Margarida Maia

Lisbon

Science Writer at Multiple Sclerosis News Today

Science Writer at BioNews Services

Science Editor at Cactus Communications

Medical Writer and Science Editor at Freelance

Science editor • Medical writer

Articles

Blood GFAP protein levels may help in early FAP diagnosis

4 days ago | fapnewstoday.com | Margarida Maia

A protein called glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is found at higher levels in the blood of people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), even before symptoms appear, relative to healthy people, a study finds. Also, blood levels of a protein called neurofilament light chain (NfL) were elevated only in those who already show FAP symptoms. This contrasts with previous studies that found elevated NfL before the disease manifested.
Study findings 'lay foundation' for targeted therapies in Parkinson's

6 days ago | parkinsonsnewstoday.com | Margarida Maia

A small molecule called NK036 — which inhibits USP30, an enzyme that counters the removal of damaged mitochondria from nerve cells in Parkinson’s disease — fits tightly into its target, suggesting it may have a strong and lasting effect as a treatment for the neurological condition, a new study found.
Tranilast for IPF recommended for orphan drug designation in EU

1 week ago | pulmonaryfibrosisnews.com | Margarida Maia

A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is recommending orphan drug status — a designation that aims to speed therapy development in rare diseases — for tranilast, the active ingredient in NXP002, an inhaled formulation from Nuformix for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A decision by the European Commission, which grants regulatory status in the European Union, is expected within 30 days.
Combination treatment extends survival in PH, pulmonary fibrosis

1 week ago | pulmonaryhypertensionnews.com | Margarida Maia

Combining pulmonary vasodilators, medications that widen blood vessels, and antifibrotics, which slow the progression of scarring, may prolong survival and time without needing a transplant in people with both pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary fibrosis, a study suggested.
Hydroxyurea may help ease sleep issues in children: Study

1 week ago | sicklecellanemianews.com | Margarida Maia

Hydroxyurea, an approved medication to reduce the frequency of pain crises associated with sickle cell disease (SCD), may ease sleep-disordered breathing in children, perhaps by reducing inflammation, according to a study conducted at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Memphis.
At-home spirometry could benefit cystic fibrosis patients: Study

1 week ago | cysticfibrosisnewstoday.com | Margarida Maia

Home-based spirometry — a test to measure how well the lungs are working — provides results that are almost as reliable as those taken in a hospital, and such testing could help people with cystic fibrosis (CF) monitor their condition without as many visits to the doctor, a study found.
Vaccination, testing encouraged as part of Hepatitis Awareness Month

1 week ago | liverdiseasenews.com | Margarida Maia

Hepatitis Awareness Month is held every May to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, and help promote prevention, diagnosis, and the timely treatment of this group of infectious diseases.
Intrathecal methotrexate halts disability worsening, data show

1 week ago | multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com | Margarida Maia

Injections of methotrexate into the spinal canal given every three months were safe and well tolerated, and helped adults with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) maintain stable disease levels for up to nine years. That’s according to data from a small, open-label Phase 1 clinical study (NCT02644044) that tested how safe and well tolerated intrathecal methotrexate is and how well it works to slow disability worsening in people with primary or secondary progressive MS.
Combined procedure better as myasthenic crisis treatment: Study

1 week ago | myastheniagravisnews.com | Margarida Maia

Plasma exchange — a procedure that clears antibodies, such as those that cause myasthenia gravis (MG), from the blood — may be a better myasthenic crisis treatment when used in combination with a procedure used to remove white blood cells, a study found. The combined procedure, called lymphoplasmapheresis, achieved better treatment outcomes than plasma exchange alone, in fewer treatment sessions. Both reduced the levels of MG-causing antibodies, but lymphoplasmapheresis appeared to perform better.
Nutrition monitoring may help patients keep healthy weight: Study

1 week ago | friedreichsataxianews.com | Margarida Maia

Children with Friedreich’s ataxia are often underweight and short for their age, while adult patients are frequently overweight, so regular nutrition checks are important for maintaining healthy weight, a study from Europe suggested. The study, “Longitudinal analysis of anthropometric measures over 5 years in patients with Friedreich ataxia in the EFACTS natural history study,” was published in the European Journal of Neurology by an international team of researchers.