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Welcome to the myHSN research round-up, where we have selected some of our favourite groundbreaking papers from the previous year. Read on to find out what has happened, why it’s happened, and most importantly, how it will affect you.
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Do COVID vaccines cause miscarriage?
Can Vitamin D help prevent diabetes?
Can Ketamine help patients who are suicidal?
Is the new Alzheimer’s drug a breakthrough?
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Do COVID vaccines cause miscarriage?
What?
An area of keen interest remains the safety of COVID vaccines in pregnancy. In a recently published study, researchers analysed the risks of preterm (or premature) birth and stillbirth after COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Over 80,000 births were studied and their outcomes documented.
Why?
Since the first cases in 2020, COVID-19 continues to cast a long shadow over the world. Case numbers continue to fluctuate, but crucially, vaccines against COVID-19 have prevented a much larger public death toll. COVID vaccines are generally well-tolerated, however a number of highly publicised side effects have reduced confidence in their use. These include blood clots, attributed to the AstraZeneca vaccine, causing its withdrawal in the UK; and the small but significant number of myocarditis (heart inflammation) cases linked to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
How (does it affect you)?
The findings demonstrated that vaccination against COVID during pregnancy was not associated with higher risk of preterm birth, small for age at birth, or stillbirth. Published in the British Medical Journal, these findings should give confidence to expectant mothers that COVID vaccination is safe for both mother and the unborn baby.
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Can Vitamin D help prevent diabetes?
What?
Researchers assessed whether vitamin D can prevent diabetes. Patients at risk of diabetes (pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance) were given vitamin D supplements and followed up across 6 years.
Why?
Diabetes is a medical condition where the body either does not make insulin (Type 1) or is no longer sensitive to it (Type 2). This causes high and unregulated blood glucose (sugar); and this is linked with the development of serious conditions such as stroke, heart attacks and kidney disease.
Vitamin D is a key ingredient for bone and muscle development, and contributes to a normal immune system. There is some evidence to suggest that vitamin D can prevent type 2 diabetes, and additionally improve sugar control.
How (does it affect you)?
In short, the study did not demonstrate a reduction of new diabetes cases with vitamin D use. However it did improve insulin secretion in those with pre-diabetes suggesting a positive benefit. This is significant as it highlights the key role vitamin D plays in our diets in addition to ensuring healthy bones. (And just in case you were wondering, the authors did indeed confirm that participants in the vitamin D generally increased their bone density!)
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Can Ketamine help patients who are suicidal?
What?
Researchers studied whether two doses of IV ketamine could help patients who were thinking of committing suicide and prevent the desire taking hold. Patients were recruited following an admission to hospital with suicidal thoughts.
Why?
Worldwide over 800,000 people die due to suicide each year. Ketamine is a drug commonly and legally used by patients for pain relief, and as a general anaesthetic for surgery. Illegally, it is used recreationally for its ability to induce hallucinations and alter mood and perceptions.
How (does it affect you)?
The study confirmed ketamine is safe, with minimal side effects at this dosage; and most importantly, caused a rapid decrease in suicidal thoughts, when compared to placebo. The benefit continued at 6 weeks – although at this time point, was similar to placebo. Importantly, this research may see ketamine implemented in acute mental health care for suicidal patients if deemed to be safe and effective in later, larger studies.
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Is the new Alzheimer’s drug a breakthrough?
What?
In the UK, we are getting older. As more people live longer, healthier lives, more of us are reaching ages where dementia is more common. As such, the number of people with Alzheimers disease – a debilitating brain condition where patients develop memory loss and lose the ability to control normal bodily functions – is increasing. Lecanemab is a new drug that offers a realistic first step to the treatment and eventual cure of Alzheimer’s.
The drug is designed to break down the build-up of harmful amyloid plaques in the brain, that are thought to link to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. This drug is not effective in other types of dementia.
Why?
The rate of cognitive decline was slashed by 27% over the course of 18 months when compared to placebo (no treatment). This was accompanied by the reduction in the number of toxic plaques found in affected brains.
How (does it affect you)?
This is a trial drug and will need to be approved in the UK prior to wider adoption, which should happen in the coming years. Despite relatively common side effects of brain swelling and headaches, uptake of the drug is likely to be significant. It is certainly a breakthrough, but it is by no means the end of the journey. Until the rate of cognitive decline is slashed by 100%, the fight is not truly won.
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As always, best wishes from myHSN!
