Category Archives: News
Does the ε2 allele remain protective against β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in the presence of the ε4 allele?
Does the ε2 allele remain protective against β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in the presence of the ε4 allele? Yes, but so does good sleep, low HbA1c, low anxiety, low inflammation etc. Association Between Apolipoprotein E ε2 vs ε4, Age, and β-Amyloid … Continue reading
Metformin Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Metformin Use Is Associated With Slowed Cognitive Decline and Reduced Incident Dementia in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study Katherine Samaras, Steve Makkar, John D. Crawford, Nicole A. Kochan, Wei Wen, Brian Draper, Julian … Continue reading
Is Particulate Matter of Air Pollution a Vector of Covid-19 Pandemic?
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic is a severe respiratory disease caused by the emergence of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that very quickly spread in the human population. Fine particulate matter (PM) generated from combustion engines have been described as toxic to human health. Recent events stressed that high concentrations of PM of air pollution might favor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Autumn approaches, air pollution will be accentuated because of weather condition. The risk of a second outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic is highly probable. Elucidating the role of PM of air pollution in the spread of the virus is thus urgent and crucial. Continue reading
The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is inherited from Neanderthals
A recent genetic association study1 identified a gene cluster on chromosome 3 as a risk locus for respiratory failure upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. A new study2 comprising 3,199 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and controls finds that this is the major genetic risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization (COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative). Here, we show that the risk is conferred by a genomic segment of ~50 kb that is inherited from Neanderthals and is carried by ~50% of people in South Asia and ~16% of people in Europe today. Continue reading