Antiviral Therapy Fails to Slow Alzheimer’s: The VALAD Trial Reveals Unexpected Cognitive Worsening with Valacyclovir
Posted inNeurology news Psychiatry

Antiviral Therapy Fails to Slow Alzheimer’s: The VALAD Trial Reveals Unexpected Cognitive Worsening with Valacyclovir

The VALAD randomized clinical trial found that valacyclovir did not improve outcomes in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s and HSV seropositivity. Instead, patients receiving the antiviral showed significantly greater cognitive decline compared to placebo over 78 weeks, cautioning against off-label use.
N-Palmitoyl Glutamine: A Novel Molecular Link Between Exercise, Mitochondrial Efficiency, and Human Longevity
Posted inCardiology Internal Medicine news

N-Palmitoyl Glutamine: A Novel Molecular Link Between Exercise, Mitochondrial Efficiency, and Human Longevity

A groundbreaking study identifies N-palmitoyl glutamine (NPG) as a key molecular transducer of cardiorespiratory fitness. NPG correlates with VO2max, increases with exercise training, predicts lower mortality, and directly enhances mitochondrial function, offering a potential therapeutic target for cardiometabolic health.
Redefining Severity in Tricuspid Regurgitation: Why CMR-Derived Regurgitant Fraction and Liver Mapping Are the New Prognostic Gold Standards
Posted inCardiology news Radiology

Redefining Severity in Tricuspid Regurgitation: Why CMR-Derived Regurgitant Fraction and Liver Mapping Are the New Prognostic Gold Standards

A landmark study in Circulation reveals that CMR-quantified tricuspid regurgitant fraction (TRF) ≥20% significantly increases mortality risk, while liver extracellular volume (L-ECV) mapping provides a novel, potent biomarker for systemic congestion and right heart failure outcomes.
Alirocumab Neutralizes the Pro-inflammatory Risk of Oxidized Phospholipids After Acute Coronary Syndrome
Posted inCardiology Internal Medicine news

Alirocumab Neutralizes the Pro-inflammatory Risk of Oxidized Phospholipids After Acute Coronary Syndrome

A secondary analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial reveals that oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein B-100 (OxPL-apoB) independently predict cardiovascular risk in ACS patients, particularly when Lp(a) levels are low. Treatment with alirocumab effectively mitigates this risk while significantly reducing biomarker levels.
Procainamide Challenge for Brugada Syndrome: Establishing Diagnostic Safety and the Reassuring Prognosis of Induced Patterns
Posted inCardiology news

Procainamide Challenge for Brugada Syndrome: Establishing Diagnostic Safety and the Reassuring Prognosis of Induced Patterns

A large-scale registry study confirms that procainamide infusion is exceptionally safe for Brugada syndrome diagnosis, with high sensitivity and specificity. Crucially, asymptomatic patients with a procainamide-induced type 1 pattern demonstrate a very low risk of future arrhythmic events, potentially guiding more conservative management strategies.
Long COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Elevated Risk Amidst Mild Omicron Infection in a Boosted Vaccinated Cohort During COVID-19 Endemicity
Posted inClinical Updates Infectious Diseases news OB/GYN & Women's Health

Long COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Elevated Risk Amidst Mild Omicron Infection in a Boosted Vaccinated Cohort During COVID-19 Endemicity

Pregnant women show increased risk of long COVID-19 post-SARS-CoV-2 infection during Omicron predominance despite mild disease, yet incidence remains modest in a highly vaccinated cohort, highlighting vaccination’s protective role amidst emerging endemicity.