“Chemo brain” describes the neurological impairments that many cancer patients develop after undergoing chemotherapy. A recent paper has revealed how chemo drugs bring about chemo brain. They increase the levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a potent signalling molecule responsible for activating S1P receptor subtype 1 (S1PR1)—which, in turn, is responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammatory processes. The good news is that we already have drugs targeting S1PR1 that don’t seem to affect chemotherapy. They are now under FDA trial for chemo-brain-mitigation. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
