Insidermedicine in 60 - April 29, 2008

From London - Protein variants from 2 genetic loci are linked to the presence of osteoporosis and the risk of bone fracture, according to research in the Lancet. Researchers performed a genome-wide scan on over 2000 female twins and were able to identify 2 SNPs which raise the risk of osteoporosis and fracture by up to 30%. These findings could lead to a diagnostic test that could influence primary prevention.

From Cleveland - Much in the way that a pacemaker can kick in to restart a heart that has stopped beating, a brain pacemaker is showing promise for those with severe depression. In a study of people who were severely depressed, but not suicidal, those who received deep brain stimulation had a 50% improvement in their depression. The stimulation was delivered through an implantable pulse generator developed for Parkinson's disease.

And finally, from Atlanta - According to the CDC, over a quarter of American toddlers are not being properly vaccinated. Researchers looked at the vaccination histories for more than 17,000 children aged 19 to 35 months, and while 70% were vaccinated properly, 20% missed a dose, and 8% had a dose delivered at the wrong time. Immunization delays may put children at increased risk for preventable diseases such as measles and mumps.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• gene
• osteoporosis
• bone
• fracture
• hip
• brain
• pacemaker
• neuro
• stimulator
• depression
• parkinson's
• vaccine
• injection
• immunize

[bandicootgirl]

brain stimulator pulse generator starts at 00:30