A Study Shows 'TARVIL' Reduces Involuntary Body Movements in Males
The first product that effectively manages the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia in men will be introduced in the U.S.

From: Company Press Release

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 22, 2002 -- 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.

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.

SOURCE SHS North America

/CONTACT: Pam Lippincott, +1-202-955-6222 or plippincott

spectrumscience.com, for SHS North America; or Mark A. De Fries, of SHS North America, +1-301-795-2300 or mdefries

shsna.com/ /Web site: http://www.tarvil.com