Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear problem causing spinning or whirling sensations when moving the head. A study found that performing modified Epley's and Semont maneuvers at home can lead to significant symptom relief for 95% of participants.
Warren Pharmaceuticals has synthesized molecules exhibiting only tissue-protective effects of EPO, with no impact on the classical EPO receptor. These compounds show promise in treating various diseases including stroke, spinal cord compression, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and congestive heart failure.
Patients with major depressive disorder showed significant improvement in symptoms and medical outcomes when treated according to the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP) guidelines. The study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, found a two-to-three times greater improvement rate compared to standard treatment.
Researchers found that daily doses of ginseng significantly reduced the anti-clotting effect of warfarin, a common blood-thinner medication. The study suggests that substances within ginseng may enhance the function of enzymes that break down warfarin.
Researchers found that seizure-alerting dogs exhibited distinctive behaviors to anticipate seizures, with licking and protective actions being common. The study also highlights the importance of education and research in improving patient care through organizations like the American Academy of Neurology.
The VALUE trial found no difference in cardiac disease between valsartan and amlodipine, but patients on valsartan had lower rates of hospitalization for heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Early blood pressure control was associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes.
Researchers discovered that stable expression of small interfering RNA sensitizes TEL-PDGFbetaR to inhibition with imatinib or rapamycin. This finding suggests a new approach for treating cancer by targeting specific genes.
Researchers have discovered a new clinical treatment, SU11248, that overcomes resistance to Gleevec in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The drug has shown striking clinical benefits, stabilizing the disease in 65% of patients and inducing partial responses in 13%.
Researchers at UCSD find that altering neural activity can change the type of neurotransmitter produced by nerve cells, raising hope for treating disorders caused by problems with neurotransmitters. This discovery could provide flexibility for the growth and operation of the nervous system.
The American Academy of Neurology has released a guideline evaluating the treatment of infantile spasms, a severe form of epilepsy. The guideline recommends adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) as a short-term treatment option, but notes that there is insufficient evidence to recommend optimum dosage and length of treatment.
The prevalence of blood pressure control among hypertensive individuals declines with advancing age, particularly in women. According to the study, only 32% of men and 24% of women aged 80 and older had their blood pressure under control.
New guidelines suggest FUZEON is an important treatment for HIV drug resistance, offering clear advice on timing of initiation and patient support. The guidelines aim to enable more pre-treated patients to benefit from FUZEON therapy.
A study found that rectal artesunate significantly reduced parasite concentrations by over one-third in both children and adults. Early administration of this treatment may help reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in rural communities with limited healthcare access.
Researchers found that smokers are interested in getting help to quit, with over two-thirds accepting cessation treatment offers. The study also showed that participants were more likely to follow through with treatment and stay abstinent, especially when offered face-to-face counseling.
A study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that brachytherapy effectively treats prostate cancer while preserving quality of life. The research team followed 255 patients with prostate cancer treated with I-125 and reported minimal urinary symptoms, preserved potency, and reduced bleeding.
A phase III study presented at the American Psychiatric Association Meeting found that ADDERALL XR improves ADHD symptoms for up to 24 months. The medication reduced symptoms by an average of 45% in patients who received it consistently, with a significant reduction in inattention and impulsivity subscales.
Cognitive impairments are a significant contributor to the disability associated with schizophrenia. Recent research indicates that medications currently available do little to remedy this aspect of the illness. New trials, part of the TURNS initiative, aim to develop new treatments for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
A study published in American Journal of Psychiatry found that healthcare providers should be aware of the associative nature of drug abuse and mental illness. The research compared patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse disorders, finding no significant diagnostic differences between groups.
A study of 304 young adult users found that friends were the most important source of information about MDMA, followed by websites like DanceSafe.org. Younger and more educated users relied on the internet for information, while parents, mainstream media, and radio were considered less accurate sources.
A survey of 642 physicians found that DTCA can lead to valuable discussions with patients, but also raises concerns about inappropriate prescriptions and unnecessary treatments. Physicians reported prescribing the advertised drug only 39% of the time, citing effectiveness or cost as reasons for not using it.
A randomized, prospective study found that tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil and steroids significantly reduce incidence of treated rejection and improve graft function compared to other regimens. The combination therapy also showed better lipid profiles and reduced risk of certain infections.
Researchers found that everolimus, when combined with cyclosporine and steroids, prevents transplant rejection and lowers risk of infection and complications more effectively than traditional anti-rejection therapy. A two-year study demonstrated the drug's improved safety and efficacy in preventing heart transplant rejection.
A study of 201 patients with psoriasis found that women had higher medication adherence rates than men, while single people and unemployed individuals had lower rates. The researchers identified factors affecting compliance, including facial disease, extent of involvement, and self-image, which can lead to psychological disturbance.
A meta-analysis of 14 randomised controlled trials found no significant differences between the failure rates of oral and intravenous rehydration therapies. The researchers conclude that further studies are not warranted, as oral rehydration is less traumatic, simple to administer, and associated with lower hospital admission rates.
Researchers found that nearly one-quarter of hospitalized individuals with current alcohol use disorders had undetected diagnoses, and only half of detected cases received intervention or treatment referral. The study highlights the need for routine screening and education among medical professionals to address this issue.
A new experimental drug has shown to completely prevent arrhythmia-related deaths in mice with the same molecular defect as people with heart failure. The drug works by patching a leak in the heart's calcium channel, which can trigger fatal arrhythmias, and has great potential for slowing the progression of heart failure.
A study published in The Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation found that computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation improved treatment response for individuals with substance abuse. Participants who received the rehabilitation program stayed longer in treatment and had higher graduation rates compared to those who did not receive it.
Researchers found cognitive behavior therapy significantly reduced hypochondriacal symptoms, beliefs, and attitudes, as well as health-related anxiety. CBT also improved social role functioning and daily living activities in patients with hypochondria.
Faslodex, a novel oestrogen receptor antagonist, has been approved by the EU for treating advanced oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The drug offers durable responses and tolerability benefits compared to existing therapies, with a unique sustained release formulation administered monthly.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) global tuberculosis control strategy, DOTS, is facing challenges in meeting its 2005 targets. A significant case-detection gap exists between estimated annual incident cases and reported cases under the DOTS strategy. The WHO recommends four key actions to address this issue, including equipping na...
Stanford researchers found that patients who received clot-busting drug tPA within an hour of stroke arrival had better recovery outcomes. The study suggests that administering tPA even after the three-hour time period may be beneficial for some patients, albeit with reduced effectiveness.
A study found that early treatment with thrombolytics can significantly improve stroke recovery rates, with patients treated within 90 minutes of symptom onset showing the most improvement. The study also suggests that t-PA given up to 4 hours after symptoms may be beneficial, but the effect diminishes later.
The study found that patients who used home blood pressure monitoring were more likely to stop taking antihypertensive drugs and had lower costs, but also had less BP control. Self-measurement helped identify white-coat hypertension, supporting a step-wise strategy for evaluating blood pressure.
A clinical trial found that low-dose clozapine can reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in people with severe Parkinson's disease by around 50 percent. The study suggests that clozapine may mitigate the transmission of toxically high levels of levodopa, thereby reducing its potency and lessening the severity and duration of LIDs.
A new study presents promising results for acute stroke treatment using desmoteplase, a genetically engineered blood clot-dissolving protein. MRI techniques also play a crucial role in identifying patients who can benefit from this therapy.
A study found that two-thirds of men with a primary partner and one-third without said they were not ready to use condoms consistently. Men in more intimate relationships reported the least confidence in condom use. Despite being at risk, many men opt for secondary prevention over preventive behavior like consistent condom use.
A study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that PET scans are more effective than CT scans in early assessment of patients' responses to imatinib mesylate therapy. The researchers concluded that 18F-FDG PET is an excellent prognostic tool for predicting treatment response in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
A traditional herbal remedy has been found to improve bilirubin clearance in neonates, offering a potential complement to Western pharmaceutical treatments. The discovery involves the activation of the nuclear receptor CAR by an herbal tea, highlighting the intersection of Eastern and Western medical practices.
A meta-analysis of 16 randomised trials shows that artesunate is highly effective in treating malaria when added to other antimalarial drugs. The new combination dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is also found to be highly efficacious in Vietnam, where multidrug-resistant parasites are common.
A clinical trial of Prana's Alzheimer's disease drug, PBT-1 (Clioquinol), has shown a significant reduction in AD development. The study found an average change in score at 24 weeks of about 1.5 points on PBT-1 and about 8.9 on placebo.
Researchers found that a three-minute head scan is comparable to the traditional 20-minute version in terms of image quality and diagnostic results. The new protocol eliminated complications from patient movement, resulting in better image quality and accurate blockage identification for clot-busting drugs.
Researchers at UCL's Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research have developed a new drug to treat enlarged prostate with virtually no hormonal side effects. The treatment can both relax the prostate and prevent its growth, offering a major advance in treating a condition affecting millions of men worldwide.
Researchers found that patients starting lipid-lowering therapy in the hospital were nearly three times as likely to continue taking their medication six months later. This suggests that hospital-based initiation of treatment can improve adherence and is an effective strategy for enhancing long-term use.
A study published in The Lancet found that medium-firm mattresses can significantly improve symptoms of low back pain, including reductions in pain while lying down and getting out of bed. Participants who used medium-firm mattresses reported twice the improvements compared to those using firm mattresses.
Researchers found that IFN-beta-1a initiates different patterns of genetic expression in MS patients, which could lead to better treatment outcomes. The study's findings suggest that gene expression profiling and pharmacodynamics may enable improved, possibly individualized, treatment regimens for MS patients.
A recent study found that patients with a genetic subtype of diabetes have a significantly greater response to sulphonylurea drugs compared to those without a defined cause. This discovery highlights the importance of individualizing treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes, depending on their underlying cause.
A three-year community campaign aimed at the public and health professionals increased the use of tPA, a life-saving emergency drug for stroke patients. The study found that 69% of eligible patients received tPA, compared to 2.2% in non-intervention areas.
Patients developing neutralizing antibodies had longer time to first relapse and increased yearly relapse rate compared to antibody-negative patients. The presence of antibodies did not affect overall disease outcome, but prompt consideration for alternative treatments may be necessary.
A two-year study found that caregivers refuse risk-free medications to slow Alzheimer's disease progression if it may impact their relative's quality of life. Caregivers with depression, financial burdens, or from racial minority groups were more likely to decline treatment.
A new study shows significant improvements in positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia when patients are switched to Risperdal Consta without a three-week overlap treatment period. The study found that side effects were mild to moderate, with extrapyramidal symptoms improving significantly by the first month.
The study found that eight out of twelve patients achieved periods of abstinence of more than 28 consecutive days, and all eight were drug-free at the time of publication. Patients reported significant reductions in craving and improvements in self-esteem, family relationships, and work activities.
A double-blind study found that Risperdal significantly reduced 'manic' symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder, with treatment response achieved by 48% of patients taking Risperdal. The medication was also shown to improve depressive symptoms and was better tolerated than haloperidol.
The study found that initiating Avonex treatment immediately after MS symptoms appeared reduced the development of clinically definite MS by 35% and relapses by 48% compared to delayed initiation. Early intervention also led to higher likelihood of being classified as clinically stable between years four and five.
In a phase II clinical study, exemestane demonstrated a higher tumor response rate (41%) compared to tamoxifen (17%) in shrinking tumors. Exemestane was also well-tolerated with fewer side effects than tamoxifen.
Patients who traveled at least 15 miles for care had a one-third lower risk of dying during the trial and follow-up period compared to those living closer. The study found that patients with higher incomes, more education, and a supportive social network tended to fare better in terms of survival rates.
A study found that Viagra took effect within 14-20 minutes for many men, with over half experiencing erections leading to successful intercourse. The medication was well-tolerated, with no patients discontinuing treatment due to side effects.
A study estimates that millions of dollars are wasted each year on blood pressure medication due to unnecessary prescriptions. The researchers suggest that increasing the use of thiazides as a first-line treatment could save healthcare services up to $1 billion annually.
The Lancet presents six randomized controlled trials of heart disease drug interventions, highlighting potential benefits for patients in poor countries. The World Trade Organization's decision to allow poor nations to import low-cost generic drugs is seen as a game-changer for effective treatment accessibility worldwide.
Regularly scheduled use of inhaled beta-agonists can result in airway hyperresponsiveness and prolonged asthmatic attacks, according to recent studies. Researchers suggest that targeting phospholipase C-beta may offer a new treatment approach for asthma patients.
A study by University of Minnesota and Fairview Health Services validates collaborative care approach between pharmacists and physicians to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. Pharmacists resolve an average of 2.3 drug therapy problems per patient, increasing desired effects from 74% to 89%.