The
following was a press release in the
Curidium’s CURIDIUM DEVELOPS BLOOD DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR
SCHIZOPHRENIA/BIPOLAR DISORDER PATIENT SUBGROUPS - Major Advance towards More Effective and Safer Drug Treatments -
London, UK, 14 May 2007, Curidium
Medica Plc, (LSE: CUR), the personalized medicine
company focused on bringing the right drug to the right patient, today
announced it has developed a blood diagnostic test that can sub-classify
patients with schizophrenia/bipolar disorder into one of four subgroups. This
is the first time that a schizophrenia/bipolar disorder diagnostic blood test
has been developed that classifies patients into different subgroups that are
each associated with distinct underlying disease mechanisms and specific drug
targets. The discovery, using Curidium’s proprietary
technology Homomatrix®, of highly statistically
significantly different schizophrenic/bipolar disease patient subgroups was
announced previously by the Companydiagnostic test is
based on the levels of expression of 28 genes in blood samples of
schizophrenia/bipolar disorder patients. The test was designed using the Homomatrix® technology and gene expression data was applied
from blood samples of 115 patient and control donors. The test was subsequently
assessed using blood samples from a different group of 32 schizophrenia/bipolar
disorder patients in order to determine the test’s specificity and sensitivity.
The overall specificity or ability of the test to avoid incorrectly selecting a
patient for a subgroup was ninety-four percent (94%). The overall sensitivity,
which determines the ability of the test to detect the subjects belonging to a
subgroup, was seventy-eight percent (78%).
The Company believes its diagnostic test could
potentially lead to the more accurate prescription of marketed products as well
as enable the identification and development of better and/or new subgroup
specific drug treatments. The test will potentially benefit 1) patients,
providing safer and more effective treatments, 2) the pharmaceutical industry,
allowing more time and cost effective development of new drugs and 3)
healthcare payers, such that the prescription of ineffective treatments may be
avoided. Generally, only a minority of schizophrenia/bipolar disorder patients
respond to a drug treatment.
“The development of a blood test improving the accuracy of diagnosis and potential treatment of schizophrenia/bipolar disorder patients represents a significant advance in the treatment of these diseases,” stated Dr. Anne Bruinvels, CEO of Curidium Medica plc. “This particular test and the application of Homomatrix to psychiatric and other disorders has the potential to support the development of much needed, effective and safe drugs for difficult-to-treat patients.”
Consumer Events,
Conference 2008
Conference 2007
The Annual 2007 KYCAN Consumer Conference was a great time. KYCAN had more attendees than ever, topping 300.
KYCAN Renaissance
DROP-IN Center
The doors are
now open for consumers at our new drop in center in Bowling Green
You may contact KYCAN for help with your leadership goals. Go to the contact page for the phone number and someone in the office will help you.
Republican and Democratic Voters Overwhelmingly Support Fair Mental Health Insurance Coverage
Mental
Health America
Contact:
Heather
Cobb, (703) 797-2588 or hcobb@mentalhealthamerica.net
Jason Halal, (703) 797-1943 or jhalal@mentalhealthamerica.net
ALEXANDRIA,
Va. (January 15, 2006)—The vast majority of Americans (89%), including
Democrats, Republicans, managers and employees, want to end insurance
discrimination against people with mental health needs in this country,
according to a new survey by Mental Health America (formerly known as the
National Mental Health Association). Mental Health
“For
too long, insurance companies have offered limited or negligible mental health
and substance abuse coverage,” said David Shern,
president and CEO of Mental Health
The survey findings represent the third in a series of results from the “Mental Heath America Attitudinal Survey.” For previous findings, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/.
Americans Think Health Coverage Should Include Mental Health and Substance Abuse
1. Nearly all Americans (96%) think health insurance should include coverage of mental health care. Only two percent said health insurance should not cover it.
2. 89% assert that insurance plans should cover mental health treatments at the same level as treatments for general health problems. Only eight percent feel they should not cover them equally.
3. A large majority (74%) believe that insurance plans should cover substance abuse treatments at the same levels as treatments for general health issues. 23% feel that they should not be covered equitably.
4. The public demand for mental health equity is bipartisan—83% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats want equitable health insurance.
5. Employees and employers alike (89% respectively) want health insurance coverage for mental health treatments to be equitable to general health treatments.
“It is clear from this survey that Americans continue to want equitable insurance coverage. And we know there is a real need—over two thirds of adults and over half of children with a diagnosable mental disorder do not receive the mental health treatment and services they need,” said Shern. “We expect the new Congress to follow their constituents’ lead and pass comprehensive legislation that ends insurance discrimination against people with mental health and addiction needs. We applaud the leadership and passion of Reps. Kennedy and Ramstad in moving Congress in the right direction.”
About
the Survey
The
“Mental Health America Attitudinal Survey” was conducted by International
Communications Research, an independent research company. Interviews were
conducted via telephone and the Internet from October 10 to
“Part
3: Insurance Coverage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in
Mental
Health
National Coalition of Mental Health Lauren Spiro, 978-590-2014
Consumer/Survivor Organizations http://www.ncmhcso.org/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mental Health Consumer/Survivors
Create National Coalition
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mental health consumer/survivors have formed a national coalition to ensure that they play a major role in the development and implementation of health and mental health care and social policies at the state and national levels.
“The creation of the National Coalition of Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Organizations (NCMHCSO) is a milestone,” said the group’s Director of Public Policy, Lauren Spiro. “The formation of this Coalition takes us to the next level- it enables us to raise our collective voice, based on our experience of mental health recovery, and be heard at the seat of power. The Coalition embraces the disability movement’s motto, ‘Nothing about us without us.’ ” The Coalition will collaborate with other advocacy groups to ensure that consumer rights policies continue to move towards full participation and integration in the community.
The
rapidly growing Coalition currently consists of organizations run by consumers
representing 28 states and the
The Coalition supports the efforts of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to transform the mental health system to one that is recovery-based and consumer- and family-driven, and supports SAMHSA’s consensus statement on recovery (www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4129/). The Coalition proposes a new consensus for the mental health field based on the following principles:
1. Recovery is possible for everyone. To recover, we need services and supports that treat us with dignity, respect our rights, allow us to make choices, and provide assistance with our self-defined needs. This range of services must include consumer-run and -operated programs.
2. Self Determination: We need to be in control of our own lives.
3. Holistic Choices: We need choices, including a range of recovery-oriented services and supports that provide assistance with housing, education, and career development.
4. Voice: We must be centrally involved in any dialogues and decisions affecting us.
5. Personhood: We will campaign to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses.
The
Coalition, whose office is in
MORE NEWS
Advisory Board
KYCAN
has officially formed an Advisory Board. It is composed of individuals with
diverse backgrounds. Their main responsibilities will be to assist the KYCAN
Board in developing a Vision Statement, creating a Strategic Plan and helping
to implement fund raising activities. We appreciate their willingness to serve
on the KYCAN Advisory Board and to help us as we work to improve the quality of
life for consumers across
Dr. Howard Bracco, Ph.D., CBHE- Seven Counties
Brad Case Attorney at Law- Dinsmore and Schol LLC
Melissa Rae Crowdus, Manager of Retail Sales, Thornton’s Inc.
Kenneth Davis, M.D., Psychiatrist- Private Practice
Mavin H. Martin, Ph.D., Psychologist- Private Practice
Carol Massey, Ph.D., Psychologist- Private Practice
Jan Powe, MSSW, Kentucky Department of Protection and Advocacy
Jeff Twyman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Larry Weas, Pastoral Counselor
Seven Counties Services participating in USDA food program
Per federal guidelines, Seven Counties Services announces that its three therapeutic rehabilitation clubhouse programs for persons with serious and persistent mental illness are participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program administered by the Ky. Dept. of Education. The programs are:
-Pyramid House,
-New Challenge,
-Welcome House, 250 Alpine Dr., Shelbyville.
These voluntary Seven Counties’ programs are open to Seven Counties’ clients 18 years or older with a psychiatric disability. Clubhouses revolve around “work-ordered days.” Members complete tasks essential to daily program operation that help them assess and strengthen their daily living skills, such as meal planning and preparation, and their vocational skills.
Meals
will be served at no separate charge to enrolled participants at the
clubhouses, and are provided without regard to race, color, national origin,
sex, age or disability. If anyone believes he/she or any individual has
been discriminated against in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, they
should write the Secretary of Agriculture,
Seven
Counties Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation. It provides
planning, prevention, treatment and support in the areas of mental health,
mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, and alcohol and other
drug abuse and dependency in Bullitt, Henry,