Author: James Notaro
Hearing loss and cognitive decline: Study probes link
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified dementia as a public health priority that requires more research, especially into causes and modifiable risk factors. Today, there are around 50 million people living with dementia worldwide, and this figure is set to rise to 75 million by 2030. There are currently no effective treatments that prevent…
Alzheimer’s: Study zeroes in on brain’s weakest link
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of brain decline that affects millions across the world. The exact cause is unclear, but new research is uncovering the factors that allow Alzheimer’s to become established in the brain. Which brain cells are the most vulnerable to Alzheimer’s? In Alzheimer’s disease, as in other forms of dementia, a defining…
Multiple sclerosis: Could this be why myelin fails to regenerate?
MS is an unpredictable, long-term disease, the primary feature of which is the erosion of myelin from nerve cells. The loss of myelin disrupts the flow of electrical signals in the body, often causing disability. As MS can affect any part of the nervous system, symptoms of MS can vary widely. However, the most common…
Type 2 diabetes: Gut bacteria may influence drug effectiveness
New research investigating the effect of gut bacteria (microbiota) on the efficacy of type 2 diabetes drugs suggests that the composition of gut bacteria may explain why diabetes medications work for some people and not others. Our gut microbiome can inhibit or boost the action of anti-diabetes drugs. According to some estimates, over 415…
Detecting Schiziophrenia Before Symptoms Arise
I once heard a psychiatrist who likened the brain to the heart. He said “The heart can generally survive one heart attack relatively well, maybe two. You can rehabilitate and recover to live a fairly normal life. But after a few heart attacks your heart will become so dehabilitated that no amount of rehab will…
Eye Scan Could Detect Alzheimer’s
Two new studies now suggest that a noninvasive eye scan could soon be used to catch Alzheimer’s disease early. The world’s population is aging rapidly and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise. For this reason, the need for efficient screening methods that can be applied to millions of people is dire. Current…
Antidepressants to Prevent Dementia
People with a diagnosis of dementia can also face depression. For this reason, they may end up taking antidepressant drugs. Now, a study has found that these drugs may be able to treat not just depression, but dementia itself. A new study tests out the potential of antidepressants to tackle dementia mechanisms in the brain.…
Leukemia and Lymphona Society Opens New Copay Assistance Funds
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has opened new Co-Pay Assistance Funds. The LLS Co-Pay Assistance Program offers financial help toward: Blood cancer treatment-related co-payments Private health insurance premiums Medicare Part B, Medicare Plan D, Medicare Supplementary Health Insurance, Medicare Advantage premium, Medicaid Spend-down or co-pay obligations You have complete freedom to choose doctors, providers,…
Depression: Ketamine key in loss of pleasure
New research, published in Neuron, shows that primates lose excitement in anticipation of a reward when a specific area of their brain becomes overactive. The study also shows that ketamine affects this brain region and prevents the loss of pleasure. A loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once exciting is one of…