Full-body MRI scans may not be as effective as believed to be; know why

Full body scans have gained popularity in recent years, with many celebrities like Kim Kardashian endorsing them as a way to detect hidden diseases early. However, a new study raises questions about the effectiveness of these scans.

Led by Adam Taylor from Lancaster University, the study analysed 16,000 brain MRI scans of volunteers to assess their ability to identify preventable diseases. The results were surprising: MRI scans were found to be less effective than many believe.

The study revealed that MRI scans detected serious findings in only a small percentage of cases: 1.4% for the brain, 1.3% for the chest, and 1.9% for the abdomen. Additionally, the scans often produced false positives, indicating the presence of a disease when none existed. For example, in 1,000 breast scans, 97 were false positives, while prostate scans showed 29 false positives per 100 scans.

While full-body scans may provide peace of mind for some, it’s important to consider their limitations. Let’s first understand how full-body MRI scans work and why they might not be as useful as previously thought.

What are full-body MRI scans and are they useful?

According to Dr Rakesh Gupta, Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, full-body MRI scans are diagnostic imaging procedures that use powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the entire body.

These scans are often used when there are concerns about systemic diseases, metastatic cancer, or unexplained symptoms affecting multiple systems. The procedure itself is non-invasive and does not use radiation, making it a safer option for repeated screenings.

mri scans Can full-body MRI scans be used for preventive medicine? (Source: Freepik)

According to Dr Shruti Sharma, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, they are highly effective for identifying soft tissue abnormalities, vascular issues, and tumors across the body. She explains that these scans provide detailed views of various organs and tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, and limbs. Their high resolution allows for early detection of certain conditions, particularly cancer staging and metastasis detection.

However, while the scans are accurate for specific conditions, their sensitivity and specificity can vary. They are not infallible and may produce false positives, which can lead to unnecessary follow-up procedures and anxiety.

Can full-body MRI scans be used for preventive medicine?

Dr. Rahul Gautam, Associate Consultant – Radiology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, acknowledges that while full-body MRI scans can detect early signs of disease, their role in preventative medicine is controversial. The scans can uncover asymptomatic diseases like precancerous lesions and structural abnormalities, but the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment is a significant concern. These incidental findings may lead to unnecessary medical interventions, causing more harm than good.

Moreover, while full body MRI scans can detect some early-stage diseases, Dr Gupta points out that they are not suitable for identifying all dangerous preventable diseases. For example, early-stage coronary artery disease, one of the leading causes of mortality, may not be visible on an MRI. Similarly, some metabolic disorders may go undetected until they progress to a more advanced stage.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/full-body-mri-scans-may-not-be-as-effective-as-believed-to-be-know-why-9540069/

Virus causing gut infections could play role in development of Alzheimer’s: Study

A virus that can cause infection in the gut and from there travel to the brain, could be important in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study.

Existing antiviral drugs may then be looked at for treating or preventing this form of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers, including those at the Arizona State University, US, said.

Most humans are thought to have been exposed to cytomegalovirus (HCMV), one of the nine viruses known to cause herpes (painful blisters on the skin), during the first few decades of their lives. The virus is usually transmitted through bodily fluids and spreads only when it is active.

Published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the study found that in some people, the herpes-causing virus may remain active in the gut, from where it can travel to the brain via the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and the brain.

Once in the brain, the virus can alter the immune system and contribute to changes in cells associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers explained.

The researchers noted that the herpes-causing virus is recognized by immune cells in the brain, called microglia, which activate a specific gene called ‘CD83.’ The virus could then contribute to biological changes in the brain, which are known to be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease — a neurodegenerative disorder that progressively deteriorates brain function, such as memory and cognitive abilities, as one ages.

“We think we’ve identified a biologically unique subtype of Alzheimer’s that may affect 25-45% of people with the disease,” said Ben Readhead, first author and research associate professor at Arizona State University.

gut health The gut-brain axis is being extensively studied (?Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

“This subtype includes the hallmark amyloid plaques and tau tangles — microscopic brain abnormalities used for diagnosis — and features a distinct biological profile involving the virus, antibodies, and immune cells in the brain,” Readhead added.

For the study, the researchers analyzed spinal fluid from Alzheimer’s patients and found antibodies produced specifically in response to the herpes-causing virus. They also found evidence of infection in the intestines and brain tissue of these individuals caused by the same virus.  

Furthermore, the team observed the herpes virus within the vagus nerve of the patients, suggesting this could be the pathway through which it travels to the brain.

In another group of Alzheimer’s patients, the researchers were able to replicate the association between the gut infection and CD83(+) microglia. A previous study by the researchers conducted a post-mortem analysis of the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and found that these patients were more likely to harbor CD83(+) microglia specifically.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/virus-gut-infections-development-alzheimers-study-9737206/

Not getting enough magnesium could affect cardiovascular risk

Do magnesium levels impact cardiovascular risk? A recent review suggests they might.

• Magnesium is an important mineral that affects the body’s muscle and nerve function, as well as multiple other body functions.
• Experts are interested in how magnesium may affect cardiovascular function.
• A recent review suggests that low magnesium levels may affect the risk for several cardiovascular diseases and that many people are not consuming adequate amounts of magnesium.
• People can take steps to increase magnesium intake if appropriate.

Magnesium is a mineral that affects many aspects of how the human body works, including nerve function, muscle function, and bone development.

A review published in Nutrients discusses how magnesium affects cardiovascular health, according to recent studies.

The review suggests that inadequate magnesium levels can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, based on data from multiple studies.

The review also discusses several mechanisms that may be involved and notes that many people are not consuming enough magnesium in their diets.

Magnesium intake: How does it affect cardiovascular disease risk?

Patrick Kee, MD, PhD, a cardiologist with Vital Heart & Vein, who was not involved in the review, explained to Medical News Today what a magnesium deficiency is, and how doctors can diagnose it.

He told us that:

“Magnesium deficiency can manifest in two distinct states: hypomagnesemia and chronic latent magnesium deficiency. Hypomagnesemia is relatively straightforward to diagnose, as it is characterized by a low serum magnesium level below 1.5 to 1.8 mg/dL [milligrams per deciliter]. However, total body magnesium deficiency without hypomagnesemia can be challenging to detect. This condition, known as chronic latent magnesium deficiency, can only be diagnosed through a magnesium tolerance test, which involves administering an intravenous infusion of magnesium followed by urine collections. Unfortunately, this test is laborious and not widely accessible.”

The review notes that people with chronic latent magnesium deficiency have reduced magnesium overall. However, their serum total magnesium still reads as normal.

This review notes several key points in the history of research regarding magnesium. For a while, the understanding was that magnesium deficiency was not a major issue and that if it was, it was mainly for people with conditions that impacted their body’s ability to absorb or excrete magnesium.

Research in the late 1990s and early 2000s began to support the idea that inadequate dietary magnesium led to not enough magnesium in the body. The results also suggested that this deficiency might affect cardiovascular function.

The review then notes that after 2006, many epidemiological studies, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses showed a relationship between magnesium and conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and cardiac mortality.

More recent data have added to these findings. Many studies from 2018 and on have found that magnesium status is inversely correlated with high blood pressure, stroke, coronary and ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cardiac morbidity and mortality.

The review then discusses how magnesium deficiency may contribute to cardiovascular problems. There may be multiple mechanisms involved.

For example, magnesium deficiency may contribute to inflammatory stress and oxidative stress. The author defines oxidative stress as “an imbalance between oxidants (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) and antioxidants.”

Some data also supports the idea that magnesium deficiency may contribute to abnormal lipid levels and trouble with lipid metabolism.

For example, the author notes some data from human studies supports that chronic latent magnesium deficiency could lead to lipid changes. The review suggests that magnesium deficiency may also contribute to endothelial dysfunction and changes in electrolyte metabolism.

How much magnesium do you need?

After discussion of the relationship between magnesium and cardiovascular disease, the review goes on to discuss magnesium intake. The author notes that it has been challenging to set how much magnesium people should consume.

A number of factors could impact how much magnesium someone needs. For example, some data support the notion that individuals who weigh more might need to consume more magnesium.

The review further notes that surveys indicate that many people are not consuming enough magnesium.

The author stresses that over one quarter of adults could have a magnesium intake that could lead to mild to moderate magnesium deficiency or chronic latent magnesium deficiency.

How worried should you be about your magnesium intake?

Despite the amount of research discussed in this review, it also has limitations.

This review is from one author and discusses data from multiple studies and findings from animal and in vitro research.

It is important to note that all the cited studies have their own limitations, even though they show direction. For example, a number of the discussed studies focused on postmenopausal women, so the results might not be applicable to other groups.

New research will need to be considered as it becomes available and can confirm or refute the evidence cited in this review. Overall, more research may be required, particularly to confirm the potential benefits of magnesium supplementation.

Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, who was not involved in the review, noted the following words of caution:

“Trials investigating the use of magnesium supplementation have not yet found a consistent benefit to heart health. If dietary magnesium deficiency is eventually confirmed to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, then magnesium supplementation may represent a potential avenue to improve cardiovascular outcomes. Prospective randomized controlled trials will be necessary to evaluate any potential therapeutic benefit from magnesium supplementation.”

Similarly, Kee told us that “the efficacy of magnesium supplementation in reducing hard clinical outcomes such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease remains uncertain, particularly in individuals susceptible to magnesium deficiency, as previously mentioned.”

”The relative low cost and generic nature of magnesium supplementation may not provide sufficient motivation for extensive clinical trials to validate its potential in reducing cardiovascular outcomes. [Nevertheless,] oral magnesium supplementation appears to be safe, and individuals have the autonomy to decide whether to incorporate it into their regimen,” he added.

However, it is important to note that the review notes some of the potential benefits of magnesium supplementation. For example, one umbrella meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials cited in the review suggested that magnesium supplementation helps to decrease blood pressure.

How can you up your magnesium intake?

Overall, this review suggests the importance of regularly consuming magnesium and how adequate magnesium may lower the risk for cardiovascular problems.

People can address dietary magnesium intake with appropriate professional guidance to help ensure they are getting enough magnesium.

Magnesium also has other benefits that make it an essential component of diet. Registered dietitian nutritionist Karen Z. Berg, MS, RD, CSO, CDN, advised MNT that:

“It is important for overall health to have enough magnesium in your diet. Your body uses this mineral for a lot of different functions including blood pressure control as well as muscle contractions. Lots of foods you probably already eat are high in magnesium. The best sources of magnesium are dark leafy greens like spinach or swiss chard, as well as nuts and seeds. Almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds or chia seeds are all great options. Black beans and edamame are also good sources of this mineral.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/not-getting-enough-magnesium-could-affect-cardiovascular-risk#How-can-you-up-your-magnesium-intake

Foetal congenital heart defects can triple risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth: Study

Foetus suffering from major congenital heart defects (MCHDs) may triple the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia and preterm birth, finds a study.

MCHDs occur in approximately 1 in 100 live births, and can negatively impact both the health of the mother and the long-term outcomes for the child.

Researchers from the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen showed that about 23 per cent of pregnancies affected by foetal MCHD also result in adverse obstetric outcomes including preeclampsia, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and placental abruption.

The findings were based on data from 534,170 pregnancies, including 745 cases complicated by foetal MCHDs in Denmark. Pregnancies resulting in live births after 24 gestational weeks and without chromosomal aberrations were included in the study.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, also assessed 11 MCHD subtypes, including univentricular heart, transposition of the great arteries (TGA), and atrioventricular septal defect.

Data on the obstetric risk profile for specific MCHD subtypes are limited and thus slow down the development of preventive interventions.

Pregnancies complicated by MCHDs suffered an adverse obstetric outcome rate of 22.8 per cent.

While foetal growth restriction occurred in 6.7 per cent of MCHD pregnancies, a higher prevalence of preeclampsia was found in 6.2 per cent of MCHD pregnancies.

They also found a 15.7 per cent increased risk of preterm births in MCHD pregnancies. While Placental abruption was rare it showed a significant trend toward higher incidence 0.9 per cent.

All MCHD subtypes, except TGA, were associated with significantly higher odds of the composite adverse outcome. The highest risk was observed in pregnancies with truncus arteriosus, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, and Ebstein anomaly.

The team also confirmed the findings with a meta-analysis of 5,993 cases of MCHDs. Notably, pregnancies with fetal TGA did not exhibit elevated risks of preeclampsia, preterm birth, or fetal growth restriction, the findings showed.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2024/80387.htm

Study shows how osteosarcomas are diagnosed, treated

For the first time, researchers have identified at least three unique subtypes of a rare type of bone cancer, potentially transforming clinical trials and patient care.

A University of East Anglia-led research project has been able to use advanced mathematical modelling and machine learning called "Latent Process Decomposition" to categorise patients with osteosarcoma into different subgroups using their genetic data. Previously, all patients would be grouped together and treated using the same protocols, which has very mixed outcomes.

While genetic sequencing has previously helped to uncover different subtypes of other cancers, like breast or skin cancer, for which those patients then receive targeted treatment personalised to their cancer subtype, it has been much harder to do this with osteosarcoma - a cancer that starts in the bone and typically affects children and teenagers.

Lead author Dr Darrell Green, of UEA's Norwich Medical School, said: "Since the 1970s osteosarcoma has been treated using untargeted chemotherapy and surgery, which sometimes results in limb amputation as well as the severe and lifelong side effects of the chemotherapy.

"Multiple international clinical trials investigating new drugs in osteosarcoma have been deemed to have 'failed' over the last 50 plus years.

"This new research found that in each of these 'failed' trials, there was a small response rate (around five to 10 per cent) to the new drug, suggesting the existence of osteosarcoma subtypes that did respond to the new treatment.

"The new medicines were not a total 'failure' as was concluded; rather, the drugs were not successful for every patient with osteosarcoma but could have become a new treatment for select patient groups.

"We hope that in the future, grouping patients using this new algorithm will mean successful outcomes at clinical trial, for the first time in over half a century.

"When patients can be treated using targeted drugs specific to their cancer subtype, this will facilitate a move away from standard chemotherapy."

The search for kinder, more targeted treatments for osteosarcoma is an important area of focus for Children with Cancer UK.

In 2021, funding was awarded by the leading childhood cancer charity to the team at UEA to investigate innovative ways to treat osteosarcoma.

Dr Sultana Choudhry, Head of Research at Children with Cancer UK, said: "Investing in pioneering research programmes is integral to driving forward our vision of a world where every child and young person survives cancer.

"We invest our fundraising into  science because we've seen how research can make a significant difference in the survival chances of every child.

"By funding groundbreaking research, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but finding gentler, more effective treatments for our youngest and most vulnerable cancer patients.

"Our hope is that the outcomes of this research project will improve the diagnosis, treatment and long-term care for young cancer patients."

The survival rate for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, has stagnated around 50pc for the past 45 years. This is mainly because the different subtypes of osteosarcoma are not yet fully understood, as well as how the immune system around the tumour affects it, or what causes the cancer to resist treatment or spread to other parts of the body.

Scientists are yet to identify the key biological markers that could help predict a patient's outlook or how they will respond to treatment. These gaps in knowledge are preventing progress in improving survival rates.

Previously, researchers have tried to predict different types of osteosarcoma by using certain computer methods, which suggests that there are distinct subtypes of the cancer.

While this was an important step forward, this doesn't fully account for the fact that each osteosarcoma tumour can be very different from one part to another.

These models also assume that each tumour can be neatly placed into one specific group, even though tumours are usually made up of many different kinds of cancer cells.

This variation within a tumour makes it harder to accurately predict how the cancer behaves or responds to treatment.

In this study, researchers used a more advanced method called Latent Process Decomposition (LPD), which takes into account the differences within individual tumours.

Unlike earlier methods, LPD looks at the tumour as a mix of hidden patterns in gene activity. These hidden patterns represent different "functional states" of the tumour, and each state has its own specific gene expression pattern.

The LPD method figures out how many of these patterns are needed to describe a particular tumour.

The research uncovered three osteosarcoma disease subtypes, one of which was found to respond poorly when treated with the standard chemotherapy drug combination called MAP.

By grouping patients based on these patterns, doctors could make more informed decisions about treatment.

Researchers acknowledged that key limitations of the study include a small dataset for the LPD model development, and the incomplete clinical data in the validation cohort.

Access to tissue and linked clinical data is particularly challenging for osteosarcoma due to the rarity of cases, limited biopsy material and the extensive chemotherapy-related damage present in post-treatment samples.

Despite these challenges, the LPD method proved to be reliable, as it identified consistent subgroups of osteosarcoma across four different sets of independent data.

Like any machine learning tool, the results get better as more data is added.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2024/80595.htm

Heart muscle can regenerate after failure in some people with artificial hearts: Study

Heart muscle can regenerate after failure in some people with artificial hearts, an international research team has found.

The team co-led by a physician-scientist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson’s Sarver Heart Center in the US found that a subset of artificial heart patients can regenerate heart muscle, which may open the door to new ways to treat and perhaps someday cure heart failure.

There is no cure for heart failure, though medications can slow its progression. The only treatment for advanced heart failure, other than a transplant, is pump replacement through an artificial heart, called a left ventricular assist device, which can help the heart pump blood.

“Skeletal muscle has a significant ability to regenerate after injury. If you’re playing soccer and you tear a muscle, you need to rest it, and it heals,” said Hesham Sadek, chief of the Division of Cardiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Medicine.

“When a heart muscle is injured, it doesn’t grow back. We have nothing to reverse heart muscle loss,” Sadek said in a paper published in the journal Circulation.

Sadek led a collaboration between international experts to investigate whether heart muscles can regenerate.

The project began with tissue from artificial heart patients provided by colleagues at the University of Utah Health and School of Medicine led by Stavros Drakos, a pioneer in left ventricular assist device-mediated recovery.

The investigators found that patients with artificial hearts regenerated muscle cells at more than six times the rate of healthy hearts.

“This is the strongest evidence we have, so far, that human heart muscle cells can actually regenerate, which really is exciting, because it solidifies the notion that there is an intrinsic capacity of the human heart to regenerate,” Sadek said.

It also strongly supports the hypothesis that the inability of the heart muscle to ‘rest’ is a major driver of the heart’s lost ability to regenerate shortly after birth. It may be possible to target the molecular pathways involved in cell division to enhance the heart’s ability to regenerate, said the study authors.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2024/80771.htm

Diarrhea continues to be 'leading killer' among children under 5 and elderly, study finds

Children and individuals above the age of 70 account for the highest death rates due to diarrheal infections

Diarrhea and related infections continue to be a leading cause of death among children under five years and the elderly, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, even though deaths from these conditions have dropped globally by 60 per cent between 1990 to 2021, a study says.

Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, the study found that in 2021, diarrheal diseases infections were responsible for 12 lakh deaths worldwide, a significant decrease from 29 lakh deaths in 1990.

These estimates are the latest and most comprehensive from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, US.

The findings suggest that health interventions, including oral rehydration therapy, improved sanitation, and global immunisation efforts against rotavirus (which causes diarrheal infections), are proving effective, researchers said.

They also found that the largest decline in deaths occurred among children under five, although mortality rates remain highest in this age group.

Individuals aged 70 years or older were the second most affected age group in terms of death rates, making diarrhea and related infections a leading cause of death across all age groups, the researchers noted.

Regionally, children under five in sub-Saharan Africa had the highest mortality rates, with over 150 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to other global regions. In South Asia, the highest mortality rates were found among those aged 70 and older, with 476 deaths per 100,000 population.

The authors stated that preventive measures targeting key risk factors and infection-causing microbes could further reduce the global burden of diarrheal diseases.

"The new granular-level analysis in our study can help decision-makers better target and prioritise evidence-based strategies to fight diarrheal diseases," said Dr. Hmwe Hmwe Kyu, a study author and associate professor at IHME.

"Despite the encouraging progress made in combating diarrheal mortality, a multipronged approach is needed to simultaneously implement life-saving solutions while also prioritising preventive interventions to alleviate the burden on health systems," Dr. Kyu added.

The authors also suggested that as more vaccines are added to the World Health Organisation's Expanded Programme on Immunisation, combining them could reduce manufacturing costs and make scheduling easier.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/diarrhea-continues-to-be-leading-killer-among-children-under-5-and-elderly-study-finds/

‘Faster walkers’ had significantly lower risk of diabetes, hypertension: Study

Faster walkers often display better cardiorespiratory fitness, which is in turn related to lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress

If your walking speed is faster than your peers, you may be at a lower risk of metabolic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular ones, a recent study has found.

In nearly 25,000 participants having obesity, a high waist circumference, or both, researchers from Japan’s Doshisha University measured their ‘subjective walking speed’ through a single question in a health questionnaire—“Is your walking speed faster than that of your age and sex?” The results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that individuals who identified as ‘faster walkers’ had significantly lower risks of diabetes—about 30 per cent lower—and smaller, but notable reductions, in risks of hypertension and dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels in blood).

The researchers attributed the findings to the relationship between walking speed and overall health.

Faster walkers often display better cardiorespiratory fitness, which is in turn related to lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress—two key drivers of metabolic diseases, they said. In the study group, 8,578 individuals had obesity (measured by body mass index), 9,626 had a high waist circumference, and 6,742 had both.

“This study clarified that even individuals with obesity, who are at higher risk for metabolic diseases, have lower odds of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia if they report a fast subjective walking speed,” lead researcher Kojiro Ishii, a professor in the faculty of health and sports science at Doshisha University, said.

The authors explained that ‘subjective walking speed’ is self-reported and can be readily incorporated into standard examinations, unlike ‘objective walking speed’, which needs resources, time, and space to assess.

They added that the simplicity and accessibility of the ‘subjective walking speed’ measure makes it ideal for use in clinical and public health settings.

“This questionnaire (used in the study) is included in a standardised protocol by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan,” Ishii said.

“This allowed for a quick and easy assessment without requiring specialized equipment.” “Promoting a faster walking pace may be a helpful individual behaviour to help prevent metabolic diseases, particularly in individuals with obesity,” Ishii said.

Even though the study could not establish cause-and-effect links, the findings were in line with those from previous studies on walking pace and health outcomes, the researchers said.

The study also showed how measuring one’s subjective walking speed could help identify individuals at a high risk of and prevent metabolic disorders related to obesity, especially when included in routine health examinations, the team said.

As it turns out, a simple question like ‘Is your walking speed faster than your peers?’ could provide life-saving insights, they said.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/faster-walkers-had-significantly-lower-risk-of-diabetes-hypertension-study/

One in every 127 people globally had autism in 2021, study estimates

Regions such as high-income Asia Pacific, including Japan, revealed highest prevalence, while Tropical Latin America and Bangladesh reported lowest

A study has estimated that one in every 127 people globally, or 6.18 crore individuals, had autism in 2021, with the neurodevelopmental condition featuring among the top 10 causes of non-fatal health burden in youth aged under 20 years.

The disorder is associated with repetitive behaviour and affected social skills. Signs, which can begin to show as early as 12 months of age, include poor non-verbal communication, such as avoiding eye contact and not responding to their name.

Published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, the results showed that globally, autism cases among men were over twice of those in women -- 1,065 cases for every one lakh men and 508 for every one lakh women.

The estimates come from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Study, the largest and most comprehensive ones to assess health loss around the world over time, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, US, which coordinates it.

“An estimated 61.8 million individuals (one in every 127 people) were on the autism spectrum globally in 2021,” the authors wrote.

Regions such as high-income Asia Pacific, including Japan, revealed the highest prevalence (1,560 per one lakh population), while Tropical Latin America and Bangladesh reported the lowest, researchers said.

The findings underscored the importance of early detection and support to autistic young people and their caregivers globally, the authors said.

They also called for efforts to improve the accuracy of the study’s findings, including a better understanding of how autism prevalence differs with geography.

“The work presented here can guide future research efforts, and importantly, decisions concerning allocation of health services that better address the needs of all autistic individuals,” the authors wrote.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/one-in-every-127-people-globally-had-autism-in-2021-study-estimates/

Virus causing gut infections could play role in development of Alzheimer's: Study

Virus travels from gut to brain, altering immune system and contributing to Alzheimer’s-linked cell changes

A virus that can cause infection in the gut and from there travel to the brain, could be important in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study.

Existing antiviral drugs may then be looked at for treating or preventing this form of Alzheimer's disease, researchers, including those at the Arizona State University, US, said.

Most humans are thought to have been exposed to cytomegalovirus (HCMV), one of the nine viruses known to cause herpes (painful blisters on the skin), during the first few decades of their lives. The virus is usually transmitted through bodily fluids and spreads only when it is active.

Published in Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, the study found that in some people, the herpes-causing virus may remain active in the gut, from where it can travel to the brain via the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and the brain.

Once in the brain, the virus can alter the immune system and contribute to changes in cells associated with Alzheimer's disease, the researchers explained.

The researchers noted that the herpes-causing virus is recognized by immune cells in the brain, called microglia, which activate a specific gene called 'CD83.'

The virus could then contribute to biological changes in the brain, which are known to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease — a neurodegenerative disorder that progressively deteriorates brain function, such as memory and cognitive abilities, as one ages.

"We think we've identified a biologically unique subtype of Alzheimer's that may affect 25-45% of people with the disease," said Ben Readhead, first author and research associate professor at Arizona State University.

"This subtype includes the hallmark amyloid plaques and tau tangles — microscopic brain abnormalities used for diagnosis — and features a distinct biological profile involving the virus, antibodies, and immune cells in the brain," Readhead added.

For the study, the researchers analyzed spinal fluid from Alzheimer's patients and found antibodies produced specifically in response to the herpes-causing virus. They also found evidence of infection in the intestines and brain tissue of these individuals caused by the same virus.

Furthermore, the team observed the herpes virus within the vagus nerve of the patients, suggesting this could be the pathway through which it travels to the brain.

In another group of Alzheimer's patients, the researchers were able to replicate the association between the gut infection and CD83(+) microglia.

A previous study by the researchers conducted a post-mortem analysis of the brains of Alzheimer's patients and found that these patients were more likely to harbor CD83(+) microglia specifically.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/virus-causing-gut-infections-could-play-role-in-development-of-alzheimers-study/

Fluctuating blood pressure could influence cognitive decline risk

Fluctuating blood pressure in older men — particularly older Black men — is tied to a heightened risk of cognitive decline.

Previous research showed that blood pressure variability is linked to poorer thinking skills in white people.

• A new study extends these findings by examining the link in both white and Black people and compares the two groups.
• They show that this relationship is most pronounced in older Black men.

A recent study, which appears in the journal Neurology, focuses on thinking skills and blood pressure variability — in other words, how much blood pressure changes between visits to the doctor’s office.

The research team that conducted this study found that individuals with the highest variation in blood pressure over 18 years had the poorest scores in cognitive tests.

The relationship was most pronounced in older Black men, equating to an extra 2.8 years of cognitive aging in those with the most variable blood pressure.

How does blood pressure affect cognitive decline?

As people age, thinking skills tend to slow. This cognitive decline, however, is not inevitable, and it affects some people more than others.

Because the average age of the population is slowly increasing and the proportion of older adults in society grows, understanding the risk factors for cognitive decline is important.

Already, scientists have identified that high blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk.of cognitive decline. Conversely, treatment of hypertension seems to reduce the risk.

More recently, scientists have also shown that blood pressure variability. may be a better predictor of cognitive decline than average blood pressure readings.

However, most of the research to date recruited mostly white people. That being the case, there is an urgent need to understand how this relationship plays out in Black people.

This is because, as the authors of the new study explain in their paper, “compared with white older adults, Black individuals experience a more significant burden of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension.”

They write that this is likely due to a number of factors known as social determinants of health, which can include access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and health literacy.

Black people with fluctuating blood pressure face higher cognitive decline risk

To investigate, the scientists who conducted the recent study took data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, which included 4,770 individuals aged 65 or older (average age of 71.3). Of these, 66% were Black and the rest white.

These people were followed for 18 years and had their blood pressure measured every 3 years. They also completed four cognitive tests.

The researchers found that, on average, Black participants had more existing health conditions and were involved in less physical and cognitive activities. They were also more likely to be smokers.

To understand how they calculated blood pressure variability, below is a quick example using the systolic blood pressure readings of one participant with three checkups:

• visit 1: 145 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
• visit 2: 160 mm Hg
• visit 3: 150 mm Hg.

The difference between the first and second visit is 15 mm Hg, and the difference between the second and third is of 10 mm Hg. The two differences are then averaged which gives a mean difference of 12.5 mm Hg.

The scientists found that, on average, Black people had systolic blood pressure variability of 17.7 mm Hg, compared with 16 mm Hg for white participants.

During their analysis, they split the participants into three groups — high, medium, and low blood pressure variation. They found that, overall, those in the high variability group had lower cognitive scores at their last visit.

For Black people, specifically, those in the high variability group had lower scores on the cognitive tests equivalent to 2.8 extra years of cognitive aging.

For white people, although the relationship was in the same direction, it was less pronounced and the results did not reach statistical significance.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that the associations were “independent of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.” This means that even in individuals with relatively healthy blood pressure, the variation alone appears to be a risk factor for cognitive decline.

Controlling blood pressure can mitigate cognitive decline risk

“With our aging society and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, identifying prevention strategies to slow the decline of cognitive skills in older adults has become a public health priority,” explained study author Anisa Dhana, MD, from Rush University in Chicago, IL, in a press release.

“Managing blood pressure and its fluctuations is emerging as an essential risk factor that can be modified,” she added.

Another important finding was that blood pressure variation was not linked to cognitive decline for individuals who were taking blood pressure medication. However, research shows that Black people with hypertension are less likely. to be taking medication.

As mentioned, many factors likely influence cardiovascular risk in Black populations, but the authors hope that their findings “increase awareness in developing race-specific pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment plans.”

José Morales, MD is a vascular neurologist and neurointerventional surgeon at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, not involved in the current study.

Speaking to Medical News Today, he commented on whether blood pressure variation could one day be used as an early warning sign for cognitive decline risk.

“Absolutely [it could], but the tools to monitor these phenomena are still being developed,” he told us. “I suspect that the more dynamic variations throughout a given day may truly underly the mechanisms suspected to cause end-organ damage.”

“Newer technology that allows for continuous blood pressure monitoring will be key to truly understanding ways to mitigate the harmful effects of hypertension,” Morales concluded.

How to maintain a healthy blood pressure

As evidence mounts that hypertension is linked to cognitive decline, Alan Rozanski, MD, professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who was not involved in the current study, offered some tips on how to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

He suggested:

1.     Limiting intake of highly processed foods: “These can raise LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol in multiple ways. Specifically, it’s important to limit or avoid fried foods like French fries and onion rings, processed meats such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and salami, as well as commercial baked goods like cookies, cakes, pastries, and doughnuts.”

2.     Reducing excessive sodium intake: “There is some debate as to the ideal amount of sodium to consume in one’s diet, but most health organizations agree that excessive sodium intake — well above 2,300 milligrams per day — raises the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. “

3.     Getting regular exercise: “Regular exercise helps raise HDL ‘good’ cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and improve how your body uses fat.”

4.     Managing stress levels: “Stress is a common part of life, but it becomes harmful when it leads to high emotional distress, feels uncontrollable, or persists at a high level over time. Try deep breathing, meditation, exercise, hobbies, spending time in nature, or seeking support from friends or counselors.”

5.     Getting your blood pressure checked regularly: “Too many individuals have unrecognized high blood pressure. The sooner you know that you have this, the earlier you can institute healthy lifestyle changes that may help to lower your blood pressure.”

Study limitations

The authors do acknowledge certain limitations to their study. For instance, because their study was conducted on participants in the south side of Chicago, the results may not be applicable to other regions or ethnic backgrounds.

Morales told MNT that these results support previous work, but because “the blood pressure measurements for this study are spread over pretty large intervals (i.e., years), there are likely to be confounding factors when looking at such complex pathophysiology.”

In conclusion, the authors recommend routine assessment for blood pressure in Black people to help identify and potentially reverse cognitive decline.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fluctuating-blood-pressure-could-influence-cognitive-decline-risk#Study-limitations