<% Const DAILY_DIR = "/../pwpphotos/" Dim objDSO, objDailyFolderObject, objDailyCollection, objDaily Dim intDailyNumberToUse, intDailyLooper Dim objDailyImageToUse Dim strDailySrcText Set objDSO = Server.CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject") Set objDailyFolderObject = objDSO.GetFolder(Server.MapPath(DAILY_DIR)) Set objDSO = Nothing Set objDailyCollection = objDailyFolderObject.Files Set objDailyFolderObject = Nothing Dim myDate myDate = cDate("September 27, 1969") intDailyNumberToUse = DateDiff("d", myDate, Date) MOD objDailyCollection.Count intDailyLooper = 1 For Each objDaily in objDailyCollection If intDailyLooper = intDailyNumberToUse Then Set objDailyImageToUse = objDaily Exit For End If intDailyLooper = intDailyLooper + 1 Next Set objDailyCollection = Nothing strDailySrcText = DAILY_DIR & objDailyImageToUse.Name Set objDailyImageToUse = Nothing %>

 

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GDNF Information Center


Amgen's neurology program is focused on discovering and developing therapeutics targeting neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), and novel inflammatory and neuropathic pain therapeutics.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's are diseases that primarily affect the world's growing elderly population. It is estimated that there are more than two million patients diagnosed with PD in the seven largest markets. Approximately 15 percent of PD patients are severely disabled and in the U.S. alone, the annual impact on the nation's economy is estimated to be $25 billion.

Chronic pain disorders are also a significant source of human suffering and the number one reason people seek healthcare treatment. In the U.S., pain has reached epidemic proportions with more than 50 million Americans suffering from chronic pain and more than $10 billion spent each year on related prescription drugs. Amgen's exploration of candidates for both inflammatory and neuropathic pain has the potential to address key unmet needs for more effective, convenient and safer treatments.

Core Research Programs

For more than 10 years, Amgen has been immersed in research on key neurotrophic factors, proteins that are found in the nervous system and promote the growth, regeneration and protection of nervous tissue.

GDNF (Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor)
The latest stage candidate in the neuroscience pipeline, GDNF, is being studied in patients with advanced PD. GDNF is a naturally occurring protein. Preclinical data suggest that GDNF both protects and stimulates regeneration of neurons that secrete dopamine, the same neurons that are progressively lost in PD. Amgen has created a recombinant form of GDNF, and is studying the efficacy of GDNF when continuously infused into a targeted area of the brain.

An open label study with five patients showed sustained and progressive improvement in motor function and increased neuronal flurodopa uptake. Phase 2 clinical studies with GDNF in advanced PD patients are expected to be completed in 2004.
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®Created and owned by Tom Berdine (tomberdine@comcast.net)

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