Latest news with #TuftsMedicalCenter
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Alzheimer's Treatments Could Slow Memory Loss—Here's What to Know
Research is constantly evolving in the world of cognitive health, including for neurological diseases for which there are currently no cures or guaranteed preventive methods. In regards to the most common—Alzheimer's disease—we asked a leading geriatric psychiatrist to offer insights into the latest findings in treatment, screening and holistic care. The current research around treatment is advancing toward disease-modifying therapies to address the underlying biology of Alzheimer's disease in different ways, explains Brent Forester, MD, Psychiatrist-in-Chief and Chair for the Department of Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center, Director of Behavioral Health for Tufts Medicine and Professor of Psychiatry. Here we break down both the existing medications to help with cognitive complaints as well as those still in clinical trials or development. There are currently two medications that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Alzheimer's: donanemab (brand name Kisunla) and lecanemab (brand name Leqembi). The two recently introduced compounds are anti-amyloid therapeutics, meaning they are designed to stick to and help remove amyloid beta protein. Abnormal buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain is believed to contribute to memory loss. And while removing these proteins appears to slow disease progression, neither medication will completely stop or reverse Alzheimer's. 'We know for sure based on the research that's been done that when you look at before-and-after of amyloid brain scans, amyloid is high and then it essentially goes completely away after treatment,' confirms Dr. Forester. Dr. Forester emphasizes that these drugs are most effective when administered in people with early stages of Alzheimer's disease before significant cognitive decline occurs. Once someone is no longer able to function, drive or pay their bills, even if amyloid is removed from the brain, it's too late for the drugs to have a clinically-beneficial effect. 'There's only a [specific] window where these will potentially be beneficial, and that is in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage, where there is mild cognitive impairment and normal functioning, or in the very mild Alzheimer's-type dementia stage where people are just mildly affected from a cognitive and functional standpoint,' explains Dr. Forester. Right now, these drugs are only approved and available to be delivered through intravenous infusions. That means people are required to come into an infusion center either every other week or once a month to get an hour-long IV treatment, he notes. There are also side effects associated with the drugs, especially those that may present more serious complications. Dr. Forester says two big concerns are bleeding or swelling of the brain, for which certain genetic factors can increase risk. Over the next few years, it is likely that Alzheimer's drugs examining specific tangled protein fibers in the brain will advance through clinical trials, predicts Dr. Forester. 'There are also a number of compounds being studied to address other pathways that have not been addressed thus far,' he says. 'These are more directed at inflammation, energy metabolism, oxidative stress—more basic underlying pathways that contribute to the disease.' There is currently no definitive diagnostic method for Alzheimer's. According to the National Institute on Aging, if cognitive decline is suspected, doctors may ask a patient (or a family member) if they are experiencing certain symptoms and ask questions about their overall health, use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diet, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities and changes in behavior and personality. To land on a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, doctors may also: Conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting and language Order blood, urine and other standard medical tests to rule out other conditions Administer a psychiatric evaluation to determine if depression or another mental health condition is causing or contributing to a person's symptoms Collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via a spinal tap and measure the levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer's and related dementias Perform various brain scans Dr. Forester notes that researchers are also getting 'very close' to having a blood-based biomarker that could be used for clinical practice. The two purposes of a biomarker would be to find the disease early enough that a difference could be made from a treatment perspective, as well as to track the effectiveness of the treatment. 'Once an individual advances past the early dementia stage, these new treatments are ineffective, so it's really important to talk to your doctor right away and ask what could be helpful,' he advises. 'Don't be afraid.' Advancements in Alzheimer's Treatment: Research is progressing towards disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's, focusing on addressing the underlying biology of the disease. Two FDA-approved medications, donanemab and lecanemab, are designed to remove amyloid beta protein, which is believed to contribute to memory loss. Effectiveness and Administration of Current Drugs: These drugs are most effective in the early stages of Alzheimer's, specifically during mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or very mild dementia stages. They are administered through intravenous infusions, but come with potential side effects like brain bleeding or swelling. New Medications in Development: Future Alzheimer's treatments may target tangled protein fibers and other pathways like inflammation and oxidative stress. These developments are expected to progress through clinical trials in the coming years. Testing and Diagnosis: Currently, there is no definitive diagnostic method for Alzheimer's. Diagnosis involves a combination of cognitive tests, medical evaluations and brain scans. Researchers are close to developing a blood-based biomarker for early detection and treatment tracking. Importance of Early Detection: Early detection is crucial as new treatments are ineffective once the disease progresses beyond the early dementia stage. Patients are encouraged to consult their doctors early if cognitive decline is suspected. An AI tool helped compile and summarize the key takeaways in this story. The story was then edited by Woman's World staff. More cognitive decline: Early Signs of Dementia in Women Doctors Say You Shouldn't Ignore—It Can Even Raise Your Cholesterol Can Your Vision Predict Your Dementia Risk? Research Suggests It Can Certain Alzheimer's Risks May Be Within Your Control, Say Doctors: How to Keep Your Mind SharpThis content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Father's face slashed outside Boston hospital in random attack
It was an encounter that nearly cost John Baglio his life outside Tufts Medical Center last Friday night. His face was slashed by a total stranger who pounced on him as he and his wife took a break outside the hospital while his son was being treated for an emergency heart condition inside. "This guy was coming at me to fight me and hurt me. I think he had murder on his mind," said Baglio. The alleged attacker, 45-year-old Wilfredo Burgos who police describe as homeless, is the man Baglio says he got into a hockey-type fight with in a chance encounter. He also has a black eye from the punches thrown, but it was the unknown weapon Burgos allegedly had that had Baglio fighting back. "He was doing this motion, I'm like what's going on with this guy, slashing for my stomach," Baglio said. "I tried to keep an eye on him and look at him." Suspect described as delusional Police say Burgos, described in court as delusional and paranoid on crack cocaine, had a crack pipe on him, but John Baglio is convinced it was a razor based on the nature of the cut that required more than two hours of surgery and 56 stitches. It took all his strength to subdue him. "I pushed him far enough along where I just threw him right over onto the street and mounted him so now he's underneath me and I had the advantage position," Baglio said. His wife ran to press a nearby emergency blue call box to alert hospital security who quickly responded along with police who arrested Burgos not far from the scene. Throughout the struggle Baglio says he never realized he had been seriously cut until he saw all the blood and it was finally over. "It's scary to think of, I've had a lot of loss in my life," Baglio said. Baglio is an elementary school music teacher anxious to get back to his life while Burgos will undergo a 20-day mental health evaluation. "I'll take as many scars to the face as I have to, but I'm not letting this guy end me," Baglio said. "That's what I was thinking."
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New Studies Recommend Inclusion of Dynamic Inputs in Cost-Effectiveness Analyses to Better Reflect Drug Value Over Time
Cost-effectiveness models that exclude dynamic pricing likely underestimate a treatment's benefits versus its costs to society WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, May 13, 2025 / / -- Two new studies published in Value in Health underscore the importance of incorporating dynamic pricing and other evolving inputs into cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) to more accurately represent the value of prescription drugs across their lifecycles. 'CEAs are comprised of both science and judgment – which is why they are a tool, not a rule,' said NPC Chief Science Officer Jon Campbell, PhD, who was an author on both studies. 'This research supports more useful tools that better reflect market realities.' The first paper, ' U.S. Drug Pricing Patterns Before Loss of Exclusivity, ' characterizes changes in drug prices following launch and prior to loss of market exclusivity to enable the inclusion of dynamic pricing assumptions in CEAs. The paper is authored by Ching-Hsuan Lin, MD, MPH, and Joshua Cohen, PhD, of the Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health (CEVR) at Tufts Medical Center; and James Motyka, PharmD, and Jon Campbell, PhD, of the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC). 'The assumption that drug prices stay the same after launch distort a cost-effectiveness projection,' Dr. Campbell explained. 'The failure to accurately represent the cost to society of a drug or its comparator can have ripple effects on market competition and the ability to bring future innovations to market.' In their analysis of inflation-adjusted pricing data for 32 brand-name drugs that are most likely to be selected within the Drug Price Negotiation Program, the authors identified several insights to inform CEAs: -The average inflation-adjusted mean annual drug price change for commonly prescribed and large-market drugs was -4.7%. -Mean annual price changes for 25 (78%) of the studied drugs were negative, suggesting most had lower net prices at the end of the observed period once adjusted for inflation. -Modeling indicates that price change rates tend to moderate with more time since a drug's launch. The study also includes an interactive tool to help researchers incorporate these empirical models into CEAs alongside other evidence on price drops after the loss of exclusivity. The second study, " Identifying the Influential Dynamic Inputs in Cost-Effectiveness Analyses, " is the first work of its kind investigating the influence of specific dynamic inputs on cost-effectiveness findings. Informed by an advisory panel of economic modeling experts, this study calculated cost-effectiveness estimates for four stylized examples to explore how omitting dynamic inputs could misrepresent a treatment's cost-effectiveness. The paper is authored by Melanie D. Whittington, PhD, Joshua T. Cohen, PhD, and Peter J. Neumann, ScD, affiliated with CEVR at Tufts Medical Center and Tyler D. Wagner, PhD, and Jonathan D. Campbell, PhD, of NPC. 'Omitting key drug pricing dynamics risks misrepresenting a medicine's benefits versus costs over the lifecycle,' said Dr. Wagner. 'It is a disservice to patients if these analyses use the same inaccurate assumptions and inputs to assess all drugs.' Key findings from the modeling include: -For chronically administered drugs, the static (i.e. conventional) cost-effectiveness estimate was less favorable than the dynamic estimate by over 60%. Drug price changes after loss of exclusivity had the most impact on this difference. -For one-time administration drugs, the static estimate was less favorable by over 30%. In this case, impact on the difference in cost-effectiveness findings included price changes as well as the age at baseline and discount rate. -The inclusion of dynamic inputs had a greater impact in CEAs for chronically administered treatments than for one-time treatments, indicating that static models do not have the same level of CEA finding bias across all treatment types. 'Moving from static to dynamic inputs for CEAs is not a cure-all but will help prevent CEAs from misrepresenting certain cost dynamics that are a component of the comprehensive value of medicines,' added Dr. Campbell. About the National Pharmaceutical Council NPC serves patients and society with policy-relevant research on the value of patient access to innovative medicines and the importance of scientific advancement. We envision a world where advances in medicine are accessible to patients, valued by society, and sustainably reimbursed by payers to ensure continued innovation. For more information, visit and follow NPC on LinkedIn. Michael Pratt National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) +1 202-695-5776 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Former Tufts doctor sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted child sex trafficking
BOSTON (WWLP) – A former anesthesiologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday for attempted sex trafficking of a child. Sadeq Ali Quraishi, 47, was convicted in October 2024 on one count of attempted child sex trafficking. Quraishi responded to an online advertisement in November 2022, during which time he was a practicing doctor at Tufts. The advertisement offered commercial sex with girls aged 12 and 14 years old. Two Brockton men arrested in connection with Easton shooting However, the online ads were created by undercover law enforcement as part of an undercover operation made to catch people seeking paid sex with children. Quraishi communicated via text with the undercover agents who posed as a sex trafficker, and he agreed to pay $250 for a sex act to be performed by the 14-year-old girl. The charging documents state that Quraishi then withdrew cash from an ATM, and drove from his house in Boston to a Waltham hotel to meet with the alleged seller of the girls. He met with the undercover agent and confirmed he had the money, and was given a keycard to the room he was told the child would be. Shortly afterward, Quraishi was arrested, and the cash found in his possession was exactly $250. Quraishi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. If you or anyone you know has been impacted by commercial sex trafficking, contact WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
