Articles tagged with Drug Therapy
A systematic review supports the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who don't respond to other treatments. Bilateral DBS techniques are recommended for carefully selected patients, improving OCD symptoms by around 30 percent.
A recent study suggests that treating mildly elevated blood pressure in low-risk individuals may not be effective in reducing cardiovascular disease or death. Experts urge clinicians to re-examine the threshold for treatment and promote lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and increased exercise, instead of relying on medication.
A pilot observational study found proactive monitoring and dose adjustment of infliximab resulted in fewer disease recurrences and infusion reactions. The authors propose routine monitoring of IFX concentrations and adjusting doses based on levels for patients with IBD.
A three-year study led by the University of Liverpool will investigate the effectiveness of two Behçet's syndrome treatments, potentially saving the NHS £500k. The research aims to identify factors that make medicine work for some patients but not others, allowing doctors to prescribe evidence-based treatment.
A Baylor University study finds that young people who regularly attend religious services are less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Feeling connected to a 'higher power' may help overcome peer pressure and lead to increased prosocial behaviors and reduced narcissistic behavior.
Researchers developed an antibody-based drug, mepolizumab, to replace steroid-based treatments for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. The new treatment has improved outcomes and reduced side effects in these patients, offering a more personalized approach to asthma care.
A new study suggests that eating before TB treatment can reduce drug effectiveness due to lower blood concentration levels. The study found significant implications for clinical practice, highlighting the need for correct medication administration.
The study found that clinical variables explained over 80% of non-adherence to heart failure guidelines, with health structure characteristics playing a significant role. Countries with incentivized programs and high numbers of general practitioners per population had higher adherence rates.
A new diagnostic technique using Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measurement has shown that it can help avoid stents or surgery in over one-fifth of heart attack patients. The study found that patients with FFR values above 0.80 can be safely treated medically, without the need for coronary revascularisation surgery.
The new guidelines provide a risk calculator to estimate five-year risk of sudden cardiac death in HCM patients. The guidelines also recommend genetic testing, specialized tests, and multidisciplinary team referrals to improve diagnosis and management.
Raloxifene increases bone toughness by altering the physical properties of the bone matrix, rather than just suppressing bone loss or altering cellular activity. This novel mechanism provides a new class of osteoporosis treatments that target bone's intrinsic strength.
Researchers at UTMB have developed a treatment effective against the lethal Marburg virus, which has a mortality rate of up to 90%. The treatment protected nonhuman primates from the virus when started three days after infection, showing promise for post-exposure treatment.
Rettsyndrome.org has awarded $1.5 million to support translational research and launch of the neuro-habilitation therapeutic program, focusing on cognitive therapies, physical therapies, and speech therapies to aid in skill development in Rett syndrome. The grants also fund clinical research to identify effective pharmacologic treatments.
A new study in the Annals of Global Health highlights the urgent need for substance abuse programs in developing countries. The study calls on policymakers to design effective programs that meet known population needs, adapting models like Alcoholics Anonymous to fit different cultural norms.
A meta-analysis of 6,700 stroke patients shows that alteplase treatment significantly improves chances of good outcome and reduces disability. Prompt administration within 4-5 hours of symptoms onset yields the best results.
Researchers predict that widespread screening and treatment of hepatitis C will reduce liver-related deaths by 161,500 and liver transplants by 13,900 from 2014 to 2050. The model also estimates that nearly 1 million cases of hepatitis C would be identified in the next 10 years under universal screening.
Acrolein, a highly reactive aldehyde, contributes to motor and sensory deficits following spinal cord injury. Using acrolein scavengers may attenuate neuronal damage, making it a potential novel therapeutic target.
A new kidney transplant drug has been shown to halve the early risk of rejection, allowing a less toxic regimen of anti-rejection drugs to be used. The study, published in The Lancet, found that alemtuzumab-based induction therapy reduced acute rejection by 69% compared to basiliximab-based induction therapy.
A single injection of FGF1 protein restores blood sugar levels to a healthy range for over two days, reversing insulin insensitivity and the underlying cause of diabetes. This breakthrough discovery offers a new method to control glucose with a safer and more effective treatment.
Researchers have successfully treated a neurodegenerative disease in worms using resveratrol, which could lead to new treatments for humans. The disease, adult onset neuronal lipofuscinosis, affects only 1 in 100,000 people and has no known cure.
A*STAR's Bioprocessing Technology Institute has partnered with Roche to develop new cancer treatments using novel antibodies that can directly target and destroy cancer cells. The partnership aims to improve cancer detection and treatment, offering a potential breakthrough in cancer therapy.
Researchers at Miriam Hospital found significantly higher smoking rates among individuals with mobility impairments, particularly those using special ambulatory equipment. The study highlights the need for tailored cessation strategies for this high-risk population.
The UCLA Center for East–West Medicine has published a document to help students, educators, and practitioners evaluate and digest Chinese medical texts with greater sensitivity and comprehension. The 15-page document addresses translation-specific issues, technical terminology, and cultural perspective to promote accurate translations.
A clinical trial found that patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) experienced a significant reduction in seizures and improvements in related symptoms, including depression and anxiety, when treated with cognitive behavioral therapy informed psychotherapy (CBT-ip) alone or in combination with the medication sertraline....
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest that inhibiting the action of enzyme Cdk5 could substantially reduce brain damage after a stroke. The study found that aberrant Cdk5 activity causes nerve cell death during stroke and that blocking this enzyme can help preserve brain tissue.
A study found that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation significantly improved long-term survival in patients with severe, life-threatening systemic sclerosis. In contrast, patients treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide experienced more adverse events and decreased overall survival.
A study of over 39,000 respondents found that obese individuals report higher satisfaction with weight loss surgery and medication compared to self-modification methods. The findings suggest that these approaches should be considered integral parts of weight management for eligible patients.
A pilot study shows that NM504, a first-in-class GI microbiome modulator, improves glucose tolerance and increases insulin sensitivity in adults with prediabetes. The therapy, which alters microbial populations and their environment in the gastrointestinal tract, also reduces cravings for food.
A 25-year-old patient with alopecia universalis has successfully regrown a full head of hair, including eyebrows and facial hair, after receiving the novel treatment. The patient's condition was previously untreatable, but the new treatment using FDA-approved drug tofacitinib citrate reversed his disease.
Researchers have designed RNA aptamers that specifically target and inhibit PAI-1's anti-clot-busting activity. These aptamers demonstrate the potential for blocking PAI-1-associated vascular events, offering a novel therapeutic option for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Researchers found that combining two smoking cessation therapies is more effective than using just one for male and highly nicotine-dependent smokers who weren't initially helped by the nicotine patch. The treatment combination resulted in a higher abstinence rate among male smokers, with an increase of 61% compared to varenicline alone.
Lupus patients can successfully stop immunosuppressant therapy without triggering a flare by slowing down the tapering process and checking for positive serology. The study found that within two years, about 70% of clinically stable patients were able to stop their medication.
A new trial has found that levodopa is better than newer treatments for Parkinson's disease patients, particularly in terms of mobility and quality of life. The study, the largest ever performed on PD treatment, showed small but persistent benefits of starting treatment with levodopa.
A new liquid biopsy test uses circulating tumour cells in blood samples to monitor and predict lung cancer response to treatment. The test has the potential to provide personalised medicine for the disease, particularly for small cell lung cancer with poor survival rates.
A novel paper-based diagnostic test inspired by scrapbooking has been developed to detect hepatitis C, increasing accessibility and speed of diagnosis. The test can conduct both HCV tests on a sample simultaneously in just minutes, solving the problem of patterning paper without heat.
A new survey reveals that women are increasingly frustrated with their sex lives due to premature ejaculation, as men prioritize delay over intimacy. Women who rarely climax suffer more and experience a loss in quality of life, leading to relationship strain and breakups.
Two drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, have been found to slow the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal lung disease. Researchers conducted multicenter clinical trials to test their efficacy.
Researchers at the University of York have developed a sensitive test to detect neurological changes before degeneration occurs. The technique, which uses fruit flies, has shown promise in reducing visual signals and preventing abnormal changes.
A comprehensive analysis of over 120 studies reveals that medications like acamprosate and oral naltrexone show promise in decreasing alcohol consumption, with an average number needed to treat (NNT) of 12 for both. These findings highlight the potential benefits of medication-assisted treatment for adults with alcohol use disorders.
Researchers found EFdA, a soy sauce molecule, is up to 70 times more potent than Tenofovir, a first-line HIV drug, offering new hope for patients developing resistance. The compound works by hijacking the HIV replicating process, preventing virus spread.
Researchers at UH Rainbow will evaluate treatment guidelines for African American children and young adults with asthma, exploring differences in response to asthma therapies compared to Caucasians. The study aims to identify the best add-on therapy based on patient age.
Scientists have found that targeting adhesion molecule CD146 with anti-CD146 antibody AA98 shows promise in reducing inflammation and tumor incidence in mice with colitis. The study suggests that CD146 plays a dual role in promoting inflammation, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory bowel disease and preve...
A new study by University of Liverpool scientists has reduced the treatment for a brain infection caused by fungus to just three days. The research found that the commonly used drug amphotericin B deoxycholate (dAmB) is effective in clearing the fungus within three days, making it a game-changer for people with weakened immune systems ...
A new pilot study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that using frozen stool from healthy, unrelated donors was safe and effective in treating patients with relapsing diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile. The treatment was equally effective whether given via a colonoscope or a nasogastric tube.
A Finnish team of researchers identified a gene mutation in ameloblastoma, a tumour of the jaw. The discovery could lead to a targeted drug therapy reducing surgery and recurrence rates.
A study found that 76.2% of older adults prefer administration of clot-dissolving medications in case of a stroke, supporting the use of this treatment when surrogate consent is not available. Lower education and poorer health were associated with refusal of thrombolysis.
Hospitals participating in UCLA's Target: Stroke program have increased tPA administration speed, leading to improved patient outcomes, including reduced mortality and increased independence. The average time-to-treatment fell from 74 minutes to 59 minutes.
The article provides evidence-based information on the latest treatments for multiple sclerosis, highlighting the benefits and risks of various therapies. Steroids are found to be the most effective way to treat relapses, while immunosuppressants like natalizumab and fingolimod have varying degrees of success.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have received funding to test a powerful new drug, NLX-101, which selectively targets serotonin receptors in the brain. The goal is to alleviate the distressing breathing abnormality associated with Rett syndrome, a condition affecting 1 in 10,000 female births worldwide.
A study of 208 patients with high blood pressure found that nearly a quarter did not take their medications as prescribed, while a smaller proportion only took part of the time. The findings suggest that a simple urine test can help identify which patients are not taking their meds properly and which may be experiencing treatment failure.
Researchers have discovered how new MS drug dimethyl fumarate works, blocking inflammatory cell infiltration in the central nervous system by targeting a specific receptor. The study found that DMF reduces neurological deficits in mice with multiple sclerosis-like symptoms.
A recent study published in JAMA found that metformin treatment did not improve ventricular function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without diabetes. The study showed no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction between the metformin and placebo groups.
The European Respiratory Society has developed new consensus statements to guide the management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Europe. These statements aim to bridge the gap in knowledge due to limited clinical evidence, particularly for extensively drug-resistant TB.
A new class of BTK inhibiting drugs has shown significant improvements in patients with terminal forms of leukemia and lymphoma. The treatment has virtually no side effects and improves a patient's life expectancy and quality of life.
China has successfully reduced its tuberculosis (TB) prevalence by half over 20 years, driven by the directly observed, short-course (DOTS) strategy. The nationwide expansion of DOTS contributed to a significant decrease in TB cases and improved treatment outcomes.
A new study found that every 15-minute delay in treating ischemic stroke can result in losing a month of disability-free life. On the other hand, speeding up treatment by just one minute can save patients around 1.8 days of healthy life.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new type of antibody, called a ubiquibody, which can target specific proteins for destruction. This technology could provide a powerful way to fine-tune research on protein deletion or reduction, and may also prove useful for future drug therapies.
A new study reports that prehospital stroke alerts can shorten the time to CT scans, allowing for faster emergency treatment. The alerts were issued by trained EMS personnel and resulted in a significant reduction in door-to-needle times.
Researchers found therapeutic hypothermia to be beneficial for some patients following cardiac arrest, but ineffective or even worsening outcomes in others. The study suggests a need for more rigid guidelines to ensure appropriate application of cooling strategies.
A recent study found that patients with invasive lobular carcinoma receive less benefit from standard adjuvant therapies compared to those with ductal carcinoma. The research indicates a potential target for drug therapy in future clinical trials, which could lead to more effective treatment options for this subtype of breast cancer.