News for January, 2010

Alzheimer’s drug may treat Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer

A team of researchers renowned for their work in colon cancer believe they may have found a better treatment for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer based on findings from their colon cancer research, according to Science Daily.

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Study may lead to new treatment of gastroparesis

Very low doses of inhaled carbon monoxide has been shown to reverse a serious digestive condition in diabetic mice, a finding that could give hope to millions of sufferers of diabetic gastroparesis. The findings are based on a study conducted by researchers with the Mayo Clinic and presented at last year’s Digestive Disease Week gathering.

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Ruling: patients may sue generic drug makers under state law

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has found in favor with a lower court that patients may sue generic drug makers under state law for failing to provide adequate warnings about potential with their drugs. The ruling extends a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling governing makers of name-brand drugs. The issue of whether generic drug companies should be held liable for not adequately warning consumers has divided several district courts, which can increase the odds of a Supreme Court review in the future, according to U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Higginbotham.

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Movement disorder linked to common medications

An estimated 250,000 to 400,000 people in the United States suffer from Tardive Dyskinesia, a serious and disabling involuntary movement disorder. The condition was first linked to use of anti-psychotic medications but most recently has been linked to a common heartburn, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and gastroparesis medication known as Reglan (metoclopramide). How the medications cause Tardive Dyskinesia is debatable, but studies show that long-term use of medications leave users at higher risk of developing the condition.

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GERD a trendy diagnosis for fussy infants

More and more doctors are diagnosing fussy infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, leaving some critics worrying that doctors are over-diagnosing the condition to soothe exasperated mothers.

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