Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
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.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have found that Metformin treatment can decrease the invasiveness of endometrial cancer cells in women with PCOS. The study suggests that long-term use of Metformin may provide protection against endometrial cancer, a significant finding for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
A European-wide retrospective analysis found both D-penicillamine and trientine to be effective treatments for Wilson disease, providing positive survival rates in patients free from a liver transplant. The study showed that over 98% of patients did not require liver transplantation.
A new treatment approach targeting CML stem cells is being tested, offering a potential cure for patients resistant to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. Hydroxychloroquine has shown promise in killing cancer cells undergoing autophagy, a state that allows them to survive and return after standard therapy.
A new hepatitis C drug, boceprevir, has shown significant promise in treating patients with hard-to-treat cases. The study found that the drug helped cure more patients than traditional treatment methods within 36 weeks.
The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation named Dr. Jeanne M. LaBerge the 2011 Dotter Lecturer, honoring her extraordinary contributions to interventional radiology. She is also a leader in innovation, with awards recognizing her research and education efforts.
Researchers at the Academy of Finland have developed a new targeted drug that slows down nicotine metabolism, aiming to aid in smoking reduction therapy. The drug inhibits the CYP2A6 enzyme, which metabolizes nicotine, and is being explored as a potential alternative to traditional anti-smoking treatments.
A study found that injection of a bulking agent into the anal canal improved symptoms of faecal incontinence more than sham treatment. The treatment was shown to be safe with minimal adverse events.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that residential treatment for tobacco dependence significantly increases the chances of long-term abstinence. Compared to standard outpatient treatment, residential patients showed a higher success rate, with 52% still not smoking after six months.
A study published in The Lancet found that eribulin monotherapy extends the lives of breast cancer patients with extensive treatment by a median 2.5 months compared to physician's choice treatment. The drug targets microtubules, leading to cell death and improved survival rates.
Research identifies four major PTSD symptoms with varying effects on quality of life, challenging common assumptions about the disorder's impact. Symptoms tied to heightened arousal, such as trouble sleeping and irritability, were found to have a significant association with lower quality of life among PTSD patients.
Deep brain stimulation therapy has shown promise in reducing symptoms of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for a small subset of patients. After years of research, Dr. Benjamin Greenberg presents the longest-term results of the technique, highlighting its potential to improve symptoms and quality of life.
A new adherence course significantly improves blood pressure management in patients with high blood pressure, reducing non-adherence rates and blood pressure levels.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that intravitreal bevacizumab significantly reduces the recurrence rate of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants. The drug therapy also appears to preserve vision better than conventional laser treatment, with no need for intubation and a faster recovery.
Two neural pathways have been identified in the brain that play a role in developing phobias and anxiety disorders. The study found that individuals with overactive amygdalas and those who fail to activate their ventral prefrontal cortex are more prone to fear responses.
Researchers found that treating mild strokes with clot-busting drug intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) could reduce disability and save billions in costs. The study suggests at least 2,000 fewer patients would be disabled from mild stroke each year.
Researchers analyzed hospital records from 437 patients diagnosed with mild ischemic stroke, finding that treating them with a proven clot-busting drug could reduce the number of disabled patients by 2,176-3,761 per year. This treatment approach has the potential to save an estimated $200 million annually in disability costs.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that percutaneous drainage with adjuvant medical therapy is effective in treating hepatic hydatid cysts, with all 32 cysts showing immediate collapse and progressive decrease in size over time. The procedure was associated with no viable scolices found upon re-aspiration.
A new study uses PET scans to image metabolic changes in thyroid cancer patients treated with vandetanib, a protein kinase inhibitor. The findings show that PET imaging can help define the therapy response and identify potential markers of treatment efficacy.
Loyola University Health System neurologists Dr. José Biller and Dr. Michael J. Schneck predict an 'explosive growth in potential medical therapies' for age-related neurological disorders. New treatments and diagnostic tests have led to an increased demand for neurologists and interest in the field.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that convalescent plasma therapy may reduce the death rate in patients severely ill with 2009 H1N1 influenza. The treatment showed a 20% mortality rate compared to 55% in non-treated patients, and reduced viral load at a higher rate.
A new drug has been found to reduce the persistent memory of fear conditioning in mice previously exposed to traumatic situations. The study suggests that this drug could be an effective treatment for disorders such as PTSD, panic attacks, and phobias.
Key findings show that patients fear fractures but do not always adhere to treatment, while doctors underestimate their patients' adherence and concerns. Community-based online support programs have a great potential to fill information gaps and improve patient-doctor dialogue.
Researchers at Scripps Research and the University of Pennsylvania have received an $8.2 million grant to develop novel compounds that could become drug candidates for treating tobacco addiction. The project focuses on enhancing nicotinic receptors in the brain to reduce nicotine's positive impact on reward centers.
A new study has identified over 30 breast cancer gene targets involved in drug resistance to chemotherapy, including several novel genes. The findings may aid in the development of a more personalized approach to therapy and early screening for those who may become resistant to treatment.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone with wide-ranging benefits for obesity-related medical complications. This discovery provides important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for these diseases.
Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to reduce neurologic complications and improve outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury. The optimal approach to administering the treatment depends on individual patient clinical conditions.
The IOF and IFCC have identified research priorities and recommended specific bone turnover markers (s-PINP and s-CTX) as reference analytes for clinical and observational studies. Standardized protocols would greatly increase the clinical and research potential of BTMs, improving patient management and treatment adherence.
Phase III trials should aim to find clinically important differences in survival outcomes, rather than just statistically significant ones. Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize minimal but detectable differences that are feasible within trial constraints.
A recent study from Université de Montréal found that using alternative therapies for asthma can result in a two-fold higher rate of poor asthma control in children. The study assessed over 2000 families with children and found that use of alternative therapy was associated with reduced effectiveness of conventional asthma treatment.
A new anti-cancer drug, inecalcitol, has shown encouraging responses in men with hormone-resistant prostate cancer. In a phase II(a) clinical trial, 83% of patients responded to the treatment with a drop in PSA levels of 30% or more within three months.
A randomized phase 2 study found that combining sorafenib with doxorubicin improved median overall and progression-free survival in patients with advanced liver cancer. The study showed a significant reduction in the risk of death and progression, with median overall survival increasing to 13.7 months
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that stroke patients who show improvement within one hour of receiving rt-PA are more likely to have a favorable outcome three months later. Researchers followed 120 patients and found that 68.2% had a favorable outcome, compared to 29.6% for those who did not show early improvement.
A randomized trial found that mycophenolate mofetil was less effective than azathioprine in preventing relapses of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. The study involved 156 patients with newly diagnosed AAV and followed them for a median of 39 months.
A recent clinical trial found that artesunate reduces deaths from severe malaria by 22.5% compared to quinine, and is associated with fewer complications such as seizures and low blood sugar in children. The findings have prompted a call for change to treatment guidelines worldwide.
Researchers have identified a promising medical therapy to help overcome the brain's limited capacity for recovery after a stroke. By studying tonic inhibition in mice, they found that blocking this inhibitory brain chemical can improve behavioral recovery after stroke.
A new study suggests that bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, reduces disease severity and inflammation in an animal model of inflammatory arthritis. The drug promotes bone healing and displays favorable effects in targeting critical cell populations involved in the development of RA.
The VITAL study found that paricalcitol reduced residual albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, particularly those with high dietary sodium intake. The study suggests that paricalcitol could be an important adjunctive treatment for kidney protection in resistant diabetes patients.
Researchers have found that a cholesterol-lowering drug can reduce enlarged prostates in hamsters to the same extent as a commonly used BPH treatment, working even better when combined. The study suggests lowering cholesterol may reduce BPH in men, potentially preventing its development through exercise and diet.
Researchers have identified a gene that enables malaria parasites to resist artemisinin treatment, leading to potential development of new drugs and control strategies.
The number of retinal procedures nearly doubled between 1997 and 2007, driven by new treatments for neovascular AMD. Vitrectomy, a surgical removal of the eye's gel, increased significantly, while injections of drugs into the eye also rose substantially.
A new study found that both high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant and conventional treatment with lenalidomide achieved positive responses in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The study showed improved quality of response compared to induction alone.
Stroke prevention in developing countries is crucial due to rising rates of the condition, which accounts for around 10% of global deaths. Implementing preventative screenings and treatments could save millions of lives and contribute to poverty reduction.
Researchers found that adding rituximab to chemotherapy significantly prolongs lives of CLL patients. Chemoimmunotherapy showed improved response rates and disease progression rates compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
A special issue of Neurologic Clinics details latest advances in treating neurologic disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, and sleep disorders. The issue includes treatments for Parkinson's disease and headaches, as well as new medications for epilepsy.
A team of UNC scientists has received a $2,308,800 grant to develop targeted nano-particle technology for early detection and more effective treatments of pancreatic cancer. The goal is to design nanoscale metal-organic frameworks capable of carrying imaging and therapeutic cargoes or multiple drugs.
Brown University has granted an exclusive license to Tivorsan Pharmaceuticals for a potential treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, slowing muscle damage in mice by 50 percent. The treatment, based on biglycan protein, aims to prolong boys' ability to walk without assistance and perform daily activities.
HIV-1 virus uses ATP to remove AZT, a widely used AIDS treatment, allowing it to replicate itself. This discovery helps researchers understand why anti-AIDS treatments can fail, enabling the development of more effective treatments for HIV patients.
A new study found that taking a placebo improved symptoms in about one-third of women with low sexual arousal, with the most improvement occurring during the first four weeks. The key predictor of symptom change was an increase in satisfying sexual encounters, suggesting a need to investigate behavioral factors more closely.
A recent study found that opening a new line of communication about sex can have a positive effect on many women with low libidos. Fifty women were given a placebo instead of a drug treatment for low sexual arousal, and on average, one in three showed an overall improvement.
The Journal will provide a strong multidisciplinary forum to advance the understanding of therapeutic hypothermia. Novel findings from translational preclinical investigations as well as clinical studies and trials will be featured in original articles.
A study by BC-CfE found that supervised injection facilities like Insite connect clients with addiction treatment, increasing the likelihood of stopping injection drug use for at least six months. The study also highlights the importance of engaging Aboriginal people who use drugs in addiction services.
The 23rd ECNP Congress highlighted the latest discoveries and perspectives in mental health, including gene-environment interactions, circadian rhythms, and brain disease mechanisms. Key take-home messages focused on improving pharmacological and non-drug treatments for mental disorders.
A European Union version of the US 'priority review voucher' system could incentivize pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for neglected diseases. The system would offer accelerated regulatory review, pricing, and reimbursement decisions in exchange for developing a treatment for a neglected disease.
Researchers are uncovering the molecular basis of Parkinson's disease by studying alpha-synuclein in yeast cells, which could lead to new therapeutic drugs. Small compounds found effective in preventing Parkinson's disease in worms and blocking toxic effects in rat neurons may form the basis of future treatments.
Acamprosate reduces the number of patients returning to drinking and increases abstinence days by an average of three days a month. The drug has been shown to be safe and effective as an additional treatment for alcoholism, offering moderate benefits in trials.
Kaj Blennow receives the 2010 ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award for his influential contributions to Alzheimer's disease research. His work focuses on developing laboratory measures for clinical diagnosis and therapy monitoring, holding significant implications for drug development and patient care.
A review suggests that many cases of treatment-resistant severe asthma in children are due to poor management, including adherence issues and environmental triggers. The authors recommend a multidisciplinary approach to confirm diagnosis, address comorbidities, and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Moussa B.H. Youdim, a renowned neuroscientist, receives the 2010 ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work on neuroprotective therapies for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. His research focuses on the role of monoamine oxidase enzymes in neurotransmitter metabolism and brain iron metabolism.
A new study by Elizabeth Seng and Dr. Kenneth Holroyd found that psychological treatments significantly increase confidence in self-management abilities among severe migraine sufferers. Behavioral management programs alongside drug therapy led to increased confidence, especially among those with low control over their condition.