Credits: Canva
An experimental treatment happens to be the solution to delay Alzheimer's symptoms in some people. These people are the ones who are genetically destined to get the disease in their 40s or 50s. These new findings form ongoing research has now been caught up in Trump administration funding delas. The early results of the study has been published on Wednesday and the participants too are worried that politics could cut their access to a possible lifeline.
One of the participants had said, "It is still a study but it has given me an extension to my life that I never banked on having." The participant is named Jake Henrichs, form New York City, who is 50 years old. He is one of them to be treated in that study for more than a decade now and has remained symptom-free despite inheriting an Alzheimer's-causing gene that had killed his father and brother around the same age.
Two drugs which can modestly slow down early-stage Alzheimer's are sold in the United States. These drugs clear the brain of one of its hallmarks, a sticky gunk-like part called the amyloid. However, there have not been any hints that removing amyloid far earlier, way many years before the first symptoms appear, may postpone the disease.
The research is led by Washington University in St Louis, which involved families that passed down rare gene mutation as participants. This meant it was almost guaranteed that they will develop symptoms at the same age their affected relatives did.
The new findings is based on a subset of 22 participants who received amyloid-removing drugs the longest, on average eight years. Long-term amyloid removal cut in half their risk of symptom onset. The study is published in the journal Lancet Neurology.
Washington University's Dr Randall Bateman, who directs the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network of studies involving families with these rare genes says, "What we want to determine over the next five years is how strong is the protection. Will they ever get the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease if we keep treating them?”
The researchers before though did not know what exactly caused Alzheimer's which affects nearly 7 million Americans, most of them in their later life. However, it is clear that these silent changes occur in the brain at least two decades before the first symptom shows up. The big contributor. At some point amyloid buildup can trigger a protein named tau that then starts to kill neurons, which can lead to cognitive decline.
Researchers are now thus studying the Tau-fighting drugs and are looking into other factors, like inflammation, brain's immune cells and certain virus.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has expanded its focus as researchers have found more reasons for Alzheimer's. In 2013, the NIH's National Institute on Aging funded 14 trials of possible Alzheimer's drugs over a third targeting amyloid. By last fall, there were 68 drugs and 18% of them target amyloid. However, there are scientists too who think that amyloid is not everything and their is way more in the brain tissue, immune cells, and more which can be studied.
Credit: Canva
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once addressed the nation through his monthly radio broadcast, Maan Ki Baat. It was the 134th installment of the broadcast, and the Prime Minister urged the people of India to take extra precautions in summer's scorching heat.
The Prime Minister said, "It is very hot in most parts of the country right now. Strong sun, hot winds, it is very important to take care of yourself in such weather. Keep drinking water. If at all you have to go out in the sun, do so with caution." He added, "Don't forget the guidelines issued by various government departments in this regard."
Then the Prime Minister also addressed traditional food and drinking practices in different parts of the country to stay fit even during the hot summer. He urged the citizens to drink regional traditional drinks to stay hydrated and named popular options like Aam Panna, Sattu sherbet, Kokum sherbet, Sol Kadhi, Panakam, Neer Mor, Sambaram, Bael Pana, and Buttermilk. "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," he added.
The Prime Minister also mentions mangoes, which are a household summer treat in India. He said, "Every region… its own mango, its own flavor, its own aroma." Then he described these different mangoes and their specialties as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentions the journey of the Indian mangoes from domestic production to the global market.
Easy Tips To Stay Fit During a Heatwave
Drink water consistently at regular intervals instead of gulping large quantities at once. Electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water, lemon water with a pinch of salt, or buttermilk are healthy, affordable options to soothe parched throats.
Add items like curd, rice, cucumber, and bottle gourd to your diet and avoid red meat and fried foods during peak summer days.
Extreme temperatures put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, especially in people with hypertension, diabetes, or heart conditions. Make sure to take all prescribed medications exactly as advised—don’t skip doses even if you experience heat-induced nausea. If you feel dizzy or experience palpitations or severe fatigue, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Air conditioning is helpful, but overexposure can lead to dry skin, headaches, and respiratory discomfort. Once every two or three hours, step away from your desk for a few minutes. Walk or stand, and sip some water.
Credit: iStock
The whole world is in terror of Ebola spreading, and countries are on alert. Recently, there has been a possible Ebola-infected person under investigation by the health authorities of Brazil. As per the media reports, the suspected 37-year-old man is admitted to the hospital in São Paulo.
The person with possible Ebola infection is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and started to show Ebola-like symptoms after returning from the African country.
The local health authorities have ensured that he is in isolation, and the hospital specializes in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.
Ebola is a severe and, in most cases, deadly disease caused by viruses predominantly found in Africa. The spread of the disease happens through contact with infected body fluids.
Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death. The hosts of the virus are animals like bats, primates, and antelopes.
The virus is raising serious global health concerns, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, stating that the ongoing Ebola outbreak "is spreading rapidly" and "outpacing us". Yet experts say that it is not COVID and cannot spread like it.
“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).
Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.
It is because Ebola is not airborne. Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands. It spreads only via body fluid contact.
In addition, people with Ebola also do not spread the virus before developing symptoms. This means that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.
Credit: AP
Putting an end to speculation over US President Donald Trump’s health, the White House has announced that the 79-year-old is in “excellent health”.
Trump underwent his annual medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26.
"President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function," Dr. Sean Barbabella, physician to the president, wrote in the memo, released late Friday evening.
He added that Trump is "fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."
Trump’s health became a major subject of discussion after photographs at times showed swollen ankles, bruised hands, and a blotchy neck. He has been spotted several times with slurred speech and naps during official meetings.
Shortly after the examination, Trump said that "everything checked out perfectly."
Trump, who turns 80 in June, is the oldest person to assume the presidency. He frequently portrays himself as more energetic and fitter than Joe Biden, his Democratic predecessor, who left office last year at age 82 after facing questions about his fitness for the job.
Barbabella described the assessment as a “comprehensive preventive evaluation,” which included a thorough review of all diagnostic studies and laboratory testing conducted over the past year.
It also included “consultations with twenty-two specialty providers from multiple academic institutions. All aspects of the assessment were performed in accordance with US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations,” he said in the memo.
Also read: ‘Sea Or See?’ Donald Trump's Remark Sparks Fresh Cognitive Health Speculation
The President’s diagnostic summary showed:
Barbabella further said that the medical test also evaluated his hands and “revealed ecchymosis (bruising), consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention". He added that it is “a common and benign effect of aspirin therapy.”
The examination also found no “suspicious lesions or concerning growths.”
Read More: Was Trump Sleeping During Oval Office Event? White House Reacts
The President's neurological condition was significantly targeted, with many doctors pointing out that he's suffering from dementia. But the test results, authorized by the President for public release, revealed him to be in “normal mental status".
Further, it showed that his "cranial nerves are intact", and he also has "normal motor strength, sensation, reflexes, gait, and balance.”
Trump also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) screenings for depression and anxiety, both of which were "normal".
Cognitive function, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), was also within normal limits, with a score of 30 out of 30.
Comprehensive laboratory evaluation, including a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, coagulation profile, D-dimer, B-type natriuretic peptide, and cardiac biomarkers, remained within normal limits, Barbabella said.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited