Tourette's Syndrome
Tourette's Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disease characterized by motor or vocal tics that begin in childhood and persist over time (see box below with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders – 4th Edition [DSM-IV] diagnostic criteria). The tics are brief in duration, occur spontaneously, and do not show a regular temporal pattern. Further the tics are not caused by medications, other medical reasons, or confirmed tissue damage. They can be consciously suppressible and are exacerbated by stress. Males are more susceptible than females with a ratio of about 3 to 4:1. Motor tics can include such things as eye-blinking, facial grimacing, mouth movements, head jerks, shoulder shrugs and arm/leg jerks. In more severe cases gyrating, bending, pivoting and dystonic movements are possible. Vocal tics are fast meaningless sounds or noises, and include such things as sniffing, throat clearing, grunting, barks and squealing. Complex vocal tics can include shouting out of single words, whole sentences or repeating words (echolalia). In small numbers of patients, explosive obscenities (coprolalia) are possible. Based on the scientific literature there is reason to believe that ecopipam may relieve the symptoms of TS.Psyadon Pharmaceuticals is conducting a clinical study to determine if ecopipam can help people who suffer from Tourette's Syndrome. If you are interested in participating in this clinical trial please contact the doctor who is conducting the study:
Dr. Donald Gilbert
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Please contact the study coordinator, Ms. Twila Rogers at 513-636-0599
Dr. Cathy Budman
North Shore Hospital
Please contact the study coordinator Ms. Christina Lipinski at (516-562-3224
Dr. Harvey Singer
Johns Hopkins University
Please contact the study coordinator Ms. Christina Morris-Berry at (410) 955-1960
Dr. Roger Kurlan
Overlook Hospital/Atlantic Neuroscience Institute
Please contact the study coordinator Ms. Caroline Panter at 908-522-5901
|
Lesch-Nyhan Disease
Psyadon Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring a clinical trial of the D1-receptor antagonist ecopipam in patients with Lesch-Nyhan Disease. This is a rare genetic disease characterized by an over-production of uric acid, abnormal muscle movements (dystonia), and self-injurious behaviors.
Based on the scientific literature, it is believed that ecopipam may be able to relieve the self-injurious behaviors seen in the patients with Lesch-Nyhan Disease.
The current clinical trial is designed to identify a safe and tolerable dose of ecopipam to reduce the self-injurious behaviors in adults, adolescents, and children.
If you are interested in participating in this clinical trial please contact either of the following two doctors who are conducting the clinical trial:
Dr. H. A. Jinnah, M.D., Ph.D.
Emory University
Please call the study coordinator, Barbara Sommerfeld, R.N., M.S.N. at 404-728-6944
Dr. W. Nyhan, M.D.. Ph.D.
University of California San Diego Medical Center
Please call the study coordinator, Jan Panyard-Davis at 619-471-9585
|
Pathological Gambling
Gambling is widespread in the US with estimates that roughly 80% of the population ever having engaged in some sort of gambling behavior (includes casinos, state lotteries, bingo, horse tracks, on-line betting services, etc.). The amount of money estimated to be wagered annually in the US is $0.5 trillion, with over $30B alone spent on state lotteries. The social costs associated with gambling are staggering and may be as high as $5 billion per year (in health care, bankruptcy, and criminal costs).
The vast majority of people are able to gamble without any appreciable effect on their lives. A small percentage (~2.5%) of people suffer from “problem gambling” and an even smaller percentage (0.6%) has been estimated to suffer from “pathological gambling”. Based on the scientific literature there is reason to believe that ecopipam may be able to alleviate the urges associated with pathological gambling.
Psyadon Pharmaceuticals is conducting a clinical study to determine if ecopipam can help people who suffer from Pathological Gambling. If you are interested in participating in this clinical trial please contact the following doctors who are conducting the study:
Dr. Jon Grant
University of Minnesota
Please call study coordinator, Brian Odlaug at 612-627-4363
Dr. Donald Black
University of Iowa
Please call study coordinator, Martha Shaw at 319-353-3904
Dr. Timoty Fong
University of California at Los Angeles
Please call study coordinator Margarit Davtian at (310) 825-4845
Dr. Marc Potenza
Yale University
Please call study coordinator Scott Bullock at (203) 974-7312
|
|