Articles tagged with Drug Studies
A new study published in PLOS ONE raises doubts about the effectiveness of Diclectin, a widely prescribed medication for nausea in pregnancy. The study's flaws, including incomplete data and flawed scoring methods, cast uncertainty over its benefits.
The journal Translational Behavioral Medicine now publishes research with null results, providing a unique opportunity for scientific researchers. This shift in publication policy sets it apart from other behavioral medicine titles and supports the advancement of science by learning from unexpected outcomes.
The American College of Physicians recommends prescribing metformin as the primary treatment for type 2 diabetes when medication is necessary to improve blood sugar levels. Adding a second oral medication to metformin may provide additional benefits, but the cost should be discussed with clinicians and patients.
A recent survey of 1,993 people who experienced negative reactions to psilocybin found that 10.7% reported putting themselves or others at risk for physical harm. Despite this, most respondents described their experience as 'meaningful' and ranked it among the top five most significant experiences in their lives.
Research found no association between high monitoring (health detail oriented) and more information receipt for RA patients, while high blunting was linked to more info for OA patients. This challenges typical patterns in acute and chronic disease coping literature.
A nationwide insurance database study identified psychiatric and behavioral conditions, as well as psychoactive medications, as predictors of long-term opioid use. Patients with mental health conditions or psychoactive medication use were at higher risk, with relative increases in rates ranging from 1.5 to 9 times.
Researchers have discovered two new molecules, AVN-211 and AVN-322, that show high therapeutic potential in treating Alzheimer's disease. These compounds have demonstrated improved memory function and reduced cognitive dysfunction in lab animals.
A new oral drug, selumetinib, has shown significant tumor shrinkage in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and plexiform neurofibromas. Most patients experienced partial responses, with tumor growth stopping in over 70% of cases.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a potential treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome using G9a inhibitors. The study suggests that these small molecules can activate the maternal copy of the gene responsible for the disorder, leading to improved growth and lifespan in mice with Prader-Willi syndrome.
An experimental Ebola vaccine was highly protective against the deadly virus in a major trial in Guinea, showing no cases among those vaccinated within 10 days. The vaccine's efficacy also led to indirect protection through herd immunity in unvaccinated people, providing weight to early trial results.
Two new studies identify medically relevant genetic variants in over 50,000 human participants, revealing rare gene variants that have lost their function and potentially disabling genes. The research also found associations between specific genes and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including familial hypercholesterolemia.
Researchers at TSRI reveal precisely how popular flu treatment Arbidol works, stopping the virus from entering host cells. The study's findings could guide the development of future broad-spectrum therapeutics against influenza virus.
A study found that pritelivir reduced genital herpes virus shedding and lesions compared to valacyclovir, with fewer pain episodes in the pritelivir group. The new medication showed significant improvements in virus quantity shed and reduced frequency of pain.
The NIH has launched a Phase 3 clinical trial to test the efficacy and safety of a long-acting injectable drug, cabotegravir, for HIV prevention. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of injectable cabotegravir with daily oral Truvada in protecting against HIV infection.
A new study found that taking anticholinergic medications daily increases the likelihood of inpatient admission by 11% over a year. The study analyzed prescription dispensing data from Regenstrief Medical Record System and calculated cumulative anticholinergic burden, which is associated with increased healthcare utilization.
The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) has launched a new study, HPTN 083, to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of injectable cabotegravir for PrEP in men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study aims to provide an alternative to daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) for HIV prevention.
A worldwide clinical trial is underway to test a new investigational drug that aims to prevent and delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The drug, developed by Janssen Research & Development, targets the enzyme beta secretase to lower amyloid beta production.
A new UCL-led phase III clinical trial found that vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) can effectively kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. Around half of patients treated with VTP went into complete remission, compared to 13.5% in the control group.
Researchers found that dropping cholesterol to very low levels, comparable to those of a newborn baby, reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and fatal heart disease by around one-third. The study suggests that very low cholesterol levels are both safe and beneficial.
A randomized controlled pilot trial found that N-acetylcysteine combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy reduced PTSD symptoms, cravings, and depression significantly more than CBT alone. The treatment showed promising results for a difficult-to-treat population of veterans with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder.
A recent study found that less than half of Mount Everest climbers report using medications on climbs, with acetazolamide being the most commonly used to prevent altitude sickness. The research suggests that rumors of widespread drug abuse among climbers are unfounded and that medication use is primarily for legitimate health purposes.
Research found that adults who were in a stable marriage had better prospects of survival after having a stroke, with risks being 71% greater for those who never married compared to continuously married adults. The study also found that multiple marital losses and depressive symptoms impeded recovery after a stroke.
A large-scale prospective study has generated new insights into patient perceptions and experiences with direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Despite modest cancer risks, most customers did not change their diet, exercise, or screening habits. However, men who received elevated prostate cancer risk estimates changed their supplement use...
A statistical approach called tree bootstrapping can accurately assess uncertainty in RDS studies, enabling researchers to draw firm conclusions about vulnerable groups. This method has been applied to existing and future RDS studies, providing a basis for policy responses.
Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer survived four months longer on immunotherapy drug atezolizumab compared to chemotherapy, with atezolizumab also having fewer side effects. The trial found that the drug worked best for patients with high levels of PD-L1 protein, doubling their survival.
A USC study found that men and women taking statins for two years or more had a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. High users of statins, particularly Hispanic men, saw significant drops in incidence rates.
Researchers developed a vaccine that stimulates an antibody targeting pathological tau, discovering its Achilles' heel. The antibody avoids immune reaction towards the body by coupling to a carrier molecule.
Women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention experienced nausea and vomiting, which led them to discontinue the medication. A new analysis suggests that these symptoms were sometimes mistaken for tamoxifen side effects, highlighting the importance of accurate information on preventive therapies.
A review article in EMBO Reports highlights how flawed clinical research is often publicized with hype and sensationalism by the media, leading to devastating effects on patients and society. Experts suggest strategies to prevent distorted study results from being accepted by medical professionals and the general public.
Researchers have developed a diabetes drug that slows experimental Parkinson's disease progression by regulating mitochondrial function and reducing inflammation. Human trials are set to begin next year, offering hope for the first treatment to target the underlying disease.
Research shows that ibrutinib can benefit patients with GVHD who don't respond to corticosteroid treatment, with 71% experiencing sustained improvements. Ibrutinib targets specific immune cells involved in GVHD, offering a new therapeutic option for those with limited treatment options.
A Stanford patient has become the first infant to receive an experimental drug that shows significant improvement in motor milestones and function. The drug, nusinersen, is being rapidly progressed through regulatory approval, with FDA approval expected within two months.
A new drug, nusinersen, has shown promise in improving muscle function and nerve activity in babies with infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy. The phase 2 trial found remarkable improvements in muscle function, but the results are considered preliminary due to the small sample size and open-label design.
A recent study from Umeå University found that young salmon's desire to migrate to the sea is partly limited by their fear of the unknown downstream. Researchers used anxiolytic medication to treat the salmon and found that treated fish migrated nearly twice as fast as untreated ones.
A combination therapy of thioguanine and decitabine has shown promising results in a small Phase I clinical trial for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Eight out of 12 patients responded to the treatment, including six who achieved complete remission.
A Phase III study published in NEJM shows the dapivirine ring safely reduced HIV infection by 31 percent overall among all women in the trial. The risk of HIV infection was reduced by at least 56 percent among women who used the ring consistently, with subgroup analyses suggesting a 75 percent or more reduction with near-perfect use.
A new study aims to explore the challenges faced by teenagers at high risk for HIV who are required to obtain parental permission to participate in prevention trials. The research will examine parents' views on consent and teens' willingness to engage their parents in the process.
New treatments show promise for AL amyloidosis, with overall survival on the rise. Researchers found an effective alternative to bortezomib and promising results from monoclonal antibodies like NEOD001.
The JHU/Tufts MC/TUSM TIC will provide world-leading expertise in state-of-the-art trial design and execution of multi-site studies, particularly in neurology and cardiology. The center will lead innovative projects in clinical trial performance metrics and adaptive and integrated trial design to maximize trial performance.
A clinical trial led by NYU Langone Health found that psilocybin significantly reduces mental anguish in distressed cancer patients for months. The study showed that one-time treatment with psilocybin quickly brought relief from distress that then lasted for over six months in 80% of the participants.
A recent randomized controlled trial found that high-dose baclofen added little to the effect of psychosocial treatment in patients with alcohol dependence. The study, involving 151 patients, showed no significant differences in relapse rates between groups receiving different doses of baclofen or placebo.
A new study found that people aged 70 and older who continue to smoke are more than three times as likely to die as never-smokers. Quitting smoking at any age also reduces the risk of death after age 70, with former smokers less likely to die if they quit earlier.
A panel of concussion experts recommends a more active approach to treatment, matching treatments to specific symptoms and impairments. The 'TEAM' approach aims to enhance recovery by targeting individual clinical profiles and using multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams.
A new study finds that GBA gene mutations are associated with increased cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients, who carry one defective copy of the gene. Patients with a more severe mutation showed a 217% increased risk of cognitive impairment within ten years of diagnosis.
A landmark clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta found that beta blockers and ACE inhibitors effectively prevent a drop in heart function from cancer treatment. The study showed improved safety for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with potential benefits to survival rates.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology have released new osteoporosis guidelines recommending that all postmenopausal women aged 50 and older be evaluated for osteoporosis risk. Successful treatment is defined as stable or increasing bone mineral density with no evidence of new fract...
A clinical trial of infection-detecting bandages is underway using samples from hundreds of burns patients across four UK hospitals. The technology has potential to improve treatment outcomes by detecting infections earlier, allowing for targeted treatment and reducing antibiotic use.
A study published in BMJ Open found that many fertility clinics make unsubstantiated claims about treatments beyond standard IVF procedures. The researchers identified a lack of supporting evidence cited by websites and clinics, with only a few interventions having moderate quality evidence to support their benefits.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to assess whether a shorter course of antibiotics can effectively treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children. The study aims to reduce the need for longer antibiotic treatments and conserve the long-term effectiveness of available drugs.
A recent study found that 62% of falls in elderly hospital patients occurred within 24 hours of administering high-risk medications. The study highlights the importance of lowering default doses for vulnerable patient groups using electronic prescribing systems.
A substantial percentage of LASIK surgery patients experience new visual symptoms, including double images and glare, despite a decrease in overall prevalence. Researchers found that up to 43% of patients reported these new symptoms at 3 months post-op.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone Joint Surgery has found that treatment with teriparatide accelerates bone healing and improves recovery after hip fractures. Patients who received teriparatide showed significant improvements in mobility and reduced pain compared to those treated with a different medication.
A review of studies found that most patients were unaware of reporting systems and others were confused about reporting. Patients who did report adverse reactions cited motivations for preventing similar suffering in others.
A large study found that thiazide diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, are associated with a lower risk of hip and pelvic fractures. The analysis included 22,180 participants followed for up to eight years and reported a 21% lower risk of fractures in the chlorthalidone group compared to other treatments.
A systematic review of medication errors found that serious impacts were rare, occurring in only zero to one percent of medication errors. Good practice requires a team-based approach to prevent medication errors in nursing homes.
Studies found that proton pump inhibitors and histamine receptor-2 blockers increase the risk of developing kidney stones and chronic kidney disease. Long-term use of these medications was associated with a higher risk of kidney stone formation, particularly those made of calcium oxalate.
A national five-year clinical trial will evaluate new treatment protocols for herpes zoster ophthalmicus, a form of shingles affecting the eye. The trial aims to reduce complications and preserve vision with longer-term suppressive antiviral medication.
A new clinical trial aims to determine if a rapid molecular diagnostic test can identify gonorrhea infections successfully treated with a single dose of ciprofloxacin. The study will enroll up to 381 participants and may provide a reliable marker for treating gonorrhea with this older antibiotic.
A study found that cigarette smoking blocked the benefits of medications taken by patients with early chronic kidney disease. Nonsmokers and quitters had slower worsening of kidney function compared to those who continued to smoke, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking for kidney health.
A study found that only about 5% of collected controlled medications were susceptible to abuse, while the majority consisted of non-controlled substances. The research suggests that these programs may not be as effective in reducing the availability of controlled medications as initially thought.