish communities around the world -- to address the issues that matter to us most as Jews and as New Yorkers, such as helping those affected by autism. Working with more than 100 network beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 60 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. Because we do the most good when we do it together. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.ujafedny.org.

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Autism Resources for Children and Families Available Through UJA-Federation of New York's J-1-1 Information & Referral ...

ICare4Autism Conference Call for Posters From Students in Autism Research

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NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire -04/19/12)- On August 1-2, 2012, more than 1,500 leaders in autism research, education and policy from every continent will gather in Jerusalem, Israel for ICare4Autism's 2012 International Conference, "Autism: A Global Perspective."

Dr. Joshua Weinstein, CEO & Founder, indicated that the, "Conference will highlight groundbreaking research into the causes and treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and serve as a catalyst for powerful new collaborations to tackle the global autism crisis."

Students from around the world are invited to present their autism research at a poster session. One poster will be selected by the review committee to receive a scholarship to attend the Conference. The scholarship will cover travel, hotel accommodations and conference registration fee. The scholarship winner will also be invited to participate on one of the Conference panels. The Poster Session consists of physical displays (aka posters) of information shown during a 60-90 minute session, with presenters standing by their poster reporting empirical research and pilot projects for future research. Attendees have the opportunity to speak with the presenters about their work.

Dame Stephanie Shirley, the British Government's Founding Ambassador for Philanthropy and Chairman of the Shirley Foundation, will deliver the Keynote Address and the First Lady of Panama Mrs. Marta Linares de Martinelli will give opening remarks.

They will be joined by distinguished researchers and practitioners from more than 20 countries who will unveil their latest biomedical discoveries and educational innovations.

Groundbreaking biomedical research will be presented; notably Henry Markram, Ph.D., the Director of Blue Brain Project, Coordinator of the Human Brain Project and Professor at Swiss Federal Institute for Technology (EPFL), will present "Prospects of using detailed brain simulations to explore possible causes and treatments of Autism."

Innovative educational practices will be featured in presentations by Dr. S. Mariam Aljunied (Senior Autism Specialist, Singapore Ministry of Education); Dr. Carlos Marcin Salazar (Director of the National Autism Clinic of Mexico); and Dr. Pamela Wolfberg (Director, Autism Spectrum Program, University of California San Francisco). Attendees will tour the campus where ICare4Autism will open the world's first Global Autism Research and Education Center in 2015.

ICare4Autism (International Center for Autism Research & Education) is a charitable organization, founded in 2004 to catalyze breakthrough innovations in autism research, diagnosis and treatment. http://www.Icare4autism.org

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ICare4Autism Conference Call for Posters From Students in Autism Research

Call to help children with autism

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19 April 2012 Last updated at 01:09 ET

A charity is calling on politicians to do more to help children with autism.

The National Autistic Society Northern Ireland (NAS NI) said failings in the education system are letting down children.

It wants MLAs to consider the needs of children with autism as they debate the reforms to the Special Educational Needs (SEN) system.

The charity is launching the A* for Autism campaign on SEN, to highlight the current failings.

Research carried out by the NAS NI found that over half of children with autism wait over a year for appropriate educational support and almost one in three parents feel the education their child receives is not adequate to their needs.

Over 80% of parents who took part in the charity's research said a lack of support had harmed their children's social and communication skills.

A further 65% said a lack of support had affected their child's mental health.

NAS NI also said that 49% of parents said they did not have enough information when choosing an educational placement for their child.

Shirelle Stewart , co-director of the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland said: "We hope that this campaign will enable children with autism to access an A* education that sets them up for life.

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Call to help children with autism

Autism expo provides parents with resources

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Armed with questions about everything from education to waivers, almost 100 parents turned out for the annual Central Virginia Autism Expo at Sandusky Middle School Thursday evening.

For the first time, the expo featured service providers from Lynchburg and Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties and breakout sessions to teach parents about the resource available in the area and help them connect with experts.

In each session teachers, parents and paraprofessionals had the chance to get in-depth information on some of the biggest challenges faced today by those working with children with autism communication, transitioning between the schools and life after high school.

Its important for people to come to these things, saidBedfords Thomas McKean, one of the evenings featured speakers. They need to know what is going on if they are going to be able to help their child.

McKean, an author and well-known public speaker who frequently talks about his experience with autism, was on hand Thursday to tell parents how he went from living at home to living on his own.

McKean said his transition was a little rough at first, learning to cook and clean, but now hes no different from anyone else he sets his alarm each night and hates paying bills each month.

McKean refers to autism as a fascinating yet annoying disorder because of the many ways it can manifest in individuals. There is no treatment that can help all children with autism.

McKean said, as with any child, there is no set age for allowing a child with autism to be on their own. What matters most in determining if a child is ready are their goals, abilities, skills and supports.

Youths with autism need a circle of friends and people they trust, said McKean. It helps ease the fear and anxiety they so commonly experience.

There are a lot of books out there about parenting a child with autism, said Christine Trepanitis, but hearing about the experience firsthand on Thursday left her virtually speechless.

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Autism expo provides parents with resources

Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

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Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

By Sen McCrthaigh

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ireland is seriously lagging behind most other countries in offering live-saving treatments provided by the use of adult stem cells, a leading international medical expert has warned.

Colin McGuckin called on the Government and health authorities to facilitate the wider collection and storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood in Ireland.

Prof McGuckin who is advisor to the Vatican on stem cells and a director of the Cell Therapy Research Institute in Lyon, France is director of the Adult Stem Cell Foundation of Ireland, which was formally launched yesterday.

"Treatments which are available in other countries must come to Ireland," said Mr McGuckin. He also expressed fears the lack of stem cell therapies here could force people to seek unregulated care abroad.

Presently, none of Irelands three main maternity hospitals allow for the collection of adult stem cells from umbilical cords except in high-risk cases.

The only facility which allows the practice is Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin. All adult stem cells collected are sent abroad for storage.

Mr McGuckin said adult stem cells could be used in the treatment of over 70 diseases including leukaemia and heart disease. Advances are also being made in their use for neurological diseases such as Alzheimers.

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Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

Great Neck Hadassah’s Walkathon For Stem Cell Research On May 6

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Friday, 20 April 2012 00:00

It is that time of year again. The temperatures are warm, the flowers are blooming, the grass is green and Hadassahs 6th Annual Walkathon for Stem Cell Research is here. Come out, experience springtime, get some exercise and make a difference, all at the same time.

Hadassahs Walkathon for Stem Cell Research is on Sunday, May 6 at Temple Israel on Old Mill Road (rain or shine). Registration will begin at 9:45 a.m. and the walk will officially start at 10 a.m.

You can help bring awareness to this important cause by participating in this community event. All ages are welcome as we walk two miles, to show our support for stem cell research. Runners are welcome to run the extended four or six-mile course as well. There will be snacks, t-shirts and fun for all.

Not only are we encouraging families to participate, we are encouraging students of all ages to get involved by helping to organize, publicize, and raise funds for the event and of course, by walking for stem cell research. Join us and play a role in turning research into cures worldwide. We are making strides to stamp out many dreaded diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes, ALS, cancer, spinal cord injuries, macular degeneration, and traumatic brain injuries.

Hadassah is in the forefront of stem cell research and continues to bring hope to millions of suffering patients with life-changing diseases. A whole new area of regenerative medicine is on the brink of discovery. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 50. Hadassah researchers successfully treated and prevented retinal deterioration by transplanting visual cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in animals with retinal degeneration.

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common form of neurological disabilities in young people. Hadassah scientists were first to demonstrate that transplanted neural cells derived from human embryonic stem cells can reduce clinical symptoms in animals with a form of MS.

Hadassah neurologists conducted the first clinical trial treating MS and ALS patients by injecting their spinal columns with adult stem cells taken from their own hipbone marrow. This reduces the chance of immune system rejection, and avoids the complex ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cell usage.

For more information on Hadassahs Walkathon for Stem Cell Research, to make a donation or to register for the walk, please follow the link: http://www.hadassah.org/nassau/ stemcellwalkathon or call 766-2725. The suggested minimum donation to participate is $20/individual or $36/family.

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Great Neck Hadassah’s Walkathon For Stem Cell Research On May 6

Van Andel Institute researcher helps discover new stem cell in adult brain

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A new stem cell has been discovered in the adult brain by a team of researchers that includes a scientist recently recruited by Van Andel Institute.

Scientists hope the finding will help them find ways to repair injuries and heal diseases of the brain, said Dr. Patrik Brundin, who leads Parkinsons research at the VAI. Ultimately, they hope it will lead to new treatments for strokes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons.

In the study published this week, the researchers analyzed brain tissue from biopsies and found, for the first time, stem cells around small blood vessels in the brain. Although its function is unclear, scientists are excited about its potential.

A similar cell type has been identified in several other organs where it can promote regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage and adipose tissue, Brundin said.

In October, Brundin became the first person to hold the Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Research at VAI. He also is head of the Neuronal Survival Unit at Lund University and senior author of the study.

In other organs, stem cells have been shown to help heal and repair injuries. With the brain stem cells, researchers say the next step is to try to control and enhance the cells self-healing properties.

Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile, said Gesine Paul-Visse, a Lund University researcher and the primary author of the study. Most interesting is their ability to form neuronal cells, but they can also be developed for other cell types. The results contribute to better understanding of how brain cell plasticity works and opens up new opportunities to exploit these very features.

The study was published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Email Sue Thoms at sthoms1@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/suethoms

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Van Andel Institute researcher helps discover new stem cell in adult brain

New stem cell found in brain: Finding could be key to developing methods to heal and repair brain injury and disease

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ScienceDaily (Apr. 20, 2012) esearchers at Lund University in Sweden have discovered a new stem cell in the adult brain. These cells can proliferate and form several different cell types -- most importantly, they can form new brain cells. Scientists hope to take advantage of the finding to develop methods to heal and repair disease and injury in the brain.

Analyzing brain tissue from biopsies, the researchers for the first time found stem cells located around small blood vessels in the brain. The cell's specific function is still unclear, but its plastic properties suggest great potential.

"A similar cell type has been identified in several other organs where it can promote regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage and adipose tissue," said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Research at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), Head of the Neuronal Survival Unit at Lund University and senior author of the study.

In other organs, researchers have shown clear evidence that these types of cells contribute to repair and wound healing. Scientists suggest that the curative properties may also apply to the brain. The next step is to try to control and enhance stem cell self-healing properties with the aim of carrying out targeted therapies to a specific area of the brain.

"Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile," said Gesine Paul-Visse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Lund University and the study's primary author. "Most interesting is their ability to form neuronal cells, but they can also be developed for other cell types. The results contribute to better understanding of how brain cell plasticity works and opens up new opportunities to exploit these very features."

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, is of interest to a broad spectrum of brain research. Future possible therapeutic targets range from neurodegenerative diseases to stroke.

"We hope that our findings may lead to a new and better understanding of the brain's own repair mechanisms," said Dr. Paul-Visse. "Ultimately the goal is to strengthen these mechanisms and develop new treatments that can repair the diseased brain."

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New stem cell found in brain: Finding could be key to developing methods to heal and repair brain injury and disease

New stem cell found in the brain

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Public release date: 19-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tim Hawkins Tim.Hawkins@vai.org 616-234-5519 Van Andel Research Institute

Grand Rapids, Mich. (April 19, 2012 ) Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have discovered a new stem cell in the adult brain. These cells can proliferate and form several different cell types - most importantly, they can form new brain cells. Scientists hope to take advantage of the finding to develop methods to heal and repair disease and injury in the brain.

Analyzing brain tissue from biopsies, the researchers for the first time found stem cells located around small blood vessels in the brain. The cell's specific function is still unclear, but its plastic properties suggest great potential.

"A similar cell type has been identified in several other organs where it can promote regeneration of muscle, bone, cartilage and adipose tissue," said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Research at Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), Head of the Neuronal Survival Unit at Lund University and senior author of the study.

In other organs, researchers have shown clear evidence that these types of cells contribute to repair and wound healing. Scientists suggest that the curative properties may also apply to the brain. The next step is to try to control and enhance stem cell self-healing properties with the aim of carrying out targeted therapies to a specific area of the brain.

"Our findings show that the cell capacity is much larger than we originally thought, and that these cells are very versatile," said Gesine Paul-Visse, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Lund University and the study's primary author. "Most interesting is their ability to form neuronal cells, but they can also be developed for other cell types. The results contribute to better understanding of how brain cell plasticity works and opens up new opportunities to exploit these very features."

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, is of interest to a broad spectrum of brain research. Future possible therapeutic targets range from neurodegenerative diseases to stroke.

"We hope that our findings may lead to a new and better understanding of the brain's own repair mechanisms," said Dr. Paul-Visse. "Ultimately the goal is to strengthen these mechanisms and develop new treatments that can repair the diseased brain."

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New stem cell found in the brain