Research on treating disease with medication. Covers psychedelics, combination cancer therapy, opioid treatment in pregnancy, and personalized guidelines.
The MIT robot significantly improved patients' recovery of arm movement in a clinical trial involving 56 stroke victims. The robot provided adjustable levels of guidance and assistance to facilitate patients' arm movements, resulting in twice as high scores on tests measuring increased movement.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine researcher analyzed 23 clinical studies involving prayer, non-contact therapeutic touch, and other unconventional spiritual interventions. The studies showed a positive impact on patients in 57% of cases, with benefits including less pain and faster recovery times.
ReQuip significantly reduces the risk of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease patients. The five-year study shows that ReQuip monotherapy can reduce dyskinesia incidence by seven times and effectively control early PD symptoms.
Researchers at ZymoGenetics developed a novel immunosuppressive agent that inhibits disease symptoms in mouse models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The treatment works by capturing a cytokine that stimulates B cells to make antibodies, reducing their destructive impact on the body.
The FDA has approved Visudyne therapy for the treatment of wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness among people over 50. The therapy involves a two-step procedure that can be performed in a doctor's office, causing closure of abnormal blood vessels and potentially restoring central vision.
Researchers developed an intensive treatment combining radiation and chemotherapy to control locally advanced head and neck cancer, achieving complete local control for 92% of patients. The therapy increased long-term survival to 55%, with most side effects resolving after treatment.
A new study by Wake Forest researchers found that women under 50 with severe psoriasis are often prescribed less effective treatments due to the risk of birth defects, while men receive more powerful drugs. The study also noted that women over 50 tend to receive stronger treatments, highlighting a gender gap in treatment options.
The NIH will hold a Consensus Development Conference on Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy, bringing together experts to discuss the latest research findings. The conference aims to clarify factors associated with prevention and better diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Researchers found that aggressive treatment strategies, such as re-administration of clot-busters and emergency revascularization procedures, can reduce mortality rates almost threefold. However, many patients continue to receive conservative therapy despite these newer therapies being available.
The NHLBI halted a study on high blood pressure treatments after an independent review found that an alpha-adrenergic blocker, doxazosin, was less effective than the diuretic chlorthalidone in reducing cardiovascular disease. The study compared newer drug treatments with conventional and less costly treatment options.
A large clinical trial, ALLHAT, has stopped part of its study due to Cardura being less effective at lowering blood pressure and preventing heart failure. The study compared Cardura with a diuretic, finding those taking Cardura had more serious hypertension complications
A University of Maryland School of Medicine study found that mass treatment campaigns for schistosomiasis in Egypt led to a significant transmission of hepatitis C. The campaign used reusable needles and syringes, which were later replaced with disposable ones.
A new UCSF study found that bone density loss during osteoporosis treatment is often a sign of regular medication adherence, not a failure of the medication. Women who lost bone density in the first year may actually gain it back with continued treatment.
Researchers found that delaying treatment by nine months results in significant permanent damage and reduced disease progression. Early therapy with a second-line agent like Hydroxychloroquine reduces the need for more expensive treatments, including surgery.
The conference aims to advance integrated approaches to prevention, treatment, and policy issues for people with drug problems and chronic infections. Over 1,000 experts will attend to share practical strategies for implementing coordinated services.
A recent study found that nicotine increases alcohol consumption and may require simultaneous treatment for addiction. Nicotine activates the brain's nicotinic receptors, leading to dopamine release, similar to alcohol consumption.
A study conducted by the University of Southern California found that reducing co-payments for substance abuse treatment following detoxification increases participation rates. Almost 79% of managed care patients received follow-up treatment, with lower co-payments associated with higher participation.
A new study published in Critical Care Medicine found that immune-enhancing therapy significantly reduces infection rates and shortens hospitalization length by nearly three days. The therapy was most beneficial for surgical patients, with no adverse effects observed.
Research finds that drug treatment programs are scarce and getting scarcer, with state-of-the-art programs working best, but access shrinking under managed care. The number of treatment options and opportunities is dwindling, leaving the mentally ill and those abusing multiple substances without new treatment options.
A new molecular biology test detected a substance in lymph nodes that may indicate future recurrence of colorectal cancer. The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine also cautions physicians about selling products from their offices, emphasizing the need for high ethical standards.
Abgenix is initiating a Phase III clinical trial comparing its antibody, ABX-CBL, to standard therapy for patients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (srGVHD). The trial aims to assess the survival rate of patients receiving higher doses of ABX-CBL.
Two studies published in JAMA reveal that timely treatment with t-PA improves stroke recovery if administered within three hours. Meanwhile, a new catheter-based therapy called ProUrokinase offers promise for patients who cannot receive treatment quickly enough, resulting in impressive recovery rates.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that elderly patients aged 75 and older who received angioplasty or bypass surgery lived significantly longer than those treated conservatively with medicines only. The study suggests that aggressive therapies may be beneficial for the very elderly, challenging traditional treatment guidelines.
A Johns Hopkins-led study of over 600 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that photodynamic therapy reduced vision loss risk by 67%, compared to 39% for those receiving a placebo. The treatment targets abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue, offering hope for slowing disease progression in selected patients.
Researchers found slight memory impairment in children on intensive diabetes therapy, with a three-fold higher rate of severe hypoglycemic incidents compared to conventional therapy. The study suggests potential long-term cognitive consequences related to repeated hypoglycemic episodes.
A Yale study suggests that breast cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at higher risk of late relapses after treatment. Women with these mutations respond well to initial therapy but may develop second tumors years later.
A $55 million grant from NIDA is supporting the development of new drug addiction treatments through collaboration between researchers and community treatment providers. Over five years, Oregon will receive $11 million to test promising science-based treatments in real-life settings.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has launched a $55 million clinical trials network to rapidly test promising treatments for drug addiction. The network, which will consist of 20-30 regional research centers, aims to bridge the gap between research and practice by partnering with community-based treatment programs.
Researchers at University of Florida report a 92% survival rate for newborns with diaphragmatic hernia using a new treatment strategy that reduces overventilation and delays corrective surgery, significantly improving lung function and development.
A study funded by the NHLBI found that emergency revascularization with balloon angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery improves survival at 6 months for heart attack patients with cardiogenic shock. Patients under 75 years old experience a 57% improvement in survival.
A Harvard Medical School study reveals that physician guidelines for estrogen replacement therapy fail to address women's concerns and needs. Researchers found that patients value healthcare provider opinions, media influences, and friend opinions when making decisions about hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine suggest that obesity drugs can improve long-term weight loss results when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Patients who have already made significant progress through behavioral programs may still benefit from medication to maintain their weight loss.
The study found that aggressively lowering 'bad' cholesterol with atorvastatin reduced ischemic events by 36% compared to balloon angioplasty, delaying cardiac events in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Researchers concluded that this therapy is a safe and effective initial strategy for reducing ischemic events.
A new treatment approach has been developed to restore normal heart rhythms in patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting over 2 million adults. Ibutilide fumarate injection prior to an electrical shock to the heart was successful in converting abnormal rhythms to normal in all study patients.
A comprehensive approach to cancer treatment is needed, considering a patient's total life situation, including stress, environmental toxins, and nutritional deficiencies. Research highlights the importance of evaluating alternative and complementary therapies, which have poorly documented effectiveness but are widely used by patients.
Researchers will discuss cellular interactions in prostate cancer, new gene discoveries, and techniques for measuring patient outcomes. The symposium also features presentations on experimental agents, immunotherapies, and alternative therapies for treating prostate cancer.
Researchers have identified specific immune responses in patients treated with high doses of interferon alfa 2b to prevent melanoma recurrence. High-dose IFNa2b modulated the expression of MHC Class II antigens and increased natural killer cell activity, which may lead to better patient selection and therapy options.
The Merck Manual has been extensively revised to reflect ever-increasing medical knowledge, with new additions on topics like drug therapy for the elderly and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Centennial Edition is now nearly 3,000 pages, divided into 23 thumb-indexed sections, making it a vital necessity for today's clinicians.
A new study has found that Adderall lasts longer than Ritalin in treating ADHD symptoms, and is at least as effective. The trial involved 25 children who took part in an eight-week program and showed significant improvements in social behavior and academic performance with both medications.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill have discovered a novel cancer gene therapy strategy that blocks NF-kappa B, a protein that enables many cultured tumor cells to escape death. The technique showed promising results in mice with human tumors, shrinking and eliminating tumors in some cases.
The Ablatherm device has shown local disease control in approximately 80% of cases, with a complete response in 56% and partial response in 24%. The treatment is minimally invasive and can be repeated if necessary, but may have some adverse effects.
Doctors at Duke University Medical Center have developed a treatment that can save most babies born with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) by giving them a family member's bone marrow within the first 3.5 months of life. This approach has eradicated the need for toxic chemotherapy, sterile environments, and lengthy hospital stays.
Researchers successfully treated genetically modified mice with Parkinson's disease using gene therapy, restoring motivation to eat and drink. The study suggests a potential treatment strategy for patients with Parkinson's disease, eliminating the need for daily L-dopa treatments.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 21 women with cancer, revealing their experiences with alternative and complementary therapies. The study highlights the importance of patients having better information about treatment options, including a mix of conventional and holistic approaches.
A USC-led study shows that photopheresis reduces the number of serious organ rejections in heart transplant patients, potentially allowing for a more targeted therapy. The treatment also appears to have an anti-viral effect, reducing levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the bloodstream.
A researcher has reported significant findings on relaxin's effects on the cervix in humans and rats, suggesting its potential as a cervical softening agent in labor induction. Relaxin binds to cells in the human cervix, promoting growth and softening of the cervix during pregnancy.
A study led by Ohio State University found that high-dose cytarabine increased the cure rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with core binding factor AML to nearly five times, with a 78% remission rate among those receiving the treatment. The standard dose resulted in only 16% remission rates
A recent study found that less than 20% of eligible elderly patients with high cholesterol received treatment, despite being at risk for death from coronary heart disease. The Cardiovascular Health Study suggests that older patients and their physicians may have preferred dietary therapy over pharmacological treatment.
Participation in an atherosclerosis treatment program reduced plasma total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations. The LDL content of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene was also increased, leading to a decrease in LDL oxidation.
A major study of 45,000 Medicare beneficiaries 65 years old or older found that only half received beta-blockers after heart attacks, despite the medication's proven benefit in reducing mortality. This underprescription highlights an opportunity for improvement in caring for elderly patients who are at high risk of another heart attack.
A decline in deaths from congestive heart failure (CHF) has been observed among older adults in the US between 1988 and 1995. The greatest drop was seen in black adults, likely due to improved treatment strategies advocated by the American Heart Association, including earlier identification and better medication adherence.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University used antisense therapy to prevent Burkitt's lymphoma development in laboratory mice, delaying tumor onset and decreasing its size. The strategy may also work in human patients who have relapsed after chemotherapy, with potential applications against various types of cancer.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found that treatment with sodium thiosulfate significantly reduces hearing loss in brain tumor patients receiving carboplatin chemotherapy. This breakthrough could help combat the hearing loss associated with platinum-based chemotherapy treatment for other types of cancer.
A new study by University of California San Francisco researchers has found that HIV patients who feel part of their community and involved in their own care are more likely to take their medication and follow medical advice. In contrast, those feeling detached or depressed are more likely to disregard treatment.
A new study from Penn State found that families with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to accept available treatment, whereas those with advanced-stage patients may choose to withhold care. The study also highlighted the need for family involvement in making treatment decisions.
A new study reveals that most people in the Cincinnati area can't identify even one symptom of stroke, despite being at high risk. The study found that those over 75 years old knew the least about stroke symptoms and risk factors, highlighting the need for more public education.
Researchers have developed new radiotracer chemicals that can predict how well antiestrogen therapies will treat cancer in individual patients. The technique uses positron emission tomography (PET) and shows promise for improving treatment outcomes.
A 15-year study of 628 AML patients confirms that chromosomal abnormalities can predict treatment success and likelihood of cure. Patients with specific genetic markers tend to have better outcomes, while those without them face poorer survival rates.
A recent study found that soy phytoestrogens provided equivalent stroke-prevention benefits to standard Premarin therapy in postmenopausal monkeys. The treatment reduced internal carotid artery atherosclerosis by more than half, preventing the development of an 'atherogenic plasma lipid profile'.
Acute stroke teams are becoming increasingly common, with over half costing $5,000 per year or less. The teams, led by neurologists or neurosurgeons, have been shown to improve the use of hyperacute therapies and treat strokes more effectively.