The US Food and Drug Administration has approved TNKase or Tenecteplase, which is a thrombolytic or clot-dissolving agent, for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in adults.

Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your brain. It can cause permanent brain damage and death. If enough brain cells die, you can also lose the abilities or body functions those cells control. They are also the most common types of stroke, with 80% of all strokes being ischemic strokes.

How is TNKase administered?

It is delivered as a single five-second intravenous bolus, which is faster than the standard of care Activase or alteplase, which is administered as an intravenous bolus followed by a 60-minute infusion. The manufacturer of TNKase, Genetech said a new 25-mg vial configuration will also be available in the coming months.

How Was TNKase approved?

The approval came at the backdrop of a study that compared TNKase to Activase in patients with acute ischemic stroke. These patients also presented with a disabling neurological deficit. Results show that TNKase was comparable to Activase in terms of efficacy and safety.

How Common Are These Strokes?

In the United States it self, it affects more than 795,000 people each year and is the leading cause of long-term disability. It is also the fifth leading cause of death. Since brain damage can happen if this progresses rapidly, one needs an immediate, fast-acting medical care.

TNKase thus provide a faster and simpler administration which can be critical for anyone. The chief medical officer and head of global product development at Genetech, Levi Garraway, MD., PhD., said, "Today's approval is a significant step forward and underscores our commitment to advancing stroke treatment options for patients."

What Are The Symptoms Of Ischemic Strokes?

Some of the most common symptoms include weakness or paralysis on one side of your face and body. You may also feel trouble speaking or have loss of speech, also known as aphasia. You may faced slurred or garbled speaking, also known as dysarthria. Other symptoms include loss of muscle control on one side of your face, or sudden worsening or loss of your senses, including vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

Other symptoms include:

• Loss of coordination or clumsiness
• Blurry vision or double vision
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Mood swings or sudden personality changes
• Confusion or agitation
• Seizures
• Memory loss (amnesia)
• Headaches which are sudden and severe
• Passing out or fainting
• Coma

Are There Any Warning Signs?

While these are symptoms one has who is prone to this condition. However, often, many may confuse it with other illnesses. It is best to keep an eye out for warning signs. These could be looking out for yourself or your loved one. Note if there is a sudden loss of balance. Look out for sudden vision loss or changes in one or both eyes. Look for a droop on one or both sides of your face, especially when you smile. Raise both arms and see if one arm sags or drops in a way it usually does not. Note for your speech. Are you as fluent? Are you have trouble speaking? If you see any of such signs, start tracking it and talk to your healthcare provider.

Prostate Cancer Screening: A panel of government health experts in the UK has advised that routine prostate cancer screening should not be made available to most men, a decision that has drawn disappointment from several charities and campaigners.

The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) instead recommends targeted screening for men who carry a confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. These gene variants are linked to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancers at a younger age. Men in this high-risk group could undergo screening every two years between ages 45 and 61.

The committee concluded that offering prostate cancer screening to all men—or even those with a family history—would do more harm than good. While it might slightly reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer, it could result in extensive overdiagnosis.

Screening for black men, who are known to have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, was not recommended due to insufficient and uncertain evidence.

Prostate Cancer Screening: Why UK Advisers Oppose Nationwide Screening

A major hurdle is the lack of strong evidence showing that mass prostate cancer screening significantly reduces deaths. The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has determined that, at present, the potential harms of widespread testing outweigh the benefits, and therefore, a nationwide screening programme is not justified.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would carefully review the draft recommendation, which will now undergo a 12-week consultation period before a final decision is presented to the government in March.

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men, affecting one in eight, with around 55,300 new cases and 12,200 deaths each year in the UK. Despite being the second most common cancer overall after breast cancer, there is no routine screening program, partly because the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is not entirely reliable.

Prostate Cancer Targeted Screening Only for BRCA Gene Carriers

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are faulty genes that increase the risk of several cancers, including breast, pancreatic, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Around one in 300–400 people carries these mutations, and many are unaware of their status. Individuals with Jewish ancestry are at higher risk, with one in 40 Ashkenazi Jews and one in 140 Sephardi Jews carrying the faulty genes.

Men with a strong family history of cancer are encouraged to discuss blood or saliva testing with their GP. The proposed screening would likely only apply to a few thousand men due to the rarity of these gene mutations.

The UKNSC noted that screening black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer could result in significant overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Their modeling suggested that annual screening for black men aged 55–60 could lead to 44% of detected prostate cancers being overdiagnosed. Many of these cancers grow slowly and might never need treatment, but intervention could cause unnecessary anxiety and lifelong side effects, such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and bladder problems.

Chris Hoy Expresses Disappointment Over Screening Decision

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy has shared his “disappointment and sadness” after learning that the UKNSC has not recommended population-level prostate cancer screening. Despite this setback, Hoy remains committed to using his platform to advocate for earlier detection of the disease.

Since his own diagnosis, Hoy has actively campaigned for better screening measures to catch prostate cancer sooner. Today’s decision by the UKNSC, however, has temporarily delayed those efforts.

Prostate Cancer Screening: Backlash From Charities and Public Figures

The committee’s decision has been met with mixed reactions. Cancer Research UK supported the cautious, evidence-based approach, noting that PSA testing can miss dangerous cancers and detect ones that do not require treatment. Prof Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, also backed the committee’s decision, emphasizing that whole-population screening is not supported by current evidence.

However, charities like Prostate Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer Research, along with public figures including Stephen Fry and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, expressed deep disappointment. They warned that excluding high-risk groups could lead to late diagnoses and preventable deaths.

Prostate Cancer Research criticized the exclusion of black men and those with family histories, calling it a “serious error” that could worsen health inequalities. Stephen Fry and Rishi Sunak both echoed disappointment, calling for broader screening. Former Prime Minister David Cameron also expressed concern, emphasizing the need for early detection to protect men and their families.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed that he wants evidence-backed screening and is committed to improving early detection and treatment for the most common cancers in men. He stated that progress is being made in reducing cancer waiting times, with 193,000 more patients diagnosed on time in the past year.

A recent brain scan showed that Kim Kardashian had areas of “low activity” after learning she had a small brain aneurysm. The finding came during the November 27 episode of Hulu’s “The Kardashians,” where the 45-year-old “All’s Fair” actress met with Dr. Daniel Amen. He pointed out several “holes” on the scan, explaining that these patterns indicate the front part of her brain is not working as actively as expected.

Dr. Amen, a psychologist who focuses on brain health, noted that reduced activity in this region can be linked to long-term stress. He suggested that the pressure she has been under while preparing for the California bar exam in July 2025 may be contributing. He also cautioned that this could affect how she handles stress. “With your frontal lobes functioning this way, it becomes more difficult to manage pressure, and that is not ideal when you’re studying and getting ready for the boards,” he told Kardashian, who was accompanied by longtime family friend Scott Disick.

Kim Kardashian Gives Update On Brain Aneurysm

Kim Kardashian recently shared an update on her brain aneurysm after the October 23 episode of “The Kardashians” revealed the diagnosis. Speaking on “Good Morning America” on Oct. 28, she said she underwent several additional brain scans at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She reassured viewers that she is doing well and encouraged them to follow the story on the show, adding that “everything works out.”

In an earlier episode, Kardashian had suggested that the “little” aneurysm may have been linked to the stress she experienced during her divorce from Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

What Is a Brain Aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm forms when a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain expands and fills with blood. If it bursts, it can lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a dangerous type of bleeding around the brain that may result in stroke, long-term brain damage, or even death. Most unruptured aneurysms cause no clear symptoms, though some people may experience headaches, changes in vision, or pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Why a Brain Aneurysm Can Lead to Low Activity in the Brain

Low brain activity can occur after an aneurysm for several reasons. If an aneurysm ruptures, the resulting bleeding can kill brain cells, raise pressure inside the skull, and interrupt the brain’s supply of oxygen-rich blood. Even without a rupture, the weakened vessel wall and the physical and emotional strain of the diagnosis can influence how the brain functions. The fatigue, stress, and lifestyle changes that often follow can also contribute to reduced activity, as noted by the National Institutes of Health.

How Does Chronic Stress Affect Brain Health?

Chronic stress places a heavy burden on the brain. Over time, consistently high cortisol levels can interfere with the way nerves communicate, especially in the hippocampus, the area responsible for learning and memory. This disruption can lead to forgetfulness, slower thinking, and difficulty concentrating. Prolonged stress is also linked with a higher risk of mood disorders and certain neurological problems later in life.

Neuroscientists note that simple daily habits can help protect the brain from these effects. Steady sleep routines, physical activity, and practices that calm the mind, such as breathing exercises or meditation, support healthier neural pathways and help the brain recover from ongoing stress.

Those taking omeprazole have been warned that certain other substances entering their system could undermine the effectiveness of the medication. Widely prescribed across the UK, this proton pump inhibitor (PPI) helps treat conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It works by lowering stomach acid levels and is available in multiple forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquids. Health guidance usually recommends that over-the-counter use should not exceed two weeks due to the risk of side effects.

However, depending on the severity of a person’s condition, a GP may advise continuing omeprazole for a longer period through prescription. NHS guidance highlights that if someone is taking multiple medications, certain drugs may interfere with omeprazole’s action.

What Is Omeprazole?

Omeprazole, sold under brand names such as Prilosec and Losec, is a commonly used medication that lowers the amount of acid the stomach produces. It belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and is used to treat conditions caused by excessive stomach acid, including heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and stomach ulcers, as per NHS.

Other Medicines That May Affect Omeprazole

The NHS UK website states: "There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with omeprazole."

Drug interactions can influence how well omeprazole works. Conversely, omeprazole itself may cause other medications to lose their effectiveness or behave differently than intended.

Medicines You Should Not Mix With Omeprazole

The NHS warns that people on omeprazole should be cautious with certain drugs, including:

• Lansoprazole
• Famotidine
• Diazepam
• Warfarin
• Clopidogrel
• Digoxin
• Phenytoin
• St John’s Wort
• Atazanavir
• Nelfinavir

Consult Your Doctor or Pharmacist

This list does not cover every medicine that may interact with omeprazole. If you are taking omeprazole, the NHS recommends checking with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies.

The leaflet included with your omeprazole pack provides further details about possible interactions. If you are unsure about the safety of combining omeprazole with other substances, it is best to seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor.

Why Long-Term Use of PPIs Can Be Risky

Dr Punam Krishan from BBC Morning Live cautioned that while proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are generally safe when used as directed, they are not meant for indefinite use. “These medications shouldn’t be taken unnecessarily or for extended periods without a doctor’s oversight,” she said.

Prolonged use may slightly increase the risk of low magnesium or vitamin B12 levels and can make gut infections, particularly Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), more likely.

C. diff is a bacterium normally present in the gut, but it can multiply excessively when the gut balance is disrupted, sometimes leading to persistent diarrhoea. “That’s a warning sign,” Dr Krishan noted. “If you experience diarrhoea or notice changes in your bowel habits, consult your doctor right away. Regular check-ups are essential for anyone taking PPIs long-term.”