Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
A new study found that a drug treatment called fasudil prevents the formation of lesions in cerebral cavernous malformation, a brain blood vessel abnormality. The treatment was tested in mice and showed promise as a potential replacement for complex surgery.
Researchers have developed a potent compound that selectively kills cancer cells while leaving healthy ones intact. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize leukemia treatment and could be a game-changer for patients with this life-threatening disease.
A Mayo Clinic study suggests that patients taking the age-related macular degeneration drug ranibizumab may experience increased intraocular pressure, a potential risk factor for glaucoma. The research found that a subset of patients had higher-than-normal eye pressure, regardless of pre-existing risk factors.
A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth. The study found that candesartan increased levels of growth factors and a 'pro-survival' protein, suggesting potential healing properties beyond the area of damage.
A new RAND Corporation study found that the US Department of Veterans Affairs provides high-quality mental health care to its veterans, comparable to privately insured and Medicare/Medicaid populations. The study highlights areas for improvement, including increasing evidence-based treatments and addressing regional variations in care.
A new study found that African-American women were more likely to continue a counseling approach to treating substance abuse, but their issues continued. The study suggests that Motivational Enhancement Therapy may be effective in reducing drug abuse, particularly among African-American men.
A study highlights the importance of screening for depression and vision loss in people who have experienced mild strokes. The study found that nearly a quarter of participants were clinically depressed, while many faced challenges returning to work or driving after their stroke.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified EP4 as a potential new treatment target for stroke. A selective EP4 agonist administered after stroke reduced brain damage and long-term behavioral deficits in mice, suggesting its therapeutic potential.
Cognitive therapy has been shown to improve the lives of severely impaired schizophrenic patients, reducing symptoms and promoting recovery. By helping patients set concrete goals and overcome defeatist beliefs, treatment encourages engagement in activity and motivation, leading to better functional outcomes and reduced hallucinations.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that oxaliplatin, a widely used chemotherapy drug for colorectal cancer, causes permanent nerve damage in some patients. A new study suggests using simple skin biopsies to track nerve cell degeneration and develop new treatments to prevent or slow the damage.
A Wayne State University professor is developing multifunctional therapeutic agents to slow Parkinson's disease progression and alleviate symptoms. The research aims to promote survival of dopamine neurons, which degenerate in the disease.
A new combination therapy for kala azar has been developed, reducing treatment time from 30 days to 17 days and decreasing costs. However, without international funding, too few patients will benefit from this new treatment.
Digna Biotech receives FDA approval for cardiotrophin-1 as an acute liver failure treatment. The medicine is expected to work by acting as a messenger to damaged liver cells, helping them recover and restoring function. Cardiotrophin-1 has been shown to stimulate hepatic regeneration and protect hepatocytes during acute hepatic damage.
A new study found that humor therapy reduces agitation in dementia patients by 20%, comparable to widely used antipsychotic drugs. This approach also improves happiness and positive behaviors, but effects are short-lived once the program ends.
Radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]Octreotate has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce tumor size in patients with gastroenteropancreatic or bronchial neuroendocrine tumors. The treatment has been found to have fewer severe side effects compared to other cancer therapies.
A recent study published in JAMA found that discussing sexuality with doctors can improve quality of life for prostate cancer survivors. Researchers used phone interviews and questionnaires to measure quality of life in over 2,900 men before and after treatment, including surgery, radiation, or brachytherapy. The study revealed that me...
A new study published in JAMA Network found that adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to medication treatment significantly improved symptoms of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The 12-week randomized controlled trial involved 124 outpatients between the ages of 7 and 17 years. The results showed that participants wh...
SuviCa Inc. has partnered with the University of Colorado at Boulder to develop and commercialize a drug screening technology that identifies novel therapies for cancer treatments. The patented tool uses genetically modified Drosophila fruit flies to screen compounds effective against various types of cancer.
A randomized controlled trial found that intranasal insulin therapy improved delayed story recall and preserved general cognition in adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. The treatment also stabilized cerebral glucose metabolism and functional abilities in older adults.
A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found that treating cardiovascular risk factors improves sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction, even when lifestyle interventions alone were used. The study suggests that addressing CV risk factors can have a positive impact on ED and overall quality of life.
Bipolar disorder affects 3% of the general population, with significant functional limitations and high rates of psychiatric hospitalization in children and adolescents. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder in adolescents include mania, euphoria, and irritability, while mixed episodes are common in this age group.
The U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories enabled the discovery of a groundbreaking new drug treatment for malignant melanoma, with FDA-approved drug Zelboraf (vemurafenib) showing great promise in disrupting disease progression.
Research shows antipsychotics are more effective than mood stabilisers in tackling acute mania. Haloperidol, olanzapine, and risperidone were ranked most effective antimanic drugs, with haloperidol outperforming other options.
Researchers aim to develop new post-stroke therapy by repairing the blood-brain barrier, which prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. If successful, this could lead to positive therapeutic outcomes for ischemic stroke patients who may have missed the limited 3-hour tPA window.
A global study led by University of Edinburgh found that rivaroxaban is as effective as warfarin in reducing stroke risk for patients with irregular heartbeats. The new treatment has a lower risk of fatal bleeding and requires less monitoring than the current standard treatment.
A comprehensive review article found that positive activity interventions (PAIs) may offer hope to individuals with depressive disorders who do not respond to medical therapy. PAIs, such as counting blessings and practicing optimism, teach patients ways to increase their positive cognitions and emotions without professional help.
Research warns that using powerful antibiotics to treat diseases like MRSA and malaria can accelerate the emergence of resistant strains. The study suggests strategies for slowing resistance spread and preventing mutations.
A recent NIH study found that ATGAM significantly improved blood cell counts and survival rates for patients with severe aplastic anemia compared to Thymoglobulin. The study enrolled 120 patients and showed improved outcomes after six months, with 96% of ATGAM patients surviving after three years.
A six-month study in Kenya found that daily text-message reminders improved correct malaria treatment management by 23.7%, with significant effects on patient adherence to medication. The intervention is cheap and can be scaled up nationally, making it a promising low-cost strategy for improving health worker performance.
A novel molecular technique has restored dystrophin protein production in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, offering a new therapeutic option. The treatment, using antisense oligonucleotides, was well-tolerated and showed significant dose-dependent increases in muscle protein levels.
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have longer survival rates than those who don't. Treatment for GER may help reduce microaspiration and scarring of lung tissue, leading to improved survival outcomes.
The latest evidence-based vascular medicine provides comprehensive guidance on managing noncardiac vascular diseases, including PAD, carotid stenosis, renal artery stenosis, chronic mesenteric ischemia, and critical limb ischemia. The series of articles offers expert clinicians the tools they need to improve patient care.
A new procedure called InterStim Therapy uses electrical impulses to stimulate the sacral nerve and improve muscle function, reducing or eliminating bowel incontinence in 80% of patients. This minimally invasive treatment offers a long-term solution for patients seeking relief from the debilitating symptoms of fecal incontinence.
Researchers at UWM have discovered that propranolol, a common beta blocker, can prevent the brain from retrieving memories associated with cocaine use in animal models. This finding could lead to the development of a first-ever pharmacological treatment for cocaine addiction.
A study examining placebo treatments in asthma patients found that they were equally effective as albuterol inhalers in relieving patient-reported symptoms. However, there was no objective impact on lung function, highlighting the subjective nature of the placebo effect.
A new study found that behavioral treatments for migraines, such as relaxation training and hypnosis, can be more cost-effective than prescription drugs in the long run. After six months, minimal-contact behavioral treatment was competitive with pharmacologic treatments, while after one year, it was nearly $500 cheaper.
A citywide study found racial disparities in the use of clot-busting drugs for acute ischemic stroke treatment due to delays in seeking care and medical conditions. Despite no racial bias detected in doctors' treatment decisions, education is needed to address these disparities and improve outcomes.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified compounds that inhibit a signaling pathway in Huntington's disease, a fatal genetic disorder. The quinazoline-derived compounds block the store-operated calcium entry signaling pathway, potentially slowing the progression of degenerative nerve disorders.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism behind the ketogenic diet's antiepileptic effects, reducing seizures in mice by lowering Adk protein expression. The findings suggest less-restrictive diets and pharmaceutical approaches could be effective alternatives to conventional treatments.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have identified a heretofore unrecognised pathway regulating calcium activity within blood vessel smooth muscle cells. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for hypertension by targeting the constriction and dilation of blood vessels.
Despite better glucose, lipid and blood pressure control, diabetic kidney disease continues to increase in prevalence. Tight control of blood sugar levels did not lead to significant improvements in kidney function, suggesting additional interventions are needed to prevent the disease.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation calls for improved strategies to close the treatment gap and reduce the future burden of fractures. A new report estimates that increasing treatment uptake could avoid 13% of projected fractures by 2025, resulting in 95,000 fewer fractures annually.
A large treatment gap in Europe has been identified, leaving millions of older adults at unnecessary risk of fragility fractures. The report found that only a minority of high-risk patients are receiving treatment, despite advances in risk assessment and effective medication being widely available.
A study published in Neuroimage suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation can improve patients' inhibitory control, a key aspect of self-regulation. The treatment has potential as a non-invasive treatment for conditions such as ADHD, Tourette's syndrome, and violent impulsivity.
Researchers found that treatments tailored to subgroups with increased motivation, reduced temptation, and confidence can lead to reductions in drinking behavior. Early-onset drinkers showed greater responsiveness to anti-craving medication.
Patients with OSA experience high rates of OAT therapy compliance, as measured by objective means and subjective estimates. The study found excellent agreement between subjective and objective compliance measures for patients undergoing OAT treatment.
Researchers found that orphan disease genes encode hub proteins with multiple protein-to-protein interactions vital to cell function. Deleting about 43% of these gene homologs is lethal or causes premature death, highlighting their essential survival role.
A lower dose of zoledronic acid has been found to increase bone density and decrease bone resorption, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures. The study suggests that a one-fifth or one-half of the recommended dose may be sufficient for this effect.
The use of clot-busting drug rtPA for acute ischemic stroke patients in the US increased significantly between 2005 and 2009, with treatment rates doubling from 1.8% to 3.4%.
A cluster randomized trial found that providing subsidized malaria drugs in shops more than doubled the proportion of children with fever treated promptly. However, this is still lower than the target to treat 80% of children with fever.
A new nerve-stimulation treatment called Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) has shown promise in controlling seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. In a Phase 2 clinical trial, 40% of patients experienced a significant reduction in seizure frequency, with some also experiencing improved mood.
A study found that injection therapy with intratympanic methylprednisolone was not inferior to oral prednisone in treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The treatment showed comparable efficacy at 2 and 6 months, with improved hearing recovery rates for both groups.
Advances in understanding Fragile X syndrome have led to the possibility of treating this inherited intellectual disability. Several drugs tested in humans show promising results, offering a potential breakthrough in correcting underlying causes.
A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery found that propranolol therapy improved the size and quality of head and neck hemangiomas in children. The medication was effective in reducing tumor size, flattening lesions, and changing their color, even in cases where previous treatments were unsuccessful.
Researchers have created a new model using striped zebrafish to screen drugs for Cushing disease, allowing for rapid identification of effective treatments. The model has already shown promise with one drug suppressing hormone secretion and cortisol levels.
A study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that nearly 3% of Americans using mind-body therapies were referred by a healthcare provider, suggesting a shift towards mainstream acceptance. These patients were sicker and used the healthcare system more than those who self-referenced for MBT.
A recent study found that only about half of new drugs approved by the FDA had available comparative effectiveness data. The researchers analyzed data from 2000 to 2010 and found significant variability in the availability of this information, with some therapeutic indications having much higher rates of availability than others.
Researchers found a single trial supporting aripiprazole for maintenance therapy, but its limitations constrain interpretation. The trial had short duration and low participant completion rates, casting doubt on its effectiveness.
Researchers at UCLA develop a new method for targeted drug delivery using nanotechnology. They demonstrate the ability to package drug-loaded 'nanodisks' into vault nanoparticles, which can hold hundreds of drugs and target specific cells in the body.
A two-year treatment regimen with Naltrexone and complementary treatments like group therapy can keep 80% of gamblers 'gamble-free' over a four-year period. Gambling addiction is a chronic disorder requiring careful monitoring and holistic treatments to avoid relapse.