Bapineuzumab promising in treating Alzheimer’s disease

Elan and Wyeth have released results of a phase 2 study of bapineuzumab, an attempt at treating Alzheimer’s disease. – Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) and Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) announced encouraging preliminary findings from a Phase 2 study of bapineuzumab (AAB-001) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. In the 18-month trial, bapineuzumab appeared to have clinical activity in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Burgers, fries, diet soda lead to metabolic syndrome

A Western diet heavy in meat, fried foods, burgers, fries, diet soda and refined grains puts people at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome with risk for heart problems, stroke and type 2 diabetes, a new study found. – Otherwise-healthy adults who eat two or more servings of meat a day – the equivalent of two burger patties – increase their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 25 percent compared with those who eat meat twice a week, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Vytorin does not appear to be unsafe – American Heart Association

Schering-Plough Corp and Merck & Co are defending their shared cholesterol treatments, Vytorin and Zetia, in advertisements in The New York Times after a failed study generated negative publicity. – Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals released results from the ENHANCE trial, which found that the ezetimibe/simvastatin (Zetia/Zocor) combination drug known as Vytorin was no more effective in reducing artery plaque build-up than simvastatin (Zocor) alone. There were no statistically significant differences in the safety of the drugs, which are used to lower cholesterol.

Gene changes may lead to hardening of arteries, atherosclerosis

A genetic mutation expands lesions in the aorta and promotes coronary atherosclerosis, more commonly known as hardening of the arteries, according to a study by Yale School of Medicine in Cell Metabolism. – Researchers revealed that changes in gene may lead to hardening of the arteries and expands lesions in the aorta and promotes coronary atherosclerosis. The study was done by researchers from Yale School of Medicine and published in Cell Metabolism.

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