Chronic pain can be predicted within three days of an injury: After only one to three days of a whiplash injury, scientists can predict which patients will develop chronic pain based on the extent of cross 'talk' between two regions of the brain, and the person's anxiety level after the injury, according to a new study . The study showed the more the hippocampus -- the brain's memory center -- talked to the cortex -- involved in long term memory storage -- the more likely the person is to develop chronic pain. In addition, the higher a person's anxiety immediately after the car accident, the more precisely scientists could predict the chronic pain people reported one year after the accident. This is the first study to show that only a few days after a given injury, the brain can adapt in a way that imparts a risk for the development of chronic pain. Nature Mental Health
A healthy diet helps the weighty battle with chronic pain: Now new research from the University of South Australia shows that adopting a healthy diet can reduce the severity of chronic pain, presenting an easy and accessible way for sufferers to better manage their condition. Exploring associations between body fat, diet, and pain, researchers found that a greater consumption of foods within the Australian Dietary Guidelines was directly associated with lower levels of body pain, particularly among women.
Study finds spinal manipulative therapy benefits patients with tension-type headaches: A team of researchers led by University Hospitals Connor Whole Health have identified an association between spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and a reduced likelihood of butalbital prescription and medication overuse headache (MOH) for patients experiencing tension-type headaches (TTH). Their retrospective study, published in Health Science Reports, includes more than 6,200 patients from a national US database spanning 2013 to 2024.
Minimally invasive procedure relieves knee arthritis: A minimally invasive procedure provides significant relief from knee pain and may prevent the need for knee replacement surgery in people with osteoarthritis, according to a study being presented this week at the annual meetingof the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an innovative minimally invasive therapy for patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The genicular arteries have several branches that form a network around the knee joint. These vessels are altered in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. In GAE, an interventional radiologist injects small particles into selected branches that correspond to the site of knee pain to block blood flow to that area. Embolization of the abnormal blood vessels helps to disrupt the cycle of inflammation, cartilage destruction and sensory nerve growth that characterizes osteoarthritis.
Brain scan predicts effectiveness of spinal cord surgery: A 10-minute brain scan can predict the effectiveness of a risky spinal surgery to alleviate intractable pain. The Kobe University result gives doctors a much-needed biomarker to discuss with patients considering spinal cord stimulation. British Journal of Anaesthesia
A groundbreaking new approach to treating chronic abdominal pain: A research team at the University of Vienna, led by medicinal chemist Markus Muttenthaler, has developed a new class of oral peptide therapeutic leads for treating chronic abdominal pain. This groundbreaking innovation offers a safe, non-opioid-based solution for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which affect millions of people worldwide. The research results were recently published in the international edition of the renowned journal Angewandte Chemie.
Low-dose ketamine shows promise for pain relief in emergency department patients: The study, titled Low-dose ketamine as an adjunct to morphine: A randomized controlled trial among patients with and without current opioid use highlights the potential of low-dose ketamine as a valuable tool in pain management, providing a safe and effective option for emergency medicine physicians managing acute pain.
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Reiki therapy demonstrates significant symptom relief for cancer patients receiving infusion treatments: The study was recently published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. This retrospective review, conducted between March 2022 and February 2024, evaluated the effects of Reiki on outpatients receiving infusion treatments such as chemotherapy. You can read the article, “Evaluation of a Reiki Volunteer Program within Two Cancer Infusion Centers,” by clicking here.
FDA ACTION
• Approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• Approved Symvess, the first acellular tissue engineered vessel indicated for use in adults as a vascular conduit for extremity arterial injury when urgent revascularization (restoration of blood flow) is needed to avoid imminent limb loss, and autologous vein graft is not feasible.
• Approved Tryngolza (olezarsen), used with diet, to reduce triglycerides (TG) in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS).
• Approved Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd) an allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy, for steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR-aGVHD) in pediatric patients 2 months of age and older.
• Approved Ensacove (ensartinib, Xcovery Holdings, Inc.) for adult patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received an ALK-inhibitor.
• Approved Unloxcyt (cosibelimab-ipdl), a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody, for adults with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mCSCC) or locally advanced CSCC (laCSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation.
• Approved Crenessity (crinecerfont) to be used together with glucocorticoids (steroids) to control androgen (a testosterone-like hormone) levels in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
• Approved Imfinzi (durvalumab, AstraZeneca) for adults with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Approved Attruby (acoramidis) to treat adults with cardiomyopathy (disorder that affects heart muscle) of wild-type or variant (hereditary) transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) to reduce death and hospitalization related to heart problems.
• Approved Revuforj (revumenib) a menin inhibitor, for relapsed or refractory acute leukemia with a lysine methyltransferase 2A gene (KMT2A) translocation in adult and pediatric patients 1 year and older.
PREVENTION
Exercise
Daily Walks Could Help You Live Over a Decade Longer: According to a study published online on November 14, 2024, in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, getting less physical activity is linked with premature death. However, the researchers found that increasing physical activity — for example, taking daily walks — could extend how long people live. If people were as active as the top one-quarter of Americans, they could live around 5 years longer. Additionally, if people who are among the least active brought their activity up to this level, they might add an additional 11 years to their lives.
Exercise Linked to Lower Mortality Risk in Patients With Dementia: Physical activity of any intensity after a diagnosis of dementia is associated with a significantly lower risk for all-cause mortality, a new study showed. Researchers noted that the findings suggest encouraging regular exercise may significantly improve survival rates in people with dementia. published online on October 29 in British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Short-term cognitive boost from exercise may last for 24 hours: The short-term boost our brains get after we do exercise persists throughout the following day, suggests a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Preserves Brain Health As You Age: Cardiorespiratory fitness among older adults is associated with better outcomes related to cognitive ability, including memory and executive functioning. According to new research, those benefits also appear to remain robust despite the presence of key risk factors for cognitive decline, such as old age and carrying the APOE4 geneTrusted Source, a predictor of Alzheimer’s disease. The findings were published December 10 in The British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Getting at Least 5,000 Steps a Day Could Improve Depression, Mood: In the paper, published December 16 in JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source, researchers found that adults who walked 5,000 or more steps a day had fewer depression symptoms compared to people who walked less. The benefits increased as people walked more. Researchers found that those who clocked at least 7,500 steps a day saw a 42% decrease in depression symptoms. The study did not look at whether the benefits of walking plateaued at some point beyond that. However, researchers found that even an increase of 1,000 steps a day resulted in a lower risk of depression.
Sleep
Irregular Sleep-Wake Cycles May Raise Heart Attack, Stroke Risk by 26%: Sleep regularity (waking up and going to bed at the same time every day) could be more important than sleep duration in predicting heart attack and stroke. A new study found that even when individuals got enough sleep, irregular sleep patterns increased their risk of cardiovascular events.
Conversely, more sleep regularity was protective against heart attack and stroke. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health,
The pathophysiological relationship and treatment progress of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, obesity, and metabolic syndrome: Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality globally, particularly among individuals with both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). These two conditions exacerbate each other, creating a vicious cycle that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the pathophysiological relationship between OSA and MetS is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This review explores current knowledge on the connection between OSA and MetS and discusses the progress in treatment options. The study was recently published in the Chronic Metabolic Diseases
Being on autopilot can help or hurt your New Year’s resolutions: A recent study, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, found that sleepiness increases reliance on habits – whether good or bad.
Diet/Nutrition
Ultra-processed Foods Drive Obesity, But a Mediterranean Diet May Help: A new study finds that higher ultra-processed food (UPF) intake is associated with an increased body mass index (BMI). The link between UPFs and higher BMI was most pronounced for soda consumption. The findings also demonstrate how adherence to the Mediterranean diet may impact BMI. The study is relatively small but builds on existing evidence showing the health dangers of consuming ultra-processed foods. Nutrients,
Dark Chocolate: A Bittersweet Remedy for Diabetes Risk: Consuming five or more servings per week of dark chocolate is associated with a lower risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with infrequent or no consumption. Conversely, a higher consumption of milk chocolate does not significantly affect the risk for diabetes and may contribute to greater weight gain. The risk for T2D decreased by 3% for each additional serving of dark chocolate consumed weekly, indicating a dose-response effect. published online in The BMJ
High Milk Intake Linked to Increased Heart Disease Risk in Women: Women with a high daily intake of milk have a greater risk of developing heart disease, according to a study by Dr Karl Michaëlsson and colleagues at Uppsala University in Sweden. The study analysed two prospective cohort studies involving more than 100,000 men and women.
Eating More Plant Than Animal Protein May Cut Your Heart Disease Risk: New research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who ate the highest ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein had a 19% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) when compared with those who ate the lowest ratio of plant to animal protein.
Cocoa or green tea could protect you from the negative effects of fatty foods during mental stress:New research has found that a flavanol-rich cocoa drink can protect the body's vasculature against stress even after eating high-fat food. Food & Function
Occasional Sweets Won’t Raise Cardiovascular Risk but Sugary Drinks Can: According to research published on December 9, 2024, in Frontiers in Public Health, having too much added sugar raises the risk of stroke or aneurysm. A study found that sugary drinks increase cardiovascular risk. However, occasional sweet treats did not present the same risk. Experts say sugary drinks spike blood sugar and cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance puts you at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. It is advised to keep your added sugar intake at 10% of calories or less.
Ultra-processed foods may drive colorectal cancer risk, study finds: A new study suggests that ultra-processed foods and inflammatory seed oils used in packaged food products may contribute to chronic inflammation, fueling colorectal cancer. Its findings pave the way for a new therapy -- resolution medicine -- which uses natural products in lieu of synthetic drugs to help reverse inflammation and potentially reverse colorectal cancer. Gut
Drinking plenty of water may actually be good for you: Researchers at UC San Francisco have taken a systematic look at the available evidence. They concluded that drinking enough water can help with weight loss and prevent kidney stones, as well as migraines, urinary tract infections and low blood pressure. The study, which analyzed 18 randomized controlled trials, appears Nov. 25 in JAMA Network Open. The researchers found the most evidence in favor of drinking water to prevent kidney stones and to help people lose weight. Drinking eight cups of water a day significantly decreased the likelihood of getting another kidney stone. Several studies found that drinking about six cups of water a day helped adults lose weight. But a study that included adolescents found that drinking a little more than eight cups of water a day had no effect.
Eating oily fish, fruits and cereals and drinking one pint of beer a week can cut risk of rheumatoid arthritis: Moderate alcohol consumption and a higher intake of fruits, oily fish, and cereals are linked to a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis, while tea and coffee may be linked to an increased risk, according to new research from the University of Leeds. A systematic review has looked at 30 different studies – between them involving nearly 10,000 people with rheumatoid arthritis – carried out between 2000 and 2024. The work sheds fresh light on the relationship between 32 different food groups, drinks and nutrients and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, with strong evidence that some food groups could help stave off the symptoms.
Plant-Based Diet Improves Uric Acid Levels, Gout Symptoms: A Mediterranean-inspired plant-based diet improved self-reported measures of gout as well as uric acid levels, a pilot study has found. Gout Hyperuricemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network
Coffee may help prolong lifespan by almost 2 years, on average: Now, a new review of the existing literature conducted by researchers at the University of Coimbra in Portugal says that drinking coffee regularly may add an average of 1.8 years of healthy living to a person’s life. The review was funded by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC), the collective nonprofit organisation set up by companies from the coffee industry, including illycaffè, JDE Peet’s, Lavazza, Nestlé, Paulig, and Tchibo. It was recently published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews.
Intermittent fasting may slow hair growth: A new study recently published in the journal CellTrusted Source reports that intermittent fasting may slow hair growth via both human and animal models.
Diet rich in whole plant foods and fish may keep colon cancer at bay: Research from Flinders University and Medical Research Institute in Australia, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, builds upon existing evidence uncovered by the same team, which shows that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes and dairy may help protect against gastrointestinal cancers.
Pastries vs. sodas: Not all added sugars pose the same heart disease risk: One study found that consuming sweetened beverages such as sodas and fruit drinks can increase the risk of several cardiovascular diseases. However, consuming no added sugar may also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The results also suggest that the sources of added sugar matter when it comes to cardiovascular disease risk. For instance, sweetened beverages were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, while treats like pastries and sweets were linked to a lower risk. Additionally, the study found non-linear associations between added sugar intake and several cardiovascular diseases, indicating that moderate intake might be less harmful than very low or very high intakes.” Frontiers in Public Health
Ultra-processed foods weaken muscles, raising osteoarthritis risk: People who consumed diets high in ultra-processed foods had increased fat deposits in their thighs, according to a new study, increasing their risk of knee osteoarthritis. The intramuscular fat deposits were found to occur regardless of the number of calories the participants in the study consumed or their level of physical activity. The results of the imaging study were presented at the Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society (RSNA) of North America
Occasional Wine With Mediterranean Diet May Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The study, published December 18 in the European Heart Journal, reports that drinking a small or moderate amount of wine with adherence to a Mediterranean diet may lower the risk of serious cardiovascular disease by as much as 50%.
How a Healthy Breakfast Could Lower Your Cardiovascular Disease Risk: People who consumed between 20% and 30% of their daily energy intake at breakfast and ate higher quality foods showed improvements in waist circumference, triglycerides, and HDL (good) cholesterol. Experts recommend healthy breakfast choices such as oatmeal, avocado toast, fruit, and eggs. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging.
Meat Substitutes Linked to 42% Higher Depression Risk in Vegetarians: Like other processed foods, some plant-based meat alternatives contain high amounts of sodium or other less-than-healthy ingredients, although the exact amount varies depending on how the products are manufactured. Research on the health-related benefits and risks of plant-based meat alternatives has been limited, but a new study, published December 16 in Food FrontiersTrusted Source, aimed to change that. The findings showed that eating plant-based meat alternatives didn’t have any extra health risks — or benefits — compared to not eating those processed foods. However, the researchers observed that vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% higher risk of depression as well as signs of greater inflammation compared to those who stuck to traditional vegetarian protein sources.
A low omega-6, omega-3 rich diet and fish oil may slow prostate cancer growth: A new study offers new evidence that dietary changes may help reduce cancer cell growth in patients undergoing active surveillance, a treatment approach that involves regular monitoring of the cancer without immediate intervention. Men on active surveillance who followed a low omega-6, high omega-3 diet with fish oil supplements had significantly lower levels of cancer cell proliferation after one year. Journal of Clinical Oncology
Vitamins/Supplements
High-dose IV vitamin C plus chemotherapy doubles survival in advanced pancreatic cancer: Results from a randomized phase 2 clinical trial show that adding high-dose, intravenous (IV) vitamin C to chemotherapy doubles the overall survival of patients with late-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer from eight months to 16 months. The approach also improves survival in clinical trial for glioblastoma. The findings were published in the November issue of Redox Biology
Taking high-dose vitamin D supplements for five years did not affect the incidence of type 2 diabetes:Using significantly higher doses of vitamin D than recommended for five years did not affect the incidence of type 2 diabetes in elderly men and women, according to a new study. Diabetologiah
Vitamin D Won’t Prevent Falls, Fractures In Older Adults. Here's What Will Help: Vitamin D has many health benefits, but it doesn’t reduce the risk of falling and it doesn’t prevent bone fractures in older adults. That’s the conclusion of a preliminary recommendation that members of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released this week. In their draft recommendation, USPSTF members said taking vitamin D supplements with or without calcium does not prevent falls or fractures in women who have gone through menopause or men 60 years and older. Their recommendation applies to people who live at home. It does not apply to people in assisted living or nursing homes. Nor does it apply to people who take vitamin D or calcium supplements for medical reasons or people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. There are some foods (fatty fish, canned tuna, cod liver oil, egg yolks, mushrooms) that provide a minimal amount of vitamin D, but the most effective way to obtain the nutrient is through sun exposure.
Is Vitamin E Beneficial for Bone Health?: Vitamin E may be best known for boosting skin and eye health as well as immune function. In recent years, researchers have explored the potential benefits of vitamin E on bone loss, especially in women with menopause-related osteoporosis. While data are beginning to roll in from these studies, evidence supporting a positive impact of vitamin E on osteoporosis and hip fracture risk in perimenopausal women remains elusive. Medscape
Other
Cervical Cancer Screening Includes New Self-Collection Method for HPV Testing: On December 10, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (UPSTF) released a new draft recommendation for cervical cancer screening that includes three screening methods — HPV tests, Pap tests (cytology), and co-testing (Pap and HPV) — to help detect early signs of the disease. Cervical cancer death rates in the U.S. are declining due to regular screening, but Black and Hispanic women still face disproportionately high risks.
This Quitline Program Helped Nearly Half of Young Adults Stop Vaping: Quitlines are free telephone services for people who smoke and use tobacco that provide support to help them quit. a new study from the RVO Health Center for Wellbeing Research found that a quitline-based intervention successfully helped young adults quit vaping. E-cigarettes are the most commonly usedTrusted Source tobacco product among young people. The research, funded by the American Heart AssociationTrusted Source, was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine on December 11.
Exercise and deep sleep give the brain a 24-hour boost: Researchers from University College London, in the United Kingdom, have found that the exercise-related improvement to cognitive performance may actually last for 24 hours. Scientists also linked sitting less and getting 6 or more hours of sleep — especially additional REM sleep and deep sleep — to better memory test scores the next day. The study was recently published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical ActivityTrusted Source.
Which cardiovascular drugs may help lower dementia risk? A study recently published in the journal Alzheimer’s & DementiaTrusted Source examined the relationship between certain cardiovascular disease medications and the risk for dementia. The study analyzed data from over 88,000 people with dementia and over 880,000 control participants who were dementia-free. Researchers found that taking certain commonly prescribed drugs for 5 years or more was associated with a decreased risk of dementia. These drugs included: antihypertensives, lipid lowering medications; diuretics; and oral anticoagulants.
TREATMENT
Diabetes Drug Class May Reduce Need for Gout Medications: Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduced the need for urate-lowering therapy (ULT) and gout flare therapies in people who had both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gout, new research has found. American College of Rheumatology 2024 Annual Meeting
New Pill Successfully Lowers Lp(a) Levels: Muvalaplin, a novel oral medication, safely and effectively lowers high levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), results from the phase 2 KRAKEN trial show. Concentrations of Lp(a) cholesterol are genetically determined and remain steady throughout life. Levels of 125 nmol/L or higher promote clotting and inflammation, significantly increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke, aortic stenosis, and peripheral artery disease. This affects about 20% of the population, particularly people of Black African and South Asian descent. American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2024
Shorter H pylori Treatment With Vonoprazan Shows Better Results: A new 10-day treatment regimen with the oral potassium-competitive acid blocker vonoprazan, and the antibiotics levofloxacin and amoxicillin, was significantly more effective at eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection than triple therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, according to the results of a randomized, multicenter study. In addition, the triple therapy regimen with vonoprazan was generally better tolerated than the 14-day omeprazole-based regimen. American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting
The Most Promising Treatments for Long COVID: Effective treatments for long COVID remain elusive because what works for one patient may be entirely ineffective for another. But as 2024 winds down, researchers have begun to pinpoint a number of treatments that are bringing relief to the 17 million Americans diagnosed with long COVID. A March 2024 study found that both fatigue and pain were improved in patients taking low-dose naltrexone. In another study, published in the June 2024 issue of Frontiers in Medicine, researchers found that low-dose naltrexone was associated with improvement of several clinical symptoms related to long COVID such as fatigue, poor sleep quality, brain fog, post-exertional malaise, and headache. A study published in the November 2023 issue of the journal Scientific Reports found that Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) led to a “considerable reduction of symptoms,” especially brain fog, fatigue, sensory overload, and overall improved functioning. Low-dose Abilify, which contains aripiprazole, an antipsychotic medication, has also been found to be effective for cognitive issues caused by long COVID. According to a June 2024 article in the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Modafinil can therapeutically act on these pathways, which possibly contributed to the symptomatic improvement.” But the medication has not been studied widely in patients with long COVID and has been shown to have interactions with other medications. A study published in the October 2023 issue of the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that metformin seemed to reduce instances of long COVID in patients who took it after being diagnosed with acute COVID. It seems less effective in patients who already have long COVID. Other data suggest that some patients with long COVID showed improvement after taking antihistamines. Research has shown that long COVID symptoms improved in 29% of patients with long COVID. Medscape
BCG Vaccine May Protect Against Long COVID Symptoms: Administering the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine during the active phase of COVID-19 may help protect against the development of long COVID. published online onNovember 19, 2024, in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
rTMS May Alleviate Common, Resistant Schizophrenia Symptoms: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is both safe and effective for treating nonexistent spoken voices heard by patients with schizophrenia, new research showed. In a randomized, sham controlled trial, patients who received imaging-navigated active rTMS over the left temporoparietal junction had a significantly greater reduction in Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) scores at both 2 and 6 weeks than those who received sham rTMS, meeting its primary outcome. The findings were published online on November 11 in JAMA Network Open.
Exclusive-US FDA Finds Widely Used Asthma Drug Impacts the Brain: U.S. government researchers have found that a widely prescribed asthma drug, Singulair, originally sold by Merck & Co may be linked to serious mental health problems for some patients, according to a scientific presentation reviewed by Reuters. American College of Toxicology
Examining T4/T3 Combination Therapy in Hypothyroidism: Levothyroxine (LT4) monotherapy remains the standard treatment for hypothyroidism, although a subset of patients continue to have hypothyroidism despite normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and serum-free thyroxine levels. LT4 and liothyronine (LT3) combination therapy to improve hypothyroidism remains a topic of interest. A clinical session at the recent American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2024 Meeting explored LT4/LT3 combination therapy. Speakers addressed the biochemical and clinical differences between monotherapy and combination therapy. Take-home messages included that combination treatment is both safe and effective and is preferred by many patients. Additionally, attendees heard an update on the Joint British Thyroid Association guidelines on the use of LT3 in hypothyroidism.
Oral Semaglutide 25-mg Dose May Provide Most Benefit: Oral semaglutide 25 mg appears to be just as effective in promoting weight loss and other beneficial outcomes as are the investigational 50-mg oral dose and the injectable 2.4-mg dose (Wegovy), in new research. Data from Novo Nordisk’s OASIS 4 trial suggest that “oral semaglutide 25 mg may represent an efficacious option for the treatment of overweight and obesity, particularly in patients who prefer oral administration.” Medscape
For AF, LAA Rivals Anticoagulants After Ablation: A left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device provides long-term thromboembolic protection that is equivalent to direct oral anticoagulants after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), along with a lower risk of bleeding, according to the multicenter, randomized OPTION trial. Based on this trial, which is the first to compare LAA closure with oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention after ablation for AF, LAA closure should now be considered "an effective first-line option," said Oussama M. Wazni, MD, head of the electrophysiology section at the Cleveland Clinic. published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Cognitive Decline in AF Not Reduced by Anticoagulation: A randomized placebo-controlled trial testing a direct oral anticoagulant for the prevention of cognitive decline in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been halted early for futility. After a median follow-up of 3.7 years, there was no difference between rivaroxaban 15 mg and placebo for a composite primary endpoint that included cognitive decline, stroke, and transient ischemic attack. American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2024
Novocure's Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Meets Main Goal in Late-stage Study: The therapy uses Tumor Treating Fields, or electric fields, to kill cancer cells while sparing most nearby healthy cells, using a portable device placed on the skin near the tumor. In the study, TTFields therapy concomitant with chemotherapy helped patients live for an average of 16.20 months, compared to 14.16 months in patients treated with chemotherapy alone, Novocure said. Medscape
Zepbound Leads to More Weight Loss Than Wegovy in Head-to-Head Clinical Trial: Zepbound is more effective at long-term weight loss than Wegovy, according to clinical trial results released by drug manufacturer Eli Lilly. Eli Lilly officials report that in their SURMOUNT-5 clinical trial Zepbound led to significant weight loss in 20% of study participants compared to nearly 14% in participants who took Wegovy. They also reported that 31% of people taking Zepbound achieved at least 25% body weight loss compared to 16% for those taking Wegovy. On average, people taking Zepbound lost about 50 pounds, while those taking Wegovy dropped about 33 pounds.
Hair growth drug safe at low doses for breast cancer patients: Hair loss during chemotherapy can cause enough distress for some women to lose self-confidence, which experts say may discourage them from seeking chemotherapy in the first place.
Oral minoxidil is a commonly prescribed treatment for hair loss. The drug is also the active ingredient in over-the-counter Rogaine. The prescription treatment is known, however, to dilate blood vessels, and experts worry that this could increase the heart-related side effects of chemotherapy and lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, or fluid buildup. Now, a study in women with breast cancer suggests that low oral doses of minoxidil, taken during or after cancer treatment, appear to regrow hair in most patients and without causing any serious heart-related side effects that require additional therapies or hospitalization. Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the new analysis included 51 women who were treated for various stages of breast cancer, of whom 25 had some combination of surgery or radiation in addition to chemotherapy, and 26 had only the former two therapies. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Electrical nerve stimulation eases long COVID pain and fatigue: A wearable electrical nerve stimulation device can provide relief to people experiencing the persistent pain and fatigue linked to long COVID, a study co-led by UCLA and Baylor College of Medicine researchers suggests. The study, published in the peer-reviewed Nature Scientific Reports, focused on a wearable Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device, which uses low-voltage electrical currents to reduce pain, fatigue, and mobility issues associated with long-COVID.
Common thyroid drug levothyroxine linked to bone mass loss: Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, showed that total body bone mass and density both decreased in adults over the age of 65 who received levothyroxine over a 6-year follow-up period. They presented the results at the Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America
Women Largely Unaware of Anti-Seizure Med Risks, More Education Needed: The majority of women with epilepsy are inadequately educated about the potential risks associated with anti-seizure medications (ASMs), which include teratogenicity and a reduction in the efficacy of hormonal birth control, early results of a new survey suggested. In addition, only about a third of survey respondents indicated that they were taking folic acid if pregnant or planning to be or using an effective contraceptive if they wanted to avoid pregnancy. American Epilepsy Society (AES) 78th Annual Meeting 2024.
New Guidance Recommends Metformin to Prevent Antipsychotic Weight Gain: A new evidence-based guideline recommends prescribing metformin when initiating antipsychotic treatment to help mitigate weight gain in certain instances. The guideline was published online on December 9 in Schizophrenia Bulletin.
Getting rehab earlier improves concussion outcomes: Even though most people naturally recover from concussions within four weeks, the study revealed people who delayed physical therapy had lingering deficits related to their reaction times for balance, motor function -- or body movements to perform tasks -- and the use of sensory information -- as in sight and touch -- for balance. Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal.
OTHER
Women with ovarian removal have unique risk and resilience factors for Alzheimer disease: New research has found that women who have had both ovaries surgically removed before the age of 50 and carry a variant of the apolipoprotein gene, the APOE4 allele, are at high risk of late-life Alzheimer disease (AD). Use of hormone therapy mitigates this risk. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
20th century lead exposure damaged American mental health: Exposure to car exhaust from leaded gas during childhood altered the balance of mental health in the U.S. population, making generations of Americans more depressed, anxious and inattentive or hyperactive, according to researchers. They estimate that 151 million cases of psychiatric disorder over the past 75 years have resulted from American children's exposure to lead. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
70 percent of young people with long Covid recover within two years, study finds: Most young people who were confirmed to have long Covid three months after a positive PCR test had recovered within 24 months, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. Nature Communications Medicine
Largest study of CTE in male ice hockey players finds odds increased 34% with each year played: A large study, of 77 deceased male ice hockey players, has found that the odds of having chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) increased by 34% each year played, and 18 of 19 National Hockey League players had CTE. CTE is a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries and most frequently found in former contact sport athletes exposed to repetitive head impacts (RHI). While many perceive CTE risk as limited to enforcers, this study makes it clear that all male ice hockey players are at risk. JAMA Network Open
Soccer heading damages brain regions affected in CTE, study finds: Heading is a widely used technique in soccer where the players control the direction of the ball by hitting it with their head. In recent years, research has been done that suggests a link between repeated head impacts and neurodegenerative diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). To identify how repeated head impacts affect the brain, the researchers compared brain MRIs of 352 male and female amateur soccer players, ranging in age from 18 to 53, to brain MRIs of 77 non-collision sport athletes, such as runners. Soccer players who headed the ball at high levels showed abnormality of the brain's white matter adjacent to sulci, which are deep grooves in the brain's surface. Abnormalities in this region of the brain are known to occur in very severe traumatic brain injuries. The abnormalities were most prominent in the frontal lobe of the brain, an area most susceptible to damage from trauma and frequently impacted during soccer heading. More repetitive head impacts were also associated with poorer verbal learning. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
