Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Deep Sleep Can Help Ward Off Alzheimer's Disease, Studies Show
NPR: Deep Sleep Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease, Growing Evidence Shows
During deep sleep, the brain appears to wash away waste products that increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease. A host of new research studies suggest that this stage of sleep — when dreams are rare and the brain follows a slow, steady beat – can help reduce levels of beta-amyloid and tau, two hallmarks of the disease. (Hamilton, 11/17)
In other science and research news —
Stat: Brainstorm's ALS Therapy Fails Study, But Company Sees Signs Of Efficacy
Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics reported disappointing results Tuesday from a late-stage clinical trial involving its experimental stem cell therapy for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease... Despite the negative study results, “informal discussions” between the company and the Food and Drug Administration are being held to determine if certain types of ALS patients with less severe disease might benefit enough from the treatment to support approval. (Feuerstein, 11/17)
Stat: New Guidelines Reject Useless Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatments
For years, the prevailing “wisdom” about people diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome was they were just terribly out of shape and harbored irrational fears they had an organic illness. The favored treatments were graded exercise therapy, designed to counter the deconditioning with a program of progressively increasing activity, a form of cognitive behavior therapy specifically designed to address the unfounded illness beliefs, or a combination of the two. (Tuller and Lubet, 11/17)
Des Moines Register: How Dog Intestines Grown By Iowa State Scientists Could Speed Drug Tests
In a tiny cup in a cramped, concrete block office, a billion-dollar idea sits, small enough to fit about 2,000 of itself across the head of a penny. Iowa State University researchers Jonathan Mochel and Karin Allenspach-Jorn have examined these cups through a microscope for four years, watching stem cells grow into dog small intestines. Their goal? Create a faster way for pharmaceutical companies to determine whether a new drug will work. (Jett, 11/17)
The Hill: Study Finds Some Mouthwashes Can Kill Coronavirus
Some mouthwashes can kill the novel coronavirus within 30 seconds after being exposed to it in a lab, according to a study that scientists at Cardiff University in Wales say could signal “promising signs” for mouthwashes being used to help curb the spread of the pandemic. A report released Friday from the university showed that mouthwashes containing at least 0.07 percent cetylpyridinium chloride showed an ability to eradicate the virus. The study has yet to undergo peer review. (Castronuovo, 11/17)
KHN: Push Is On In US To Figure Out South Asians’ High Heart Risks
For years, Sharad Acharya’s frequent hikes in the mountains outside Denver would leave him short of breath. But a real wake-up call came three years ago when he suddenly struggled to breathe while walking through an airport. An electrocardiogram revealed that Acharya, a Nepali American from Broomfield, Colorado, had an irregular heartbeat on top of the high blood pressure he already knew about. He had to immediately undergo triple bypass surgery and get seven stents. (Ramachandran, 11/18)
