First Medical Food Treatment for Anti-Psychotic Drug-Related Tardive Dyskinesia Introduced

    PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The first product that
 effectively manages the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia (TD) in men will be
 introduced in the U.S. today by SHS North America during the 155th Annual
 American Psychiatric Association Meeting in Philadelphia.  TARVIL(TM), by the
 use of the branched chain amino acids (BCAA), decreases symptoms of TD, a
 neurological disorder that is secondary to the anti-psychotic medications used
 to treat severe mental illness such as schizophrenia.  TD symptoms can range
 from mild to severe based on the frequency and intensity of involuntary
 abnormal movements of the face, mouth and extremities.  TD symptoms can
 include repetitive movements of the tongue, such as protrusions; of the jaw,
 such as chewing; and of the fingers, such as flicking.  In severe states,
 movements, such as tongue protrusions, can be seen at the rate of 10 per
 minute.
     TD affects as many as 1 million people in the U.S. who receive treatment
 with anti-psychotic medications.
     Clinical research findings have shown that a decreased ability to clear
 the amino acid phenylalanine from the plasma is associated with symptoms of TD
 in men.  It is also known that ingestion of BCAA reduces plasma levels of
 phenylalanine and its availability to the brain.  A lead study presented today
 at the APA by Mary Ann Richardson, PhD, Director of the Movement Disorders and
 Molecular Psychiatric Division of the Nathan S. Kline Institute of Psychiatric
 Research, New York State Office of Mental Health in Orangeburg, NY,
 demonstrates that ingestion of the BCAA-based medical food TARVIL increases
 plasma BCAA levels, decreases plasma levels of phenylalanine and significantly
 reduces TD symptoms.
     "Oftentimes, symptoms of TD are so disfiguring that this disorder
 alienates patients and their families and they are reluctant to go out in
 public," said Mark De Fries, CEO of SHS North America.  "Patients with severe
 TD can now use TARVIL and reduce these unwanted movements without stopping
 their anti-psychotic medications."
     Studies have determined that TD develops in 15 to 20 percent of patients
 taking anti-psychotic medications for several years.  "In many cases, TD
 symptoms continue even after anti-psychotic medication is stopped," said De
 Fries.  "TARVIL will relieve a lot of patients, especially those who are
 institutionalized with serious psychotic conditions."
     TARVIL is a powdered drink mix with a pineapple flavor.  Recommended usage
 under guidance of a physician is three times a day with intake amounts
 dependent on the patient's body weight and medical condition.
 
     SHS North America, located in Rockville, MD, is a recognized world leader
 in specialized clinical nutrition.  The company markets and distributes
 medical foods for the dietary management of metabolic, allergic,
 gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.  Other products include
 Neocate(R), an amino acid-based, hypoallergenic infant formula for cow milk
 allergy and multiple food protein intolerance; Periflex(R) and Phlexy-10(R),
 both medical foods for the dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU); and
 KetoCal(TM), a nutritionally complete ketogenic formula for individuals over
 the age of one year with intractable epilepsy.
     For more information, visit http://www.tarvil.com or call 1-877-482-7845.
 
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SOURCE  SHS North America