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Study Claiming Cannabis – Schizophrenia Link Fuels Debate

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A controversy has been sparked by a Swiss study, which claims that a link has been established between smoking canabis and developing schizophrenia.

The study concludes that there was an increase in occurrences of schizophrenia during the 90s, which is considered to be a liberal period, and corresponds to higher canabis usage. The critics, however, have pointed out that the study is inconclusive as it is does not take into consideration the individual patients’ drug usage.

Researchers claim that there is a direct relationship between the development of the disease and the rate of canabis consumption. They add that regular smokers of cannabis are at increased risk of developing schizophrenia by two to three times.

Experts on drug issues have welcomed the report, but they also remain cautious. They believe that the hypothesis may indeed be true, but that the results are not conclusive.

Gambling Problems Among Elderly Women

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More and more senior women in the United States are getting addicted to gambling and losing everything they own, gambling counselors claim.

A recent study reveals that in America 70% of senior citizens have participated in some kind of gambling activity in the past year.

While traditionally it is thought that it is men who are most commonly addicted to gambling, now women are also being drawn toward gambling more than ever before and some are even losing their life savings.

Study to Investigate effect of Omega-3 on Alzheimer’s

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Fish is rated high on the heart-healthy diet of many nutritionists. Their point has gained more ground now, since studies have revealed that certain fish, human breast milk, and algae contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the brain and may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers are now involved in conducting a clinical trial to test if the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can inhibit the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Primarily, the studies are trying to evaluate if consuming DHA for a long period can slow down both cognitive and functional decline in patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

The study is conducted by Sun Health Research Institute and Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, supported by the National Institute on Aging, and is currently seeking participants.

Simvastatin Halves Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Risks

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The statin, Simvastatin, has been found to cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease by 50 percent.

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine analyzed diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and demographic data of around 4.5 million people. This data was collected from various medical centers across the country.
To analyze the effects, researchers used three different models and examined the effects of the statins simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin on people.

They found a considerable decline in the occurrence of Alzheimer’s as well as Parkinson’s disease in people on simvastatin in each of the three models.
It is speculated that simvastatin is more beneficial as it possesses both high potency and the capability to enter the brain.

Source: Boston University 

Lithium Evaluated for Treating Bipolar Disorder in Children

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University of Illinois at Chicago is performing a national study to assess the benefits of lithium in treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorders.

Lithium is already proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from bipolar disorders. This study will help in determining if Lithium has the same beneficial effect on pediatric patients.

The study involves evaluating efficiency of the drug, its dosage strategies, and the short-term and long-term tolerance and safety of the drug.
Bipolar disorder in children is usually referred as the pediatric bipolar disorder or manic depressive disorder. It is diagnosed when severe mood swings are noticed in a child.

The disorder hampers the normal behavior of the child and may give rise to suicidal tendencies. A child suffering from this disorder may exhibit poor school attendance and might show risk-taking behavior, such as substance abuse and involvement in risky sexual activities.

Source: University of Illinois at Chicago

Electronic Device to Eliminate Migraine Pain

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A new type of electronic device is designed to provide relief for migraine pain. The device is called TMS, which has been designed to stop migraine pain even before it begins.

According to a recent study, TMS has been found to be effective in treating the pain when used at the onset of migraine.
Earlier, it was assumed that migraines were caused by vascular constriction that resultant in aura—commonly known as electrical storms in the brain, followed by vascular dilation that resulted in severe pain.

However, in the late 1990s, studies revealed that migraine pain is caused by to neuronal electrical hyperexcitability. TMS is based on this new understating of the migraine mechanism and works by interrupting the aura phase of the migraine.

Novartis Combination Hypertension Drug May Be Unsafe

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According to a U.K. medical journal, Novartis AG’s two hypertension drugs made by combining Diovan and Tekturna although more effective in lowering blood pressure, may have some life-threatening side effects.

A recent study found that these drugs when taken in combination, at the maximum recommended doses, are more beneficial than when taken separately. However, the combination drug may cause a life-threatening side effect of high blood potassium.

Novartis has disputed these results by claiming that these drugs are no more likely to increase blood potassium levels than when either of the two drugs is taken alone.

US Presidential Candidates Plan to Cure Diabetes

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US Presidential Candidates, Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) and former Governor Bill Richardson (D-New Mexico) seem to be showing a lot of interest in finding a permanent cure to diabetes.

Both of them indicated their intentions during Monday night’s debate.
While answering a question on fixing Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, Richardson responded that almost 33% of Medicare money is spent only on diabetes. He added that they need to put in bipartisan efforts to prevent diabetes and to find a cure for it.
Dodd although made his statement by mistake—while speaking about a video related to Alzheimer’s—he said that he will promote stem cell research to find a cure for diabetes.

Richardson, who made a stronger statement, has not included any plan about combating diabetes on his campaign website.

Source: Wired

Most Pain Patients Don’t Obey Doctor’s Orders

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According to a recently-concluded study, out of 240,000 long-term patients suffering from chronic pain, 77 percent did not follow the instructions of their physician.

The study, by Texas-based Ameritox, revealed that 75 percent of the patients were either taking excessive medication, inadequate medication, no medication or some other medications that were not originally prescribed to them. These extra medicines were illegal or were not recommended by the doctor.

According to the study, even the consumption of legitimate drugs might inflict a sort of addiction or substance abuse. More than 90 per cent of cases related to the misuse of prescribed drugs are not revealed until the patient discloses it.

Ameritox performs urine analysis for physicians’ patients in order to provide better information about what medications patients are taking.

Smoking May Lead to Early Menopause

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Regular smoking has been known to cause more than 85 percent of all deaths due to lung cancer. It may also lead to many other types of cancer and a large array of other health-related issues.

According to BMC Public Health, early menopause onset, before the age of 45, is more than twice as likely in women who smoke heavily.

The study also looked at effects of passive smoking, alcohol, and coffee consumption and found that these activities do not have a significant effect on early menopause.