A recent study found that male patients with pulmonary disease have a very high risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis, which can be reduced by routine screening and early intervention. The study included 46 patients, most of whom were male, and showed that those with more severe lung disease are more likely to also have bone disease.
The MetLife Foundation Awards for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease recognize novel approaches to understanding and treating the disease. The winners, Dr. Clifford Jack Jr., Dr. Christine Van Broeckhoven, and Dr. Randall Bateman, have made significant discoveries that clarify our understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
Recent studies suggest that prolonged administration of human immunoglobulin can attenuate Alzheimer's disease-type cognitive dysfunction while promoting synaptic plasticity. This experimental observation provides a rational basis for rectifying inconsistent study outcomes in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials with IVIG.
A new study at the World Congress of Cardiology found that women with diagnosed heart disease are more likely to give birth to female babies. The study, which reviewed 200 pregnant women with cardiac disease, found that 75% of their children were female.
Researchers investigate gum disease in young and old mice and find a drop in Del-1 levels is associated with increased gum disease. Understanding the effects of Del-1 on the immune system could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for gum disease.
A new study on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Canadian First Nations people reveals distinct genetic variations and immune response patterns compared to white populations. The research found lower numbers of genetic variants involved in recognizing bacteria, potentially impacting the disease's progression.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has endorsed six standardized measures to determine rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. These measures are sensitive to change, can discriminate between low, moderate, and high disease activity states, and include remission criteria, making them feasible to perform in a clinical setting.
BIDMC researchers create novel antibodies that distinguish between healthy and disease-causing tau isoforms, raising the possibility of an immunization strategy for early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment. The findings also suggest that targeting only the disease-causing isoform could prevent or slow disease progression.
A pilot program at OB/GYN clinics screened 2,234 women for cardiovascular risk factors or disease. Cardiovascular assessment in these settings may enhance primary prevention and education to female patients. Many women are unaware of their heart disease risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Research suggests a connection between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease, with defective insulin signaling potentially impacting cognitive function. Studies show that treating Alzheimer's disease with anti-diabetic drugs can normalize insulin signaling and improve cognitive function.
Research published in JCI suggests a connection between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease, highlighting potential new therapeutics for treatment. The studies found that defective insulin signaling is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease and that treatment with a new anti-diabetic drug normalized insulin signaling and improv...
A recent study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified five novel genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease in Ashkenazi Jews. These findings provide new insights into the disease's causes and may lead to the development of novel treatment approaches.
A new study has identified five genetic mutations associated with Crohn's disease in Ashkenazi Jews, who are nearly four times more likely to develop the condition. The findings provide insights into the unique risk factors driving this higher prevalence rate.
A new map highlights well-defined areas of high Lyme disease risk in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, while low risk is found in the South. The study, which collected data from over 300 sites, emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and prevention to mitigate the spread of the disease.
A new study assesses the potential reasons for the continued lack of success in preventing and controlling Lyme disease in the US Northeast. The study identifies critical areas where additional knowledge is needed to improve prevention and control strategies, including host infestation rates, habitat diversity, and human behavior.
A nationwide study found demographic and clinical factors associated with Parkinson's disease survival. Dementia was diagnosed in 69.6% of the study population, particularly among black patients, and significantly increased mortality risk. Environmental exposures also seemed to influence survival rates.
The collaboration aims to build on Professor Susann Schweiger's discovery of the mechanism controlling disease-causing protein production. The project seeks to prevent toxic protein buildup in the brain and potentially provide a treatment for Huntington's Disease.
Parkinson's disease patients exhibit increased arm swing asymmetry and reduced coordination, which can be easily detected early with inexpensive accelerometers. This method may enhance early diagnosis and treatment opportunities, and researchers plan to further investigate its effectiveness.
Researchers developed a method to detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients using MRI brain scans, revealing higher Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predict worsening cognition. The study found an overlap between the two neurodegenerative diseases, raising hopes for early diagnosis and treatment.
A new blood test detects phosphorylated alpha-synuclein, allowing for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease before symptoms appear. This could help patients prepare for potential neurological problems caused by the disease.
Researchers found that Dantrolene, a muscle relaxant, reduces the severity of walking and balance problems in mice with Huntington's disease. The drug prevents calcium-dependent toxicity in laboratory-grown neurons and protects coordination in mice with HD-like disease.
A nationwide study finds depression and a history of suicide attempts in young people markedly increase their risk for dying from heart disease. Women are particularly at risk, with a three times higher risk of cardiovascular disease and 14 times higher risk of ischemic heart disease.
The study reveals that while the Hib vaccine has reduced Hib disease in young children, other strains of the bacteria continue to cause substantial disease in older adults and infants. The burden of disease is highest among the elderly and youngest age groups, with nearly a quarter of cases being fatal.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with Parkinson's disease are nearly three times more likely to experience leg motor restlessness than those without the disease. However, restless legs syndrome was not significantly more common among patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital found that patients with advanced liver disease have significantly higher healthcare costs compared to those with early stages of the disease. The average annual cost for patients with end-stage liver disease was estimated to be $59,995.
A protein that promotes neuron growth and blood vessel formation appears to halt brain degeneration in a genetic disease, according to Northwestern University research published in Nature Medicine. The study suggests a link between aging and the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, a disease causing cerebellum degeneration.
Epidemiological maps suggest South Texas is an area of high risk for Chagas infection, with potentially hundreds of undiagnosed cases. The disease can be hard to detect and may be misinterpreted as a flu-like illness, leading to delayed diagnosis.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a transcriptional biomarker that may assist in the monitoring of Huntington's disease activity and the evaluation of new medications. The biomarker, H2AFY, is overexpressed in the blood of individuals with Huntington's disease.
A team of researchers, led by Michael Levy, have traced the spread of Chagas disease in Peru using advanced mathematical methods and door-to-door surveys. They found that the parasite was introduced into the region around 20 years ago, with most infections occurring over the last decade.
A Wayne State University professor is developing multifunctional therapeutic agents to slow Parkinson's disease progression and alleviate symptoms. The research aims to promote survival of dopamine neurons, which degenerate in the disease.
Researchers have pinpointed a new genetic segment on chromosome 9 as the cause of familial motor neuron disease, with affected patients carrying hundreds of DNA repeats that disrupt multiple mechanisms in motor nerve cells. This discovery may lead to new blood tests for early detection and treatment avenues.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found no association between sickle cell trait and risk of non-diabetic or diabetic end-stage kidney disease. The study contradicts earlier findings that suggested having one copy of the sickle cell gene increased kidney disease risk.
Researchers found a genetic variation in the LRRK2 gene that reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease by nearly 20% in many populations. The study also identified different variants of the same gene that increase Parkinson's risk in Caucasians and Asians, providing evidence for multiple genetic risks contributing to the disease.
The new ESC guidelines on peripheral artery disease emphasize the need to assess patients with coronary artery disease for symptoms or asymptomatic atherosclerosis in other vascular areas. The guidelines also highlight the importance of considering multisite artery disease and the overall clinical status of patients.
A Swedish study published in American Heart Journal found that genetic factors are the primary cause of coronary heart disease, rather than family lifestyle. Adopted individuals with at least one biological parent having coronary heart disease had a 40-60% higher risk of developing the condition.
A study found a higher prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease in women with unexplained infertility, which was significantly higher at 5.9%. Dietary changes, specifically a gluten-free diet, improved fertility rates for these women.
A five-year study found that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to inflammation. Treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) reduced the risk, while certain risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure predicted new events.
Kansas State University researcher Michele Borgarelli has made significant strides in understanding chronic mitral valve disease in dogs, a condition similar to the same disease affecting humans. He aims to identify dogs at higher risk for progression of the disease to develop early interventions.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a genetic mutation in VPS35 that causes Parkinson's disease, leading to protein buildup in the brain. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding and treating the complex disease.
A recent study found that gum disease can increase the time it takes for women to conceive, with non-Caucasian women facing a greater risk. The study, which followed over 3,700 pregnant women, revealed that those with gum disease took an average of seven months to become pregnant, compared to five months for those without gum disease.
A team of researchers has discovered a naturally occurring disease in monkeys that shares similarities with multiple sclerosis, providing new insights into the cause of the disease. The discovery is associated with a herpes virus and could lead to significant advancements in MS research and treatment.
A new study found that a protein called soluble amyloid precursor protein beta (sAPPβ) may be a more accurate predictor of Alzheimer's disease than existing biomarkers. The researchers discovered that sAPPβ levels were significantly higher in participants who developed the disease, with an average of 1,200 nanograms per milliliter.
Despite better glucose, lipid and blood pressure control, diabetic kidney disease continues to increase in prevalence. Tight control of blood sugar levels did not lead to significant improvements in kidney function, suggesting additional interventions are needed to prevent the disease.
Researchers found that PKD1 gene activity is key to cyst formation in various forms of polycystic kidney and liver disease. Modulating PKD1 dosage may slow disease progression, providing a promising therapeutic target.
Researchers have identified three new genes associated with the risk of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease. The study found that genetic variations in EIF2AK3, STX6, and MOBP contribute to PSP risk, while also shedding light on the underlying cause of the disease.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that Lyme disease bacteria accumulate in lymph nodes, triggering a strong immune response but one that is not effective against the infection. The study suggests that B. burgdorferi has developed a novel strategy to subvert the immune system, allowing it to both provoke and evade an effective response.
Patients with elevated FGF-23 levels had a higher risk of end-stage renal disease and death, even at early stages of chronic kidney disease. The association was found across different estimated glomerular filtration rates (GFR) categories.
Researchers discovered that natural killer cells contribute to dry eye disease development by inducing inflammatory responses in ocular surface and lymph nodes. This breakthrough offers hope for new treatments targeting the cellular cause of the disease, improving quality of life for millions affected.
The first controlled clinical trial for Juvenile Batten disease begins this summer, enrolling 30 patients who will take mycophenolate or a placebo for eight weeks. Researchers hope to slow or halt disease progression with immunosuppression.
Researchers have identified stem cell population that can reverse nerve cell loss in individuals with Parkinson disease. Protein-based human iPS cells efficiently generate functional dopamine neurons and treat a rat model of the disease.
Researchers have identified a stem cell population that can reverse nerve cell loss in individuals with Parkinson disease. Protein-based human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were found to efficiently generate functional dopamine neurons and treat a rat model of the disease. These findings suggest a potential new treatment approac...
A potential celiac disease vaccine, Nexvax2, has demonstrated safety and efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial, with the goal of treating the autoimmune disease by desensitizing patients to specific gluten peptides. The vaccine is expected to enter Phase II trials within the next year.
A study found that sonography with power Doppler can identify subclinical disease and joint activity in children with JIA, which complements the physical exam. The study also showed that certain combinations of physical exam findings are highly sensitive and ultrasound does not add value to clinical management.
Researchers identified a single genetic mutation in the CUBN gene linked to albuminuria, a condition indicating kidney disease, in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the mechanisms behind kidney disease and potentially leading to novel treatment targets.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researchers have identified a new biomarker for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), a degenerative brain disease with no cure. The biomarker, transferrin, shows promise in early diagnosis and potential therapy development.
Researchers have identified a new biomarker for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which can accurately diagnose the condition in patients while they are still alive. The biomarker, transferrin, is significantly decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with sCJD before the end stage of the disease.
A new study found that individuals with a mother who has Alzheimer's disease are twice as likely to experience gray matter shrinkage and have more whole brain atrophy compared to those with a father or no family history. The research suggests that inheriting the disease from one's mother may be a significant risk factor.
A new study has identified interleukin 15 as a key trigger for the development of celiac disease in genetically susceptible individuals. Blocking this molecule could potentially prevent the disease, and its effects on inflammatory intestinal diseases may also offer new insights into treating conditions like acne and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study has linked 29 genome regions to ulcerative colitis, a common form of inflammatory bowel disease. The research identified genes involved in the immune response and provided insights into the biology underlying the disease.
Researchers identified four shared genetic risk loci for celiac disease and Crohn's disease, suggesting a common underlying mechanism. The study provides evidence that risk factors shared across related diseases can be identified by combining genetic data from clinically distinct conditions.