Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A new study by Université Laval researchers has identified a link between insulin receptors in brain microvessels and Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that drugs targeting these receptors could be effective in treating the condition, expanding the range of potential treatments.
A recent study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that corrupted endothelial cells can protect leukemia cells from chemotherapy drugs. The discovery has the potential to improve drug discovery programs and clinical trials for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients.
The study will gather data from over 500 adults with monkeypox to determine the effectiveness and safety of tecovirimat. Participants with severe disease or high risk of severe disease will receive open-label tecovirimat, while others will be randomly assigned to receive either tecovirimat or placebo.
A meta-analysis of six studies concludes that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is more effective than ketamine in quickly relieving major depression symptoms. The analysis, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found no significant differences in ECT's success rate across various age groups and geographic locations.
Scientists at the University of Florida have identified two small molecules that inhibit precancerous cell progression and reverse a key process involved in pancreatic cancer progression. This discovery could lead to earlier treatments and improved survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Scientists are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the origin of psychedelic compounds in fungi, including psilocybin found in 'magic mushrooms'. The research aims to understand the evolution of these compounds and their potential applications in medicine and conservation.
A study found that 16.5% of American adults with diabetes ration their insulin, with younger adults and the uninsured being most affected. Insulin rationing is often linked to cost concerns, with many patients delaying purchases or taking less insulin than needed.
Research reveals that pregnant smokers decrease their daily cigarette count by an average of one cigarette per day before realizing they are pregnant. This trend continues in the month following pregnancy recognition, with a decline from nine to five cigarettes per day on average.
A pilot study will investigate the use of medicinal cannabis to ease symptoms in children and adolescents with non-oncological conditions. The trial aims to determine acceptability and feasibility, with potential breakthroughs for treating debilitating symptoms such as pain and seizures.
A clinical trial begins in the Democratic Republic of Congo to evaluate tecovirimat's safety and effectiveness in treating monkeypox. The trial will enroll up to 450 participants, comparing those who receive tecovirimat to placebo, and gather data on disease severity, mortality, and recovery.
A long-term study found that older patients with type 2 diabetes treated with glitazones had a 22% lower risk of developing dementia. These drugs may effectively prevent dementia in high-risk patients and are now worth prioritizing for future clinical studies.
A large clinical trial found that insulin glargine and liraglutide were superior to other diabetes drugs in controlling blood sugars. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, compared four common medications used to treat type 2 diabetes when added to metformin.
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine have discovered a new treatment approach that suppresses allergic asthma without compromising the body's defenses against flu viruses. The treatment, which targets calcium channels in immune cells, has shown promise in reducing asthmatic inflammation and mucus build-up in mice.
Researchers at CNIC have identified metoprolol as a neuroprotective agent after a stroke, greatly reducing cerebral inflammation and neuronal death. The study's findings suggest that metoprolol may also offer benefits in treating severe Covid-19.
A Phase I/II study found tofacitinib effective in improving skin and organ issues in systemic sclerosis patients. The drug was well-tolerated, with minimal impact on T-cells, suggesting potential repurposing for treatment.
A large randomized clinical trial demonstrated Octagam 10% as an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment option for adult dermatomyositis patients. The study showed improved outcomes in patients with this rare disease, providing a much-needed treatment alternative.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that a cellular channel outside the kidneys plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. The study found that subtle mutations in this channel can influence blood pressure, providing a potential new target for existing medications.
A clinical trial of email alerts from pharmacists to doctors and other practitioners found no reduction in risky opioid prescribing, highlighting the need for rigorous testing of policies aimed at making opioid prescribing safer. The study tested behavioral science techniques to encourage safer prescribing practices.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that COVID-19 booster shots are essential for maintaining long-term immunity against infection, particularly among older adults. The results support the CDC vaccination guidelines recommending COVID-19 boosters and highlight the importance of continued research on factors affecting immunity.
A team of researchers identified a protein kinase substrate downstream of the dopamine signaling pathway regulating brain reward behavior. The study found that phosphorylation of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 2 (KCNQ2) decreases its channel activity, increasing neuronal excitability and promoting reward behavior.
Scientists have designed compounds that activate the 5HT2a receptor, producing antidepressant and antianxiety effects in mice. The compounds' mechanism of action differs from psychedelics like LSD, offering a potential new approach to developing effective antidepressants with fewer side effects.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
A recent study found that over 11,000 people treated in US emergency departments for drug-related bike injuries were men, with methamphetamine being the most common substance involved. The study highlights the need for further research and interventions to prevent these incidents.
Researchers at National Jewish Health found pirfenidone effective in slowing ILD progression in RA patients, potentially increasing overall survival. The study was the first prospective treatment trial for this condition.
Research institutes from Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, and Sweden have launched the Federated European Genome-phenome Archive (Federated EGA) to improve data sharing across national borders. The new platform enables secure access to sensitive human data for research while respecting national data protection regulations.
Lenabasum has been shown to improve skin symptoms in patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis, demonstrating significant reductions in inflammation and disease severity. The study's findings suggest that lenabasum is a well-tolerated treatment option for refractory skin disease.
Patients undergoing virtual reality immersion during hand surgery required significantly less anesthetic to manage pain, suggesting its potential as a non-pharmacologic distraction method. The study compared VR immersion to monitored anesthesia care and found no significant differences in post-operative pain or anxiety levels.
A pioneering behavioural diagnostic tool, SPUR, has been developed to improve medication adherence in type 2 diabetes patients. The study found that the tool can reliably identify patients struggling with their medicines and the reasons why.
A new paper published in Social Science & Medicine proposes that synthetic steroids were administered to female captives in Nazi concentration camps to prevent menstruation and fertility. The study, led by Dr. Peggy J. Kleinplatz, is based on historical evidence and testimony from Holocaust survivors, who reported suspicious food ratio...
A new study suggests that spironolactone, a medication for heart problems and high blood pressure, may also be effective in reducing alcohol drinking. The research found that increasing doses of spironolactone decreased alcohol consumption in mice and rats, as well as in humans with excessive alcohol drinking.
A new study has found that a medication typically used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure may also reduce alcohol consumption in humans. The study's findings support further research into spironolactone as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder, which affects millions of people in the US.
A new biologic drug has been found to be highly effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe eczema in infants and young children. The study showed that more than half of treated children experienced a 75% reduction in eczema symptoms, leading to improved sleep and increased ability to lead normal lives.
Tirzepatide, a new type 2 diabetes drug, has been shown to achieve blood glucose targets 4-12 weeks sooner than existing treatments. Additionally, tirzepatide was found to promote weight loss goals faster than semaglutide, with an average time of 8-24 weeks to reach target weight loss.
A new study led by Ohio State University researchers found that atezolizumab is a safe and effective treatment option for stage IB-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer patients prior to surgery, with survival rates reaching 80% at three years post-treatment. The study also identified new blood markers that can help predict treatment response.
A review article suggests that retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) may be a potential target for clinical intervention in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study highlights the importance of RBP4 in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, including its role in inducing hepatic de novo lipogenesis and impairing fatty acid oxidation.
Researchers discovered that blocking the ion channel TRPC6 prolongs survival and improves muscle function in mice with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study also reduced bone deformities associated with weak muscles.
In a Phase I/II trial, selpercatinib demonstrated a 44% objective response rate across multiple tumor types, including pancreatic and colorectal cancers. The study found responses regardless of cancer type or prior treatment history, confirming RET fusions as a tissue-agnostic target.
A new project aims to develop resources and AI models to assess biomedical publications for citation accuracy and integrity, benefiting researchers, journals, and policymakers. The project, led by Associate Professors Halil Kilicoglu and Jodi Schneider, received a $300,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The DeFi trial shows targeting the Notch pathway with nirogacestat improves progression-free survival and reduces symptoms in patients with desmoid tumours. Patients reported a statistically significant benefit in reduced pain, symptom burden, and improved quality of life.
A Phase 3 clinical trial is enrolling adults and children with monkeypox infection in the US to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tecovirimat (TPOXX). The trial aims to gather data on lesion healing, pain scores, disease progression, and safety.
A randomized phase III trial found that combination hormonal therapy, delivered for a finite treatment interval of 12 months, more durably suppresses PSA levels compared to hormone injections alone. The treatment approach improved disease progression in patients with high-risk biochemically relapsed prostate cancer.
The PROSPER RCC trial showed no difference in recurrence-free survival between arms, with higher adverse events reported in the nivolumab arm. The trial's results inform future research on neoadjuvant trials in high-risk renal cell carcinoma.
A new study published in Neurology found that most children with Bell's palsy recover within six months without medication. The research showed no significant impact of steroid prednisolone on child recovery from the condition.
A new antiparasitic compound has shown 100% efficacy in eliminating T. cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, in mice and non-human primates. The treatment could provide a safer alternative to current medications with significant side effects and variable efficacy.
Two large clinical trials found that vitamin D supplements did not reduce the risk of covid-19 or acute respiratory infections, contradicting previous studies' mixed results. The trials involved over 30,000 adults and showed no effect of vitamin D supplementation on infection rates or side effects.
A targeted kinase inhibitor added to a two-drug immunotherapy combination slowed the progression of advanced kidney cancer in previously untreated patients. The three-drug combination showed a 27% lower risk of progression or death compared to the two-drug control, with a median progression-free survival of 11.3 months.
A study by Case Western Reserve University has identified a promising path to developing therapies for esophageal tumors. The research team linked the TGFβ-pathway, a cell signaling mechanism, to tumor development and found that a protein-coding gene called HNF4α is a predictive biomarker of cancer.
Researchers developed an AI-based tool to calculate harmful effects of medicines, reducing risks of confusion, blurred vision, and falls. The International Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Tool (IACT) provides a more accurate scoring system, supporting personalized medicine approaches.
Scientists at Aston University developed a new treatment combining manuka honey with the widely used antibiotic amikacin to treat drug-resistant lung infections. The study found that this combination improved bacterial clearance and reduced side effects, benefiting patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers conducted a study on administering immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab before surgery for oral cavity cancer and found no increased rates of complications during and after surgery. The findings are encouraging for patients who have not previously received treatment for their oral cavity cancer, suggesting that complication rat...
Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is associated with improved birth outcomes, including lower infant mortality. The review also found that WIC participants are more likely to receive child preventative services, such as vaccines.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that patient education and nurse performance feedback can significantly reduce missed or refused doses of VTE-preventing drugs. The interventions resulted in a 36% drop in missed doses, with the patient education bundle showing a 44% reduction.
Researchers identified critical period plasticity in the amygdala that can be treated with therapeutic intervention at key developmental time points. Early pharmacological intervention was shown effective in reducing fear-learning in the mouse model.
A prospective cohort study found that drinking two or more cups of black tea per day is associated with a moderately lower mortality risk. The findings suggest that tea can be part of a healthy diet.
Researchers have combined tesaglitazar and GLP-1 in a new hormone combination for type 2 diabetes treatment, improving glucose metabolism with minimal doses. The new drug has shown promise in animal studies, reducing kidney damage and increasing insulin sensitivity.
The SECURE trial found that the polypill, containing aspirin, ramipril, and atorvastatin, achieves clinically relevant reductions in recurrent cardiovascular events among patients recovering from a heart attack. This simplified approach improves treatment adherence, leading to a 33% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
A new drug has proven effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, with results at least as good as the current 'gold standard' treatment. The medication targets a specific messenger molecule involved in inflammation and joint damage, offering a new approach to managing autoimmune disease.
Recent studies in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis highlight innovative nanosensors for efficient biomolecular detection, including rutin, paracetamol, and hypochlorite. These advancements enable high sensitivity and reliability in clinical samples, paving the way for improved patient care.
A survey study of over 3,000 adults found that psychedelic experiences share similarities with non-drug related near-death experiences in reducing fear of death. Participants reported lasting positive effects, including personal meaning and spiritual significance.
A new study found that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced heavy drinking among participants with alcohol dependence. Eight months after treatment, nearly half of those who received psilocybin stopped drinking altogether.