Study offers free annual memory checks
Do you forget common words or names? Or are you simply interested in doing your part to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? Either way, you can contribute to scientific research and also get periodic cognitive checks by enrolling in a new long-term study. Georgetown University’s Memory Disorders Program is conducting a longitudinal study to track changes in cognitive ... READ MORE
Hot chili peppers could help with chronic pain
Many people like a little kick to their dish, whether that’s through hot sauce or some other type of spicy ingredient. But can a fiery sensation help treat chronic pain? A possible method for understanding chronic pain better could be through capsaicin, an irritant from hot chili peppers that produces a burning sensation, according to Dr. Claudia Campbell, Ph.D., associate professor of ... READ MORE
On meds for RA? Volunteer for this study
Enbrel, Humira and Remicade can successfully treat painful, swollen joints due to rheumatoid arthritis, but the medications carry risky — and potentially fatal — side effects. “The biggest side effect we worry about is infection because these drugs are immunosuppressants,” said Dr. Michael Ward of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.... READ MORE
Study tests new gum to curb gingivitis
We’ve all heard the advertisements: Four out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum. What about gum with a natural antimicrobial ingredient? A company based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, wants to find out if its experimental chewing gum can reduce the symptoms of gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. “We are looking for individuals who have a certain degree of inflammation... READ MORE
Study: can exercise improve memory?
If you want to exercise more and help science establish a link between better memory and exercise, there’s a study for you at the University of Maryland College Park. Funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the randomized clinical trial is enrolling 152 participants age 60 to 80 who are physically inactive — that is, people who exercise fewer than three days a week. The... READ MORE
Headaches or jaw pain? Study may help
If you’ve had pain in your jaw or frequent headaches in the past three months, consider helping yourself as well as science with a visit to the University of Maryland Baltimore. Researchers from the school’s Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science will do a full rundown to see if you have a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a complex chronic pain... READ MORE
Can a vegan diet relieve arthritis pain?
If your joints ache due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chances are you’ve tried every medication and trick in the book. But have you considered changing what you eat? RA is a progressive disease that currently has no cure. Along with diabetes, heart disease and other major diseases, it has been linked to chronic inflammation. RA is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune... READ MORE
Study seeks the right balance for patients
Falls are the most common danger for older adults. One in four people over age 65 falls each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some will be treated for their injuries, but some — 27,000 per year — will die. Can certain exercises prevent falls for older adults with metabolic syndrome? A study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and... READ MORE
Pneumonia vaccine study may save lives
We’ve all heard tragic stories about the loss of loved ones to pneumonia or complications of pneumonia. It’s especially deadly for older adults. “We are not yet winning the battle against pneumonia,” according to the American Thoracic Society, which notes that pneumonia was one of the most expensive conditions in inpatient hospitalizations, costing nearly $9.5 billion in... READ MORE
Psoriatic arthritis patients sought for study
Johns Hopkins University is currently recruiting approximately 200 patients for an observational study of how well treatment goals are met in psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs in one in three people who have already been diagnosed with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, causing cells to... READ MORE
