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
Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement: A Lasting Option for Selected Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The clinical benefit of TAVR in inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis is sustained for up to 2 years.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Makkar RR et al. for the PARTNER Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 26
Two-Year Follow-Up After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Cardiology Summary and Comment
TAVR remains a good alternative to surgery in high-risk patients, according to the latest data from the PARTNER randomized trial.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Kodali S et al. for the PARTNER Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 26
Managing Drug Therapies as Alzheimer Disease Progresses
General Medicine Summary and Comment
After several years of donepezil therapy, donepezil (but not memantine) conferred modest benefits.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 20, 2012
Covering:
Howard R et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 8; 366:893
A New Tool to Predict Delirium in ICU Patients
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A new prediction rule can help identify critically ill patients at high risk for delirium.
By Vanja C. Douglas, MD
March 20, 2012
Covering:
van den Boogaard M et al., BMJ 2012 Feb 9; 344:e420
CT Shows Age-Related Downward Shift of Midfacial Fat Compartments
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Better understanding of age-related changes in facial fat distribution could improve rejuvenation efforts.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
March 16, 2012
Covering:
Gierloff M et al., Plast Reconstr Surg 2012 Jan; 129:263
The European Prostate Cancer Screening Study: An Update
After 2 additional years of follow-up, results confirmed that PSA screening reduced prostate cancer mortality but did not affect overall mortality.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
March 14, 2012
Covering:
Schröder FH et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 15; 366:981
Miller AB., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 15; 366:1047
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation in Older Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A randomized trial found no effect on cancer or vascular mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 13, 2012
Covering:
Avenell A et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Feb; 97:614
Forehead Wrinkles Were Improved over a Wider Area with More-Dilute Botulinum Toxin
Dermatology Summary and Comment
This approach could save costs, widen the improvement, and prevent adverse effects.
Codifying the Stages of Reproductive Aging
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
An enhanced classification scheme for changes that occur before and after the final menstrual period
Treatment of Alzheimer Disease: Stop, Add, or Switch?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
This randomized study finds little evidence of benefit from combining medications in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 7, 2012
Covering:
Howard R et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 8; 366:893
Schneider LS., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 8; 366:957
An Effective Treatment for Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Donepezil improved cognition and behavior.
Recent Trends and Determinants of Declines in Coronary Artery Disease in Europe
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Three studies explore how changes in comorbidities, socioeconomics, and demographics relate to remarkably consistent patterns in event rates and case fatality.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
February 29, 2012
Covering:
Schmidt M et al., BMJ 2012 Jan 25; 344:e356
Smolina K et al., BMJ 2012 Jan 25; 344:d8059
Bandosz P et al., BMJ 2012 Jan 25; 344:d8136
Tunstall-Pedoe H., BMJ 2012 Jan 25; 344:d7809
End-of-Life Care Discussions Among Patients with Advanced Cancer
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The discussions occurred late in the course of disease.
Stem Cells Helpful for Studying Alzheimer Disease Pathology
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Using induced pluripotent stem cells allows a closer look at phenotypes in familial and sporadic AD.
Risk Factors for Disability in an Elderly Cohort
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A majority developed a walking or driving disability within 4 years.
Dementia Associated with Increased Rate of Hospitalization
Neurology Summary and Comment
In a prospective cohort study, elders who developed dementia had higher rates of hospitalization — particularly for conditions potentially treatable in outpatient settings — than those who didn't develop dementia.
By Helen Kao, MD
February 21, 2012
Covering:
Phelan EA et al., JAMA 2012 Jan 11; 307:165
Is Memantine Effective for Dementia in Patients with Down Syndrome?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Apparently not, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
By Jaime Toro, MD
February 21, 2012
Covering:
Hanney M et al., Lancet 2012 Feb 11; 379:528
How Effective Are Face-Lifts, and How Can We Measure Skin Tightening?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
We still don't know.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Liu TS and Owsley JQ., Plast Reconstr Surg 2012 Jan; 129:253
DNA Repair in Depression and Antidepressant Response
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Patients have higher than normal DNA-repair enzyme activity, and those with the highest activity respond less well to antidepressants.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Wolkowitz OM et al., Mol Psychiatry 2012 Feb; 17:164
IQ Testing over the Lifespan Reveals Potential Environmental Influences
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Another study bolsters the theory that adults can act to maintain cognitive abilities.
By Barbara Geller, MD
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Deary IJ et al., Nature 2012 Jan 18; 482:212
Dutasteride During Active Surveillance of Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Risk for disease progression was lower with dutasteride than with placebo, but the findings come with several caveats.
Timing of Biomarker Changes in Alzheimer Disease Process
Neurology Summary and Comment
Abnormal amyloid biomarker levels may be seen before abnormal tau biomarker levels in patients progressing toward Alzheimer disease.
By Jennifer Rose V. Molano, MD
February 14, 2012
Covering:
Jack CR Jr et al., Arch Neurol 2011 Dec; 68:1526
