While RN624 is still in clinical trials, this looks like it could
really be a benefit to those of us who suffer from neuropathic
pain. RN264 can possibly be used in many ways, but for us it
looks like there may be a little light at the end of the pain
tunnel. Imagine a pain medication that is not addictive, and a
single dose could last for possibly weeks or months! The articles
below were taken from Readers Digest and and site from the
Department of Neurology -- USAMRICD. Maybe just maybe in a few
years this can be available to us, and I for one would love to
have this instead of tons of narcotics.... if in fact it really
does work, which the data looks promising. Plus there are other
trials going on..... maybe soon relief of a different sort will be
out there for us.... keep your fingers crossed
Blessings and Peace,
Bernie
**
_*Smart Pain-Blockers*_
_* For over a century, doctors have treated seriously wounded soldiers
with morphine, all the while knowing the narcotic's downsides. It
impairs breathing, reduces decision-making abilities and, if taken over
time, can be addictive. But three years ago, researchers funded by the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) reported a remarkable
alternative: a nonaddictive pain-blocker. While investigating the
biochemical origins of pain, they developed an experimental
drug--actually, a synthetic antibody known as RN624--that inhibits a
molecular pain messenger called nerve growth factor. The powerful
antibody keeps the brain from receiving pain messages sent by nerve
endings surrounding an injury. And the drug is long-lasting; a single
dose can block pain for several weeks. Best of all, it has no addictive
side effects. *_
_*"A wounded soldier may get one dose on the battlefield that can take
care of any pain until he's evacuated to a hospital days later," says
Brett Giroir, MD, deputy director of DARPA's Defense Sciences Office in
Arlington, Virginia. RN624 was developed at Palo Alto-based Rinat
Neuroscience Corporation, which was bought by Pfizer last year. Pfizer
is conducting clinical trials on the drug and hopes to market it.
According to Dr. Giroir, "This could revolutionize the way we treat pain."*_
Rinat Neuroscience Selects Invivodata's Electronic Patient Diary
System for Use in Osteoarthritis and Pain Study
* PITTSBURGH -- Invivodata Inc., the industry leader in electronic
patient reported outcomes (ePRO) solutions for global clinical research,
today announced that Rinat Neuroscience Corp. has selected its handheld
ePRO system, DiaryPRO(TM), for use in a large clinical study of patients
with moderate to severe pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee.*
* Rinat will use DiaryPRO to capture the daily frequency and severity of
pain during this phase II clinical trial. Rinat will determine whether
RN624, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that inhibits Nerve Growth
Factor, meets the trial's primary efficacy objective of pain and
functionality improvements in osteoarthritis.*
* "After conducting a thorough competitive review, we selected
invivodata(R) because it is best suited to meet our overall program
objectives," said Franz Hefti, executive vice president of development
at Rinat.*
* "Rinat is truly a pioneer in developing safe and effective treatments
for central nervous system diseases and disorders," said Doug Engfer,
president and CEO of invivodata. "We are excited to be a part of the
work it is doing and look forward to forming a long-term relationship
with the company as it addresses the significant unmet medical needs in
pain."*
* Invivodata (www.invivodata.com) combines behavioral science,
information technology and clinical expertise to capture the
highest-quality electronic Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) data in
clinical research. The invivodata solution, which includes DiaryPRO for
real-time PRO data collection and SitePRO(TM) for site-based PRO data
collection, is based on patented compliance methods which include a
proven patient management system that gives researchers and sponsors
visibility into study progress and improves trial efficiencies.
Strengthened by its regulatory and scientific expertise, invivodata is
the industry-leading eDiary provider for delivering primary efficacy
data for FDA approvals. Its solutions have been used in 140 clinical
trials worldwide by more than 55,000 patients, collecting over 89
million patient-initiated entries for studies in over 65 disease states.
invivodata's scalable business model enables it to satisfy diverse
client needs and meet the increasing global demand for its innovative
solutions. invivodata inc. is a privately held company with global
headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA; its European headquarters are in
London, England; and its technology development center is in Scotts
Valley, Calif., USA. *
* About Rinat Neuroscience*
* Rinat Neuroscience Corporation, a private company based in South San
Francisco, California, is a leader in the development of
neuroscience-based protein therapeutics. Rinat's lead program, RN624, is
entering phase 2 trials for osteoarthritis pain, and Rinat plans to
initiate phase 1 clinical trials for RN1219 for Alzheimer's disease this
calendar quarter. Rinat's third development program will be for migraine
prophylaxis. For more information on Rinat, please visit
www.rinatneuro.com.*
_**Department of Neurology -- USUHS**_
_* *_
_*Mechanism of synaptic and axonal degeneration. *_
_* *_
_*This project uses molecular biology techniques and cell culture models
to study nerve degeneration in the C57BL/WldS mouse strain. This strain
carries a gene mutation which slows down the process of nerve
degeneration. The function of the gene remains unknown at this time.
Planned experiments will use microarrays and proteomics to determine the
function of the WldS gene product. Experiments may also involve creation
of transgenic mice.*_
_**Department of Neurology -- USUHS**_
_* *_
_*1. Use of Botulinum toxin A and B in the treatment of acute,
sub-acute, and chronic low back pain.*_
_*We currently have 5 protocols to study the efficacy of Botulinum toxin
in treating low back pain due to muscle strain or trauma and after
surgery. Patients will be recruited from NNMC, WRAMC, Portsmouth Naval
Medical Center, VA, and the Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, FL.*_
_* *_
_*2. Effect of anticholinergic bladder medications on memory.*_
_*This protocol will use neuropsychological testing to assess whether
commonly used anticholinergic bladder medicines, Ditropan and Detrol,
have an adverse effect on memory.
*_
_* *_
_*3. A novel monoclonal antibody RN624 for the treatment of chronic low
back pain.*_
_*This project will use intravenous infusion of a monoclonal antibody
made to a nerve protein thought to mediate pain sensation in order to
treat subjects with low back pain lasting for at least 6 months.
Subjects will be recruited from WRAMC.*_
_* *_
_*4. Use of monoclonal antibody RN624 to treat chronic phantom limb pain
in amputees.*_
_*This project will study the effects of intravenous infusion of a
monoclonal antibody on phantom limb pain associated with traumatic limb
amputation.
*_
_* *_
_*5. Use of mirror box therapy for the treatment of phantom limb pain.*_
_*This protocol will assess the efficacy of using a mirror box to treat
phantom limb pain and sensations in upper and lower limb amputees and
may involve the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess
reorganization of cortical neurons after injury.*_
_**Department of Neurology - WRAMC**_
_* *_
_*1. Efficacy of subcutaneous Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of
neuropathic pain. *_
_*This study will assess the efficacy of Botulinum toxin in diminishing
pain due to peripheral neuropathy.*_
**
**
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n:;" If you help only one soul to find itself, if you comfort only one mourner, if you heal only one sick person, then the whole of your earthly life is justified. How privileged you are to be aware of the tremendous power that is around and about you, that enfolds you, guards you, directs you and ensures that you will continue to unfold your latent divinity and the gifts which are your cherished possession."
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