A retrospective study found that Finnish children who had coronary heart disease as adults were born small, thin at age 2, and gained weight rapidly. These growth patterns were linked to insulin resistance later in life, a known risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Steroid treatment has been shown to reduce inflammation of the heart blood vessels by half in children with Kawasaki's disease. The use of steroids combined with aspirin and IVGB significantly decreases the risk of developing serious complications. Most children recover fully from Kawasaki's disease, which is treatable.
Researchers aim to identify genes underlying Alzheimer's disease to develop drugs for treatment or prevention. The study will focus on protein amyloid production and processing, a known factor in the disease.
Researchers found a common genetic defect that prevents proper lung repair, increasing risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in families with a history of the disease. Smoking is also a major contributor to the disease, particularly among those with a family history.
Obese patients with coronary artery disease can benefit from bariatric surgery, which leads to significant weight loss and improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and sleep apnea. However, diet and exercise should remain the primary approach for weight management before considering surgery.
Studies have pinpointed a chromosome region and genetic markers for macular degeneration in humans and rhesus monkeys. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments and even a cure by studying the disease's progression in monkeys, which age faster than humans.
A recent study found that the APOE e2 allele is associated with a moderately increased risk for chronic kidney disease, whereas the e4 variant provides protection. The study involved 14,520 middle-aged participants and confirmed previous findings on the role of genetics in kidney disease.
Lafora disease is characterized by abnormal glycogen metabolism, with the accumulation of starch-/glycogen-like granules in most tissues. Researchers at UCSD have identified malin's role in the disease, revealing a testable model for its molecular mechanism.
The National Institute on Aging has awarded the University of California, Irvine (UCI) $9 million to continue its research on Alzheimer's disease. Two key projects will focus on understanding age-related changes in the brain and the role of mitochondrial defects in causing Alzheimer's disease. These studies aim to advance our knowledge...
A study found that introducing gluten-containing foods to infants at 1-3 months old significantly increased the risk of developing celiac disease, compared to exposure between 4-6 months. The findings suggest that early exposure to gluten may trigger an immune response in genetically predisposed children.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have developed the first mucosal prion vaccine that protects mice from developing prion disease by up to 500 days. The vaccine uses proteins found on disease-causing organisms and has shown promising results in preventing the progression of prion diseases.
A Canada-wide team led by Dr. Louise Pilote at the McGill University Health Centre is investigating key unknowns in cardiovascular disease manifestation between men and women. The project will address both biological and genetic factors as well as social and behavioural factors involved in the disease.
Dr. Morris and Dr. Petersen have developed methods to detect preclinical Alzheimer's disease, a precursor to the onset of symptoms. Their research has the potential to identify a pre-clinical stage of AD that can be targeted for disease-modifying therapies.
Researchers found that patients with osteoporosis had a significantly higher prevalence of celiac disease than those without osteoporosis. Treatment with a gluten-free diet resulted in improved bone mineral density in individuals with celiac disease and osteoporosis, making serologic screening worthwhile for this population.
A recent study suggests that patients with osteoporosis may have coexisting celiac disease, which can lead to impaired calcium and vitamin D absorption. Screening for celiac disease in patients with osteoporosis may be recommended to correct bone loss.
Researchers at U-M Health System found that disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis can be accurately evaluated without frequent lower endoscopies. The study suggests using non-invasive indices, such as patient-reported symptoms, to monitor disease activity and spare patients the discomfort of regular endoscopies.
A recent study found that the LRRK2 gene mutation is associated with Parkinson's disease in several families, indicating a genetic component of the disease. The mutation was identified in 22 out of 42 family members who carried the G2019S mutation, and all shared a common ancestral pattern.
A new genetic mutation on the LRRK2 gene is responsible for 5% of inherited Parkinson's disease cases, with patients having longer disease duration but less severe symptoms. The discovery has a broad implication for genetic screening for the disease, highlighting the need to include studies of the LRRK2 gene in future testing.
A study found that a mutation in the LRRK2 gene appears in at least one of every 60 people with Parkinson's disease. The mutation may account for 1½ to 2 percent of cases, particularly those without a family history, and could lead to earlier detection of the disease.
Researchers identify specific T cells and staining methods that improve detection and treatment of RA lung disease. The study suggests therapies targeting T cell function may succeed in treating RA lung disease, while early detection could lead to prolonged lives for patients.
A recent study identified lemons and lilac as among the top 10 smells that can predict Alzheimer's Disease. The study analyzed smell identification test results from patients with Alzheimer's disease and healthy elderly subjects, revealing a strong link between the inability to identify specific odors and the development of the disease.
Scientists have identified two genetic mutations in the PARK8 gene that contribute to Parkinson's disease, a condition characterized by tremors and motor impairments. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and may lead to targeted interventions.
A study finds that 50% of patients with Crohn's disease have viable MAP in their blood, suggesting a systemic infection. The findings raise questions about the role of MAP in IBD and highlight the need for further research to clarify its significance.
A new UCSD study found that general pediatricians and specialists frequently miss diagnosing Kawasaki disease in children under six months and over eight years old, leading to preventable coronary artery damage. The study aims to raise awareness and provide recommendations to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Researchers found that using specific antibodies to clear a certain type of brain lesion reversed abnormalities arising from another, halting disease progression. Early treatment significantly increases chances of success.
A randomized study compared vitamin E and donepezil to placebo for delaying progression to Alzheimer's disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Patients treated with donepezil showed a modest delay in disease progression, but this effect was short-term.
Researchers have identified a critical regulatory region for the development of the enteric nervous system, which plays a vital role in gastrointestinal functions. Genetic mutations in this region may lead to incomplete development of the enteric nervous system, often causing Hirschsprung disease.
Researchers analyzed brains of deceased men with Parkinson's disease and found a significant decrease in neurons compared to those without the disease. The study suggests that neuron loss starts approximately 13 years before diagnosis, paving the way for potential preclinical intervention.
Drs. Thal and Nitsch receive the Potamkin Prize for their groundbreaking research on effective therapies to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Their work has revitalized hopes for a vaccine and slowed cognitive decline in patients.
A recent USGS review of scientific literature reveals increased reports of disease outbreaks in turtles, corals, mollusks, mammals, and urchins since 1970. However, no significant trends were detected for seagrasses, decapods, or sharks/rays, with even a decrease in disease reports among fish.
Researchers discovered that deleting two related genes linked to inherited Alzheimer's disease causes memory loss, nerve cell death, and brain degeneration in mice. The study suggests that blocking the function of these genes may worsen the disease, providing a new perspective on its cause.
A new hypothesis suggests that Alzheimer's disease arises from inflammation, leading to the creation of abnormal metabolites that modify amyloid beta proteins. These misfolded proteins accumulate into fibrils and plaques, causing neuronal loss and contributing to the disease.
A study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that gadolinium-enhanced MRI (G-MRI) was highly accurate in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children, with 92% accuracy for ulcerative colitis and 96% accuracy for Crohn's disease. This non-invasive diagnostic tool could replace conventional tests like colonoscopy.
US state and territorial health departments have limited online resources for reporting infectious diseases, a study found. Updating these sites to provide complete, accessible disease reporting information could strengthen partnerships between clinicians and public health officials and improve disease surveillance.
Researchers found a moderate link between celiac disease and schizophrenia, with individuals having celiac disease three times more likely to develop the condition. A gluten-free diet may be beneficial for those genetically prone to celiac disease but undiagnosed, according to lead author Dr. William W. Eaton.
A study found that cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension, predict the development of new-onset kidney disease in unselected participants. Patients with mildly reduced GFR should be monitored for progression to kidney disease.
Researchers aim to identify a gene on chromosome two linked to Parkinson's disease in families with multiple affected members. The study, called PROGENI, will enroll an additional 300 sibling pairs to investigate genetic risk factors for the neurodegenerative disease.
Scientists are working to create an animal that lacks the genomic architecture to code for normal prions, which cause Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease. The goal is to produce a cow that is genetically incapable of producing prions, which could potentially contain the risks of this disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University have made a breakthrough in treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting the gene that causes memory loss. The study found that inhibiting an enzyme called BACE1 can prevent memory deficits and brain cell functional abnormalities in laboratory models of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that people with kidney disease have higher levels of non-traditional risk factors for heart disease. Treating these risk factors may help prevent heart disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. Additionally, an editorial highlights the need for malpractice reform to prevent medical injury.
Researchers discover a variant of the NFKB1 gene associated with ulcerative colitis, a condition characterized by intestinal inflammation. Additionally, a second study links the MDR1 gene to Crohn's disease and possibly ulcerative colitis.
The cold-chain hypothesis proposes that psychrotrophic bacteria in refrigerated foods contribute to Crohn's disease. These bacteria have been identified in disease lesions and may trigger excessive host responses.
A new study has identified a link between the size of apolipoprotein(a), a protein component of low-density lipoprotein, and an increased risk of heart disease in overweight individuals. The research suggests that analyzing apolipoprotein(a) size may provide a reliable way to discriminate between those at high risk and those without.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a non-cholesterol related gene linked to the development of heart disease in mice. The A20 gene regulates the NFkB pathway, which was previously thought to contribute to heart disease, but may actually play an anti-atherosclerotic role.
A new UCLA test measures HDL cholesterol's ability to reduce inflammation, potentially better predicting heart disease risk. The study found that patients with pro-inflammatory HDL had a higher risk of heart disease despite normal or high cholesterol levels.
Researchers found that while black and white Americans have the same amount of early kidney disease, black patients are five times more likely to progress to end-stage renal disease. This disparity may be due to differences in blood pressure control, quality of care, and access to healthcare.
Researchers discover PPAR-delta pathway that curbs atherosclerosis development and reduces heart disease by half. The pathway could be used to develop drugs to treat heart disease, currently the number one killer of Americans.
Researchers found that relatives of people with tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease and those with postural instability gait disorder are more likely to experience action tremor. The study provides insight into the genetic influence of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified over 2,700 genes with unusual activity in people with scleroderma, a mysterious skin disease. The study's findings suggest the disease is systemic, not confined to visible skin patches, and may lead to improved diagnosis and targeted treatment options.
Researchers at Columbia University discovered that D-beta-hydroxybutyrate restores impaired brain function and protects against neurodegeneration in mice with Parkinson's disease. The study supports a critical role for mitochondrial defects in the progression of the disease.
A new UCLA study suggests that coronary heart disease may be accelerated in younger HIV-infected people. The research found that the rate of coronary heart disease in young HIV-positive men and women was significantly higher than in their HIV-negative counterparts.
Researchers are studying the ecological worlds inside ticks to learn more about tick-borne diseases. The study aims to understand how non-pathogenic microbes displace pathogenic ones, potentially decreasing disease transmission to humans and animals.
Plant pathologists and experts will discuss Soybean Rust's potential impact on US agriculture, citing significant yield losses and costly fungicide control measures. The symposium will focus on disease management tools, resistant breeding programs, detection methods, and a new USDA Action Plan.
A study found that MR imaging identified 86% of residual disease, outperforming mammography in detecting disease near the lumpectomy site. The imaging modality was also most accurate in identifying disease in different quadrants than the original tumor site.
A multi-center study analyzing 2,056 prostate cancer patients found that metastatic disease carries a significant mortality rate and incurs substantial healthcare expenses. Patients with metastatic disease had ten times the death rate of those with localized disease, with $13,650 more in annual healthcare costs.
The study found a specific genetic risk factor, the J haplogroup, to be protective against Parkinson's disease, particularly in white women. The researchers also discovered that this variant is more common in people with lower incidences of the disease.
Memantine, a new drug, has been found to slow the mental and physical deterioration of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Dr. Barry Reisberg, showed that patients taking memantine experienced significantly less decline in cognition and daily life activities compared to those receiving a placebo.
Researchers found that immunization can stimulate the immune system to combat prion disease, which affects humans and animals. The study suggests that vaccination could be an effective therapy for prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Alzheimer's disease.
The study found that complex interactions between common gene variants contribute to Parkinson's disease risk in women. Environmental exposures are thought to play a greater role in men, with estrogen reducing the risk of developing the disease in women.
A recent pilot study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that high-dose vitamins can reduce homocysteine levels in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The multicenter trial, known as Vital, aims to determine if these vitamins can slow the progression of the disease. Researchers are optimis...