BrainBlog

From FierceBiotech : FDA approves Acorda's new MS drug January 22, 2010 — 4:49pm ET By John Carroll [snip] The FDA announced Friday afternoon that it has approved Ampyra (dalfampridine) extended-release tablets to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. In clinical trials, patients treated with Ampyra had faster walking speeds than those treated with a placebo. This is the first drug approved for this use. [snip] Read the FierceBiotech full article

Novartis, Merck KGaA Pills Bring ‘New Horizon’ for MS (Update1) By Naomi Kresge Bloomberg 20 January 2010 "Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) -- The first oral medicines for multiple sclerosis from Novartis AG and Merck KGaA may offer patients who are willing to run the risk of infections and other side effects an easier route toward treating the debilitating neurological disease, according to three studies." (The drugs are immunosuppressive.) Read full article

International Neuropsychological Society 38th Annual Meeting February 3-6, 2010 Acapulco, Mexico Conference webpage: here

The Telegraph has a link to a series of Lumosity games: Available here

Start running and watch your brain grow, say scientists • Aerobic exercise triggers new cell growth – study • Region of brain affected linked to recollection Ian Sample, science correspondent The Guardian Monday 18 January 2010 20.41 GMT Read the article

Total Recall: A Journey From Vienna to Brooklyn and the Center of the Brain By A. O. SCOTT The New York Times Published: January 8, 2010 A review of the new movie, "In Search of memory" about Dr. Eric Kandel. [snip] "Ms. Seeger, a German filmmaker who occasionally appears on screen with Dr. Kandel and his family, gives only a sketch of his ideas and discoveries, but the basic information about axons, synapses and neurons is presented clearly and with enthusiasm. “In Search of Memory” is finally more concerned with the scientist than with his science, and in his particular memories rather than his insights into memory as such. This is hardly a criticism, since Dr. Kandel is an unusually engaging person with a pretty amazing biography." [snip] Read the review