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Health - Pharmacology - 17.07.2023
Pharmacology - Health - 14.07.2023 
Men who previously used antidepressants significantly more likely to need them after having a child
New fathers are over 30 times more likely to take antidepressants in the first year after having a child, if they have a recent history of the treatment, finds a new study by UCL researchers. The research, published in JAMA Network Open , analysed information from over 500,000 primary care electronic health records from the IQVIA Medical Research Database, from January 2007 to December 2016.
Health - Pharmacology - 13.07.2023
Pharmacology - Health - 06.07.2023 
Researchers exhibit drug monitoring device at Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
A new drug-monitoring tool, developed by a consortium including UCL researchers, calculates how much cancer medicine is in a patient's blood to help reduce heart problems and other side effects experienced by children in the UK who receive chemotherapy drugs. Researchers from all around the UK have descended on London this week to exhibit at The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, which runs until 11 July.
Health - Pharmacology - 06.07.2023 
Unlocking the mystery of long-lasting cancer treatment
Scientists, including UCL experts, have found new insights into why some children have a longer remission than others after receiving CAR T-cell therapy for leukaemia. The collaborative research project, published in Nature Medicine , used clinical expertise and state-of-the-art computational analysis to identify a genetic signature of CAR T-cells that will be the most effective in the long term.
Health - Pharmacology - 06.07.2023
Pharmacology - Health - 05.07.2023
Pharmacology - Health - 05.07.2023 
Study links overuse of antibiotics with severe COVID-19 side effects
Frequent and diverse use of antibiotics may be associated with developing more severe outcomes after a COVID-19 infection, including death, a study led by University of Manchester scientists has shown. The findings, funded by Health Data Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) , is published in eClinical medicine, act as a warning against the overuse of antibiotics in people.
Health - Pharmacology - 03.07.2023
Health - Pharmacology - 28.06.2023
Health - Pharmacology - 28.06.2023
Life Sciences - Pharmacology - 27.06.2023 
Chemical imbalance in the forebrain underpins compulsive behaviour and OCD
Neuroscientists say that the findings are a -major piece of the puzzle- in understanding OCD, and could open up new lines of treatment. The results suggest new strategies for medication in OCD based on available drugs that regulate glutamate Trevor Robbins Scientists at the University of Cambridge have used powerful new brain imaging techniques to reveal a neurochemical imbalance within regions of the frontal lobes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Health - Pharmacology - 27.06.2023
Health - Pharmacology - 27.06.2023 
’Ageing’ immune cell levels could predict how well we respond to vaccines
Cambridge scientists have identified a signature in the blood that could help predict how well an individual will respond to vaccines. The discovery, published today in Nature Communications , may explain why, even among vulnerable patient groups, some individuals have better responses to vaccines than others.
Health - Pharmacology - 23.06.2023
Health - Pharmacology - 21.06.2023
Health - Pharmacology - 16.06.2023 
Major step forward reduces mortality in kidney failure patients
Mortality in patients with kidney failure has been found to be 23% lower among those treated with high dose haemodiafiltration compared to those treated with high flux haemodialysis, according to new research from the CONVINCE consortium led by University Medical Center Utrecht. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine , is the first international, randomised trial to compare the two treatments.
Health - Pharmacology - 14.06.2023
Pharmacology - Health - 09.06.2023
Health - Pharmacology - 09.06.2023 
Global study highlights deaths of newborn babies from sepsis
A global observational study co-led by UCL, which involved more than 3,200 newborn babies suffering from sepsis in 19 hospitals in 11 countries, has shown that many newborns are dying because the antibiotics used to treat sepsis are losing their effectiveness. The study, conducted from 2018 to 2020, found there was high mortality among infants with culture-positive* sepsis (almost 1 in 5 across the hospital sites), and a significant burden of antibiotic resistance.
Pharmacology
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Significant rise in ADHD diagnoses in the UK
Both ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions for ADHD medication have increased significantly over the past two decades, except in children under five, finds a new study by UCL researchers. The research, published in BJPsych Open, reviewed data from 7 million individuals aged three to 99, from IQVIA Medical Research Data, a UK primary care database, between 2000 and 2018.
Both ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions for ADHD medication have increased significantly over the past two decades, except in children under five, finds a new study by UCL researchers. The research, published in BJPsych Open, reviewed data from 7 million individuals aged three to 99, from IQVIA Medical Research Data, a UK primary care database, between 2000 and 2018.
New fathers are over 30 times more likely to take antidepressants in the first year after having a child, if they have a recent history of the treatment, finds a new study by UCL researchers. The research, published in JAMA Network Open , analysed information from over 500,000 primary care electronic health records from the IQVIA Medical Research Database, from January 2007 to December 2016.
Historical medicine suggests a new way to use modern treatments
Combining honey and vinegar could be an old, yet new, way of treating persistent infections. The mixture of honey and vinegar, also known as oxymel, has been used as a medical treatment throughout history and now scientists have established that this combination could have modern applications in the treatment of wounds.
Combining honey and vinegar could be an old, yet new, way of treating persistent infections. The mixture of honey and vinegar, also known as oxymel, has been used as a medical treatment throughout history and now scientists have established that this combination could have modern applications in the treatment of wounds.
A new drug-monitoring tool, developed by a consortium including UCL researchers, calculates how much cancer medicine is in a patient's blood to help reduce heart problems and other side effects experienced by children in the UK who receive chemotherapy drugs. Researchers from all around the UK have descended on London this week to exhibit at The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, which runs until 11 July.
Scientists, including UCL experts, have found new insights into why some children have a longer remission than others after receiving CAR T-cell therapy for leukaemia. The collaborative research project, published in Nature Medicine , used clinical expertise and state-of-the-art computational analysis to identify a genetic signature of CAR T-cells that will be the most effective in the long term.
Real-world vaccine response in patients with impaired immune systems
OCTAVE study reveals real-world vaccine response in patients with impaired immune systems Updated data from the ongoing OCTAVE study show, for the first time, the real-world vaccine responses and infection outcomes in clinically at-risk patients with a range of immunocompromised or immunosuppressed conditions.
OCTAVE study reveals real-world vaccine response in patients with impaired immune systems Updated data from the ongoing OCTAVE study show, for the first time, the real-world vaccine responses and infection outcomes in clinically at-risk patients with a range of immunocompromised or immunosuppressed conditions.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as a second dose generates high immune response in young people
Researchers running the University of Oxford-led Com-COV3 study have reported the results of a study assessing the immune response and side effect profile of 'mixed' two-dose COVID-19 vaccine schedules in adolescents aged 12 to 16 years - administering either a full or a one-third (fractional) dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or a full dose of the Novavax vaccine at least eight weeks after a first full dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Researchers running the University of Oxford-led Com-COV3 study have reported the results of a study assessing the immune response and side effect profile of 'mixed' two-dose COVID-19 vaccine schedules in adolescents aged 12 to 16 years - administering either a full or a one-third (fractional) dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or a full dose of the Novavax vaccine at least eight weeks after a first full dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Frequent and diverse use of antibiotics may be associated with developing more severe outcomes after a COVID-19 infection, including death, a study led by University of Manchester scientists has shown. The findings, funded by Health Data Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) , is published in eClinical medicine, act as a warning against the overuse of antibiotics in people.
COVID-19 booster vaccine doses strengthen immunity in blood cancer patients
Research by the University of Southampton into the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people with lymphoma has shown that repeated vaccination increases their ability to prevent infection from the virus, particularly after four doses. The finding, from the two-year PROSECO study , is important because blood cancer patients have compromised immune systems - either as a result of cancer, or from cancer treatments.
Research by the University of Southampton into the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people with lymphoma has shown that repeated vaccination increases their ability to prevent infection from the virus, particularly after four doses. The finding, from the two-year PROSECO study , is important because blood cancer patients have compromised immune systems - either as a result of cancer, or from cancer treatments.
New approach to scale-up manufacturing of life-saving oligonucleotide therapeutics
Scientists have developed a new approach to produce life-saving oligonucleotide therapeutics on a large scale, in high purity, and with minimal environmental impacts. Therapeutic oligonucleotides are an emerging class of drug molecules that have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases. The finding, by The University of Manchester, will facilitate large-scale production of oligonucleotides to ensure the widest possible access of these drugs for patients.
Scientists have developed a new approach to produce life-saving oligonucleotide therapeutics on a large scale, in high purity, and with minimal environmental impacts. Therapeutic oligonucleotides are an emerging class of drug molecules that have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases. The finding, by The University of Manchester, will facilitate large-scale production of oligonucleotides to ensure the widest possible access of these drugs for patients.
AI-generated nanoparticles prove capable of delivering modern medicines to diseased cells
New research from Cardiff University, in collaboration with Astra Zeneca, used artificial intelligence to create microscopic particles which can effectively transport medicines to precisely target and treat diseased cells. The team say their work has potential future applications in treating genetic diseases and cancer as well as infectious disease.
New research from Cardiff University, in collaboration with Astra Zeneca, used artificial intelligence to create microscopic particles which can effectively transport medicines to precisely target and treat diseased cells. The team say their work has potential future applications in treating genetic diseases and cancer as well as infectious disease.
Neuroscientists say that the findings are a -major piece of the puzzle- in understanding OCD, and could open up new lines of treatment. The results suggest new strategies for medication in OCD based on available drugs that regulate glutamate Trevor Robbins Scientists at the University of Cambridge have used powerful new brain imaging techniques to reveal a neurochemical imbalance within regions of the frontal lobes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
New mechanism for rapid evolution of multi-drug resistant infections in patients
Artistic illustration showing rod-shaped Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria inside the alveoli air sacs of the lungs. Credit: Shutterstock. A research study led by the University of Oxford provides a transformational new insight into how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerges in patients with bacterial infections.
Artistic illustration showing rod-shaped Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria inside the alveoli air sacs of the lungs. Credit: Shutterstock. A research study led by the University of Oxford provides a transformational new insight into how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emerges in patients with bacterial infections.
Cambridge scientists have identified a signature in the blood that could help predict how well an individual will respond to vaccines. The discovery, published today in Nature Communications , may explain why, even among vulnerable patient groups, some individuals have better responses to vaccines than others.
Cholesterol guidelines and menstrual cycle insights: News from the College
Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From new analysis on combining multiple medications for cholesterol , to research into the mechanisms that control the menstrual cycle , here is some quick-read news from across the College. Cholesterol guidelines Combining multiple medications could help more than half of European patients achieve healthy cholesterol levels, finds new analysis.
Here's a batch of fresh news and announcements from across Imperial. From new analysis on combining multiple medications for cholesterol , to research into the mechanisms that control the menstrual cycle , here is some quick-read news from across the College. Cholesterol guidelines Combining multiple medications could help more than half of European patients achieve healthy cholesterol levels, finds new analysis.
Ovarian cancer study identifies key genes for potential treatments
New research is increasing our understanding about why some women with the most lethal form of ovarian cancer respond better to treatment than others. Researchers at Imperial College London have confirmed that the tumours of some women with high-grade serious ovarian cancer (HGSOC) contain a type of lymphoid tissue - known as tertiary lymphoid structures, or TLS - and that the presence of this tissue gives women a significantly better prognosis.
New research is increasing our understanding about why some women with the most lethal form of ovarian cancer respond better to treatment than others. Researchers at Imperial College London have confirmed that the tumours of some women with high-grade serious ovarian cancer (HGSOC) contain a type of lymphoid tissue - known as tertiary lymphoid structures, or TLS - and that the presence of this tissue gives women a significantly better prognosis.
Mortality in patients with kidney failure has been found to be 23% lower among those treated with high dose haemodiafiltration compared to those treated with high flux haemodialysis, according to new research from the CONVINCE consortium led by University Medical Center Utrecht. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine , is the first international, randomised trial to compare the two treatments.
Analysis: Long COVID - effects on fatigue and quality of life can be comparable to some cancers
Dr Henry Goodfellow (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) explains how Long Covid is continuing to impact the lives of patients both in the UK and globally following the pandemic, in The Conversation. As of March 2023, the Office for National Statistics estimated that 1.7 million people in the UK were living with self-reported long COVID.
Dr Henry Goodfellow (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) explains how Long Covid is continuing to impact the lives of patients both in the UK and globally following the pandemic, in The Conversation. As of March 2023, the Office for National Statistics estimated that 1.7 million people in the UK were living with self-reported long COVID.
’Smart’ drugs can decrease productivity in people who don’t have ADHD
Smart drugs do motivate people, but the added effort can lead to -erratic thinking-, adversely affecting above-average performers, according to researchers. Our results suggest that these drugs don't actually make you -smarter- Peter Bossaerts New research from the University of Cambridge and the University of Melbourne, published in Science Advances , shows neurotypical workers and students taking cognitive enhancers, or -smart- drugs, may actually be inhibiting their performance and productivity.
Smart drugs do motivate people, but the added effort can lead to -erratic thinking-, adversely affecting above-average performers, according to researchers. Our results suggest that these drugs don't actually make you -smarter- Peter Bossaerts New research from the University of Cambridge and the University of Melbourne, published in Science Advances , shows neurotypical workers and students taking cognitive enhancers, or -smart- drugs, may actually be inhibiting their performance and productivity.
A global observational study co-led by UCL, which involved more than 3,200 newborn babies suffering from sepsis in 19 hospitals in 11 countries, has shown that many newborns are dying because the antibiotics used to treat sepsis are losing their effectiveness. The study, conducted from 2018 to 2020, found there was high mortality among infants with culture-positive* sepsis (almost 1 in 5 across the hospital sites), and a significant burden of antibiotic resistance.
