#95: Neoplasia News - Oncology for Neurology, Installment #2 [31:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (356)

Hear these reports:

• Glial cells are ‘teammates’ to the neurons and can apparently be ‘exercised’ to grow stronger.
• Einstein’s brain has over 70% more glial cells per neuron (in the association area) than the average brain.
• Gliomas from mobile phones: the jury’s still out, but evidence supporting a link is mounting, and be cognizant of the possibility of circumlocutions about the issue.
• Silver nanocomposite-labeled cancer cells can be targeted and destroyed using laser light.
• Platinum plus alkaloid from the Chinese ‘Happy Tree’ aids pediatric glioma: the cisplatin-irinotecan combination.
• Preoperative glioma grading system helps assess prognosis.
• Dendritic cell vaccine shows promise in glioblastoma multiforme.
• Molecule from Northern Leopard frog described as ‘Mother Nature’s magic bullet for recognizing and destroying cancer cells.’

 

 #87: Body Magnetic -- Installment #3 [14:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (616)

Body Magnetic - Where Medicine Meets Quantum Mechanics

• Cell Phone and Risk For Brain Tumors: According to meta-analysis, short-term use of cell phones may increase risk of gliomas only, but long-term use (10 years or more) may increase risk of all brain tumors. Older analog signals (higher energy than newer digital signals) may be a factor.
• Other news:
  • Transcranial Stimulation May Short-Circuit Migraines.
  • Role of Electrical Stimulation in Dysphagia Treatment Under Debate
  • Adverse Events Occur In Over 30% of Vagal Nerve Stimulation Device Patients

Web links:

• Neuralive device (Transcranial magnetic stimulation for migraine).
• Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Depression (references).

 

 #76: Spasms, Fits, Convulsions -- Seizure Matters [26:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (904)

Publication Date: June 29th, 2007. Installment #5 of Spasms, Fits, Convulsions — Seizure Matters:

• Glioma Palliation Focuses on Seizure Prevention: Palliation specialist physician provides what he calls “simple medication regimen at the end of life.”
• Assessing Pediatric Seizure Drugs — Ativan versus Valium: The NIH’s Pediatric Seizure Study.
• Gamma Knife For Epilepsy May Spare Verbal Recall: Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be superior to gross excisional surgeries for epilepsy.
• Prior Consent For Anticonvulsant Generic Switch Is ‘Crucial’ To Patients: the American Academy of Neurology supports legislation that would require insurers to get the informed consent of physicians and patients with epilepsy - before pharmacies can switch to generics.

And last but not least: Hair products as the “new frontier” in anti-seizure medication drug delivery, with the slogan, “Less Flake, Less Shake”? Next week’s show: 3^rd installment of Podcast for Peds: Issues related to problems of the developing nervous system. We?ll report important news related to autism research, and other peds-specific insights. Thanks for staying subscribed to STAT — The Podcast of Clinical Neurology News.

Weblinks:

• http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2007/nichd-23.htm - for detailed information on the Pediatric Seizure Study.
• http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/study_pediatric_seizure_QA_052207.cfm - for the list of the 11 medical centers involved in the Pediatric Seizure Study.

 

 #75: Neoplasia News -- Installment #1 [35:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (779)

Neoplasia News - Oncology for Neurology. Installment #1.

• Photodynamic Therapy for Gliomas — reactive oxygen species are the active agents.
• Glioma Stem Cells: Radiation Proof — cancerous stem cells increased four-fold after irradiation.
• New Angle on Brain Tumor Therapy — force differentiation of cancerous stem cells with bone morphogenic protein, and we may someday be able to cure glioblastoma (and other cancers).

And last but not least: Alcohol consumption may shrink the brain.

 

 #63 - Vulnerability in Neurology, Installment #4 [28:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (528)

Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines. Installment #4.

Publication Date: Mar 30th, 2007.

1. Thimerosal Haunts Flu Shot Recommendations: The ‘jury is still out’ on the issue of thimerosal and autism, but there are plans to expand the recommended age range to receive annual flu shots - from the current 6 months to 5 years, to children up through age 18.
2. Is there a link between mobile phone use and gliomas? Overall, even among heavy and long-term users, the researchers found no link between cell phone use and gliomas, but certain users may be at risk.
3. The FDA eliminated two indications for the antibiotic telithromycin (Ketek), and added a black box warning to its label stating the drug is contraindicated in people with myasthenia gravis.
4. Data to date seem to suggest that the overall risk for Guillain-Barre syndrome following receipt of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine Menactra is not significantly increased.
5. A federal jury recently convicted a New Jersey physician (and her coconspirator) of defrauding patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Stem cell therapy was involved.
6. And last but not least: What happens when doctors attack…each other?

Show links: Environment, Health and Safety Online at www.ehso.com. A helpful website on the cell phone/brain tumor controversy.