MT 24 Education Newsletter
- personalised-medic
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
Personalised Med in our daily life |
Diabetes Beyond Type I and Type II |
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While many are familiar with the common forms of diabetes, such as Type 1 and Type 2, fewer people are aware of Monogenic Diabetes, a rare type caused by mutations in a single gene. This form of diabetes includes subtypes like MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young) and Neonatal Diabetes, and though it affects only a small fraction of the population, it provides valuable insights into the broader understanding of diabetes.
What makes monogenic diabetes particularly intriguing is the potential for precise diagnosis and targeted treatment, made possible by advances in personalized and precision medicine. For instance, MODY2, resulting from a mutation in the glucokinase gene, alters the body's glucose-sensing threshold, and often, no treatment is needed. In contrast, MODY3, linked to mutations affecting the KATP channel, responds more effectively to sulfonylurea—a medication that stimulates insulin release—rather than insulin therapy alone.
These breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment have been driven by cutting-edge genetic sequencing technologies and continued progress in precision medicine.
Read more about this here. |
Sleep Fragmentation Disrupts Brain Connectivity, Leading to Cognitive Decline |
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The research featured in the Sleep Journal studied the effects of sleep fragmentation on cognitive functions and brain network connectivity. Through the use of neuroimaging techniques and cognitive assessments, the experts observed an interference with connections among essential brain networks linked to attention and memory. This disturbance was associated with compromised cognitive functions in terms of attention and executive performance. These discoveries emphasise the significance of sleep for health and propose that addressing sleep fragmentation could be a viable approach, for combating cognitive decline.
For instance, by identifying how sleep fragmentation uniquely affects brain network dynamics and cognitive decline, this research could inform personalised treatment plans for populations at higher risk, such as the elderly or individuals with sleep disorders. Tailored interventions that enhance sleep quality could be developed to prevent or mitigate cognitive decline, aligning with the principles of precision medicine.
Read more about this here. |
APOE4: New Therapeutic Insights into Alzheimer’s Risk
Recent research by a team at Stanford has shed light on the role of the APOE4 genetic variant in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. While APOE4 has long been associated with cardiovascular conditions, new evidence reveals its significant contribution to Alzheimer’s risk. The protein encoded by this gene, Apolipoprotein E4, appears to have detrimental effects on the brain, potentially accelerating the disease's onset.
Furthermore, two participants carrying the APOE4 gene enrolled in a trial using Lecanemab, an amyloid-removing antibody. After more than two years of treatment, they reported no noticeable memory decline. These findings suggest that therapies targeting APOE4 could help protect against Alzheimer’s, paving the way for personalized interventions that modulate APOE4 activity and provide new hope in the fight against this condition.
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APOE4: New Therapeutic Insights into Alzheimer’s Risk |
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Recent research by a team at Stanford has shed light on the role of the APOE4 genetic variant in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. While APOE4 has long been associated with cardiovascular conditions, new evidence reveals its significant contribution to Alzheimer’s risk. The protein encoded by this gene, Apolipoprotein E4, appears to have detrimental effects on the brain, potentially accelerating the disease's onset. |
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Furthermore, two participants carrying the APOE4 gene enrolled in a trial using Lecanemab, an amyloid-removing antibody. After more than two years of treatment, they reported no noticeable memory decline. These findings suggest that therapies targeting APOE4 could help protect against Alzheimer’s, paving the way for personalized interventions that modulate APOE4 activity and provide new hope in the fight against this condition.
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Podcast |
Dr Peter Attia, Stanford University School of Medicine
In this episode of “The Drive” podcast, Dr. Peter Attia engages in a conversation with Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and bestselling author, to discuss his latest book “Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong”. The discussion highlights critical blind spots in modern medicine, including misperceptions about appendicitis treatment, the peanut allergy epidemic, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in breast cancer. Makary delves into how groupthink and cognitive dissonance in medicine can hinder progress, calling for a shift in medical education and research innovation to foster change and embrace new approaches.
Youtube: Click here Spotify: Click here |
Infographic of the Month |
Revolutionizing Our Healthcare
Source: Ona, S. (2023). Revolutionizing Our Healthcare: Harnessing AI's Potential for Health and Medicine (Square). https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates/t-65270cd349c5b1089b610edd-revolutionizing-our-healthcare-harnessing-ais-potential-for- |
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