What did we learn in 2018 that could help your health this year or in the future?
NIH-supported researchers worked on a simple blood test that detects cancer and a wearable blood pressure monitor as small as a dime.
Read on to learn about more exciting research and what it could mean for you.
1. Brain scan technology extends treatment window for stroke
Some stroke patients may be able to get treatment later than originally thought.
A recent study looked at treatment for ischemic stroke using brain scans. This is the most common type of stroke. The findings? In some patients, brain tissue could be saved with treatment up to 16 hours after a stroke. The gold standard in care for strokes has been to start treatment within about 5 hours of having one. Researchers emphasize that stroke is still an emergency and that patients should seek treatment immediately.
Sources: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2. CancerSEEK: Blood test could detect cancer earlier
One step toward an earlier cancer diagnosis could be a liquid biopsy called CancerSEEK. CancerSEEK detects cancer from something we do all the time—giving a simple blood sample. CancerSEEK looks at genetic information from the patient's blood to diagnose cancer, which may help or eventually replace tissue biopsies. Biomarkers are in our blood, tissues, and other fluids. They can be tracked to show if we have diseases like cancer.
Sources: National Cancer Institute; National Institute of General Medical Sciences
3. Weight, belly fat contribute to higher likelihood of type 2 diabetes
Why do some people get type 2 diabetes more than others?
In a study of 4,200 volunteers, researchers found that the disease occurs more in middle-aged and older people, those with a family history of diabetes, and African Americans. In fact, black adults in the U.S. were twice as likely as white adults to develop the disease. Researchers found the greatest common link to diabetes was obesity. Exercising and eating a healthy diet can reduce the chances of getting type 2 diabetes.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
4. Appendix linked to toxic Parkinson's protein
Could removing the appendix lessen chances of Parkinson's disease?
Maybe, according to a new study.
Researchers found people who had their appendix removed had a 19.3 percent lower chance of getting Parkinson's. Parkinson's is a serious brain disorder. It leads to shaking, walking, and balance problems.
A specific protein, alpha-synuclein, has been found in the brains and gut of many Parkinson's patients. In large quantities, the protein can be toxic. Researchers in the study wanted to investigate if the protein travels from the gut to the brain.They studied the appendix because it's part of the gut, but has been removed in a number of people.
The researchers found a buildup of the toxic form of alpha-synuclein in the appendixes of healthy volunteers. This suggests that the appendix may store the protein and could be involved in Parkinson's disease development.
Sources: National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
5. A wearable blood pressure monitor may be in our future
Could a sticker make checking your blood pressure easier and more accurate?
Researchers are testing a new wearable skin patch that monitors a patient's blood pressure from their neck.
The patch monitors a patient's blood pressure better than other methods, like an inflatable cuff around the arm. This is because it records blood pressure in the central arteries and veins in our necks. The experimental patch connects with wires, but the researchers hope to develop a wireless version.
Source: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
6. Treatment improves hand grip after spinal cord injury
More than 250,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries.
A new treatment using electrical currents to stimulate the spinal cord helped patients with limited ability to use their arms and hands. After only a few training sessions, patients had better grip strength. Some even noticed improvements in their lower limb movement, and in daily activities such as holding a cup or turning a doorknob. The study was small, so additional follow-up testing is needed.
Source: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
7. Restoring 'good' gut bacteria in cancer patients
This process sounds strange—but it could be promising.
Fecal microbiota transplantation, also known as FMT, is a new way to replenish "good" bacteria in some cancer patients. The process uses a patient's stool to counter the negative effects of antibiotic use. In a recent study, FMT returned "good" gut bacteria to almost normal levels within days. It usually takes weeks, leaving patients at risk of other infections.
Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
8. Bystanders save lives using defibrillator for cardiac arrest
People are more likely to survive cardiac arrest if someone near them uses a defibrillator.
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. It often needs to be treated within a few minutes to prevent death, which can happen before an ambulance arrives. A new study found that using a defibrillator saves 1,700 lives each year in the U.S. Defibrillators are portable devices that check and restore normal heart rhythm.
Sources: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
