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Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Semaglutide improves brain-related injury patients' outcomes
GLP-1R agonist semaglutide, also known as Ozempic or Wegovy, has been making headlines for its potential in its original market - the treatment of Type 2 diabetes - for its weight loss effects and benefits in other metabolic disorders, and for its possible expansions into new therapeutic areas. Most recently, results from different studies have suggested that semaglutide may improve patient outcomes following brain haemorrhage or stroke. GlobalData estimates that semaglutide's benefits may be connected to a reduction of inflammation in the body and brain. As mentioned in GlobalData's report: GLP-1R Agonist - Label Expansions/Drug Repurposing: Market Overview, Ozempic is currently in Phase II trials for acute ischaemic stroke. Other GLP-1R agonists and combination therapies are in clinical development for other neurological conditions, and many academic studies are currently focusing on the potential use of GLP-1R agonists in stroke to reduce complications and the risk of recurrence altogether. In July 2025, new results have emerged from three studies investigating the use of semaglutide in stroke and brain haemorrhage patients. A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison revealed that the chance of surviving after a stroke was higher in patients on semaglutide, and death from stroke was more frequent in the patient group not on a GLP-1R agonist. Another study by the same university examining a US nationwide sample of hospital records found an association between the use of GLP-1R agonists and a reduction in stroke complications. A third study by the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston suggested that semaglutide use was linked to a reduced risk of side effects, seizures, future recurrence and death after brain haemorrhage and stroke. The SELECT trial has demonstrated a clear cardiovascular protection associated with semaglutide use, which could explain its benefits in stroke patients. Furthermore, the occurrence of stroke is linked to metabolic health, inflammation and obesity, so an improvement in these factors can benefit patients likely to experience a stroke or who have done so in the past. According to key opinion leaders interviewed by GlobalData, the potential of GLP-1R agonists in brain diseases seems to be based on their anti-inflammatory action. Indeed, GLP-1R agonists are known to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance, and it seems that this translates to the brain too, as these molecules can cross the blood-brain barrier. Cerebrovascular conditions such as stroke and brain hemorrhage appear to benefit from both the cardiovascular benefits and cerebral anti-inflammatory health benefits associated with GLP-1R agonists' use, on top of the improvement in overall health. Therefore, GLP-1R agonists may successfully penetrate not one but multiple neurological diseases markets, if their effects are proven to be significant and worth the cost of these medicines. "Semaglutide improves brain-related injury patients' outcomes" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tick bites are causing a spike in ER visits this year. An expert explains why.
Emergency room visits for tick bites this year are at the highest levels since 2019, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rise is especially prevalent in the Northeast, where June figures show 229 tick bites per every 100,000 visits to ERs — up from 167 per 100,000 visits in June 2024. Tick bites can land someone in the hospital due to a number of tick-borne illnesses. Lyme disease, for example, can cause severe symptoms in people who were bitten by ticks carrying the borrelia bacteria. Different types of infected ticks can spread other bacteria, viruses and parasites that make people sick. For example, black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks, can also spread babesiosis, anaplasmosis and Powassan virus disease. But why the spike in emergency room visits? A large driver is record-high tick populations in several states this year, Dr. Dennis Bente, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, told CBS News. "We are also seeing a longer tick season across the country, which historically has been a relatively predictable seasonal threat," Bente said. "While tick bites are more common in the summer because of increased outdoor activity, evidence shows that people must stay vigilant year-round now that ticks are also active in the winter because of warming driven by climate change." Health experts say people should be aware of the diseases ticks can carry, and follow prevention strategies to help protect themselves. "Most people don't realize that ticks transmit more viruses and diseases than any other animal in the world, so this rapid increase in population is a serious concern for public health," Bente added. He calls the bugs "sneaky opportunists," nothing they "hang out in bushes or on top of grasses and wait for pets or people to walk by." Experts recommend protecting yourself against ticks by wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellant while outside and doing a tick check and taking a shower once back home. Bente calls tick checks the "most critical prevention measure," and suggests using mirrors to look in any warm areas where ticks might lurk, such as the groin, armpits, scalp, behind the ears and knees and waistband. Social media content creator shows his hustle Udemy Is Powering Enterprise AI Transformation Through Skills Hiker on how she survived face-to-face encounter with mountain lion
Gulf News
14-02-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
H5N1 bird flu silently spread from animals to some humans: US CDC
New Delhi: H5N1 bird flu has silently spread from animals to some humans who treat animals, according to a study, by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggests bird flu cases may be undercounted. The study showed that veterinarians didn't have any symptoms, and thus did not seek medical care, unlike the infected poultry workers. The findings, come as the US is battling bird flu, and reported about 68 human bird flu infections last year. The new study is more evidence that the number 'is likely a significant undercount', said Dr. Gregory Gray, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. "This means that people are being infected, likely due to their occupational exposures, and not developing signs of illness and therefore not seeking medical care," Gray added. The researchers said tracking medical clinics that report bird flu cases may not be enough to fully understand bird flu transmission. For the study, the team examined blood tests of 150 vets from 46 states in the US. While none of them suffered red eyes or other symptoms common with bird flu, the tests revealed about 3 or 2 per cent of the vets had antibodies of H5N1 infection. Although the three worked with dairy cattle, as well as other animals, none were infected. One reported working with a flock of infected poultry. Previous studies suggest some dairy farmworkers experienced symptoms but were never properly diagnosed. Being small-scale studies, they could not give a proper estimate of undiagnosed human infections. But these can translate to hundreds or thousands of infections, Gray said Currently, there is nothing to be alarmed about, but changes or mutations in the virus can potentially make people very sick, or boost the spread of the H5N1 virus, said Jacqueline Nolting, an Ohio State University researcher. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Some people didn't know they had a bird flu infection, study of veterinarians suggests
A new study shows that bird flu has silently spread from animals to some veterinarians. The study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes two smaller ones that detected evidence of infection in previously undiagnosed farmworkers. In those studies, several of the infected workers remembered having symptoms of H5N1 bird flu, while none of the veterinarians in the new paper recalled any such symptoms. The new study is more evidence that the official U.S. tally of confirmed human bird flu infections — 68 in the last year — is likely a significant undercount, said Dr. Gregory Gray, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. 'This means that people are being infected, likely due to their occupational exposures, and not developing signs of illness and therefore not seeking medical care,' Gray said. He said it shows that officials cannot fully understand bird flu transmission by only tracking people who to go to medical clinics with symptoms. CDC researchers went to an American Association of Bovine Practitioners veterinary conference in September 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. They recruited 150 vets from 46 states to fill out a questionnaire and agree to have their blood drawn. None said they had suffered red eyes or other symptoms associated with bird flu. Testing found three of the vets, or 2%, had evidence of antibodies to H5N1 infection. All three worked with dairy cattle, as well as other animals. None said they'd worked with a herd that was known to be infected, although one had worked with a flock of infected poultry. Gray and some colleagues did a study last year of 14 dairy farmworkers and found two, or 14%, had evidence of past infections. Both had experienced symptoms but were never diagnosed. Another study published last year by the CDC checked 115 dairy workers. The researchers found that eight of them, or 7%, had evidence in their blood of recent infection. Half recalled feeling ill. The studies were far too small to use as a basis to provide a solid estimate of how many undiagnosed human infections are out there, Gray said. But even just a very small percentage could translate to hundreds or thousands of Americans who were infected while working with animals, he noted. That's not necessarily a reason to be alarmed, said Jacqueline Nolting, an Ohio State University researcher who helped CDC with the latest study. Available studies suggest people who are infected mount antibody responses and may develop natural immunity, which is 'good news,' she said. However, if the virus changes or mutates to start making people very sick, or to start spreading easily from person to person, that would be 'a completely different story,' Nolting said. Experts urge caution around animals The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Its escalating presence in the environment increases the chances people will be exposed, and potentially catch it, officials have said. Right now the risk to the general public is low, the CDC says. But officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry. 'No one's really questioning that the virus has been moving around the country more than has been reported,' said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He said he expected to see stepped-up information reminding veterinarians across the country to protect themselves with gloves, masks and other equipment to halt infection. ___ Associated Press writer JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
