Category: 8. Health

New research examining the role of computed tomography colonography (CTC) in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening over the course of 20 years revealed significant correlation to subsequent optical colonoscopy (OC) findings for detection of polyps > 6 mm.

For the retrospective study, recently published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, researchers reviewed data for 15,341 CTC exams performed for 11,830 patients (mean age of 56). The cohort included 9,168 patients who had CTC exams for primary asymptomatic CRC screening, according to the study.

For patients who had primary asymptomatic CRC screening with CTC, the researchers noted a 15.9 percent rate of positive findings for polyps > 6 mm. Overall, out of 1,683 cases involving CTC-detected polyps > 6 mm, the study authors found concordant lesions on OC in 1,541 of these cases for a 91.6 percent positive predictive value (PPV).

The use of CTC also led to detection of advanced adenoma (4 percent), extracolonic malignancy (0.4 percent) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (0.3 percent). The researchers added there were no major complications or colonic perforations with CTC.

“These findings support the use of CTC as a safe non-invasive test for asymptomatic screening, providing CRC prevention and detection along with extracolonic assessment,” wrote lead study author Perry J. Pickhardt, M.D., the chief of gastrointestinal imaging in the Department of Radiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and colleagues.

With respect to polyp morphology, the study authors noted that CTC had a 94.1 percent PPV for sessile lesions and a 95.7 percent PPV for pedunculated polyps.

Three Key Takeaways

1. High predictive accuracy for polyps. CTC showed a 91.6 percent positive predictive value (PPV) for polyps ≥ 6 mm, with particularly strong performance for identifying sessile (94.1 percent PPV) and pedunculated polyps (95.7 percent PPV), affirming its diagnostic accuracy compared to optical colonoscopy (OC).
2. Non-invasive and low-risk screening option. CTC proved to be a safe, non-invasive screening method with no major complications or colonic perforations reported. It also allowed detection of clinically relevant extracolonic findings, such as advanced adenomas (4 percent), extracolonic malignancies (0.4 percent), and abdominal aortic aneurysms (0.3 percent).
3. Viable CRC screening alternative despite declining use. Although CTC utilization for primary CRC screening declined sharply (from 1,589 exams in 2005 to 72 in 2023) at the study facility, the study supports its continued role as a viable CRC screening alternative, especially with recent Medicare coverage determinations for CTC.

While the researchers noted a precipitous decline in CTC utilization from 2005 to 2023 for primary asymptomatic screening (1,589 CTC exams in 2005 vs. 72 CTC exams in 2023), they maintained that the study findings and the recent national coverage determination for CTC screening of Medicare beneficiaries make CTC a viable alternative for CRC screening.

“Through proper technique, CTC screening can provide noninvasive CRC prevention that is lacking with stool-based tests, avoid the complications associated with primary OC screening, and provide the unique additional benefit of extracolonic evaluation,” emphasized Pickhardt and colleagues.

(Editor’s note: For related content, see “Study: CT Colonography Screening Offers Up to 16 Percent Higher Reduction of Colorectal Cancer Incidence than Cologuard,” “Incorporating CT Colonography into Radiology Practice” and “Survey Results Reveal Doubling of CT Colonography Use During COVID-19 Pandemic.”)

Beyond the inherent limitations of a single-center retrospective study, the authors conceded a lack of systematic documentation for colorectal lesions missed by CTC and no assessment of outcomes with respect to variances among individual radiologists.

Adverse reactions to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in children occur at low rates, researchers have reported in a literature review.

The review suggests GBCAs are relatively safe for children — a population for which clinicians should exercise special concern when it comes to contrast agents, wrote a team led by Ok Jeong Yu, MD, of the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea. The paper was published July 29 in Radiology.

“[Our review found that] gadolinium-based contrast agent-associated adverse reaction rates in children undergoing contrast-enhanced MRI were low for acute physiologic reactions, acute allergic-like reactions, and delayed reactions, with no nephrogenic systemic fibrosis reported,” the group noted.

Despite previous studies that show low adverse reactions to GBCAs among children, safety concerns persist, the investigators wrote. They conducted a literature review to evaluate the safety of the agents in children and adolescents undergoing contrast-enhanced MRI exams, focusing on GBCA-associated adverse drug reactions, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), and gadolinium deposition in the brain.

The authors searched for studies from MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library published up to November 2023. Of these studies, 32 covered 112,760 exams that addressed GBCA-related adverse drug reactions; eight covered 4,895 exams that addressed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis; and six covered 787 exams that addressed brain gadolinium deposits. The researchers pooled studies that reported incidences of GBCA-associated adverse drug reactions with information on GBCA type and used a linear mixed-effects model to assess gadolinium deposits in the brain.

Overall, they reported the following:

• The acute GBCA-associated adverse drug reaction rate was 0.25% for physiologic reactions and 0.13% for allergic reactions.
• The delayed adverse drug reaction rate was 0.04%.
• No patients were reported with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

In an accompanying commentary, Ilya Abelev, MD, and Matthew McInnes, MD, both of Ottawa Hospital in Ontario, Canada, noted that the “absence of NSF in this large pediatric cohort, including in patients with renal insufficiency, is a particularly reassuring finding” — but they also urged more research.

“As stewards of pediatric imaging, radiologists must continue to balance the necessity of precise diagnostic information against potential safety concerns, always prioritizing patient welfare,” they wrote. “Ongoing research, adherence to established guidelines, and transparent communication will be crucial as we advance our understanding and refine our practices. Ultimately, studies such as this serve not only to inform evidence-based clinical practice but also to reinforce the importance of patient-centered care in radiology.”

The complete research can be found here.

Amyloids are perhaps best known as a key driver of Alzheimer’s disease.

The amorphous proteins, found throughout the human body, stick to nerve cells like plaque, choking off their function and contributing to a host of neurodegenerative diseases.

According to new University of Colorado Boulder research published this month in the journal Nature, these oft-maligned proteins also serve a critical role for bacteria in our environment, enabling them to fight off other “predatory bacteria.”

“We discovered that bacteria all around us are using amyloids as a molecular suit of armor,” said senior author Aaron Whiteley, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry.

By better understanding how bacteria defend themselves against threats, scientists could ultimately develop new tools to kill microbes growing out of control in places like hospitals and food processing facilities, he said. Such research can also offer new insight into how the human immune system works.

“A lot of the cellular machinery that makes up our own immune system actually originated in bacteria a billion-plus years ago,” said Whiteley. “If we can understand how bacteria are using those genes, we can better understand how humans use them too and possibly turn that knowledge into new therapies.”

War between bugs

In recent years, the scientific community has grown increasingly interested in how bacteria fight off viruses, or phages. Such research led to the Nobel Prize -winning gene splicer, CRISPR.

Less attention has been paid to how bacteria fight off their own “predatory bacteria.”

For the new study, Whiteley and postdoctoral fellow Hannah Ledvina zeroed in on one particularly ruthless predatory bacterium called Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. Beter known as “Bdello” (pronounced Dell-O), the microbial cannibal worms its way inside of other bacterial species, leaching out their nutrients until they starve to death— and then swims off to destroy again.

Bdello are everywhere from your shower to your neighborhood creek to your mouth.

“They are generally harmless to humans, but they are deadly to the bacteria that make us sick,” said Whiteley. “Even E. coli has to worry about catching one of these predatory bacteria.”

Conventional wisdom has held that Bdello are, essentially, invincible, with other bacteria fairly powerless to fight them off. (This has made Bdello a favorite candidate for emerging efforts to fight problem bacteria with bacteria.)

But Whiteley wondered: Do some bacteria put up a fight against such predatory bacteria and win?

And if so, how?

Armor made of amyloid

To find out, the research team started by amassing a vast collection of exotic E. coli strains from various sources around the globe, including the guts of a lizard, the urinary tract of a patient in Sweden and scat samples from leopards and kangaroos.

Then they set Bdello loose on these bacteria.

“We were blown away,” said Whiteley. “We found that about one-third of the strains were actually resistant to Bdello.”

In subsequent tests using a high-tech microscope, the team could see just how those resistant strains fought back.

The images showed clearly that the resistant strains completely coated themselves in a type of amyloid protein called curli, which is similar but not identical to the amyloids that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

In follow-up studies using genetic sequencing, the team found that bacteria used curli to fight back against other predatory bacteria, too.

“We contend that the same characteristics that make amyloids a problem for humans — the fact that they are durable and hard to break down—make them an ideal suit of armor for bacteria, which they use to defend against a wide range of threats,” said Whiteley.

Know thy enemy

The study also suggests that bacteria enlist amyloids to develop biofilms—the thin layers of resistant bacteria that persist on hospital instruments, medical implants, industrial machines and other surfaces, breeding infection and corroding parts.

Today, a common way to get rid of a biofilm is to scrape it off.

But Whiteley suspects that Bdello and other strains of predatory bacteria may have developed genetic tools or unique enzymes able to disintegrate that rigid shield and break down biofilm.

“Wherever organisms are fighting, there is biochemical innovation happening,” he said.

He and his colleagues are now working to determine what those shield-busting tools may be, in hopes that they bould be co-opted to develop new ways of fighting antibiotic resistance or amyloid-fueled diseases like Alzheimer’s.

As the bacteria in our environment duel it out, he’ll be watching.

“If we can understand what makes this armor so durable and what some predatory bacteria are doing to circumvent it, it could have all sorts of implications for human health,” he said.

Key Takeaways

• At AAIC 2025, the Alzheimer’s Association released the first in a series of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
• The guideline focuses on the use of blood-based biomarker tests by specialists to assess levels of Alzheimer’s disease pathology in people with cognitive impairment.
• The Alzheimer’s Association provides evidence-based resources to help clinicians identify the disease early and ensure patients receive the right treatment as quickly as possible.
• These and other planned guidelines are part of ALZPro™, the Alzheimer’s Association’s centralized hub for resources, support and information for dementia professionals.

TORONTO, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark step toward transforming Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in specialty care, the Alzheimer’s Association today released its first clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the use of blood-based biomarker (BBM) tests. The guideline is being reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference^® 2025 (AAIC^®) in Toronto and online, and published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia®: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

The CPG provides clear evidence-based, brand-agnostic recommendations to support more accurate and accessible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s using blood-based biomarker tests. The recommendations are linked to a systematic review using a robust and transparent methodology, and will be updated regularly as evidence evolves.

“This is a pivotal moment in Alzheimer’s care,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead, and a co-author of the guideline. “For the first time, we have a rigorously evidence-based guideline that empowers clinicians to use blood biomarker tests confidently and consistently. Adoption of these recommendations will lead to quicker, more accessible, more accurate diagnoses — and better outcomes for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s.”

The recommendations in the new CPG — both of which apply only to patients with cognitive impairment being seen in specialized care for memory disorders — are:

• BBM tests with ≥90% sensitivity and ≥75% specificity can be used as a triaging test, in which a negative result rules out Alzheimer’s pathology with high probability. A positive result should also be confirmed with another method, such as a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) test.
• BBM tests with ≥90% for both sensitivity and specificity can serve as a substitute for PET amyloid imaging or CSF Alzheimer’s biomarker testing.

The guideline cautions that there is significant variability in diagnostic test accuracy and many commercially available BBM tests do not meet these thresholds.

“Not all BBM tests have been validated to the same standard or tested broadly across patient populations and clinical settings, yet patients and clinicians may assume these tests are interchangeable,” said Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association vice president of scientific engagement and a co-author of the guideline. “This guideline helps clinicians apply these tools responsibly, avoid overuse or inappropriate use, and ensure that patients have access to the latest scientific advancements.”

Compared to standard-of-care PET imaging and CSF tests, blood-based biomarkers are typically less costly, more accessible and more acceptable to patients. The guideline emphasizes that BBM tests do not substitute for a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a health care professional, and should be ordered and interpreted by a health care professional in the context of clinical care.

This is the first evidence-based guideline using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology in the Alzheimer’s space. The use of GRADE ensures a transparent, structured and evidence-based process for evaluating the certainty of evidence and formulating recommendations. This strengthens the credibility and reproducibility of the guideline and allows for explicit linkage between evidence and recommendations.

This guideline’s primary audience includes specialists involved in the diagnostic evaluation of cognitive impairment in specialized care settings. A specialist is defined as a health care provider, typically in neurology, psychiatry or geriatrics, who cares for adults with cognitive impairment or dementia. It also applies to primary care providers, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in specialized care settings.

A panel of 11 clinicians convened by the Alzheimer’s Association — including clinical neurologists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and subject-matter experts — conducted a systematic review and formulated evidence-based recommendations for using blood-based biomarkers in individuals with objective cognitive impairment, including those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Final recommendations were informed by public comments and input from the Association’s National Early-Stage Advisory Group, which includes people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s.

For this initial iteration of the guideline, the BBMs included plasma phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) and amyloid-beta (Aβ) tests measuring the following analytes: p-tau217, ratio of p-tau217 to non-p-tau217 ×100 (%p-tau217), p-tau181, p-tau231, and ratio of Aβ42 to Aβ40. The various BBM tests measure abnormal forms of either amyloid beta or tau protein, the two biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Forty-nine (49) observational studies were reviewed and 31 BBM tests were evaluated.

The panel determined that endorsing specific tests was premature, opting for a brand-agnostic, performance-based approach that blinded panel members to the tests they were evaluating to minimize bias. This ensures the guideline’s credibility, durability and actionability. According to the panel: “Ranking or endorsing specific tests is premature at this time. Instead, test accuracy data and accuracy judgments reported in this guideline are meant to serve as a resource for clinicians … to aid them in choosing which test(s) to order.”

The panel formulated two recommendations and one Good Practice Statement for the use of BBM tests in the diagnostic workup of patients with objective cognitive impairment being seen in specialized care.

• Recommendation 1 — In patients with objective cognitive impairment presenting for specialized memory-care, the panel suggests using a high-sensitivity BBM test as a triaging test in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Recommendation 2 — In patients with objective cognitive impairment presenting for specialized memory care, the panel suggests using a high-sensitivity and high-specificity BBM test as a confirmatory test in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Good Practice Statement — A BBM test should not be obtained before a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a health care professional, and test results should always be interpreted within the clinical context. The panel urges clinicians to consider the pre-test probability of Alzheimer’s disease pathology for each patient when deciding whether or not to use a BBM test.

This CPG is part of ALZPro™, the Alzheimer’s Association’s comprehensive hub of resources to promote best practices, empowering health professionals across disciplines to reduce risk, advance early detection, improve care and expand equitable access for all communities. ALZPro unites care resources, relevant scientific findings, clinical guidelines and insights, continuing education and implementation tools on one platform.

Upcoming clinical practice guidelines will address cognitive assessment tools (Fall 2025), clinical implementation of staging criteria and treatment (2026) and prevention of Alzheimer’s and other dementias (2027). This clinical practice guideline was convened and funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, but the Association was not involved in formulating the clinical questions or recommendations.

About the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference^® (AAIC^®)
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world’s largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community.
AAIC 2025 home page: www.alz.org/aaic/  
AAIC 2025 newsroom: www.alz.org/aaic/pressroom.asp
AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25

About the Alzheimer’s Association^®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia^®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

Session: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Detection and Diagnosis of Cognitive Impairment using Blood-based Biomarkers and Cognitive Testing: Two Guideline Initiatives from the Alzheimer’s Association

Proposal ID: 108894
Oral Presentation: Tuesday, July 29, 2025: 2:00 P.M.-3:30 P.M. EDT (3-21-DEV)

Clinical practice guideline for blood-based biomarkers in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer’s disease within specialized care settings: A report from the Alzheimer’s Association

Background: In recent years, blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) have transformed the diagnostic landscape of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with some now approaching readiness for clinical implementation. This progress aligns with the growing importance of accurate early diagnostics and availability of anti-Aβ therapies for the treatment of early symptomatic AD, reinforcing the need for more rapid and early diagnostic capabilities. To address this need, the Alzheimer’s Association convened a multidisciplinary panel of clinical experts, subject-matter specialists, and guideline methodologists to conduct a systematic review and develop evidence-based recommendations for the use of BBMs in the diagnostic evaluation of AD. The scope of this guideline is focused on individuals with cognitive impairment – either MCI or dementia – who are undergoing diagnostic assessment in secondary or tertiary care settings.

Method: The panel conducted a systematic review to assess BBMs’ diagnostic test accuracy in detecting amyloid pathology for triaging (≥90% sensitivity, ≥75% specificity) and confirmatory (≥90% sensitivity and specificity) diagnostic workup. The BBMs of interest included plasma p-tau and Aβ tests measuring the following analytes: p-tau217, %p-tau217, p-tau181, p-tau231, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. The reference standard tests included CSF, amyloid PET, or neuropathology examination. The panel applied the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence and the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework to develop its recommendations.

Result: Across 49 observational studies meeting eligibility criteria, 31 different BBM tests were evaluated. Using predefined decision thresholds, the panel determined whether each test has 1) sufficient diagnostic test accuracy to be used as a triaging test where a positive test is to be confirmed by PET or CSF, 2) sufficient diagnostic test accuracy as a confirmatory test to replace PET or CSF, or 3) insufficient diagnostic test accuracy to recommend current use in clinical practice. Recommendations will be provided in case any BBMs met a priori DTA thresholds.

Conclusion: BBMs can improve early AD diagnosis and expand access to disease-modifying therapies. Evidence-based guidelines are key to standardizing their use and will be updated as new evidence and applications emerge.

SOURCE Alzheimer’s Association

New research from scientists at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine reveals that certain gut microbial byproducts may hold promise as a novel therapy for obesity-associated metabolic complications by restoring critical hormone-producing cells in the intestine. 

The study, published this month in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, focuses on enteroendocrine cells (EECs)-specialized cells in the gut that play a key role in metabolic regulation by releasing hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which stimulate insulin secretion and suppress appetite. In obesity, these cells are diminished in number and function, contributing to insulin resistance and poor metabolic health. 

Researchers investigated how microbial metabolites derived from dietary tryptophan-an amino acid found in protein-rich foods-may help restore EEC numbers. Specifically, they studied the effects of indole, a key tryptophan metabolite produced by gut bacteria, on intestinal stem cell differentiation into EECs. 

Using a combination of human intestinal organoids, known as “mini-gut”, and rat models, the research team discovered that obesity led to a significant drop-about 60%-in the number of hormone-producing cells in the intestines. However, when human gut organoids were treated with indole or with the culture medium of a probiotic bacterial strain grown in tryptophan, the number of these cells more than doubled. This effect was blocked when a specific cell receptor called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was turned off, suggesting this pathway plays a key role in the process. 

Our findings suggest that microbial metabolites derived from dietary tryptophan can reverse obesity-associated reductions in hormone-secreting gut cells. This points to a potential therapeutic strategy that leverages the gut microbes to improve metabolic outcomes in obesity.” 

Alip Borthakur, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and principal investigator and corresponding author on the study

The study provides foundational evidence supporting the development of microbiota-targeted interventions-such as probiotic or dietary approaches-to boost incretin hormone production to improve glucose metabolism and regulate appetite in people with obesity. 

In addition to Borthakur, the study’s co-authors include: undergraduate student Morrison Chicko, graduate students James Hart and Hassan Mansour, doctoral student Harshal Sawant and faculty members Subha Arthur, Ph.D., and Jennifer Haynes, Ph.D.

“It has been exciting to mentor four enthusiastic, intelligent, curious and dedicated Marshall students at different times of the study,” Borthakur said. “They were thrilled to use the ‘mini gut’ model, a 3D human intestinal organoid model that truly represents the architecture and compositional complexity of the native human gut.” 

This study was supported by National Institutes of Health funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): (AI130790-03) and National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (Project #4 of COBRE: P20 GM 121299-05) to Dr. Borthakur. 

Children who develop deep wrinkles, stunted growth, and rapidly aging bones and blood vessels as early as 1 to 2 years of age may be suffering from Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a rare and incurable genetic disorder that affects approximately one in eight million people. The average life expectancy for patients is just 14.5 years, and to date, no curative treatment exists.

The only FDA-approved drug for progeria, lonafarnib (Zokinvy), comes at an extraordinary cost-approximately 1.4 billion KRW (USD 1 million) per dose-and provides only a modest life extension of 2.5 years. The treatment often requires combination with other therapies and carries the risk of significant side effects, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and safer therapeutic options.

A research team led by Dr. Sun-Uk Kim at the Center for Next-Generation Animal Resources, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), has successfully developed the world’s first precision RNA-targeting therapy for progeria using next-generation gene regulation technology. Their novel approach selectively eliminates disease-causing RNA transcripts while preserving the function of normal genes, significantly improving safety and opening new possibilities for treatment.

HGPS is caused by a single-point mutation in the LMNA gene, which leads to the production of progerin, a toxic, abnormal protein. Progerin disrupts the structure of the nuclear envelope in cells, accelerating cellular aging and causing symptoms similar to advanced aging-brittle bones, stiffened arteries, and ultimately, failure of vital organs.

To counter this, Dr. Kim’s team engineered an RNA-guided molecular “scissors” based on RfxCas13d (paired with a custom-designed progerin gRNA). This precision tool distinguishes mutant RNA from normal transcripts, enabling selective degradation of progerin while sparing healthy lamin A proteins.

Unlike traditional gene-editing methods like CRISPR-Cas9, which permanently alter DNA and pose risks of off-target mutations, this RNA-targeting strategy modifies only RNA. It thus offers a higher safety profile and even allows reversibility in the event of unintended effects.

When applied to a mouse model carrying the progeria mutation, the therapy significantly reversed hallmark disease symptoms-including hair loss, skin atrophy, spinal curvature, and impaired mobility. Treated mice also showed restored body weight, reproductive organ function, and improved heart and muscle health-resembling the condition of healthy controls.

Beyond treating progeria, the study also points to the potential for precise regulation of aging processes. The researchers found that progerin levels increase naturally in aged human skin cells, and the application of the RNA-targeting tool helped delay certain signs of aging in these cells.

This technology is not only applicable to Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome but also holds therapeutic potential for over 15% of genetic disorders caused by RNA editing errors.” He added, “We expect this to evolve into a versatile platform technology with broad applicability to age-related diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.”

Dr. Sun-Uk Kim, lead researcher

Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) is a leading national research institute in South Korea dedicated to cutting-edge research in biotechnology and life sciences. Established in 1985, KRIBB focuses on advancing scientific knowledge in areas such as molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and aging-related studies. As a government-funded institute, KRIBB plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, supporting national R&D strategies, and collaborating with academic and industrial partners both domestically and internationally.

This research was supported by Big Issue Group Program(KRIBB Research Initiative Program) and the Global TOP Program funded by the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), the Excellent Young Researcher Program under the Basic Science Research Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and the Core Technology Development Program for the Bio-Industry of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

A recent study has highlighted the intense impact of grief on individuals, demonstrating that the sorrow following the death of a loved one can significantly increase the risk of death over a decade.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, was conducted by researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark and followed 1,735 bereaved relatives for 10 years, revealing alarming statistics tied to the intensity of grief experienced, CNN reported.

The researchers categorised participants into “low” and “high” grief symptom groups. Their findings showed that 26.5% of those with high grief symptoms — characterised by emotional numbness, feelings of meaninglessness, and identity confusion — died during the study period.

In contrast, only 7.3% of those experiencing milder grief symptoms passed away.

“High levels” of grief were defined as experiencing more than half of the nine identified symptoms, including emotional numbness, feelings of meaninglessness, difficulty accepting the loss, and confusion over one’s identity.

Participants completed questionnaires at the study’s outset, then again six months and three years after their bereavement, providing a detailed picture of their emotional state.

The study also observed increased interaction with the healthcare system among those with high grief symptoms, noting higher use of antidepressant medication, mental health services, and primary care.

“Those with a high grief trajectory seem to be a vulnerable group of relatives already before the death, with need for special attention,” Nielsen told CNN via email.

“(They) may need additional support. They may experience distress and have difficulties coping with the situation,” she said, pointing to previous studies that have highlighted low socioeconomic status, poor self-reported health, and higher symptoms of depression and anxiety as all contributing to overwhelming grief.

While this study didn’t specify causes of death, its findings align with existing research on how traumatic loss impacts physical health.

Cardiologist Sian Harding, professor emeritus of cardiac pharmacology at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the research, highlighted the study’s crucial “longitudinal perspective”.

She noted that while an acute effect of bereavement on heart health is well-known, this study demonstrates a prolonged, damaging impact that can manifest as heart disease and other ailments.

“It was not a particular surprise to me that this particular form of stress, while prolonged, has a damaging effect on the body. It can come out particularly as heart disease, but other things as well,” said Harding.

This prolonged stress from grief can lead to elevated blood pressure, increased cortisol levels, a higher risk of diabetes, and poor mental health.

The well-established “broken heart syndrome” — also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy — a sudden weakening of the heart muscle, is a prime example of acute stress’s physical toll.

Findings from the latest study suggest that healthcare workers “may be able to discover distressed relatives early in the patient’s illness trajectory and offer follow-up,” said Nielsen.

There are about 70 million baby boomers in the United States, many now over age 65. As people age, rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases rise, leading to more use of blood thinners such as warfarin. At the same time, older adults face a higher risk of head injuries and brain bleeding, especially after falls.

Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older adults, causing 38,000 deaths and 3 million emergency department visits in 2021. The health care cost for non-fatal falls in this group reached $80 billion in 2020, up sharply from 2015.

While anticoagulants protect against heart and vessel problems, they increase the risk of serious bleeding, particularly, brain hemorrhages after head trauma. It is widely believed that supratherapeutic warfarin activity increases the chance of brain hemorrhage after trauma. Current guidelines call for extra monitoring and repeat brain scans for patients on warfarin after head injuries.

Warfarin is considered especially challenging because maintaining safe blood-thinning levels – measured by the International Normalized Ratio (INR) – can be difficult. When INR is too high, bleeding risk rises significantly. Although many studies link high INR with increased bleeding risk, most have been small or limited.

To address a critical gap in emergency care, researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine conducted a new study to determine whether very high INR levels increase the risk of brain bleeding following a fall-related head injury in adults aged 65 and older who take warfarin. Conducted over one year at two Level I trauma centers in South Florida, the study examined 2,686 patients admitted to the emergency department due to a fall. Researchers compared outcomes between patients who were on warfarin before their injury and those who were not taking any blood thinners.

Results of the study, published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, found that being on warfarin, even at higher blood-thinning levels, did not significantly increase the risk of brain bleeding after blunt head trauma. In fact, patients with poorly controlled, low warfarin activity had the highest bleeding risk. This challenges common assumptions and underscores the importance of proper anticoagulation management rather than avoiding anticoagulants altogether.

Overall, about 11% of the patients studied experienced brain bleeding after head trauma. Among those not on blood thinners, about 6% had brain bleeds, compared to around 7% of patients on warfarin. Bleeding rates were similar between patients with INR levels above and below 3.0.

Notably, patients with lower-than-recommended INR levels had the highest rates of brain bleeding – nearly 20%. Those within or slightly above the therapeutic range had lower rates, and no brain bleeds occurred in patients with critically high INR levels (above 5).

Data from our study suggest supratherapeutic INR levels may not increase intracranial hemorrhage risk as much as we previously believed. This raises important questions about current emergency care protocols and how we monitor these patients. It’s critical to re-examine our approach to managing anticoagulation in older adults after head trauma to provide the safest, most effective care without unnecessary tests or hospital stays. It’s our hope that findings from our research will help improve patient outcomes while reducing health care costs.”

Richard Shih, M.D., senior author and professor of emergency medicine, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine

Researchers reviewed each patient’s medical history, physical exam findings, blood tests and CT scans, and followed up with phone calls and chart reviews two weeks after the injury to identify any delayed brain bleeding. The primary goal was to determine whether bleeding occurred within 14 days, confirmed by CT scans during the hospital stay. The study also looked at the type and severity of brain bleeds, patient outcomes, length of hospitalization, and survival rates.

“With clearer evidence on how blood-thinning levels impact outcomes, health care providers can develop more precise guidelines for follow-up care and monitoring – optimizing resources and improving patient management,” said Lisa Clayton, D.O., co-author and associate dean for graduate medical education and chair, FAU Department of Emergency Medicine. “In South Florida, where our older population is rapidly growing, this research is especially valuable. It could help emergency teams to make smarter, more balanced decisions that protect patients from serious complications without unnecessary interventions, advancing patient-centered care in a region facing this critical public health challenge.”

Study co-authors are Chelsea Caplan, first author and a medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Gabriella Engstrom, Ph.D., research assistant professor of emergency medicine; Mike Wells, Ph.D., research assistant professor of emergency medicine; Scott M. Alter, M.D., assistant dean for clinical research and associate professor of emergency medicine; and Joshua J. Solano, M.D., an associate professor of emergency medicine; all within the FAU Schmidt College of Medicine; Eric Bruno, M.D., University of Tennessee Health Science Center; and Timothy P. Buckley, M.D., an assistant professor of emergency medicine and quality improvement director, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine.

The research was supported by The Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association Grant for Safety of Health Care Services Grant RFA #2018-01, “Geriatric Head Trauma Short Term Outcomes Project (The GREAT STOP).”