Journal Watch January 2025

 

 

PAIN

Non-opioid pain relievers beat opioids after dental surgery: A combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) controls pain after wisdom tooth removal better than opioids, according to a Rutgers Health study that could change how dentists treat post-surgical pain. The trial in more than 1,800 patients found that those given a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen experienced less pain, better sleep and higher satisfaction compared with those receiving the opioid hydrocodone with acetaminophen. Results in The Journal of American Dental Association showed the non-opioid combination provided superior pain relief during the peak-pain period in the two days after surgery. Patients taking the non-opioid medications also reported better sleep quality on the first night and less interference with daily activities throughout recovery.

 

Behavioral intervention decreases how much pain affects daily activities in people with dialysis-dependent kidney failure: Among people with dialysis-dependent kidney failure, a form of psychological therapy called pain coping skills training reduced how much pain got in the way of their daily lives, also known as pain interference. The clinical trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that training people on how to manage pain reduced the extent to which pain affected their work and social activities, mood, and relationships. The pain coping skills training, which was adapted for people undergoing long-term dialysis, also improved other effects of pain, including the intensity of pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Pain coping skills training is an approach widely used for chronic pain, but it had not previously been tested for people treated with dialysis. The study results indicate that pain coping skills training may be an appealing alternative or complement to pain medications. Although the effect of the pain coping skills training on the overall cohort was modest, its high acceptability, tolerability, and safety and its observed benefits to pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life support further research on developing nonpharmacologic, non-invasive strategies for managing pain in dialysis populations.   Pain coping skills training for patients receiving hemodialysis: The HOPE Consortium randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine

New drug to prevent migraine may start working right away: A drug recently approved to prevent migraine may start working right away, according to a study published in the December 23, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study looked at the drug atogepant, which is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist taken by mouth.

 

Healthy lifestyle changes shown to help low back pain: The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found integrating lifestyle support into back pain care could reduce disability and enhance quality of life. The randomised controlled trial included 346 participants from across Australia, all of whom had chronic low back pain and at least one lifestyle risk factor, such as obesity, poor diet, sedentary habits, or smoking. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the "Healthy Lifestyle Program (HeLP)" or standard guideline-based physiotherapy care for managing their low back pain. The HeLP participants received support from physiotherapists, dietitians and telephone health coaches who helped them work out which lifestyle habits might be influencing their back pain, such as weight, inactivity, poor diet, poor sleep, smoking or excessive alcohol use. They were then provided evidence-based advice over a six-month period to help address the lifestyle challenge.

 

Painful skin when tapering cortisone cream: Painful skin and trouble sleeping are among the problems reported when tapering cortisone cream for atopic eczema. This has been shown by a study headed by the University of Gothenburg. Many users consider the problems to be caused by cortisone dependence. Acta Dermato Venereologica 

 

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans: Researchers from Florida Atlantic University conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of qigong on biopsychosocial outcomes in veterans with chronic low back pain. Results of the study, published in the journal Pain Management Nursing, indicate that all pain-related outcomes (pain intensity, low back pain-related disability, and pain interference) decreased significantly in the qigong group compared to the control group. In addition to chronic pain, sleep disturbance was significantly improved in the qigong group compared to the control group.

 

FDA ACTION

• Approved a generic once-daily injectable version of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) liraglutide (Victoza, Novo Nordisk) to lower blood sugar in people aged 10 years or older with type 2 diabetes (T2D), as an adjunct to diet and exercise. 

• Issued a nationwide ban on January 15 that will prohibit the use of red dye No. 3Trusted Source in food and beverage products and ingested drugs in the United States. The ban will take effect in 2027.

•  granted traditional approval to Calquence (acalabrutinib) with bendamustine and rituximab for adults with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who are ineligible for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

• Approved Alhemo (concizumab-mtci) for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors or hemophilia B with factor IX inhibitors. 

• Approved for marketing Sequana Medical NV’s alfapump System, an implanted pump indicated for the removal of excess peritoneal fluid in certain adult patients experiencing fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity due to liver cirrhosis. 

 

PREVENTION

Exercise

Aerobic exercise and weight loss in adults:  In this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, engaging in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week was associated with modest reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and body fat measures among adults with overweight or obesity. However, aerobic training exceeding 150 minutes per week at moderate intensity or greater may be needed to achieve clinically important reductions. JAMA Open Network

 

Boosting physical fitness increases language comprehension in older adults: Monolingual participants who increased their fitness over six months scored higher in language tests – but bilinguals didn’t see same boost. Ageing, Neuropsychology and Cognition

 

Aerobic exercise: a powerful ally in the fight against Alzheimer’s: Regular aerobic exercise could significantly reduce disease markers associated with Alzheimer’s, new research led by scientists at the University of Bristol (UK) and the Federal University of São Paulo (Brazil) has found. The findings provide new hope in the battle against this devastating disorder. Published in the journal Brain Research, the study highlights how physical activity not only protects healthy brain cells but also restores balance in the aging brain.

 

 

Sleep

Does job strain compromise long-term sleep quality?: In a recent study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, middle aged workers in the U.S. who reported high job strain at the start of the study experienced significantly more sleep disturbances over an average follow-up of nine years.

 

Your work habits may be threatening your sleep: People whose jobs are highly sedentary – an estimated 80% of the modern workforce – experience a much higher risk of insomnia symptoms. The findings, newly published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, show that among more than 1,000 employees surveyed over a decade, sedentary work and nonstandard work times are significant threats to sleep health. Those two factors, hastened by technological changes such as increased computer work, are linked to a 37% increase in insomnia symptoms among sedentary workers and a 66% greater risk of needing “catch-up sleep” – defined as frequent napping or sleeping in on weekends – for those who keep nontraditional work schedules.

 

Scientists show how sleep deprived brain permits intrusive thoughts: A new study has shown that sleep deprivation can inhibit the brain’s ability to suppress unwanted memories and intrusive thoughts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

 

 

Diet/Nutrition

Meat Substitutes Linked to 42% Higher Depression Risk in Vegetarians: New research found that vegetarians who ate plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% higher risk of depression as well as signs of greater inflammation. Plant-based meat alternatives are processed foods such as tofu, tempeh, meatless chicken, burgers, and bacon. Overall, eating plant-based meat alternatives didn’t have any extra health risks for vegetarians. Food FrontiersTrusted Source, 

 

Processed Red Meat May Raise Risk of Cognitive Decline, Dementia: A new study has found that those who eat more red meat, particularly processed red meat, may be at higher risk for dementia and cognitive decline compared to those who consume little to no red meat. The findings build on prior evidence linking processed red meat consumption and dementia risk, which were presented in July 2024 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia. The latest results of this research were published on January 15 in Neurology.

 

Researchers reveal ancient dietary habits and early human use of plant foods: A new archaeological study, conducted along the Jordan River banks south of northern Israel’s Hula Valley, offers a fresh perspective on the dietary habits of early humans, challenging conventional wisdom about prehistoric diets. The research reveals that ancient hunter-gatherers relied heavily on plant foods, particularly starchy plants, as a major energy source. The findings suggest that, contrary to popular belief, the diet of early hominids was not solely focused on animal protein, but rather, featured a diverse range of plant-based foods, including acorns, cereals, legumes, and aquatic plants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS),

 

A healthy diet is key to a healthy gut microbiome: A varied diet rich in vegetables is known to be healthy for one’s well-being. Excessive consumption of meat, especially red meat, can lead to chronic and cardiovascular diseases. That is also because what we eat shapes the gut microbiome. At the same time, excluding certain foods, such as dairy or animal products, is not necessarily a general solution to achieve microbial balance. But can we find out which food products determine differences in the gut microbiome? Starting from this question, a group of researchers analyzed biological samples from 21,561 individuals (vegans, vegetarians and omnivores) living in the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy, and found that the dietary pattern has a strong influence on the gut microbiome and on specific gut microbes that are associated with better health. The data have been published in Nature Microbiology. "We have observed – emphasizes Nicola Segata – that the quantity and diversity of plant-based foods have a very positive impact on the microbiome. Avoiding meat or dairy products does not necessarily have a positive effect if it does not come with a variety of quality plant-based products. From the point of view of the microbiome, what we can generally recommend is that it is important to eat many plant-based foods, especially those rich in fiber.

 

US News & World Report’s 2025 Best Diets: DASH diet recognized as best heart-healthy diet, ranks as second-best diet overall and the best heart healthy diet. The DASH Diet is an eating plan that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat and that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. The diet includes whole grain products, fish, poultry and nuts, while reducing lean red meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-containing beverages compared to the typical American diet. It is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as protein and fiber. 

 

Mediterranean diet changes gut bacteria, boosting memory and cognition: In a study published in Gut Microbes Reports, researchers at Tulane University School of Medicine found that subjects following a Mediterranean diet developed distinctly different gut bacteria patterns compared to those eating a typical Western diet. These bacterial changes correlated with better memory and cognitive performance.

 

Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials demonstrate beef can be enjoyed in variety of heart-healthy diets: A recently published, comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis has added to the growing body of evidence showing that beef can be enjoyed in a heart-healthy diet. Specifically, research consistently demonstrated that eating two (3-ounce) servings of unprocessed beef, on average, in a daily dietary pattern had no significant impact on most cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The study, “Beef Consumption and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” was published in Current Developments in Nutrition. Consistent evidence from previously published RCTs demonstrates that 1-2 servings of lean beef can be enjoyed daily as part of a heart-healthy diet. For example, the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) study was a landmark clinical trial demonstrating how subjects who included 4-5.4 ounces of lean beef into a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style dietary pattern rich in other healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy maintained normal cholesterol levels.

 

Morning Coffee May Help You Live Longer, Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The novel research, published January 8 in the European Heart Journal, is the first of its kind to look at patterns of coffee drinking and whether the time of day of consumption affects mortality outcomes. People who consume coffee primarily in the morning, rather than throughout the day, had lower mortality risk compared to non-coffee drinkers, according to a new study. It’s unclear why morning coffee consumption appears to offer greater heart health benefits. Experts note that consuming coffee later in the day may disrupt sleep patterns.

 

Drinking about 4 cups of coffee daily may reduce risk for head and neck cancer: A recent pooled analysisTrusted Source published in the journal CTrusted SourceancerTrusted Source looked at drinking coffee and tea and the risk for head and neck cancer. The data examined over 9,500 cases of head and neck cancer and over 15,700 controls.  Overall, drinking certain amounts of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with a decreased risk for head and neck cancer compared to not drinking these beverages. Additionally, drinking between zero and one cup of decaffeinated coffee was associated with a decreased risk for oral cavity cancer. However, the researchers did find that drinking more than one cup of tea daily was associated with an increased risk for laryngeal cancer.

 

Gut bacteria may help dietary fiber fight colorectal cancer, study finds: A new study has reinforced advice that you should incorporate plenty of fiber-rich foods in your diet. Researchers found that when gut bacteria break down plant fiber, they produce two compounds that act on genes to help prevent the growth of cancers. The study is published in Nature Metabolism.Trusted Source

 

Elderberry juice shows benefits for weight management, metabolic health: Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent study. A clinical trial found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation. 

 

Sugary Drinks Linked to Diabetes, Heart Disease: A new study published January 6 in Nature MedicineTrusted Source charts the metabolic and cardiovascular complications associated with sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The researchers found nearly 1 in 10 new cases of type 2 diabetes, and more than 3% of cardiovascular disease cases could be traced back to sugary drinks.

 

Green tea drinkers have fewer brain lesions linked to dementia: The study, which is published in npj Science of FoodTrusted Source, found that regular consumption of green tea by older people was linked to having fewer cerebral white matter lesions, suggesting that green tea may help prevent dementiaTrusted Source.

 

 

Vitamins/Supplements

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 from the University of Eastern Finland.  published online in Diabetologia.

 

Adequate Protein Intake in Midlife Tied to Healthy Aging: Intake of protein, especially from plants, in middle age is associated with higher odds of healthy aging and positive mental and physical health status in older women, a recent analysis of the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) data suggests. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

 

Other

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Protects Older Adults From Severe Disease: Respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine significantly reduced severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) requiring hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visits in an older adult population, including substantial representation from the oldest age groups.  published online on December 13, 2024, in JAMA Network Open.

 

 

TREATMENT

Some Meds for Overactive Bladder Tied to Dementia: In middle-aged and older adults with overactive bladder, the drug selected for treatment may influence the risk for dementia. Use of any anticholinergic drug conferred a significant 18% increase in the risk for dementia.Men had a greater elevation of risk than women. Five other anticholinergics (darifenacin, fesoterodine fumarate, flavoxate hydrochloride, propiverine hydrochloride, and trospium chloride) were not significantly associated with elevated risk.  published online in BMJ Medicine

 

Study Finds Association Between Statins and Glaucoma: Adults with high cholesterol taking statins may have a significantly higher risk of developing glaucoma than those not taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs, an observational study of a large research database found. The study, published in Ophthalmology Glaucoma, analyzed electronic health records of 79,742 adults with hyperlipidemia in the All of Us Research Programdatabase from 2017 to 2022.  The 6365 statin users in the study population had a 47% greater unadjusted prevalence of glaucoma than nonusers of the drugs. The researchers also found statin users had significantly higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but even patients with optimal levels of LDL-C had higher rates of glaucoma.

 

IBS Relief: Is Combining Low-FODMAP and Gluten-Free Diets the Answer? For adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), combining a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) and a gluten-free diet (GFD) appears to improve clinical symptoms and reduce anxiety and depression, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis. Across several studies, the combined diet improved quality of life and reduced bloating, stomach pain, and the severity of IBS symptoms. Medscape

 

Wearable devices can detect and predict inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups: Data collected by wearable technology can identify disease flare-ups up to seven weeks in advance. The researchers found that circadian patterns of heart rate variability (a marker of nervous system function), along with heart rate, oxygenation, and daily activity, all measured by the wearable devices, were significantly altered when inflammation or symptoms were present. Moreover, these physiological markers could detect inflammation even in the absence of symptoms and distinguish whether symptoms were driven by active inflammation in the intestines.  Importantly, the researchers found that these metrics measured by wearables changed up to seven weeks before flares developed. Gastroenterology

 

Extended Paxlovid may help some people with long COVID, research suggests: An extended course of Paxlovid appears to help some patients with long Covid, according to research that suggests this treatment option holds promise for some of those struggling with debilitating symptoms. These results are at odds with recent research that has failed to show the antiviral can alleviate persistent symptoms of the disease. The authors said more study is needed to find out which patients may benefit from the drug and how long it should be given. Communications Medicine 

 

OTHER 

Why the Surgeon General Is Calling for Revised Guidelines on Alcohol Use: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released a new advisory recommending that alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, carry a warning about potential cancer risks. The recommendation was praised by the American Cancer Society (ACS).  The new guidelines, which will require approval from Congress, would inform consumers that drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol could increase the risk of developing at least seven cancer types, including: breast, colon, liver, throat, mouth, esophagus and voice box. A growing body of evidence warns of potential harms associated with alcohol consumption. An August 2024 study linked light to moderate drinking to a higher cancer risk in older adults, while a September 2024 study found that excessive alcohol use could increase the risk of six types of cancer.

 

‘Sandwich carers’ experience decline in mental and physical health: People who care for both their children and older family members – also known as ‘sandwich carers’ – suffer from deterioration in both their mental and physical health over time, finds a new study by UCL researchers. The research, published in Public Health, analysed data from around 2,000 sandwich carers and 2,000 non-sandwich carers from the UK Household Longitudinal Study between 2009 and 2020. 

 

Rural women face tougher time with menopause: Menopausal and postmenopausal women who live in rural areas reported more mood swings, muscle and joint pain, vaginal dryness and urinary problems than did their urban counterparts, according to a study published this month in Menopause.    

 

Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia and future neurological disorders: In this study, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia were associated with an increased risk of new-onset migraine, headache, epilepsy, sleep disorder, or mental fatigue within months to years after giving birth. Guidelines recommend follow-up after delivery for women with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia for their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. At these visits, caregivers should also pay attention to persisting or new-onset of neurological symptoms, since this group of women appears to be vulnerable to developing or experiencing neurological disorders. JAMA Neurology

 

Exposure to aircraft noise linked to worse heart function: People who live close to airports and are exposed to high aircraft noise levels could be at greater risk of poor heart function, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks, life-threatening heart rhythms and strokes, according to a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), looked at detailed heart imaging data from 3,635 people who lived close to four major airports in England.

 

Americans’ Top Causes of Anxiety Revealed: What current events are keeping Americans up at night? The economy, gun violence, and hate crimes top the list, results from a newly released American Psychiatric Association (APA) survey showed. Medscape 

 

Major Depression in Older Adults Tied to Risky Driving Behaviors: Older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit riskier driving behaviors than their nondepressed peers, including hard braking, cornering, and unpredictable driving patterns, new research showed. published online on December 30 in JAMA Network Open.

 

COVID-19 Takes a Greater Toll on Kidneys Than Pneumonia: COVID-19 survivors show a more pronounced decline in kidney function than those who recover from pneumonia caused by other infections. This decline in kidney function, measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), is particularly steep among individuals who require hospitalization for COVID-19.  published online in JAMA Network Open.

 

Cancer Cases Rising in Females, Declining in Males. Cancer death rates decreased by 34% from 1991 to 2022 in the United States, according to a report published January 16 by the American Cancer Society (ACS).  The Cancer Statistics, 2025 report shows this was mainly due to declines in the four most common types of cancer — lung, colorectal, breast and prostate. However, the rate of new cases of cancer — known as incidence — increased for many types of cancer during this period, including among females and younger adults.

 

Study shows head trauma may activate latent viruses, leading to neurodegeneration: Researchers have uncovered mechanisms that may link head injuries and concussions to the emergence of neurodegenerative disease, pointing to latent viruses lurking in most of our brains that may be activated by the jolt, leading to inflammation and accumulating damage over time. The results suggest the use of antiviral drugs as potential early preventive treatments post-head injury. Science Signaling 

 

In the Northeast, 50% of adult ticks carry Lyme disease carrying bacteria Across most of the Northeast, getting bitten by a blacklegged tick-- also called a deer tick -- is a risk during spring, summer, and fall. A new Dartmouth study, published in Parasites and Vectors, finds that 50% of adult blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease while 20% to 25% of the younger (nymph) blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria. Parasites & Vectors

 

Both High and Low HDL Levels Linked to Increased Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD):Both high and low HDL levels were associated with an increased risk for AMD, whereas low and high levels of triglyceride and LDL did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with the risk for AMD. A history of smoking and statin use showed significant associations with an increased risk for AMD. published online on January 3, 2025, in Ophthalmology

 

 

Life with Chronic Conditions: Doodle Away Stress and Anxiety

The first of the year can be stressful, as well as a bit depressing after all the holiday fun. And then there is the frigid conditions the whole country is experiencing. Doodling, of one sort or another, is a great way to destress, reduce anxiety and relax. Below are some videos to help get you started. I discovered that if I do this on card stock, I can cut them up and use them as note cards. 

 I make all sorts of designs using Sharpies, pens, pencils or whatever is lying around on my desk. That goes for paper too. While  the videos below talk about sharpies or other pens, whatever you have on hand is just fine. 

 

If you are looking for other ways to “take a break,” be sure to check out the Take a Break Pinterest Board.

 

One last thing, there is a lot of research that shows how beneficial doodling is in supporting health, well-being, concentration, creativity and more. It’s freezing cold in my office, so I’m not going to include links on that but definitely do a search if it’s of interest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life with Chronic Conditions: Preparing for 2025

Happy New Year. May it be filled with joy, love, good health, kindness and prosperity.

This is a hodgepodge of things to think about and consider for the year ahead. 

Let’s start with the polar vortex that may have already arrived in your part of the country or it’s on the way.

 

Prepare for Extremely cold temperatures and winter storms: People with chronic conditions, the elderly and the very young are most at risk from extreme cold, so preparation is key, particularly if you live in an area that seldom experiences frigid temps, let alone snow.

• Every state has some form of alert system. If you aren’t registered for it, you can do a quick search using your state’s name and “alert system.” Sign up so you receive notifications about weather, and other type of emergencies in your area.

• Prepare for power outages

• Have enough nonperishable food, water and medications to last for three days

• Update your first-aid kit

• Gather up your warmest clothing and blankets

• Keep your phone charged

• Minimize the time you and your pets spend outside: If you are going out, take precautions and dress appropriately

• Make sure your heating system is in good working order.

• Insulate pipes

• Open sink cabinets to expose pipes to heated air and disconnect hoses and sprinklers to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

• If you use a generator make sure it has sufficient fuel

• Have a back-up plan of where you can go if your home isn’t winter ready

• Check on neighbors, family and friends

 

Learn more ways to prepare:

• Don’t Be Frozen Out of Preparedness, Be #WinterReady 

• Winter Weather Safety from the National Weather Service

• Check local resources, particularly if you live in an area that rarely experiences cold temps, as many states are issuing guidelines along with information on warming shelters.

 

Bird Flu: Yup it could be a thing though the risk to public health is low. Here are two steps to take to prevent it.

• If you work closely with sick or dead birds or animals, wear PPE (personal protective equipment).

• If you drink or cook with milk, use pasteurized products. 

 

Dry January: Whether you’ve given up alcohol for the month, or are contemplating doing it, there are lots of health and financial benefits as well tips and resources to make it easier. While a few links are listed below, check out local resources from your health department, hospital, clinics etc. Having local resources can be very helpful. A few links and a video to consider:

• Tips for success

• Harvard Health Tips 

 

 

Try Cognitive Shuffling for better sleep: Wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep? The Cognitive Shuffle—Serial Diverse Imagining (SDI)—is a technique designed by Dr. Luc P. Beaudoin to help people get to sleep. It scrambles your thoughts. This helps you keep your mind off issues that prevent you from sleeping. Also, because The Cognitive Shuffle gets you to imagine random objects, the sleep regulators in your brain may be tricked into thinking that it’s time to fall asleep. The Cognitive Shuffle involves thinking of random items that are easy to visualize, non-threatening, and conducive to sleep. I’ve been doing this for a while and find it does work. Last night, I tried this video and was asleep well before it finished. 

 

To make or not to make resolutions. NPR’s Life Kit has a good post on this topic: New Year’s resolution ideas 25 fun and practical goals to reach for in 2025. Speaking of NPR, their article 9 Unexpected Things We Learned about Mental Health and our brains in 2024, is an interesting read with some tips that might make for some good “resolutions.”

 

5 nutrition goals that are better than weight loss: Losing weight is a popular New Year’s resolution, yet few keep to it. However, research shows that if you do things differently-adding instead of subtracting (e.g. eating more fiber)-you are more likely to be successfully. Check out the Popular Science article on ways to add instead of subtract. 

 

Finances: Always an issue, regardless of the year, for many, NPR has some good suggestions: 5 financial habits to leave behind for a more prosperous new year. 

 

 

 

 

Journal Watch December 2024

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) 

Herb-Drug Interactions: Clinical Digest from the NCCIH