Research Roundup: Covid; Smoking; ADHD; Brain Stimulation; And More

CIDRAP: Myocarditis Detailed In 30 Patients After MRNA COVID Vaccines
Two recent reports in JAMA Cardiology describe 30 patients with myocarditis, or inflamed heart muscles, less than a week after receiving either a Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. While these events may indicate a higher prevalence of myocarditis than expected, both reports note their rarity. (McLernon, 6/30)

CIDRAP: Study: Obese Men Not At Increased Risk For COVID-19 ICU Death
A new meta-analysis of 58 studies shows obese men are not at increased risk of death from COVID-19 when admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), but those with a history of smoking, diabetes, or kidney disease were at increased risk. The study, published yesterday in Anaesthesia, contradicts other published findings that have linked male sex and obesity to worse COVID-19 outcomes. (6/30)

CIDRAP: Analysis Of 10 Studies Shows Ivermectin Not Effective In Treating COVID-19
A new meta-analysis of 10 studies shows ivermectin (IVM), an anti-parasite drug, is not an effective treatment for COVID-19 and is not a viable treatment option for patients. The study was published yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases. The authors analyzed results from 10 randomized control trials (RCTs) that included 1,173 patients total, and looked for IVM's effect on all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay, adverse events, and viral clearance compared to standard of care. (6/29)

CIDRAP: Metabolic Activator Treatment Reduces COVID-19 Recovery Time
A combination of metabolic activators (CMAs) reduced COVID-19 recovery time in mild to moderate cases, according to phase 2/3 results published in Advanced Science yesterday. Both study phases involved randomized treatment and placebo groups in a 3:1 ratio, with the treatment group receiving a combination of nicotinamide riboside, L-serine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and L-carnitine tartrate, which are all involved with mitochondrial function. All participants were outpatients, receiving treatment or placebo daily for 14 days, starting on the day of diagnosis. (6/29)

Also —

American Academy Of Pediatrics: Smoking Susceptibility And Tobacco Media Engagement Among Youth Never Smokers
Smoking susceptibility and exposure to tobacco industry–related marketing were predictive of cigarette smoking. Clinicians should consider screening adolescents for smoking susceptibility and tobacco-related media exposure. (Coreas et al, 6/1)

ScienceDaily: Drug Relieves Persistent Daydreaming, Fatigue, And Brain Sluggishness In Adults With ADHD
Tests of a drug known to stimulate brain activity have shown early success in reducing symptoms of sluggish cognitive tempo in 38 men and women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.) (NYU Langone Health/NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 6/29)

ScienceDaily: How Environmental Factors Could Provide For A Young Brain 
A stimulating environment keeps the 'hippocampus' -- which is the brain's memory control center -- young, so to speak. Causes of this are molecular mechanisms that affect gene regulation. These current findings from studies in mice provide clues as to why an active, varied life can help preserve mental fitness in old age. (DZNE-German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 6/29)

ScienceDaily: Running To Music Combats Mental Fatigue, Study Suggests
Listening to music while running might be the key to improving people's performance when they feel mentally fatigued a study suggests. The performance of runners who listened to a self-selected playlist after completing a demanding thinking task was at the same level as when they were not mentally fatigued, the research found. The study is the first to investigate the effect of listening to music playlists on endurance running capacity and performance when mentally fatigued. (University of Edinburgh, 6/22)