Mayo Clinic Research in the news — 3/15/2021

News stories this week about Mayo Clinic research and highlighting researchers cover several topics including research education, examining the retina to detect dementia, lumbar punctures and opioid management.

State leaders stress the importance of phase II of Prairie Springs Science Center

WXOW, 3/9/2021

Seven state leaders gathered at UW-La Crosse's Crowley Hall Tuesday morning to stress the importance of Prairie Springs Science Center Phase II. … Both CEO at Gundersen Health System Dr. Scott Rathgaber, and Paul Mueller, Regional Vice President of Mayo Health System expressed their endorsement in Phase II.

NOTE: You can read more about this project and remarks from Dr. Mueller in the article.

Should medical schools require a standardized test for admission?

The Pulse, 3/12/2021

… The MCAT may not be useful enough to justify keeping this barrier to medical school, said Amy Oxentenko, chair of internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

“Having a high test score is not synonymous with being a great physician,” she said. “You might have a student who scores very high who just does not perform very well clinically or bedside at all. And on the other hand, I’ve seen people who have low test scores who are phenomenal physicians, so I just don’t think it’s predictive.” …

A retinal photo may provide early warning signs of stroke and dementia

News Medical Life Sciences (via American Heart Association), 3/11/2021

Pictures of the retina may someday provide early warning signs that a person is at an increased risk of stroke and dementia, making it possible to take preventive measures, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2021.

NOTE: The article previews a study being presented at the International Stroke Conference 2021 by lead author Michelle P. Lin, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist. It includes comment from Dr. Lin, who is also a current KL2 Scholar in the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science.

Radiologists Lead the Pack in Lumbar Punctures

Diagnostic Imaging, 3/11/2021

For nearly 15 years, the number of radiologists performing these procedures has continued to climb while other specialties are seeing a decrease.

Radiologists are performing more and more lumbar punctures, according to recently published research.

NOTE: Read the article for more, as well as comments from the study team lead, Derek Johnson, M.D., an assistant professor of radiology and neurology at Mayo Clinic.

Lilly presents trial data on Alzheimer's drug showing promise

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 3/13/2021

… Given the number of previous Alzheimer’s trial failures, “I was surprised and impressed by these results,” said David Knopman, a neurologist and dementia researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He called it “a small but significant clinical benefit” and said the finding needs to be confirmed in another trial.

Optimism Plays a Vital Role in Outcomes for Patients With Cancer

OncLive, 3/14/2021

Evolving data provide provocative support for the relevance of an optimistic vs a pessimistic perspective in influencing outcomes in serious malignant conditions.

Pain Medications in Newly Diagnosed DPN

Diabetes In Control, 3/13/2021

… About half of those living with diabetes are affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Due to their demonstrated effectiveness and safety, clinical recommendations recommend using anticonvulsants, antidepressants (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants), or topical analgesics for painful DPN. In previous research, anticonvulsants were most often administered to newly diagnosed patients with DPNP. Many patients received lower dosages than prescribed, potentially leading to poor results. Initial therapies were also discontinued, reflecting low satisfaction levels and poor tolerability. This study explored pain medication initiation among adults with newly diagnosed DPN to facilitate healthy and evidence-based pain management. …

Mayo Clinic in the news on COVID-19 topics

mRNA vaccines effective at reducing asymptomatic infection risk, Mayo Clinic study finds, Becker's Hospital Review, 3/11/2021
What to do if you are allergic to the Covid vaccine, KAAL, 3/9/2021
Orthodox communities got COVID early. We turned tragedy into science, The Jerusalem Post, 3/11/2021
Gov. Walz lays out major rollback of Minnesota's COVID-19 restrictions, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/12/2021
Here's Why Viral Vector Vaccines Don't Alter DNA, MedPage Today, 3/12/2021
Trust in Public Health Information for Communities of Color, Mpls St Paul Magazine, 3/10/2021
Science Needs More Time to Understand Myocarditis and COVID-19, HCP Live, 3/10/2021
First sign of South African variant in Minnesota adds to COVID-19 concerns, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 3/12/2021
One year of COVID: John Halamka reflects on how the pandemic spurred collaboration—and a lot of goat grooming, Fierce Healthcare, 3/14/201
Mayo Clinic determines mRNA COVID-19 vaccines greatly reduce risks of asymptomatic infection, spread, Homeland Preparedness News, 3/15/2021
Will schools fully reopen? It may depend on whether students have to sit six feet apart. Washington Post, 3/11/2021
Treatment for COVID-19 is better than a year ago, but it still has a long way to go, USA Today, 3/14/2021
Women report higher levels of loneliness during the pandemic, WQOW, 3/9/2021
What does victory against the COVID-19 pandemic look like? USA TODAY's vaccine panel weighs in, USA Today, 3/11/2021

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Tags: About, Alzheimer's disease, Amy Oxentenko, cancer, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, clinical trials, COVID-19, David Knopman, dementia, Derek Johnson, diabetes, Education, Findings, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, medical research education, Michelle Lin, neuropathy, News, opioids, pain management, patient reported outcomes, Paul Mueller, radiology, stroke

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