Intellectual disability

ZyVersa Therapeutics Publishes New White Paper Detailing the Role of Inflammasomes and ASC Specks in Neurological Diseases, and Data Supporting Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100 as a Potential Therapeutic Option

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

A growing body of evidence supports that activation of more than one type of inflammasome contributes to development of common neurological diseases, and that extracellular ASC specks are involved in disease progression.

Key Points: 
  • A growing body of evidence supports that activation of more than one type of inflammasome contributes to development of common neurological diseases, and that extracellular ASC specks are involved in disease progression.
  • The white paper summarizes the preclinical research of leading inflammasome experts, Drs.
  • The white paper then summarizes data from preclinical research led by Drs.
  • Keane, de Rivero Vaccari, and their colleagues currently have research underway in Parkinson’s disease that was funded through a grant with the Michael J.

State Health Officials Alarmed by U.S. Measles Outbreaks, Stress the Importance of Adhering to Established Public Health Practices and Vaccinating the Unvaccinated

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

At least 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who contract measles is hospitalized.

Key Points: 
  • At least 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who contract measles is hospitalized.
  • Approximately 1 child out of every 1,000 with measles will suffer brain injury potentially causing convulsions, deafness, or intellectual disability.
  • Thankfully, by following established public health principles, Americans can make informed decisions, prevent outbreaks, and protect our communities.
  • ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in public health practice.

Making Access to Rehabilitation Care Easier for All Albertans

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

Traveling out of town for rehabilitation care is not unfamiliar to Marty, and many other patients like him living in rural or remote communities.

Key Points: 
  • Traveling out of town for rehabilitation care is not unfamiliar to Marty, and many other patients like him living in rural or remote communities.
  • About 10,000 Albertans are required to travel to major urban centres to receive specialized care.
  • The partnership between Alberta Innovates’ Digital4Health program and the Glenrose Hospital Foundation aims to use digital solutions to make accessing rehabilitation medicine easier, more streamlined, and patient-centered.
  • This will allow technology companies and clinicians the opportunity to test, spread and scale promising new rehabilitation care models.

ZyVersa Therapeutics Highlights Review Article Substantiating That Inflammasome Activation Is Pathogenic in Multiple Neurological Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The review article summarizes data demonstrating that inflammation resulting from activation of more than one type of inflammasome contributes to development of neurological diseases and that ASC specks lead to their progression.

Key Points: 
  • The review article summarizes data demonstrating that inflammation resulting from activation of more than one type of inflammasome contributes to development of neurological diseases and that ASC specks lead to their progression.
  • ZyVersa is developing IC 100, a monoclonal antibody targeting inflammasome ASC and ASC specks from multiple types of inflammasomes to block initiation and perpetuation of damaging inflammation.
  • (Nasdaq: ZVSA or “ZyVersa”), a clinical stage specialty biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class drugs for treatment of inflammatory and renal diseases, highlights data from a review article published in Nature Reviews Neurology.
  • The authors concluded, “Use of inflammasome-targeted therapeutic approaches could improve existing therapeutic strategies for multiple neurological conditions.” To review the publication, Click Here .

National PTA Honors Outstanding Advocacy Efforts

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National PTA is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 Outstanding Advocacy Awards, which honor state, local and individual PTA advocates for taking action to make a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child. The honorees will be recognized during the association's 2024 Legislative Conference, Wednesday, March 6, at The Westin Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Va.

Key Points: 
  • In 2023, Thirty-Third District PTA worked on five resolutions—the first resolutions that the PTA had supported in over 10 years.
  • The process allowed Thirty-Third District PTA to not only engage their membership and reinforce the primary role of PTA as an advocacy organization, but it also instilled a sense of pride among their membership for impacting advocacy.
  • "Washington State PTA, Thirty-Third District PTA, Big Creek PTA, Rachel and Maurits exemplify what it means to take action and speak for every child with one voice, which is what our association does best," said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA.
  • "I always say to never underestimate the power of a parent's voice, and we are thrilled to recognize the efforts of Washington State PTA, Thirty-Third District PTA, Big Creek PTA, Rachel and Maurits with our 2024 Outstanding Advocacy Awards."

Eton Pharmaceuticals Announces Commercial Availability of Ultra-Rare Disease Product Nitisinone Capsules

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

DEER PARK, Ill., Feb. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals (“Eton” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: ETON), an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing, acquiring, and commercializing products to address unmet needs in patients suffering from rare diseases, today announced the commercial availability of Nitisinone Capsules for the treatment of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1) in combination with dietary restriction of tyrosine and phenylalanine. Please see important safety information below. Tyrosinemia type 1 is an ultra-rare condition that is estimated to impact fewer than 500 patients in the United States.

Key Points: 
  • We believe that our existing commercial infrastructure and strong patient support services should help us capture a meaningful percentage of the estimated $50 million annual Nitisinone market,” said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO of Eton Pharmaceuticals.
  • Nitisinone Capsules are available exclusively through Optime Care, a specialty pharmacy dedicated to helping patients with rare diseases manage their conditions.
  • Optime Care will administer the Eton Cares Program in partnership with Eton Pharmaceuticals.
  • To report a suspected adverse event related to Nitisinone, contact Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at: 1-855-224-0233 or the US Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Jaguar Gene Therapy Announces FDA Clearance of IND to Study JAG201 in a Genetic Form of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Jaguar Gene Therapy, a biotechnology company accelerating breakthroughs in gene therapy for patients suffering from severe genetic diseases, including those that affect sizeable patient populations, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for JAG201, a gene therapy for a genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS).

Key Points: 
  • Jaguar Gene Therapy, a biotechnology company accelerating breakthroughs in gene therapy for patients suffering from severe genetic diseases, including those that affect sizeable patient populations, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for JAG201, a gene therapy for a genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS).
  • JAG201 aims to deliver functional SHANK3 via the AAV9 vector to treat the root cause of the disease.
  • “We are pleased to receive FDA clearance to bring our investigational SHANK3 gene therapy to the clinic.
  • The pre-clinical data indicate that JAG201 may have the potential to be transformative for those suffering with the disorder,” said Joe Nolan, chief executive officer of Jaguar Gene Therapy.

Precautionary measures to address potential risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children born to men treated with valproate medicines

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, February 4, 2024

On 24 January 2024, the CMDh1 endorsed precautionary measures recommended by EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) for the treatment of male patients with valproate medicines. These…

Key Points: 


On 24 January 2024, the CMDh1 endorsed precautionary measures recommended by EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) for the treatment of male patients with valproate medicines. These…

A new year means new fitness goals. But options for people with disability are few and far between

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Adults living with disability can experience a range of benefits from participating in community-based physical activities such as dance, Tai Chi and yoga, our recently published review found.

Key Points: 
  • Adults living with disability can experience a range of benefits from participating in community-based physical activities such as dance, Tai Chi and yoga, our recently published review found.
  • Yet adults with disability are less physically active than those without disability, with inclusive community-based physical activities few and far between.
  • This puts people with disability at increased risk of further disability.

Benefits of physical activity

  • Our systematic review included 74 trials with 2,954 men and women living with mild-to-moderate physical and intellectual disability.
  • All but one of these physical activities were delivered in condition-specific groups (for example, a group for people with Parkinson’s disease).
  • Benefits included improvements in walking, balance and quality of life, and reductions in fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Considerations for physical recreation in the community

  • Some physical recreation activities included in the review used adjustments and extra equipment to be suitable for people with disability.
  • Most local community-based recreation groups should be able make simple adjustments to meet the needs of people living with mild to moderate disability.
  • It may also limit the confidence of the person with disability to join a local class.

Access to services is a basic right

  • Australia also has a Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
  • But this seems to provide little incentive for services to take active measures to prevent disability discrimination.


The commission’s final report recommended strengthening laws to protect people with disability, prevent discrimination, and build a more inclusive society. Momentum and expectation is growing in Australian society for better inclusion for people living with disability.

So what can we do for better physical activity inclusion?

  • First, more physical activity options suitable for people with disability are needed in the community.
  • People with disability will then be able to choose an activity that suits their needs and preference.
  • Second, community-based physical activities need to enable the person with disability to access the setting safely and have equipment suitable to use.
  • Anne Tiedemann has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund.
  • Cathie Sherrington has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund.

2024 Feather in Her Cap and High Flyer Award Winners Named for Outstanding Achievements in Animal Health Industry

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. and 300 industry leaders honored 11 women for their outstanding career achievements in Animal Health at the seventh annual Feather in Her Cap awards ceremony.

Key Points: 
  • The Feather in Her Cap Association, Inc. and 300 industry leaders honored 11 women for their outstanding career achievements in Animal Health at the seventh annual Feather in Her Cap awards ceremony.
  • Andrea J. Gonzales Ph.D., vice president of Global Companion Animal Therapeutics at Zoetis, Inc., (NYSE: ZTS) was awarded the 2024 Feather in Her Cap award and Katharina Bohnenblust Ph.D., senior director, head of Formulation Development at Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN) was this year’s recipient of the 2024 High Flyer award.
  • Each year, the Feather in Her Cap award winner chooses an animal-related non-profit organization to receive a $5,000 donation.
  • The nomination process will reopen in Q3 of 2024 to celebrate more outstanding women in Animal Health in 2025.