News from NYU Langone Health
N.Y.C. Covid Cases Appear to Be Rising. So Are Inquiries on Vaccines. (New York Times)
Paywalled* The (8/29) In New York City, healthcare providers are experiencing an influx of inquiries about Covid symptoms and vaccine eligibility following the FDA’s new restrictions on updated vaccines, with Caren F. Behar, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, noting increased patient concern over the new variant Stratus and advising nasal swabs for accurate testing; Dr. Michael Phillips, chief epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health, emphasized the importance of flu shots for younger individuals unable to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
High Cholesterol Can Be Inherited. Here’s What You Can Do ѵ It. (National Geographic)
National Geographic (8/28) Gregory Katz, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, highlights the importance of regular cholesterol screenings and explains that cholesterol is transported in the body by lipoproteins, and an excess of low-density lipoproteins can lead to inflammation and potential heart attacks or strokes.
Seizure Control In Focal Epilepsy Often Delayed Beyond First Year Of Treatment. (Medscape)
Paywalled* (8/28)* The latest Human Epilepsy Project analysis revealed that most newly diagnosed patients with focal epilepsy continued experiencing seizures for over a year after starting antiseizure medications (ASMs), with nearly one quarter developing treatment resistance within the first year and two thirds facing ongoing seizure activity; Jacqueline A. French, MD, professor, Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center said, “Our findings suggest that those with focal epilepsy should expect a long adjustment period as their healthcare provider determines the best treatment regimen for them.”
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Restricted Blood Flow Supercharges Cancer Growth, Study Finds. (SciTech Daily)
(8/28) A study by NYU Langone Health, published in JACC-CardioOncology, reveals that restricted blood flow accelerates bone marrow aging, diminishing the immune system’s cancer-fighting ability and allowing breast tumors in mice to grow twice as fast as those with normal circulation, with Kathryn J. Moore, PhD, the Jean and David Blechman Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Division of Cardiology, and professor, Department of Cell Biology, saying, “Our study shows that impaired blood flow drives cancer growth regardless of where it happens in the body,” and Alexandra Newman, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, adding, “Our results reveal a direct mechanism by which ischemia drives cancer growth, reprogramming stem cells in ways that resemble aging and promote immune tolerance.”
Low-Calorie Mediterranean Diet With Exercise Helps Prevent Diabetes. (Everyday Health)
(8/28) A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that middle-aged and older adults with metabolic syndrome who followed a Mediterranean diet and also cut calories, exercised more, and received professional weight loss support were 31% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who only followed the diet; Melanie R. Jay, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, and Department of Population Health, said, “People do better when they have structured support,” emphasizing the importance of guidance and accountability in maintaining healthy lifestyle changes.
Common Medications Do Not Raise Microscopic Colitis Risk In Seniors. (GI and Hepatology News)
(8/28) A nationwide longitudinal study in Sweden found no causal link between suspected pharmacologic triggers and increased risk of microscopic colitis (MC) in older individuals, though a marginal association with SSRIs was observed, which may be due to surveillance bias; commenting on the study, Jordan E. Axelrad, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, said, “This study strengthens the argument that MC is an immune-mediated disease, not primarily driven by drug exposures.”
Fully Enrolled CYPRESS Phase 3 Trial To Test Ampreloxetine In Symptomatic Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension Of MSA. (Neurology Live)
(8/28) The phase 3 CYPRESS trial, evaluating ampreloxetine in patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) due to multiple system atrophy (MSA), has completed enrollment, with results potentially supporting a new drug application in 2026; Horacio Kaufmann, the F.B. Axelrod Professor of Dysautonomia Research, Department of Neurology, and professor, Departments of Medicine, and Pediatrics, said, “nOH is one of the most debilitating manifestations of MSA, which affects about 40,000 patients in the U.S. alone,” and expressed optimism about the trial’s completion and upcoming data.
