New article outlines considerations for clinical trial design to enhance OS collection and analysis. Key findings include the importance of prespecified statistical analyses of OS as a safety endpoint and robust assessments to support approval.
A new training program enables older adults to receive Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) in their homes, with high satisfaction rates and adherence. The program's remote nature is expected to increase accessibility among underrepresented populations, accelerating tES intervention discoveries.
A longitudinal study has found that tissue bridges in the spinal cord are associated with short- and long-term clinical improvements in patients with cervical spine injuries. The study's models, developed by a team of experts, incorporate tissue bridges for improved prognosis and can be transferred to other patient cohorts.
A new AI model has been developed to improve clinical trial recruitment for eye disease, specifically Geographic Atrophy. The system identified almost twice as many candidates and with higher precision compared to conventional approaches, showing promise for overcoming a major obstacle in GA clinical trials.
The NIH is investing $30 million in a pilot program called CARE for Health, which aims to integrate clinical research with community-based primary care. The initiative seeks to improve health outcomes by providing access to clinical research and expanding opportunities for participation in clinical trials.
Research found that race-neutral spirometry equations tend to decrease severity for white patients and increase severity for Black patients, leading to higher enrollment rates of Black patients in COPD clinical trials. This shift resulted in more Black subjects meeting typical inclusion criteria, while fewer white subjects were eligible.
A commentary highlights the importance of including nursing home residents in clinical trials to address health equity concerns. The authors propose key elements for successful nursing home clinical trials and emphasize the benefits of conducting research in this setting.
Clinical trials show decreased effectiveness of vancomycin in treating C. diff infection, with reduced cure rates and lower sustained clinical responses associated with antimicrobial resistance. The finding poses a significant concern for the management of C. diff infection, with only two recommended antibiotics available.
A study by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that human neurons communicate in a feed-forward manner, unlike mice where signals flow in loops. This discovery could further the development of artificial neural networks, leading to more efficient and cost-effective AI models.
In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, a chatbot (GPT-4) performed better than internal medicine residents and attending physicians in processing medical data and demonstrating clinical reasoning. However, the bot's accuracy was lower, while it made more incorrect diagnoses.
Researchers developed Smart-CKD, a computer-aided diagnostic tool integrating ultrasound data and selected clinical variables to assess renal fibrosis progression in CKD patients. The tool has excellent predictive accuracy and high clinical application value, providing a cost-effective solution for guiding patient management.
The MUSC Florence Research Center is one of four community-based clinical research sites selected to participate in the EQBMED Initiative, aiming to attract more people of color to clinical research. The program seeks to provide easy access to clinical trials in local communities and adapt trial designs to suit regional hospitals' needs.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has launched a new article series, Nutrition for the Clinician, aimed at educating physicians and healthcare professionals on the fundamentals of nutrition. The series provides continuing education that enhances clinical reasoning and use of best nutrition evidence in practice.
A team of researchers analyzed GPT-4's performance in four clinical decision support scenarios, finding that the model exaggerated known demographic prevalence differences in 89% of diseases. GPT-4 also produced significantly different responses by gender or race/ethnicity for 23% of cases, reflecting known biases in medical literature.
The use of race and ethnicity in clinical algorithms can lead to biased treatment plans and perpetuate health inequities. Researchers explored the effects of race-based medicine on patient outcomes, revealing a self-fulfilling prophecy of racial reasoning that reinforces ideas about racial differences.
The Lung-MAP trial has demonstrated the potential of public-private partnerships in clinical research, increasing access to new treatment options for patients with lung cancer. The unique partnership between academia, advocacy, federal agencies, and industry has led to a more representative patient group being enrolled in clinical trials.
A new study calls for enhanced transparency in cancer drug trial results to develop better anti-cancer treatments. The multidisciplinary team recommends immediate sharing of participant-level data and public availability of full clinical study reports.
The American Thyroid Association has appointed Dr. Trevor E. Angell as the new Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Thyroidology. Dr. Angell succeeds Angela M. Leung and aims to continue the journal's upward trajectory. He brings expertise in thyroid diagnosis and treatment, having published research on thyroid nodules and molecular testing.
A retrospective study found that research staff of the same race or ethnicity as patients increased consent rates by 65.1% compared to those of a different race or ethnicity. Employing diverse research teams can improve trust and engagement among potential study participants, according to researchers.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2023 offers media credentials to cover groundbreaking research, connect with surgeon experts, and learn about the latest trends in surgery. Key topics include artificial intelligence, COVID-19's impact on cancer care, and pediatric trauma.
A study comparing dreams from Western and non-Western populations found that non-Western groups produced more cathartic and socially-oriented dreams, while Western groups had more threatening but less emotionally resolving dreams. The results suggest a strong link between societal norms and the function of dreams.
A study by Paolo Bartolomeo and Jianghao Liu investigated the nature of aphantasia, finding that individuals with aphantasia have normal perception and memory capabilities but struggle with visual mental imagery. They propose that phenomenal consciousness may play a role in this phenomenon.
Baylor University researchers found that the benefits of paroxetine in treating hot flashes are comparable to those of a placebo response. The study, which analyzed six clinical trials, suggests that most of the benefit of paroxetine is due to non-specific placebo effects rather than drug-specific effects.
The South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute's program provides early-career clinicians with the time and training needed to establish a sustainable portfolio of clinical trials. Scholars attend 'meet the expert' presentations, discuss strategies with mentors, and select suitable trials.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human microglia cells into mouse retina, creating a model for studying treatments for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. The study demonstrates the potential of microglial replacement therapy to treat retinal and central nervous system diseases.
A new study found ChatGPT to be nearly 72 percent accurate across all medical specialties and phases of clinical care. It was also 77 percent accurate in making final diagnoses. However, the model struggled with differential diagnosis, which is a crucial aspect of medicine.
The University of Arizona College of Nursing will deploy immersive managed practice adaptable clinical training starting in the spring semester of 2024, supporting 19 students per year with $25,000 each. The grant also helps establish a longitudinal clinical placement model and provides financial support for community partners.
Four major clinical trial networks are partnering with the Good Clinical Trials Collaborative to enhance clinical research in low resource settings. The collaboration aims to promote principles-based guidance and education, promoting high-quality trials globally.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that psychedelic substances LSD and ketamine cause simultaneous synchronisation of neurons in several brain regions. This phenomenon is linked to the psychedelic experience and may hold clues for understanding psychoses and consciousness.
Insilico Medicine's inClinico platform uses generative AI to predict Phase II to Phase III clinical trial success with an accuracy of 79%. The tool has been validated in various studies and can provide valuable insights for investors and biotech/pharma companies.
A new study by Bentley University reveals the NIH's significant investment in pharmaceutical innovation, with $8.1 billion spent on phased clinical trials between 2010-19. The funding represents only ~10% of reported industry costs for these trials, highlighting the public sector's limited contribution to drug development.
The AACR journal article explores steps to improve diversity in clinical trials, following a new law requiring trial sponsors to submit Diversity Action Plans to the FDA. Experts discuss key areas for consideration, including dedicating funding and staff, embedding DEI strategy, and engaging with community organizations.
Researchers used brain imaging to identify multiple subtypes of depression, finding distinct deviation patterns in functional connectivity among brain regions. This study provides leads for developing better treatments and personalized therapeutic interventions.
A University of Essex-led study found that fast-oscillating brain waves linked to brief pain and touch differ widely in scans, with individual patterns stable across time. The research challenges previous findings on the relationship between pain and gamma oscillations.
A study by CNIO Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit shows that genomic sequencing panels are beneficial in 5% of patients, increasing treatment efficacy and patient survival. The use of these panels is recommended for patients with metastatic lung, colon, or melanoma cancer, or those participating in clinical trials.
A recent commentary highlights a potential hidden source of bias in electronic health records, which can impact clinical trials. Embedded pragmatic clinical trials rely heavily on EHRs for data collection, excluding people from underrepresented groups due to lack of access or inaccurate data collection.
The Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute has received a $78.4 million NIH grant to accelerate the translation of laboratory and medical research into clinical use. The grant will support efforts to improve health and increase health equity, with a focus on addressing health disparities.
Decentralized trials aim to improve access to clinical research, but disparities in technology access and potential barriers to trust remain unknown. Rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the impact of decentralized trials on trial enrollment and pipeline aspects.
TVT 2023 will feature 15 Late-Breaking Clinical Science studies highlighting advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement and mitral, tricuspid, and left atrial appendage occlusion therapies. The meeting aims to guide the selection of patients who will benefit from these procedures and define optimal treatment strategies.
Clinical studies with children as participants often require more time, people, and resources than initially budgeted. The study found that pediatric clinical studies cost 59% more on average than the initial proposal, highlighting a need for accurate budgeting.
Researchers found that environmental context influences drug dependence by associating psychostimulant effects with specific environments. The study observed behavioral sensitization and brain activation patterns in mice with cocaine dependence, mirroring human cravings for a specific environment or location.
A new study has found that combining genetic and environmental risk assessment can improve the accuracy of stroke risk prediction. The research used a stroke PRS for East Asian populations and found that individuals with high PRS values were at higher risk of stroke, even among those with intermediate clinical risk profiles.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has published a statement addressing factors that contribute to bias in clinical genetic testing. The statement highlights three main areas: environmental, clinical, and technical biases, which affect health equity for individuals from historically marginalized populations.
A new clinical RNA sequencing platform at SickKids is helping researchers understand complex genetic conditions and improve diagnosis for patients with rare diseases. The platform has been validated to be used in the clinical space, providing valuable diagnostic information that complements genome sequencing.
A study of global clinical practice guidelines found close alignment in recommending daily intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains for treating and preventing major chronic diseases. The findings aim to increase clinician confidence in providing optimal care.
A new study from PetDx shows OncoK9 performs similarly to its landmark clinical validation study in real-world settings, detecting 26 types of cancer in high-risk dogs. The test also provides peace of mind for veterinarians and families by detecting cancer in over 94% of negative cases.
Researchers have discovered higher levels of immune proteins in the blood before and after epileptic seizures. The study suggests a potential biomarker for epilepsy, which could be identified using a simple blood test. This finding may help distinguish epilepsy from other conditions, such as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
A new approach by the Medical University of South Carolina aims to increase clinical trial participation, especially from diverse populations. By making patients eligible for research opportunities by default, while allowing opt-out, the team saw a significant increase in potential participants.
Children with autism may not process visual illusions in the same way as their peers, indicating a potential issue with predicting and filling in missing visual information. This finding has implications for understanding and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.
A decade-long analysis reveals that most clinical trials are never cited by the time they reach point-of-care, with less than one in two Phase III trials being cited across 9 out of 18 medical specialties. The study found that NIH funding correlates strongly with citation rates, with costs ranging from $48,086 to $874 per new citation.
The grant aims to eliminate barriers and facilitate access to early phase cancer clinical trials for medically underserved communities. Researchers will develop and implement a multilevel program to improve referrals and enrollment, exploring the impact of remote clinical trials on enhancing diversity in trials.
A new study suggests that the brain's ability to identify a voice is linked to its ability to recognize faces, with a common brain center processing both visual and auditory information. This finding has important implications for understanding disorders where voice or face recognition is compromised.
A phase I clinical trial of PAC-1 found the drug to be well-tolerated, stalling tumor growth and reducing size in patients with end-stage cancers. The therapeutic activity was also observed against sarcomas, with minor side effects reported.
A large VA clinical trial found that chlorthalidone (CTD) was not superior to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for preventing cardiovascular disease or non-cancer death. The study enrolled over 13,500 Veterans with high blood pressure and showed no difference between the two drugs in terms of effectiveness.
The updated guidelines aim to increase impact and improve research integrity by defining and measuring outcomes in clinical trials. The new extensions include nine outcome-specific items that should be defined in all trial protocols and 17 additional items to address in published reports, ensuring transparency and relevance for patients.
A study published in Trends in Cancer suggests that targeting vulnerabilities in glioblastoma cancer cells, which maintain resemblance to the cells of origin, may lead to effective therapies. The research aims to identify ways to block these identity shifts and develop personalized treatments.
A study published in The EMBO Journal reveals that the anterior cingulate cortex is activated in female mice acquiring maternal behavior through repeated experience with pups. This discovery provides a potential basis for developing therapeutic options for postpartum depression and other conditions disrupting mother-child bonding.
Vivli's generalist repository is the largest clinical trial repository in the world, providing managed access to over 6,600 trials. The platform has contributed to over 100 publications and features a COVID-19 portal with quick data addition capabilities.
A new $1.328M grant will help assess and improve the reporting quality in randomized clinical trial protocols and result publications using NLP methods. The goal is to promote high reporting standards, synthesizing evidence, and open science practices throughout the scientific ecosystem.
Researchers at NTNU studied zebrafish brain activity while increasing temperature, finding that brains completely stopped responding to stimuli but then 'lit up' when temperatures reached extreme levels. Adding oxygen improved thermal tolerance and recovery rate in fish, suggesting a key role for glial cells in regulating oxygen supply.