#4. WEEKLY TOP TEN
Smartphone pictures to diagnose pediatric eye disease, a fertility-extending drug, metal exposure and ALS... These stories and more in today's issue.
Welcome back, friends 👋
It’s been a busy week in healthcare, and we’ve got some great stories on tap.
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In this week’s issue:
Dopamine treatment may reduce Alzheimer’s plaques & improve memory
Are we wrong about the cardiovascular benefits of olive oil?
AI uses smartphone pictures to diagnose pediatric eye disease
Aspirin may lower colorectal cancer risk
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Drug Shows Promise In Extending Female Fertility
Columbia University researchers conducted a pilot study investigating the effects of rapamycin on ovarian aging. The study involved 50 women aged 35-45 and found that a weekly dose of rapamycin could delay ovarian aging by 20%, potentially extending fertility by up to five years.
The Effect of Sugar on Epigenetic Aging
A UCSF study examined the impact of dietary patterns on epigenetic aging. It found that a higher intake of added sugars was linked to older epigenetic age, while diets rich in essential nutrients and aligned with the Mediterranean diet were associated with younger epigenetic age.
The Link Between Metal Exposure and ALS
A University of Michigan study examining the link between metal exposure and ALS found that higher levels of metals like copper, selenium, and zinc were associated with increased ALS risk and reduced survival. The study also found that occupational exposure to metals heightened these risks.
Swapping Beans For Red Meat May Lower Dementia Risk
A study presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2024 found that consuming processed red meat daily increased the risk of dementia by 14%. Conversely, replacing one serving of processed red meat with nuts or legumes daily reduced the risk by 20% and slowed cognitive aging.
Orexin: The Key to Choosing Exercise Over Sweets?
A study conducted by ETH Zurich aimed to determine how orexin influences the choice between physical activity and consuming palatable foods. The study involved pharmacologically or genetically blocking the orexin system in mice to assess its impact on their decision-making. Mice with active orexin systems showed a preference for physical activity, while mice with blocked orexin systems preferred consuming palatable foods.
Dopamine Treatment May Reduce Alzheimer’s Plaques & Improve Memory
A study by Takaomi Saido and his team at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that dopamine treatment in mice with Alzheimer's disease reduced beta-amyloid plaques and improved memory by promoting the production of neprilysin, an enzyme that degrades these plaques.
GLP-1 Drug Liraglutide May Protect Against Alzheimer’s
Early findings from a phase 2b clinical trial conducted by Imperial College London found that Alzheimer’s patients treated with liraglutide experienced an 18% slower cognitive decline compared to the placebo group. Liraglutide also appeared to reduce brain volume loss by nearly 50% in key areas associated with cognitive functions.
Are We Wrong About The Cardiovascular Benefits of Olive Oil?
A study by the University of Florida examined the impact of different levels of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption on heart health. Results showed that a low-EVOO diet led to greater reductions in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and blood sugar levels. These findings suggest that lower amounts of EVOO may be more beneficial for heart health.
AI Uses Smartphone Pictures to Diagnose Pediatric Eye Disease
The study "Artificial Intelligence for Early Detection of Pediatric Eye Diseases Using Mobile Photos," published in JAMA Network Open, investigates the use of AI to identify myopia, strabismus, and ptosis in children through smartphone photos. The model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, suggesting that AI could facilitate early, convenient detection of pediatric eye diseases at home, potentially reducing the need for hospital visits and enabling timely intervention.
Aspirin May Lower Colorectal Cancer in High-Risk Groups
An article published in JAMA Oncology explored the impact of regular aspirin use on colorectal cancer incidence across different lifestyle risk factors. The benefits were most significant in those with the least healthy lifestyles, suggesting that aspirin could be particularly beneficial for colorectal cancer prevention in high-risk groups.
DRUG SHOWS PROMISE IN EXTENDING FEMALE FERTILITY.
Ovarian function typically begins to decline in a woman's mid-30s and accelerates as she approaches her 40s, significantly impacting fertility. Menopause, which generally occurs around age 51, marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and is associated with increased risks of various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. Researchers are exploring interventions to delay ovarian aging and extend fertility, with rapamycin emerging as a promising candidate.
Study Overview
A pilot study conducted by researchers at Columbia University aimed to evaluate the potential of rapamycin to delay ovarian aging and extend fertility in women. The study involved 50 women aged 35-45 who were administered a weekly dose of 5 mg of rapamycin or a placebo for 12 weeks. The researchers assessed ovarian reserve using transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests to measure ovarian hormones.
Key Findings
Delayed Ovarian Aging: Rapamycin treatment delayed ovarian aging by 20%, potentially extending fertility by up to five years. This delay was attributed to the drug's ability to slow down the rate at which eggs are lost from ovarian reserves.
Improved Overall Well-Being: Participants reported improvements in general health, including better memory, increased energy levels, and enhanced skin and hair quality. These benefits are consistent with rapamycin's known effects on cellular health and metabolism.
No Significant Side Effects: At the low dosage of 5 mg per week—considerably lower than the 2-5mg/day doses typically used in transplant patients—there were no significant side effects.
Healthcare Implications
Rapamycin could be a viable option for women looking to extend their fertility and delay menopause. If further research confirms these results, rapamycin could offer a relatively simple and low-cost intervention to improve reproductive health and overall well-being in women. A larger, multicenter trial is currently underway to validate these findings.
CONCLUSION
The study provides promising evidence that rapamycin can delay ovarian aging and extend fertility by up to five years. The drug's ability to improve general health and its low incidence of side effects at the administered dosage further support its potential as a fertility-preserving treatment.
Sources: NIH
THE EFFECTS OF SUGAR ON EPIGENETIC AGING.
Epigenetic aging refers to the changes in gene expression that occur as an individual ages, independent of chronological age. These changes can be influenced by various environmental and lifestyle factors, including diet. Epigenetic clocks, such as the GrimAge2, are used to estimate biological age based on DNA methylation patterns. This study investigates the relationship between dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and epigenetic aging in a diverse cohort of midlife Black and White women.
Study Overview
The study utilized the GrimAGE2 clock—an advanced epigenetic clock developed to estimate biological age based on DNA methylation patterns—to assess the participants’ epigenetic age. The study involved 342 female participants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study (NGHS), who were originally enrolled between the ages of 9 and 19 and followed up between ages 36 and 43. This cohort included an equal number of Black and white women, providing a diverse sample for analysis.
Key Findings
Added Sugar Impacted Epigenetic Age: The study found that higher added sugar intake was strongly associated with older epigenetic age. Each gram increase in added sugar intake was linked to a 0.02-year increase in GrimAge2, indicating accelerated biological aging. These findings support existing evidence linking high sugar consumption to chronic diseases.
Nutrient-Rich Diets Have A Positive Effect: Diets rich in essential nutrients, particularly those aligned with the Mediterranean diet and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010), were associated with younger epigenetic age. Higher scores on these diet quality indices were linked to decelerated epigenetic aging.
Independent Associations: The analysis revealed independent associations between healthy diet measures and added sugar intake with epigenetic age. Even when accounting for other dietary factors, the negative impact of added sugars and the positive effects of nutrient-rich diets remained significant—suggesting that reducing sugar intake and optimizing nutrient intake are crucial for healthy aging.
Mechanism of Accelerated Aging
Essential nutrients play critical roles in DNA replication, maintenance, and repair, serving as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Diets rich in essential nutrients can help maintain genomic stability and reduce oxidative stress, thereby slowing the aging process. In contrast, added sugars contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating cellular aging and increasing the risk of age-related diseases.
CONCLUSION
The study provides valuable insights into the relationship between diet and epigenetic aging. By demonstrating the associations between added sugar intake, nutrient-rich diets, and biological age, the research highlights the critical role of dietary patterns in influencing cellular aging. These findings support the promotion of healthy diets as a strategy for slowing epigenetic aging and enhancing overall health. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and explore the long-term effects of dietary interventions on epigenetic aging.
Sources: JAMA Network | NIH | UCSF
THE LINK BETWEEN METAL EXPOSURE AND ALS.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy due to the degeneration of motor neurons. The exact cause of ALS remains unknown but is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Previous research has suggested that exposure to certain metals might be linked to an increased risk of developing ALS. This study investigates the association between elevated metal levels in plasma and urine and the risk and survival outcomes of ALS patients.
Study Overview
A study conducted by the University of Michigan involved measuring metal levels in plasma and urine samples from 450 ALS patients and 300 controls without the disease. Researchers aimed to determine whether elevated levels of metals, such as copper, selenium, and zinc, are associated with a higher risk of ALS and shorter survival times.
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