Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) and cost
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Breakthrough study finds deficiency of this common nutrient could contribute to Alzheimer's
A deficiency of the metal lithium in the body could be a key factor contributing to the development of dementia in Alzherimer's patients, a groundbreaking new study reveals. The decade-long research, published in the journal Nature, shows for the first time that lithium occurs naturally in the brain and maintains the normal function of all its major cell types, preventing nerves from degradation. Scientists from Harvard Medical School found that lithium loss in the human brain is one of the earliest changes leading to Alzheimer's, while in mice, a similar lithium depletion accelerated memory decline. A reduced lithium level was found in some cases due to the metal's impaired uptake and its binding to amyloid plaques, which are known to be smoking gun signs of Alzheimer's. Researchers also showed that a new type of lithium compound – lithium orotate – can avoid capture by amyloid plaques and restore memory in mice. In the study, scientists used an advanced type of mass spectroscopy chemical analysis method to measure trace levels of about 30 different metals in the brain and blood samples from a range of people, including cognitively healthy people, those in an early stage of dementia, and those with advanced Alzheimer's. The analysis revealed that lithium was the only metal with markedly different levels across groups, which also seemed to change at the earliest stages of memory loss. 'Lithium turns out to be like other nutrients we get from the environment, such as iron and vitamin C,' study senior author Bruce Yankner said. 'It's the first time anyone's shown that lithium exists at a natural level that's biologically meaningful without giving it as a drug,' Dr Yankner said. Although lithium compounds have been historically in use to treat a range of mental conditions like bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, in these cases, they are given at much higher concentrations that could even be toxic to older people. Scientists have now found that lithium orotate is effective at one-thousandth this dose – enough to mimic the natural level of lithium in the brain. The latest findings with lithium orotate, however, needs to be confirmed in humans via clinical trials. Yet, researchers suspect that measuring lithium levels could help screen people for early Alzheimer's. The findings revise the theory of Alzheimer's disease, which affects nearly 400 million people worldwide, offering a new strategy for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Decades of studies have shown that Alzheimer's disease involves an array of brain abnormalities, including clumps of the protein amyloid beta, tangles of the protein tau, and a loss of the brain's protective protein REST. However, these abnormalities have never fully explained the condition. For instance, it remains unclear why some people with Alzheimer's-like changes in the brain never go on to develop dementia or cognitive decline. Recent treatments developed to target amyloid beta plaques also don't seem to reverse memory loss, only modestly reducing the rate of cognitive decline. Now, scientists say lithium could be the critical missing link. 'The idea that lithium deficiency could be a cause of Alzheimer's disease is new and suggests a different therapeutic approach,' Dr Yankner said. 'You have to be careful about extrapolating from mouse models, and you never know until you try it in a controlled human clinical trial... But so far the results are very encouraging,' he added.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The real reason you should always avoid eating on a plane - even if it's free
Whether it's complimentary snacks, a hot meal or even just a simple sandwich, airline passengers are being urged to avoid eating on planes. Influencer Kashif Khan, @kashkhanofficial, shared his thoughts on tucking into a meal mid-flight to his 873,000 followers. He claims airplane food contains artificial flavours and additives, to compensate for the lack of sensitivity passengers experience in their taste buds when thousands of feet high. The reduction in sensitivity is thought to be caused by the lack of moisture on planes as well as the lower air pressure. Kashif explains in a video: 'Don't eat on an airplane, even if it's free. I'm going to tell you why. 'Here's something most people don't know, at 30,000 feet, your taste buds lose about 30% of their sensitivity. And this 2010 study proves it.' The influencer went on to share his thoughts on what airlines add to in-flight food. He adds, 'So airlines compensate by loading your food with artificial flavours, salt, and additives. Just so it doesn't taste like cardboard. 'We're talking MSG, sodium nitrite, carrageenan in nearly every meal.' Kashif explains how the added ingredients make travellers think the food tastes better, but can actually end up causing them to feel worse health-wise. 'It's tricking your brain into thinking it tastes good,' he continues. 'And because of the dry cabin air and low oxygen, your digestion slows way down.' He went on to reveal the impact such food can have on the gut and overall body. Kashif says: 'That food just sits in your gut, ferments… and gets you bloated. 'That's one of the reasons people feel so awful during and even after a flight.' However, some disagreed with Kashif in the comments, and one penned: 'Never once felt like this after eating in business class.' Another added: 'Unless you are flying [a] few times a week and eating every time, I think it's okay to eat there. 'We just flew from LA to Tokyo and then back from Singapore and we were fed twice on those flights. How do you even survive long flights without eating on a plane.' Though others agreed with the message, one said: 'I'll eat before and after then, that sucks, I never thought of this! Wish they had smoothies, or natural organic juice.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
New study finds possible link between green tea and Alzheimer's protection
Scientists have identified two natural compounds that show promise in reversing brain cell ageing and removing harmful protein buildup, potentially offering a non-drug approach for Alzheimer's disease. The compounds, nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and epigallocatechin gallate (an antioxidant found in green tea), restore guanosine triphosphate (GTP) levels, a key molecule for energy production in brain cells. Research demonstrated that treating aged nerve cells with these compounds restored GTP levels to those typically seen in younger cells within just 24 hours. This restoration of energy levels enabled neurons to regain their critical cleanup function, significantly improving the clearance of amyloid protein clusters, a hallmark feature of Alzheimer's. While further studies are required for optimal administration, these findings suggest a promising new strategy for treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's by supplementing the brain's energy systems.
