Month: February 2014

People who have a variant gene and are exposed to certain pesticides may have a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, a new study finds. Researchers tested a variety of pesticides. They found that several of them interfere with the function of an enzyme called ALDH. This enzyme helps to break down chemicals that kill brain cells involved in making dopamine. People with Parkinson’s disease have too little dopamine. Researchers asked about exposure to pesticides among people who were part of a study of Parkinson’s risk in 3 California farming counties. In all, 360 people had Parkinson’s and 816 people did not. Some people had a different (variant) version of a gene that provides instructions for making ALDH. Researchers looked at Parkinson’s rates in people exposed to the pesticides that interfere with ALDH.

Cancer doctors should ask about patients’ family medical history. But two generations are enough, new guidelines say. The American Society of Clinical Oncology released the guidelines. They say that doctors should ask about cancer among patients’ first- and second-degree relatives. But going back three generations — the old advice — is not necessary. A panel of experts based the changes on a review of evidence. They decided that information about more distant relatives is less likely to be correct. First-degree relatives include parents, children, brothers and sisters. Second-degree relatives include grandparents, aunts and uncles. Nieces, nephews, grandchildren and half-siblings also are considered second-degree. Doctors should ask the relative’s type of cancer, age when diagnosed and race or ethnic group, the guidelines say.

Even if your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure are normal, sugar added to food may increase your risk of heart-related death, a new study says. For a typical American, the added risk was nearly 20%. Scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did the study. It was based on a major government health survey of all ages. Researchers compared death statistics related to heart disease and stroke for people with different levels of sugar consumption. Sugars included syrups and honey added to food as well as table sugar. For the years 2005 through 2010, the average person got 14.9% of calories from added sugars. Eating that amount of sugar increased heart-related death risk by 18%. And risk more than doubled for those who got one-quarter of calories from sugar. The study took into account other health factors known to contribute to heart problems.

Drug regulators will review the safety of testosterone treatments because of research suggesting that they may raise heart risk for some men. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the review January 31. Testosterone has been widely advertised as a potential treatment for low energy and sex drive, among other symptoms. But a study published January 29 found an increased risk of heart attack for men taking testosterone therapy. The risk was seen among men under age 65 with prior heart disease and older men with or without heart disease. Heart attack risk doubled in the 90 days after the men began treatment. The journal PLoS One published the study online. A study in 2010 also found a higher risk of heart problems in men taking testosterone. All were over 65. They were compared with men who received placebo treatments. The new study used a medical records database.