News from NYU Langone Health
After Shingles Damaged Her Vision, This Former Eye Surgeon Looked For A Way To Keep It From Happening To Others. (STAT)
Paywalled* STAT (10/21)* Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, professor, Department of Ophthalmology, has been investigating whether low-cost antiviral drugs can mitigate vision loss from shingles, a condition she personally experienced; at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting, she presented findings from the ZEDS trial, which indicated a 26% reduction in the risk of new or worsening eye disease in patients treated with low-dose valacyclovir, emphasizing the potential for these findings to influence treatment protocols for herpes zoster ophthalmicus and other shingles complications.
Ophthalmology Times (10/19) New research presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting in Chicago reveals that long-term, low-dose antiviral treatment with valacyclovir significantly reduces the risk of eye disease and pain associated with shingles according to the 8-year Zoster Eye Disease Study led by NYU Langone Health; Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, professor, Department of Ophthalmology, stated, “We propose adding to the standard approach a year of low dose valacyclovir treatment,” and emphasized the importance of prevention with the Shingrix vaccine. Additional researchers from NYU Langone Health were Andrea B. Troxel, ScD, professor, Department of Population Health, and clinical trialist Judith S. Hochman, MD, the Harold Snyder Family Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center.
Kids With Chronic Pain Often Go Untreated. That Has A Profound Effect On Mood. (Newsday (NY))
Newsday (NY) (10/18) Kara G. Margolis, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, wrote a piece discussing the implications of untreated chronic pain, especially for children and their mental health.
Shorter Medical Degree Program Outcomes Just As Good. (MedPage Today)
MedPage Today (10/18)A new study indicates medical students “in an accelerated 3-year graduate program performed similarly to students in a 4-year program at the same institution,” with co-author Joan F. Cangiarella, MD, the Elaine Langone Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, chief, Pathology Service, Tisch Hospital, Senior Associate Dean for Education, Faculty and Academic Affairs, Vice Chair, Clinical Operations, saying, “Our findings suggest that accelerated curriculums offer an efficient, cost-effective way to prepare medical students for the next stage of training without compromising on the quality.”
Gen Z Insists Water Isn’t ‘Enough’ To ‘Properly Hydrate’ — So They’re Drinking This As Their ‘New Morning Coffee’ Instead. (New York Post)
The New York Post (10/18) A new TikTok trend is focusing on electrolytes, with influencers sharing that drinking just water is not “enough” to hydrate and encouraging the consumption of electrolytes. Isaac P. Dapkins, MD, clinical associate professor, Departments of Population Health, and Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, chief medical officer, Family Health Centers, had “previously told The Post, ‘If you take too much water in, you dilute those electrolytes, and that can be a real problem.’”
NY Vets Are Reporting Higher Rates Of Disabilities, More Depression And PTSD. (Gothamist (NY))
Gothamist (NY) (10/21) Allison Jaslow, CEO of the advocacy group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America “said the data” – in a report “prepared by the Rand research group and commissioned by the New York Health Foundation” – “points to a need for better education about the mental health services available,” and in New York “military veterans and their families can get free mental health care at NYU Langone Health’s Military Family Center – but not everyone who’s eligible knows about that option.”
World’s First Face And Whole-Eye Transplant Marks Surgical Breakthrough. (Neuroscience News)
Neuroscience News (10/18) A surgical team, led by Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, FACS, chair and the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery in the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, successfully performed the world’s first combined face and whole-eye transplant in 2023 using innovative microvascular techniques to ensure blood flow and viability of the transplanted eye, which will be presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2024; Bruce E. Gelb, MD, FACS, associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, remarked, “The successful transplantation of a face and whole eye demonstrated that with the right surgical techniques, a whole-eye transplant is feasible and can maintain long-term viability.”
Also reporting was Mirage News (AUS) (10/18).
New Heart Stent Could Prevent Surgeries For Thousands Of Children. (Becker's Hospital Review)
Becker’s Hospital Review (10/18)The FDA has approved the Minima stent system, which Michael Argilla, MD, a pediatric cardiologist and director of the pediatric catheterization laboratory at NYU Langone Health said, “The word game-chamger is thrown around a lot, but this stent really does change the frame of reference for a lot of our work, which is pretty amazing.”
What Is ‘Pink Cocaine’? (New York Times)
The New York Times (10/21) A dangerous and increasingly popular club drug known as “pink cocaine” is gaining traction in U.S. cities, with experts warning about its varied and unpredictable composition, which often includes ketamine, Ecstasy, methamphetamine, and other psychoactive substances; Joseph Palamar, an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health, remarked, “Ketamine is going to dethrone Ecstasy very soon, and tusi [pink cocaine] is really going to bump it up.”
12 Symptoms Endocrinologists Say You Should Never Ignore. (TIME)
TIME (10/18) Among the “weird” symptoms endocrinologists say to not ignore is a racing heart, which is one of “the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism, says Dr. Rachel Pessah-Pollack, a clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.”
Inside ADHD: The Struggle To Find Care. (ABC News)
ABC News (10/16) An estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults have ADHD, and while stimulant medication helps one in three individuals, many face challenges in obtaining a diagnosis and filling prescriptions, especially women who often present inattentive symptoms differing from traditional criteria; Lenard A. Adler, MD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, vice chair, education, Department of Psychiatry, explains, “Adults have more of the inattentive symptoms than the hyperactive impulsive,” and acknowledges the difficulty patients face in accessing specialists, often relying on primary care providers more familiar with diagnosing anxiety and depression than ADHD.
Hundreds Dance The Night Away At Snug Harbor’s Neptune Ball, Which Honored 3 For Commitment, Service. (Staten Island (NY) Advance)
The Staten Island (NY) Advance (10/19) Dr. Kenneth Chapman, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and an adjunct assistant professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, was honored with the Captain Randall Award for Community Service at the 39th annual Neptune Ball held at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, recognizing his longstanding support for the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden; he expressed gratitude for the recognition, praising those who manage Snug Harbor as deserving of acknowledgment, while the event celebrated the 25th anniversary of the garden and featured various cultural performances, a charitable paddle raise, and awards for community service and the arts.
LI Community Designated Provisional Level II Adult Trauma Center. (Patchogue (NY) Patch)
The Patchogue (NY) Patch (10/18) Long Island Community Hospital has been designated a Provisional Level II Adult Trauma Center by the State’s Department of Health, allowing it to treat adult trauma patients of all severities, pending verification by the American College of Surgeons expected next year, which marks a significant expansion in its acute care services to meet the needs of Suffolk County communities; Dr. Jerry A. Rubano, Regional Director of Trauma for NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island, stated, “Achieving the designation as a Level II trauma center is a testament to our unwavering commitment to expanding our services and providing the highest-quality care for the most severely injured patients in the community.”
Also reporting is 12-TV Long Island, NY (10/17).
Despite Improvements, Salt In Restaurant Meals Remains High, Can Hurt The Heart. (UPI)
UPI (10/21) “More than 70% of the sodium consumed nationally comes from ‘packaged, prepared and restaurant foods,’” and while the American Heart Association advises consumers to pay more attention to sodium and salt content on food packaging, “that does not help with salty foods purchased at restaurants, said Pasquale Rummo, an associate professor of research in the department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine,” who wrote in an email, “Consumers often do not have any recourse, especially at chain restaurants.”
This Is One Of The Biggest Warning Signs You May Experience A Stroke. (HuffPost)
HuffPost (10/19) Brandon Giglio, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, explained that approximately 85% of strokes in the U.S. are ischemic, while 15% are hemorrhagic, and he stressed the importance of recognizing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or warning strokes, which share symptoms with full strokes but resolve quickly; he warned, “It really is a harbinger in many people for someone who is going to have a stroke even within the next 48 hours and certainly within the next seven, 30, 90 days,” emphasizing the need for immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.
Chatbot Comparable With Counseling For Helping Patients With Genetic Testing Decisions. (Healio)
Healio (10/17) A study conducted at University of Utah Health and NYU Langone Health explored the use of chatbot tools to enhance access to cancer genetic services, involving 3,073 participants who were eligible for cancer genetic evaluation; the BRIDGE trial assigned 1,554 individuals to a chatbot intervention and 1,519 to enhanced standard care, with both groups showing equivalent primary outcomes in pretest service completion and genetic testing.
‘Reassuring’ Findings Show Eliminating 5-FU Bolus In GI Cancer Does Not Affect Survival. (Healio)
Healio (10/17) A retrospective study, using data from the Flatiron Health database, involving 11,765 patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer, found that omitting the 5-FU bolus from standard first-line regimens like FOLFOX and FOLFIRI did not impact overall survival (OS), while reducing toxicity; Shun Yu, MD, oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, said the results were not surprising, adding, “If the omission of the bolus did not compromise treatment outcomes but did reduce side effects, it would have presented a significant chance to enhance the patient experience while also contributing to health care cost savings.”
Why Am I Working Out But Still Gaining Weight? Here’s What Experts Say. (Women's Health)
Women’s Health (10/19) Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, an endocrinologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains that weight gain after workouts can be attributed to factors such as muscle gain, inflammation, water retention, and sleep deprivation, with muscle being denser than fat and inflammation often stabilizing after a few days.
‘Breast Cancer Can Feel Deeply Defeminizing. Here’s How I’ve Learned To Embrace My Body And My Sexuality Again’. (Well and Good)
Well and Good (10/18) Melissa Berry, founder of Cancer Fashionista and co-host of the podcast Empowered Intimacy: Getting Your Sexy Back After Breast Cancer, shares her experiences with breast cancer’s impact on femininity and intimacy, emphasizing the importance of supportive healthcare providers and open communication with partners; Dr. Melissa D. Fana, a breast surgical oncologist at NYU Langone Health, underscores the need for post-treatment support, stating, “One day, you will be yourself again.”
Most Young Americans Worry About Climate Change, Survey Finds. (HealthDay)
HealthDay (10/21) “An overwhelming majority of teens and young adults are worried about how climate change will affect their future, a new survey has found,” with lead researcher Eric Lewandowski, PhD, clinical associate professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, saying, “Given the environmental crises happening all around, these findings should not be surprising. Nonetheless, it is stunning to find such high levels of distress, and desire and plans for action, in young people across the country, in every state and of every political stripe.”
The Orange County (CA) Register (10/18) A study led by Eric Lewandowski, PhD, clinical associate professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, reveals that a significant majority of young Americans across political affiliations are deeply concerned about human-made climate change, with 85% of respondents aged 16 to 25 expressing worry, and over 60% feeling emotional impacts like anxiety and sadness; the study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, underscores a strong demand for governmental and corporate action to address climate issues, with 77% advocating for preventative measures and a notable portion indicating climate change influences their daily lives and future decisions.
Modest Dip In City Overdoses Doesn’t ‘Scratch The Surface,’ Experts Say. (Crain's New York Business)
Paywalled* Crain’s New York Business (10/18) reported that New York City reported a slight decrease in overdose deaths, with 3,046 fatalities in 2023, down by 24 from the previous year, however, althought “overdoses declined overall, officials should be alarmed by the fact that the problem might be getting worse – not better – in some areas, said” Dr. Noa Krawczyk, assistant professor in the Department of Population Health and associate director of the Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy at NYU Langone Health.
Paywalled* Politico Pro (10/18)* “A decline in overdose deaths is always good news that should be celebrated,” said Magdalena Cerdá, DrPH, professor in the Department of Population Health and director of the Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “However, it’s important to keep in mind that some of the most vulnerable groups in the city are still disproportionately affected by this crisis.”
‘Fake It Till You Make It’ Isn’t Just A Cliché. It’s Backed By Science. (Healthier Life)
Healthier Life (10/20) Sudeepta Varma, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, explained that behavioral activation, a concept used in cognitive behavioral therapy, involves engaging in activities that can positively influence emotions and mood, akin to the “fake it till you make it” approach, but with a focus on intentionality and emotional improvement rather than mere pretense.
Diagnosing Gliomas. (SurvivorNet)
SurvivorNet (10/17) NYU Langone Health’s Alexandra Miller, MD, PhD, chief, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Brain and Spine Tumor Center, Perlmutter Cancer Center, explains the diagnostic process for gliomas, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes clinical assessment, imaging studies like MRI, and biopsy with histopathological and molecular testing, noting, “If you’re suspected to have a tumor on imaging and our neurosurgeons think that tumor can come out, they will take a piece of that tumor out first and confirm in the operating room and with our pathologists that, in fact, what they are looking at is tumor.”
Dr Stacy Loeb On Lifestyle Modifications And Sexual Health. (Urology Times)
The Urology Times (10/18) Stacy Loeb, MD, professor, Departments of Urology and Population Health, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses the benefits of exercise, diet, and stress management on sexual health, recommending adherence to American physical activity guidelines and a plant-based diet to reduce erectile dysfunction risks, while highlighting the role of mindfulness practices in managing stress and enhancing sexual function, during her presentation at the 2024 Sexual Medicine Society of North America Fall Scientific Meeting.
NYU Langone Health Physician Recommends Treating Headaches Quickly. (KWCH-TV Wichita (KS))
KWCH-TV(10/18) Myrna I. Cardiel, MD, clinical professor, Departent of Neurology, advises that prompt medication is crucial for headache relief, explaining, “Time is of the essence. You have to take medication right away,” and discussing immediate treatment options with patients.
Anxiety, Stress Escalating Ahead Of Election, Poll Finds. (Fox News)
Fox News (10/18) Fox News senior medical analyst Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine discusses “how to manage stress and anxiety ahead of the presidential election.”
What went wrong at CVS. (Fortune)
Fortune (10/21) A patient recounts her experience with NYU Langone Health, where her son underwent ankle surgery under Dr. John G. Kennedy, director of the foot and ankle center, leading to a $20,000 upfront payment due to complications with Aetna’s reimbursement process, despite her employer and NYU Langone Health attributing the issue to Aetna; this situation parallels broader challenges faced by CVS Health, Aetna’s parent company, which recently ousted CEO Karen Lynch amid financial pressures from high medical costs, and now faces strategic challenges under new leadership.
NYU Langone Health Researchers To Study Neurodegenerative Disease With $1.6 Million Grant. (Washington Square (NY) News)
The Washington Square (NY) News (10/21) Researchers at NYU Langone Health have been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to explore how retinal changes can indicate early signs of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, utilizing visible-light optical coherence tomography (OCT) for high-resolution imaging; the study is led by Vivek J. Srinivasan, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Ophthalmology, and Radiology, alongside Laura J. Balcer, MD, professor, Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, Population Health, vice chair, Department of Neurology, who emphasized the need to understand early disease stages, stating, “What we are bringing – and what Laura has been bringing to the field over the past few decades – is a study of vision in the eye as a big component in these two neurological diseases.”
What Are Peptides? Why Some People Take Them And What They Do For Your Body. (USA Today)
USA Today (10/21) Mary L. Stevenson, MD, associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, explains that collagen peptides play a role in repairing skin cells, which may help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, while also promoting healthy nails and hair.
NYU Langone Health Physician Discusses Breast Cancer Research. (NBC News Now-2)
NBC News Now-2 (10/21) Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates a more than 15% increase in breast cancer rates among women under 50 over the past two decades, with Natalie E. Azar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, discussing potential links to early puberty and estrogen exposure, while also considering factors like delayed childbirth, obesity, and environmental endocrine disruptors as contributing elements to this trend.
Dermatologist Doris Day’s Best Skin Care Advice For Women Over 40. (First For Women)
First For Women (10/20) Board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, clinical associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, provides insights into managing skin concerns that arise during perimenopause, such as dry skin and discoloration, due to hormonal changes and daily skin wear.
