Latest news with #NMDA
Scientific American
5 days ago
- Health
- Scientific American
These Climbers Summited Mount Everest in Record Time. Did Inhaling Xenon Help?
Last week a quartet of British climbers made it to the top of Mount Everest —and spent less than a week on the total round trip from London. That's weeks fewer than it usually takes to acclimate to the high elevation, scale the world's highest peak and head home. Their guide, speaking to the New York Times, credited their accomplishment to a secret advantage: prior to the trip, the climbers inhaled xenon gas, which may have made their acclimatization to the low-oxygen environment of Everest easier. But experts on the medical uses of xenon are uncertain that it was a decisive factor. 'Maybe there is something there. We just don't know,' says Andrew Subudhi, a professor of human physiology and nutrition at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, who studies human performance in low-oxygen environments. 'From the scientific evidence, I can't see anything that is definitive or even proof-of-concept yet.' On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. How does xenon work in the body? Xenon is a noble gas—colorless, odorless, inert. But it does affect the body. It's been used as an anesthetic on occasion since the 1950s, says Robert Dickinson, a senior lecturer in medicine at Imperial College London. Dickinson has long studied another intriguing aspect of xenon: the gas has shown neuroprotective effects after a brain injury such as a stroke or a traumatic blow to the head. This protective quality has been demonstrated in many animal studies and a handful of small human trials, Dickinson says. Both the anesthetic and potential neuroprotective effects occur because xenon can bind to brain receptors called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Activating these receptors has an excitatory effect on neurons, but xenon tamps down NMDA activity. After a brain injury, NMDA receptors can become overexcited, causing further cell death, so quieting these receptors might prevent additional damage. Those are xenon's best-studied effects on human health. But the gas has also piqued interest in the sports medicine world because it can increase the production of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that is known to stimulate the bone marrow to increase its production of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen, which is, of course, in short supply on the icy slopes of Mount Everest. Can xenon really acclimate someone to high elevations? Before attempting Everest's summit, climbers must hang out in Kathmandu, Nepal, and then Everest Base Camp for weeks, lest they fall prey to altitude sickness, which is marked by fatigue, headache, nausea and confusion. In serious cases, the lungs fill with fluid or the brain swells, which can quickly lead to death. The air at Everest Base Camp contains about half the oxygen as is present at sea level, and the air at the summit contains a mere 33 percent. Xenon's potential to increase the production of red blood cells, thus increasing the blood's ability carry oxygen, raises the question of whether it might provide a performance boost or prevent altitude sickness in the athletes climbing the world's highest peaks. The problem is: no one really knows if the EPO boost provided by xenon is enough to make a real difference in how someone handles a high elevation. Davide Cattano, an anesthesiologist at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, did some of the animal research that has shown that xenon increases a blood factor called hypoxia-inducible factor 1–alpha (HIF-1α), which in turn can increase EPO. He's skeptical that the recent Everest climbers saw much benefit. 'The level of HIF that you're inducing does not justify this superhuman capability,' Cattano says. One 2019 study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology tested 12 runners who were randomly assigned to inhale air that contained 70 percent xenon or a sham gas for two minutes each day for several weeks before they ran three kilometers. The runners who inhaled xenon saw an increase in EPO in their blood, but they didn't show any improvement in fitness or athletic performance, as measured by their running speed and their heart rate and respiration during exercise. Even dosing people with EPO directly with injections may not prevent altitude sickness or improve performance at high elevation, Subudhi says. In a study that is currently in review for publication in a scientific journal, he and his colleagues tested EPO injections on a small group of mountain-climbing athletes, and these subjects didn't see any benefits. It's possible a different dose or a longer course of treatment might make a difference, Subudhi says, but 'my enthusiasm for chasing that is much less when I didn't see anybody have a measurable benefit.' Why did the recent Everest climbers reach the peak so quickly? It is possible xenon improved the climbers' oxygen-carrying capacity by boosting their EPO, experts say. It's also possible the anesthetic and analgesic effects of the gas ameliorated the climbers' aches and pains or the fatigue from altitude, Cattano speculates. Just the act of breathing a heavy gas like xenon might also result in some change to lung capacity, he says, even if the EPO effect is small. But the athletes also did something else: they slept in hypoxic tents for weeks before traveling to the mountain. These tents create a low-oxygen environment, which definitely increases EPO and red blood cell production. This preacclimatization, plus the climbers' intensive training regime, may have done the trick. Whether the xenon added any benefit on top of the hypoxic tents is unclear, Dickinson says. Xenon is expensive, which has limited its use as an anesthetic and in athletics. But more people will probably shell out for the gas, given that the baseline cost of climbing Mount Everest is so expensive and the stakes are so high, Subudhi says. 'People are literally fighting for their lives at high altitudes, and if you're doing things that may give you a small chance of improving your rate of success, yeah, it might be worth it to some people,' he says. 'Not everybody is going to sit there and make a completely scientific decision about their life.'
Business Wire
23-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Vistagen to Present at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology Conference
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vistagen (Nasdaq: VTGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering neuroscience with nose-to-brain neurocircuitry to develop and commercialize a new class of intranasal product candidates called pherines, today announced it will present at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona from May 27-30, 2025. The Company's poster presentations will explore the age of onset of social anxiety disorder (SAD) from participants in fasedienol clinical trials, and the impact of itruvone – the company's investigational pherine for the treatment of major depressive disorder – on the electrogram of nasal chemosensory receptors (EGNR) and the olfactory bulb electrogram (EBG), both biomarkers of itruvone's effect on nasal chemosensory neurons and olfactory bulb physiologic activation. Poster Presentations: Title: Age of Onset of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in Trials of Fasedienol (PH94B) Nasal Spray Authors: Ester Salmán, MPH; Ross A. Baker, PhD; Stephen D. Coffey, BA; Rita Hanover, PhD; Michael R. Liebowitz, MD; and Louis Monti, MD, PhD Poster Number: W5 Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time Title: Antidepressant Itruvone Nasal Spray Depolarizes Nasal Chemosensory Receptors Followed by Increased Gamma Power Spectral Density of the Olfactory Bulb in Healthy Subjects Authors: Louis Monti, MD, PhD; Danajane Katz, BS; Ester Salmán, MPH; Weiping Zhang, PhD; Ross A. Baker, PhD; and Rita Hanover, PhD Poster Number: T73 These posters will be available on the Publications page of Vistagen's website on Monday, June 2, 2025. About Vistagen Headquartered in South San Francisco, CA, Vistagen (Nasdaq: VTGN) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging a deep understanding of nose-to-brain neurocircuitry to develop and commercialize a broad and diverse pipeline of clinical-stage product candidates from a new class of intranasal therapies called pherines. Pherines specifically and selectively bind as agonists to peripheral receptors in human nasal chemosensory neurons, rapidly activating olfactory bulb-to-brain neurocircuits which regulate brain areas involved in behavior and autonomic nervous system activity. They are designed to achieve therapeutic benefits without requiring absorption into the blood or uptake into the brain, giving them the potential to be a safer alternative to other pharmacological options. Vistagen's neuroscience pipeline also includes an oral prodrug with potential to impact certain neurological conditions involving the NMDA receptor. Vistagen is passionate about developing transformative treatment options to improve the lives of individuals underserved by the current standard of care for multiple highly prevalent indications, including social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause. Connect at
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IBN Coverage: NRx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NRXP) Reports Q1 Results, Highlights Progress on Ketamine NDA and HOPE Clinic Rollup
This article was published by IBN, a multifaceted communications organization engaged in connecting public companies to the investment community. LOS ANGELES, CA - May 16, 2025 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - NRx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NRXP) reported a Q1 2025 net loss of $5.5 million, down from $6.5 million in the same period last year, with operating losses narrowing to $3.8 million. The company advanced regulatory and commercial milestones for its two lead programs: NRX-100, a preservative-free IV ketamine formulation for suicidal depression now supported by an NDA fee waiver and new patent filing; and NRX-101, an oral treatment for bipolar depression with a PDUFA date anticipated before year-end. Subsidiary HOPE Therapeutics also gained momentum with $10.3 million in new acquisition funding to support a national psychiatry clinic rollup. NRx ended the quarter with $5.5 million in cash and expects its current capital and financing plans to support operations through year-end. To view the full press release, visit About NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NRx Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics based on its NMDA platform for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, specifically suicidal bipolar depression, chronic pain, and PTSD. The Company is developing NRX-101, an FDA-designated investigational Breakthrough Therapy for suicidal treatment-resistant bipolar depression and chronic pain. NRx plans to file an NDA for Accelerated Approval for NRX-101 in patients with bipolar depression and suicidality or akathisia. NRX-101 additionally has potential to act as a non-opioid treatment for chronic pain, as well as a treatment for complicated UTI. NRx has recently initiated a New Drug Application filing for NRX-100 (IV ketamine) for the treatment of suicidal depression, based on results of well-controlled clinical trials conducted under the auspices of the US National Institutes of Health and newly obtained data from French health authorities, licensed under a data sharing agreement. NRx was awarded Fast Track Designation for development of ketamine (NRX-100) by the US FDA as part of a protocol to treat patients with acute suicidality. For more information, please visit NOTE TO INVESTORS: IBN is a multifaceted financial news, content creation and publishing company utilized by both public and private companies to optimize investor awareness and recognition. For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: The latest news and updates relating to NRXP are available in the company's newsroom at Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this article are forward-looking, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may not be indicative of future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, various factors beyond management's control, including the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this article in making an investment decision, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. All parties undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law. About IBN IBN is a cutting-edge communications and digital engagement platform providing tailored Platform Solutions for select private and public companies. Over the course of 19+ years, IBN has introduced over 70 investor facing brands to the investment public and amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands amplify recognition and reach as well as help fulfill the unique needs of our rapidly growing and diverse base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of influential properties as well as leverage the energy and experience of our team of professionals to best serve our clients. IBN's Platform Solutions provide access to: (1) our Dynamic Brand Portfolio (DBP) through 70+ investor facing brands; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) full-scale distribution to a growing Social Media Network (SMN) ; (4) a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to effectively reach target markets and demographics; (5) Press Release Enhancement to ensure accuracy and impact; (6) a full array of corporate communications solutions; and (7) total news coverage solutions. For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website applicable to all content provided by IBN, wherever published or re-published: Media Contact IBNLos Angeles, OfficeEditor@ View the original release on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
MIRA Pharmaceuticals Reports No Brain Toxicity in FDA-Required Study of Ketamir-2, Confirming Absence of Ketamine-Linked Neurotoxicity
Press Releases MIRA Pharmaceuticals Reports No Brain Toxicity in FDA-Required Study of Ketamir-2, Confirming Absence of Ketamine-Linked Neurotoxicity Preclinical data supports the advancement of oral Ketamir-2 as a safe, next-generation alternative to ketamine, with ongoing momentum in Phase I clinical trial enrollment MIRA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:MIRA) ("MIRA" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing breakthrough treatments for neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions, today announced positive results from a neurotoxicity study of Ketamir-2, its novel oral NMDA receptor antagonist. The study was required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to initiating human dosing in the United States. The preclinical study showed no evidence of brain toxicity, including the absence of Olney lesions-vacuolar brain changes historically associated with older NMDA-targeting drugs such as ketamine and MK-801. These results further confirm the favorable safety profile of Ketamir-2 and support its safe continued clinical development. "These results represent a key milestone in the development of Ketamir-2," said Erez Aminov, Chairman and CEO of MIRA. "The absence of NMDA-linked neurotoxicity, along with continued clinical progress, reinforces our confidence in Ketamir-2's potential as a safe next-generation, oral candidate for CNS disorders." Study Overview and Key Findings The neurotoxicity study was conducted in sexually mature Sprague-Dawley rats. High oral doses of Ketamir-2 were administered, while a positive control group received MK-801, a known neurotoxic NMDA receptor antagonist. Brain tissues were examined through detailed histopathological analysis at two time points. Key outcomes: No adverse clinical signs or mortality in any Ketamir-2-treated animals. No microscopic or macroscopic brain lesions detected at any dose. MK-801-treated animals showed clear evidence of brain toxicity, including vacuolation and neuronal necrosis. "These findings eliminate one of the main safety concerns that has historically limited NMDA-targeting therapies," said Dr. Itzchak Angel, Chief Scientific Advisor at MIRA. "Ketamir-2's clean neurotoxicity profile strengthens its position as a differentiated and promising therapeutic candidate." Why Ketamir-2 Stands Apart Ketamir-2 is a New Molecular Entity (NME) designed to modulate the NMDA receptor with a reduced affinity for the PCP binding site, which is strongly associated with neurotoxicity and psychotropic effects in legacy compounds like ketamine. In prior preclinical studies, Ketamir-2 has: Demonstrated full reversal of pain thresholds in validated neuropathic pain models. Outperformed FDA-approved treatments such as gabapentin and pregabalin. Shown no sedation or hyperactivity. Demonstrated strong oral bioavailability and brain penetration, as it is not a substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Ketamir-2 was designed for oral administration, offering a non-invasive alternative to intravenous therapies. In addition, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has determined that Ketamir-2 is not classified as a controlled substance, which may streamline development, reduce regulatory burdens, and improve future access if approved. Clinical Progress and What's Next MIRA has already initiated its Phase I clinical trial, with subject recruitment actively underway and progressing smoothly. The Company is preparing to launch a Phase IIa proof-of-concept trial in diabetic patients with neuropathic pain, with the goal of validating clinical efficacy and supporting future regulatory milestones. The newly completed neurotoxicity study results will be submitted to the FDA as part of MIRA's ongoing regulatory and clinical development strategy. Additional information about MIRA Pharmaceuticals is available at Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the statements of MIRA's management related thereto contain "forward-looking statements," which are statements other than historical facts made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "intends," "may," "plans," "possible," "potential," "seeks," "will," and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed forward-looking. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on MIRA's current expectations, estimates, and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties (many of which are beyond MIRA's control) that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including related to MIRA's potential merger with SKNY Pharmaceuticals, Inc. These and other risks concerning MIRA's programs and operations are described in additional detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other SEC filings, which are on file with the SEC at and MIRA's website at MIRA explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law. Contact Information Helga Moya info@ (786) 432-9792 SOURCE: MIRA Pharmaceuticals This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AUTOIMMUNE CNS DISORDERS
Autoimmune Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders develop when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its healthy brain cells/ neurons, leading to inflammation of the brain. This may be associated with antibodies to proteins located either on the surface of nerve cells or within nerve cells. Antibody-mediated CNS disorders are increasingly recognized as neurologic disorders that can be severe and even life-threatening but with the potential for reversibility with appropriate treatment. The expanding spectrum of newly identified autoantibodies and associated clinical syndromes (ranging from autoimmune encephalitis to CNS demyelination ) has increased diagnostic precision and allowed critical reinterpretation of non-specific neurological syndromes historically associated with systemic disorders. Detection of neural autoantibodies with accurate laboratory assays in patients with compatible clinical-MRI phenotypes allows a definite diagnosis of antibody-mediated CNS disorders, with important therapeutic and prognostic implications. A large spectrum of diseases is covered in these disorders depending on the target site against which Antibodies develop. These include Limbic encephalitis, Morvan syndrome, Facio-brachial dystonic seizures, Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, Demyelinating Syndromes, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Optic neuritis, anti-MOG-associated encephalitis – to name the few. Other autoimmune syndromes may be associated with various cancers. This group of conditions may have various neurologic and/or psychiatric symptoms. Symptoms may start with psychiatric manifestations followed by symptoms may include psychosis, aggression, inappropriate sexual behaviours, panic attacks, compulsive behaviours, euphoria, or fear. The disorders may start with flu-like conditions & develop further into neurological manifestations. Neurologic symptoms may include impaired memory and cognition, abnormal movements, seizures, and/or problems with balance, speech, or vision. There are two major requirements for a correct diagnosis of antibody-mediated CNS disorder to be made: (1)a reliable identification of one or more specific neural autoantibodies; and (2)a compatible clinical-MRI phenotype. Over the years, there has been an ongoing discovery of newer antibodies against various proteins. NMDA, LG -i1, CASPR-2, AMPA, GABA A, GABA B, GAD65 DPPx, IGNOL-5 causing Limbic antibodies and MOG autoantibodies cause Optic neuritis, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis & Myelitis lesions. Certain neural autoantibodies are strongly associated with specific types of cancer. Sophisticated technology which includes Neural Autoantibody Testing by Indirect Cell-Based Immunofluorescence assay, immunoblot assay, ELISA, and Cell cultures allows for accurate laboratory diagnosis. These tests can be performed on Blood & CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). Although autoimmune CNS disorders are often treatment-responsive, they can lead to serious complications if left untreated or if there is a delay in treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment, therefore, becomes important to avoid complications of the disease. Treatment may include Immunotherapy (e.g., plasmapheresis, intravenous Immunoglobulin, and corticosteroids) and tumour resection if the disease is associated with the tumour. Patient education is necessary to understand the etiology, acute and chronic clinical progression of the condition, and its probable association with underlying malignancy. They should be educated about the variable course of the disease, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Furthermore, patients should be encouraged to follow up after hospital discharge with their respective neurologist /oncologist due to concerns about relapse and screening for malignancy. This article is written by Dr. Geeta Chopra, Chief of Lab – North India Operations, Metropolis Healthcare Limited. (DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and does not necessarily subscribe to it. shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly)
