Medicine.org - Clinical Trials & Research

Robots with biological brains may help researchers learn about brain injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, stroke

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:14:58 -0400

Scientists at the University of Reading have developed a robot controlled by a biological brain formed from cultured neurons. The researchers want to examine how memories manifest themselves in the brain, and how a brain stores specific pieces of data. The key aim is to gain a better understanding of brain development and aging, and of diseases and disorders that affect the brain such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, stroke and brain injury.

The American Heart Association Announces Good News for Smokers

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:04:23 -0500

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.

Brain Implant for Epilepsy: A Disease as Old as Time

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:45:14 -0400

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: A Dangerous Addiction

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:04:33 -0400

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.

What Stress Is Good for the Goose, Is Not Always Good for the Gander

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:19:35 -0400

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.

One Step Closer: Schizophrenia

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:31:19 -0400

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:

A Blood Test May Predict Alzheimer's Disease

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:25:24 -0400

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.

A Simple Misspelling May Determine if a Certain Medication Will Work for You

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:05:54 -0400

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.

Units of Stored Blood Only Good for 3 Hours

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:41:42 -0400

Whole blood has typically been stored for 42 days prior to discarding it. Now we learn that after 3 hours, potent ingredients in the blood start to deteriorate. Nitric Oxide (NO) quick deterioration is of major concern. Without NO, blood vessels can not relax sufficiently to allow blood to pass through the vascular walls. Therefore, people requiring blood to survive are often out of luck when given blood components which lack NO. The blood vessels remain constricted, and the blood pools, not allowed to pass. Heart attacks, even strokes, are the ultimate outcomes of this constricture.

Hot Peppers May Completely Eliminate Pain of Childbirth, Dental Procedures and Surgery

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:20:58 -0400

Did you realize that within a very small section of skin, you have various nerve cells. Some cells only ‘light up’ or work when you apply pressure. Some are sensitive to temperature. Some are sensitive only to pain. The nerve cells which are sensitive to pain are called nociceptor cells.

Currently, no drug works directly on nociceptor cells; but on nerve pathways which lead to the nociceptor cells. Or a drug may work on all the different types of cells, not solely nociceptor pain cells. Or a drug may totally anesthetize you, in which case you are paralyzed, unconscious, and pain free.

In the Future, Lung Cancer May Not Imply a Death Sentence

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:15:50 -0400

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.

The problem with lung cancer is the diagnosis phase. By the time lung cancer is suspected, it is usually too late to treat successfully. Six out of 10 patients diagnosed with lung cancer die within the first year. The patient's outlook is bleak. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Lung cancer deaths outrank breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

When Your Kidneys Fail

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:03:30 -0400

Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. When your kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. When this happens, you need treatment to replace the work of your failed kidneys.

A Worm Causes a Groteque Disease and Enormous Suffering

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:38:52 -0400

The life of someone grossly disfigured is pitiful. Jokes, comic strips, etc. all portray the hardships as something to look at and laugh. Remember, the movie Mask? If it hadn't been for a very aggressive and loving biker Mom (portrayed by Cher), Rocky's very short life would have been a lot more sad.

Therefore, when someone has Elephantitis, another grossly disfiguring disease, it is not a laughing matter.

You May Be One of the Lucky Ones: You May Have Cancer-Resistant Cells

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:51:37 -0400

Granulocytes: Most people never think of granulocytes unless they are having chemotherapy and their ‘granulocyte counts’ decrease. Granulocytes are 3 different types of white blood cells, which are used by our bodies to fight off infection.

Now scientists are finding a new role for granulocytes in the war on cancer. We all fight off cancer cells, probably every day of our life. But apparently, some people have the ability to fight off cancer cells better than others. They may be cancer-resistant.

Don't Sweat It: It Attracts Mosquitoes

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:17:23 -0400

For some time now we have been convinced that mosquitoes are more attracted to "women/fat people/pregnant women", take your pick......because of their particular smell.

Now scientists are concluding that this myth is fact. They even know what smell these pesky and sometimes deadly insects are attracted to: sweat.

This issue is not a minor one, as mosquitoes cause both Malaria and West Nile disease; both of which can be deadly.