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Researchers are working on a pill that could allow patients’ brains to recover from a traumatic injury or stroke, defying conventional thinking that the brain cannot regenerate following such a traumatic event.

As the New York Times reports, researchers previously discovered a gene that codes for a receptor called CCR5, which has been found in experiments to suppress lab mice’s ability to learn and remember.

University of California head of neurology Thomas Carmichael and his colleagues found that the receptor flooded the human brain following a stroke or other brain injury, and started to wonder whether it was hindering performance beyond the acute physical damage from a stroke or injury.

Mice, which lacked the gene due to a natural mutation, recovered faster and more completely from stroke, leading Carmichael to wonder whether the same could be true for humans.

Intriguingly, an HIV treatment developed by Pfizer called maraviroc, which was approved by the FDA in 2007, seemed to mimic this mutation (the CCR5 receptor is also known to let the HIV virus enter cells.)

Since then, Carmichael has led new efforts to test whether the drug could allow patients who have suffered a stroke or traumatic head injury to rewire their brains, or at least aid in the process.

In a paper published in the journal Cell earlier this year, Carmichael and his colleagues detailed how the absence of the CCR5 gene affects brain function, and how maraviroc could play a role in recovery.

“This is the first time that a human gene has been linked to a better recovery from stroke,” he said in a statement at the time. “Our discovery offers exciting potential for improving patients’ health and enhancing their quality of life.”

“We found that maraviroc blocked CCR5 in mice and boosted the animals’ recovery from traumatic brain injury and stroke,” he added. “The big question left to answer was whether eliminating CCR5 would produce the same results in people.”

But Maraviroc is not a perfect drug, as Carmichael told the NYT, thanks to a limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It could also take many years for the drug, alongside other candidates, to be approved for the treatment of brain injury patients by the FDA.

An ongoing randomized placebo-controlled trial across Canada is set to complete two years from now, at which point, we’ll know more about whether the drug can effectively improve our brain’s ability to rehabilitate following a traumatic event.

Debra McVean, a participant interviewed by the NYT, who had suffered a stroke in March 2024 due to a blood clot in an artery in her neck. She’s recently started noticing more mobility in the fingers on her left hand, and is slowly regaining the ability to lift weights with her arms and make herself a cup of coffee.

But it’s still too early to tell whether her recovery is being aided by the drug — as it will remain unclear whether she’s indeed taking maraviroc or a placebo until the trial wraps in two years.

More on strokes: Stoners Vastly More Likely to Have Heart Attacks At a Young Age

St. Paul, Minnesota. State capitol. Stand up for science rally. University of Minnesota researchers, scientists and other supporters protested against President Donald Trump’s proposed scientific research funding cuts. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

As children head back to school this year, parents are hearing conflicting advice, particularly about immunizations. Florida’s Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, created a stir this week suggesting the state eliminate all school vaccine requirements. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor who oversees Medicaid and Medicare, echoed that desire. And Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been steadily attacking vaccines with unscientific and debunked statements about them causing harm. He has also fired 17 expert members of the Vaccine Advisory Committee and replaced them with people with questionable credentials. And despite his promises of continued access, he has just declared new rules for who can receive COVID-19 vaccines, excluding healthy people under the age of 65, even if they want them.

Dropping school vaccine requirements flies in the face of decades of public health recommendations and specific evidence-based guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Measles Is Spreading And Is Dangerous

As of Sept. 2, 2025, there have been a total of 1,431 confirmed measles cases reported in the U.S., with three deaths, two of them in unvaccinated children.

Note that because of good vaccination levels, measles had been eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, and now we have a resurgence, centered in Texas.

Measles is the most highly contagious infection. It is spread through tiny droplets in the air and lingers for up to two hours. If exposed to an infected person, 90% of unvaccinated people will become infected. Transmission can readily happen in a school or a pediatrician’s office.

Children with measles often become sick with high fevers, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, and about 1 in 5 need to be hospitalized. Pneumonia occurs in 1 in 20, encephalitis (brain swelling) in 1/1000, and deaths in 1-3/1000. A late complication, occurring in 1 in 600, is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal brain inflammation.

Measles also wipes out immune memory, making children more susceptible to other infections because the affected B cells “forget” how to fight infections. The kids may also have to be revaccinated against different diseases. This immunosuppression may last from months to three years.

I can’t imagine anyone who wants children to die or be permanently disabled from an infection that is so easily preventable with an immunization.

What Happens If An Unvaccinated Person Is Exposed To Measles? A Warning To Parents

The incubation period—time from exposure to symptoms—is 7 to 14 days. Another 3-5 days go by before a rash develops. The person is infectious for another 4 days.

If an unvaccinated person is exposed to measles, they have to quarantine for 21 days after exposure. That means no school for the child and no work for an unvaccinated adult.

How many parents can afford to take 3 weeks off work to care for an ill child?

How many unvaccinated adults can afford to take 3 weeks off work if they been exposed to measles?

Besides the personal cost of stress and lost wages, there is a societal cost for any infectious outbreak.

Costs Of Measles Outbreaks

A review of measles outbreaks showed that the median cost per case was $32,805, with an additional $4000 per day of investigation. The cost of lost productivity (due to illness, home isolation, quarantine, or informal caregiving) was $47,479 per case or $814 per contact.

There are billions of dollars in savings to society for routine childhood vaccinations, in addition to the millions of hospitalizations and deaths averted.

There is also a huge strain on public health departments, which are already overburdened and short-staffed from budget cuts. Measles outbreaks have necessitated providing post-exposure prophylaxis, public outreach, setting up a “toll-free measles information hotline, subpoenaing flight records, and daily screening of all hospital staff for rash and fever.” The added personnel time is reallocated from other programs, resulting in holes in those services.

With 20% of children infected with measles requiring hospitalization, how will medical centers maintain adequate staffing? Many healthcare workers are young adults with school-aged children. A previous study earlier in the COVID-19/influenza pandemic found higher absenteeism due to caring for sick children and dealing with school closures.

Further Dividing The Country

There are striking differences in vaccine acceptance and approaches between Red and Blue states, with Florida and Texas leaning toward “medical freedom” to be free from mandates. [That inherently goes against another person’s desire to be free from unnecessary infection, disability, or death from unvaccinated people. Vaccines are not 100% effective—you need herd immunity to protect you and the community). More liberal states are considering forming compacts and creating their own regulations that require vaccines to protect their communities.

Ladapo’s proposal is raising other questions. Kathy Browning, former president of the Florida Association of School Nurses, asked, “If the state decides they’re no longer going to require mandatory vaccinations, are they no longer going to require the mandatory reporting of diagnoses?”

Will Florida eliminate quarantine for such a highly infectious disease? Last year, Ladapo did that, saying, the state’s Department of Health “is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance” because of the “burden on families and the educational cost of healthy children missing school” and the “high immunity rate in the community.”

Another question arises whether private schools can have different rules, requiring vaccination for their students, while public schools won’t have that option.

The Texas measles outbreak served as a warning shot in the new vaccine wars, pitting different parts of the country against each other, with a focus on maximizing individual freedoms versus the common good. With all of these unintended consequences, wouldn’t it be better if we all were vaccinated?

Research Highlights:

• Results from the FigHTN Phase 2 clinical trial showed baxdrostat, a new medication that inhibits the production of the hormone aldosterone, lowered systolic blood pressure by about 5% when added to the existing medications taken by people with chronic kidney disease and who also have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• The analysis also found that baxdrostat lowered the loss of albumin in the urine, which is a marker of kidney and cardiovascular risk, by 55% compared to placebo, suggesting that this medication may help delay the progression of kidney disease .
• These findings suggest the potential for baxdrostat to improve longer-term health outcomes like kidney and cardiovascular conditions and reduce the need for higher-cost care for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.
• Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Embargoed until 9:45 a.m. ET/8:45 a.m. CT, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025

BALTIMORE, Sept. 6, 2025 — Adding the novel medication baxdrostat to standard care may help manage high blood pressure and delay the progression of kidney disease in people with chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled high blood pressure , according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025. The meeting is in Baltimore, September 4-7, 2025, and is the premier scientific exchange focused on recent advances in basic and clinical research on high blood pressure and its relationship to cardiac and kidney disease, stroke, obesity and genetics. This study is simultaneously published today in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure are closely linked and, when not managed appropriately, can lead to serious outcomes such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and progression to kidney failure. Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, can play a role in both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. Aldosterone causes sodium to be retained, which increases water retention and blood pressure. Over time, an excess of the hormone can lead to stiffening and thickening of blood vessels, which can contribute to heart damage and cause scarring in the kidneys, thereby playing a role in both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.

“These findings are encouraging for people living with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure, two conditions that often go hand-in-hand and create a dangerous cycle,” said lead study author Jamie P. Dwyer, M.D., a professor of medicine in the division of nephrology and hypertension at University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City. “High blood pressure can worsen kidney function and declining kidney function can further elevate blood pressure, and these outcomes can be life-altering for patients.”

The study was designed to find whether adding baxdrostat to standard care is safe and could help lower blood pressure in people who have both chronic kidney disease (serious enough that they are likely to develop kidney failure or require a transplant during their lifetime ) and uncontrolled high blood pressure. Their blood pressure has remained high despite already taking either an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), two medications that work on a group of hormones that act together to regulate blood pressure.

At the beginning of the study, participants had an average systolic (top number) blood pressure of 151 mm Hg despite treatment and evidence of kidney disease on laboratory testing. When the protein albumin was measured in the urine, the average level for participants was 714 mg/gm of creatinine; levels of 30 or higher may be a sign of chronic kidney disease. When a blood sample was used to measure the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, a key indicator of kidney function), the average level was 44mL/min/1.73. Levels that are persistently less than 60 suggest chronic kidney disease.

Of 195 initial study participants, 192 were randomized to begin treatment with low-dose (0.5 mg-1 mg) or high-dose baxdrostat (2 mg-4 mg) or a placebo in addition to standard care. Three people finished the study early due to adverse events, their own decision to leave the study or for other reasons.

After 26 weeks:

• The average systolic blood pressure had fallen 8.1 mm Hg more in participants receiving either dose of baxdrostat than in those receiving the placebo, a reduction of about 5%.
• High potassium levels in the blood, a known side effect of medications that block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, occurred in 41% of participants on baxdrostat and 5% of those on placebo. Most cases were mild to moderate.
• There were no deaths or unanticipated adverse events during the trial, however, 9% of participants taking baxdrostat and 3% of those in the placebo group experienced a serious adverse event.

 In an exploratory analysis, the researchers looked at the amount of albumin lost in the urine, a type of protein that when found in the urine in high amounts is a predictor of cardiovascular and kidney disease. They found the urine albumin level was 55% lower in those taking baxdrostat than in those taking a placebo, comparable to the reduction seen with medications that delay the progression of kidney disease.

“The reduction in urine albumin gives us hope that baxdrostat may also help delay kidney damage. This potential is now being tested in two large Phase 3 trials to determine if baxdrostat delays the progression of kidney disease,” said Dwyer.

“These new findings are reassuring that this new class of antihypertensive medications are likely to have both kidney- and cardio-protective benefits and to be safe and effective for broad patient populations,” said Jordana B. Cohen, M.D., M.S.C.E., immediate past chair of the American Heart Association’s Hypertension and Kidney Cardiovascular Science Committee. “Patients with chronic kidney disease were historically often excluded from drug studies. It is particularly reassuring to know that patients with chronic kidney disease, who have very high rates of hypertension and elevated renin-angiotensin aldosterone activity, were represented in their own study, tolerated the medication well, and had both blood pressure and albuminuric benefits. This medication class could be a game changer in the management of hypertension in this patient group.” Cohen, who was not involved in this study, is deputy director and associate professor of medicine and epidemiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

 Study details, background and design:   

• The study included 195 people with an average age of 66 years. Of the participants, 32% were women, 40% were non-Hispanic white and 80% had Type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted at 71 sites in the United States. Three participants were not randomized or included in the final analysis.
• All participants had uncontrolled high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher, or 130 mm Hg or higher for people with Type 2 diabetes ) despite taking the maximum tolerated dose of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker among their medications, with average systolic blood pressure of 151.2 mm Hg at the start of the study.
• All participants also had chronic kidney disease but were not in kidney failure (eGFR of 25-75 mL/min/1.73, average eGFR of 44 mL/min/1.73 at the start of the study; and urine albumin-creatinine ratio of 100 mg/g or higher, average of 713.8 at the start of the study ).    
• The 192 participants were randomized to one of the three treatment groups: low-dose baxdrostat (0.5 mg/day, increasing to 1 mg/day after two weeks); high-dose baxdrostat (2 mg/day, increasing to 4 mg/day after two weeks); or a placebo.
•  After 26 weeks, blood pressure and kidney function tests were repeated, and the primary analysis compared changes in systolic blood pressure among the three groups. Adverse events were also reported for each of the three treatment groups.
• Baxdrostat is in a class of medications that inhibit the production of aldosterone and are being tested for their ability to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Baxdrostat is not approved for any use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Note: Oral presentation #061 is at 9:45 a.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

Co-authors and their disclosures and funding sources are listed in the abstract. The study was funded by AstraZeneca, developer of baxdrostat..

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. 

The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.

Additional Resources:

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The American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 is a premier scientific conference dedicated to recent advancements in both basic and clinical research related to high blood pressure and its connections to cardiac and kidney diseases, stroke, obesity and genetics. The primary aim of the meeting is to bring together interdisciplinary researchers from around the globe and facilitate engagement with leading experts in the field of hypertension. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the latest research findings and build lasting relationships with researchers and clinicians across various disciplines and career stages. Follow the conference on X using the hashtag #Hypertension25.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Expert Perspective:

AHA Communications & Media Relations in Dallas: 214-706-1173; ahacommunications@heart.org

Michelle Kirkwood: Michelle.Kirkwood@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

Your everyday habits have a lasting impact on your health, including how your brain works to process and store memories. Your daily choices can affect your memory both in the short term and long term. Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active are just a few of the habits neurologists recommend to help your brain function at its best.

According to Jon Artz, MD, a board-certified neurologist, everyone begins to lose brain tissue starting in their 40s. However, some people can compensate for these changes because of their cognitive reserve. “Cognitive reserve is how you adapt or cope with the decline in your cognitive abilities as you get older,” says Artz.

While some people are better at adapting to the changes with age, one thing is for sure: the habits you practice throughout your life can help to maintain your cognitive reserve so that your brain can perform at its best. Learn more about the everyday habits that may be hurting your memory and what you can do instead to keep your mind sharp.

1. Not Getting Enough Sleep

One of the most detrimental habits you can have when it comes to memory is not prioritizing sleep. According to Artz, poor sleep and not treating sleep apnea can lead to poor concentration, fatigue and irritability. “If you can’t focus or concentrate, it makes it hard to retain information.” 

These negative effects can carry over into the changes that occur in the brain overnight. “Deep sleep is important for memory consolidation,” says Artz. Without deep sleep, your memory suffers both in your ability to remember information during the day and in your ability to consolidate that information as memories overnight.

2. Regularly Drinking Alcohol

While the debate over moderate alcohol consumption and its effect on health continues, Artz makes it clear that alcohol should be avoided when it comes to improving memory. “Alcohol has no benefit to the human body or the brain,” he says. If you don’t drink alcohol, there’s no reason to start.

And if you do drink alcohol, consider reducing your intake over time. “We don’t yet have all the answers when it comes to alcohol and brain health, but we know too much is harmful, and there may be other reasons to avoid it,” says Maggie Moon, M.S., RD, best-selling author of The MIND Diet: 2nd Edition.

3. Relying on A.I.

“We are at the tip of the iceberg for what AI is doing to our brains,” says Dr. Kimberly Johnson Hatchett, board-certified neurologist. “Studies show that by using AI, some have found that we are not utilizing parts of our brain for creativity and deductive reasoning as much.” However, Hatchett cautions against making broad assumptions about AI at this point since we are still learning how it will affect the brain and memory. Still, you may want to limit your reliance on AI for basic tasks to continue to flex your critical thinking skills throughout the day.

4. Eating Too Much Added Sugar and Saturated Fat

Eating a diet that includes excess added sugar and saturated fat can have a negative effect on your brain. “I’d limit the amount of fried foods and sweets to no more than a couple times a month as they’re common sources of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars that can diminish how well brain cells communicate and function,” says Moon.

Research also shows that people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes have a greater risk of developing dementia. “Good nutrition provides critical nutrients to support the brain’s complex memory processes, including memory formation, storage and retrieval,” says Moon.

Moon recommends prioritizing seafood and plant-based sources of omega-3s, lean protein foods, dark green leafy vegetables, and a variety of colorful plant foods, including fermented ones for optimal brain health.

5. Sitting Too Much

Our modern lives make it easy to be sedentary. With many jobs supported by technology plus limited opportunities for active transport to and from work, school or other businesses, our daily movement is often limited. However, physical inactivity does not benefit the brain or any other aspect of our health. “There is nothing that a sedentary lifestyle is beneficial for when it comes to health,” says Artz. 

Artz recommends primarily aerobic exercise for the brain as it’s shown to have the most benefit. “Up to 300 minutes per week is beneficial for health.”

6. Not Managing Stress

No one will live a completely stress-free life, but some are better at managing their stress than others. The stress response is accompanied by a release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol can affect how the brain functions, particularly the areas of the brain involved in memory. “Stress steals our memory, so it’s important to find ways to manage it in the moment and build resilience to it in the future,” says Moon. “Put a relaxation practice into place, which could include a few rounds of box breathing, a walk in nature or journaling—these are all evidence-based stress management strategies.”

7. Not Monitoring Blood Pressure

“High blood pressure can damage the small deep blood vessels in the brain that, over time, can close up and leave little dots that are visible on an MRI,” says Artz. This damage to the blood vessels leads to damage to the brain’s axons, parts of neurons that play a central role in the nervous system function.

This process can negatively impact brain function, making it essential to monitor and treat high blood pressure as soon as it develops. “I recommend monitoring blood pressure at home even if you’re on medications,” he says. “Check your blood pressure at home a minimum of three times per week using an upper arm cuff, not a wrist cuff.”

Our Expert Take

Supporting your brain with healthy, everyday habits can go a long way for your cognitive function and memory. Other than including movement in your day, eating a nutrient-dense diet, prioritizing sleep and reducing stress, you should also find other ways to engage your brain throughout the day. 

“Try prepping and cooking a new healthy recipe to fire up a variety of complex brain processes,” says Moon. You can also seek social connection daily by engaging with friends and family to engage your brain and promote improved brain function. The habits you practice today will set you up for a healthier future.

Also Read | Rising PCOS in teens: Gynaecologist shares 5 causes behind this disturbing trend

Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine physician, has revealed six supplements that can support hormonal health for women suffering from PCOS. In an Instagram video from September 5, the doctor emphasised that supplementation is not a miracle cure, but can be used to support hormones, blood sugar, and cycle regularity. He also highlights that these supplements will only deliver desired results when combined with healthy lifestyle changes and advises consulting a doctor before beginning them. Since most people may not need every supplement discussed, he recommends introducing them one at a time.

Inositol

According to Dr Sood, inositol (especially a blend of Myo and D-Chiro in a 40:1 ratio) enhances the body’s ability to use insulin effectively and supports healthy ovulation. He explains that research shows inositol can aid in regularising periods, lowering androgen levels like testosterone and improve fertility. The doctor also adds that the supplement “works as well as metformin for many women, but usually with fewer side effects.”

Spearmint tea

According to Dr Sood, research suggests that drinking spearmint tea regularly not only lowers testosterone levels in women with PCOS but also helps with blood sugar balance, as per the doctor. It is also beneficial in improving acne and facial hair, which are common symptoms of PCOS. Dr Sood recommends drinking 2 cups of spearmint tea a day.

Omega-3 fatty acids

The doctor highlights that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil “improves cholesterol, lowers triglycerides, and helps reduce testosterone.” He also notes that research indicates women who take omega-3 supplements may experience more regular menstrual cycles along with reduced inflammation.

Cinnamon

Dr Sood explains, “1–2 grams a day has been shown to make periods more regular and improve how the body handles insulin.” It may also help regulate blood sugar levels and lower LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol, supporting better heart and metabolic health.

Also Read | Nutritionist reveals 6 daily habits that impact your hormonal health, affect PCOD symptoms

Vitamin D

Low levels of vitamin D are linked to reduced fertility and impaired metabolic health. Dr Sood explains, “Many women with PCOS are low in vitamin D, especially if they also have insulin resistance or are overweight,” highlighting the connection between metabolic health and hormonal issues. Vitamin D supplementation can improve overall hormonal balance.

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium picolinate is a supplement that optimises insulin function, helping it work effectively and thereby, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol. However, Dr Sood also clarifies that evidence supporting this is limited, but it can work as “extra support.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.