Posted on Diabetes

The role of digital technology in diabetes prevention and management

the transformative role digital health technologies play in diabetes management and prevention
The transformative role digital health technologies play in diabetes management and prevention.

The editorial, written by Dr. Gang Hu and Dr. Yun Shen from Pennington Biomedical, along with Dr. Xiantong Zou from Peking University, emphasizes studies that demonstrate how innovations in digital technology enhance self-management, enable personalized treatments, and facilitate seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers.

“Digital tools provide unique opportunities to enhance patient outcomes through improved monitoring, personalized care, and more effective communication between patients and healthcare providers,” the authors stated.

Digital health tools have the potential to enhance diabetes care by making it more accessible, effective, and tailored to patients’ individual needs. Advances in wearable devices, mobile applications, and telemedicine can empower patients to manage their own health, personalize their treatment, and ultimately improve health outcomes. This editorial highlights key challenges associated with these technologies, such as data privacy and accessibility, and emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and development in this promising field.

“As the field evolves, digital health innovations are set to play an increasingly vital role in preventing and managing diabetes, leading to more efficient and equitable healthcare delivery,” the authors concluded.

Posted on Autism

Air pollution emerges as critical environmental risk factor for autism

Scientists reveal complex links between air pollutants and neurodevelopmental disorders in landmark brain medicine emerging topic review
Scientists reveal complex links between air pollutants and neurodevelopmental conditions in landmark Brain Medicine Emerging Topic review

Environmental exposure to air pollutants during critical developmental periods may significantly impact autism risk, according to a groundbreaking Emerging Topic review published in Brain Medicine on 12 November 2024. The study reveals how common air pollutants, including fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, can trigger complex biological cascades affecting brain development.

“Various neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, can be linked to this environmental factor,” explains Professor Haitham Amal from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who is the senior author of the study. “The timing of exposure is critical, as there is a heightened vulnerability during prenatal development and early childhood when essential neurodevelopmental processes occur.”

The review identifies several critical pathways through which air pollutants may influence autism development:

• Nitrosative stress orchestrated by nitric oxide (NO)

• Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress

• Disruption of neurotransmitter systems

• Epigenetic modifications

• Endocrine system interference

• Metabolic pathway dysregulation

Of particular concern is the finding that smaller particles, especially PM2.5 and NO products, can cross the placenta and affect fetal brain development. This revelation raises important questions about protective measures for pregnant women in highly polluted areas.

“The research suggests that individuals with genetic predisposition to ASD may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution exposure,” Professor Amal notes. “This interaction between genetic and environmental factors opens new avenues for understanding ASD’s complex aetiology.”

“My lab has shown that NO plays a major role in autism. However, this study emphasizes the critical role of this molecule and its derivatives on the brain,” Prof. Amal comments. 

The review, first authored by PhD student Shashank Ojha, also highlights promising directions for biomarker development, potentially enabling early identification of at-risk individuals. These findings arrive at a crucial time, as global autism prevalence reaches 1-1.5% of the population.

The implications extend beyond individual health to public policy. How might cities need to adapt their urban planning to protect vulnerable populations? What role could air quality monitoring play in prenatal care? These questions become increasingly urgent as urbanization continues worldwide.

Posted on Alzheimer's, Autism

Autism and nitric oxide: Professor Haitham Amal unveils breakthrough

Haitham Amal, BScPharm, PhD

Haitham Amal and his dedicated team at their lab in Jerusalem. Credit Haitham Amal, BScPharm, PhD

The complex relationship between nitric oxide and brain-related conditions is the focal point of the latest interview featured in Genomic Press, published on November 12, 2024, in *Brain Medicine*. Professor Haitham Amal, the head of the Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, discusses his groundbreaking research and the personal motivations that drive him.

“During my time at MIT, meeting families and autistic children inspired me to focus on a single goal: to help develop biological diagnostics and autism therapy, ” says Professor Amal. This transformative experience shaped his research trajectory, leading to significant discoveries about the role of nitric oxide in neurological conditions. Professor Amal was the first to identify that nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in autism.

Professor Amal’s innovative study of brain conditions integrates proteomics and systems biology. His research has revealed critical connections between autism and Alzheimer’s disease, indicating shared molecular mechanisms that could transform treatment strategies for both conditions.

“As a pharmacologist and neuroscientist, my specialized knowledge of how drugs affect the brain is crucial for my goal of developing treatments for neurological disorders,” explains Professor Amal. His work has already resulted in founding two biotechnology companies: Point6 Bio Ltd, which focuses on diagnostics for autism, and NeuroNOS Ltd, dedicated to developing therapeutics based on nitric oxide synthase inhibitors for autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain cancers.

The interview raises intriguing questions about the future of neurological treatment:

• Could targeting nitric oxide pathways provide a unified approach to treating neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders?

• How might early biological diagnostics transform autism intervention strategies?

• What role will personalized medicine play in addressing individual variations in brain disorders?

Professor Amal’s journey from studying cannabis’s effects on cognition to becoming a leading figure in neurological research demonstrates the unexpected paths that can lead to scientific breakthroughs. His commitment to conducting experiments on both sexes equally and interest in ageing mechanisms suggests a comprehensive approach to brain research that could yield additional insights.

Posted on Multiple Sclerosis, Patient Talk

Multiple Sclerosis and Frozen Shoulder: Is there a Connection?

**Shoulder Pain with Multiple Sclerosis and Possible Relationship with Frozen Shoulder**In this video, I share my MRI scan results, the doctors’ opinions on the outcomes, and the next steps for treatment. This past week has been incredibly challenging due to chronic pain, making everyday tasks nearly impossible because of the loss of mobility in my arm. Unfortunately, this issue is also starting to develop in my right shoulder. I urgently need treatment to prevent the progression I’ve experienced in my left shoulder. I’ve researched the connections between frozen shoulder and autoimmune diseases, and there appears to be a link. I’m also curious about the potential relationships between shoulder pain and COVID-19 or the COVID vaccinations. Please don’t ignore your shoulder pain; seek professional help before it develops into something more severe and disabling.

Posted on Arthritis, Exercise, Fibromyalgia, Pain Management

Some Exercises for Chronic Pain – Stretch, Strengthen and Feel Relief

Ease stiffness and feel relief from chronic conditions causing your pain, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. In this gentle joint video, I will walk you through exercises that gently strengthen and stretch common troublesome areas. This workout begins with a warm-up in a standing position, and then halfway through, we move to a seated position in a chair. If you are only able to complete the seated portion, then just fast forward to that section (about the 15-minute mark), please make sure that you are in a warm environment. This will make sure that your muscles relax and don’t cramp up. It is also essential to stay hydrated. Drinking water will help lubricate your joints.