Among Older Patients with AF, Stroke Risk Is Higher in Women Than in Men
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a population-based cohort, the increase was independent of comorbidities, baseline risk score, or warfarin use.
Warfarin Ineffective for HF Without Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In the WARCEF trial, reduced stroke rates were offset by increased bleeding.
A Snapshot of Real-World TAVR Results
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a French registry study, outcomes were similar to those in the PARTNER trial.
Comparing Radiation Treatments for Localized Prostate Cancer
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy provided some benefits versus conformal radiation therapy or proton therapy.
Antipsychotics and Myocardial Infarction in Dementia Patients
Neurology Summary and Comment
The risk for MI was significantly elevated in the first month after initiation of antipsychotics in dementia patients already treated with cholinesterase inhibitors.
Physical Activity in Elders and Alzheimer Risk
Neurology Summary and Comment
An actigraphy study supports the role of activity in preventing AD.
Optimizing Postmenopausal Vitamin D3 Supplementation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
For white women, 600 IU of vitamin D3 daily appears to be sufficient.
Adding Newer Cardiac Risk Markers to the Framingham Risk Score
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Only 2 of 12 new markers significantly improve risk prediction when added to the FRS.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
April 24, 2012
Covering:
Kavousi M et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Mar 20; 156:438
Hlatky MA., Ann Intern Med 2012 Mar 20; 156:468
Carotid Ultrasound Use Is Increasing in Older Americans
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cardiologists and vascular surgeons appear responsible for much of the increase.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 24, 2012
Covering:
Zafar AM et al., AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012 Apr; 198:866
Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The procedure is an option for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 24, 2012
Covering:
Kodali SK et al., N Engl J Med 2012 May 3; 366:1686
Makkar RR et al., N Engl J Med 2012 May 3; 366:1696
Geriatric Depression as a Harbinger of Dementia
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Similar white-matter findings in remitted geriatric depression and mild cognitive impairment suggest that they may progress similarly to Alzheimer disease.
In Alzheimer Disease, Antioxidants Hurt
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Antioxidants do not improve AD biomarkers and adversely affect cognition.
Autologous BMC Therapy for Heart Failure Disappoints in Phase II Trial
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Transendocardial cell administration fails to improve left ventricular systolic function, maximal oxygen consumption, or defect size.
Screening ECG Abnormalities Portend Adverse Cardiac Events in Older Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But cost-benefit analysis is required before routine screening can be recommended.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
April 17, 2012
Covering:
Auer R et al., JAMA 2012 Apr 11; 307:1497
Greenland P., JAMA 2012 Apr 11; 307:1530
Motor Restlessness in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A comparison of unmedicated patients with Parkinson disease and controls showed a nearly three times increased prevalence of leg motor restlessness but not typical restless legs syndrome.
By Brian J. Murray, MD, FRCPC D, ABSM
April 17, 2012
Covering:
Gjerstad MD et al., Neurology 2011 Nov 29; 77:1941
The 23-mg Donepezil Dilemma
Neurology News in Context
Criticism of FDA approval of higher-dose donepezil escalates from consumer advocacy groups to health policy clinicians
Antidepressants in Dementia: To Stop or Not?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Some patients have increased symptoms after SSRI discontinuation, but most do well.
Is Losartan as Good as Candesartan for HF?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A registry study suggests that it is, although the data contain many gaps.
Danish Findings Show Neither Benefit nor Harm of HRT After Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology Summary and Comment
However, population-wide observational data are potentially useful for estimating risk in individual patients.
Drug Directed at ApoE Production is Successful in Mouse Models of Alzheimer Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Bexarotene — FDA-approved for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas — reversed neural pathology and cognitive deficits; too good to be true?
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
April 10, 2012
Covering:
Cramer PE et al., Science 2012 Mar 23; 335:1503
Strittmatter WJ., Science 2012 Mar 23; 335:1447
A New Potential Therapeutic Pathway for Alzheimer Disease
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
High levels of histone deacetylase 2 in animals and humans are associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.
"Silent" Cerebral Emboli May Hasten Progression of Dementia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
This finding was noted both in patients with Alzheimer disease and those with vascular dementia.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 5, 2012
Covering:
Purandare N et al., Am J Psychiatry 2012 Mar 1; 169:300
Doraiswamy PM., Am J Psychiatry 2012 Mar 1; 169:251
Alzheimer Disease and Cancer: An Inverse Relation?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Framingham data support this biologically plausible phenomenon.
Distinguishing FTD from Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A specific neuropsychological assessment shows promise.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Bertoux M et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012 Apr; 83:411
A New Quick Way to Assess Alzheimer Disease
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A neuropsychological test captures the episodic memory deficit associated with AD, even early in the disease process.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Wagner M et al., Neurology 2012 Feb 7; 78:379
Swerdlow RH and Jicha GA., Neurology 2012 Feb 7; 78:374
