Clinical Trials & Research

The results of a new study conducted by the Temple University School of Medicine conclude that fat cells in obese people are "sicker" than fat cells in lean people. The researched applied the simple definition of sickness: when something doesn’t work correctly, it is sick. The fat cells in obese people are not working right, and are by the simple definition, sick.

The Temple University School of Medicine study is the first to show that not all fat cells are alike. Fat cells in obese people are often stressed and inflamed, and they produce chemicals that interfere with the body’s ability to process and utilize insulin. As such, many obese people become insulin resistant, one of the early stages in the development of diabetes. In addition, the research suggests that the malfunctioning fat cells strengthen the already strong bond between obesity and the high risk of developing chronic life-threatening diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease).

According to a new study published in the British Medical Journal, UK researchers have found that all antipsychotic drugs used in psychosis treatment are associated with an increased risk of stroke. The study also found that people who suffer from dementia and use antipsychotic drugs have double the risk of stroke when compared to those who do not suffer from dementia.

Cigarettes are one of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the U.S.
Nicotine is highly addictive. The tar in cigarettes increases a smoker's risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children.

Few experiences match the drama of a convulsive seizure. A person having a severe seizure may cry out, fall to the floor unconscious, twitch or move uncontrollably, drool, or even lose bladder control. Within minutes, the attack is over, and the person regains consciousness but is exhausted and dazed. This is the image most people have when they hear the word epilepsy. However, this type of seizure -- a generalized tonic-clonic seizure -- is only one kind of epilepsy. There are many other kinds, each with a different set of symptoms.

Cocaine is a powerful drug that stimulates the brain. People who use it can form a strong addiction. They may have to use more and more of the drug to get high. It's sold on the street as a fine, white powder. There are two forms of cocaine: hydrochloride salt and freebase. The salt dissolves in water. People can take it in a vein or in the nose. The freebase form can be smoked. Crack is the street name of a smokable form of cocaine.

Isn’t it odd how different people react differently to stressful situations? What makes some people highly resilient, able to cope with the stressful situation, and go on with their lives in a functional manner? While others, seem to deteriorate. They are vulnerable to the stressor, that the first group rode through easily. For whatever reason, they are unable to tolerate the situation, and become depressed, anxious, or have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many times, they become dysfunctional to tasks of every day living, and relationships suffer as well.

Schizophrenia is a severe, lifelong brain disorder. People who have it may hear voices, see things that aren't there or believe that others are reading or controlling their minds. In men, symptoms usually start in the late teens and early 20s. They include hallucinations, or seeing things, and delusions such as hearing voices. For women, they start in the mid-20s to early 30s. Other symptoms include:

Alzheimer’s Disease presently claims over 4 million souls in the United States. In the next generation that number is expected to quadruple. One of the heart wrenching facts about Alzheimer’s is that there is a quagmire of obstacles for diagnosing this disease early; from the patient’s denial, to complicated and expensive diagnostic tools. Delaying diagnosis may well mean that the patient’s ability to sustain any type of quality to the life which is left them has been eliminated. Drugs which can slow the process, are no longer effective.

Do you know how a medicine will work, or what the side effects are? Certainly, all you have to do is read the label. Wrong. Many people are surprised to learn that medicines may only work properly in a percentage of those who take them. What's more, whether or not people develop side effects — and if they do, which ones they'll get — varies widely. While many factors such as diet, environment, and the amount of exercise a person gets can help account for this variability in drug response, a key determinant is genes.