Tag

Clinical Trials

All articles tagged with #clinical trials

health13 days ago•9 min saved

Brain Pacemaker Trials Offer Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression

About 30% of people with depression do not respond to standard treatments. Researchers are testing deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential option, delivering electrical pulses via implanted electrodes to the brain’s white matter to gradually help escape a depressive state. DBS for depression is not FDA-approved and is available only in clinical trials, including UT Southwestern and the TRANSCEND study. Eligibility typically includes major depressive disorder with multiple failed treatments. If results are positive, FDA approval could come within several years, expanding options beyond ECT, TMS, and ketamine.

via Neuroscience News|

#clinical-trials #deep-brain-stimulation #health

science15 days ago•6 min saved

Shining light on mitochondria: the cellular science of red-light therapy

Red and near-infrared light (600–1,100 nm) is thought to stimulate mitochondria by activating cytochrome c oxidase, boosting ATP production and triggering downstream changes in blood flow and inflammation. Alongside dermatology uses, a growing evidence base links photobiomodulation to benefits for ulcers, neuropathy, radiation skin damage, and hair loss, with FDA clearance for dry macular degeneration and ongoing trials in Parkinson's, depression, and post-exercise recovery. Notably, healthy cells respond little while metabolically stressed cells show stronger responses.

via Boing Boing|

#clinical-trials #cytochrome-c-oxidase #mitochondria

health-care16 days ago•13 min saved

From fringe to clinic: the real science of red-light therapy

Red- and near-infrared light may boost mitochondrial function and blood flow, with evidence of safety and some benefit for ulcers, peripheral neuropathy, dry age-related macular degeneration, and cancer-therapy–related mucositis; however, the overall clinical picture is mixed, optimal doses and delivery methods are unresolved, and while trials are expanding into brain and metabolic effects, hype often outpaces solid, large-scale evidence.

via Nature|

#brain-health #clinical-trials #health-care

health19 days ago•18 min saved

Pfizer-Valneva Lyme vaccine shows 70% efficacy in large trial

Pfizer and Valneva report that their four-dose experimental Lyme disease vaccine reduced infections by more than 70% in a 9,400-person trial and plan to seek regulatory approval, potentially becoming the first widely available Lyme vaccine; a previous vaccine, LYMErix, drew controversy despite no proven harm.

via The Washington Post|

#centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention #clinical-trials #health

science19 days ago•6 min saved

Canine Clues to Human Longevity: What Dog Brains Reveal About Aging

60 Minutes explores the Dog Aging Project, a large study tracking thousands of dogs to uncover how genetics, environment, and brain changes influence aging and dementia. Brain research in dogs mirrors human Alzheimer's in structure and pathology, and trials like rapamycin aim to extend canine lifespans and cognitive health, a path that could accelerate human aging research and spur biotech ventures.

via CBS News|

#aging #clinical-trials #dementia

health23 days ago•7 min saved

Alzheimer’s Care Shifts to Early Detection and Prevention

Spring 2025 roundtable advocates moving Alzheimer’s care from reaction to prevention by enabling earlier detection through biomarkers, blood tests, imaging, and digital cognitive tools, while prioritizing lifestyle interventions (exercise, nutrition, social/cognitive engagement) to reduce risk; supported by U.S. POINTER and other trials, with calls for science-based, equitable screening guidelines as new therapies emerge.

via Medical News Today|

#alzheimers #biomarkers #clinical-trials

health25 days ago•2 min saved

New review finds cannabis medicines offer minimal relief for most mental health disorders

A Lancet-published review of 54 randomized trials (1980–2025, 2,477 participants) found cannabis-based medicines provide little to no benefit for most mental health and substance-use disorders such as anxiety, psychotic disorders, PTSD and opioid-use disorder; some limited benefits were seen for cannabis-use disorder withdrawal, Tourette’s tic severity, and certain autistic traits or insomnia, but overall the evidence quality is low and more high-quality trials are needed as medical cannabis use expands.

via Reuters|

#clinical-trials #health #lancet

health25 days ago•69 min saved

One-shot saRNA therapy boosts heart repair in animals, could this translate to humans?

Researchers in mice and pigs showed a single intramuscular injection of self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) increased the heart-healing hormone ANP, helping heart muscle recover after a heart attack. The saRNA acts like mRNA but sustains protein production for weeks, and the delivery mirrors COVID-19 vaccines. While promising, the approach has not been tested in humans, and future trials are needed to establish safety, dosing, and efficacy before clinical use.

via Live Science|

#atrial-natriuretic-peptide #cardiac-repair #clinical-trials

health27 days ago•7 min saved

CAR-T Therapy for MS Aims to Target Brain B Cells to Slow Disease

U.S. researchers are testing CAR-T therapy—reprogramming a patient’s own T cells to attack overactive B cells implicated in MS—to see if it can reach the brain and slow progression. Early, small trials (including four MS patients at the Cleveland Clinic) show uncertain outcomes and potential risks like cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, with experts cautioning that this approach is highly experimental and may not be more effective than existing MS drugs. Still, findings could improve understanding of MS and guide future therapies, even if not curative.

via NBC News|

#b-cells #car-t-therapy #clinical-trials

health1 month ago•16 min saved

FDA finds scant evidence that a generic drug helps autism

The FDA’s review concludes there is scant evidence that a generic drug provides meaningful benefit for autism, raising doubts about its efficacy and underscoring the need for more rigorous research.

via AP News|

#autism #clinical-trials #drug-research

health1 month ago•18 min saved

Perimenopause: closing the evidence gaps in a shifting hormone-therapy era

Perimenopause—the turbulent, pre-menopausal years—lacks biomarkers and robust trial data, so treatment tends to rely on postmenopausal findings; modern menopausal hormone therapy is safer and more personalized, yet its long-term effects in perimenopause are still unclear. Reanalyses of WHI show smaller risks than once thought, and FDA warnings have loosened, but gaps remain about who should start therapy, how long to use it, and the benefits beyond symptom relief. Large studies like SWAN and CLIMATÈRE are expanding this knowledge, while researchers explore non-hormonal options and the possibility that hot flushes drive cognitive symptoms. The goal is a biology-based, individualized approach rather than oversimplified messaging or 'fountain of youth' claims.

via Nature|

#clinical-trials #health #hormone-therapy

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Brighton doctor launches AI-powered charity to repurpose drugs for ultra-rare brain disorder

A Brighton emergency physician, Prof Rob Galloway, launches Rare People - The Research Charity after his daughter Frankie is diagnosed with the ultra-rare DeSanto Shinawi syndrome. The charity will fund clinical trials of repurposed medicines identified by artificial intelligence to treat rare genetic brain disorders, inspired by Mayo Clinic cell studies suggesting possible benefit from an epilepsy drug. The aim is to include UK children in trials and, eventually, expand to adults, with support from Brighton & Hove Albion FC at the launch.

via BBC|

#ai-in-medicine #clinical-trials #drug-repurposing

health1 month ago•2 min saved

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may prevent 'no-reflow' after heart attack, UK study finds

UK researchers report in animal models that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) reduced no-reflow, a dangerous post-heart-attack blood-flow problem, suggesting a potential new therapy pending human trials.

via The Guardian|

#clinical-trials #glp-1 #health

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Synthetic DMT Trials Hint at Rapid Depression Relief With Guided Therapy

A phase II trial sponsored by Small Pharma (now Cybin UK) found a synthetic DMT formulation, delivered by injection with psychotherapeutic support, reduced depressive symptoms more than placebo after two weeks in 17 treated vs 17 controls. The study emphasizes the therapists’ role and notes the synthetic DMT yields a short, ~30-minute experience without vomiting (unlike traditional ayahuasca). While promising, the results are preliminary and require clinic-based administration, with broader context including FDA-approved ketamine therapy and ongoing psychedelics research.

via The Guardian|

#clinical-trials #depression #dmt

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Moderna’s combo flu-COVID shot shows durable immune response in mid-stage trial

Moderna reported that its experimental mRNA-1073 two-in-one flu and COVID-19 vaccine elicited durable immune responses against matched influenza and SARS-CoV-2 strains for six months in a small 550-participant mid-stage trial, with no serious safety concerns; the briefing also covers ongoing Potomac River contamination concerns after a wastewater spill, a long-term MSU study showing college students rebounded emotionally post-pandemic, and other health news highlights.

via CIDRAP|

#clinical-trials #covid-19 #health