New Research Gives Hope to Stroke Survivors with Uncontrolled Emotions

New Research Gives Hope to Stroke Survivors with Uncontrolled Emotions 


ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Dec. 29  /PRNewswire/ -- Stroke survivors can face daunting
physical rehabilitation challenges that may be complicated by uncontrollable
outbursts of emotions, such as laughing or crying.  This condition, called
pseudobulbar affect (PBA) or emotional lability, may affect up to one third of
the four million stroke survivors in the U.S. today.

The National Stroke Association (NSA) and AVANIR Pharmaceuticals recently
presented research that shows promise for a new treatment for PBA.

In a webcast seminar broadcast last week to National Stroke Association's Stroke
Center Network, Dr. Randolph B. Schiffer of the Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center, presented current information about PBA as well as future
developments in possible treatments.

PBA affects a diverse population of patients with neurologic disorders,
including those with Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease or
ALS, Parkinson's, and those with neuronal damage following stroke or traumatic
brain injury.  While the underlying causes of PBA vary from patient to patient,
those with the condition experience uncontrolled emotional outbursts and
inappropriate responses to various situations.  In the simplest terms, PBA can
cause a stroke survivor to laugh at a funeral or cry at the circus.

The webcast was sponsored by AVANIR Pharmaceuticals as part of a medical
education effort to increase doctor and patient awareness of pseudobulbar
affect.  AVANIR is currently conducting clinical trials on an experimental drug,
Neurodex(TM), to treat PBA.  A clinical trial for patients with multiple
sclerosis and PBA is underway at 53 clinical sites in the United States and
Israel.  Another trial is ongoing for patients with PBA related to stroke,
Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, Parkinson's, and
traumatic brain injury.

"AVANIR is pleased to support the National Stroke Association and provide
information on this condition to its network of researchers, clinicians and
healthcare providers," said Dr. Gus Fernandez, Vice President of Commercial
Development for AVANIR Pharmaceuticals.  "We attended NSA's North American
Stroke Meeting as well, and see these events as opportunities to highlight
pseudobulbar affect and speak with people about the condition.  We feel that
medical education programs open up communication channels.  The feedback that we
get from patients, physicians and healthcare providers is an important element
of our medical education and awareness effort."

The National Stroke Association is the only national organization dedicated
solely to stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke
survivors, their families and healthcare professionals.  NSA's Stroke Center
Network is a program offered to local hospitals to help them improve the overall
quality of stroke prevention and treatment programs. NSA's consumer magazine
Stroke Smart recently published an article on PBA. For a copy of the magazine,
call 1-800-STROKES or visit http://www.stroke.org/ .

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AMEX:AVN) is a drug discovery and development company
focused on the development of treatments for central nervous system disorders
and inflammatory diseases.  AVANIR's Neurodex(TM) is being tested for
pseudobulbar affect and neuropathic pain.  Using its proprietary Xenerex(TM)
technology, AVANIR also develops human monoclonal antibodies for infectious
diseases and other therapeutic applications.  Further information about AVANIR
can be found at http://www.avanir.com/ .

AVANIR press releases and presentations, including any forward-looking
statements contained therein, should be reviewed in conjunction with the
Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other publicly available
information regarding the company.  Copies of such information are available
from AVANIR upon request. Such publicly available information sets forth many
risks and uncertainties related to the Company's business and technology.
Forward-looking statements often contain such words as "estimate," "anticipate,"
"intend," "plan" or "expect."  Research findings are not always supportable by
evidence obtained from subsequent clinical trials and the Company can make no
assurances that the Neurodex(TM) clinical trials will yield positive results. 
Final review decisions made by the FDA and other regulatory agencies concerning
clinical trial results are unpredictable and outside the influence and/or
control of the Company.  The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements. 

DATASOURCE: National Stroke Association



CONTACT:  Diane Mulligan-Fairfield, Vice President, National

Communications of National Stroke Association, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.stroke.org/

http://www.avanir.com/ 

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