Medical Watch Digest For November 5
Doxycycline could reduce schizophrenia risk
A new use for an old antibiotic.
Antibioitcs may do more than fight bacterial infections, they could improve mental health for some people.
Patients of adolescent mental health facilities who were prescribed doxycycline were significantly less likely to develop schizophrenia in adulthood compared to patients treated with other antibiotics.
The University of Edinburgh study highlights the idea of repurposing an existing, widely used medication as a preventive intervention for severe mental illness.
Doxycycline, which lowers inflammation in the brain, reduced the risk for schizophrenia in at risk patients by 35-percent.
Blood test provides detailed concussion info
Concussions cannot hide their signature.
Researchers found not only can they identify a concussion with a blood test, they can determine whether symptoms will resolve rapidly.
Biomarker levels are associated with symptom severity during concussion recovery according to a study in the journal of head trauma rehabilitation.
Doctors say the brain markers provide an objective measure of recovery guiding the return to activity.
Camel proteins can help human brains
Camels may be able to help human brain power.
Tiny proteins from camels, llamas and alpacas offer promise for treating brain diseases according to a study in the journal cell press.
Their size helps them infiltrate the brain.
Scientists say the camel nanobodies offer a new era of biologic therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
They hope to form a new class of drugs using the small molecules, not found in any other mammals.
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