Medicine in the News – August 2014

Amyloid Deposition Key in Alzheimer’s and Small-Vessel Disease
Cerebral vascular damage from small-vessel disease appears to aggravate the deposition of amyloid, particularly in patients carrying the apolipoprotein E e4 genotype, a cross-sectional study showed.
Neurology News, June 2014
Bipolar Patients in Integrated Systems May Need More-Intensive Care
Primary care patients with bipolar disorder may require more intensive care, or better outreach with specialty mental health clinics, than is currently provided in a collaborative care system; this could occur if psychiatrists are integrated into the clinics either in person or via telemedicine.
Psychiatric News, May 2014
Botox Shots May Help Bring Sustained Lifting of Depression
Botox injections contribute to a strong and sustained alleviation of depression in psychiatric patients; two theories have been presented as to why botulinum toxin may have antidepressant effects: the facial feedback hypothesis which supports the concept that the facial musculature not only expresses but also regulates mood states, or the trigeminal neuromodulation, which is hypothesized to improve depression through glutaminergic mechanism.
Clinical Psychiatry News, June 2014
Decreased Levels of Vitamin D Linked to Decreased Serotonin in Autism Patients
Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the precursor of calcitriol, have found to be lower in autistic individuals; calcitriol activates the transcription of tryptophan hydroxylase 2, a gene that converts tryptophan to serotonin in the brain, resulting in reduced serotonine in autistic brains, and simultaneously also inhibits the gene responsible for tryptophan hydroxilase 1, resulting in a decreased production of serotonine in the gut and other locations where it can promote inflammation.
Life Extension, June 2014
Oral Naltrexone and Acamprosate Reduce Various Measures of Alcohol Consumption
Acamprosate (a glutamine antagonist and gama-aminobutiric acid agonist) and oral naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) were about equally effective in preventing resumption of any drinking; naltrexone also was effective in reducing heavy drinking, but acamprosate was not. Nalmefene and topiramate are somewhat effective, but disulfiram is not.
NEJM, July 2014
Damaged Mitochondria May Link Alcohol and Muscle Weakness
Mitochondrial damage in muscle tissue may explain why chronic drinking leads to early fatigue in muscles, according to a study funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
JAMA, May 2014
 
Insomnia Increases Stroke Risk
People with insomnia have a higher risk of stroke compared with persons who sleep well, especially among young adults, a new study has found.
JAMA, May 2014
Midlife PSA Measure Predicted Lethal Prostate Cancer
The risk for a later-lethal prostate cancer was fourfold higher among men aged 50-55 years with a median PSA greater than 0.68ng/ml, according to findings from a nested case-control study involving Physicians’ Health Study participants.
Family Practice News, June 2014
Hormone Suppressor Seen Helping Breast-Cancer Patients
Adding a hormone-suppressing shot (Goserelin) to the chemotherapy for some breast-cancer patients can reduce the risk of premature ovarian failure and increase the chances of fertility preservation – and potentially boost survival rates – according to a new study.
American Society of Oncology
Creatine Shows Promise in Huntington Disease
The rate of atrophy in the brain’s cortex and striatum among pre-manifest Huntington disease carriers was slower among those who receive creatine than the placebo group, who experience progression, a trial has shown.
Life Extension, June 2014
Gamma Tocopherol Protects Against Cognitive Impairment
A study uncovered a protective effect for higher levels of the vitamin E subfractions gamma tocopherol, beta tocotrienol, and total tocotrienols against the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment.
Life Extension, June 2014
Topiramate Decreases Heavy Drinking
The anticonvulsant topiramate reduces heavy drinking and increases abstinent days in alcohol-dependant individuals whose goal is to stop drinking, even in patients who are actively drinking.
Psychiatric Times, June 2014
Chronic Migraine Affects Education and Employment
Survey findings show that people with chronic migraine have higher levels of headache-related disability and unemployment and under-employment, which correspond to lower personal and household income.
Clinical Psychiatry News, June 2014
Exercise for Depression
Exercise is associated with a greater reduction in depression symptoms compared with no treatment, placebo, or active control interventions, such as relaxation or meditation.
JAMA, June 2014
Exercise Reduces Sexual Side Effects of Antidepressants
Exercise reduces sexual side effects of antidepressants in women. Scheduling exercise especially right before sexual activity increased desire, and simply scheduling regular sexual activity improved orgasm.
JWatch.org, February 2014
Nonnutritious Foods Lead to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver
Researchers have proposed a number of dietary factors – trans fats, omega-6 oils, fried foods fructose, and especially sugar and refined carbohydrates, which increase blood levels of triglycerides and contribute to liver fat accumulation – as culprits for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Life Extension, June 2014
BPA May Cause Similar Effects as BPS
Plasticizer commonly substituted for BPA (Bisphenol A) may cause similar endocrine-disrupting effects as the original chemical. Research on BPS (Bisphenol S) is showing effects on the heart and the developing brain, two separate groups of researchers reported.
Endocrine Daily Briefing, June 2014

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