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.

Slowing Down The Symptoms

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.

How Was The Research Conducted?

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.

India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh has reported four COVID-19 deaths amid a rise in infections, prompting experts to reiterate the importance of booster vaccination for older adults and people at high risk of severe disease.

While sporadic COVID-19 cases have continued to be reported across the country, fatalities have remained relatively uncommon. Health experts say the current situation does not resemble previous pandemic waves, but immunity from earlier vaccinations has waned, making booster doses important for vulnerable groups.

Andhra Pradesh Reports Four COVID Deaths

In an official statement, Andhra Pradesh Health Commissioner G. Veerapandian said that 12 people tested positive for COVID-19 across the state between June 26 and July 16. Of these, four patients with multiple comorbidities died.

The deceased had underlying conditions including hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and other serious illnesses.

Although cases have increased in a few states and cities, hospitals are not experiencing the overwhelming admissions, oxygen shortages, or healthcare burden seen during earlier waves.

Also read: Omicron Sub-Lineages Likely Behind COVID Surge In India: Why Deaths Are Occurring

Who Is Most at Risk?

Experts say that while most current infections are mild, severe illness remains more likely in:

• Older adults

• Pregnant women

• People with diabetes

• Individuals with heart disease

• Those with chronic lung or kidney disease

• Cancer patients

• People with weakened immune systems

Experts Advise Boosters For Vulnerable Groups

Read More: COVID Spikes In India: Experts Allay Fears, Stress Vaccination And Masks

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Atul Kakar, Chairperson, Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said booster doses remain advisable for people at highest risk.

"COVID vaccines are now again recommended, especially for the elderly population, particularly those of advanced age or who are immunocompromised. It is a voluntary vaccine that is indicated because immunity from earlier vaccinations has declined."

Dr. Manjeeta Nath Das, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, PB Health, said COVID-19 cases are rising in small pockets, particularly in South India, while immunity from previous vaccination has gradually waned.

"COVID is rising in India, especially in small pockets in South India. So we should all get re-vaccinated. It has been several years since the pandemic, and immunity from previous vaccinations has waned," Das told HealthandMe.

She recommended booster doses for:

• Adults aged 65 years and above

• Immunocompromised children older than six months

• People with diabetes, hypertension, or asthma

• Patients undergoing chemotherapy

• Individuals taking steroids or other immunosuppressive medicines

• Adults with immunocompromising conditions

• Caregivers and healthcare workers caring for vulnerable patients

She also said eligible people may consider an annual COVID-19 booster as immunity declines over time.

Dr. Kakar added that people with weakened immunity, immunodeficiency, advanced age, and pregnant women are among those who would benefit most from a booster.

Heterologous Boosters May Be An Option

Dr. Neha Rastogi, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said booster vaccination should focus on those at the highest risk rather than the general population.

"The focus has shifted from broad herd immunity to priority boosters for the elderly and high-risk groups such as cancer patients, people on dialysis, those with uncontrolled diabetes, patients on steroids, and immunosuppressed individuals."

She told HealthandMe that people who have previously been vaccinated may also consider a heterologous booster—receiving a different COVID-19 vaccine from the one used for their earlier doses—where appropriate and based on medical advice.

India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has approved Wegovy (semaglutide injection 2.4 mg) for the treatment of adults with fatty liver disease, Novo Nordisk announced today.

According to the company, Wegovy is the first and only GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) approved globally and in India for the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

"People with MASH face a higher risk of serious liver complications and heart-related disease. This approval is an important milestone, giving doctors and patients a new treatment option while also helping address obesity and related heart and metabolic diseases," said Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India.

Clinical Trial Findings

The approval is based on findings from the ESSENCE clinical trial, which showed that:

• 63% of patients treated with Wegovy experienced resolution of steatohepatitis, an advanced form of fatty liver disease.
• 37% showed improvement in liver fibrosis.
• 33% achieved both resolution of steatohepatitis and improvement in liver fibrosis.

Who Should Take Wegovy?

Semaglutide injection (Wegovy) is indicated, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for:

• Chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher, or 27 kg/m² or higher with at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidaemia.
• Chronic weight management in adolescents aged 12 years and older with obesity and a body weight above 60 kg.
• Reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are overweight or have obesity.
• Treatment of noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (F2-F3) in adults.

What Is MASH?

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive liver disease caused by excess fat accumulation in the liver, leading to chronic inflammation and liver damage.

According to Novo Nordisk, two in three Indians have fatty liver disease. The condition is often called a "silent disease" because many people do not develop symptoms until liver damage has become advanced. If left untreated, MASH can progress to severe liver complications.

"MASH is becoming more common in India as lifestyles change. In many people, early MASH has no obvious symptoms, so the condition may not be diagnosed until liver damage is more advanced," said Dr. Dharmesh Kapoor, Senior Consultant Hepatologist, Hyderabad.

He stressed the importance of early screening, particularly for people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or other metabolic conditions.

"Wegovy has demonstrated benefits in reducing liver inflammation and fibrosis while also supporting weight management and blood sugar control, both of which are linked to MASH progression," Dr. Kapoor added.

Novo Nordisk said innovator semaglutide is backed by more than 50 clinical trials, 49 million patient-years of exposure, and extensive real-world evidence.

The medicine, manufactured using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, has been approved in 75 countries, including by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA).

Planning an overseas holiday this summer? The UK government is urging British travellers to be aware of the dangers of methanol poisoning.

The warning comes after reports of British nationals becoming seriously ill or dying after unknowingly consuming alcohol tainted with methanol in popular tourist destinations.

The UK government has now added warnings about methanol poisoning to its travel advice for 29 destinations, including popular holiday hotspots such as Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam.

"We are working to raise awareness of the warning signs of methanol poisoning and urge anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to seek immediate medical attention, helping British nationals stay safe overseas," said Minister for Consular Hamish Falconer MP.

He urged travelers to check the latest travel advice before departure and act immediately if they suspect methanol poisoning.

UK Launches 'Know the Signs' Campaign

Also read: Cyclospora Parasite: CDC, FDA Trace Outbreak In 5 States To Taco Bell Lettuce Supplier

As part of its 'Know the Signs' campaign, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has released new videos featuring the families and friends of British nationals who died after unknowingly drinking methanol-contaminated alcohol overseas.

The campaign includes first-hand testimonies from survivors and bereaved families to raise awareness of the warning signs and encourage travelers to seek urgent medical help if methanol poisoning is suspected.

"No one expects a holiday to end in tragedy, yet methanol poisoning can have devastating—and sometimes fatal—consequences. The courage of survivors and bereaved families in sharing their experiences will help raise awareness and could save lives," Falconer added.

What Is Methanol?

Methanol is a highly toxic industrial alcohol that can sometimes be present in counterfeit, illegally produced or contaminated alcoholic drinks.

As little as 30 ml—about one shot—can be fatal for an adult, while even smaller amounts can cause permanent blindness, brain damage and other life-threatening complications.

One of the biggest dangers is that there is no reliable way to tell whether alcohol has been contaminated. Symptoms often do not appear until 12 to 24 hours after drinking, delaying life-saving treatment.

Know the Warning Signs

Read More: Botulism Cases Surge in UK: MHRA Issues Botox Safety Warning Over Rare Life-Threatening Side Effect

Early symptoms of methanol poisoning may resemble ordinary alcohol intoxication or a hangover, making it easy to miss.

Warning signs include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Blurred or disturbed vision
• Difficulty breathing

Vision problems and breathlessness typically develop 12 to 48 hours after consuming contaminated alcohol.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms after drinking alcohol abroad should seek emergency medical attention immediately, as early treatment can be life-saving.

How to Reduce Your Risk

The UK government advises travellers to:

• Buy alcohol only from reputable bars, restaurants, hotels and licensed retailers.
• Choose sealed bottles or cans whenever possible.
• Avoid homemade, bootleg or street-sold alcohol.
• Do not accept free shots or cocktails from unknown sources.
• Be cautious of unusually cheap or heavily discounted alcoholic drinks claiming to be premium brands.
• Take extra care with spirit-based drinks served as shots, cocktails, buckets or "on the rocks."
• Check the latest travel advice before travelling.