http://www.rxpgnews.com/ Medical News and Information Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:00:28 PST en-us http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Princeton-University-survey-finds-pain-gap_100995.shtml Latest Research A novel study that attempts to paint the most accurate and detailed description yet of how Americans experience pain has found that a significant portion of the population -- 28 percent -- are in pain at any given moment and those with less education and lower income spend more of their time in pain. Those in pain are less likely to work or socialize with others and are more inclined to watch television than the pain-free. Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Princeton-University-survey-finds-pain-gap_100995.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/U.-Iowa-study-finds-biological-link-between-pain-and-fatigue_99232.shtml Latest Research A recent University of Iowa study reveals a biological link between pain and fatigue and may help explain why more women than men are diagnosed with chronic pain and fatigue conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/U.-Iowa-study-finds-biological-link-between-pain-and-fatigue_99232.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Chronic-pain-harms-the-brain_87429.shtml Latest Research CHICAGO -- People with unrelenting pain don't only suffer from the non-stop sensation of throbbing pain. They also have trouble sleeping, are often depressed, anxious and even have difficulty making simple decisions. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Chronic-pain-harms-the-brain_87429.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Naked-mole-rats-bear-chili-pepper-heat_86011.shtml Latest Research Pity the tiny naked mole-rat. The buck-toothed, sausage-like rodent lives by the hundreds in packed, oxygen-starved burrows some six feet under ground. It is even cold-blooded -- which, as far as we know, is unique among mammals. Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Naked-mole-rats-bear-chili-pepper-heat_86011.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Use-of-opioids-for-pain-in-ERs-on-the-rise-but-racial-differences-in-use-still-exist_81281.shtml Latest Research In the last 15 years, use of opioid medications to treat patients with pain-related emergency department visits has improved although white patients were more likely to receive opioids than patients of a different race/ethnicity, according to a study in the January 2 issue of JAMA. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Use-of-opioids-for-pain-in-ERs-on-the-rise-but-racial-differences-in-use-still-exist_81281.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Constipation-most-common-cause-of-childrens-abdominal-pain_78968.shtml Latest Research A new study led by a University of Iowa researcher showed that acute and chronic constipation together accounted for nearly half of all cases of acute abdominal pain in children treated at one hospital. Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Constipation-most-common-cause-of-childrens-abdominal-pain_78968.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-shows-pine-bark-naturally-reduces-osteoarthritis-knee-pain_75016.shtml Latest Research Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-shows-pine-bark-naturally-reduces-osteoarthritis-knee-pain_75016.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Smoked-cannabis-proven-effective-in-treating-neuropathic-pain_71176.shtml Latest Research Smoked cannabis eased pain induced in healthy volunteers, according to a study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR.) However, the researchers found that less may be more. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Smoked-cannabis-proven-effective-in-treating-neuropathic-pain_71176.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Watching-funny-shows-helps-children-tolerate-pain-longer-study-finds_71107.shtml Latest Research Watching comedy shows helps children tolerate pain for longer periods of time, according to a study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the nonprofit organization Rx Laughter. Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Watching-funny-shows-helps-children-tolerate-pain-longer-study-finds_71107.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Acupuncture-reduces-pain-need-for-opioids-after-surgery_69618.shtml Latest Research DURHAM, N.C. – Using acupuncture before and during surgery significantly reduces the level of pain and the amount of potent painkillers needed by patients after the surgery is over, according to Duke University Medical Center anesthesiologists who combined data from 15 small randomized acupuncture clinical trials. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Acupuncture-reduces-pain-need-for-opioids-after-surgery_69618.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/UI-researchers-seek-to-ease-childrens-pain-during-medical-procedures_69567.shtml Latest Research A new system under development by a team of researchers at the University of Iowa will help children better cope with pain during difficult medical procedures. Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/UI-researchers-seek-to-ease-childrens-pain-during-medical-procedures_69567.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Virtual-game-helps-children-escape-realities-of-burn-unit_68184.shtml Latest Research COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nurses and physicians at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are using the latest technology to help young burn victims endure the extreme pain of dressing changes and wound care. Instead of traditional distraction devices, such as books and music, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Burn Center is now using virtual reality games to distract patients while nurses attend to the patients’ burn wounds. Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Virtual-game-helps-children-escape-realities-of-burn-unit_68184.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Treatment-blocks-pain-without-disrupting-other-functions_67101.shtml Latest Research A combination of two drugs can selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats without impairing movement or other sensations such as touch, according to a new study by National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported investigators. The finding suggests an improved way to treat pain from childbirth and surgical procedures. It may also lead to new treatments to help the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Treatment-blocks-pain-without-disrupting-other-functions_67101.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Women-with-severe-PMS-perceive-their-sleep-quality-to-be-poor_66519.shtml Latest Research WESTCHESTER, Ill. – Women with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) perceive their sleep quality to be poorer in association with their symptoms in the late luteal (premenstrual) phase, despite there being no specific alterations in sleep structure associated with premenstrual symptoms, according to a study published in the October 1 issue of the journal SLEEP. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Women-with-severe-PMS-perceive-their-sleep-quality-to-be-poor_66519.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-test-could-help-consumers-avoid-surprise-headaches-from-chocolate-wine_66621.shtml Latest Research Researchers in California are reporting development of a fast, inexpensive test suitable for home use that could help millions of people avoid those ‘out of the blue’ headaches that may follow consumption of certain red wines, cheese, chocolate, and other aged or fermented foods. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-test-could-help-consumers-avoid-surprise-headaches-from-chocolate-wine_66621.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/ACP-and-APS-issue-comprehensive-guidelines-for-treating-low-back-pain_66653.shtml Latest Research PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2007 - The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Pain Society (APS) today released joint guidelines on diagnosing and treating low back pain. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/ACP-and-APS-issue-comprehensive-guidelines-for-treating-low-back-pain_66653.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Doctors-learn-to-control-their-own-brains-pain-responses-to-better-treat-patients_65884.shtml Latest Research Physicians apparently learn to “shut off” the portion of their brain that helps them appreciate the pain their patients experience while treating them and instead activate a portion of the brain connected with controlling emotions, according to new research using brain scans at the University of Chicago. Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Doctors-learn-to-control-their-own-brains-pain-responses-to-better-treat-patients_65884.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Why-dont-painkillers-work-for-people-with-fibromyalgia_65917.shtml Latest Research ANN ARBOR, Mich. — People who have the common chronic pain condition fibromyalgia often report that they don’t respond to the types of medication that relieve other people’s pain. New research from the University of Michigan Health System helps to explain why that might be: Patients with fibromyalgia were found to have reduced binding ability of a type of receptor in the brain that is the target of opioid painkiller drugs such as morphine. Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Why-dont-painkillers-work-for-people-with-fibromyalgia_65917.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Mixing-large-doses-of-both-acetaminophen-painkiller-and-caffeine-may-increase-risk-of-liver-damage_65476.shtml Latest Research WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 2007 -- Consuming large amounts of caffeine while taking acetaminophen, one of the most widely used painkillers in the United States, could potentially cause liver damage, according to a preliminary laboratory study reported in the Oct. 15 print issue of ACS’ Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal. The toxic interaction could occur not only from drinking caffeinated beverages while taking the painkiller but also from using large amounts of medications that intentionally combine caffeine and acetaminophen for the treatment of migraine headaches, menstrual discomfort and other conditions, the researchers say. Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Mixing-large-doses-of-both-acetaminophen-painkiller-and-caffeine-may-increase-risk-of-liver-damage_65476.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Common-abdominal-pain-may-be-due-to-a-potentially-treatable-newly-recognized-inflammatory-reaction_64252.shtml Latest Research JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As many as one in four people in westernized countries experience pain or discomfort in their upper abdomen, and physicians have almost nothing to offer except anti-acid medicines, which usually don’t work. Now, in a small but novel study, researchers have found evidence that an abnormal amount of inflammatory cells populates the upper intestine of affected individuals, which suggests a fresh way of understanding the common complaint. Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Common-abdominal-pain-may-be-due-to-a-potentially-treatable-newly-recognized-inflammatory-reaction_64252.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Smaller-breast-reduction-surgeries-provide-health-benefits-and-should-be-reimbursed_63352.shtml Latest Research NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2007) -- Smaller-framed women reap significant health and quality-of-life benefits from breast reductions that involve the removal of under 500 grams of tissue per breast, according to a first-of-its-kind study from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and the New York University School of Medicine. Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Smaller-breast-reduction-surgeries-provide-health-benefits-and-should-be-reimbursed_63352.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Preventing-or-reducing-enlarged-heart-decreases-risk-of-heart-failure_63261.shtml Latest Research NEW YORK (Sept. 10, 2007) -- For high-blood-pressure patients, preventing or reducing enlarged heart (left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH) reduces risk of heart failure. The study is published in the Sept. 4 Annals of Internal Medicine and led by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Preventing-or-reducing-enlarged-heart-decreases-risk-of-heart-failure_63261.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Depression-in-women-with-migraine-linked-to-childhood-abuse_61242.shtml Latest Research ST. PAUL, Minn. – Childhood abuse is more common in women with migraine who suffer depression than in women with migraine alone, according to a study published in the September 4, 2007, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Depression-in-women-with-migraine-linked-to-childhood-abuse_61242.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Restless-legs-genetics-on-the-move_52987.shtml Latest Research In Germany alone 8 million patients are affected by RLS, which makes it one of the most common neurological diseases. The patients suffer from an urge to move and paresthesia in the legs in the evening and during the night, when they come to rest, which can only be relieved by moving or walking around. The consequence may be severe sleeping disorders, chronic sleep loss and – associated with it – daytime fatigue. In severe cases the disease may lead to depression and social isolation. The frequency of RLS increases with age: up to ten per cent of over 65 year olds are affected, albeit in very different forms. Children can, however, also contract the disease. Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Restless-legs-genetics-on-the-move_52987.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Advice-devices-ineffective-in-preventing-worker-back-pain_53049.shtml Latest Research Back pain is the number one cause of worker-compensation complaints, second only to the common cold in causing lost workdays. Consequently, employers and regulators have pushed training programs to teach specific lifting methods, and some recommend or require the use of assistive devices such as hoists for hospital workers. However, a new review of the research on lifting advice and handling devices has found that they do not prevent work-related back pain. Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Advice-devices-ineffective-in-preventing-worker-back-pain_53049.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Sports-hernia-repair-surgery-plus-innovative-rehab-program-helps-athletes-return-to-play_52067.shtml Latest Research St. Louis, July 15, 2007 — In recent years, sports hernias have sidelined many high-level athletes for months and, occasionally, prevented a return to competitive sports all together. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that surgical repair of sports hernias using tension-free mesh, coupled with an innovative rehabilitation program, successfully returned athletes to competition in 93 percent of cases. Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Sports-hernia-repair-surgery-plus-innovative-rehab-program-helps-athletes-return-to-play_52067.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Macrochem-acquires-option-to-license-pexiganan_51290.shtml Latest Research WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MacroChem Corporation (OTCBB: MACM - News) today announced that it has signed an exclusive option to acquire exclusive worldwide license rights for drug uses of pexiganan, a novel, small peptide anti-infective for topical treatment of patients with mild diabetic foot infection (DFI), from Genaera Corporation (Genaera). Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Macrochem-acquires-option-to-license-pexiganan_51290.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/How-pain-distracts-the-brain_50376.shtml Latest Research Anybody whoÂ’s tried to concentrate on work while suffering a headache knows that pain compellingly commands attention—which is how evolution helped ensure survival in a painful world. Now, researchers have pinpointed the brain region responsible for painÂ’s ability to affect cognitive processing. They have found that this pain-related brain region is distinct from the one involved in cognitive processing interference due to a distracting memory task. Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/How-pain-distracts-the-brain_50376.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/SSRI-antidepressants-do-not-pose-major-birth-defect-risk_47931.shtml Latest Research Boston, MA -- Researchers from Boston UniversityÂ’s Slone Epidemiology Center have found that certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants do not appear to increase the risk for most kinds of birth defects. The findings, to be published in the June 28, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that individual SSRIs may increase the risk for some specific defects, but these are rare and the absolute risks are small. Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/SSRI-antidepressants-do-not-pose-major-birth-defect-risk_47931.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Community-Oncology-explores-pitched-debate-over-anemia-fighting-drugs_47806.shtml Latest Research The June issue of ElsevierÂ’s Community Oncology takes an in-depth look at the charge that ESAs, generally considered vital to cancer patientsÂ’ quality of life, are overprescribed for profit. Scientists, oncologists, and critics of oncologists are in a heated debate now over the use of ESAs, or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents—drugs that fight anemia by boosting levels of oxygen-carrying red blood cells and the protein hemoglobin. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Community-Oncology-explores-pitched-debate-over-anemia-fighting-drugs_47806.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/More-than-just-bare-bones----New-research-suggests-emotions-can-affect-recovery-from-hip-surgery_47841.shtml Latest Research ST. LOUIS -- A patientÂ’s emotional state plays a significant role in his or her recovery from hip surgery, suggests Saint Louis University research published this month. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/More-than-just-bare-bones----New-research-suggests-emotions-can-affect-recovery-from-hip-surgery_47841.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Further-legitimization-of-fibromyalgia-as-a-true-medical-condition_47677.shtml Latest Research Philadelphia, June 25, 2007 -- Fibromyalgia, a chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues accompanied by fatigue, is a fairly common condition that does not manifest any structural damage in an organ. Twenty-five years ago, Muhammad B. Yunus, MD, and colleagues published the first controlled study of the clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia syndrome. That seminal article, published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, led directly to formal recognition of this disease by the medical community. In the June 2007 issue of Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, Dr. Yunus once again makes an enormous contribution to the field of chronic pain and fatigue by meticulously synthesizing and interpreting the extensive body of scientific literature on fibromyalgia and his own insights into the concept of central sensitivity syndromes (CSS). Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Further-legitimization-of-fibromyalgia-as-a-true-medical-condition_47677.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/K-State-researcher-examining-why-common-anti-inflammatory-drugs-harm-intestines_40219.shtml Latest Research MANHATTAN, KAN. -- New versions of drugs like buffered aspirin and Vioxx could produce fewer harmful side effects thanks to research being done at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/K-State-researcher-examining-why-common-anti-inflammatory-drugs-harm-intestines_40219.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Old-memory-traces-in-brain-may-trigger-chronic-pain_38120.shtml Latest Research CHICAGO --- Why do so many people continue to suffer from life-altering, chronic pain long after their injuries have actually healed Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Old-memory-traces-in-brain-may-trigger-chronic-pain_38120.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Detecting-cold-feeling-pain-Study-reveals-why-menthol-feels-fresh_37350.shtml Latest Research Scientists have identified the receptor in cells of the peripheral nervous system that is most responsible for the body's ability to sense cold. Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Detecting-cold-feeling-pain-Study-reveals-why-menthol-feels-fresh_37350.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Smokeless-cannabis-delivery-device-efficient-and-less-toxic_30480.shtml Latest Research A smokeless cannabis-vaporizing device delivers the same level of active therapeutic chemical and produces the same biological effect as smoking cannabis, but without the harmful toxins, according to UCSF researchers. Tue, 15 May 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Smokeless-cannabis-delivery-device-efficient-and-less-toxic_30480.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Stenting-of-abdominal-arteries-offers-welcome-relief-for-intestinal-angina_30650.shtml Latest Research (May 11, 2007—ORLANDO, FL)—Using catheter techniques perfected in the arteries of the heart, interventional cardiologists are successfully treating chronic mesenteric ischemia, a condition akin to intestinal angina. According to a study reported at the 30th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), May 9–12, 2007, in Orlando, FL, angioplasty and stenting of clogged arteries in the abdomen successfully restored blood flow to the intestines and relieved painful symptoms in more than 90 percent of patients, without major complications. Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Stenting-of-abdominal-arteries-offers-welcome-relief-for-intestinal-angina_30650.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Counseling-coping-skills-could-reduce-arthritis-disability_31398.shtml Latest Research Arthritis sufferers who undergo psychological counseling and learn skills for coping with pain have less disability and better quality of life, according to a new systematic review. Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Counseling-coping-skills-could-reduce-arthritis-disability_31398.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/BEMA-Fentanyl-demonstrates-substantial-transmucosal-delivery_30368.shtml Latest Research Morrisville, North Carolina, May 7, 2007 -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI) announced the results of a 12 subject, crossover study comparing the absorption of fentanyl from both single and multiple BEMA™ Fentanyl discs, as well as oral and intravenous doses of fentanyl. The data demonstrates that the absolute bioavailability (i.e. the total amount absorbed from the delivery system) of fentanyl through the BEMA disc was more than 70%, with 50% absorbed through the buccal mucosa (the inner lining of the cheek). The study further demonstrates that equal doses administered as either a single disc or multiple discs produced nearly identical plasma concentrations (i.e. two 200 mcg discs provided nearly equivalent plasma concentrations as one 400 mcg disc, etc.) Mon, 07 May 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/BEMA-Fentanyl-demonstrates-substantial-transmucosal-delivery_30368.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Scripps-research-team-sheds-light-on-long-sought-cold-sensation-gene_30266.shtml Latest Research The discovery, reported in the May 3 issue of the journal Neuron, might one day lead to the development of drugs that induce cold sensation as an analgesic, or block it to prevent certain forms of chronic pain associated with cold sensation. Wed, 02 May 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Scripps-research-team-sheds-light-on-long-sought-cold-sensation-gene_30266.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Does-execution-by-lethal-injection-involve-conscious-asphyxiation_31705.shtml Latest Research Execution by lethal injection may cause death by asphyxiation, and prisoners being executed may be conscious and may experience pain, claim the authors of a new study published this week in PLoS Medicine. Leonidas Koniaris and colleagues from the University of Miami assessed data from two US states that release information on executions together with previously published work on the drugs used in the protocols for lethal injections. They conclude that these protocols may not reliably effect death through the mechanisms intended. Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Does-execution-by-lethal-injection-involve-conscious-asphyxiation_31705.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Did-drug-reps-encourage-doctors-to-prescribe-gabapentin-for-nonapproved-uses_32952.shtml Latest Research A new study published in PLoS Medicine suggests that so-called detail visits to doctors made by drug company representatives can involve promotion of drugs for non-approved, off-label uses. This may subsequently result in increased prescribing of the drugs for such purposes. Michael Steinman and colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco based their study on visits to doctors made by representatives of the company Parke-Davis between 1995 and 1998 to promote the drug gabapentin. Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Did-drug-reps-encourage-doctors-to-prescribe-gabapentin-for-nonapproved-uses_32952.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Morphine-kills-the-pain-not-the-patient_32825.shtml Latest Research Professional and public anxieties about the effects of morphine continue to hinder adequate prescribing of this vital painkiller for genuine pain relief, claims a Comment in this week's edition of The Lancet. Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Morphine-kills-the-pain-not-the-patient_32825.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Tai-Chi-boosts-immunity-to-shingles-virus-in-older-adults-NIH-sponsored-study-reports_32234.shtml Latest Research Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese form of exercise, may help older adults avoid getting shingles by increasing immunity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and boosting the immune response to varicella vaccine in older adults, according to a new study publishsed in print this week in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. This National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study is the first rigorous clinical trial to suggest that a behavioral intervention, alone or in combination with a vaccine, can help protect older adults from VZV, which causes both chickenpox and shingles. Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Tai-Chi-boosts-immunity-to-shingles-virus-in-older-adults-NIH-sponsored-study-reports_32234.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Researchers-call-for-national-database-of-epidural-complications_31946.shtml Latest Research Researchers have called for a national database to be set up to identify major complications arising from epidural pain relief after a small number of serious problems were identified during a six-year UK study, according to the April issue of Anaesthesia. Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Researchers-call-for-national-database-of-epidural-complications_31946.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/MS-patients-need-better-socio-economic-support-as-well-as-medical-care_32345.shtml Latest Research People with multiple sclerosis need much more practical help and better care support, according to a study published in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing. Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/MS-patients-need-better-socio-economic-support-as-well-as-medical-care_32345.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Headache-related-work-absences-have-a-considerable-socio-economic-effect_32965.shtml Latest Research Eight out of ten people who took part in a study carried out by a specialist headache centre felt they were much less effective at work and 91 per cent said they felt hampered by headaches on a daily basis, according to the March issue of Cephalalgia. Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Headache-related-work-absences-have-a-considerable-socio-economic-effect_32965.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Women-need-expanded-musculoskeletal-care-during-pregnancy-study-finds_31630.shtml Latest Research (Arlington, Va.) -- Despite the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, few women in underserved populations receive treatment for their low back pain, according to a February 2007 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). Moreover, researchers found that pain in a previous pregnancy may predict a high risk for musculoskeletal complaints in future pregnancies. Tue, 06 Mar 2007 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Women-need-expanded-musculoskeletal-care-during-pregnancy-study-finds_31630.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/McGovern-Institute-Scolnick-Prize-awarded-to-David-Julius_36397.shtml Latest Research CAMBRIDGE, MA. Feb 27, 2007 – The McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT announced today that David Julius, a physiologist at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), will be the 2007 recipient of the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience. The Scolnick prize is awarded each year by the McGovern Institute to recognize an individual who has made outstanding advances in the field of neuroscience. Dr. Julius, who a is a professor and vice chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at USCF, receives the 2007 prize for his discovery of the molecular receptors for temperature and inflammatory pain. Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/McGovern-Institute-Scolnick-Prize-awarded-to-David-Julius_36397.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-device-safeguards-against-medication-errors-at-home_47536.shtml Latest Research CAMDEN -- Patients suffering from chronic illness such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and depression, can take six-to-nine different medications a day – oftentimes more. Skipped doses, misinterpretation or labels, or confusion over what pills to take at what time can be fatal. Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-device-safeguards-against-medication-errors-at-home_47536.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-finds-surfing-safer-than-soccer_36279.shtml Latest Research Providence, RI -- While public perception may frame surfing as a dangerous sport, new research begs to differ. In the first study of its kind, researchers have computed the rate of injury among competitive surfers and found they are less prone to harm than collegiate soccer or basketball players. Led by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School, the findings of the study are published in the January 2007 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Tue, 02 Jan 2007 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-finds-surfing-safer-than-soccer_36279.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Genetic-mechanism-helps-explain-chronic-pain-disorders_31019.shtml Latest Research CHAPEL HILL - Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that commonly occurring variations of a gene trigger a domino effect in chronic pain disorders. The finding might lead to more effective treatments for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) and other chronic pain conditions. Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Genetic-mechanism-helps-explain-chronic-pain-disorders_31019.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Psychological-treatments-improve-outcomes-for-back-pain-sufferers_31493.shtml Latest Research Psychological interventions for chronic low back pain are effective, a new review of studies has found. Not only do these approaches improve psychological outcomes such as depression and health-related quality of life, they also reduce patients' experience of pain. Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Psychological-treatments-improve-outcomes-for-back-pain-sufferers_31493.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/paincontrol/Pain-control-is-a-mind-game_9433.shtml Pain Control 40 pain-free volunteers took part in an experiment funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign using an artificial pain stimulus, and were led to expect reduced pain after the application of a cream which was actually a placebo. Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:39:51 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/paincontrol/Pain-control-is-a-mind-game_9433.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Pain-relief-effectiveness-down-to-mind-set_30247.shtml Latest Research Research by the Human Pain Research Group at The University of Manchester suggests that people's responses to placebo or 'dummy' pain relief varies according to their way of thinking. Thu, 21 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Pain-relief-effectiveness-down-to-mind-set_30247.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Workers-compensation-ratings--dont-accurately-predict-disabilities_31354.shtml Latest Research CHAPEL HILL -- A study of settlement decisions in workers' compensation claims for low back pain has found almost no relationship between the rating of the disability's severity when the claim was settlement and reported pain and disability 21 months later. Tue, 19 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Workers-compensation-ratings--dont-accurately-predict-disabilities_31354.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-explains-how-NSAIDs-halt-cancer-growth_30640.shtml Latest Research BOSTON -- Scientists have discovered that induction of a gene known as MDA-7/IL-24 is the molecular mechanism that enables nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to halt the growth of cancer cells, a finding that could eventually lead to the development of targeted cancer treatments. Fri, 15 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-explains-how-NSAIDs-halt-cancer-growth_30640.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Best-of-both-worlds----Targeting-a-single-gene-could-inhibit-bone-decay-and-stimulate-bone-growth_31338.shtml Latest Research (PHILADELPHIA) -- Researchers at the University of PennsylvaniaÂ’s School of Medicine have found by targeting the function of a single gene that it is possible to inhibit bone decay while simultaneously stimulating bone formation. This concept may lead to drug treatments for osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Senior author Yongwon Choi, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues report their findings in the December issue of Nature Medicine. Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Best-of-both-worlds----Targeting-a-single-gene-could-inhibit-bone-decay-and-stimulate-bone-growth_31338.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Origin-of-inherited-pain-disorder-pinpointed_30486.shtml Latest Research The genetic basis for a rare inherited disorder that causes severe burning pain with no warning has been pinpointed by researchers. They found that paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD) is caused by specific mutations in porelike sodium channels in peripheral nerve cells—a discovery that they said emphasizes the role of such channel disorders in inflammatory pain. Such findings of abnormal function in disease also provide insights into the normal function of such channels, they said. Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Origin-of-inherited-pain-disorder-pinpointed_30486.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Low-impact-aerobic-exercise-reduces-fatigue-in-auto-immune-conditions-says-multi-study-review_41674.shtml Latest Research Low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking and cycling, can effectively reduce fatigue in adults with chronic auto-immune conditions, according to a research review in the latest issue of the UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing. Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Low-impact-aerobic-exercise-reduces-fatigue-in-auto-immune-conditions-says-multi-study-review_41674.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Hypnosis-helps-women-cope-with-breast-biopsy_47476.shtml Latest Research CHICAGO -- Radiologists are using an unusual approach, hypnosis, to ease patient pain and anxiety during breast biopsy procedures. A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston found that women who were guided into a state of hypnotic relaxation during biopsy experienced less pain and anxiety during the procedure. The study was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Hypnosis-helps-women-cope-with-breast-biopsy_47476.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Spacer-insertion-may-offer-less-invasive-option-for-lumbar-problems_42005.shtml Latest Research Implanting a small spacer between lumbar vertebrae during a procedure called interspinous process decompression may be an effective and minimally invasive way to treat spinal stenosis, according to a new report. Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Spacer-insertion-may-offer-less-invasive-option-for-lumbar-problems_42005.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Chronic-back-pain-linked-to-changes-in-the-brain_47470.shtml Latest Research CHICAGO -- A German research team using a specialized imaging technique revealed that individuals suffering from chronic low back pain also had microstructural changes in their brains. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Chronic-back-pain-linked-to-changes-in-the-brain_47470.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Aching-back-Sitting-up-straight-could-be-the-culprit_47467.shtml Latest Research CHICAGO -- Researchers are using a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show that sitting in an upright position places unnecessary strain on your back, leading to potentially chronic pain problems if you spend long hours sitting. The study, conducted at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Mon, 27 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Aching-back-Sitting-up-straight-could-be-the-culprit_47467.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Enbrel-first-biologic-with-up-to-9-years-rheumatoid-arthritis-safety-sustained-efficacy-data_46840.shtml Latest Research THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., November 12, 2006 -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced that Enbrel? (etanercept) is the first biologic with published data to show improvements in multiple measures of efficacy that were sustained in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients completing up to nine years of therapy. These new data are being presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. Mon, 13 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Enbrel-first-biologic-with-up-to-9-years-rheumatoid-arthritis-safety-sustained-efficacy-data_46840.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Antioxidants-New-kid-on-the-block-for-pain-relief_46371.shtml Latest Research COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Antioxidant-based pain killers may one day become a viable alternative to addictive medications such as morphine. Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Antioxidants-New-kid-on-the-block-for-pain-relief_46371.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-biologic-treatment-for-tennis-elbow-may-replace-surgery-for-chronic-sufferers_40888.shtml Latest Research Rosemont, Ill. – October 23, 2006 – A person suffering from tennis elbow may not have to look any further than his or her own body for the most effective treatment, according to a study published in the November issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine. Mon, 23 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-biologic-treatment-for-tennis-elbow-may-replace-surgery-for-chronic-sufferers_40888.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Molecule-discovered-to-be-key-to-pain-sensitivity_45494.shtml Latest Research Sensitivity to pain and the risk of developing chronic pain appear to be influenced by levels of a molecule known to be required for the production of major neurotransmitters. In the November issue of Nature Medicine, an international research team based at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) describes this unexpected role for the molecule called BH4 and their findings that a particular set of variations in a human gene involved in synthesizing the molecule appears to reduce pain sensitivity. Sun, 22 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Molecule-discovered-to-be-key-to-pain-sensitivity_45494.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Gene-variation-affects-pain-sensitivity-and-risk-of-chronic-pain_45888.shtml Latest Research A new NIH-funded study shows that a specific gene variant in humans affects both sensitivity to short-term (acute) pain in healthy volunteers and the risk of developing chronic pain after one kind of back surgery. Blocking increased activity of this gene after nerve injury or inflammation in animals prevented development of chronic pain. Sun, 22 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Gene-variation-affects-pain-sensitivity-and-risk-of-chronic-pain_45888.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/paincontrol/Prescription_pain_medication_abuse_on_rise_5074_5074.shtml Pain Control Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found prescription pain medication (PPM) abuse is a rapidly growing problem with surprising and often unpredictable distribution patterns. The research was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Anesthesiologists in Chicago, October 13, 2006. Tue, 17 Oct 2006 02:16:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/paincontrol/Prescription_pain_medication_abuse_on_rise_5074_5074.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-study-reveals-postcode-lottery-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment_46574.shtml Latest Research New research published in the medical journal Rheumatology [1] today (11 October 2006) reveals that, despite the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) approving anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) therapy for RA in 2002, many primary care trusts are refusing to fund it adequately or are putting a cap on the numbers of patients that can be treated. Wed, 11 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-study-reveals-postcode-lottery-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment_46574.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Spinal-cord-stimulators-tested-as-treatment-for-patients-with-migraine-headaches_47633.shtml Latest Research Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are testing a new treatment for migraine headaches: occipital nerve stimulation, a surgical procedure in which an implanted neurostimulator delivers electrical impulses to nerves under the skin at the base of the head at the back of the neck. Wed, 27 Sep 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Spinal-cord-stimulators-tested-as-treatment-for-patients-with-migraine-headaches_47633.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Studies-provide-new-evidence-on-risks-associated-with-Cox-2-inhibitors-and-NSAIDs_36060.shtml Latest Research Two new review studies evaluating the safety of the pain-relieving medications selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) find increased cardiovascular and kidney risks. The studies and an accompanying editorial were posted online today by JAMA because of the public health implications of the findings. The articles will appear in the October 4 print issue of JAMA. Tue, 12 Sep 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Studies-provide-new-evidence-on-risks-associated-with-Cox-2-inhibitors-and-NSAIDs_36060.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Migraine-treatment-also-appears-effective-for-cluster-headaches_36022.shtml Latest Research Zolmitriptan nasal spray, used to treat migraine headaches, also may be safe and effective in treating painful cluster headaches, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the November 2006 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Mon, 11 Sep 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Migraine-treatment-also-appears-effective-for-cluster-headaches_36022.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Even-Superman-couldnt-win-battle-with-pressure-ulcers_41383.shtml Latest Research Toronto –- While pressure ulcers are common among people with impaired mobility, a new study has found surprisingly inadequate scientific evidence on the best strategies to prevent them. Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Even-Superman-couldnt-win-battle-with-pressure-ulcers_41383.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/NICE-gives-backing-for-the-use-of-advanced-biological-therapies-to-treat-severe-psoriasis_44949.shtml Latest Research NICE's announcement comes as welcome relief to the thousands of UK patients who have exhausted current available treatment options and failed to sustain a long-term benefit. It is a positive sign for patients throughout Europe, whose healthcare systems are influenced by NICE decisions. Leeroy Blake in England was fortunate enough to be offered treatment with a biological therapy, after years of trying every other available psoriasis treatment: For many years, I tried every suitable treatment but nothing seemed to relieve the painful itching. As the itching got worse, I would get more stressed and this only made my condition worse. Following a treatment review with my doctor, I was prescribed a biological therapy and for the first time since developing psoriasis, my skin started to clear and my confidence came back. This treatment might not be suitable for everyone with severe psoriasis, but I think that it's important that patients at least discuss this option with their doctor. Wed, 26 Jul 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/NICE-gives-backing-for-the-use-of-advanced-biological-therapies-to-treat-severe-psoriasis_44949.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Research-adds-weight-to-growing-pains-in-children_47303.shtml Latest Research While little has been known about the profile of children affected by growing pains, it is a common childhood condition that results in frequent visits to health professionals, according to researcher Dr Angela Evans fromUniSA's School of Health Science. Tue, 25 Jul 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Research-adds-weight-to-growing-pains-in-children_47303.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Columbia-University-researchers-discover-on-off-switch-for-chronic-pain_42472.shtml Latest Research New York, NY, July 19, 2006 -- Chronic pain affects approximately 48 million people in the U.S. and current medications are either largely ineffective or have serious side effects. But researchers from Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a protein in nerve cells that acts as a switch for chronic pain, and have applied for a patent to develop a new class of drugs that will block chronic pain by turning this switch off. The discovery is published on the website of the journal Neuroscience, and will appear in the publication's August issue. Wed, 19 Jul 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Columbia-University-researchers-discover-on-off-switch-for-chronic-pain_42472.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-research-addresses-taboos-around-the-impact-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-on-patients-sex-lives_43151.shtml Latest Research Around a third of patients (31%) reported no impact on sexual activity, with an additional 38% reporting only 'little' impact. In contrast, 21% reported their condition as having a considerable impact on their sexuality, with one in 10 reporting their rheumatoid arthritis made sexual activity either almost or totally impossible. Sat, 24 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/New-research-addresses-taboos-around-the-impact-of-rheumatoid-arthritis-on-patients-sex-lives_43151.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/The-unknown-risks-of-arthritis_43153.shtml Latest Research INCREASED HEART ATTACK RISKS IN RA PATIENTS DESPITE CHANGES IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/The-unknown-risks-of-arthritis_43153.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Device-effective-in-zapping-the-pain-out-of-migraines_46405.shtml Latest Research Results of a study found that the experimental device appears to be effective in eliminating the headache when administered during the onset of the migraine. Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Device-effective-in-zapping-the-pain-out-of-migraines_46405.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Natural-pine-bark-extract-relieves-muscle-cramp-and-pain-in-athletes-and-diabetics_45512.shtml Latest Research With the millions of athletes worldwide, this truly is a profound breakthrough and extremely significant for all individuals interested in muscle cramp and pain relief with a natural approach. These findings indicate that Pycnogenol can play an important role in sports by improving blood flow to the muscles and hastening post-exercise recovery, said Dr. Peter Rohdewald, a lead researcher of the study. Thu, 15 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Natural-pine-bark-extract-relieves-muscle-cramp-and-pain-in-athletes-and-diabetics_45512.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Transporter-is-possible-target-for-safer-pain-medicine_45426.shtml Latest Research Opioid peptides are natural pain relievers with receptors – first identified because they react to opium – throughout the body, says Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy, chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Georgia. Studies have shown, for example, opioid peptide levels increase during childbirth. Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Transporter-is-possible-target-for-safer-pain-medicine_45426.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Studies-unclear-whether-spinal-cement-procedure-improves-back-pain_42007.shtml Latest Research The procedure, known as percutaneous kyphoplasty, does seem to expand areas of collapsed backbone and restore some vertebral height in patients with osteoporosis, although the studies did not offer enough information to precisely measure the magnitude of these improvements, the researchers found. Fri, 12 May 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Studies-unclear-whether-spinal-cement-procedure-improves-back-pain_42007.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Protein-expression-holds-promise-for-head-and-neck-cancer-detection_45412.shtml Latest Research Studies comparing protein expression in 78 patients with head and neck cancer to 68 healthy controls revealed numerous differences in protein expression, Medical College of Georgia researchers say. Wed, 10 May 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Protein-expression-holds-promise-for-head-and-neck-cancer-detection_45412.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Minimally-invasive-approach-can-take-the-pain-out-of-herniated-disks_45407.shtml Latest Research The loss can mean gelatinous disk innards start bulging out, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain in the lower back and legs, says Dr. Jeffrey A. Stone, chief of the Section of Interventional Neuroradiology at the Medical College of Georgia. Mon, 01 May 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Minimally-invasive-approach-can-take-the-pain-out-of-herniated-disks_45407.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Brain-differences-could-explain-why-males-and-females-experience-pain-relief-differently_43847.shtml Latest Research The finding, reported in the April 13 issue of the Journal of Comparative Neurology, is the first report of specific differences in the parts of the brain responsible for the transmission of pain sensations in the body. The study used rat brains, but a host of clinical evidence suggests that similar differences occur in humans – in other words, this finding could eventually lead to the development of differential treatments for pain in men versus women. Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Brain-differences-could-explain-why-males-and-females-experience-pain-relief-differently_43847.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/COX-2-inhibitors-significantly-reduce-risk-of-cancer_46441.shtml Latest Research The study findings were released today at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. Mon, 03 Apr 2006 04:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/COX-2-inhibitors-significantly-reduce-risk-of-cancer_46441.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Drug-shown-to-provide-much-needed-alternative-therapy-for-chronic-shoulder-pain_42475.shtml Latest Research The study was presented today at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in Chicago by Theodore Blaine, M.D., assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Columbia University Medical Center and an attending surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Fri, 24 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Drug-shown-to-provide-much-needed-alternative-therapy-for-chronic-shoulder-pain_42475.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Wasabis-kick-linked-to-single-pain-receptor_42418.shtml Latest Research The sensory receptor also underlies the response to a variety of environmental irritants, such as acrolein, the researchers report. Acrolein accounts for the toxic and inflammatory actions of tear gas, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and the byproducts of some chemotherapy drugs widely used in the treatment of cancer, severe arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. The insights therefore suggest potential new avenues for the development of anti-inflammatory and pain medications, according to the researchers. Thu, 23 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Wasabis-kick-linked-to-single-pain-receptor_42418.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Obese-people-are-more-sensitive-to-pain-suggests-study_46474.shtml Latest Research All of the older adults who completed the study had osteoarthritis of the knee, a disease that causes inflammation and extreme pain in the knees. Wed, 01 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Obese-people-are-more-sensitive-to-pain-suggests-study_46474.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Efficacy-of-glucosamine-and-chondroitin-sulfate-may-depend-on-level-of-osteoarthritis-pain_45715.shtml Latest Research GAIT is another example of NIH's commitment to exploring the potential of complementary and alternative medicine to prevent and treat disease in a manner that is fair, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous, said Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., NIH Director. Wed, 22 Feb 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Efficacy-of-glucosamine-and-chondroitin-sulfate-may-depend-on-level-of-osteoarthritis-pain_45715.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Pittsburgh-researchers-discover-that-certain-chemicals-in-the-blood-may-indicate-brain-injury_42073.shtml Latest Research Infants with shaken baby syndrome (SBS) – the most common cause of severe traumatic brain injuries in young children – are often misdiagnosed because doctors rarely receive a history that an infant has been shaken, the patients are too young to talk, and the symptoms such as vomiting and fussiness are common in many childhood illnesses. Infants who are misdiagnosed may be inadvertently returned to a violent caretaker and be re-injured, sometimes with fatal consequences. Wed, 15 Feb 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Pittsburgh-researchers-discover-that-certain-chemicals-in-the-blood-may-indicate-brain-injury_42073.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Imaging-changes-treatment-for-lower-back-pain_47478.shtml Latest Research Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) shows abnormal activity of cells in the spine, which can help doctors identify problems that may be causing a patient's symptoms. Tue, 31 Jan 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Imaging-changes-treatment-for-lower-back-pain_47478.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-finds-nerve-damage-in-previously-mysterious-chronic-pain-syndrome_36387.shtml Latest Research This sort of small-fiber degeneration has been found in every nerve pain condition ever studied, including postherpetic neuralgia and neuropathies associated with diabetes and HIV infection, says Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Nerve Injury Unit, who led the study. The nerve damage in those conditions has been much more severe, which may be why it's been so hard to detect CRPS-I-related nerve damage. Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Study-finds-nerve-damage-in-previously-mysterious-chronic-pain-syndrome_36387.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Master-genetic-switch-found-for-chronic-pain_35414.shtml Latest Research In their experiments, Qiufu Ma and colleagues studied the Runx1 gene because past research had shown it to code for a protein transcription factor, which is a master regulator of multiple genes. Runx1 is one of a group of proteins that are key players involved in transmitting external sensory information, like pain and the perception of movement, to the spinal cord. In two other related papers in the same issue, Silvia Arber and colleagues and Tom Jessell and colleagues examine related aspects of the biological importance underlying the Runx transcription factors. Wed, 25 Jan 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Master-genetic-switch-found-for-chronic-pain_35414.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Studies-confirm-effectiveness-of-fentanyl-lozenges-for-breakthrough-cancer-pain_35382.shtml Latest Research When compared to placebo and morphine, participants gave lower pain intensity scores and higher pain relief scores for (the fentanyl lozenge) at all time points, concluded the review led by Giovambattista Zeppetella, M.D., of the St. Clare Hospice in England. Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Studies-confirm-effectiveness-of-fentanyl-lozenges-for-breakthrough-cancer-pain_35382.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Practice-makes-deadly-perfection-FSU-suicide-researcher-says_35507.shtml Latest Research Florida State University Bright-Burton Professor of Psychology Thomas Joiner has spent much of his career trying to find out why. After all, lots of people are hopeless and depressed, many severely. Why do some people choose to end their own lives and others don't? The answer, he believes, could save lives. Wed, 11 Jan 2006 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Practice-makes-deadly-perfection-FSU-suicide-researcher-says_35507.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/paincontrol/Cancer_patients_benefit_from_art_therapy_3084_3084.shtml Pain Control A study published today in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that art therapy can reduce a broad spectrum of symptoms related to pain and anxiety in cancer patients. In the study done at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, cancer patients reported significant reductions in eight of nine symptoms measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) after spending an hour working on art projects of their choice. Fifty patients from the inpatient oncology unit at Northwestern Memorial were enrolled in the study over a four-month period. The ESAS is a numeric scale allowing patients to assess their symptoms of pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, lack of appetite, well-being and shortness of breath. Eight of these nine symptoms improved; nausea was the only symptom that did not change as a result of the art therapy session. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 20:33:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/paincontrol/Cancer_patients_benefit_from_art_therapy_3084_3084.shtml http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Vertebroplasty-improves-back-pain-activity-level-Mayo-Clinic-study-reports_45474.shtml Latest Research These findings give us as good evidence as there is -- in a study without a group receiving another or no treatment for comparison -- that patients are more functional for up to a year after vertebroplasty than before vertebroplasty, says David Kallmes, M.D., the Mayo Clinic neuroradiologist who led the study. Thu, 29 Dec 2005 05:00:00 PST http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/Vertebroplasty-improves-back-pain-activity-level-Mayo-Clinic-study-reports_45474.shtml