Energy Medicine

Where do I start? It's been an amazing journey, but the book I've been working on for the past eight years is finally off the type setter at St. Martin's Press. Moreover, this morning I sent the manuscript off to my publisher in Japan. So if you have been wondering why the blog posting has been so slow the past couple of months, or more like over the past year, this is why. I've been heads down in the future. I'm looking forward to announcing the title of the book a little bit further down, but let me just say, it's pretty cool. Of course, I'm biased, so you'll have to let me know once it hits the book stores, which right now looks like June 2009. I know, an infinite amount of time.

Stem cell approaches in neurology and psychiatry is the focus of a new report released today by NeuroInsights, the neurotech market authority. The industry insider report on innovative research and development in stem cell technology for the brain and nervous system provides unique insights into the key players and competitive dynamics in this rapidly evolving field.

Stem cell companies focused on the central nervous system (CNS) have the potential to address some of the largest unmet healthcare markets including: Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depression, hearing loss, Huntington's disease, lysosomal storage disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, retinal disorders, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other brain and nervous system disorders.

The report analyzes the scientific approaches and challenges to utilizing stem cells in the CNS, discusses trends and drivers including funding and regulatory issues, reveals promising treatment indications and pipelines, examines business models leveraging the promise of stem cells, and sheds light on investment opportunities and risks. It provides in-depth profiles of twenty seven companies that are shaping the field and spearheading the use of stem cells in the brain and nervous system.

The twenty seven trend setting companies reviewed in the report include: Aastrom Biosciences, Advanced Cell Technology, ArunA Biomedical, Athersys (Nasdaq: ATHX), Beike Biotechnology Company, BrainCells, Inc., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, California Stem Cell Inc., Cell Cure Neurosciences, CellMed AG, Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), International Stem Cell Corporation, NeuralStem, NeuroGeneration, NeuroNascent, NeuroNova AB, Neuronyx, NsGene A/S, Pfizer Regenerative Medicine, Q Therapeutics, ReNeuron Group (LSE: RENE.L), RhinoCyte, Stem Cell Sciences (LSE: STEM.L), Stem Cell Therapeutics (TSX: SSS.V), Stem Cell Technologies, StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq: STEM), and Theradigm, Inc.

The 175 page report, "Stem Cell Approaches in Neurology and Psychiatry: 27 Trendsetters for 2009" is available immediately.

The House of Representatives, moments ago, voted to approve, by a vote of 263 to 171, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (H.R. 1424), which includes a new financial rescue bill, tax extenders package and mental health and substance use disorder parity legislation, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (introduced as H.R. 6983). The same package cleared the Senate on October 1 by a vote of 74 to 25. The bill will now be sent to the White House where the President is expected to sign the legislation.

During the House floor debate, a number of those in support of the package applauded the work of Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), the lead sponsors of the parity bill, for their leadership. In his floor statement, Rep. Kennedy celebrated passage of the parity bill and called on observers to remember the incredible life and contributions of the late Paul Wellstone. Leaders also recognized the tireless work of Senator Domenici (R-NM), a Senate champion who is retiring from public service this year, and Senator Kennedy (D-MA), another champion in the Senate, who is battling cancer. Speaker Pelosi, in her floor statement before the vote, said of the House action, “We are helping to end discrimination” for those seeking treatment for substance use disorders.