Novel Genetic Associations with Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis and replication of several genome-wide association studies confirms previous loci associated with PD and identifies several new ones.
By Clemens R. Scherzer, MD
April 26, 2011
Covering:
International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium., Lancet 2011 Feb 19; 377:641
Yet Another Prostate Cancer Screening Study
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a 20-year study, screening resulted in overdiagnosis but not lower prostate cancer mortality.
Is MRI Necessary for Older Patients with Isolated Palsy of Cranial Nerves III, IV, or VI?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Magnetic resonance imaging probably is not needed, as long as certain clinical criteria are met.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 21, 2011
Covering:
Murchison AP et al., Arch Ophthalmol 2011 Mar; 129:301
Obesity and Overweight Are Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction
General Medicine Summary and Comment
This finding held even when other risk factors were taken into account.
Does Adjunctive Preladenant Reduce "Off" Time in Parkinson Disease?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Phase II, dose-finding trial results suggest a modest reduction in "off" time, with acceptable safety.
By Graham Glass, MD
April 19, 2011
Covering:
Hauser RA et al., Lancet Neurol 2011 Mar; 10:221
Ablative Fractionated CO2 Laser Resurfacing Is Effective for Under-Eye Wrinkles and Laxity
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Dramatic improvement is possible without a lot of downtime.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
April 15, 2011
Covering:
Tierney EP et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Apr; 64:730
Understanding the Variables That Affect Vitamin D Status
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Location, pollution, weight, and health affect your ability to absorb, store, and make use of vitamin D.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
April 15, 2011
Covering:
Tsiaras WG and Weinstock MA., Acta Derm Venereol 2011 Mar; 91:115
Value of GFR and Albuminuria in Predicting Cardiovascular Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria did not add value to traditional risk factors.
Does High-Quality Care Protect Against Litigation?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Not much: Good nursing homes were sued only slightly less often than bad ones.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 12, 2011
Covering:
Studdert DM et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Mar 31; 364:1243
Prevention of Falls in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Effects of different interventions vary in different populations.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
April 12, 2011
Covering:
Trombetti A et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Mar 28; 171:525
Haines TP et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Mar 28; 171:516
Opioid Prescribing and Overdose-Related Deaths
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Larger doses were associated with elevated risk for overdose-related death.
Neoadjuvant Androgen-Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Adding 6 months of neoadjuvant ADT to radiotherapy improved survival in patients with locally advanced disease.
PSA Velocity: A Criterion for Prostate Biopsy?
Adding prostate-specific antigen velocity as a trigger for biopsy did not improve predictive accuracy beyond that of using PSA values alone.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
April 12, 2011
Covering:
Vickers AJ et al., J Natl Cancer Inst 2011 Mar 16; 103:462
Yao SL and Lu-Yao GL., J Natl Cancer Inst 2011 Mar 16; 103:450
Estimating Survival in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
Patients with
Vitamin D Deficiency and Anemia in Older Men and Women
VDD was associated with specific subtypes of anemia, particularly anemia of inflammation.
Zolpidem and Driving
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A single dose may impair driving the next morning in people older than 55.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
April 11, 2011
Covering:
Bocca M-L et al., Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011 Apr; 214:699
Delirium After Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Nearly 12% of patients admitted to a stroke unit experienced delirium in the first week, and delirium was associated with poor prognosis.
By David Knopman, MD
April 5, 2011
Covering:
Oldenbeuving AW et al., Neurology 2011 Mar 15; 76:993
Diet and MRI-Confirmed Infarcts in Elders
Neurology Summary and Comment
Among people aged 65 or older, compliance with a Mediterranean diet significantly reduced the prevalence of brain infarcts.
By Marc Fisher, MD
April 5, 2011
Covering:
Scarmeas N et al., Ann Neurol 2011 Feb; 69:257
What Causes Errors in Distinguishing AD from FTLD on Functional Images?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Both patients with Alzheimer disease and those with frontotemporal lobar degeneration can have temporoparietal hypometabolism on brain scans, leading to diagnostic errors.
Tiotropium vs. Salmeterol to Prevent COPD Exacerbations
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Time to first exacerbation was significantly longer with tiotropium.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 31, 2011
Covering:
Vogelmeier C et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Mar 24; 364:1093
Wedzicha JA., N Engl J Med 2011 Mar 24; 364:1167
The Changing Face of Heart Failure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Patients living with HF are older, have more comorbidities, and take more medications than in the past.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 30, 2011
Covering:
Wong CY et al., Am J Med 2011 Feb; 124:136
Major Depression and Menopause
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Major depressive episodes become more common during and immediately after the menopausal transition.
By Deborah Cowley, MD
March 21, 2011
Covering:
Bromberger JT et al., Psychol Med 2011 Feb 9
Screening for Dementia Made Ridiculously Simple
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
This screening test is quicker and easier than the Mini-Mental State Exam — and just as effective.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
March 21, 2011
Covering:
Fong TG et al., Arch Intern Med 2011 Mar 14; 171:432
What Delays Aging, Makes Your Brain Grow, Improves Memory, and Is Free?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Exercise!
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 21, 2011
Covering:
Safdar A et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011 Mar 8; 108:4135
Erickson KI et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011 Feb 15; 108:3017
Molecular Connections Between Telomeres, Mitochondria, and Diseases of Aging
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Three molecules link telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction.
