Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

20% of children have developmental delay. What does this mean for them, their families and the NDIS?

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023

Among the key issues identified was that 20% of Australian children experience learning difficulties, developmental concerns, developmental delay or are found to have disability.

Key Points: 
  • Among the key issues identified was that 20% of Australian children experience learning difficulties, developmental concerns, developmental delay or are found to have disability.
  • This presents another challenge: which government systems outside the NDIS will embrace the large number of children who need developmental support?

What is a developmental delay?

    • Many things can cause developmental delay.
    • Developmental delay is a term commonly used in clinical practice, but not included in official diagnostic manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
    • Developmental disabilities are included in official diagnostic manuals and include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability, specific learning disorders, communication disorders and developmental coordination disorder.

Developmental delay and the NDIS


    The NDIS has a specific definition of developmental delay which encompasses three areas. Children are considered to have a developmental delay if their delay is:
    • Around 11% of all NDIS participants are classified as having a developmental delay.
    • There are also a significant number of children with developmental delay who are not within the NDIS.
    • While there is a general community view that developmental delay is an increasing issue in Australia, there is a lack of data tracking over time to understand if this view is accurate.

Supporting children with developmental delay

    • There has always been a large number of children experiencing developmental delay.
    • But the fragmentation across state/territory and Commonwealth health and disability systems has meant the true scale of children struggling with development has not been clear.
    • This figure is estimated to be a small proportion of the 20% of children who meet criteria for developmental delay.

Meeting children and families where they are

    • Its future thriving is highly dependent on how our community supports children with developmental delay.
    • Children with developmental delays receive supports within clinics, rather than in the natural settings in which they live and function every day.
    • Building capacity to support children with developmental delay in their everyday contexts – at home, in childcare, kindergartens or preschools, in the local community – will be crucial to ensuring children with developmental delay and their families thrive into later childhood.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation can treat depression. Developing research suggests it could also help autism, ADHD and OCD

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023

A new therapeutic option, especially for depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation, is slowly helping to address some of these considerable unmet needs in our community.

Key Points: 
  • A new therapeutic option, especially for depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation, is slowly helping to address some of these considerable unmet needs in our community.
  • Read more:
    Treating mental illness with electricity marries old ideas with modern tech and understanding of the brain – podcast

How does it work and who’s getting it now?

    • Transcranial magnetic stimulation involves the application of a series of magnetic pulses through a coil placed on the scalp.
    • They may include scalp discomfort, headache, tingling or facial twitching, and feeling lightheaded for a short time after a treatment session.
    • There is consistent evidence for the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for acute episodes of depression.
    • Studies both locally and overseas have started to show more efficient delivery and very rapid clinical benefits with these new treatment regimes.

What about for other conditions?

    • Alongside the clinical rollout of transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression, research is increasingly demonstrating its potential value in other conditions.
    • The treatment is showing promise for addiction disorders, including the development of an approach using transcranial magnetic stimulation to help patients stop smoking.
    • As clinical need escalates, early research is also exploring whether transcranial magnetic stimulation might alleviate symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
    • Read more:
      People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have an imbalance of brain chemicals – our discovery could mean a treatment breakthrough

Do the effects last?

    • So far, the quality of the evidence on the persistence of effects and the need for maintenance treatment with the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression is patchy.
    • Preliminary studies suggest maintenance treatment is effective, but there there have been insufficient high-quality studies to convince Medicare to provide a subsidy for it.
    • Medicare funding also does not fund the provision of transcranial magnetic stimulation for patients who experience the return of their depression on more than one occasion.

GRI Bio Enters into Asset Purchase Agreement with Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. for the Sale of Legacy Asset, ADAIR

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

LA JOLLA, CA, Aug. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GRI Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRI) (“GRI Bio” or the “Company”), a biotechnology company advancing an innovative pipeline of Natural Killer T (“NKT”) cell modulators for the treatment of inflammatory, fibrotic and autoimmune diseases, today announced that the Company has entered into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. (“Aardvark”) will acquire certain assets and intellectual property of the Company that pertain to ADAIR (Abuse Deterrent Amphetamine Immediate Release). Aardvark intends to utilize the ADAIR formation technology for the development of certain follow-on pipeline programs.

Key Points: 
  • Aardvark intends to utilize the ADAIR formation technology for the development of certain follow-on pipeline programs.
  • Exclusive license rights to develop and commercialize ADAIR in Europe and the UK were previously licensed to Medice Arzneimittel Pütter GmbH, a leader in the European ADHD market.
  • GRI Bio will receive a modest up-front payment and the potential to earn milestone payments for achievements in development and commercialization from Aardvark up to approximately $80 million.
  • We believe in the potential of ADAIR and are pleased to have it continue on in its development at Aardvark,” commented Marc Hertz, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GRI Bio.

Manulife Launches Personalized Medicine Program for Enhanced Health Care Members to Improve Health Outcomes

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Based on the results, health care practitioners can then tailor treatment plans that are personalized and precise, reducing side effects and increasing the odds of successful patient outcomes.

Key Points: 
  • Based on the results, health care practitioners can then tailor treatment plans that are personalized and precise, reducing side effects and increasing the odds of successful patient outcomes.
  • "As a trained pharmacist, the potential that our Personalized Medicine program has to help improve quality of life for millions of Canadians is exciting and encouraging," says Ashesh Desai, Head of Group Benefits, Manulife Canada.
  • This Personalized Medicine program has been in a pilot stage with select Manulife Group Benefits members since 2021 and the results have been encouraging: 80% of members changed their medications in consultation with their healthcare providers, and 86% of members reported an improvement in their mental health.
  • To learn more about Manulife Canada and its group benefit solutions for employers and unions, please visit Manulife.ca.

Great Speech and American TelePhysicians Announce Collaborative Partnership to Provide Virtual Speech Therapy Services to People of All Ages

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Great Speech , a leader in virtual speech therapy, and American TelePhysicians , a leading digital virtual care provider of neurology services under its NeuroX program, today announce a synergistic partnership to create access to an affordable online option for enhancing the skills of children, adults and seniors who need and seek better speech communications.

Key Points: 
  • Great Speech , a leader in virtual speech therapy, and American TelePhysicians , a leading digital virtual care provider of neurology services under its NeuroX program, today announce a synergistic partnership to create access to an affordable online option for enhancing the skills of children, adults and seniors who need and seek better speech communications.
  • CCC-SLP, founder and clinical director, Great Speech, emphasizes the profound impact of this collaboration, "The Great Speech approach to virtual care expands the robust portfolio of solutions offered by American TelePhysicians.
  • “Great Speech brings crucial speech and language therapy for patients with aphasia and other speech problems.
  • We are pleased to be working with Great Speech to improve our patients' quality of life."

Aquestive Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 7, 2023

“Our strong second quarter 2023 results continue to drive the Company forward,” said Daniel Barber, Chief Executive Officer of Aquestive.

Key Points: 
  • “Our strong second quarter 2023 results continue to drive the Company forward,” said Daniel Barber, Chief Executive Officer of Aquestive.
  • The Company manufactured approximately 48 million doses in the second quarter 2023, compared to 47 million in the second quarter 2022.
  • Total reported revenues were $13.2 million in the second quarter 2023, compared to $13.3 million in the second quarter 2022.
  • Aquestive is updating its full-year 2023 financial guidance based on second quarter 2023 results and updated outlook for the remainder of 2023.

ABVC Corporate Update and CEO's Letter to Shareholders

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 7, 2023

FREMONT, CA, Aug. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - ABVC BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABVC) ("Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic solutions in ophthalmology, neurology, and oncology/hematology, today published a Corporate Update and Letter to Shareholders from recently appointed Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Uttam Patil.

Key Points: 
  • FREMONT, CA, Aug. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - ABVC BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABVC) ("Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic solutions in ophthalmology, neurology, and oncology/hematology, today published a Corporate Update and Letter to Shareholders from recently appointed Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Uttam Patil.
  • As we move into the second half of 2023, I am delighted to speak about ABVC's recent developments and plans.
  • ABVC and BioFirst Corporation expect to complete the facility's construction in Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, Taiwan, in 2024.
  • The product is ready for an End-of-Phase II meeting with the FDA to finalize the protocol for Phase III trials.

MindMed Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Business Highlights

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 3, 2023

Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD), (NEO: MMED), (the “Company” or "MindMed"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD), (NEO: MMED), (the “Company” or "MindMed"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
  • Recent Highlights and Anticipated Upcoming Milestones:
    Phase 2b study evaluating MM-120 for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) remains on track for topline readout in Q4 2023.
  • Patient enrollment is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2023 with topline results for the primary endpoint expected to be announced in Q4 2023.
  • MindMed management will host a conference call at 4:30 PM EST today to provide a corporate update and review the Company’s first quarter 2023 financial results.

ABVC Signs a Term Sheet to Earn Licensing Fees of up to $20M and Royalties of 5-12% of Net Sales

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2023

The licensing deal carries a possible aggregate income of $20 million for ABVC.

Key Points: 
  • The licensing deal carries a possible aggregate income of $20 million for ABVC.
  • The term sheet outlines the key terms and conditions of the licensing agreement.
  • The final agreement, expected to be formally signed within one year, will specify the precise licensing terms, including the schedule for milestone payments and other financial arrangements.
  • The final agreement is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions, and the transaction will not occur if they are not satisfied or waived within one year.

Landmark College Partners with Virtual Internships to Expand Career Opportunities for Students with Learning Differences

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

PUTNEY, Vt., July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landmark College , the premier institution for students with learning differences, is partnering with Virtual Internships to match students with internships among a global network of employers.

Key Points: 
  • PUTNEY, Vt., July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landmark College , the premier institution for students with learning differences, is partnering with Virtual Internships to match students with internships among a global network of employers.
  • This exciting collaboration aims to broaden the range of opportunities accessible to Landmark College students, providing them with invaluable real-world experience and bolstering their career prospects.
  • The collaboration between Landmark College and Virtual Internships comes at a time when the importance of remote learning and working opportunities is increasingly recognized.
  • For more information about how Virtual Internships partners with universities to expand access to internship opportunities, visit www.virtualinternships.com/universities .