Irish journal of medical science
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological condition that affects millions of individuals around the world and for which there are few effective therapies. Dementia is characterized by the formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which is followed by neurotoxicity, which results in memory loss and mortality. ⋯ As the disease-modifying drugs are most effective in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, biomarkers for early detection of disease and their development are crucial. This review discusses the diagnostic utility, benefits, and limitations of traditional techniques such as neuroimaging, cognitive testing, positron emission tomography, and biomarkers, as well as the novel techniques such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, immunotherapy, and blood test approaches for early detection, understanding, and treatment of AD.
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The aim of this retrospective review was to analyse the frequency of patients presenting with flashes and/or floaters (F/F) on bright versus dark days to the eye emergency department of a tertiary referral hospital (the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital) over a 3-year period. The diagnostic and clinical outcomes of F/F presentations were also analysed. ⋯ This study established that F/F presentations were more likely to present during bright days when compared with dark days. The diagnosis of PVD was more common during bright days, and RDs were diagnosed significantly more frequently on dark days. Although incident solar radiation was correlated with greater floaters/PVD presentation, causation is unlikely, and the duration of PVD may have been longer in patients presenting on bright days (i.e. pseudo-sudden symptoms).
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Copeptin, the C-terminal portion of provasopressin, has been regarded as a marker of non-specific stress response and a potentially prognostic biomarker of cardiovascular diseases. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the predictive role of baseline copeptin for the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ A high plasma level of copeptin is associated with higher risks of mortality and MACEs in patients with CAD. Measuring copeptin may be helpful for risk stratification in patients with CAD.