Medical Bulletin 30/ April/ 2025 - Video

A groundbreaking study from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s cohort has revealed alarming trends in the health of adolescents transitioning to young adulthood. The study tracked 1,595 participants from ages 17 to 24, assessing the prevalence of prediabetes and its effects on heart health. Using two different fasting blood glucose cutpoints (≥5.6 mmol/L and ≥6.1 mmol/L), researchers found a significant increase in prediabetes, with 6.2% of 17-year-olds exhibiting fasting blood sugar ≥5.6 mmol/L, rising to 26.9% by age 24.

The study also noted a threefold increase in the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) from 2.4% at age 17 to 7.1% at 24. "Even healthy-looking adolescents may be on a path toward cardiovascular diseases due to high blood glucose and insulin resistance," said Andrew Agbaje, associate professor at the University of Eastern Finland.

The findings highlight a troubling link between persistently high blood glucose and heart dysfunction, particularly in females, where the damage to heart function occurred five times faster than in males. Insulin resistance was also associated with a 10% increased risk of premature heart damage. The study underscores the importance of early intervention and lifestyle changes, especially as adolescents gain independence from family influences.

This research, the largest of its kind, stresses the critical need for awareness and prevention of cardiometabolic diseases in youth, particularly in light of the rising prevalence of prediabetes.

Reference: Agbaje, A. O., et al. (2025) Persistent Hyperglycemia and Insulin Resistance with the Risk of Worsening Cardiac Damage in Adolescents: A 7-Year Longitudinal Study of the ALSPAC Birth Cohort. Diabetes Care. doi.org/10.2337/dc24-2459.

A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology reveals that 56 non-clinical risk factors, including lifestyle, physical measures, psychosocial factors, and environmental influences, could help prevent up to 63% of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) cases. SCA, a leading cause of death worldwide, claims about 60,000 lives annually in Canada alone. The study's lead author, Huihuan Luo, PhD, of Fudan University, emphasizes that improving modifiable risk factors, especially lifestyle habits, can significantly reduce SCA risk.

Using an exposome-wide association study combined with Mendelian randomization, the research uncovered surprising findings. It found that eliminating the worst 40%–63% of risk factors, particularly lifestyle-related ones, could prevent a substantial portion of SCA cases. Factors like positive mood, weight management, blood pressure control, and even moderate champagne or white wine consumption emerged as protective elements. "Surprisingly, higher consumption of champagne and white wine showed a cardioprotective effect, challenging the notion that only red wine offers these benefits," said Nicholas Grubic, MSc, and Dakota Gustafson, PhD, in the accompanying editorial.

The study also revealed an inverse relationship between computer use and SCA risk, though further analysis clarified that this likely reflects socioeconomic or occupational differences rather than a direct protective effect.

The researchers stress the importance of transitioning from reactive to preventive strategies to reduce the SCA burden, particularly in resource-limited settings. Identifying and targeting modifiable factors could lead to significant improvements in public health outcomes.

References: Establishment and Validation of Prediction Models for Non-curative Resection After ESD for Early Gastric Cancer

New research from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin introduces a groundbreaking treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, explores the use of low-intensity focused ultrasound technology to safely and effectively modulate deep brain activity. This approach targets the amygdala, the brain region known for its role in mood and anxiety disorders, without the need for surgery or invasive procedures.

In a double-blind study, 29 patients with various mood and anxiety disorders underwent MRI-guided focused ultrasound treatment on the left amygdala. After three weeks of daily treatments, participants showed significant improvements across a range of symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. “This is the first time we’ve been able to directly modulate deep brain activity without invasive procedures or medications,” said Gregory Fonzo, Ph.D., the study's senior author.

The treatment, which was well tolerated with no serious adverse events, reduced amygdala activity both immediately and over the course of the treatment period. This offers new hope for patients who haven’t responded to traditional therapies. Researchers are optimistic about the safety and efficacy of this non-invasive approach and are planning larger clinical trials.

References: Barksdale, B. R., et al. (2025). Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound amygdala neuromodulation: a double-blind sham-controlled target engagement study and unblinded single-arm clinical trial. Molecular Psychiatry. doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03033-w.