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New insights into hormone therapy show when estrogen best aids brain

New hormone therapy studies demonstrate estrogen's ability to directly stimulate neurons, repair damaged neurons, and stimulate support cells—most of which can alleviate some of the cognitive decline associated with menopause.

28 Oct 2004

Marijuana-like compounds may aid Parkinson's disease, pain and obesity

No longer a pipe dream, new animal research now indicates that marijuana-like compounds can aid a bevy of debilitating conditions, ranging from brain disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease, to pain and obesity.

28 Oct 2004

Ruboxistaurin may reduce vision loss from diabetes-induced eye disease

Eli Lilly and Company's investigational compound ruboxistaurin may reduce vision loss from diabetes-induced eye disease, according to new analyses of previously reported data presented at the 2004 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the European Society of Ophthalmology in New Orleans, La.

26 Oct 2004

Genes affect how asthma patients respond to albuterol

While a few weeks of regular use of albuterol improved overall asthma control in individuals with one form of the gene, stopping all use of albuterol eventually improved asthma control in those with another form of the gene. Albuterol is the most commonly used drug for relief of acute asthma symptoms, or “attacks.”

22 Oct 2004

MedImmune initiates clinical trial comparing intranasal influenza vaccine with injectable flu vaccine

MedImmune announced that it has initiated a pivotal head-to-head Phase 3 clinical trial designed to compare its next-generation, refrigerator- stable intranasal influenza vaccine (CAIV-T: cold adapted intranasal influenza vaccine, trivalent) with the injectable flu shot (TIV: trivalent influenza vaccine).

22 Oct 2004

Highly sensitive receptors in the brain may function differently in a person with a family history of alcoholism

Receptors in the brain that are highly sensitive to alcohol may function differently in a person with a family history of alcoholism, according to a Yale study published this month.

21 Oct 2004

Evidence showing treatment benefits of beta interferon for multiple sclerosis

Results of a European study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET provide further evidence that patients with early symptoms of multiple sclerosis given a weekly injection with interferon beta are less likely to progress to full clinical disease after two years follow-up.

21 Oct 2004

Leading endocrinologist supports RMIT menopause research

Leading endocrinologist Dr Helena Teede has joined the research team of an RMIT University study that might shed light on the treatment of menopausal symptoms using herbal medicines.

21 Oct 2004

Patients with stable vitiligo may achieve good repigmentation with skin transplants using skin taken from normally-pigmented areas of their own bodies

Patients with stable vitiligo, a skin disorder characterized by patches of lighter colored, or depigmented skin, may achieve good repigmentation of these areas with skin transplants using skin taken from normally-pigmented areas of their own bodies

18 Oct 2004

Cymbalta significantly reduced pain in more than half of women treated for fibromyalgia, with and without major depression

The antidepressant Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl), a dual-reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine, 60 mg once or twice daily, significantly reduced pain in more than half of women treated for fibromyalgia, with and without major depression, according to 12-week data presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

18 Oct 2004

FDA issues warning on adolescent use of antidepressants

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Public Health Advisory announcing a multi-pronged strategy to warn the public about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior ("suicidality") in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications.

18 Oct 2004

Investigational drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for patients with scleroderma and lupus

An investigational new drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for thousands of patients with scleroderma, lupus, and other associated connective tissue diseases, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

18 Oct 2004

Study underscores the relative safety of infliximab, when used properly

Rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving the recommended starting dose (3mg/kg) of infliximab (REMICADE®) have no more serious rate of infections than do patients taking methotrexate alone

18 Oct 2004

New treatment antibody - AMG 162 - may help prevent osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis

A novel treatment administered semiannually to postmenopausal women with low bone density appears to rapidly inhibit the bone resorption process, resulting in improvements in bone mineral density at 12 months

18 Oct 2004

$Strontium ranelate may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis$

Strontium ranelate may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis

Strontium ranelate, a new oral medication on the horizon, may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

18 Oct 2004

Anesthetics are effective in reducing the pain of circumcision in newborns

Anesthetics are effective in reducing the pain of circumcision in newborns, judging from the baby’s heart rate and time spent crying after the procedure, a new analysis finds.

18 Oct 2004

Insulin sensitizing drugs help thin women as well overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Insulin-sensitizing drugs can help thin women with polycystic ovary syndrome even if they do not appear to be insulin resistant, broadening the range of women who can benefit from the therapy, a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher said in this month’s issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility.

16 Oct 2004

Vitamin E's status as a super supplement questioned

Over the past decade, vitamin E has become one of the top-selling supplements in the United States, in part because research released in the early- to mid-1990s suggested that taking vitamin E supplements might protect against heart disease, boost the immune system and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

14 Oct 2004

Low dose aspirin dosages trigger the body to generate its own anti-inflammatory compounds

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and colleagues have demonstrated for the first time in humans in a randomized clinical trial that low-dose aspirin - dosages equivalent to one baby aspirin (81 mg) - trigger the body to generate its own anti-inflammatory compounds that help fight unwanted inflammation.

13 Oct 2004

Researchers have discovered an effective new way to treat giant cell arteritis

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered an effective new way to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA), a debilitating cause of headaches, fatigue, muscle pain and even blindness. The findings of this research will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting.

13 Oct 2004

Placebo News and Research

New insights into hormone therapy show when estrogen best aids brain

Marijuana-like compounds may aid Parkinson's disease, pain and obesity

Ruboxistaurin may reduce vision loss from diabetes-induced eye disease

Genes affect how asthma patients respond to albuterol

MedImmune initiates clinical trial comparing intranasal influenza vaccine with injectable flu vaccine

Highly sensitive receptors in the brain may function differently in a person with a family history of alcoholism

Evidence showing treatment benefits of beta interferon for multiple sclerosis

Leading endocrinologist supports RMIT menopause research

Patients with stable vitiligo may achieve good repigmentation with skin transplants using skin taken from normally-pigmented areas of their own bodies

Cymbalta significantly reduced pain in more than half of women treated for fibromyalgia, with and without major depression

FDA issues warning on adolescent use of antidepressants

Investigational drug for pulmonary hypertension may improve the quality of life for patients with scleroderma and lupus

Study underscores the relative safety of infliximab, when used properly

New treatment antibody - AMG 162 - may help prevent osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis

Strontium ranelate may reduce spinal, non-spinal, hip and other fractures in older women with osteoporosis

Anesthetics are effective in reducing the pain of circumcision in newborns

Insulin sensitizing drugs help thin women as well overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Vitamin E's status as a super supplement questioned

Low dose aspirin dosages trigger the body to generate its own anti-inflammatory compounds

Researchers have discovered an effective new way to treat giant cell arteritis

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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