A scratch-and-sniff test for Parkinson’s
A seasonal cold or case of Covid can cause people to lose their sense of smell temporarily. But people whose sense of smell has disappeared for good may be at risk for brain disease. In fact, people with enduring smell loss have a 30% chance of having brain changes associated with Parkinson’s disease. Now, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is using a screening... READ MORE
Two vaccine studies seeking volunteers
Sometimes a cold can progress to something more dangerous. In people over 60, the common respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, starts out as a mild cold but can cause bronchitis, pneumonia and even chronic pulmonary obstruction disease (COPD). In fact, RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations for older adults. Now, a drug company is launching a worldwide study of 10,000 people ... READ MORE
VA Annex hopes to prevent falls in veterans
As we age, we’re more likely to fall and, as a result, become injured or even disabled. More than one in three people over age 65 falls each year, according to the National Institute on Aging. Falls Prevention Week, September 18 to 24, 2022, is a time to raise awareness that falls are preventable. Public-service announcements this month may remind us to secure loose rugs around the... READ MORE
Three NIH studies will focus on fatigue
If you’re tired of being tired, you’re not alone. Cancer survivors, people with chronic illnesses such as lupus, and many older adults suffer from fatigue. A lab at NIH’s National Institute of Nursing Research is currently enrolling people in three clinical trials related to fatigue. “They’re all trying to better understand fatigue,” said Alex Ross, senior research nurse... READ MORE
Participants sought for a Maryland study
If you’d like to be part of a new research program whose goal is to improve the health of Marylanders, the University of Maryland School of Medicine wants to hear from you. Researchers are seeking to engage 250,000 Marylanders to build a resource that will enable a broad range of health- and disease-related research. They’ll use surveys and other health information as well as DNA... READ MORE
Study of potential Alzheimer’s treatment
Alzheimer’s disease starts with mild memory loss. What if there was a pill to prevent the disease from getting worse? Studies of an investigational drug are underway to see if it may be effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people who carry two copies of a certain gene (APOE/4) that increases the risk of developing it and other dementias. While one in four ... READ MORE
Study pairs flu shot and shingles vaccine
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new recommendation: People over age 65 should get a stronger flu vaccine than the general public. Why? Because they’re more likely to suffer serious complications from the flu. That’s because our immune systems don’t work as well as we age. “As we get older, our ability to respond to vaccines —... READ MORE
Studying connection between aging, falls
When it comes to dementia and falls, which comes first? Do people with dementia fall more often, or does falling down indicate dementia? Researchers at Johns Hopkins hope to find out. They’re conducting two studies this summer that will look at how dementia affects balance. “The same parts of your brain that control memory play a significant role in how you maintain your... READ MORE
Can omega-7 help prevent heart disease?
Most of us have lost relatives or friends who have had a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the world and in our country. According to the CDC, about 660,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, accounting for 1 in every 4 deaths. That’s why researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) want... READ MORE
Three studies aim for improved balance
Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in older Americans. Often, people who fall down have simply lost their balance, something that becomes more common with age. Other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, muscle loss or stroke, can also affect balance. If you’ve fallen down at least twice in the past year, or if you’ve had a stroke, you may benefit from one of several... READ MORE
