The Joint National Committee on Prevention,Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure(JNC-7) recommends aggressive blood pressure lowering to prevent cardiovascular outcomes (Chobanian et al. JAMA 2003; 289: 2560-2572; free full text at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/289/19/2560?ijkey=c099fcb433c2980de606feca9dfb451112a828ed). In its classification scheme, JNC-7 regards BP < 120/80 to be normotensive, and systolic BP 120-139 mmHg or diastolic BP 80-89 mmHg to be pre-hypertensive. The increasing risk of cardiovascular events is considered to be continuous above 115/75 mmHg.
Neurology
Migraine prevalence stable: Canadian survey
February 9, 2011The Canadian Women and Migraine Survey reports that the 26% prevalence of migraine in Canada is stable since its last report in 1994 (Cooke & Becker. Can J Neurol Sci 2010; 37: 580-587).
Parkinson’s disease and melanoma: no genetic link
February 9, 2011While a number of studies have suggested that Parkinson’s disease and melanoma frequently co-occur, a new study has reported that no genetic link could be found between the diseases.
Poor reporting of antiepileptic side effects in children
January 26, 2011A systematic analysis of antiepileptic drug trials has concluded that safety data for pediatric patients is not adequately reported (Anderson & Choonara. Arch Dis Child 2010; 95: 731-738).
Negative trial of DHA supplementation in Alzheimer’s disease
January 26, 2011Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been shown in vitro and in animal models to alter beta-amyloid accumulation and to have anti-apoptotic activity (Oksman et al. Neurobiol Dis 2006; 23: 563-572). For a recent review see Jicha & Markesbery. Clin Interv Aging 2010; 5: 45-61; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854051/pdf/cia-5-045.pdf.