Several methods for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease developed by European scientists
European scientists have taken several significant steps to enable earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in PredictAD, an EU-funded project. The scientists have developed new approaches for measuring biomarkers for diagnostics and a novel system for integrating the information systematically. The system provides an objective method for measuring the state of the patient.
Read more ...
CONTRACT's Questionnaire to Analyse and Improve Informed Consent in Clinical Trials
In the frame of the European Project CONTRACT, which aims at analysing, improving and harmonising "informed consent" across Europe a questionnaire has been set up which will analyse the current situation concerning the legal, ethical, technical and clinical handling of consent, mainly in European projects dealing with vulnerable patient groups. The purpose is to identify existing practices and problems encountered in translational research throughout Europe.
Read more ...
Scientists find connection between DNA region and depression
Scientists from King's College London in the United Kingdom have found a 'glitch' in human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that may increase people's chances of suffering from depression. This was one of two independent studies targeting the link between genes and depression. The results, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, could help researchers develop better treatments to fight this debilitating disorder.
Read more ...
IMI announces a new total of 23 unique projects to boost drug innovation
The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), currently the largest public-private partnership in the biopharmaceutical sector, launches its second wave of research projects which address key areas including cancer, immune-mediated diseases, infectious disorders and electronic health. With 23 projects now up and running, over €450 million is now committed by the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) on a uniquely large scale. IMI is shaping the current and future research and development of innovative drugs in Europe.
Read more ...
EU project spotlights better health for longer living
Medical, technological and educational advances are providing Europeans with a new boost for life. Standards of living are better than ever and people are living longer. The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) says we can expect to live up to 78 years of age compared to the 72 years recorded in the 1980s. But Europeans are also living to just over 60 years without poor health or disabilities affecting their daily routines, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report 'Health at a Glance: Europe 2010'. The question is: can people live healthier for longer? A new EU-funded project is set to find out.
Read more ...
New research works towards early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
An international team of researchers has moved forward the development of diagnostic biomarkers for degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's. The team, made up of researchers from Lithuania, Russia and Sweden, investigated how a simple blood test that measures antibodies which cause the disease could help bring about earlier diagnosis. At the onset of Parkinson's disease the human body generates antibodies to combat the amyloid-producing protein alpha synuclein.
Read more ...
Spanish research shows women are more likely to self-medicate than men
New research conducted by Spanish scientists shows that statistically women are more likely to take non-prescribed medication than their male counterparts. The study, published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety and carried out by researchers from the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid, also found that self-medication is strongly linked to nationality, income level, and alcohol and tobacco consumption.
Read more ...