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Researchers have identified two new locations of genes that might be implicated in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a report in the June 14 onlineNature Genetics. The genome-wide association study included 1,618 cases and shared data for 3,413 controls. Replication was performed in an independent set of 2,256 cases and 2,310 controls. Risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified on chromosome 12q13-14 (rs703842, rs10876994, and rs12368653), as well as upstream of CD40 on chromosome 20q13 (rs6074022 and rs1569723). These loci are also associated with other autoimmune diseases. A statistical interaction was observed between SNPs in EVI5-RPL5 and HLA-DR15. The investigators stated that future research will focus on mapping the discovered regions and identifying how changes in the target genes affect development of MS.
Depression is predictive of progression from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease, and donepezil may delay that progression, according to a study in the June 16 Neurology. Investigators studied 756 subjects with aMCI in a three-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil and vitamin E. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Participants were followed up until the end of the study or until the primary end point of progression to probable or possible Alzheimer’s disease. Higher BDI scores were associated with progression to Alzheimer’s disease. “Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that among the depressed subjects, the proportion progressing to Alzheimer’s disease was lower for the donepezil group than the combined vitamin E and placebo groups at 1.7 years, and remained marginally lower at 2.7 years,” the authors stated. “Donepezil appears to modulate the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease conferred by the presence of depressive symptoms,” they concluded.
Approximately half of all recurrent strokes within seven days after transient ischemic attack (TIA) occur during the first 24 hours, investigators reported in the June 2Neurology. Investigators determined the risk of recurrent stroke, defined as new neurologic symptoms of sudden onset after initial recovery, at six, 12, and 24 hours. “Of 1,247 first TIA or strokes, 35 had recurrent strokes within 24 hours, all in the same arterial territory,” the researchers reported. In 25 cases, the initial event subsided prior to the recurrent stroke. “The six-, 12-, and 24-hour stroke risks after 488 first TIAs were 1.2%, 2.1%, and 5.1%, with 42% of all strokes during the 30 days after a first TIA occurring within the first 24 hours,” the investigators stated. Risk at 12 and 24 hours strongly correlated with ABCD2 score. “Sixteen patients (64%) sought urgent medical attention prior to the recurrent stroke, although none received acute antiplatelet treatment.”
The use of thigh-length graduated compression stockings (GCS) is not advised for acute stroke patients, according to a study in the June 6 Lancet. Patients admitted to the hospital within one week of acute stroke were randomized to routine care plus thigh-length GCS (n = 1,256) or routine care only (n = 1,262). The primary outcome, occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis in the popliteal or femoral veins, “occurred in 126 patients (10.0%) allocated to the thigh-length GCS and 133 (10.5%) allocated to avoid GCS, resulting in a nonsignificant absolute reduction in risk of 0.5%,” investigators reported. Patients in the GCS group also experienced more skin breaks, ulcers, blisters, and skin necrosis than those in the avoidance group (64 [5%] vs 16 [1%]; odds ratio, 4.18). The study authors concluded that “national guidelines for stroke might need to be revised on the basis of these results.”
Vitamin D can reduce the risk for dementia, per a study published in the May Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. “The observational evidence includes that low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, depression, dental caries, osteoporosis, and periodontal disease, all of which are either considered risk factors for dementia or have preceded incidence of dementia,” the investigators stated. “The laboratory evidence includes several findings on the role of vitamin D in neuroprotection and reducing inflammation.” The authors noted that observational studies of incidence of dementia in relation to prediagnostic serum 25(OH)D or vitamin D supplementation are warranted.
The FDA has approved Cambia (diclofenac potassium for oral solution) for the treatment of acute migraine in adults. The drug is a diclofenac-based NSAID combined with potassium bicarbonate and can be used in adult migraineurs with or without aura. In randomized clinical trials, diclofenac potassium for oral solution provided statistically significant onset of relief from migraine pain within 15 to 30 minutes. In addition, it was effective in providing relief from photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea. Diclofenac potassium for oral solution is marketed by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., in Montgomery, Alabama, and will be available in late 2009.
Patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) might be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a report in the July Lancet Neurology. Investigators observed patients with SCI, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI). A CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was defined as an abnormal ratio of β-amyloid 42 to tau. Outcome measures included changes in memory, overall cognition, Mini-Mental State Examination score, daily function, and progression to dementia of the Alzheimer’s disease type. “The CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was more common in patients with SCI (31 of 60 [52%]), naMCI (25 of 37 [68%]), and aMCI (56 of 71 [79%]), than in healthy controls (28 of 89 [31%]),” the researchers stated. In addition, the CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was predictive of Alzheimer’s disease–type dementia in subjects with MCI.
NR
—Laura Sassano
Researchers have identified two new locations of genes that might be implicated in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a report in the June 14 onlineNature Genetics. The genome-wide association study included 1,618 cases and shared data for 3,413 controls. Replication was performed in an independent set of 2,256 cases and 2,310 controls. Risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified on chromosome 12q13-14 (rs703842, rs10876994, and rs12368653), as well as upstream of CD40 on chromosome 20q13 (rs6074022 and rs1569723). These loci are also associated with other autoimmune diseases. A statistical interaction was observed between SNPs in EVI5-RPL5 and HLA-DR15. The investigators stated that future research will focus on mapping the discovered regions and identifying how changes in the target genes affect development of MS.
Depression is predictive of progression from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease, and donepezil may delay that progression, according to a study in the June 16 Neurology. Investigators studied 756 subjects with aMCI in a three-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil and vitamin E. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Participants were followed up until the end of the study or until the primary end point of progression to probable or possible Alzheimer’s disease. Higher BDI scores were associated with progression to Alzheimer’s disease. “Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that among the depressed subjects, the proportion progressing to Alzheimer’s disease was lower for the donepezil group than the combined vitamin E and placebo groups at 1.7 years, and remained marginally lower at 2.7 years,” the authors stated. “Donepezil appears to modulate the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease conferred by the presence of depressive symptoms,” they concluded.
Approximately half of all recurrent strokes within seven days after transient ischemic attack (TIA) occur during the first 24 hours, investigators reported in the June 2Neurology. Investigators determined the risk of recurrent stroke, defined as new neurologic symptoms of sudden onset after initial recovery, at six, 12, and 24 hours. “Of 1,247 first TIA or strokes, 35 had recurrent strokes within 24 hours, all in the same arterial territory,” the researchers reported. In 25 cases, the initial event subsided prior to the recurrent stroke. “The six-, 12-, and 24-hour stroke risks after 488 first TIAs were 1.2%, 2.1%, and 5.1%, with 42% of all strokes during the 30 days after a first TIA occurring within the first 24 hours,” the investigators stated. Risk at 12 and 24 hours strongly correlated with ABCD2 score. “Sixteen patients (64%) sought urgent medical attention prior to the recurrent stroke, although none received acute antiplatelet treatment.”
The use of thigh-length graduated compression stockings (GCS) is not advised for acute stroke patients, according to a study in the June 6 Lancet. Patients admitted to the hospital within one week of acute stroke were randomized to routine care plus thigh-length GCS (n = 1,256) or routine care only (n = 1,262). The primary outcome, occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis in the popliteal or femoral veins, “occurred in 126 patients (10.0%) allocated to the thigh-length GCS and 133 (10.5%) allocated to avoid GCS, resulting in a nonsignificant absolute reduction in risk of 0.5%,” investigators reported. Patients in the GCS group also experienced more skin breaks, ulcers, blisters, and skin necrosis than those in the avoidance group (64 [5%] vs 16 [1%]; odds ratio, 4.18). The study authors concluded that “national guidelines for stroke might need to be revised on the basis of these results.”
Vitamin D can reduce the risk for dementia, per a study published in the May Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. “The observational evidence includes that low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, depression, dental caries, osteoporosis, and periodontal disease, all of which are either considered risk factors for dementia or have preceded incidence of dementia,” the investigators stated. “The laboratory evidence includes several findings on the role of vitamin D in neuroprotection and reducing inflammation.” The authors noted that observational studies of incidence of dementia in relation to prediagnostic serum 25(OH)D or vitamin D supplementation are warranted.
The FDA has approved Cambia (diclofenac potassium for oral solution) for the treatment of acute migraine in adults. The drug is a diclofenac-based NSAID combined with potassium bicarbonate and can be used in adult migraineurs with or without aura. In randomized clinical trials, diclofenac potassium for oral solution provided statistically significant onset of relief from migraine pain within 15 to 30 minutes. In addition, it was effective in providing relief from photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea. Diclofenac potassium for oral solution is marketed by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., in Montgomery, Alabama, and will be available in late 2009.
Patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) might be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a report in the July Lancet Neurology. Investigators observed patients with SCI, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI). A CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was defined as an abnormal ratio of β-amyloid 42 to tau. Outcome measures included changes in memory, overall cognition, Mini-Mental State Examination score, daily function, and progression to dementia of the Alzheimer’s disease type. “The CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was more common in patients with SCI (31 of 60 [52%]), naMCI (25 of 37 [68%]), and aMCI (56 of 71 [79%]), than in healthy controls (28 of 89 [31%]),” the researchers stated. In addition, the CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was predictive of Alzheimer’s disease–type dementia in subjects with MCI.
NR
—Laura Sassano
Researchers have identified two new locations of genes that might be implicated in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a report in the June 14 onlineNature Genetics. The genome-wide association study included 1,618 cases and shared data for 3,413 controls. Replication was performed in an independent set of 2,256 cases and 2,310 controls. Risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified on chromosome 12q13-14 (rs703842, rs10876994, and rs12368653), as well as upstream of CD40 on chromosome 20q13 (rs6074022 and rs1569723). These loci are also associated with other autoimmune diseases. A statistical interaction was observed between SNPs in EVI5-RPL5 and HLA-DR15. The investigators stated that future research will focus on mapping the discovered regions and identifying how changes in the target genes affect development of MS.
Depression is predictive of progression from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease, and donepezil may delay that progression, according to a study in the June 16 Neurology. Investigators studied 756 subjects with aMCI in a three-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil and vitamin E. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Participants were followed up until the end of the study or until the primary end point of progression to probable or possible Alzheimer’s disease. Higher BDI scores were associated with progression to Alzheimer’s disease. “Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that among the depressed subjects, the proportion progressing to Alzheimer’s disease was lower for the donepezil group than the combined vitamin E and placebo groups at 1.7 years, and remained marginally lower at 2.7 years,” the authors stated. “Donepezil appears to modulate the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease conferred by the presence of depressive symptoms,” they concluded.
Approximately half of all recurrent strokes within seven days after transient ischemic attack (TIA) occur during the first 24 hours, investigators reported in the June 2Neurology. Investigators determined the risk of recurrent stroke, defined as new neurologic symptoms of sudden onset after initial recovery, at six, 12, and 24 hours. “Of 1,247 first TIA or strokes, 35 had recurrent strokes within 24 hours, all in the same arterial territory,” the researchers reported. In 25 cases, the initial event subsided prior to the recurrent stroke. “The six-, 12-, and 24-hour stroke risks after 488 first TIAs were 1.2%, 2.1%, and 5.1%, with 42% of all strokes during the 30 days after a first TIA occurring within the first 24 hours,” the investigators stated. Risk at 12 and 24 hours strongly correlated with ABCD2 score. “Sixteen patients (64%) sought urgent medical attention prior to the recurrent stroke, although none received acute antiplatelet treatment.”
The use of thigh-length graduated compression stockings (GCS) is not advised for acute stroke patients, according to a study in the June 6 Lancet. Patients admitted to the hospital within one week of acute stroke were randomized to routine care plus thigh-length GCS (n = 1,256) or routine care only (n = 1,262). The primary outcome, occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis in the popliteal or femoral veins, “occurred in 126 patients (10.0%) allocated to the thigh-length GCS and 133 (10.5%) allocated to avoid GCS, resulting in a nonsignificant absolute reduction in risk of 0.5%,” investigators reported. Patients in the GCS group also experienced more skin breaks, ulcers, blisters, and skin necrosis than those in the avoidance group (64 [5%] vs 16 [1%]; odds ratio, 4.18). The study authors concluded that “national guidelines for stroke might need to be revised on the basis of these results.”
Vitamin D can reduce the risk for dementia, per a study published in the May Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. “The observational evidence includes that low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, depression, dental caries, osteoporosis, and periodontal disease, all of which are either considered risk factors for dementia or have preceded incidence of dementia,” the investigators stated. “The laboratory evidence includes several findings on the role of vitamin D in neuroprotection and reducing inflammation.” The authors noted that observational studies of incidence of dementia in relation to prediagnostic serum 25(OH)D or vitamin D supplementation are warranted.
The FDA has approved Cambia (diclofenac potassium for oral solution) for the treatment of acute migraine in adults. The drug is a diclofenac-based NSAID combined with potassium bicarbonate and can be used in adult migraineurs with or without aura. In randomized clinical trials, diclofenac potassium for oral solution provided statistically significant onset of relief from migraine pain within 15 to 30 minutes. In addition, it was effective in providing relief from photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea. Diclofenac potassium for oral solution is marketed by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., in Montgomery, Alabama, and will be available in late 2009.
Patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) might be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a report in the July Lancet Neurology. Investigators observed patients with SCI, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI). A CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was defined as an abnormal ratio of β-amyloid 42 to tau. Outcome measures included changes in memory, overall cognition, Mini-Mental State Examination score, daily function, and progression to dementia of the Alzheimer’s disease type. “The CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was more common in patients with SCI (31 of 60 [52%]), naMCI (25 of 37 [68%]), and aMCI (56 of 71 [79%]), than in healthy controls (28 of 89 [31%]),” the researchers stated. In addition, the CSF Alzheimer’s disease profile was predictive of Alzheimer’s disease–type dementia in subjects with MCI.
NR
—Laura Sassano