Allopurinol, the prototype xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has been indicated for the management of gout and other conditions associated with hyperuricemia for more than half a century. Recent reports have suggested the probable role of xanthine oxidase in ischemic injuries, thereby prompting researchers to consider allopurinol as a treatment option. Now, a recent double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, published in the latest issue of The Lancet, reports the potential use of the drug in treating chronic stable angina. Continue Reading

A team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) neuroscientists has succeeded in developing a molecular-level functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which responds to dopamine neurotransmitters, thereby enabling a more precise noninvasive brain imaging. The study results have been published in the online issue of the journal, Nature Biotechnology. Continue Reading

Predicting the progression of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer disease (AD) is of paramount significance in initiating mechanistic therapies. However, there lacks specific consensus on the use of various prognosticating factors for the disease progression. Now, a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease substantiates the effectiveness of the interpretation of data obtained from diverse and heterogeneous sources using artificial neural networks (ANNs) in predicting the disease conversion. Continue Reading

Urate is a superoxide, peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radical scavenger, and iron chelator and ascorbate stabilizer. Previous research has shown that people with higher urate levels are at a lower risk of Parkinson disease (PD), by virtue of its antioxidant effect. These include persons with gout and those who consume diets which increase serum urate levels, such as sweetbreads, certain types of fish, and organ meats, including liver, kidney and brain. Now, a study, published in the latest issue of Archives of Neurology, has reported that serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) urate levels may predict the rate of clinical decline in PD. Continue Reading

In a genome-wide association study on Alzheimer disease (AD), considered the largest ever, an international team of researchers have identified two novel gene variants that may possibly increase the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer, the most common form of the condition. The findings of the study are reported in the online issue of the journal Nature Genetics. Continue Reading

Currently, there lacks a single test for accurately diagnosing Alzheimer disease (AD), with autopsy being the only definitive diagnostic tool. Gothenburg researchers have reported that AD patients have increased levels of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ1-16) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to healthy people. The identification of the novel marker in the CSF could help in diagnosing the condition, as well as determining the most effective medications for the disease. Continue Reading

Several former studies have demonstrated the association of vascular cognitive impairment risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and atherosclerosis with the impairment of cognitive functions. However, the link between heart rhythm disorder and Alzheimer disease (AD) has not been clearly defined. Now, a study presented at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society, held during May 13-16, 2009, at Boston, reports an enhanced risk of developing Alzheimer disease in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. Continue Reading

Sarcosine, an N-methyl derivative of the amino acid glycine identified as an effective marker for prostate cancer, may aid in the development of a simple, non-invasive urine test for the detection of the cancerous condition. The results of the research article are published in the February issue of the journal Nature. Continue Reading

Intermittent claudication (IC), the most prominent symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is characterized by leg muscle pain, cramping and fatigue. As IC is considered a crucial marker for atheroma, the therapeutic intervention should be aimed at symptomatic relief from the condition and reducing the systemic cardiovascular complications. Currently, limb revascularization is considered as the next level of treatment strategy in patients who do not respond to exercise and/or drug therapy. Now, a recent study published in the journal Radiology reports that supervised exercise could be equally beneficial as that of endovascular revascularization, in patients with intermittent claudication; however, improvement may be more immediate with revascularization. Continue Reading

Chondroitins (CS) 4 and 6 sulfate has been shown in previous studies to alleviate pain and improve functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. However, there are contradictory findings about the potential benefits of CS in OA, especially with respect to its structure-modifying ability in knee OA. Now, a recent study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism has suggested that CS may serve as a disease-modifying agent of knee OA, owing to its long-term structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects. Continue Reading