http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress provides the latest news from McGill University Health Centre Physicians from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and the University of Calgary have published a review article in the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) to help family doctors diagnose and treat fibromyalgia. The article represents the first time researchers have published Canadian guidelines to help manage the condition. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-canadian-guidelines-fibromyalgia.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:03 EST news287056981 A research team led by Dr. Robert Hess from McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has used the popular puzzle video game Tetris in an innovative approach to treat adult amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye". By distributing information between the two eyes in a complementary fashion, the video game trains both eyes to work together, which is counter to previous treatments for the disorder (e.g. patching). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-lazy-eye-disorder-therapeutic-approach.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:01 EST news285847218 A new international study has confirmed that self-testing for HIV is effective and could be the answer to controlling the global epidemic. This major systematic review, led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), shows HIV self-testing removes much of the fear and stigma associated with being tested for the disease. This study, which is published in PLoS Medicine is the first of its kind and could pave the way for early detection and treatment around the world, thereby reducing transmission. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-hiv-self-testing-key-global-epidemic.html HIV & AIDS Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:28:24 EST news284142488 Syphilis is on the rise worldwide and there is an urgent need for reliable and rapid screening, particularly for people who live in areas where access to healthcare is limited. An international research team, led by scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) in Montreal, has demonstrated that rapid and point-of-care tests (POC) for syphilis are as accurate as conventional laboratory tests. The findings, which were published in PLoS ONE, call for a major change in approach to syphilis testing and recommend replacing first line laboratory tests with POC tests globally, especially in resource-limited settings. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-rapid-point-of-care-syphilis-future-diagnosis.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:18:56 EST news281207930 People who take immunosuppressive drugs to treat lupus do not necessarily increase their cancer risk according to new research led by scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). This landmark study, which was published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases this month, addresses long-standing fears of a link between lupus medication and cancer. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-lupus-drugs-significant-cancer-patients.html Medications Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:58:39 EST news278254710 Timely screening and diagnosis is critical to the success of new treatments and ultimately to the survival of hepatitis C patients. A new study led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) is the first to show that hepatitis C rapid and point of care tests with a quick turnaround time are highly accurate and reliable as conventional first-line laboratory tests. This head-to-head analysis, published in the current issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, will lead to changes in screening practices and ultimately impact the control of hepatitis C infection worldwide. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-rapid-hepatitis-global-game-changers.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:17:10 EST news269540221 A new discovery that sheds light on the genetic make up of ovarian cancer cells could explain why some women survive longer than others with this deadly disease. A multi-disciplinary team led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC), in collaboration with the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital and the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, has identified genetic patterns in ovarian cancer tumours that help to differentiate patients based on the length of their survival after initial surgery. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-ovarian-cancer-pathways-genetics.html Cancer Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:48:13 EST news267720458 Vitamin B12 is essential to human health. However, some people have inherited conditions that leave them unable to process vitamin B12. As a result they are prone to serious health problems, including developmental delay, psychosis, stroke and dementia. An international research team recently discovered a new genetic disease related to vitamin B12 deficiency by identifying a gene that is vital to the transport of vitamin into the cells of the body. This discovery will help doctors better diagnose this rare genetic disorder and open the door to new treatments. The findings are published in the journal Nature Genetics. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-vitamin-b12-deficiency-tracking-genetic.html Genetics Sun, 26 Aug 2012 13:00:33 EST news265183090 A recent international study led by researchers from McGill University and the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) examines the complex and controversial interplay of conflicts of interest between physician experts, medicine and the pharmaceutical or medical device industry. The results of the analysis, which are published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, aim to advance the management of conflicts of interest in medical guidelines. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-ethics-framework-urged-conflicts-medicine.html Other Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:49:41 EST news258814140 An international research team led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) has made a major genetic breakthrough that could change the way pediatric cancers are treated in the future. The researchers identified two genetic mutations responsible for up to 40 per cent of glioblastomas in children - a fatal cancer of the brain that is unresponsive to chemo and radiotherapy treatment. The mutations were found to be involved in DNA regulation, which could explain the resistance to traditional treatments, and may have significant implications on the treatment of other cancers. The study was published this week in the journal Nature. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-genetic-breakthrough-brain-cancer-children.html Cancer Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:30:02 EST news247141164 A saliva test used to diagnose the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is comparable in accuracy to the traditional blood test, according to a new study led by the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and McGill University. The meta-analysis, which compared studies worldwide, showed that the saliva HIV test, OraQuick HIV1/2, had the same accuracy as the blood test for high-risk populations. The test sensitivity was slightly reduced for low risk populations. The study, published in this week's issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases, has major implications for countries that wish to adopt self-testing strategies for HIV. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-saliva-hiv-grade.html HIV & AIDS Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:40:02 EST news246626925 A team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and McGill University has made a major breakthrough by unraveling the inner workings of melatonin, also known as the "sleep hormone." The research, conducted in collaboration with scientists in Italy, reveals the key role played by the melatonin receptor in the brain that promotes deep, restorative sleep. This discovery led the researchers to develop a novel drug called UCM765, which selectively activates this receptor. The results, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, may pave the way for the development of new and promising treatments for insomnia, a common public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-tireless-reveals-secrets-hormone.html Neuroscience Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:00:14 EST news243005502 A new potential target to slow breast cancer tumor progression and metastasis has been identified by a team of researchers led by Dr. Richard Kremer from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). Complications in breast cancer patients are commonly caused by the spread of the disease through metastasis to other parts of the body, most often to the bones and lungs. These findings, published this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), suggest that a specific protein plays a key role in the progression of the disease outside of the initial tumor area. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-breast-cancer_1.html Cancer Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:42:00 EST news240151312 (Medical Xpress) -- Amphetamine use in adolescence can cause neurobiological imbalances and increase risk-taking behaviour, and these effects can persist into adulthood, even when subjects are drug free. These are the conclusions of a new study using animal models conducted by McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) researcher Dr. Gabriella Gobbi and her colleagues. The study, published today in The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, is one of the first to shed light on how long-term amphetamine use in adolescence affects brain chemistry and behaviour. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-adolescent-amphetamine-linked-permanent-brain.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:00:13 EST news239535778 With close to one third of the world's population infected with parasitic worms, MUHC researcher Dr. Theresa Gyorkos is thinking big when it comes to finding a solution to this global public health challenge. As part of an international research and policy team, she is contributing to the soon-to-be-released WHO Strategic Plan to control intestinal worm infections in more than 100 countries. Dr. Gyorkos received the Canadian Public Health Association's (CPHA) 2011 International Award for her contributions to global public health at the CPHA annual conference this week in Montreal. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-parasitic-worms-hidden-global-health.html Health Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:35:58 EST news227979342