June 2009 Archives

Drowsy driving is one of the most vexing problems involving traffic safety with more than 60 percent of working Americans admitting to driving while feeling sleepy and 37 percent to actually falling asleep at the wheel, in the past year according to the 2008 National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America poll. The all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class addresses this growing issue with state-of-the-art drowsy driving technology called ATTENTION ASSIST.

"Most drivers underestimate the dangers of drowsy driving," said Darrel Drobnich, chief program officer of the National Sleep Foundation. "While nothing replaces a good night's sleep, new automotive technologies that make drivers aware of their lack of alertness can make a significant difference in the number of tragic incidents that occur on American roads."

Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 police-reported crashes, resulting in 1,550 deaths and another 71,000 injuries each year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The problem is significant enough that several states are considering legislation that would allow police to charge drowsy drivers with criminal negligence. New Jersey is currently the only state that specifically criminalizes drowsy driving in a fatal crash by classifying it as recklessness under its vehicular homicide statute.

For this reason, Mercedes-Benz, a leader in vehicle safety technology, created ATTENTION ASSIST, a drowsiness-detection system and made it standard equipment on the new 2010 E-Class. Several years of research and engineering by Mercedes-Benz revealed that drowsy drivers have trouble steering a precise course in their lane, making minor steering errors that are often corrected quickly and abruptly. This effect occurs at an early stage when drowsiness kicks in -- often before the dangerous microsleep phase.

Mercedes-Benz closely studied the physiological indicators in more than 550 male and female drivers that occur when fatigue becomes a factor when driving. These in-depth studies led to the development of technology to monitor driver and vehicle variables and provide a safety alert if drowsy driving is detected.

The ATTENTION ASSIST system includes highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor and observe the driver's steering behavior across 70 different parameters which prove to be a very strong measure of the driver's condition. Among the monitors is a highly sensitive steering angle sensor that recognizes patterns of minor steering corrections. Once the system recognizes a drowsy driving pattern it emits an audible and visible warning -- in the form of an espresso cup icon in the instrument cluster.

Research has identified the following groups as high-risk for drowsy driving:

Young people -- sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little and drive at night. People 25 years old and under account for 55 percent of fall-asleep crashes with 78 percent being caused by male drivers.

Shift workers, those working long hours or business travelers -- night shift workers are six times more likely to fall asleep at the wheel and those working more than 60 hours a week are four times more likely. Business travelers who spend many hours driving as part of their job or encounter jet lag after long flights are also at serious risk for drowsy driving.

Commercial drivers -- account for at least 15 percent of all fatigue-related crashes involving heavy trucks given high mileage trips and night driving when the body is sleepiest.

Drivers with undiagnosed or untreated sleeping disorders -- such as obstructive sleep apnea have up to a seven times increased risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Sleep apnea occurs in four percent of middle-aged men and two percent of middle-aged women. Most people with this sleep and breathing disorder remain undiagnosed.

At one time or another, fatigue will affect all drivers. Anyone who drives is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Just like alcohol and drugs, fatigue impairs judgment, mood, reaction times and driving performance. In fact, studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%, the legal limit in all states.

Short naps and caffeine can improve alertness and driving performance. If a driver feels sleepy, taking a fifteen minute nap followed by ingesting the amount of caffeine in two cups of coffee can help ward off the effects of fatigue for a couple hours. A nap and caffeine is not a substitute for a good night's sleep but they may keep a driver alert until they can get to a stop for the night.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class arrives in U.S. dealerships June 2009 and will start at $48,600. Additional information on the all-new E-Class can be found at http://www.mbusa.com/e-class.

About the National Sleep Foundation

National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving sleep health and safety by achieving greater awareness of sleep and sleep disorders through education and advocacy. NSF's membership includes researchers and clinicians focused on sleep medicine as well as other professionals in the health/medical/science fields, patients, people affected by drowsy driving, individuals, and more than 1000 healthcare facilities throughout North America that join the Foundation's Sleep Care Center Membership Program. For more information visit www.sleepfoundation.org.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA

According to the American Medical Association, stress is a factor in more than 75 percent of illness today. The World Health Organization cites stress as America's No. 1 Health Problem. And the American Psychological Association calls stress a "major health problem." An Arizona entrepreneur, however, is launching a business that he hopes will send stress levels tumbling.

This summer, Nick Janicki will open a True REST Float Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. - the first of its kind in the U.S. In the United Kingdom, more than 300 of these types of centers are in operation, with hundreds more throughout Europe. REST stands for Restricted Environmental Stimulus Therapy, a name developed in the late 1970s by Peter Suedfeld and Roderick Borrie for a technique that had previously been called Sensory Deprivation (SD) or Sensory Isolation. The use of sensory restriction as an intervention that alters human consciousness actually began in 1951 at the McGill University Perceptual Isolation Laboratory.

Flotation REST involves floating on top of a pool of saltwater - 10 inches of water and 800 pounds of Epsom salt - in a specially designed tank with minimal light and sound. Because of the high salt content of the water, which is heated to skin surface temperature, a person is able to float effortlessly. The tanks are completely safe and clients of True REST can customize their experience with music and a multitude of light colors for ambiance.

"True REST is a state of complete relaxation," said Janicki. "It's a great way to escape the stresses of everyday life."

Flotation REST has been associated with the following benefits:

    -- Eliminates jet lag
    -- Improves sleep
    -- Quickens rehabilitation and recovery
    -- Relieves pain
    -- Boosts immunity
    -- Improves circulation
    -- Reduces blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and oxygen consumption
    -- Sharpens mental clarity and alertness

"The float tank is not a hypothetical laboratory phenomenon, but a viable, proven technology," according to Dr. Henry Adams of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Studies have shown REST to be effective in treating various eating disorders, in decreasing heavy drinking, and in treating a variety of other behavioral and mental health disorders. A University of Arizona study examined chamber REST as a relapse prevention technique for substance abusers enrolled in traditional outpatient treatment programs. At the end of four years of follow-up, 43 percent remained continuously sober and drug-free. None of the control group did so for eight months of follow-up.

Treatment in the form of floating in huge tanks of saltwater, so-called "floating," is effective for chronic stress-related pain, according to a study at Karlstad University, Sweden. Patients treated with floating suffered from long-term health problems. Several had been diagnosed with "burnout." After a seven-week treatment period, 22 percent of the participants in the floating group were entirely pain-free, and 56 percent experienced a clear improvement, reported the International Journal of Stress Management.

True REST sessions are priced on either a single session, monthly, twice a month or weekly rates. Group rates are available upon request. Reservations are being accepted now, with pre-opening discounts. For more information, visit http://www.true-rest.com.

SOURCE True REST, LLC

Analyses of Efficacy and Absence of Rebound Effect in a Clinical Study of Intermezzo(R) (Zolpidem Tartrate Sublingual Tablet 3.5 mg) to Treat Middle-of-the-Night (MOTN) Awakening on an As-Needed Basis

Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSPT), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary products that address important therapeutic needs in the field of neuroscience, announced today the presentation of data from a clinical study of Intermezzo(R) in two posters at the SLEEP 2009 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in Seattle, Washington. Intermezzo(R) is a sublingual low dose formulation of zolpidem currently under regulatory review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved within the anticipated time frame, Intermezzo(R) will be the first commercially available sleep aid designed specifically for use as-needed in the middle of the night when patients awaken and have difficulty returning to sleep.

The first poster, titled "As-Needed Treatment of Insomnia Following MOTN Awakening: Clinical Efficacy of Low-Dose Zolpidem Tartrate Sublingual Tablet," was presented on June 8, 2009 by Thomas Roth, Ph.D., Chief of Sleep Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital Sleep Disorders and Research Center. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablet 3.5 mg (ZST) when taken on an as-needed (prn) basis during a one-month period of time for the treatment of middle-of-the-night (MOTN) awakenings followed by difficulty returning to sleep.

In the study, 295 adults (aged 18 to 64 years) with insomnia characterized by MOTN awakenings and difficulty returning to sleep were randomized to receive four weeks of double-blind treatment with either ZST or placebo. Study medication was to be taken only when needed (prn) at the time of awakening with difficulty returning to sleep. The study included a two-week, single-blinded, placebo screening period. An interactive voice response system (IVRS) was utilized for patient data collection. Results indicated that, compared to placebo, ZST significantly reduced latency to sleep onset after MOTN awakenings and improved sleep quality and next-day alertness ratings throughout the treatment period. Furthermore, ZST improved the post-MOTN sleep maintenance parameters of wake after sleep onset and number of awakenings versus placebo. The 3.5 mg zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablet was well tolerated and no safety issues were identified.

The second poster, titled "Absence of Rebound Effects with Low-Dose Zolpidem Tartrate Sublingual Tablet 3.5 mg As-Needed Use: Preliminary Analysis," was presented on June 8, 2009 by Russell Rosenberg, Ph.D., Founder and Director of NeuroTrials Research and the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine. This poster presents the results of post hoc analyses to evaluate whether rebound effects occurred in the study described above. Rebound is typically defined as the effect after a medication is discontinued, when the symptoms being treated by that medication return with severity greater than before the medication was first taken. The intent of this analysis was to assess whether ZST taken only when needed (prn) after a middle of the night awakening would result in rebound insomnia on nights when the medication was not taken. The analysis evaluated the sleep characteristics on non-dosing nights and average weekly tablet use.

On nights when medication was not taken, no rebound effects were seen, as determined by total sleep time, sleep latency at the beginning of the night and sleep quality. In the study, 65 percent of the patients did not take medication nightly and there was no evidence of increased utilization of drug over the four week treatment period.

Glenn A. Oclassen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcept Pharmaceuticals, commented, "The posters presented by Drs. Roth and Rosenberg reflect the growing awareness among clinicians that middle of the night awakening with difficulty returning to sleep is an important insomnia concern. We are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with these highly regarded researchers."

SOURCE Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

What's the best gift-giving strategy if you're a woman trying to figure out how to please her man on Father's Day? Do what little kids do - give him the gift you really want for yourself.

OK, that probably rules out the '65 Mustang and the even-bigger screen TV.

So what would be the best present for millions of women - one that would actually be a true gift to their mates as well? How about something that would put an end to his cosmically annoying snoring? That way you both win - you finally get a good night's sleep and he gets to live with a more rested, nicer you (and probably sleep better himself).

That's the idea behind a unique Father's Day gift suggestion from the makers of Brez(R), a revolutionary new and effective anti-snoring device - give your man the means to stop snoring and then reward him handsomely when he does.

If you have any doubt that many women would find that idea appealing, you need only turn to a study by the National Sleep Foundation. Of respondents who were married or living with someone, 23% reported one partner regularly camping out in a separate bedroom or on the sofa because one partner had sleep problems.

The great thing about making a Father's Day present of an anti-snoring aid is that there are a lot to choose from. The problem, though, is that the vast majority are uncomfortable to wear, ugly or make unsubstantiated claims about how well they work.

But Brez(R), (www.mybrez.com) which has come on the market this year just in time for Father's Day, has been found in a clinical trial to significantly reduce snoring and to also significantly improve (by 88%) the sleep quality reported by test subjects' bed partners.

Brez(R) (pronounced "breeze") is made of soft and comfortable, nearly invisible medical grade material that inserts easily into the nose. Brez(R) gently props open nasal passages to reduce the tissue vibrations that cause primary snoring. Brez(R) also allows greater air flow and can be worn unnoticed during the day when some users report it relieves nasal congestion. (Brez(R) cannot treat sleep apnea, a condition in which interrupted breathing causes snoring - a special breathing apparatus is sometimes medically prescribed for that.)

For an illustration of how much better women sleep when their bedmates use Brez(R), you need go no further than Mindi Osborn, CEO of AirWare, Inc., the company that makes Brez(R). Before she decided to become associated with AirWare, she wanted to be sure the product would work on a key test subject: her husband Jim.

"Every morning around 2, his snoring would wake me up. I would be livid. I'd grab my pillow, my cat, a blanket and go stomping across the house to the guest room. This went on for years," Osborn says.

"It controlled our lives. I was exhausted. I would say things to him. He didn't care. I was so tired and he would blame it on hormones."

Then Mindi met David Dolezal, the inventor of Brez(R), who provided her with a sample, which her husband tried. It worked.

"That night, seriously, I thought he was dead. I was up all night. I was touching him, I was checking for his pulse. I was deafened by the silence. He woke up and he felt amazing and I was exhausted because I was literally up the whole night."

"My doctor had given me sleeping pills, everything, to help me sleep through his snoring. So this was really significant."

"It really had a major impact on my life. Our relationship is definitely better. "

Father's Day gift shoppers can take advantage of a special $2 coupon being offered at mybrez.com. Brez(R) is available at many national and independent pharmacies and online.

Source: AirWave, Inc.