Medical News Online

Scientists have found elevated cholesterol levels during midlife substantially increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

An international team of researchers from Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research and the University of Kuopio in Finland analyzed 10,000 individuals over a period of 40 years. Their work suggests those with high cholesterol—defined as 240 milligrams or more per deciliter of blood—were at a 66 percent higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Read the rest of this entry »

This October marks the 25th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to raising awareness and educating the public about the disease itself as well as its treatments and advances, scientists have released a study that has found many breast cancer patients suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.

Researchers with the University of Rochester Medical Center followed 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and found that nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood. The insufficient levels could contribute to decreased bone mass and increased risk of bone fractures. Read the rest of this entry »

An article published Online First and in a future edition of The Lancet reports that prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin can persist for at least ten years. The article is the work of Dr. William C. Knowler of the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and colleagues from the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) randomised clinical trial took place for 2.8 years. During this time, diabetes incidence in high-risk adults was reduced by 58 percent with intensive lifestyle intervention and by 31 percent with metformin, compared with placebo. The Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study is a long-term follow-up study. The authors investigated the persistence of these lasting effects. Read the rest of this entry »

When Lisa Kepp (*name has been changed to protect privacy) was 2 years old, she was diagnosed with a neurological condition. She had not said a word in her short life — and it wasn’t for want of trying. Lisa was so frustrated at not being able to form the words she clearly wanted to say that she flew into temper tantrums four or five times a day. The family was on pins and needles waiting for the next time the little girl would explode.

A pediatric neurologist diagnosed verbal apraxia, a speech disorder, and recommended that she receive intensive speech therapy. He suggested no other treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

Contrary to findings from an earlier study, new research suggests that coffee lovers do not face an increased risk of heart failure.

Researchers found that among more than 37,000 middle-aged and older Swedish men, those who regularly drank coffee were no more likely to develop heart failure than those who infrequently, if ever, drank the beverage.

The findings, reported in the American Heart Journal, add to evidence that coffee may not be the heart-health threat it was once suspected to be. Read the rest of this entry »

Migraine with aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache) is associated with a twofold increased risk of stroke, finds a study published on bmj.com today. Further risk factors for stroke among patients with migraine are being a woman, being young, being a smoker, and using oestrogen containing contraceptives.

The risk was highest among young women with migraine with aura who smoke and use oestrogen containing contraceptives.

Migraine is a common, chronic disorder that affects up to 20% of the population. Women are affected up to four times more often than men. Up to one third of sufferers also experience an aura prior to or during a migraine headache (often described as the perception of a strange light, an unpleasant smell or confusing thoughts or experiences). Read the rest of this entry »