Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A new diagnostic definition for Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) has been established, allowing researchers to better characterise the condition and its prognosis. The criteria also hold promise for strengthening research into dementia by identifying patients for trials.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that pregnant women face significant challenges accessing opioid treatment, including limited provider availability and high out-of-pocket costs. The study calls for policymakers to intervene and establish systems for timely access to life-saving medications.
A new study found that short-term use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication can effectively prevent HIV transmission in men who have sex with men. During a vacation, 94% of participants had blood concentrations protective against HIV, while no transmissions occurred during the trip itself.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital studied nearly 94,000 people with atopic dermatitis and found no association between topical immunosuppressants and increased skin cancer risk. The study suggests that patients can safely use these medications to treat their condition without an increased risk of skin cancer.
New research from UC Berkeley and University of Chicago finds a significant gender gap in drug dosages, leading to women experiencing worse side effects nearly twice as often as men. The study recommends dosage reductions for women for various medications, calling for broader awareness of biological sex and gender differences.
A new international study has shown that a newly developed treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is highly effective, with an 85% success rate among patients with serious comorbidities. The regimens, bedaquiline and delamanid, offer a promising alternative to the historical standard of care, which has approxim...
Majority of patients in remdesivir trials were Caucasians, raising concerns about medication efficacy in people of color. The study emphasizes the need for diverse clinical trial participants to accurately represent the US population and inform treatments.
A study conducted at an EPA facility shows that expired and sterilized used N95 masks retain their effectiveness in protecting healthcare workers from COVID-19 infection. The researchers created a hierarchy of mask supplies, ranking N95 masks as the safest option, followed by CDC-FDA-NIOSH approved products.
The Studies To Advance Recovery Support (STARS) Network will focus on Central Appalachia's urgent need for recovery support services. Researchers aim to advance understanding of treatment services, particularly those using medication-assisted treatment and counseling.
The COVID-19 Prevention Network is launching two Phase 3 trials to evaluate the effectiveness of LY-CoV555 and REGN-COV-2 monoclonal antibodies in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among high-risk groups. These trials aim to explore the potential of mAbs as a rapid solution to prevent COVID-19 acquisition.
The study found that implementing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV and newer tuberculosis medications decreases the risk of death for adults with drug-resistant TB. Access to these life-saving medications varies widely globally.
A team from Lawson Health Research Institute is conducting a multi-centre clinical trial to study the use of inhaled sedatives as an alternative to intravenous sedatives for COVID-19 patients requiring ventilation. The trial aims to improve patient outcomes and address global shortages of IV sedatives.
A new drug, ofatumumab, has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation and clinical relapses in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Nearly nine out of ten patients on the treatment showed no sign of disease activity after one year.
Among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease, limited use of recommended medications was observed. Despite similar treatment needs, Hispanics of Mexican background reported the lowest usage of cardiovascular medications, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A new study led by McGill University researchers found that two-thirds of hospitalized seniors are prescribed inappropriate medications, increasing the risk of injury and adverse drug reactions. The study concludes that improving hospital prescribing practices can reduce this risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a next-generation cholesterol-lowering drug can lower blood cholesterol to safer levels faster when added to traditional therapies. The study showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol during hospitalization and within a month following a heart attack, suggesting the drug is safe a...
Researchers used machine learning to correlate information on drugs, genes, and diseases, identifying 63 drugs targeting 31 genes as potential candidates for psychiatric and neurological treatment. The approach will also be applied to search for correlations between drugs, genes, and COVID-19.
The SEMIRA trial found that continuous glucocorticoid regimens controlled disease activity better than discontinuation, but the latter was also effective in preventing long-term side effects. Treatment success rates were 77% for continued prednisone and 65% for tapering regimen.
Researchers found that nearly 40,000 people who received Botox injections for various reasons reported significantly lower rates of depression compared to patients undergoing different treatments. The study suggests a complex mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects of Botox.
A panel of experts recommends using remdesivir in patients with severe COVID-19 to potentially reduce recovery time. However, the evidence is uncertain due to limited trials and study limitations, making it a costly treatment option.
Researchers analyzed how ovarian function in mice responded to various levels of glyphosate exposure and found increased ovarian weight and follicle number at highest exposure levels. However, the study did not uncover evidence that glyphosate affects the healthy functioning of ovaries.
A randomized clinical trial found that prescribed doses of non-intoxicating CBD reduced cannabis use and increased abstinence days. Participants treated with 400mg or 800mg CBD showed lower levels of cannabis in their urine and more days abstinent compared to placebo.
A phase 2a trial of 82 people investigated whether cannabidiol (CBD) is safe and can help people with cannabis use disorder reduce cannabis use. The study found that daily prescribed medical-use CBD use can cause reduction in cannabis use among people with cannabis use disorder.
The observational study evaluates COVID-19 studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, assessing their characteristics and expected evidence strength. The study highlights the importance of considering study design, sample size, and outcome measures when evaluating the quality of COVID-19 research.
The article discusses drug-induced interstitial lung diseases caused by breast cancer treatments, which can be fatal. Multi-disciplinary integration of clinical practice and pharmacology may reduce the incidence of these diseases.
A phase I clinical trial found that the antiviral drug cocktail ledipasvir/sofosbuvir resulted in a 100% hepatitis C cure rate among nine pregnant volunteers, with none of their babies contracting the virus. The study suggests that pregnancy could be an excellent time to diagnose and cure hepatitis C infection.
A new study found three FDA-approved medications caused distinct physiological changes in microscopic nematode worms C. elegans, suggesting potential unrecognized effects in humans. The research highlights the need for continued evaluation of medications even after FDA approval.
A new study analyzed data on over 15,000 people to better understand the association between HDL cholesterol, heart attacks, and strokes. The researchers found that the number of HDL particles is a more reliable predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than the standard HDL cholesterol metric.
A monthly vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug dapivirine is being considered as a new HIV prevention method for cisgender women in sub-Saharan Africa. The European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive scientific opinion on its use, paving the way for potential approval.
A Phase III vaccine trial will be conducted at UC San Diego, recruiting up to 500 participants to assess the efficacy and immunogenicity of a Moderna-developed vaccine. The trial aims to demonstrate the vaccine's ability to prevent COVID-19 and severe symptoms, with results expected by end of year.
Case studies published by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that plant-based diets rich in whole carbohydrates improved health markers in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The diets led to decreased insulin needs, stabilized blood sugar control, and reduced cholesterol levels.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are conducting a national trial to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating severe brain injuries. The study aims to reduce brain swelling and increase oxygenation to neurological tissues, promoting restorative responses over inflammatory ones.
A randomized trial found that IV indomethacin was more effective in successfully closing hemodynamically significant PDAs in very low birth weight infants. The study showed a success rate of 55% for IV indomethacin versus 6% for IV acetaminophen.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that stepping down asthma medication doses did not increase exacerbations and can significantly reduce costs. The research suggests that clinicians may be prescribing higher levels of treatment than is clinically indicated, highlighting the potential for cost savings.
Researchers have identified key biological insights that may help solve the mystery of what drives PAH and why a new therapy in clinical trials may work. The fusion protein is more effective than vasodilators at treating PAH and preventing blood vessel remodeling, restoring a normal balance between cell proliferation and death.
The AHEAD 3-45 study is a Phase III clinical trial aiming to prevent worsening memory and thinking among individuals at risk for future decline. Researchers hope to find that BAN2401 can help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
A small clinical trial found that higher doses of omega-3 supplements may be needed to make a difference in preventing cognitive decline. Participants with the APOE4 gene mutation showed lower increases in brain levels of omega-3s compared to those without it.
A new clinical trial suggests that vaporized cannabis is safe and potentially effective in mitigating chronic pain caused by sickle cell disease. The study found that patients experienced reduced pain levels and improved mood over time, paving the way for further research on medical cannabis as a treatment option.
A new study by Dolores Albarracin and colleagues found that people tend to conflate intentions and behaviors in routine actions, creating false memories. This phenomenon has significant implications for healthcare settings and self-reporting of following through on actions.
Wolfram Syndrome is a progressive degenerative disease characterized by diabetes, psychiatric symptoms, loss of vision, deafness, and incontinence. Yale researchers have discovered a potential treatment involving two existing drugs that restore calcium signaling and improve cell functions.
A study supported by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation found that rotigotine, a dopamine-acting drug, improved frontal lobe executive function and daily activities in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. The treatment also enhanced dopaminergic pathways reaching this section of the brain.
The National Lung Matrix Trial, the world's largest precision medicine clinical trial for NSCLC, matches treatments to genetic changes in cancer. It found that targeted therapy is challenging due to genomic complexity and the need for more sophisticated models.
A recent study found that most New Zealanders have large quantities of paracetamol stored at home, contributing to a significant number of calls to the National Poisons Centre. The study's results highlight the need for public initiatives to encourage safe disposal of unused medicines and prevent unnecessary accumulation.
Researchers used single-nucleus sequencing to investigate COVID-19's effects on the heart, discovering that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor is upregulated in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions only in cardiomyocytes. The study also found no significant impact of hypertension medications on ACE2 levels.
A yearlong trial enrolls patients with COVID-19 to evaluate ramipril's ability to prevent worsening of the illness. Experts investigate ACE inhibitors' potential to reduce severity by regulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
A single dose of the drug tocilizumab was found to reduce mortality by 45% and increase the likelihood of patients leaving the hospital or being off a ventilator within a month. However, this benefit came with an increased risk of additional infection.
A new clinical trial has tested a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, showing a median survival time of 14.5 months and a 1-year survival rate of 60.9%. The treatment strategy involves injections of paclitaxel into the abdomen and gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel into the blood.
Tofersen, an experimental drug for a rare inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has shown early promise in a phase 1/phase 2 clinical trial. The study found that the drug is generally well-tolerated and lowers levels of a disease-causing protein in people with SOD1 ALS.
A large, NIH-funded trial found that a nurse-managed, individually tailored falls prevention plan did not significantly reduce the risk of serious fall injuries in older adults. The study assessed the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention implemented by trained Falls Care Managers.
A randomized trial of a multifactorial fall injury prevention strategy found an approximately 8-10% reduction in serious fall injuries, lower than expected. The study enrolled 5,451 people aged 70 and older and evaluated the effectiveness of a nurse-delivered intervention.
A new long-acting injectable form of PrEP containing cabotegravir outperformed a daily oral Truvada regimen in preventing HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study found that the injectable PrEP had a superior protective effect, with a 66% lower incidence rate compared to the daily pill.
Two studies found that methotrexate treatment does not increase the risk of chronic interstitial lung disease in RA patients, but may even delay its development. This is significant as ILD is a common complication of RA and can be life-threatening.
Researchers suggest Epo may mitigate severe disease progression and protect patients from neurological effects in Covid-19. Initial case studies indicate a positive effect of Epo treatment, with one patient showing rapid recovery after treatment.
A large study found that taking common hypertension medications such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs can lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The benefits were seen in patients over 55 and those with a history of colon polyps, but only for the first three years after a negative baseline colonoscopy.
A recent report of two children's deaths in a gene therapy trial for X-linked myotubular myopathy has sparked concerns over the safety of gene therapy vectors. The editorial emphasizes the need for iterative development and cooperation among scientists to ensure safe and effective treatments for rare genetic diseases.
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences are conducting a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of alpha-1-antitrypsin in treating critically ill patients with severe COVID-19. The trial aims to understand how the body's inflammatory mechanisms are impacted by COVID-19.
A five-year outcomes study of 30 patients found that early-stage deep brain stimulation (DBS) decreased the risk of disease progression and polypharmacy compared to optimal medical therapy alone. The study showed significant improvements in motor symptoms, with DBS patients requiring less medication for symptom management.
The study found that integrated pharmacists in GP teams flagged 786 patients with medication issues, leading to changes and potential cost savings. This collaborative model of care has the potential to alleviate pressures on GP practices and improve patient care.
New trials and the Global Symplicity Registry report consistent and clinically meaningful ambulatory and office BP reductions in patients with mild to moderate uncontrolled hypertension. RDN is effective and durable in these high-risk populations, with low rates of new-onset end-stage renal disease.
In a multicenter randomized controlled trial, crossover patients who received renal denervation due to elevated ambulatory blood pressures experienced significant reductions in daytime ambulatory systolic BP. The blood pressure lowering effect was consistent with primary RADIANCE-HTN SOLO results.