News
Blood Test Can Indicate Risk of Dementia
A blood test called the C-reactive protein is linked to the loss of higher level brain function. This is according to a study published in the journal Neurology.
Elevated levels of the C-reactive protein have been associated with the development of dementia. The current study was designed to assess the underlying mechanism of how this happens. The C-reactive protein is known to be a marker of inflammation and has been associated with risk of heart disease and stroke.
The authors of this study examined 447 patients with the average age of 63 years. They analyzed the test subjects with special brain MRI scans and a battery of test for higher level brain functions.
The results of this study showed that low-grade inflammation which was noted by an elevated (high-sensitivity) C-reactive protein and was associated with degenerative changes in certain areas of the brain and also with impairment of certain higher level brain functions.
Dementia and the risk of developing dementia is becoming increasingly important in our society as the baby boomers age. In an attempt to learn more about how dementia develops, this study examined the role of inflammation, measured with the C-reactive protein blood test.
A very important question that was not addressed in this study is how do we treat patients who have elevated C-reactive proteins and does treatment stop the development of dementia and or degenerative processes? Definitely more research is needed to answer these questions.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Reference
Neurology.2010; 74: 1014-1015
Read more – April 19, 2010
Relaxed Minds Make Better Memories
In a recent study published in the journal Nature, stronger and longer lasting memories are more likely to be formed when a person is relaxed and the memory-related neurons in the brain fire in sync with certain brain waves.
Scientist report that synchronization in the brain is influenced by certain brain waves called “theta waves” which are associated with relaxation as well as influencing learning and memory formation.
Researchers studied eight volunteers who were shown 100 photos of a range of objects and allowed to view each for one second. Fifteen to 30 minutes later they were shown another 100 photos; 50 new ones and 50 from the first set. They were then asked to recall which ones they had seen before and say how confident they were in their answers. Researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) to record brain activity when memories are formed. Researchers found that recognition was stronger when the learning took place while neurons were firing in sync with theta waves, indicating that the brain was relaxed.
Researchers said their findings could help develop new therapies for people with learning disabilities and some types of dementia.
Although this was a relatively small study, only eight people participating, the conclusions are intriguing. The EEG is a sensitive machine for detecting brain waves, and the study subjects reproducibly had better memory during relaxation periods when “delta waves” were present.
The implications from this study are far-reaching. Based on this research, we should study and prepare for tests while we are relaxing. Education, schools and teachers should consider the comfort of their students. Also, as noted by researchers, alzheimer’s patients would likely preform better if relaxed and not in a threatening environment.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Reference
Nature 2010.
Read more – March 29, 2010
One Hour of Daily Exercise Needed to Prevent Weight gain!
Women need one hour of moderate intensity physical activity every day in order to prevent weight gain. This is according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Study authors set out to clarify the amount of physical activity that is required to prevent long-term weight gain among women following a usual diet.
The study included 34,079 healthy US women, with an average age of 54.2 years. The study subjects were followed from 1992 to 2007.
The average weight gain during this study was 5.7 lbs over five years.
There was a significant relationship between the effect of physical activity and the the Body Mass Index (BMI) readings.
Among women with a BMI of less than 25, there was an inverse dose-response relationship between activity levels and weight gain. However, no such relationship occurred among women with a BMI from 25 to 29.9 or in those with a BMI of 30.0 or more.
In 4,500 women whose BMI was less than 25 at the beginning of the study and who successfully maintained their weight by gaining less than 5.7 lbs during the study, the average activity level over the five years was approximately 60 minutes per day of moderate-intensity exercise.
This study shows that women need to exercise at least one hour per day in order to prevent weight gain over their lifetime. These conclusions may not be completely accurate given the study was limited by the fact that the women self-reported their activity levels and weight measurements. In addition, the women in the study did not report on dietary habits. The study did not address activity levels needed for weight management among women who were restricting caloric intake.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Reference
JAMA. 2010;303:1173-1179
Read more – March 26, 2010
Running marathons may lead to heart disease
Running marathons may lead to heart disease
Running marathons may be associated with the development of heart disease. This is according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology 2010 Scientific Sessions. Investigators reported that long term marathon runners had more calcified plaque within coronary arteries compared to non-marathon runners.
Study authors report that they were concerned over the frequency in which marathon runners are dying of heart attacks and sudden death. They stated that at least three runners have died this year during marathons, three of which died during the 2009 Detroit Marathon, a race that included almost 4,000 participants. They commented that marathon runners are usually considered to be a healthier group of people within our society. However, one recent estimate suggests that the rate of sudden cardiac death among marathon runners is rare, roughly 0.8 per 100,000 runners.
Study authors analyzed 25 runners who completed the Minneapolis-St Paul Twin Cities Marathon every year for 25 consecutive years, thus completing a minimum of 25 marathons. The study subjects and 25 controlled matched people who were not marathon runners were analyzed with a heart scan that was able to measure calcified plaque within the arteries around the heart. Calcified plaque is associated with a higher risk of heart attack. The results of the heart scans for the marathon runners showed 62% more calcified plaque than the non-marathon runners.
The reason why marathon runners would have more coronary artery plaque is not obvious. As stated above, marathon runners tend to be healthier than the average person. The typical risk factors for heart disease such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes were controlled for in the study.
It is possible that the excessive physical stress of running long distances may some how impact the coronary arteries, causing local inflammation and plaque deposition.
It is difficult to make a conclusion based on this one study and we should wait and see if more research will clarify this perplexing question.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Read more – March 24, 2010
Vitamin E May Help Fatty Liver Disease
People with the common obesity-related liver disease known as NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) may benefit from supplemental vitamin E pills. This is according to a study published in the most recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers comment that it appears to be the first time that a vitamin supplement has been shown to help treat a major disease that is not caused by the vitamin deficiency. However, doctors warned that this does not mean people should automatically take vitamin E since some research suggests it might raise the risk of other problems.
The latest study tested vitamin E supplementation for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This is a fat buildup that can cause the liver to become inflamed and scarred over time and in severe cases, to fail.
The disease usually develops in people who are middle-aged and overweight or obese. Up to 5 percent of Americans have the most serious form of it, and as many as 20 percent have fat in their livers but no organ damage.
Researchers studied 247 adults with advanced fatty liver disease who were randomly assigned to take a high dose of vitamin E (800 international units), the diabetes drug Actos or placebo for nearly two years.
The vitamin E and drug were tested because earlier research suggested liver cell deterioration and insulin resistance might be involved in the development of the disease.
Biopsies before and after treatment showed that liver function improved in 43 percent of those in the vitamin E group compared with 19 percent in the placebo group.
Study participants on the diabetes drug Actos also improved, but to a lesser degree and with a drawback: gaining 10 pounds on average, which remained even after they stopped taking the drug. Four people who took vitamin E developed diabetes, but the study was too small to determine if the vitamin played any role.
Researchers commented that vitamin E could potentially become the initial treatment for advanced cases of the this liver problem.
Reference:
N Engl J Med
Read more – March 23, 2010
Cholesterol Medication Increases Risk of Muscle Injury
-The popular cholesterol medication Simvastatin (Zocor) can increase the risk of muscle injury when used at the highest dose; 80 mg. This is according to an alert released by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
The agency reported on data from the recent large clinical trial named SEARCH (Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine). The SEARCH trial evaluated the number of major cardiac events such as heart attack, heart bypass surgery and death from heart attack in 6031 patients who were taking 80 mg of simvastatin (Zocor) verses 6033 patients taking 20 mg of simvastatin (Zocor) and followed the study subjects for over six years.
According to the alert, more patients in this trial who were taking the higher 80 mg dose of simvastatin (Zocor) developed muscle injury compared with patients taking the lower dose. There were 52 people who had cases of muscle injury out of the 6,033 people who were taking the higher dose. There was only one cases of muscle injury in the patients taking the lower 20 mg dose.
Additionally, in the group taking the higher dose medication, there were 11 cases of rhabdomyolysis, a condition of generalized muscle breakdown that can lead to kidney failure.
This warning is not a surprise. Muscle breakdown and rhabdomyolysis are known complications of these cholesterol medications known as Statins. These include the popular cholesterol medication Lipitor (Atorvastatin), and Crestor. However, this study was unique in that it showed a dose-related risk for the medication. We also suspect that certain patients are more likely than others to experience muscle pain. This will sometimes improve with a lower dose of a stronger statin medication. We also suspect that adequate hydration is helpful at preventing muscle pain from the statin medications.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Reference
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch
Travel Clinic
Read more – March 22, 2010
Infertility Associated With Prostate Cancer
Infertility likely increases the risk of developing prostate cancer in men. This is according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Cancer Society.
Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 men from fertility centers in California from 1967 to 1998. The study authors identified 168 cases of prostate cancer that developed in men who were reviewed for infertility. Men who were found to be infertile were 2.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with high grade prostate cancer than men who were were not found to be infertile.
This study showed that infertility was associated with the development of prostate cancer but did not offer an explanation for this association.
Reference
www.cancer.org
Read more – March 4, 2010
Food Poisoning, Infectious Diarrhea Raises Risk For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Infectious gastroenteritis will increase the risk of developing certain function bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, heart burn and functional dyspepsia. This is according to a new study published in the latest issue do the medical journal Gastroenterology
· Study authors report that gastroenteritis can lead to heartburn or IBS years later. Infectious gastroenteritis may cause chronic low-grade inflammation of the intestinal track which can lead to symptoms of functional bowels disorders.
· The current study analyzed people from a small community in Canada where there was an outbreak of bacterial gastroenteritis in the year 2000. Over 2,300 people were infected and seven people died from the infection.
· Researchers studied approximately 1,088 participants from this community six year period.
Over 50% of the study participants who had been infected during the outbreak reported symptoms of dyspepsia which included heart burn, nonspecific abdominal pain and discomfort. Only 30% of the people who were not infected during the outbreak had dyspepsia symptoms
· Given the higher rate of gastrointestinal complaints in the affected study population, researchers concluded that bacterial gastroenteritis plays a role in the development of chronic functional bowel disorders.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Gastroenterology 2010
Read more – March 3, 2010
Diets High in Antioxidants Likely Helpful for Lung Disease
-Diets that are rich in raw fresh fruits, fruit juices, and vegetables may improve lung function and reduce exacerbations in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is according to a study published in the latest issue of the journal European Respiratory Journal.
Study authors enrolled 120 patients with lung disease, emphysema or chronic bronchitis in a three year study. All patients completed dietary questionnaires at six month intervals.
Sixty patients were randomized to the intervention arm, in which they were instructed to increase their fresh fruit and vegetable consumption by at least one portion per day. The control group had no diet guidance.
The groups were similar at baseline in demographic factors, smoking or smoking cessation, dietary habits, and spirometry results. They were also similar in terms of their physical activity, alcohol consumption and weight during the study.
At baseline, the groups were similar in their consumption of vegetables and fruits. Throughout the study, diets in the control group remained unchanged, but antioxidant consumption rose significantly in the intervention group.
Study authors report that in the year before the study, the average number of COPD exacerbations were similar in the intervention group and control group. During the study, the average number of COPD exacerbations were significantly lower in the intervention group.
The high-antioxidant diet was also associated with an improvement in lung function.
Although this was a small study, it is likely that diets that are high in antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables is helpful in patients with lung disease
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Reference
Eur Respir J. 2010
Read more – February 19, 2010
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