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.

Billy Connolly Parkinson's Disease: Martin Compston, Sottish actor and former footballer praised Sir Billy Connolly, actor, comedian and musician, for handling his Parkinson's disease in an "incredibly brave" way.

The 83-year-old comedian was diagnosed in 2013, and five years post that, in 2018, he announced his retirement. Compston who is also co-host of Hoolie In The Hydro, said that the Scottish comedian battled the disease "with a smile on his face and cracking jokes that only Billy can."

He said, "Obviously, Billy’s been battling Parkinson’s but he’s been battling incredibly bravely and again he’s done it with a smile on his face and cracking jokes that only Billy can. I’m hoping he’s with us for a long time to come.”

Billy Connolly Health Update

In 2024, Billy made an admission about death amid his ongoing health struggles. In his 2023 autobiography, he mocked the "exaggerated" reports of his "demise". However, the actor-comedian said that he has maintained a positive outlook about his health and that he does not feel "close to death".

In an interview with The Mirror, he said that he remembers the day when he was told he had Parkinson's was the same day he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. "Yes, it was a funny week I had. On the Monday, I had hearing aids. On the Tuesday I got pills for heartburn, which I have to take all the time, and on the Wednesday, I got news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinson’s."

He shared that the best way to deal with such a news is to start thinking about the next step, which is the treatment. "You just have to think. Don't think you are being badly treated [by life] or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions. Just behave yourself and relax."

Connolly got the all-clear from prostate cancer after receiving treatment, reported the Independent.

Read: Can You Detect Dementia With An Eye Test?

As far as Parkinson's is concerned, his wife, Pamela Stephenson had said that her husband had the "most significant" symptom of the disease, which was a "couple of serious falls" that happened after his balance deteriorated due to Parkinson's.

Talking to Guardian, Billy said, "Recently I've noticed a deterioration in my balance. That was never such a problem before, but in the last year that has come and it has stayed. For some reason, I thought it would go away because a lot of the symptoms have come and gone away."

Prostate Cancer And Parkinson's Disease In Men Aged 40-50

The John Hopkins Medicine recommends screening for prostate cancer at age 55, and start their PSA screening between ages 40 to 54.

What Is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In many cases, it grows slowly, and detecting or treating it before symptoms appear may not always improve health outcomes or extend life. Learn more about prostate cancer, including screening, prevention, treatment options, research, and key statistics.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that while an average age of onset of Parkinson's disease in a person is in early to mid 60s, there could be some people who may have the disease before the age of 50.

In fact, a 2019 study in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease notes that while the mortality rate of Parkinson's disease is higher in women, risk of developing it is twice as high in men than women.

What Is Parkinson's Disease? Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressing disorder that affects movement and the nervous system. It develops when certain nerve cells in the brain weaken, become damaged, or die. As a result, people may experience tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, and balance problems. Over time, these symptoms can make everyday activities like walking, talking, and simple tasks more difficult.

Three children from Ottawa and Eastern Ontario have died due to flu-related complications over the past two weeks, as an unusually early and aggressive flu season grips the region. Health officials have confirmed that the cases are linked to Influenza A, a strain currently circulating widely and affecting children more severely than usual, as per CTV news.

The children were between five and nine years old. Authorities have not released further personal details about the two Ottawa cases and one case from Eastern Ontario.

What Is Influenza A?

Influenza A is a fast-spreading respiratory virus responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks and, at times, global pandemics. It changes quickly through genetic shifts, which makes new strains harder to predict and control. The virus is grouped based on surface proteins called hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, with H1N1 and H3N2 among the most common strains in circulation. It spreads mainly through coughs, sneezes, or close contact and often comes on suddenly, causing fever, cough, body pain, and extreme tiredness. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications, especially in vulnerable groups.

Influenza A: Health Officials Call Deaths a Serious Warning

Public health leaders from Ottawa and Eastern Ontario described the deaths as a troubling reminder of how dangerous the flu can be, especially for children.

“This highlights that influenza is not always a mild illness. It can lead to serious complications that require hospitalization,” medical officers of health from both regions said in a joint statement issued on Monday, as per CTV News.

Influenza A: Child Flu Deaths Rare but Not Unprecedented in Canada

While flu-related deaths among children are uncommon in Canada, they are not unheard of. During the last severe flu season in 2022, two children in Ottawa died due to influenza.

Most flu-related deaths in Canada occur among older adults. Of the estimated 3,500 flu deaths reported nationwide each year, roughly 90 percent involve people over the age of 65. However, experts say the current Influenza A strain is behaving differently.

Influenza A Hitting Children Hard This Season

The strain of Influenza A currently circulating has been linked to a sharp rise in severe pediatric flu cases globally. Health officials say the cluster of three child deaths within such a short period, and within a relatively small geographic area, is highly unusual.

This unusual pattern prompted the regional coroner to alert public health authorities after three sudden, unexpected child deaths tested positive for Influenza A.

“It’s rare for the coroner to reach out like this,” said Dr. Trevor Arnason, Ottawa’s medical officer of health. “But this season has been particularly severe.”

Influenza A: Hospitals Strained as Pediatric Cases Rise

CHEO, Ottawa’s children’s hospital, has reported high numbers of children falling seriously ill with the flu since November. Hospitalizations have continued to rise through early December.

Last week, CHEO issued an urgent request asking family doctors to extend clinic hours and assist at the hospital’s Kids Come First clinic to help manage patient volumes.

Hospital officials have also noted that many children arriving at the emergency department with severe flu symptoms had not been vaccinated.

Influenza A: Strong Push for Flu Vaccination as Cases Surge

Public health officials, including Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore, are urging everyone aged six months and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Dr. Arnason and Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, stressed that vaccination is especially important for children this season.

Influenza A: Vaccine Still Effective Despite Strain Mutation

Some people have expressed concern after reports suggested this year’s flu vaccine is not a perfect match for the circulating Influenza A strain. Health officials clarified that while the virus has mutated slightly since circulating in the southern hemisphere, the vaccine still offers meaningful protection.

“The flu vaccine may not always prevent infection, but it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications,” officials said. They added that the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, making early vaccination crucial ahead of the holiday season, when virus spread typically increases.