Insidermedicine in 60 - July 28, 2008

From Baltimore - According to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, hearing loss is a common condition that affects many adults in the US. In a research study of over 5700 subjects, researchers from Johns Hopkins University noted that 16% of patients suffered from speech frequency hearing loss, and nearly one third had high frequency hearing loss. Risk factors for hearing loss included smoking, noise exposure and cardiovascular risk. From Boston - According to researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, low or high levels of thyrotropin may be linked to Alzheimer's disease. In a study of over 1800 subjects, women with very low or very high levels of the hormone, which is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, had nearly twice the probability of having Alzheimer's. It is unclear if the levels cause Alzheimer's or if they are a manifestation of the condition. And finally, from Chicago - According to research presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, MRI holds significant promise in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's. In a study, rabbits were fed a diet rich in cholesterol to induce the development of amyloid plaques. These lesions, which are usually noted in autopsy, were detectable on MRI. The results need to be replicated in humans prior to routine use as a diagnostic test. For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.