NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

A national clinical trial, funded by NIH, tests benfotiamine, a synthetic vitamin B1, for treating mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease. The trial, led by Burke Neurological Institute, UC San Diego, and Columbia University, aims to evaluate benfotiamine's cognitive effects and safety profile. Enrollment targets 406 participants aged 50-89 across 50 U.S. sites.

Wastewater monitoring in southern Nevada reveals unique drug use patterns varying by community and season, with increased high-risk substance use and seasonal personal care product changes. Findings suggest wastewater analysis can complement public health tools for tracking substance use influenced by socioeconomic factors.

NIH awards $27M to establish a Genomics-enabled Learning Health System (gLHS) Network, aiming to integrate genomic information into patient care. The network includes six clinical sites and a coordinating center, focusing on developing and refining genomic medicine practices. The initiative seeks to create generalizable knowledge and tools for broader patient care, including under-resourced settings.

IU researcher Paul Macklin co-leads $4M NIH grant to integrate PhysiCell and CoGAPS into a cloud-based platform for cancer research, aiming to improve simulations and data analysis.

Antidepressants like escitalopram may boost cognitive function via the 5HT4 receptor, improving memory and thinking skills.

Zevra Therapeutics announces FDA approval for Miplyffa (arimoclomol) to treat Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) in patients aged two years and older, in conjunction with miglustat. The approval is based on comprehensive data from a 12-month trial demonstrating Miplyffa's safety and effectiveness, halting disease progression over 12 months. A 48-month open-label extension study further confirmed improved outcomes. Miplyffa is set to launch in the US market by autumn/winter 2024.

WashU's annual research funding surpasses $1 billion, supporting diverse projects from Alzheimer’s to air pollution, driving local economic growth. Funding from federal agencies and others nearly doubled in a decade, attributed to increased faculty, research quality, and infrastructure. WashU Medicine, ranked No. 2 in NIH funding, leads in innovative research and faculty growth. New facilities like the Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building foster collaboration and discoveries, while regional research addresses local issues. WashU's partnerships and startups contribute to the local economy, with expectations of continued funding growth in neuroscience, public health, and more.

Dr. Rozalina McCoy discusses CGM innovations from the ATTD 2024 Conference, focusing on CGM diabetes quality measures, hypoglycemia progress, and CGM-guided precision diabetes management. She highlights the utility of CGM data, the importance of detecting hypoglycemia, and the role of CGM in guiding nutrition and exercise for diabetes management, emphasizing the complementary use of A1c and CGM data for patient care.

Kratom, an herbal substance from Southeast Asia, produces opioid- and stimulant-like effects and is used for managing withdrawal symptoms, pain, and mental health issues. Despite FDA warnings about potential adverse events like liver toxicity and seizures, recent FDA research suggests kratom capsules may be safe in high doses. Kratom is not a controlled substance in the U.S., but several states have banned its active alkaloids. Kratom products are marketed for mood, focus, and energy enhancement, with companies advising caution and responsible use.