Guanfacine Reverses Cognitive Impairment in Long COVID (2024 Case Report)

Guanfacine extended release (GXR) may effectively improve cognitive impairments and brain activity in long-COVID patients. Highlights: Patient Presentation: A 32-year-old woman experienced cognitive impairments such as difficulty in word recall, reading, and writing, and delayed task completion following COVID-19 infection. Baseline Assessment: Initial tests showed poor performance in attention, working memory, and executive function, with …

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ACOT7 Biomarker May Help in Early Diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease (2024 Study)

ACOT7 shows promise as a non-invasive serum biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with high diagnostic accuracy. Highlights: Increased Expression: ACOT7 levels were significantly elevated in AD patients and animal models compared to controls. Correlation with Cognitive Decline: A strong negative correlation was observed between serum ACOT7 levels and MMSE scores (r = -0.85; p < …

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Targeting the Gut Microbiome to Treat Epilepsy & Seizures: Future Potential (2024 Research)

Gut microbiota may influence epilepsy, but the exact mechanisms and involved microbiota are unclear, with potential treatments including ketogenic diets, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants being explored. Highlights: Approximately 33% of epilepsy patients are resistant to all antiseizure medications, with the role of gut microbiota in epilepsy being increasingly evident. The gut-brain axis, involving neuroendocrine, …

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Nanoparticle Enhanced Radiotherapy (NERT) for Brain Tumor Treatment (2024 Research)

Nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy (NERT) is a promising approach to improving brain tumor treatment by enhancing radiotherapy efficacy through targeted delivery and radiosensitization while overcoming challenges posed by the blood-brain barrier. Highlights: Mechanisms of Action: NERT utilizes nanoparticles (NPs) as radiosensitizers, enhancing radiation-induced damage through physical dose enhancement and biological/chemical sensitization. Types of Nanoparticles: Various NP types, …

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Mitochondrial Dysfunction Linked to Psychiatric Disorders Like Autism & ADHD (2024 Study)

A study found a strong link between mitochondrial disorders and conditions like autism, ADHD, and various psychiatric issues. Highlights: Common Link: Mitochondrial disorders are frequently found in people with autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. ASD Emphasis: Most research focused on autism, suggesting it might be more strongly linked to mitochondrial issues or simply better funded. …

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Repurposing Antipsychotics & Antidepressants to Treat Glioblastoma (2024 Study)

Repurposing antipsychotics and antidepressants with favorable safety profiles and blood-brain barrier permeability shows promise for glioblastoma (GBM) treatment, primarily through disrupting lysosomal function and inducing cell death. Highlights: Mechanism of Action: The studied antipsychotics and antidepressants induce GBM cell death by disrupting lysosomal function, leading to lysosomal membrane rupture. PTEN Sensitivity: GBMs with intact PTEN …

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Psychosocial Factors Linked to Dizziness & Chronic Dizziness (2024 Research)

Psychosocial factors such as stress and depression, along with physical health issues like tympanic abnormalities and diabetes, significantly contribute to dizziness and chronic dizziness in adults. Highlights: Prevalence & Chronicity: Dizziness affected 24.6% of adults, with 17.1% of these experiencing chronic dizziness (≥3 months). Psychosocial Factors: Female sex, high levels of stress, and depression were …

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Serotonin (5-HT) vs. Tumors & Cancers: Potential Immunomodulation Treatment (2024 Research)

Cancer patients frequently experience depressive symptoms, and the role of serotonin in tumor regulation varies across different types. Highlights: Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: A significant portion of cancer patients experience depressive symptoms, which are often linked to neuroendocrine hormone imbalances and decreased serotonin levels. Neuroimmunology’s Role: Neuroimmunology is an emerging field that has …

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PCSK9 Inhibitors May Increase Parkinson’s Disease & Reduce ALS Risk (2024 Study)

PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Highlights: ALS Risk Reduction: PCSK9 inhibitors marginally reduced the risk of ALS with an odds ratio of 0.89 (p = 0.048). PD Risk Increase: PCSK9 inhibitors increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease, with an odds ratio …

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Hypertension Linked to Impaired Cognition & Gait in Older Adults (2024 Study)

Hypertension in older adults leads to poorer cognitive and walking performance due to the need for more brain resources to manage dual tasks. Highlights: Older adults with hypertension show higher brain activation in motor and sensory areas when performing dual cognitive-walking tasks compared to healthy peers. Hypertensive individuals have worse cognitive performance on single cognitive …

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