All posts; Tags Include "Clinical Research"
- November 20, 2015
- 08:37 AM
- 351 views
Summary of recent kidney cancer clinical trials
by Danielle Stevenson in BHD Research Blog
Kidney tumours, if detected early enough, can often be removed surgically without the need for further drug treatments. However, if the primary tumour metastasises traditional chemotherapies and radiotherapies become ineffective and patient survival is limited. In recent years there have been great advances in treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) with several targeted treatments now available. However, these targeted treatments show variable response rates and efficacy. This blo........ Read more »
Motzer RJ, Escudier B, McDermott DF, George S, Hammers HJ, Srinivas S, Tykodi SS, Sosman JA, Procopio G, Plimack ER.... (2015) Nivolumab versus Everolimus in Advanced Renal-Cell Carcinoma. The New England journal of medicine, 373(19), 1803-13. PMID: 26406148
- November 18, 2015
- 01:00 PM
- 558 views
Predictors of Poor Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often unpredictable and variable.Two individuals with similar types of TBI can have quite different outcomes ranging from total disability to functional employment.Torun Finnanger and colleagues from Norway and Australia recently reported on a study that examined a number of predictor variables on self-reported outcome following TBI.In this study, 67 adolescents and adults with moderate to severe TBI completed baseline assessments and were fo........ Read more »
Finnanger TG, Olsen A, Skandsen T, Lydersen S, Vik A, Evensen KA, Catroppa C, Håberg AK, Andersson S, & Indredavik MS. (2015) Life after Adolescent and Adult Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Self-Reported Executive, Emotional, and Behavioural Function 2-5 Years after Injury. Behavioural neurology, 329241. PMID: 26549936
- November 16, 2015
- 11:40 AM
- 626 views
Smell Test in Screening for Parkinson's Disease Risk
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Molecular model of polypeptide parkinIdentification of early or prodromal stages of the diseases of neuroscience medicine is an important clinical and research goal.Identification of prodromal illness allows for enhanced surveillance and initiation of secondary prevention interventions.Impairment of smell or olfactory sensation is a key early clue for Parkinson's disease (PD).Danna Jennings and colleagues recently published an important study of the role of smell impairment in prodromal PD.This ........ Read more »
Jennings D, Siderowf A, Stern M, Seibyl J, Eberly S, Oakes D, Marek K, & PARS Investigators. (2014) Imaging prodromal Parkinson disease: the Parkinson Associated Risk Syndrome Study. Neurology, 83(19), 1739-46. PMID: 25298306
- November 12, 2015
- 11:51 AM
- 532 views
Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Sunset in Blanchard, OK courtesy of Dr. Tim YatesThere is a significant need for improvement in the tools available for screening for cognitive impairment in a variety of disorders in neuroscience medicine.The Mini-Mental State Examination Score (MMSE) is a widely used 30-item scale for screening dementia and other neurological conditions.However, the MMSE has some significant weaknesses for use in the clinical setting.Jin Qiao and colleagues from China recently published a study testing th........ Read more »
Qiao J, Zheng X, Wang X, Lu W, Cao H, & Qin X. (2015) Neuropsychological profile in Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease and normal global cognition according to Mini-Mental State Examination Score. International journal of clinical and experimental medicine, 8(8), 13755-61. PMID: 26550322
- November 10, 2015
- 11:35 AM
- 524 views
Brain Inflammation in Dementia with Lewy Bodies
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The role of inflammation in the brain is receiving increased attention in dementia and other disorders in neuroscience medicine.Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the third leading cause of dementia. This disorder has received increased attention with the finding of the condition in the autopsy of comedian and actor Robin Williams.Patrick Ejlerskov and colleagues from Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom recently published an informative study in the journal Cell on this topic.Cytokin........ Read more »
Ejlerskov P, Hultberg JG, Wang J, Carlsson R, Ambjørn M, Kuss M, Liu Y, Porcu G, Kolkova K, Friis Rundsten C.... (2015) Lack of Neuronal IFN-β-IFNAR Causes Lewy Body- and Parkinson's Disease-like Dementia. Cell, 163(2), 324-39. PMID: 26451483
- November 4, 2015
- 01:50 PM
- 546 views
Brain Imaging in Diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Brain image highlighting right insula implicated in DLBRecent information has emerged concerning the suicide death of the comedian/actor Robin Williams.Autopsy results have demonstrated that Robin Williams suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).This public case demonstrates the difficulty in making a correct diagnosis of DLB prior to the findings at autopsy.In a previous post I reported on a screening tool for clinicians that appears to have some promise for screening for high-risk DLB pa........ Read more »
Blanc F, Colloby SJ, Philippi N, de Pétigny X, Jung B, Demuynck C, Phillipps C, Anthony P, Thomas A, Bing F.... (2015) Cortical Thickness in Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer's Disease: A Comparison of Prodromal and Dementia Stages. PloS one, 10(6). PMID: 26061655
- October 30, 2015
- 11:06 AM
- 622 views
Wii Fit Games for Children with Coordination Problems
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Among the types of development problems of childhood is developmental coordination disorder or DCD.In DCD, children show delay and subnormal performance in coordinated motor skills.This may be noted as a general tendency of clumsiness with difficulties in activities such as catching a ball, using scissors, handwriting or riding a bike.Computer games such as the Nintendo Wii platform provide a method to improve a variety of motor and coordination skills in a fun environment.A South African team r........ Read more »
Smits-Engelsman BC, Jelsma LD, Ferguson GD, & Geuze RH. (2015) Motor Learning: An Analysis of 100 Trials of a Ski Slalom Game in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder. PloS one, 10(10). PMID: 26466324
- October 22, 2015
- 11:27 AM
- 462 views
Early Birds, Night Owls and Working Memory
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
There is a growing body of research showing the individual preference for mornings or evenings influences human performance and disease.Early birds is common term for individuals who arise early and prefer activity in mornings. Night owls often stay up late at night and find they are more productive in the evenings.This day time preference pattern is known scientifically as chronotype.Christina Schmidt and colleagues from Belgium recently published an interesting study of the effect of chronotyp........ Read more »
Schmidt C, Collette F, Reichert CF, Maire M, Vandewalle G, Peigneux P, & Cajochen C. (2015) Pushing the Limits: Chronotype and Time of Day Modulate Working Memory-Dependent Cerebral Activity. Frontiers in neurology, 199. PMID: 26441819
- October 20, 2015
- 12:50 PM
- 526 views
Hopelessness as Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Original figure from Hakansson K et al. (citation below)I have been reviewing advances in neuropsychology in neuroscience medicine.One important relevant topic is the art of neuropsychological testing for the early diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's and other dementias.Another important focus is finding neuropsychological risk factors for later development of cognitive impairment.Mid-life depression has been identified as a risk factor for later life cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's dis........ Read more »
Håkansson K, Soininen H, Winblad B, & Kivipelto M. (2015) Feelings of Hopelessness in Midlife and Cognitive Health in Later Life: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study. PloS one, 10(10). PMID: 26460971
- October 15, 2015
- 11:54 AM
- 585 views
Tools for Alzheimer's Screening: BrainCheck
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Screening for cognitive decline and early Alzheimer's disease presents a clinical challenge for primary care providers.A variety of tests and tools are available for use but limited research has focused on testing in primary care settings.Michael Ehrensperger and colleagues recently published a study of a brief tool for screening for cognitive decline called BrainCheck.This tool combines a patient interview, an informant interview and the Clock Drawing Test administered in combination.The import........ Read more »
Ehrensperger MM, Taylor KI, Berres M, Foldi NS, Dellenbach M, Bopp I, Gold G, von Gunten A, Inglin D, Müri R.... (2014) BrainCheck - a very brief tool to detect incipient cognitive decline: optimized case-finding combining patient- and informant-based data. Alzheimer's research , 6(9), 69. PMID: 25422675
- October 12, 2015
- 11:29 AM
- 559 views
Neuroplasticity and Training the Older Brain
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Neuroplasticity is the brain and nervous systems ability to evolve and to repair deficits.At a basic level it represents the ability to learn and develop a structural and functional system to interact with the environment.The brain's neuroplasticity is maximized during childhood and adolescence. This adaptability wanes with age. However, some neuroplasticity ability persists in the older brain.This persistence was highlighted in a study from Hong Kong recently published in the journal Neural Pla........ Read more »
Leung NT, Tam HM, Chu LW, Kwok TC, Chan F, Lam LC, Woo J, & Lee TM. (2015) Neural Plastic Effects of Cognitive Training on Aging Brain. Neural plasticity, 535618. PMID: 26417460
- October 8, 2015
- 11:36 AM
- 612 views
Brain Reward and Anabolic Steroids
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Pine Cone and Peacocks from Vatican MuseumTestosterone displays effects on brain function in both males and females.Emanuela Mhillaj and colleagues recently published a nice summary of what is currently known about the effects of anabolic-androgen steroids (AAS) on the brain.Their review highlighted the potential for AAS to modulate brain reward function and potentially lead to a drug dependence type of abuse pattern.Here are some of my notes on their discussion of AAS and the brain reward syste........ Read more »
Mhillaj E, Morgese MG, Tucci P, Bove M, Schiavone S, & Trabace L. (2015) Effects of anabolic-androgens on brain reward function. Frontiers in neuroscience, 295. PMID: 26379484
Yates WR, Perry PJ, & Andersen KH. (1990) Illicit anabolic steroid use: a controlled personality study. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 81(6), 548-50. PMID: 2378247
- October 6, 2015
- 11:22 AM
- 554 views
Do Baseball Players Live Longer?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs begin today. I did a PubMed search for recent research related to baseball.One interesting abstract examined the body of research related to elite athletes and longevity.This review article examined 54 peer-reviewed manuscripts that addressed the mortality and longevity of elite athletes. Sixteen of these studies examined longevity in MLB players.I will summarize some of the conclusions from this review.MLB players tended to have longer lifespan than cont........ Read more »
Lemez S, & Baker J. (2015) Do Elite Athletes Live Longer? A Systematic Review of Mortality and Longevity in Elite Athletes. Sports medicine - open, 1(1), 16. PMID: 26301178
- October 2, 2015
- 10:41 AM
- 452 views
Academic Performance in Adolescents: Behavioral Correlates
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Galileo Bust in Galileo Museum, Florence (wryates photo)There is a significant level of interest in the best behavioral activity balance in adolescents.Adolescents currently live in an environment of expanding opportunities for spending time watching TV, surfing the internet and playing video games.Understanding the best balance of study, exercise and time in front of a screen is an important topic.Kristen Corder and colleagues recently examined adolescent behavioral activity patterns and perfor........ Read more »
Corder K, Atkin AJ, Bamber DJ, Brage S, Dunn VJ, Ekelund U, Owens M, van Sluijs EM, & Goodyer IM. (2015) Revising on the run or studying on the sofa: prospective associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and exam results in British adolescents. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 12(1), 106. PMID: 26337325
- October 1, 2015
- 12:04 PM
- 393 views
Does Brain Injury Increase Criminal Behavior?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Traumatic brain injury produces a variety of cognitive effects.Some individuals will have behavioral disturbances including anger outbursts and interpersonal conflict.A recent study examined the rates of first criminal conviction in a group of 7694 men and women hospitalized with traumatic brain injury (TBI).The study found about a 50 to 75% increase in rates of post-TBI criminal convictions including violent convictions. This effect was noted using either general population controls or sibling ........ Read more »
Schofield PW, Malacova E, Preen DB, D'Este C, Tate R, Reekie J, Wand H, & Butler T. (2015) Does Traumatic Brain Injury Lead to Criminality? A Whole-Population Retrospective Cohort Study Using Linked Data. PloS one, 10(7). PMID: 26172545
- September 30, 2015
- 11:29 AM
- 434 views
iPad Intervention Boosts Cognition in Schizophrenia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
In a previous post, I summarized some of the current thinking on the use of cognitive enhancement drugs in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ADHD and schizophrenia.This summary was based on a review by Gabe Howard and colleagues. The review also included a summary of a clinical trial using an iPad cognitive training app for the treatment of cognition in schizophrenia.Here are the key elements of the study and the results.Study sample: 22 adults with a diagnosis of DSM-5 schizophrenia, sc........ Read more »
Sahakian BJ, Bruhl AB, Cook J, Killikelly C, Savulich G, Piercy T, Hafizi S, Perez J, Fernandez-Egea E, Suckling J.... (2015) The impact of neuroscience on society: cognitive enhancement in neuropsychiatric disorders and in healthy people. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 370(1677). PMID: 26240429
- September 29, 2015
- 11:04 AM
- 434 views
Cognitive Enhancers in Neuroscience Medicine
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Neuropsychiatric disorders cause impairment via multiple pathways. One pathway to impairment is cognitive impairment via attention problems, cognitive slowing and memory disruption.Barbara Sahakian and colleagues recently published an interesting manuscript examining the issue of cognitive enhancement.Their review begins by summarizing some of the research related to cognitive enhancement in four neuropsychiatric syndromes. I will summarize their main points by specific disorder.Alzheimer's Dise........ Read more »
Sahakian BJ, Bruhl AB, Cook J, Killikelly C, Savulich G, Piercy T, Hafizi S, Perez J, Fernandez-Egea E, Suckling J.... (2015) The impact of neuroscience on society: cognitive enhancement in neuropsychiatric disorders and in healthy people. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 370(1677). PMID: 26240429
- September 18, 2015
- 04:19 AM
- 586 views
Use of Cavitation Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirators for partial nephrectomies
by Danielle Stevenson in BHD Research Blog
Partial nephrectomies are technically challenging surgeries but preserve healthy renal tissue and therefore function. To minimise bleeding the major blood vessels are usually clamped and tumour extraction completed under ischemic conditions – the renal tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients due to restricted blood flow. Although ischemic conditions for less than 25 minutes have minimal reported impact on renal function (Volpe et al., 2015), more complex tumours result in prolonged isch........ Read more »
Weibl P, Shariat SF, & Klatte T. (2015) Partial nephrectomy driven by cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator under zero ischemia: a pilot study. World journal of urology. PMID: 25935329
- September 16, 2015
- 01:00 AM
- 409 views
Journal club summary on Calorie for Calorie, Dietary Fat Restriction Results in More Body Fat Loss than Carbohydrate Restriction in People with Obesity
by Bridges Lab in Bridges Lab Commentaries
Rationale
It has been suggested that low carbohydrate diets lead to a greater fat loss than diets of reduced fat content. The rationale behind this claim is that insulin promotes lipid synthesis and storage in adipose tissue, therefore a reduction in dietary carbohydrate would reduce circulating insulin concentrations and discourage fat storage. However, the first law of thermodynamics clearly states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed; therefore, all calories are equal,........ Read more »
Hall KD, Bemis T, Brychta R, Chen KY, Courville A, Crayner EJ, Goodwin S, Guo J, Howard L, Knuth ND.... (2015) Calorie for Calorie, Dietary Fat Restriction Results in More Body Fat Loss than Carbohydrate Restriction in People with Obesity. Cell metabolism, 22(3), 427-36. PMID: 26278052
- September 4, 2015
- 06:08 AM
- 497 views
Everolimus for the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis
by Danielle Stevenson in BHD Research Blog
mTOR is dysregulated in a range of tumour types and can be targeted with mTOR inhibitor treatments such as everolimus and sirolimus. Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and sporadic lymphangioleiomyamatosis (LAM) result from mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 that disrupt mTOR signalling (Carsillo et al., 2000, Glasgow et al., 2010). The associated aberrant cell growth, survival and movement results in the formation of slow growing tumours in various tissues and pulmonary cyst formation with loss of pulmona........ Read more »
Goldberg HJ, Harari S, Cottin V, Rosas IO, Peters E, Biswal S, Cheng Y, Khindri S, Kovarik JM, Ma S.... (2015) Everolimus for the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis: a phase II study. The European respiratory journal, 46(3), 783-94. PMID: 26113676
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