TEACHABLE MEDICAL NEWS

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Tag: neuron

How can the pharmaceutical Leqembi slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease?

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On October 29, 2024

In lymphatic and immune system, nervous system

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. nervous system chapter – functions of neurons
  2. nervous system chapter – function of synapses in neuronal communication
  3. immune system chapter – role of antibodies to speed up phagocytosis
  4. blood chapter – function of neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages

The news item:  Recently the following report appeared online:

First Alzheimer’s drug to slow disease, Leqembi, gets full FDA approval

Leqembi is not a cure, but it is the first drug shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It first received an accelerated approval from the FDA earlier this year.

The article states that Leqembi slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in early stage Alzheimer’s patients, because Leqembi can remove the disease-causing plaques from the brain, and prevent their formation. The article also states that the plaques prevent neurons from talking to each other.

So, Why Do I Care??  Alzheimer’s disease (dementia) affects almost 7 million people in the USA. The memory loss at first  reduces the quality of life, and then makes the patients dependent on daily nursing care. All the while the patients no longer recognize family members, or items in their environment, making it difficult on the families. Because there is no effective treatment or prevention for it, pharmaceuticals even with moderate effectiveness can have positive impact on both the patients and the families.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what Alzheimer’s disease is. Recalling memories is a function assigned to groups of neurons, sometime called neuronal circuits. Each circuit may have thousands or millions of neurons, and the communication between the members keep the circuit functioning. Each time you remember something, neurons of a memory circuit are activated. Think about the “wave” you see in sporting events where the spectators stand up and raise their arms and then sit down forming a moving “wave. Each spectator is a neuron, and their collective action produces a “wave”, the recalling of a memory. In Alzheimer’s disease the neurons of the memory circuits malfunction, and when those neurons try to act in a coordinated fashion, their activity, their “wave”, their recall of memory becomes weaker leading to loss of memory. A few years into the disease large number of neurons may malfunction and die and complete the loss of memory may happen.

Second, let’s talk about why neurons are thought to die in Alzheimer’s disease. The most widely accepted theory is that the buildup of clumps of amyloid peptide, also called senile plaques, outside the neurons

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Can we really diagnose concussion from a blood test?

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On May 29, 2023

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 05292023

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – intermediate filaments are part of the cytoskeleton
  2. nervous system chapter – neurons and astrocytes are cells of the nervous system
  3. brain chapter – meninges are protective coverings of the central nervous system
  4. cardiovascular system chapter – reabsorption during capillary exchange brings degraded proteins into blood circulation
  5. brain chapter – cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed into venous sinus

The news item:  Recently the following report appeared online:

https://www.nbc12.com/prnewswire/2023/03/07/abbott-receives-fda-clearance-first-commercially-available-lab-based-blood-test-help-evaluate-concussion/?outputType=amp

The article states that a new blood test is available for patients who are suspected to have suffered concussion because of an impact injury, and that this test may help to find the patients who might need a CT scan for further evaluation. The test works by analyzing two biomarkers.

So, Why Do I Care??  Concussion happens frequently with over 2 million concussions occurring yearly in the USA. Whether it is from a car accident, from a fall, or from a collision at a sporting event, the consequence is impaired brain function. That comes with a price tag of over $40 billion per year medical cost and lost income in the USA.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what concussion is. An injury to the brain from a physical impact is called concussion. The symptoms can be a brief loss of consciousness followed by headache, memory impairment, loss of orientation, loss of cognitive functions, depression. The most dangerous aspects of concussion are the long-lasting effects.

Second, let’s talk about how the brain is injured by mechanical forces. While it is true that the meninges, the membrane-like covering of the brain, provide a moderate level of protection against sudden

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How does the nervous system grow into a hand transplant to make it functional?

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On December 17, 2021

In nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12182021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. nervous system chapter – neurons in sensory and motor nerves
  2. nervous system chapter – axons as extensions of neurons
  3. nervous system chapter – Schwann cells insulate axons, and create neurilemma

The news item:  Recently this report was published about a patient who received a double hand transplant:

First child to receive double hand transplant is thriving

At just 8 years old, Zion Harvey received two new hands, a surgery that has changed his life. According to previous reporting, the boy needed an amputation of both hands and feet when he was younge…

The article states that the patient received the transplant in 2015. The original hands of the recipient were amputated because of a spreading infection. The patient still receives ongoing physical therapy.

So, Why Do I Care??  Because successful hand transplants are examples of the regeneration of the nervous system, medical technology and treatments worked out for hand transplants may be helpful to stroke patients, or patients with physical trauma of the central nervous system where natural regeneration is very poor.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what is the major challenge with hand transplants. At first look it seems that all a successful hand transplant needs is the meticulous surgical connection of blood

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Can Alzheimer’s disease be detected early from a blood test?

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On May 31, 2021

In nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 05312021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. brain chapter – locations of storing short and long term memory in the brain
  2. nervous system chapter – functioning of neurons
  3. introduction to the human body chapter – basics of PET scan technology

The news item:  Recently the availability of a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease was reported:

First blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s goes on sale

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed? New blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s is not approved by the FDA.

 

 

The article states that this test is the first commercially available blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, and that it is a more practical alternative to the PET scan, but the test is not officially approved by the FDA, and the accuracy is still under study. The article also states that the test, developed by the company C2N,  measures amyloid and other protein.

So, Why Do I Care??  There are more than 6 million people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in the US. This number will increase as the proportion of older people increases in the US. Early detection of this disease could allow the implementation of preventative strategies such as changes in lifestyle, or even new medications.  Therefore the development of a blood test for early diagnosis is an exciting development, despite the fact that the accuracy of this test needs to be fully proven.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what Alzheimer’s disease is. Dementia type disorders result in the loss of memory, the ability of the patient to recall names or past events. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia disorders; most people with dementia suffer from Alzheimer’s. Because the storage

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Can a steroid treatment combat postpartum depression?

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On February 8, 2020

In chemical basis of life, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 02072020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life chapter – lipids and steroids
  2. nervous system chapter – role of neurotransmitters in the life of a neuron
  3. nervous system chapter – effects of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters

The news item:  A new drug, called Zulresso, for the treatment of postpartum depression was in the news recently:

FDA approves first postpartum depression drug. It works quickly but costs more than $20K, report says

Brexanolone, sold as Zulresso, is delivered as a continuous IV infusion over 60 hours. It works quickly and costs $20,000 or more.

The article mentions symptoms and the frequency of postpartum depression.

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Can an injectable treatment reduce cluster headaches?

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On November 30, 2019

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, nervous system

TeachableMedicalNews article 11302019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. Cellular basis of life chapter – receptors on cell membranes bind ligands
  2. general senses chapter – unconventional types of pain
  3. general senses chapter – pharmaceuticals of pain control
  4. immune system chapter – antibodies as pharmaceuticals

The news item:  A new injectable treatment for cluster headaches has recently been in the news:

Emgality Receives First FDA Approval for Treating Cluster Headache

US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

The article mentions the similarity of the pain of cluster headaches to that of migraines, and the approval of the drug Emgality (galcanazumab).

So, Why Do I Care??

About 1 million people suffer from a debilitating disorder, cluster headaches, in the USA.  While there are several therapeutic approaches to cluster headaches, but their effectiveness varies, and many of those treatments have unpleasant side effects.

Plain English, Please!!!  First, let’s talk about cluster headache.  Cluster headache a quick onset and intensely painful type of headache.  That pain makes patients disfunctional, and many cases the pain wakes them up at night, and, so, that is why this disorder is so debilitating.  The headaches happen during a particular time of the day, because these headaches are linked to the body’s own internal clock.

Second, let’s talk about pain, this warning signal of our nervous system.  We sense pain when tissue damage triggers nerve impulses in the nerve cells of the damaged body area, and those neurons conduct the nerve impulse to the brain

Third, let’s talk about this new treatment for cluster headache.  Because cluster headache is not the result of tissue damage, common pain killers don’t work well on cluster headache pain.  Many years of research identified a chemical that trigger cluster headache pain; that chemical is called calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP).  Cluster headaches happen when CGRP reaches receptors on neurons in the brain.   So, how can you block the action of that peptide?  Imagine a football game where the defensive tackle wraps his arms around the running back to keep him out of the end zone.  The drug mentioned in the article, galcanezumab, acts like a defensive tackle wrapping arms around the running back CGRP, and keeping it away from receptors on neurons in the brain.  The defensive tackle, galcanezumab, can target CGRP only, because galcanezumab is a modified antibody, a protein made by immune system cells to specifically target invaders in the body. As antibodies are proteins, they can not be taken orally, but have to be injected.

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