________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Avoiding Alzheimer’s
Studies done by a team of scientists from the University of Bordeaux in France and the University of Montreal show long-term use of anxiety and sleeping pills can possibly increase an elderly person’s chance of getting Alzheimer’s. Over 1,000 people were diagnosed with the disease within six years of the study. The cause of the increased diagnoses was found to be the use of benzodiazepines—a pill used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Past use of these pills for three or more months increased the risk of getting Alzheimer’s by 43 to 51 per cent, while causing short-term memory loss.
Source: www.cbc.ca

Molecules and depression
In a new study on depression, Dr. Gustavo Turecki discovered a tiny microRNA molecule, known as miR-1202, might very well be the indicator of what causes depression for an individual. The team conducted a number of experiments that showed that antidepressants change the levels of this microRNA. In the trials with living depressed individuals treated with Citalopram, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, Turecki found lower levels in depressed individuals compared to the non-depressed individuals. The discovery may provide a potential target for the development of new and more effective antidepressant treatments.
Source: www.mcgill.ca

 

New drug for diabetes?
A new medication has been created for people who suffer from diabetes. Known as sodium glucose transport, these pills filter out sugar through your urine, reducing the amount left in the bloodstream. Like any other diabetic medication these pills cannot tame an epidemic; however, the pills exhibit fewer side effects and look to be a promising alternative to other medications on the market.
Source: www.theglobeandmail.com

 

Brain injuries may influence behavior
Dr. Gabriella llie from St. Michael’s Hospital recently completed a study showing that teenage boys and girls with past traumatic brain injuries exhibit different rates of harmful behavior. The study states that those with a history of a TBI are more likely to have been bullied, thought about suicide or smoked cigarettes. Teenage years are already a difficult and stressful time for some and a brain injury can result in behavioural issues that may intensify other mental health issues. These issues may be invisible, but due to the harm the aftermath may cause, should not be ignored.
Source: www.camh.ca

 

Osteoporosis – gender neutral 
It has been said that Osteoporosis is mainly a woman’s disease, but in a recent study done by Tamara Rozental, Osteoporosis is estimated to increase dramatically in men by the year 2050. The study shows how critical opportunities are being lost by not focusing on bone loss and fracture in older men. It is important to know women are not the only ones affected, and the results of the study recommend that men older than 50 be tested for bone density to identify those with high risk.
Source: stonehearthnewsletters.com

 

New research gives hope  
Dr. Paul Rennie from the Vancouver Prostate Centre has been awarded a grant to accelerate his new research on prostate cancer, which resulted in giving over 24,000 Canadian men a fighting chance against the disease. Dr. Rennie’s group is developing compounds that target androgen receptors using different pathways than current therapies. The main function of androgen receptors is to bind with male hormones, but androgens also have the unfortunate ability to stimulate tumour growth. To tackle the treatment challenge, Dr. Rennie has assembled a world-class team of experienced investigators, with the potential to enter human trials in the near future.
Source: www.prostatecancer.ca