PAIN
Significant Errors With ChatGPT for Migraine Drug Treatment: ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can provide headache information, makes significant errors regarding migraine drug treatments but does better when it comes to nonpharmacologic therapies, an assessment by headache specialists showed. The findings suggest doctors should counsel patients not to rely solely on ChatGPT for accurate information on migraine treatments, at least not in its current iteration. The findings were presented on June 13 at the American Headache Society (AHS) Annual Meeting 2024.
A New Psychotherapeutic 'Gold Standard' for Chronic Pain? A single course of treatment with emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) was associated with a significantly greater reduction in chronic pain severity than cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the current psychotherapeutic gold standard, a new study suggested. Two thirds of the patients who received EAET reported at least a 30% reduction in pain compared with 17% of those who received CBT. The randomized clinical trial also showed that individuals with depression and anxiety responded more favorably to EAET, a novel finding. The findings were published online on June 13 in JAMA Network Open
Use of massage therapy for pain: This study found that despite a large number of randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews of massage therapy for painful adult health conditions rated a minority of conclusions as moderate-certainty evidence and that conclusions with moderate- or high-certainty evidence that massage therapy was superior to other active therapies were rare. JAMA Network
Tell-tale gene affects success of drug used to treat chronic pain: In a study, women with chronic pelvic pain who had a naturally occurring variation of a gene, known as Neuregulin 3, in their DNA were more likely to experience relief after taking the painkilling drug gabapentin. Science
Survey finds most americans believe pain and urinary leakage is normal for women after having children: A new national survey by the Orlando Health Advanced Rehabilitation Institute finds most Americans believe it’s normal for women to experience pain, pressure and incontinence after having children. But experts say these are actually signs of pelvic floor issues, and while they are extremely common, affecting about a third of women, they are not normal.
Menstrual cramps can be worse in normal-length cycles without ovulation: According to current understanding, menstrual cramps only happen in cycles in which an egg is released, or an ovulatory cycle. But new research from the University of British Columbia (UBC) is challenging this notion. The findings, published in the Journal of Pain Research, reveal that some women not only experience cramps when no egg is released, but that cramps can be more severe and last longer during these anovulatory cycles.
Mobile app therapy leads to significant improvement in fibromyalgia management: New research led by the University of Cincinnati and Swing Therapeutics found that a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy led to significant improvements for patients with fibromyalgia. The multicenter, randomized controlled trial tested Stanza, a smartphone app that delivers acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a type of cognitive behavioral therapy recommended by international clinical guidelines for fibromyalgia management, with the results of the study published July 8 in The Lancet.
Too much treadmill? This could help your shin splints: A randomized controlled trial found that four weeks of gait training outdoors, in addition to home exercises often prescribed for shin splints, led to improved running biomechanics even when the runners were using a treadmill. These improvements included decreasing the time the runners’ feet were in contact with the ground or treadmill, a recently identified contributor to shin splints. Based on the trial results, the researchers, including UVA Health sports medicine expert David J. Hryvniak, DO, are recommending that clinicians begin including outdoor gait training as part of rehabilitation programs for patients struggling with chronic shin splints. The researchers have published their findings in the Journal of Biomechanics.
Could preventative drug be effective in people with migraine and rebound headache? A drug used to prevent migraine may also be effective in people with migraine who experience rebound headaches, according to a new study published in the June 26, 2024, online issue of Neurology®. People with chronic migraine who overused pain medication had fewer monthly migraine and headache days and fewer days using pain medication when taking the migraine prevention drug atogepant.
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Can Using Cannabis Decrease Diabetes Risk? Cannabis users may have a "healthier inflammatory cytokine profile, better insulin sensitivity, and higher levels of physical activity than nonusers," all of which can be linked to a potentially lower risk for diabetes, ongoing research suggested. American Diabetes Association 84th Scientific Sessions. Other recent work by Bryan and her colleagues focused on the public health implications of cannabis legalization. One study examined the acute effects of legal-market cannabis on regular users' subjective responses while running and found that cannabis use prior to exercise may lead to more enjoyment and runner's high symptoms, although it also led to feelings of greater exertion. The positive effects could make exercise more appealing to individuals — including those with or at risk for diabetes — who might not otherwise engage in it, Bryan suggested. Another study found that CBD-dominant forms of cannabis were associated with acute tension reduction, which might lead to longer-term reductions in anxiety. Bryan said the findings could be relevant in the context of diabetes distress.
Acupuncture can help boost sleep quality in Parkinson’s disease: When compared to a placebo form of acupuncture, the study participants saw improvements in both sleep and their quality of life. JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source.
Tai Chi reduces risk of inflammatory disease, treats insomnia among breast cancer survivors: New research confirms that both Tai Chi and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce insomnia in breast cancer survivors but also may provide additional health benefits by reducing inflammation and bolstering anti-viral defenses. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
New USF study: Mindfulness and managing emotions lead to better sleep: Mindfulness – focusing on the present moment – can improve sleep, reduce stress and improve overall health.
FDA ACTION
• Accelerated approval for Iqirvo (elafibranor) to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Trusted Source
• Approved a topical anticholinergic, sofpironium topical gel, 12.45%, for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in adults and children aged ≥ 9 years.
• Approved Kisunla (donanemab-azbt) injection for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
• granted accelerated approval to Krazati (adagrasib) plus cetuximab for adults with KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.
• approved Vyvgart Hytrulo (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) for the treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in adults. CIDP is a rare type of immune-mediated, inflammatory, peripheral nerve disorder that affects the myelin sheaths - the fatty coverings on the fibers that insulate and protect the nerves.
• Approved the vaccine, Capvaxive, for the following indications and use: for the prevention of invasive disease caused by 22 different serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae covered by the vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older. For the prevention of pneumonia caused by 21 different serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae covered by the vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older.
PREVENTION
Exercise
Walking Helps Guard Against Recurrent Low Back Pain: Among adults who recently recovered from an episode of low back pain, those who participated in an individualized walking program had fewer repeat episodes of low back pain and went longer before a recurrence than peers in a control group, the authors found. The study was published online on June 19 in The Lancet.
What Are the Health Benefits of Owning a Dog? People who have a dog have a fourfold greater chance of meeting the physical activity guidelines than those who do not have a dog. In fact, dog owners are forced to walk to take care of their dogs, and this factor is strongly associated with a lower risk for CVD and death. Having a dog positively influences blood pressure (BP). Lower average BP values are found in dog owners than in individuals in a control population, as well as a reduced risk for hypertension (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.80). Confounding factors, such as age and body weight, can influence this association, however. In a study on post–myocardial infarction patients with asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias, dog owners had a significantly lower probability of dying within 1 year than those who did not own a dog. Longitudinal studies conducted on adults before and after owning a dog suggested that dog owners become more active, and this finding has recently been confirmed in children. Medscape https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/what-are-health-benefits-owning-dog-2024a1000b
Exercise Can Help Prevent Bone Loss in People Taking GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs: People who were treated with the GLP-1 drug liraglutide and did an exercise program lost weight and body fat but were able to preserve their bone health. Both liraglutide and exercise helped people maintain weight loss, but exercise minimized the loss of bone density. Other research shows that certain types of exercise can strengthen bones, even in people not trying to lose weight. JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source.
Physical exercise prevents nerve damage during chemotherapy: Cancer treatments often cause nerve damage that can lead to long-lasting symptoms. Medication has proven ineffective in these cases. A sports scientist at the University of Basel, together with an interdisciplinary team from Germany, has now shown that simple exercises can prevent nerve damage. A research team led by sports scientist Dr. Fiona Streckmann from the University of Basel and the German Sport University Cologne has now shown that specific exercise, concomitant to cancer therapy, can prevent nerve damage in many cases. The researchers have reported their findings in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
Walking brings huge benefits for low back pain, study finds: A clinical trial by Macquarie University’s Spinal Pain Research Group has looked at whether walking could be an effective, cost-effective and accessible intervention for low back pain. Adults with a history of low back pain went nearly twice as long without a recurrence of their back pain if they walked regularly, the study found.
Your therapist wants you to go outside: Spending time in nature -- even as little as 10 minutes -- can yield short-term benefits for adults with mental illness, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Ecopsychology. The new meta-analysis examined 30 years of published research on the social, mental and physical health effects of exposure to nature, including urban nature.
Diet/Nutrition
Beet Juice May Help Heart Health for Post-Menopausal Women: A new study suggests that drinking beet juice daily may enhance blood vessel function more effectively than a placebo. When adopted as a daily habit during postmenopausal years, this improvement may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women. Participants consumed two 2.3-ounce bottles of concentrated beet juice, followed by one bottle every morning for 7 days. After several weeks, they consumed beet juice without nitrate. To measure vascular function, researchers analyzed blood vessel expansion when participants were and were not drinking the beet juice with nitrate. Results showed that drinking the beet juice with nitrate daily improved blood flow in comparison to the nitrate-free beet juice. However, the researchers found that neither treatment stopped the decline in blood vessel function after tissue damage had occurred in postmenopausal women.Frontiers in Nutrition.
Ultraprocessed Food Linked to Constipation: Consuming ultraprocessed food (UPF) and minimally processed food (MPF) is linked to higher and lower odds of constipation, respectively, with the effect of food processing independent of diet quality. published online in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Intermittent Fasting Tops Calorie Restriction for Gut Health: Individuals on an intermittent-fasting and protein-pacing (IF-P) diet had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms and increased diversity in gut microbiota than those on a calorie-restricted (CR) Mediterranean-style diet in a small, randomized trial. published online in Nature Communications.
Why Most Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Are Healthier Than Real Meat: While one recent study indicates that plant-based ultra-processed foods might increase the risk of heart disease and early death, a systematic review and meta-analysis, including 12 controlled trials, published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology suggests that plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) might be an exception, actually helping to improve cardiovascular health. According to the study, while the nutritional profiles of various PBMAs vary widely, overall, they have characteristics that make them heart-healthy. The researchers also found studies showing that PBMAs could improve certain cardiovascular risk factors, including total cholesterol, LDL, apolipoprotein B-100 (a form of LDL implicated in inherited forms of high cholesterol), and body weight.
They did note, however, that more studies are needed to conclude what the effects on heart health will be long-term.
Want to stay mentally sharp longer? Eat a healthy diet now: Eating a high-quality diet in youth and middle age could help keep your brain functioning well in your senior years, according to new preliminary findings from a study that used data collected from over 3,000 people followed for nearly seven decades. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that a healthy diet could help ward off Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. NUTRITION 2024
7 Widespread Myths About Intermittent Fasting Debunked by Dieticians: In a new articleTrusted Source published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology on June 19, dietitians sought to debunk what they concluded are common “myths” about the eating plan. These myths include intermittent fasting’s role in causing unhealthy diets, eating disorders, affecting lean muscle mass, and fertility issues.
Eating a Healthy Diet Now May Reduce Your Risk of Cognitive Decline Later: A new study that tracked diet and cognitive ability across seven decades found that individuals with a healthier diet had better cognitive outcomes over time. The research involved a cohort of more than 3,000 individuals living in the UK born in 1946. The findings suggest that eating a healthy diet consistently in childhood and midlife is important to maintaining brain health in old age. NUTRITION 2024,
Blood fat profiles confirm health benefits of replacing butter with high-quality plant oils: Switching from a diet high in saturated animal fats to one rich in plant-based unsaturated fats affects the fat composition in the blood, which in turn influences long-term disease risk. A study shows that it is possible to accurately measure diet-related fat changes in the blood and directly link them to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. "Our study confirms with even more certainty the health benefits of a diet high in unsaturated plant fats such as the Mediterranean diet and could help provide targeted dietary advice to those who would benefit most from changing their eating habits.” Nature Medicine
Mediterranean diet may help boost longevity in cancer survivors: A new study published in JACC CardioOncology suggests that a Mediterranean diet could support longevity and cardiovascular health in cancer survivors. The Mediterranean diet is known for its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, legumes, extra-virgin olive oil, and other healthy plant-based foods, along with some fish and seafood. This diet pattern also generally limits meat, poultry, dairy, and heavily-processed food intake.
Swapping butter for plant-based oils may reduce heart disease, diabetes risk: Recent research published in Nature MedicineTrusted Source found that diets high in plant-based unsaturated fats instead of saturated animal fats were associated with a reduced rate of type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease.
Sleep
Light at Night Tied to Diabetes Risk in Largest Study to Date: A study in The Lancet found that people who were exposed to the most light between 12:30 AM and 6 AM were 1.5 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who remained in darkness during that timeframe. The study builds on growing evidence linking nighttime light exposure to type 2 diabetes risk. But unlike previous large studies that relied on satellite data of outdoor light levels (an indirect measure of light exposure), the recent study looked at personal light exposure — that is, light measured directly on individuals — as recorded by a wrist-worn sensor.
Unhealthy sleep linked to diabetes in a diverse population: Persistently unhealthy sleep, either not enough or too much, is associated with a significantly increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in a racially and economically diverse adult population, an international team of researchers has reported. While previous research has linked suboptimal sleep durations to increased diabetes risk, the current report, published in the journal Diabetologia, extended these findings to a large cohort of primarily low-income, middle- to older-age Black and white adults in the southeastern United States.
Resistance exercise ‘activity breaks’ at night may improve sleep length: Resistance exercise ‘activity breaks’ at night may improve sleep length, suggest the findings of a small comparative study published in the open access journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. Three-minute breaks every 30 minutes over a period of 4 hours may be all that’s needed, the findings indicate. The exercise intervention involved three exercises – chair squats, calf raises, and standing knee raises with straight leg hip extensions. \
Vitamins
Taking a Daily Multivitamin May Not Help You Live Longer: In a large study involving nearly 400,000 US adults without a history of chronic diseases over a follow-up period of more than 20 years, those taking a daily multivitamin showed no improvement in mortality risk compared to those who did not. In fact, those who were taking the supplement demonstrated a slightly increased (4%) mortality risk. The average age of participants was 61.5. The findings, from researchers at the National Cancer Institute, were published in JAMA Network Open.Trusted Source
Probiotics Emerge as Promising Intervention in Cirrhosis: Probiotics appear to be beneficial for patients with cirrhosis, showing a reversal of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), improvement in liver function measures, and regulation of gut dysbiosis, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. They also improve quality of life and have a favorable safety profile, adding to their potential as a promising intervention for treating cirrhosis, the study authors wrote. The study was published online in Frontiers in Medicine.
Supplements slow disease progression during late stage of 'dry' age-related macular degeneration: In a new analysis of data, researchers have found that taking a daily supplement containing antioxidant vitamins and minerals slows progression of late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), potentially helping people with late-stage disease preserve their central vision. Ophthalmology
Other
Chronic Loneliness Tied to Increased Stroke Risk: Adults older than 50 years who report experiencing persistently high levels of loneliness have a 56% increased risk for stroke, a new study showed. The findings were published online on June 24 in eClinicalMedicine.
Intensive Lifestyle Change Linked to Improved Alzheimer's Symptoms: Healthy behaviors have been linked to a lower risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) but may also benefit patients already diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early AD, new research suggested. After 20 weeks, patients following an intensive multimodal lifestyle intervention showed significant improvements across three measures of cognition and function and less progression on one measure when compared with usual care. The intervention was delivered via Zoom after March 2020 due to COVID-19 and included a minimally processed vegan diet low in harmful fats, sweeteners, and refined carbohydrates with eight selected supplements. All meals and snacks were provided at no cost to the participant and spouse or study partner. An exercise physiologist led strength training at least three times per week and encouraged at least 30 minutes per day of aerobic exercise such as walking. One hour per day was devoted to supervised stress management practices such as meditation and yoga. Participants and spouses/partners also attended 1-hour group support sessions 3 days per week, supervised by a licensed mental health professional. The findings were published online on June 7, 2024, in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
New study finds 40-percent of cancer cases and almost half of all deaths in the US linked to modifiable risk factors: A new study finds four in 10 cancer cases and about one-half of all cancer deaths in adults 30 years old and older in the United States (or 713,340 cancer cases and 262,120 cancer deaths in 2019) could be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including cigarette smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, diet, and infections. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
US CDC Recommends Updated COVID Vaccines for Those Aged Six Months and Older: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that individuals aged six months and older should be given an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-25 immunization campaign, irrespective of whether they have previously been vaccinated for the disease. The recommendation will take effect as soon as the new vaccines from Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer become available later this year, the CDC said.
New Mid-Year Vaccine Recommendations From ACIP: ACIP, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, met for 3 days in June. New vaccines and new recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, COVID, and a new pneumococcal vaccine were revealed. Medscape
Delaying diabetes with diet and exercise for four years results in better long-term health: Individuals diagnosed with prediabetes can reduce their long-term risk of death and diabetes-related health complications if they delay the onset of diabetes for just four years through diet and exercise, according to new findings. Plos Medicine
TREATMENT
Tirzepatide Significantly Reduces Sleep Disruptions: The diabetes and weight loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes; Zepbound for obesity) was so effective at reducing sleep disruptions in patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that 40% to 50% no longer needed to use a continuous pressure airway positive (CPAP) device, according to two new studies. The two double-blind randomized controlled trials in patients with obesity and moderate-to-severe OSA were conducted at 60 sites in nine countries. The results were presented here at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Semaglutide Reduces CV Events and Diabetes Risk: The glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide(Wegovy, Ozempic) reduced cardiovascular events and reduced the risk of progression to diabetes by 73% in people with established cardiovascular disease and obesity compared with placebo, regardless of baseline A1c levels, according to two new analyses of the SELECT trial. The first of the two studies, presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions and published online in the journal Diabetes Care.
Inhaled Insulin Plus Degludec an Option for Type 1 Diabetes: The inhaled insulin Afrezza combined with a long-acting basal analog offers a non-inferior insulin treatment option for people with type 1 diabetes, new phase 4 data suggest. Medscape
Delaying Statin Therapy in Diabetes Increases CV Risk: Patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes who delay treatment with recommended statin therapy to address the well-known high risk for cardiovascular (CV) events show significantly higher rates of CV events over a 10-year follow-up compared with those treated without delay. Medscape
Fenofibrate Slows Diabetic Retinopathy Progression: The old, generic cholesterol drug fenofibrate has shown potential for slowing the progression of diabetic retinopathy in people with early retinal changes, with the potential to reduce the need for retinal laser or intravitreal injection treatment, new trial data suggest. In the multicenter LENS trial of more than 1100 people randomly assigned to fenofibrate or placebo for 4 years, fenofibrate led to a 27% reduction in the progression of, or treatment for, diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. The benefit was seen in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and in those with both normal and impaired kidney function.
Oral Extended-Release Ketamine Promising for Treatment-Resistant Depression: An extended-release oral tablet formulation of ketamine has shown promise for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) results of a phase 2 proof-of-concept study suggest. In the trial, twice weekly dosing of extended-release ketamine led to statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms. Overall tolerability was "excellent," researchers reported, and common side effects commonly associated with intravenous or intranasal ketamine such as dissociation, sedation, and increased blood pressure were "minimal." The study was published online on June 24 in Nature Medicine.
Ketamine May Be a More Effective Depression Treatment Than Electroconvulsive Therapy: In a recent study, scientists compared intravenous (injected) ketamine with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in people with treatment-resistant depression. While both are common treatments for the condition, they only work in approximately half of patients. However, the latest studyTrusted Source published in JAMA Network Open identifies certain factors that will help doctors determine the course of treatment most likely to work for the individual. They found that people who started treatment as outpatients and those with less severe symptoms benefited most from ketamine. Conversely, those who started treatment as in-patients and had more severe symptoms responded more quickly to ECT. Some measures of cognitive function were also related to treatment success. For instance, people who scored worse on a test of verbal intellectual ability responded more favorably to ketamine than ECT.
Anticoagulation Shows No Benefit in Preventing Second Stroke: Patients who have had a stroke are thought to be at a higher risk for another one, but oral anticoagulation with edoxaban led to no discernible reduction in the risk for a second stroke, and the risk for major bleeding was more than quadruple the risk with no anticoagulation, a subanalysis of a major European trial has shown. Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) 2024.
Wegovy May Cause Greater Weight Loss in Women Than Men: A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found the GLP-1drug Wegovy (semaglutide) helped females living with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) lose more weight than their male counterparts.
GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic May Reduce Risk of These 10 Cancers: New research published July 5 in the journal of the American Medical AssociationTrusted Source has found evidence that the use of semaglutide medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy may help reduce the risk of obesity-associated cancers in people with type 2 diabetes. These cancers included esophageal, colorectal, endometrial, gallbladder, kidney, liver, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer, plus meningioma and multiple myeloma.
GLP-1 Drugs Like Wegovy, Ozempic Potentially Linked to Blinding Disease: Patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity who take semaglutide appear to be at greater risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) compared to those prescribed a non GLP-1 drug. NAION is a condition that causes sudden blindness, typically in one eye, due to a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. There is no known treatment for the condition. JAMA OphthalmologyTrusted Source
Pairing Drugs Like Ozempic with SGLT2 Meds May Help Reduce Heart Attack, Stroke Risks: Two classes of diabetes drugs may also improve cardiovascular and kidney disease outcomes in people with or without diabetes. In a meta-analysis involving more than 70,000 patients with diabetes, SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease progression. When paired with a GLP-1 drug, the benefit increased. For individuals with type 2 diabetes, SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood sugar by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose; the excess sugar is instead excreted through urine. But they do more than that. Large trials suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the risk of kidney disease, Trusted Sourceheart attack, and stroke not only in patients with type 2 diabetes, but also, those without.
Metformin and other antidiabetic drugs can help reduce the risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes Analysis of more than 1.5 million records of patients with type 2 diabetes casts light on the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease and potential benefits associated with antidiabetic treatment. American Journal of Preventive Medicine
This Monthly Injection Helped Lower "Bad" Cholesterol by 50%: An investigational drug lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, in people who were unable to lower their LDL cholesterol enough using statins. Researchers say the results support the use of lerodalcibep as a treatment for people with existing cardiovascular disease or who are at high or very high risk of cardiovascular disease. Most people in the study who received once-monthly injections of lerodalcibep were able to reduce their LDL cholesterol level by 50% or more. They also met target levels for LDL cholesterol recommended by current guidelines. JAMA CardiologyTrusted Source
Reduced Risk for Peripheral Neuropathy Tied to Diabetes Medication: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Eli Lilly), the dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide–glucagon-like peptide 1 (GIP–GLP-1) receptor agonist that has shown significant benefits in diabetes and obesity, may also help prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), new research suggests. In a large database analysis of patients with type 2 diabetes, those taking tirzepatide had a significantly reduced risk for DPN over 2 years compared with their counterparts who were on insulin or other diabetes medications. Peripheral Nerve Society (PNS) 2024 Annual Meeting.
Victoza: Generic GLP-1 Drug Similar to Ozempic Now Available: Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of a generic form of Victoza (liraglutide), the first-ever generic GLP-1 drug to be made available in the United States.
Genetic Tests Can Help Determine Who is at Risk of Dying from Prostate Cancer: Genetic profiling can identify those most at risk of developing prostate cancer.
A new study estimates how early interventions in at-risk populations might impact early death from the disease. They find that lifestyle changes, like reducing smoking and maintaining a healthy weight, in these individuals could prevent thousands of prostate cancer deaths in the United States. JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source,
Prostate Meds Tied to Reduced Risk for Lewy Body Dementia: Certain medications that are used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are associated with a reduced risk for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), the second most common neurodegenerative type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Investigators found older men taking alpha-1 blockers terazosin, doxazosin, or alfuzosin (Tz/Dz/Az) were 40% less likely to develop DLB than those taking tamsulosin and 37% less likely than men taking the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) finasteride and dutasteride. Neurology.
Two-Drug Combo Promising for Methamphetamine Use Disorder: Extended-release injectable naltrexone combined with extended-release oral bupropion (NTX + BUPN) for moderate or severe methamphetamine use disorder was associated with a significant decrease in use of the drug, a new study showed. The study was published online on June 10 in Addiction.
Oral Anticoagulation, AF, and Recurrent Stroke Risk: New Data: Despite secondary prevention with oral anticoagulation (OAC), the risk for recurrent ischemic stroke (IS) and mortality is high in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF). However, OAC discontinuation doubled the risk for recurrent IS compared with those who continued on blood thinners, new research showed. The study was published online on June 24 in JAMA Neurology.
OTHER
‘Stresslaxing’: Why Trying to Relax Can Stress You Out: Recognizing you are stressed and need to relax is a good step toward helping yourself. However, when finding ways to de-stress adds more stress to your life, you may end up feeling “stresslaxed,” a counterproductive effect that can lead to a vicious cycle of increased anxiety and worry. “This term refers to the phenomena or experience of people who are in an anxious or stressed state trying to calm down and feel more relaxed by forcing themselves to take a break or unwind,” Dr. Michael Schirripa, psychiatrist, podcast host, and author of the upcoming novel Mindhunt, told Healthline. When people force themselves to relax, they can become more anxious, and they may worry more about how well or efficiently they are actually able to relax.
Cold, Flu Virus Can Trigger Long COVID Relapses: People who have recovered from long COVID can suffer relapses or flare-ups from new viral infections — not just from COVID but from cold, flu, and other viral pathogens, researchers have found. Medscape
Stress-related cell damage linked to negative mental and physical health effects among caregivers:Researchers at Rice University have found that this intense pressure can be felt at the cellular level and is linked to negative physical and mental health effects, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Rice University have found that this intense pressure can be felt at the cellular level and is linked to negative physical and mental health effects, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Psychosomatic Medicine
Study reveals link between playing contact sports and parkinsonism in individuals with chronic traumatic encephalopathy: The study of 481 deceased athletes by researchers at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and VA Boston Healthcare, published today in JAMA Neurology, reveals that most individuals with CTE developed parkinsonism, and CTE pathology appears to driving the parkinsonism symptoms in most cases. "In this study, we found that an additional eight years of contact sport play was associated with 50% increased risk of more severe disease in a specific area of the brainstem that controls movement." JAMA Neurology
Early life antibiotic increases risk of asthma: providing clues to a potential prevention adult asthma: Early exposure to antibiotics can trigger long term susceptibility to asthma, according to new research. Importantly the research team isolated a molecule produced by gut bacteria that in the future could potentially be trialed as a simple treatment, in the form of a dietary supplement, for children at risk of asthma to prevent them developing the disease. Immunity
