The study found that rates of STIs dropped by about two-thirds after the clinic began prescribing DoxyPEP, while testing frequency remained the same.

Foltz, who was not involved in the research, told Medscape the findings were notable because they included people who often struggle to access preventive care.

“The main takeaway is that this study really focused on higher-risk populations that traditionally would likely not have as easy access [to DoxyPEP] for numerous reasons,” Foltz said. “This has long been the challenge with any preventive measure: How do you get in to the people who need it the most?”

Foltz told Medscape that clinics should build clear protocols to make sure everyone at risk is offered DoxyPEP. He said protocols can help “remove any provider bias” and called “for continued efforts to educate high-risk populations.”

He noted that early concerns from the medical community about side effects and bacterial resistance have largely been addressed. The bigger obstacle, he said, is access.

“Unfortunately, high-risk populations typically live in areas with less access to general healthcare,” Foltz told Medscape. He pointed to mobile health clinics and telemedicine as creative ways to expand education and prevention.

The remaining challenge, he added, is determining how to “re-create this on a much larger scale so we can really get the word out about Doxy and make it available to all of those who need it.”

Clinicians recommend that a single dose of doxycycline, taken as DoxyPEP within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can help prevent certain bacterial STIs, but it should not replace condoms.

Read the complete article from Medscape.

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a condition in which the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly, often causing a rapid heartbeat. Some people with AFib also experience chest discomfort, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. Others may notice only mild fatigue during activity. And still others may feel no symptoms at all. AFib also increases the risk of stroke.

“That’s why it’s especially important to carefully manage AFib in the summer, when people may spend more time in the sun, lose fluids through sweating, and drink more alcohol on vacation, at barbecues and at other outdoor social gatherings,” said Archana Ramireddy, MD, a clinical electrophysiologist in the Smidt Heart Institute. “Older adults are especially affected by the heat, even if it may not seem obvious at first.”

In recognition of AFib Awareness Month in September—when Southern California often experiences some of its hottest weather—the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Ramireddy about steps people with AFib can take to stay healthy.

What summer factors can trigger an AFib episode?

Hot weather can put added stress on the heart, but heat itself isn’t necessarily the primary concern. Dehydration is of special concern because people lose fluids through sweating. Older adults may be particularly susceptible to heat-related dehydration because the body’s ability to conserve fluids and regulate temperature can decline with age. Alcohol is another concern because it is a well-recognized trigger for AFib, and people tend to drink more during the summer while vacationing, spending time outdoors and attending social gatherings.

Should people with AFib drink plain water to stay hydrated, or do they need electrolytes?

Plain water is usually the best choice. Electrolyte drinks may be helpful in some circumstances, although individual needs vary based on heat exposure, activity level, how much a person has been sweating, and underlying health conditions.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Signs of dehydration can include dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, confusion and a rapid heartbeat. If symptoms are prolonged or severe, or if a person also is experiencing chest discomfort or shortness of breath, they should seek medical attention.

Is coffee off-limits for people with AFib?

One cup of coffee a day generally isn’t a concern. Even two cups may be acceptable, although for some patients I recommend switching extra servings to decaf or half-caf. It’s most important that people pay attention to their own bodies. If caffeine consistently triggers symptoms, cutting back is recommended. I’m far more concerned about the consumption of multiple energy drinks, because high doses of caffeine and other ingredients in these drinks can increase the risk of arrhythmias.

Is it safe for people with AFib to exercise in the summer?

I encourage regular exercise for my patients with AFib. If physical activity consistently triggers episodes, the underlying AFib should be evaluated and treated rather than simply avoiding exercise. That said, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day and to stay well-hydrated if outside in the heat. To combat overheating, seek air conditioning, drink plenty of water, take a cool shower or use cool towels.

What if a person thinks they may have AFib?

If a person has heart palpitations and isn’t sure what is causing them, capturing an episode can be key for diagnosis and treatment. This is where wearable devices, such as smartwatches, can play a role. If a device can record an ECG, or electrocardiogram, during an episode, a physician can review the tracing to determine whether it is consistent with AFib. Wearable devices have helped us identify more patients sooner, allowing us to begin treatment sooner. Preventing stroke is a major goal of AFib treatment. People who have been diagnosed with AFib should work with their healthcare team to determine whether further evaluation by a cardiac electrophysiologist is appropriate.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Atrial Fibrillation—Know the Warning Signs

Beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions, mute the effects of adrenaline, slowing the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels. Prescribed off-label, they can ease some of the physical symptoms associated with short-term, situational anxiety, such as nervousness before a speech or presentation.

“For example, if you have tremors, if you have sweating, if you have palpitations, if you have increased heart rates, the beta-blockers essentially target that and dull that down,” Murphy told AARP.

She said beta-blockers provide an additional option for people who experience occasional anxiety, particularly those who cannot tolerate or are not good candidates for other anxiety medications.

“They’re kind of a different class of medications compared to other, more classical treatments we have for anxiety and depression,” she said. “They’re not SSRIs, they’re not antidepressants, they’re not benzodiazepines.”

However, Murphy noted that beta-blockers may not be suitable for everyone, including people with certain heart or circulation conditions. They also can worsen asthma and mask signs of low blood sugar.

She told AARP that people considering beta-blockers should consult their healthcare provider to help determine whether the medication is right for them or whether speaking with a mental health professional would be more appropriate.

Beta-blockers are not a treatment for chronic conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

Read the complete article from AARP.

Danovitch told CBS LA Mornings co-hosts Jamie Yuccas and Sheba Turk that eating disorders such as anorexia and binge eating are marked by inflexible patterns of eating, distress and, often, distortions in body image. Repeated exposure to cultural messages and images contributes to these conditions.

Eating disorders in men have long been underrecognized, he said, though men account for about a third of cases. Rates are now increasing more quickly among men than among women, which Danovitch attributed to cultural pressures around muscularity and appearance.

“We are in an environment where we’re constantly presented with images that are unrealistic of what’s attainable about one’s body,” he said. “We are constantly confronted with platforms, like social media, that cause us to appraise and assess our own appearance and compare it to unrealistic representations.”

Danovitch cautioned against making assumptions about someone’s health based on appearance. When asked how to address concerns about a loved one’s health, he encouraged a direct, caring approach.

“The best thing to do is to directly express your concern: ‘I’m worried about you. I’ve noticed there’s been a change in your behavior,’” he said. He recommended asking questions rather than making judgments because judgments can cause a person to become defensive.

Danovitch added that changing behavior is rarely immediate.

“It’s a marathon,” he told Yuccas and Turk, noting that the most effective approach is to express concern consistently over time and encourage a loved one to see a doctor.

Watch the complete segment from CBS 2.

Considered an immune-mediated disease, IBD is driven in part by an abnormal immune response that triggers chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.

Khanna told podcast host Amber Tresca that although IBD begins in the gastrointestinal tract, the disease often also shows up elsewhere. Classic health problems that can occur outside the intestines include achiness or stiffness in the joints, as well as eye disorders or inflammation of the eyes.

“Patients can have inflammation involving their liver,” Khanna said. “Women, especially, have skin issues and IBD.”

Khanna told Tresca that IBD can affect women differently than men, with disease patterns and activity sometimes changing around life stages such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

She noted that because IBD can involve more than “just one part of you,” Cedars-Sinai uses a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to IBD care.

For women, Khanna told Tresca, “we have involvement from OB-GYNs and dermatologists and rheumatologists” to help address the issues women with IBD often face. She added that patients also can see nutritionists, social workers and physical therapists.

Khanna said she emphasizes the importance of patients communicating openly with physicians about any concerns and speaking frankly about symptoms they aren’t sure are related to IBD.

“My biggest mantra is that information is power,” she told Tresca. “And you need to gather as much as you can to educate yourself.”

Above all, Khanna said, she encourages patients to trust their own experience.

“You know your body the best,” she said. “Your doctor can’t tell you what’s happening to you. You need to advocate for yourself.”

Listen to the complete segment from the About IBD podcast.

Spiegel told Forbes that understanding a patient’s health requires insight into daily life beyond the clinic.

“Patients spend 99.9% of their lives nowhere near the clinic,” he said. “If we’re truly going to understand health, we need a way to learn what happens between office visits, not just during them. That has always been the promise of remote patient monitoring.”

While wearable data has long been available, Spiegel told Forbes the challenge has been turning that information into meaningful clinical action. He said advances in AI, paired with HIPAA-compliant data sharing and patient consent, are helping make that possible.

“Rather than overwhelming clinicians with a constant stream of data, AI can help identify meaningful patterns and ‘hot spot’ patients who may need more timely attention,” he said. “The goal isn’t more data—it’s better, more proactive care.”

Spiegel told Forbes that Cedars-Sinai has spent more than a decade integrating wearable biosensor data into the electronic health record, though he emphasized that establishing that connection is only a first step.

“The larger challenge is developing clinical workflows that make these data genuinely useful without creating additional burden for clinicians,” he said.

Spiegel told Forbes his team is now focused on evidence-based care models that integrate wearable data into routine clinical practice while improving outcomes, enhancing efficiency and supporting clinicians.

Read the complete article from Forbes.

“The moment I saw the scan I was a little bit in disbelief,” he told PEOPLE.

The cyst had concealed Suze Lopez’s pregnancy and her condition posed significant risks. Ozimek explained that even taking every single precaution, “there’s always still a chance that nature takes its course and we cannot control the bleeding and there’s the potential that she doesn’t survive the case.”

Ozimek told PEOPLE a team of 30 experts performed the delivery and surgery.

“As soon as that mass was out of the way, there was this baby,” he said. “This 8-pound baby just laying in her abdomen, where it absolutely should not be, with an umbilical cord. And there was still an amniotic sac around this baby. It was just something that your brain can’t quite comprehend.”

Ozimek told PEOPLE Lopez began bleeding heavily during surgery, prompting doctors to perform a hysterectomy to control the bleeding.

“If this would’ve happened somewhere that doesn’t have these resources, there is no way that she would’ve survived, and very unlikely that the baby would’ve survived either,” he said.

Lopez survived and delivered a healthy baby boy. Today both mom and baby are thriving.

Ozimek described the case as “the most miraculous and wonderful outcome” of his years as a high-risk pregnancy specialist.

Read the complete article from PEOPLE.

Though the terms often are used interchangeably, Tan told Prevention that they aren’t the same thing. Dementia is a broad category, and Alzheimer's disease falls within it.

“Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of diseases that are characterized by cognitive decline, and then Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia under that umbrella,” he said.

Tan told Prevention that diagnosing dementia is complicated because there’s no simple test that pinpoints a specific type. He said that the presentations vary widely from person to person, “so if you have two different people and they both have Alzheimer’s disease, their presentation may be quite different.”

Experts encourage people who notice possible signs of dementia to see a doctor for an evaluation that includes a medical history, cognitive testing and a neurological exam.

Tan told Prevention that most medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for dementia are indicated for Alzheimer’s disease because it is the most common and most extensively studied form of dementia. He said clinicians may prescribe Alzheimer’s medications off-label for patients with other dementia types, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia.

“The reason is that Alzheimer’s can co-exist with other forms of dementia and treating it with these medications may help the overall memory or thinking of the person,” he said.

Alzheimer’s disease typically begins with memory loss and is characterized by abnormal protein buildup in the brain that progressively impairs thinking, behavior, speech and movement. Early neuropsychological testing soon after the earliest symptoms appear may help preserve memory and slow disease progression. Experts recommend speaking with a primary care physician to determine if an evaluation is needed.

Read the complete article from Prevention.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that lowering the threshold for blood pressure treatment could prevent more than 200,000 deaths over the next decade, including 160,000 cardiovascular deaths. Researchers based these estimates on updated guidelines published by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, which recommend treatment for eligible adults whose blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg or higher and who also have diabetes, chronic kidney disease or elevated cardiovascular risk.

Ebinger, who was not involved in the study, told Forbes that many providers still rely on the older 140/90 mmHg threshold, even though lowering it by 10 mmHg could substantially improve patients’ long-term health.

“We know that every millimeter of mercury [mmHg] could increase the risk for not just heart attacks or strokes or heart failure but kidney failure, dementia and a myriad of other health conditions,” said Ebinger, chair of the American College of Cardiology Hypertension Working Group.

Ebinger told Forbes that connecting people with treatment can “significantly reduce individuals’ cardiovascular risk across the lifespan,” but noted that many people remain unaware of their diagnosis or unable to access care.

To help identify and treat more people with high blood pressure, Ebinger encourages regular blood pressure checks at a doctor’s office, clinic, pharmacy or at home.

“I love it when people monitor their blood pressure at home,” he told Forbes. “The big thing I would recommend is making sure that they are getting a cuffed, validated device.”

People who monitor their blood pressure at home can check whether their device has been independently validated for accuracy using the Validate BP website.

Read the complete article from Forbes.

The multi-institutional study offers one of the clearest pictures of what happens during the earliest stages of disease. The findings could help researchers develop new ways to detect and prevent heart disease before plaque builds up inside arteries.

“We analyzed proteins and gene activity in coronary artery tissue from young adults who died of trauma and had no known coronary artery disease, and we found that more than half already had preclinical atherosclerosis,” said study first author Sarah Parker, PhD, an associate professor of Cardiology and Biomedical Sciences and co-director of the Proteomics and Metabolomics Core at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. “This suggests that changes in cellular metabolism and communication begin before the inflammation long considered a hallmark of the disease.”

Published in the European Heart Journal, the study findings point to previously unrecognized molecular pathways—and a potential “master regulator” called MLXIPL—that could become targets for therapies aimed at preventing plaque from developing.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Parker about the findings and how proteomics—the study of proteins—is helping researchers rethink the earliest stages of heart disease.

Why are proteins so important in understanding heart disease?

Proteins are the molecules that make cells function. They tell us how the body’s cells are responding to risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure or smoking. Two people can have identical cholesterol levels, yet only one develops plaque. Proteins may help explain why. They provide a much more direct picture of what's happening inside the artery wall and may reveal why some people are more vulnerable to heart disease than others.

What did this most recent study reveal about the earliest stages of atherosclerosis?

Previous studies had shown that the earliest artery lesions can appear in the first decade of life. What we haven’t understood is what causes those early changes to progress into dangerous plaques that lead to heart attacks. In studying coronary artery tissue before people ever developed symptoms, we were able to capture some of the earliest molecular changes that appear to set the disease in motion. One of the biggest surprises was that we saw changes in cellular metabolism and communication before we saw the classic inflammatory signals traditionally associated with atherosclerosis.

To be clear, inflammation remains a defining feature of advanced atherosclerosis. What our study suggests is that important molecular changes begin much earlier. If we want to prevent plaque from forming, we need to understand those earliest changes—not just what happens after inflammation has already taken hold.

Explain MLXIPL, the potential ‘master regulator’ you identified.

We performed a master regulator analysis to identify the genes that may be coordinating these early events. Some of the regulators we found were exactly what we expected. But one stood out. MLXIPL is a transcription factor gene involved in cellular metabolism. Previous genetic studies have linked it to coronary artery disease through its role in the liver. Our findings suggest it may also play an important role directly within the artery wall. When we altered MLXIPL activity in lab-grown human artery tissue, we saw the protein changes we predicted. That makes it an exciting candidate for future therapies that interrupt disease before plaque develops.

How could these findings change atherosclerosis prevention?

Today, we estimate cardiovascular risk using factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, age and family history. By the time plaque is visible on imaging, disease often is well underway. We hope to identify protein biomarkers in the blood that reveal what’s happening inside the artery wall much earlier. One day, a simple blood test could identify people who would benefit from preventive treatment before symptoms develop.

That said, our findings do not change current prevention recommendations. Managing cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, exercise and diet remain essential.

This study relied on a decades-long collaboration. Why was that essential?

This is a collaboration more than 20 years in the making. The project was spearheaded by proteomics pioneer Jennifer Van Eyk. (Van Eyk, PhD, is director of the Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai and co-director of the Proteomics and Metabolomics Core.)

Our collaborators included investigators from many other institutions across the country. What began as a small group has grown into an ecosystem of investigators, trainees and collaborators. This kind of large-scale molecular study simply isn’t possible without that level of long-term partnership and shared expertise.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Gut health means more than the absence of disease; it reflects a functioning gastrointestinal tract that may help reduce future health risks. The hashtag #guttok has drawn billions of views on TikTok—and along with them, questionable claims, extreme fads and marketing gimmicks that make it hard to know what actually works.

Mathur, a professor of medicine and director of Clinical Research and Clinical Operations for the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai, told Vox the gut microbiome is a partnership between people and the microbes living inside them.

“When we talk about the gut microbiome, we’re talking about archaea, fungi, bacteria that live within our gut,” she said. “They are synergistic with us. They help us survive as a species, as an individual. And if they’re happy, we’re happy.”

Devkota, director of the Human Microbiome Research Institute and an associate professor of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai, told Vox that gut microbes have evolved alongside humans, helping digest food, extract calories and maintain a healthy ecosystem. She emphasized that diversity, not a battle between “good” and “bad” bacteria, is what keeps the gut working properly.

“You need a lot of different kinds of bacteria in your gut,” Devkota said.

Both experts cautioned against trending “cleansing” practices.

“It actually will cause negative impacts on your gut microbiome,” Devkota said of colonics, a form of colon cleansing that can disrupt the microbiome. “This whole concept of cleansing and resetting, there’s no evidence. There’s no proof for it.”

Their advice was simple: Devkota called fiber the top priority, while both emphasized a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Devkota also recommended fermented foods for those who can tolerate them and stressed the importance of water and reducing stress.

Mathur urged skepticism toward broad microbiome claims.

“Anybody who’s offering you one-size-fits-all for microbiome and microbiome therapies, just approach with caution,” she told Vox.

Watch the complete segment from Vox.

Vibration plates are exercise devices with a platform that vibrates while a person sits or stands on them. Trentacosta told USA Today that the rapid movement—typically 20 to 60 vibrations per second—creates an unstable surface requiring the body to adjust to maintain balance.

“This can add intensity to just standing at your desk or to a workout class,” she said.

Trentacosta told USA Today that using a vibration plate during exercises such as squats may increase muscle engagement.

“This can also help with balance and muscular control, something that becomes even more important as we age or are recovering from a significant injury and deconditioning,” she said.

However, Trentacosta cautioned that increased muscle activation does not necessarily translate to greater strength or power gains, and vibration plates should not replace traditional exercise.

“Vibration plates have never been shown to lead to significant weight loss, as they do not substitute for a healthy diet and proper exercise regimens which should include at the very least cardio, strength training and stretching,” she told USA Today.

She said that while vibration plates may benefit people with osteoporosis, they are not a standalone treatment. She finds them most helpful for older adults recovering from serious injuries.

Trentacosta told USA Today vibration plates may aid lymphatic drainage, but evidence is limited and they should not replace exercise or compression therapy.

For people interested in trying a vibration plate, Trentacosta recommended starting with one or two sessions per week of simple exercises, such as standing, squats or heel raises, with balance support nearby.

“If you understand the limitations to vibration plates, then you can appreciate how they may benefit your lifestyle as an adjunct to your training or rehabilitation program,” she said.

Read the complete article from USA Today.

The designation recognizes emergency departments with specialized expertise, staffing and resources for patients 65 and older, who represent about one-third of all patients treated in Cedars-Sinai’s Emergency Department each year.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered emergency care for the older adults of our community,” said Claude Stang, RN, executive director of the Cedars-Sinai Emergency Department. “As the No. 1 Medicare provider in California, we care for thousands of older adults every year, and we are dedicated to keeping them safe and healthy.”

Accreditation reviewers cited several programs and features that distinguish Cedars-Sinai’s approach to geriatric emergency care, including the Barry and Rena Plost Senior Emergency Center within the Emergency Department.

“We try to place patients who would benefit from a quieter environment in our senior care unit, where private rooms, dim lighting and reduced noise can help minimize delirium for patients who are susceptible,” Stang said. “Those seemingly small changes can make a meaningful difference for older adults in the Emergency Department.”

Other components highlighted by reviewers included:

• A specialized geriatric nurse assessment team, trained to identify delirium, dementia, fall risk and social determinants of health.
• Integrated physical therapy and pharmacy services, including prescription medication screening, review and reconciliation.
• Senior-friendly amenities, including reserved reclining chairs in the waiting area, improved signage and lighting, handrails, and accessible bathrooms.
• Tender Loving Care volunteers, who are specially trained to provide companionship and comfort for older adult patients.
• A physician who leads ongoing education on geriatric emergency care for physicians and physician assistants.

Level 1 accreditation builds on Cedars-Sinai’s broader commitment to age-friendly care. The health system also has been named an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence, a recognition from The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

“Older adults often have unique medical and social needs that require a different approach to emergency care, that centers around the 4M’s (What Matters Most, Mobility, Medications and Mentation) of age-friendly care,” said Sonja Rosen, MD, chief, Section of Geriatric Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. “As an Age-Friendly Health System, every member of our team plays an important role in ensuring patients receive compassionate, specialized attention from the moment they arrive through a seamless transition to the next stage of their recovery.”

The Emergency Department’s research team also has been active in advancing geriatrics research, publishing on sepsis, brain injury, cardiac biomarkers and observation care. The work helps to inform evidence-based practices that further strengthen care for older adults.

Emergency Department Expansion Underway

The accreditation comes as Cedars-Sinai continues a major expansion of its Emergency Department, an investment designed to increase capacity while supporting the specialized care needs of a growing patient population.

The project will add 16,550 square feet to the department and increase the number of care spaces from 60 to 100.

Sam Torbati, MD, chair and medical director of the Emergency Department, said the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

“Smaller improvements, such as a new laboratory, are expected to open this fall,” Torbati said. “Patients will begin to see more significant changes next summer.”

The first major phase will add 15 acute care beds, eight behavioral health beds to treat patients with mental health needs, six critical care and trauma beds, and a dedicated room designed to care for critically ill children. The expansion also will include new waiting areas, an updated triage space and a redesigned patient entrance to improve capacity and the overall care experience.

“Demand for emergency care continues to grow, and we’re committed to finding new ways to improve the experience and quality of care for our patients,” Torbati said. “The expansion is a significant investment in meeting those needs.”

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is surprisingly common, affecting up to 1 in 20 people during their lifetime. While the exact cause is not known, it most often affects women between 40 and 60—an age range that overlaps with menopause. Experts believe hormonal changes during menopause may play a role.

Trentacosta told Women’s Health that the condition causes the shoulder joint’s range of motion to become increasingly limited over time, and discomfort can be severe.

“Frozen shoulder can be one of the most painful shoulder conditions I see in the office,” she said.

Trentacosta told Women’s Health that inflammation of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint causes tissue to thicken and tighten, leading to stiffness, pain and reduced mobility. She said that anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical evaluation, ideally by a sports medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon.

“A plan of treatment can be developed that may include a combination of physical therapy, possible oral medication, and possible injections to the shoulder,” she said, adding that managing underlying health conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism—also thought to be linked to frozen shoulder—can help.

Above all, she emphasized that acting quickly makes a difference.

“Early intervention is important to decrease the length of course of the disease,” she said.

Frozen shoulder typically improves within 18 to 24 months, although some people experience lingering pain or stiffness for longer.

Read the complete article from Women’s Health.

Scientists found that each 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake—about the equivalent of eating a bag of chips daily—was linked to declines in brain function and higher dementia risk factors.

Tan, who was not involved in the study, told HuffPost the findings suggest that even following the MIND diet—which combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets to support brain health—may not fully offset the effects of consuming large amounts of ultra-processed foods.

“Diets that are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, like olive oil, can decrease inflammation and be protective of the brain,” he said. “But even for people who have decent MIND diet scores, when they had high intakes of ultra-processed food, it still affected their attention.”

Tan noted that the study’s emphasis on attention, rather than memory, is particularly meaningful.

“Attention varies more from a day-to-day standpoint than memory does,” he told HuffPost. “It can be affected acutely by, say, a rise in blood sugar. You get that sugar rush and then crash. Memory doesn't get affected as quickly.”

Tan offered practical advice for grocery shoppers looking to cut back on ultra-processed foods, including products such as packaged cookies, soft drinks and frozen meals.

“Stay on the outer aisles where it’s refrigerated because those are perishable items,” he told HuffPost. “The ones in the center typically have very long shelf lives because they're ultra-processed, with lots of preservatives, salt and sugar added. It’s important to tip the balance toward less processed foods rather than ultra-processed ones, and we’re all going to be better off in terms of our blood pressure, our sleep, our attention and long-term health.”

Read the complete article from HuffPost.

National guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, each week. At this intensity, the heart beats faster and breathing feels harder than usual, but a person should still be able to carry on a conversation, according to the American Heart Association.

Research suggests that spreading that exercise across four sessions may lower blood pressure more effectively than completing the same amount in two longer workouts. However, the priority is simply to get moving consistently, Ebinger told Health.

“Any walking is better than no walking,” he said.

Ebinger, associate professor of Cardiology, told Health the benefits of walking often can be seen within a few months.

“It typically takes about three months to see changes in your blood pressure related to starting a walking regimen,” he said. “Importantly, walking has effects beyond just lower blood pressure, such as weight loss, lower cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.”

Ebinger told Health a sustainable walking routine is key, and that 150 minutes per week should be a minimum target that can be built on for greater heart health benefits.

“That 150 minutes is a floor, not a ceiling, so don’t feel the need to stop just because you hit 150 minutes,” he said. “You can work your way into it, slowly increasing your walking over several weeks.”

Read the complete article from Health.

Kim, the study’s corresponding author, told CNN.com the research provides some of the strongest long-term evidence to date linking coffee consumption with better liver health. He also noted that the findings suggest caffeine is not responsible for the protective effect because similar benefits were seen among people who drank decaffeinated coffee.

“So it seems more related to the anti-oxidative effect of the coffee,” he said.

Researchers tracked more than 354,000 participants for more than a decade and found that higher coffee intake was associated with progressively lower risks of serious liver conditions. Compared with people who did not drink coffee, those who consumed five or more cups had a 32% lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of liver cancer, and a 42% lower risk of liver-related death.

Kim told CNN.com that participants who added sweeteners to their coffee continued to have a lower risk of liver disease and liver cancer. However, they had higher levels of a marker associated with liver inflammation, which may contribute to fatty liver disease.

Speaking with Everyday Health, Kim emphasized that coffee should be viewed as one part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

However, he cautioned that people who do not drink coffee should not start solely for potential liver health benefits.

For those who do drink coffee, he said, “Coffee should complement, not replace, the fundamentals—avoiding excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and managing diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure.”

Read the complete article from CNN.com. Read the complete article from Everyday Health.

Odeh told podcast host Laura Dyrda that the increasing healthcare needs of an aging population, a limited supply of doctors and nurses, and mounting financial pressures on health systems make meaningful AI deployment increasingly necessary.

“We have a real opportunity to think about how do we reengineer the way that we deliver care, and the services that we provide to be much more efficient so that we can really rise to the challenge of taking care of our communities at a time when they need us most,” he said.

Odeh told Dyrda the first wave of reengineering, already underway, uses AI to enhance workforce productivity. The second wave, he said, is “transforming workforces and workflow. It’s changing the way we work, and as a result, changing the jobs that we have.”

He noted that clinicians using ambient AI and other AI-powered documentation tools are “experiencing a better quality of interactions with our patients” and “less cognitive overload.”

Even as AI capabilities continue to expand, Cedars-Sinai is taking a measured and responsible approach, Odeh said, by keeping humans at the center of the work, using the technology primarily as a tool to support people rather than operate independently.

“What I’m most curious about is the relationship between people and technology and how that’s going to evolve,” he told Dyrda. “It feels like almost every week we get up and something new is out there. It’s changing how people experience technology.”

Listen to the complete segment from Becker's Healthcare Podcast.

Mandelbaum, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and interim chief medical officer of U.S. Soccer, told the Los Angeles Times he supports newly introduced mandatory cooling breaks for athletes, despite pushback from some fans.

“Difficult weather environments bring on dehydration and can create severe exhaustion, heat exhaustion, and those [conditions] have tremendous and dire consequences,” he said. “Not only is [the hydration break] a good thing, it’s a necessary thing.”

Mandelbaum, vice chair of Network Development at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, told the Los Angeles Times that while cooling breaks may not be medically necessary for World Cup athletes playing in a climate-controlled indoor stadium like SoFi in Los Angeles, they set an important precedent for athlete safety in extreme heat.

“This is the world’s game … we have to figure out how to help players at all levels and ages to have the ability to thermoregulate, hydrate, how to do it well,” he said.

Scott, an orthopedic specialist and venue medical officer for World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles, told AuntMinnie podcast host Will Morton that delivering imaging services for international soccer teams at a major global tournament means being prepared for nearly any request, from MRIs and ultrasounds to X-rays.

“We offer a full service of everything while they’re here in town,” Scott said. “And then obviously there is a huge need to get that done as quickly as possible and to provide the team doctors not only with a report, but for them to be able to see the images in a very timely manner.”

He told Morton that while the scale of the World Cup is daunting, with multiple teams traveling across many locations and operating under different protocols, his work has “been a very positive experience so far. 

Read the complete article from the Los Angeles Times. Listen to the complete episode from AuntMinnie.

The Neuro NICU brings together pediatric specialists across multiple disciplines to provide coordinated care for newborns with complex neurological conditions, including congenital brain malformations, stroke, and diminished oxygen or blood flow to the brain. These conditions require rapid diagnosis and treatment to help improve outcomes.

Ramanathan described one of these conditions, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, which is caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain around the time of birth. Babies diagnosed with the condition should begin cooling therapy within six hours of birth to achieve the greatest benefit.

“Time is very crucial for intervention,” he told CBS LA Mornings co-host Sheba Turk.

Ramanathan explained the Neuro NICU team of specialists includes neonatologists, neurologists and neuroradiologists. Geneticists also play an important role in the Neuro NICU because roughly 40% of babies with neurological problems have an underlying genetic cause, and Guerin Children’s is “one of the few centers in L.A. that offers genetic testing of the baby, mom and the dad.” 

Identifying an underlying genetic mutation can help physicians personalize treatment, Ramanathan said. 

“Once we know what the genetic makeup of the mutation is, we can target the therapy,” he told Turk.

Ramanathan said every baby born at Cedars-Sinai or transferred to the Neuro NICU from a hospital in the region receives the same level of care. When needed, follow-up care with Cedars-Sinai specialists can continue for life, particularly for patients with additional conditions, such as congenital heart disease.

“A baby comes there, they don’t have to go anywhere else,” Ramanathan told Turk. “They can come to all the specialists that they need to see.”

Watch the complete segment from CBS 2.

This genetic condition can be difficult to identify because its early symptoms are common signs of many other conditions: shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, irregular or rapid heartbeat, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy—numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

Beyond the overlap, Stern told WebMD another challenge is that symptoms can appear to be unrelated and surface long before heart problems develop.

“Some of these non-cardiac [non-heart related] symptoms can present up to 10 years before they present with any heart issues,” she said.

Stern noted that patients also may see a range of specialists for these seemingly disconnected symptoms. She compared the situation to a well-known parable.

“Each person is touching a different part of the elephant with a blindfold on, so one may think the elephant is a wall and another may think it is a spear,” she told WebMD. “But they can’t take off their blindfold to step back and see that they are all touching an elephant. This is exactly like hATTR-CM.”

Stern encouraged people experiencing a combination of symptoms to speak with their healthcare provider, especially if they “have a family history of unexplained heart disease or neuropathy.”

She emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, including being direct with doctors, sharing a detailed family history, and getting a second medical opinion if needed, to help achieve an earlier diagnosis.

“When we catch hATTR-CM before there is significant cardiac damage, we have the best opportunity to preserve heart function and quality of life,” she said. “Don’t dismiss symptoms without thoroughly considering this diagnosis.”

Read the complete article from WebMD.

Cedars-Sinai Study Links Hypertension to Socioeconomic Level

People living in under-resourced neighborhoods are more likely to develop high blood pressure—also known as hypertension—than those in wealthier areas, according to new research from Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. The study was published in the American Journal of Hypertension.

“The increased risk for people in the least healthy neighborhoods was similar to being a full decade older than their counterparts in the healthiest neighborhoods,” said Joseph Ebinger, MD, MS, associate professor of Cardiology and director of the Coronary Intensive Care Unit in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai and senior author of the study. “Although such disparities in hypertension prevalence are known to occur, our study is notable because it demonstrates the persistence of these differences over time.”

Investigators tracked the blood pressure of more than 94,000 Cedars-Sinai patients between 2018 and 2023. They found that, over time, patients in neighborhoods in the lowest 25% of rankings on a scale that assesses education, job opportunities and other social conditions were 7% more likely to develop high blood pressure than patients in the top 75% of neighborhoods.

“Many people do not know they have hypertension and are not being treated for it,” Ebinger said. "Our findings suggest clinicians may consider targeting interventions in the context of socioeconomic data to help prevent at-risk patients from developing the condition, which increases their risk for heart disease, kidney disease and stroke."

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Jonathan N. Le, MD; Tzu Yu Huang, MPH; Patrick G. Botting, MSHS; Ellie Albertson, MPH, PhD; Natalie A. Bello, MD, MPH; Christina Harris, MD; Alan Kwan, MD; and Susan Cheng, MD, MPH. 

Other authors include Brian Claggett, PhD.

Funding: This study was supported by grant funding from the NIH/NHLBI (K23HL 153888-03) and by the Smidt Discovery Fund of the Smidt Heart Institute.

Study Links Angina Severity to Composition of Heart Plaque 

About half of women who experience angina, chest pain presumed to be from obstructed blood flow to the heart, don’t have significant coronary artery blockage. And yet, these women have elevated risk for heart attacks and strokes. New research from Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, published in Communications Medicine, helps explain why.

Investigators found that buildup in the coronary arteries of women with severe angina was more likely to consist of soft plaque. Soft plaque, also known as noncalcified plaque, is more prone to rupture and trigger dangerous blood clots than its more stable counterpart, known as calcified or hard plaque. 

The findings were based on artificial intelligence analysis of more than 100 CT coronary angiograms (noninvasive heart scans) performed on women with angina and coronary artery disease.

“Our findings expand our understanding of why angina occurs in women without significant artery blockages,” said Damini Dey, PhD, professor of Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai and corresponding author of the study. “The findings also suggest the need to consider treating these women with medications to prevent the buildup of plaques and reduce the risk of heart attacks and other cardiac events.”

Other Cedars-Sinai authors include Rafal Wolny, Guadalupe Flores Tomasino, Kajetan Grodecki, Joel Lenell, Caroline Park, Rebekah Park, Jacek Kwiecinski, Daniel S. Berman, Piotr J. Slomka, Janet Wei, Martha Gulati and C. Noel Bairey Merz.

Other authors include Osama Dasa, Vinicius Calsavara, Matthew J. Budoff, Eileen Handberg, Carl J. Pepine, Leslee J. Shaw and Balaji Tamarappoo.

Acknowledgements: This study was primarily supported by grants from the NHLBI R01HL151266 and 1R01HL148787. It was also supported by CDMRP-DoD W81XWH-17-2-0030 and McJunkin Family Foundation through funds distributed by the University of Florida, Department of Medicine, Clinical Research Consortium CDRN-1501-26692, the Edythe L. Broad and the Constance Austin Women’s Heart Research Fellowships, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, the Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, the Linda Joy Pollin Women’s Heart Health Program, the Erika Glazer Women’s Heart Health Project, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; and the VA Women’s Health Practice-Based Research Network VA HSR&D SDR 10-012. R.W. is supported by a Polish National Science Centre (grant number 2021/43/D/NZ5/02434) and Medical Research Agency (grant number KPOD.07.07-IW.07-0150/24).

Competing interests: Drs. Berman, Slomka, and Dey have received software royalties from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and report equity in APQ Health.

How the Brain Influences Aging Throughout the Body

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University investigators are helping clarify the brain’s role in how the body ages. Their study, published in Nature Communications, identified a group of brain cells that become overactive with age and may impair the body’s ability to maintain consistent temperature, stay properly hydrated and efficiently convert food into energy. 

“These age-related problems make the body more vulnerable to illness and often rob people of their independence,” said Celine Riera, PhD, associate professor of Biomedical Sciences and Neurology, research scientist in the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute at Cedars-Sinai, and senior author of the study. “We found that a group of brain cells that produce a hormone called vasopressin become overactive with age, contributing to these problems.”

These brain cells are in the hypothalamus, at the base of the brain. In healthy amounts, the vasopressin they produce helps blood vessels constrict. It also helps the kidneys control the amount of water and salt in the body, which helps control blood pressure and urine output. 

When investigators artificially activated these brain cells in young laboratory mice, the cells produced more vasopressin and the mice developed changes similar to those seen in aging mice. Conversely, when investigators reduced the activity of these brain cells in aging mice, the mice were better able to maintain body temperature, hydration and metabolism, Riera said.

The findings provide scientists with new context for understanding how the brain contributes to systemic aging. Future studies may explore whether therapies targeting these brain cells can reduce age-related health problems and improve quality of life in aging people, Riera said.

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Nancy Morones, Predrag Jovanovic, Anna Sanetra, Kaitlyn Jang, Nareg Keshishian, Zhihan Clay Cui, Edward Novinbakht, Joshua J. Breunig, Anders Berg, Tamar Pirtskhalava, Selim Chaib, S Ananth Karumanchi, Tamar Tchkonia, Katlin Silm, and James L. Kirkland.

Funding: This work was supported by the Larry L Hillblom Foundation startup grant (C.E.R.), the Cedars-Sinai Pilot Award from the Center on Aging and Diabetes (C.E.R.), the CIRM Scholar fund EDUC-12751 (N.M.), the National Institute of Aging grant RF1AG091203 (C.E.R.) and R37AG013925 (J.L.K., T.T.).

Possible Biomarker Linked to Aggressive Thyroid Cancer

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University investigators have found a possible way to identify which patients are at greatest risk of thyroid cancer recurrence and might benefit from more aggressive treatment. Their findings were published in Science Advances.

“The incidence of thyroid cancer has tripled over the past three decades and it is now the most common cancer in adolescents and young adults,” said Anthony T. Nguyen, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Radiation Oncology and Biomedical Sciences and first author of the study. “The biomarker we identified, if further validated, could help us identify patients likely to have more aggressive disease so that we can intensify their treatment.” 

In five patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer, investigators used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression patterns in individual cells of the tumor microenvironment, comparing primary thyroid tumors and matched lymph nodes to which cancer had spread. Their findings were confirmed in a separate group of 21 patients with thyroid cancer.

Among multiple differences between primary tumor and lymph node, investigators found that an increase in IL7 receptor protein expression on the surface of immune cells in the lymph nodes was linked to improved patient outcomes.

“Our study is one of the first to use single-cell RNA sequencing to identify a lymph node-specific biomarker for aggressive thyroid cancer,” said Allen Ho, MD, professor of Surgery and co-corresponding author of the study. “Low levels of IL7 receptor in the lymph node can potentially be used to identify patients with more aggressive disease who are candidates for treatment intensification.”

The other corresponding author is Stephen Shiao, MD, PhD, professor of Radiation Oncology and Biomedical Sciences and co-leader of the Cancer Therapeutics Program.

“This study is an example of the promise of single-cell RNA sequencing to assess the status of tumors for more targeted treatment,” said Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. 

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Jolene Viramontes, Isaiah Vazquez, Catriona McWilliam, Vaishnavi Devarakonda, Regina Henson, Wendy L. Sacks, Jon Mallen-St Clair, Yufei Chen, Evan Walgama, Kevin S. Scher, Justin Moyers, Julie K. Jang, Zachary S. Zumsteg, and Wonwoo Shon.

Howard M. Sandler is also an author of the study.

Funding: This work was supported by: National Institutes of Health grant K08CA191139 (SLS), Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award (ATN), American Society for Radiation Oncology Junior Faculty Award (SLS), Cedars-Sinai Precision Health Grant (ASH).

New Expert Consensus Aims to Improve Diagnostics in Emergency Care

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University investigators convened a panel of medical experts to develop new definitions to improve diagnostic quality and safety in emergency departments. The definitions—diagnostic excellence and missed diagnostic opportunity—address a longstanding gap in the field, as they recognize the role uncertainty plays in emergency care. Their findings are published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. 

“Our new definitions can be used to guide investigations about the diagnostic process in emergency departments to identify opportunities for improvement,” said study first author Carl Berdahl, MD, MS, associate professor of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. “Future work should explore the integration of these definitions into diagnostic research and quality and safety programs, and evaluate the impact on patients’ health outcomes.”

A 2022 report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality suggested about 1 in 18 patients visiting emergency departments each year receive a misdiagnosis that causes preventable harm or worsens their outcome. This report sparked controversy about what the emergency department’s role should be in assigning diagnoses.

The panel of 10 experts from emergency medicine and related specialties reviewed scientific evidence to arrive at the new definitions. It defined “diagnostic excellence” as using evidence-based practices to arrive at an accurate and timely explanation of a patient’s condition based on the information available at the time; communicating that diagnosis to patients and families; and providing equitable, patient-centered care. It defined a “missed diagnostic opportunity” as a measurable departure from evidence-based practice that may contribute to a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis, or a failure in communicating diagnostic information to patients and families.

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Sam S. Torbati, MD; Maxim P. Ptacek, BS; Nabeel Qureshi, PhD; and Teryl K. Nuckols, MD, MSHS.

Additional authors include Gordon D. Schiff, MD; Arjun K. Venkatesh, MD, MBA; Edward G. Seferian, MD, MS; and Johan Carrascoza-Bolanos, BS.

Members of the Multidisciplinary ED Diagnostic Excellence Panel include Adebisi Alli, DO, MS; Marie L. Crandall, MD, MPH; Anuj K. Dalal, MD; Kelly T. Gleason, PhD, BSN; Sachin Gupta, PhD, MBA; Aaryn K. Hammond, MD; Victoria Nash, MS; Michelle D. Lall, MD, MHS, Robert Sherwin, MD; Scott D. Steenburg, MD, MS.

Funding: This work was supported by the Emergency Medicine Foundation’s Diagnostic Excellence in Emergency Medicine Grant. Dr. Berdahl was also supported by K08HS029534 and the National Academy of Medicine Scholars in Diagnostic Excellence Program.

Preclinical Study: Novel CAR T-Cell Therapy Controls Bladder Cancer

Investigators at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University have discovered that delivering a specialized CAR T-cell therapy directly into the bladder could control bladder cancer and reduce the need for bladder-removal surgery. The preclinical study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, identifies a strategy that, after further testing in humans, could improve management of organ-confined tumors.

“Current bladder cancer therapies are limited by drug shortages, severe side effects and high recurrence rates, often forcing patients to undergo life-changing bladder-removal surgery,” said Parwiz Abrahimi, MD, PhD, urologic oncologist in the Department of Urology at Cedars-Sinai and first author of the study. “This new strategy has the potential to dramatically reduce the necessity for bladder removal, preserving the patient’s quality of life while maintaining control of their cancer.”

In laboratory mice, investigators found this localized approach safely confined the treatment to the bladder and prevented the engineered cells from escaping into the bloodstream. The findings support the practice of delivering cellular therapies directly via a catheter to treat organ-confined bladder cancers.

Additional authors include Jonathan F. Khan, Alyssa Duren-Lubanski, Winson Cai, Yacine Marouf, Nan Chen, Daniel Hirschhorn, Renata Mammone, Ileana C. Miranda, Jacob E. Tallman, Alejandra Vela-Moreno, Mohamad Hamieh, Bishoy M. Faltas, Thomas M. Carroll, Micaela L. Everitt, Hari K.K. Subramanian, Hikmat A. Al-Ahmadie, Olivier Elemento, Benjamin D. Hopkins, Douglas S. Scherr, Renier J. Brentjens, Jedd D. Wolchok and Taha Merghoub.

Cedars-Sinai Scientists Identify New Driver of Inflammation 

Investigators at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University have identified a previously unrecognized driver of harmful inflammation. The findings, published in Nature Communications, center around TRIM21, a protein also linked to autoimmune disease.

“Our findings suggest TRIM21 may be one reason some autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases share similar features,” said Jessica Carriere, PhD, an assistant professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and co-corresponding author of the study. “By targeting TRIM21, we may eventually be able to develop new treatments for a range of inflammatory diseases.”

Researchers discovered that TRIM21 helps build the inflammasome, an alarm-like structure inside immune cells that triggers inflammation. While this alarm helps protect the body from infection, it also can become overactive and trigger excessive inflammation that damages healthy tissue and contributes to disease. 

The study, which looked at laboratory mice and human patient samples, showed that TRIM21 not only helps activate this inflammatory response but also enables inflammatory signals to spread from dying immune cells to nearby cells, potentially creating a chain reaction that drives inflammation throughout the body.

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Sana Ismaeel, Elisabeth Jäger, Vinicius Dantas Martins, Kaiden A. Sims, Huyen Nguyen, Justin Ruiz, Hemisha Khatri, Savita Devi, Andrea Dorfleutner and Christian Stehlik. 

Additional authors include Chawon Yun, Sonal Khare, Lan H. Chu, Lucia de Almeida, Janset Onyuru, Jae Jin Chae, Daniel L. Kastner, Lori Broderick and Hal M. Hoffman.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (AI099009 to C.S., AI134030, AI140702, DK143393, CA301129 and AI165797 to C.S. and A.D.), the American Heart Association (834502 and 26CDA1588880 to J.C., 25POST1374216 to S.I., 26POST1558214 to V.D.M., 15PRE25700116 to L.H.C. and 18CDA34110296 to L.d.A.), and the American Cancer Society (PF-23-1149877-01-IBCD to E.J.).

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Pfeffer told Everyday Health the three biggest footwear concerns for people with MS are sensory issues, balance issues and motor weakness. The right selection depends on how the disease affects an individual.

“There are as many different shoes for people with MS as there are variations of MS,” Pfeffer said, adding that comfort and fit, not fashion trends, should be the priority when purchasing shoes.

“If someone is not comfortable in their shoes,” he said, “they’re going to be miserable.”

Pfeffer also emphasized the importance of proper traction, explaining that the tread on the bottom of the shoe should resemble a tire, with cushioning and corrugation to help prevent slipping.

The ideal sole thickness, he told Everyday Health, depends on the person.

“If someone is having sensory loss, they often complain of not being able to feel the ground well,” he said. “They may want to have a thinner-soled shoe so they can have a better sense of feedback.”

Pfeffer cautioned against heels taller than two inches, as well as backless shoes, such as mules, slip-ons or flip-flops, which can be dangerous “because they can just fly off, and they add very little support.”

He also recommended shopping for shoes at the end of the day, when feet tend to swell, and choosing a shoe that is about half an inch longer than the longest toe when standing.

Read the complete article from Everyday Health.

Estas son algunas de las preguntas más frecuentes que hacen los pacientes cuando consideran participar en un ensayo clínico en Cedars-Sinai, donde actualmente se llevan a cabo más de 700 estudios de este tipo.

Estos ensayos son fundamentales para impulsar los avances en la atención médica y ofrecen a los pacientes acceso a nuevas terapias prometedoras, al mismo tiempo que ayudan a los investigadores a comprender mejor las enfermedades y desarrollar tratamientos más eficaces para el futuro, explicó Michael Farkouh, MD, vicedecano de Investigación y Ensayos Clínicos de Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.

“Un ensayo clínico es el paso final para llevar las innovaciones de la investigación a la práctica clínica; es el puente entre un descubrimiento científico y el paciente”, afirmó Farkouh. “Como centro médico académico, Cedars-Sinai ofrece atención clínica de excelencia junto con acceso a terapias innovadoras que pueden mejorar esa atención”.

Con motivo del Mes de Concientización sobre los Ensayos Clínicos, la Redacción de Noticias de Cedars-Sinai conversó con Farkouh sobre cómo los pacientes pueden decidir si un ensayo clínico es adecuado para ellos.

¿Qué es un ensayo clínico?

Un ensayo clínico es un estudio cuidadosamente diseñado para evaluar nuevos medicamentos, dispositivos médicos o estrategias de atención en pacientes que cumplen con los criterios de participación y deciden inscribirse de manera voluntaria. Por lo general, un ensayo clínico compara un nuevo enfoque con el tratamiento estándar para determinar si ofrece mejores resultados. Si demuestra ser más eficaz, puede incorporarse a la práctica médica habitual.

¿Cuáles son las fases de los ensayos clínicos?

Cada fase tiene un propósito específico.

• Fase I: Se centra en la seguridad y permite determinar si un nuevo tratamiento puede administrarse de forma segura en personas.
• Fase II: Evalúa si el tratamiento muestra indicios de eficacia, con frecuencia mediante la comparación de estudios por imágenes o resultados de análisis de sangre antes y después del tratamiento.
• Fase III: Determina si el tratamiento mejora los resultados clínicos, como reducir los ataques cardíacos, disminuir la mortalidad o mejorar la calidad de vida. Esta fase es necesaria para obtener la aprobación de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de Estados Unidos (FDA, por sus siglas en inglés).
• Fase IV: Se realiza después de la aprobación de la FDA e incluye poblaciones más amplias para evaluar la seguridad y eficacia a largo plazo, así como identificar posibles efectos secundarios.

¿Son seguros los ensayos clínicos?

La seguridad de los pacientes es la máxima prioridad. Antes de participar, los pacientes deben otorgar su consentimiento informado, lo que significa que reciben toda la información sobre el estudio y aceptan participar de manera voluntaria.

Los estudios siguen estrictos estándares éticos y son supervisados de cerca por nuestra Junta de Revisión Institucional (Institutional Review Board) para proteger el bienestar de los participantes. Además, quienes participan en ensayos clínicos suelen beneficiarse de un seguimiento más estrecho, con consultas, pruebas y evaluaciones continuas.

¿Quién puede participar en un ensayo clínico?

Cada estudio tiene criterios específicos de elegibilidad para garantizar que el tratamiento sea apropiado y seguro para los participantes. Por ejemplo, algunos ensayos pueden excluir a pacientes con determinadas enfermedades preexistentes si presentan un mayor riesgo o tienen pocas probabilidades de beneficiarse del tratamiento.

Debido a estos criterios, los resultados del ensayo se aplican principalmente al grupo de pacientes que participó en el estudio. Posteriormente, los médicos utilizan su criterio clínico para determinar cómo pueden aplicarse esos hallazgos a otros pacientes en la práctica diaria.

¿Qué es un placebo y los ensayos clínicos siempre incluyen uno?

Algunos ensayos utilizan un placebo, es decir, un tratamiento inactivo diseñado para parecerse al tratamiento real. En estos estudios, tanto el paciente como el médico suelen desconocer quién recibe el tratamiento activo, un proceso conocido como "enmascaramiento" o blinding.

Los ensayos controlados con placebo se consideran la forma más confiable de determinar si un tratamiento realmente funciona, ya que ayudan a reducir los sesgos y evitan que las expectativas influyan en los resultados.

Sin embargo, el uso de un placebo no es posible en todos los ensayos clínicos. Por ejemplo, cuando se comparan procedimientos quirúrgicos, los investigadores recurren a otros métodos para evaluar los resultados.

¿Los ensayos clínicos son gratuitos?

Sí. En la mayoría de los casos, las pruebas, tratamientos o procedimientos que forman parte del estudio se ofrecen sin costo adicional para los participantes.

¿Cómo se benefician los pacientes de los ensayos clínicos en Cedars-Sinai?

Hasta la mitad de los ensayos clínicos que se realizan en Cedars-Sinai están enfocados en el cáncer; el resto estudia otras enfermedades y afecciones. La participación suele ser mayor en los estudios sobre enfermedades graves o potencialmente mortales, ya que los pacientes buscan acceder a terapias innovadoras que podrían mejorar o prolongar sus vidas.

Además del posible beneficio individual, los participantes desempeñan un papel fundamental en el avance del conocimiento médico. Muchos de los tratamientos que hoy forman parte de la atención estándar existen gracias a personas que decidieron participar en ensayos clínicos. Ellos son los verdaderos héroes.

¿Cómo pueden los pacientes encontrar un ensayo clínico?

Cedars-Sinai cuenta con un registro en línea donde los pacientes pueden buscar estudios según su enfermedad o condición médica. Los médicos también conocen los estudios disponibles y pueden ayudar a determinar si un ensayo clínico es una buena opción para cada paciente.

Para la mayoría de las personas, el primer paso es conversar con su profesional de la salud para evaluar si participar en un ensayo clínico es una alternativa adecuada.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University impulsa investigaciones innovadoras y forma a los futuros líderes en medicina, ciencias biomédicas y ciencias de la salud afines. Obtenga más información sobre la universidad.

The study found that low-intensity, everyday activities—such as climbing stairs, doing household chores or taking a brief walk—can have meaningful effects on emotional health.

Mandelbaum, who was not involved in the study, told Healthline that he regularly observes the relationship between mental wellness and physical health in his clinical practice.

“Mental well-being isn’t just the absence of illness—it’s a state of emotional, psychological and social balance that helps us manage stress, stay resilient and engage meaningfully with the world around us,” he said.

Mandelbaum also highlighted the benefits of exercising outdoors, noting that research has shown it can lead to measurable improvements in mental health.

“Time spent in green spaces, whether it’s a park, trail or even a neighborhood garden, has been linked to lower cortisol, reduced blood pressure and improved mood,” he told Healthline.

For people looking to add more activity to their routine, Mandelbaum suggested introducing an element of adventure, explaining that “it can be as simple as trying a new hiking trail, taking a beginner fitness class, kayaking or exploring a new neighborhood.”

He told Healthline that these experiences help people stay present while building confidence and resilience through small challenges.

“Accomplishing something new—even something modest—can create a sense of achievement that supports mental well-being over time,” Mandelbaum said.

Read the complete article from Healthline.

Los hallazgos, publicados en la revista Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, también aportan nueva evidencia biológica que podría ayudar a explicar estas asociaciones.

"Estudios previos sugerían que el café podría beneficiar al hígado, pero la mayoría eran más pequeños o analizaban solo una parte del panorama", dijo el hepatólogo Hyunseok Kim, MD, MPH, PhD, profesor asistente de Medicina en Cedars-Sinai y autor correspondiente del estudio. "Seguimos a cientos de miles de personas durante más de una década y evaluamos sus resultados de salud junto con resonancias magnéticas del hígado y análisis de proteínas en sangre. En conjunto, estos hallazgos ayudan a explicar los mecanismos biológicos detrás de la asociación entre el consumo de café y una mejor salud hepática".

El estudio de Cedars-Sinai incluyó a más de 355,000 adultos y encontró que beber café se asoció con menores riesgos de cirrosis, cáncer de hígado y muerte relacionada con enfermedades hepáticas. Los investigadores analizaron datos de 354,957 participantes del UK Biobank que no presentaban cirrosis ni cáncer de hígado al inicio del estudio. Durante un seguimiento mediano de 13 años, los investigadores registraron nuevos diagnósticos de cirrosis, cáncer de hígado y fallecimientos relacionados con enfermedades hepáticas mediante registros médicos vinculados.

En comparación con las personas que no consumían café, quienes bebían cinco o más tazas al día presentaron un 32% menos riesgo de cirrosis, un 47% menos riesgo de cáncer de hígado y un 42% menos riesgo de muerte relacionada con enfermedades hepáticas.

Los participantes que consumían más café también mostraron menores niveles de grasa hepática, hierro hepático, fibrosis e inflamación del hígado en las resonancias magnéticas. Además, los análisis de sangre de los consumidores de café revelaron niveles más altos de proteínas asociadas con una función hepática saludable y niveles más bajos de proteínas relacionadas con la cicatrización y la inflamación.

Aunque el riesgo de enfermedad hepática disminuyó a medida que aumentaba el consumo de café, los investigadores señalaron que los beneficios también se observaron en personas que bebían una o dos tazas al día, y parecían ser mayores alrededor de tres a cuatro tazas diarias. Asimismo, enfatizaron que, aunque el grupo con el mayor consumo (cinco o más tazas al día) mostró beneficios, no recomiendan aumentar el consumo hasta ese nivel específicamente.

Se observaron asociaciones protectoras similares tanto con el café con cafeína como con el descafeinado, lo que sugiere que la cafeína por sí sola probablemente no sea el único componente activo y que otros compuestos naturales presentes en el café también podrían contribuir a estos beneficios.

Debido a que se trata de un estudio observacional, los investigadores señalaron que los resultados no demuestran que el café prevenga directamente las enfermedades hepáticas. También enfatizaron que el consumo de café debe complementar, y no sustituir, las estrategias comprobadas para prevenir las enfermedades del hígado.

"Nuestros hallazgos respaldan un consumo moderado de café para las personas que ya disfrutan de esta bebida y la toleran bien", afirmó el autor principal del estudio, Ju Dong Yang, MD, director médico del Programa de Cáncer de Hígado en Cedars-Sinai.

"Sin embargo, no recomendaríamos que alguien empiece a beber café únicamente para proteger el hígado con base en este estudio. La prevención debe seguir enfocándose en mantener un peso saludable, limitar el consumo de alcohol, hacer ejercicio de forma regular y controlar los niveles de glucosa, la presión arterial y el colesterol".

Debido a que la cafeína no es adecuada para todas las personas, quienes tienen hipertensión arterial no controlada, ciertos trastornos del ritmo cardíaco, ansiedad grave, insomnio u otras afecciones que requieren limitar el consumo de cafeína deben consultar con su profesional de la salud antes de aumentar la cantidad de café que consumen.

"El siguiente paso de nuestra investigación es identificar los compuestos específicos del café responsables de estas asociaciones protectoras para el hígado", dijo la autora del estudio Shelly Lu, MD, titular de la cátedra Women's Guild en Gastroenterología y directora de la División Karsh de Gastroenterología y Hepatología de Cedars-Sinai. "Nuestros hallazgos apuntan a vías biológicas relacionadas con la inflamación y la cicatrización, y destacan posibles objetivos moleculares que futuras investigaciones podrán explorar para comprender mejor cómo el café podría influir en la salud hepática y quiénes podrían beneficiarse más".

Entre los autores adicionales de Cedars-Sinai se encuentran Yufeng Wang, Abdelrahman M. Attia, Minsun Kwak, Seungwon Burm, Derin Celtik, Daniel Legaspi, Osama Khattab, Naomy Kim, Beza M. Mengistu, Kelsey N. Larios, Walid Ayoub, Alexandar Kuo, Paul Martin, Aarshi Vipani, Yun Wang, Debiao Li y Stephen Pandol.

Otros autores incluyen Mohammad Saeid Rezaee-Zavareh, David Sooik Kim y Suthat Liangpunsakul.

Conflictos de interés: Ju Dong Yang informa los siguientes conflictos de interés: servicios de consultoría para AstraZeneca, Eisai, Exact Sciences y Fujifilm Medical Sciences.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University impulsa investigaciones innovadoras y forma a las futuras generaciones de líderes en medicina, ciencias biomédicas y ciencias de la salud afines. Obtenga más información sobre la universidad.

Van Eyk, director of Basic Science Research in the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center, told The Analytical Scientist that her lab focuses on women’s heart disease, which can differ from heart disease in men—differences that have not always received adequate research or attention.

More broadly, Van Eyk and her team are working to individualize healthcare by building reliable pipelines that run from discovery to patient diagnostics and treatments. She offered one example: an automated workflow that takes her team from the discovery phase—identifying candidate biomarkers, the measurable indicators of a biological state or disease—to targeted lab tests that can be used with large populations.

A similar approach supports cell-based drug trials and single-cell studies, where thousands of cells are analyzed individually.

“Only in the last few years has it been feasible to take the smallest of samples (a single cell) and obtain quantitative proteomic data,” Van Eyk said. “It is a truly remarkable technical feat.”

For proteomics to broadly advance precision medicine, methods must become easier to use while remaining reliable, Van Eyk said.

“This democratization of proteomics will both expand its use, but, importantly, it will also help ensure that data obtained around the world can be harmonized,” she said. “This is essential.”

Read the complete article from The Analytical Scientist.

investigators linked higher coffee consumption with lower risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death.

“Previous studies suggested that coffee might benefit the liver, but most were smaller or looked at only one piece of the puzzle,” said hepatologist Hyunseok Kim, MD, MPH, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and corresponding author of the study. “We followed hundreds of thousands of people for more than a decade and looked at their health outcomes along with liver MRI scans and blood protein analyses. Together, those findings help explain the biological mechanisms behind coffee’s association with better liver health.”

A Cedars-Sinai study of more than 355,000 adults found that drinking coffee was associated with lower risks of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death. The investigators analyzed data from 354,957 UK Biobank participants who did not have cirrhosis or liver cancer at the start of the study. Over a median follow-up of 13 years, researchers tracked new diagnoses of cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death through linked health records.

Compared with people who did not drink coffee, those who drank five or more cups of coffee a day had a 32% lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of liver cancer and a 42% lower risk of liver-related death. Participants who drank more coffee also had lower levels of liver fat, liver iron, fibrosis and liver inflammation in MRI scans. And coffee drinkers’ blood tests showed higher levels of proteins tied to healthy liver function and lower levels of proteins linked to scarring and inflammation.

While liver health risk decreased as coffee consumption increased, researchers noted that benefits were seen even at one to two cups per day and appeared strongest around three to four cups per day. They emphasized that while the highest intake group (five or more cups daily) showed benefit, they would not recommend increasing consumption to that level specifically.

Similar protective associations were observed for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting that caffeine itself is unlikely to be the only active component, and that other naturally occurring compounds in coffee may contribute to the benefits. Because the study was observational, investigators noted it does not prove that coffee itself prevents liver disease. And they emphasized that coffee should complement—not replace—established strategies for preventing liver disease.

“Our findings support moderate coffee consumption for people who already enjoy and tolerate it well,” said study senior author Ju Dong Yang, MD, medical director of the Liver Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai. “However, we would not recommend that someone begin drinking coffee solely for liver protection based on this study alone. Prevention should continue to focus on maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, and managing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.”

Because caffeine isn’t appropriate for everyone, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain heart rhythm disorders, severe anxiety, insomnia or other conditions that require limiting caffeine should consult their healthcare provider before increasing their coffee consumption.

“The next step in our research is to identify the specific compounds in coffee that are responsible for these liver-protective associations,” said study author Shelly Lu, MD, the Women’s Guild Chair in Gastroenterology and director of the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cedars-Sinai. “Our findings point to biological pathways involving inflammation and scarring and highlight molecular targets that future research can explore to better understand how coffee may influence liver health and who stands to benefit the most.”

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Yufeng Wang, Abdelrahman M. Attia, Minsun Kwak, Seungwon Burm, Derin Celtik, Daniel Legaspi, Osama Khattab, Naomy Kim, Beza M. Mengistu, Kelsey N. Larios, Walid Ayoub, Alexandar Kuo, Paul Martin, Aarshi Vipani, Yun Wang, Debiao Li and Stephen Pandol.

Other authors include Mohammad Saeid Rezaee-Zavareh, David Sooik Kim and Suthat Liangpunsakul.

Conflicts of Interest: Ju Dong Yang reports the following conflicts of interest: consulting service for AstraZeneca, Eisai, Exact Sciences, and Fujifilm Medical Sciences.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Amersi, who was not involved with the study, told CBS LA Mornings co-hosts Jamie Yuccas and Sheba Turk that researchers used a test that analyzes gene expression to estimate the likelihood of cancer recurrence and chemotherapy benefit in more than 4,400 high-risk breast cancer patients, including those with large tumors or lymph node involvement.

Based on the results, women deemed unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy instead received hormone therapy, and their outcomes were comparable with those who underwent chemotherapy.

Amersi said some women could safely avoid chemotherapy now, thanks to tests like these, adding that a similar test used in the U.S. analyzes gene expression in breast tumors and can “help predict more from a personalized standpoint whether chemotherapy is truly beneficial to these patients or not.”

Amersi told Yuccas and Turk the study focused on estrogen-positive breast cancers—meaning the cancer thrives on estrogen—for which hormone-blocking therapy already is an alternative to chemotherapy.

“It’s not that they wouldn’t get any treatment,” she said. “Instead, they would be taking an antiestrogen pill for five years to prevent the cancer from coming back.”

Amersi added that chemotherapy remains necessary for patients with estrogen-negative breast cancer.

She also discussed screening guidelines, telling Yuccas and Turk that women at average risk should “be getting a screening mammogram every year starting at 40. That’s standard of care.”

Women with dense breasts also can receive screening ultrasounds. Those at high risk, such as women who test positive for BRCA gene mutations, should receive MRIs in addition to mammograms, Amersi said.

Watch the complete segment from CBS 2.

While exercise generally benefits physical and mental health, certain movements can strain the spine—particularly in people with a history of back problems or lumbar disc degeneration.

Bach told HuffPost that deadlifts can become problematic when performed incorrectly, particularly when a neutral spine is not maintained, which can place stress on the lower back.

“The risk increases significantly when the lumbar spine becomes the ‘hinge’ of the movement rather than the hips,” Bach said. He also noted that fatigue, poor hip mobility and excessive load can increase risk.

Bach told HuffPost that barbell back squats can pose a risk when performed incorrectly, due to excessive compressive force on the spine. This can occur “when the squat depth is too low, there is excessive forward trunk lean or when the spine is unable to [be] maintained in a neutral position,” he said.

Bach noted that a goblet squat—performed by holding a dumbbell or kettlebell close to the chest while squatting—is a safer alternative because it “tends to promote a more upright posture.”

He also highlighted that the seated toe-touch hamstring stretch carries a “very common but often overlooked” risk.

“While widely taught, this stretch frequently results in lumbar flexion rather than true hamstring elongation,” Bach told HuffPost. “Individuals tend to round through the low back, which increases anterior disc compression and posterior disc pressure.”

The safer alternative, he said, is a supine hamstring stretch performed while lying on the back using a strap or band, which allows hamstring lengthening while maintaining a neutral spine.

“The goal is to isolate hip flexion without forcing the lumbar spine into flexion,” Bach told HuffPost.

Read the complete article from HuffPost.

Mandelbaum, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, told podcast host Bruce Reider, MD, that he became fascinated with exercise physiology research early in his career as a surgeon.

He later became known as a “soccer doctor” in Southern California, where he focused on ACL injury prevention as more female patients were coming to him for surgery. This led Mandelbaum to collaborate with colleagues on a neuromuscular training program that reduced ACL injuries in athletes by more than 70%.

“Through systematic reviews and meta-analyses, people now conclude that a majority of ACLs should and can be prevented,” Mandelbaum said.

Having served as a medical officer for nine FIFA World Cups and six Olympic Games, Mandelbaum said he has seen how sport can bring people together because “the sport of life and the life of sport is where humanity sits."

Looking ahead to the LA28 Games, Mandelbaum told Reider a key challenge will be scaling medical coverage across multiple venues and disciplines. However, he is confident in the thousands of healthcare professionals who will support the event, citing their “amazing capability of coming together, harmonizing and creating this convergence and unification.

“And the Games will be an amazing success.”

Listen to the complete episode from the Easy Reider. 

Physician burnout is common and contributes to early career exits, reduced productivity, medical errors and lower patient satisfaction.

While the authors note that AI may reduce burnout by saving time and easing cognitive demands—automating documentation, streamlining administrative tasks, and helping emergency departments detect and prioritize urgent cases—they warn that the same tools also could introduce new and unexpected sources of strain.

“If AI tools are poorly designed, not seamlessly integrated into existing workflows and electronic health records, or have usability issues, they could introduce new inefficiencies, disrupt established routines, diminish physicians’ control over their day, and increase time demands,” Aboujaoude and Bouguettaya wrote.

For example, they noted that while AI may lower mental effort by helping doctors process information and make diagnoses, it also could increase stress through too many alerts and the need to constantly double-check results.

“It is entirely possible that physicians may increasingly face an overwhelming volume of AI-generated data that requires extensive cognitive processing to assess for relevance and accuracy,” they wrote.

The authors point to electronic health records as a cautionary example of a technology that, while designed to improve efficiency, has often increased administrative work and contributed to burnout.

They conclude that while AI holds promise for reducing contributors to burnout, its benefits are not guaranteed.

“For medical AI tools to be a genuine solution rather than another source of physician burnout—or even a trigger for a mental health crisis—the development and deployment of these systems must be physician-centered and informed by high-quality research,” they wrote.

Read the complete letter from World Psychiatry.

Results from the Phase III study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, could expand treatment options for one of the deadliest and most difficult-to-treat cancers. Pancreatic cancer is rarely caught early—symptoms go unnoticed until the disease is advanced—giving it a five-year relative survival rate of just 13%.

“There is new hope for pancreatic cancer,” said Hendifar, a principal investigator on the trial and co-author of the study. “With additional research and progress, the future is brighter.”

In the trial, patients who received the experimental drug, daraxonrasib, had a median overall survival of 13.2 months, compared with 6.6 months for those treated with standard chemotherapy. Participants had metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer, that had not yet been treated.

“The medicine is highly effective and it’s a pill—the first oral medication for pancreatic cancers generally,” Hendifar told Everyday Health.

Daraxonrasib targets KRAS, a gene mutation found in most pancreatic cancers that drives tumor growth.

“Until now, it has been undruggable,” Hendifar said of KRAS.

Although scientists have long recognized KRAS as a key driver of cancer, developing therapies that effectively target the mutation has proved challenging. The success of daraxonrasib could pave the way for new treatments for pancreatic and other KRAS-driven cancers.

Hendifar told Everyday Health the drug could receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within months after an application is submitted. In the meantime, some eligible patients could be able to access the experimental treatment through compassionate-use or expanded-access programs.

Read the complete article from Everyday Health.

Injections of platelet-rich plasma made from a patient’s own blood are increasingly used to treat knee osteoarthritis—but their use is not widely accepted and the treatment does not work for everyone. Investigators from Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University have taken the first steps toward predicting which patients will benefit.

With further study, their findings, published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, could improve patient outcomes and guide development of next-generation treatments for the debilitating condition.

During the procedure, a patient’s blood is processed in a machine that separates plasma and platelets—a blood component essential for clotting. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into the affected knee to promote repair.

About 60% of patients in the study experienced reduced pain and better knee function after treatment, said Dmitriy Sheyn, PhD, associate professor of Orthopaedics and Surgery and corresponding author of the study.

“We found that patients whose pain and inflammation improved after treatment tended to have lower concentrations of specific cellular and protein biomarkers in their PRP, while patients who had poorer responses to treatment had higher concentrations,” said Sheyn, also a research scientist in the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute. “This suggests that the biological makeup of platelet-rich plasma varies between individuals and might influence how well the treatment works.”

The study represents the first attempt to understand how PRP works, said Bert Mandelbaum, MD, professor of Orthopaedics and senior author of the study.

“While this study is small and did not include a ‘placebo’ group that did not receive PRP, it is a first step toward identifying the active ingredients in the therapy so that we can design a complementary arthritis treatment based around them,” Mandelbaum said. “We are excited to continue this work.”  

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Lea Zila; Juliane D. Glaeser; Julia Sheyn; Giselle Kaneda; Jacob T. Wechsler; Parnika Karthik; Victoria Yu; Jasmine Galloway; Sarah Parker; Aleksandr Stotland; Catherine Bresee; Khosrowdad Salehi; Pablo Avalos, MD; Clive Svendsen, PhD; and Wafa Tawackoli, PhD.

The other author is Begonya Comin-Anduix.

Funding: This study was internally funded by Regenerative Orthobiologics Center and Precision Health Initiative.

Study Finds Hospital Addiction Consultation Service May Improve Outcomes at Low Cost

Helping hospitalized patients begin treatment for opioid use disorder may improve outcomes at a reasonable financial cost, according to a study co-led by investigators at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.

The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that the hospital-based addiction consultation service known as START (Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team) is cost-effective and clinically effective, based on findings from a prior randomized trial.

Investigators used a computer-based model to analyze the clinical trial data and evaluate healthcare costs and patient outcomes over one year. Compared with patients who received standard or usual care, those who received START were more likely to begin treatment for opioid use disorder and connect with follow-up care after discharge. Compared with usual care, START use cost an additional $162 per patient and approximately $15,750 per additional year lived in good health—well below commonly accepted thresholds for cost-effectiveness.

“Hospitalization is a critical opportunity to begin treatment for opioid use disorder, yet most patients are discharged without it,” said Teryl Nuckols, MD, MSHS, director of the Division of Internal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and the study’s senior author. “While new care models can be costly to implement, our findings suggest START delivers meaningful health benefits for a relatively modest additional investment—providing strong value for patients and health systems alike.”

The authors said additional research is needed to better understand how hospitals can overcome barriers to implementing START and similar addiction consultation services. This information can inform hospital leaders and healthcare policymakers who are making decisions about the role of addiction consultation services in the care of hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder.

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Itai Danovitch, MD.

Additional authors include Adeyemi Okunogbe, MBChB, PhD; Alexandra Peltz, MHS; and Allison J. Ober, PhD.

Funding/Support: This study was supported by grant U01TR002756-01A1 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr. Danovitch reported having equity from Bexson Biomedical and Workit Health outside the submitted work. Dr. Nuckols reported receiving grant 5 U01 FD005938-04 from U.S. Food and Drug Administration outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Continuing a longstanding community outreach effort, the professional football players shared gifts and words of encouragement with pediatric patients at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, families in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and patients receiving care at Cedars-Sinai Cancer.

Jill Martin, executive vice president of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network, told the Los Angeles Sentinel the visit exemplified the meaningful partnership between the Rams and Cedars-Sinai.

“We really value our sponsorship with the Rams and appreciate the fact that they want to be out there serving the community,” Martin said. “That’s the great part about the sponsorship, that it’s all about what are the things we can do together to be able to help care [for] and support the community of Los Angeles.”

Jalen Logan-Redding, a Rams defensive lineman, told the Los Angeles Sentinel the visit inspired him.

“Being able to get in touch with Los Angeles in that way, it’s really huge for me,” he said.

Rams’ cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton told CBS 2 that visiting newborns in the NICU “gave me the jitters” and that he enjoyed talking to new parents and witnessing their experience.

Another group of Rams rookies visited Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital, signing autographs, posing for photos and sharing support with patients, families and staff.

Read the complete article from the Los Angeles Sentinel and watch the complete segment from CBS 2.

Sicotte told host Jon Strum that advances in diagnostic guidelines, technology and treatment are enabling clinicians to diagnose MS earlier and offer patients greater reassurance and optimism.

Early diagnosis can help “stop MS in its tracks really before it even gets started,” she said.

Sicotte emphasized that exercise, restorative sleep, a healthy diet, social connection and stress management play an important role alongside medication in managing MS.

“This kind of lifestyle change can really give patients something that they can anchor on, and something they can do, so not feeling powerless,” she told Strum. “And it’s really important because it does make a difference in the long term.”

She said she encourages patients to prioritize self-compassion and patience rather than focusing on specific milestones in the months immediately following diagnosis.

“I always tell patients, first and foremost, just take a deep breath and let yourself have time to come to grips with the diagnosis,” Sicotte told Strum. “And I always have found, a year later, it’s much, much better. People feel totally different than they did.”

Sicotte also addressed common misconceptions about MS, including assumptions that the disease inevitably leads to wheelchair use or prevents women from starting families.

Many people diagnosed with MS can look forward to living “a full, rich life and do all the things that they want to do, that they dreamt of doing before they had the diagnosis,” she said.

Listen to the complete episode from Real Talk MS.

Barmparas treats some of the most seriously injured patients who arrive at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center—a Level I trauma center prepared to treat highly complex cases.

He told CBS 2 reporter Brittney Ermon that the hospital’s trauma team is seeing injuries to “the head, the brain, and a lot of fractures in the face, the arms, massive road rashes.”

He said a single mistake can have devastating, lifelong consequences.

“Saving their life the first day is just the beginning,” Barmparas told Ermon. “And then it’s the story of how you recover from those massive injuries.”

He said many of the injured patients are teenagers, noting that high speeds and risky behavior can quickly lead to serious crashes.

“It’s heartbreaking to see that the kid was just trying to have some fun and they come in with devastating injuries that change their life forever,” he told Ermon.

Barmparas urged e-bike riders to slow down, ride safely and wear a helmet designed and rated for e-bike use.

“We do our best to save the patient, but the best trauma story is a story that never happens,” he said.

Experts also urge drivers and pedestrians to stay alert around e-bikes, and they warn against carrying passengers on bikes not designed for multiple riders.

Read the complete article and watch the segment from CBS 2.

Minissian, the Simms/Mann Family Foundation Endowed Chair of Nurse Education, Innovation and Research, told podcast host Jelena Spyropoulos that female mentors played a defining role in her career by encouraging her to pursue opportunities she had not initially imagined for herself.

“Every aspect of my development has been influenced by females in healthcare,” she said. “And I would not be where I am today without several of them.”

Among those mentors was C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, who encouraged Minissian to explore research and expand her professional ambitions.

Minissian, who oversees mentorship efforts for thousands of nurses at Cedars-Sinai, told Spyropoulos that cultivating a network of three or four mentors who can offer professional, strategic and personal guidance is critical for career growth—particularly for women, who are often more likely than men to hesitate before pursuing new opportunities.

“Every time you get a mentor, and then they’re talking with someone, and your name comes up and something good is said about you,” she said, “you’re actually working on your professionalism. They’re advocating for you and you’re not even there.”

For young women beginning their careers, Minissian emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, saying: “You’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot, and ignore it. Keep pressing forward, especially if you can feel the fire in your belly.”

Listen to the complete episode from Hear From Her | The Women in Healthcare Leadership Podcast Series.

Preeclampsia affects up to 8% of women who give birth worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. In severe cases, physicians must deliver babies prematurely to protect the mother, which increases infants’ risk of breathing problems, infections and developmental delays.

In a study co-authored by Thadhani and Ananth Karumanchi, MD, director of the Renovascular Research Center at Cedars-Sinai, investigators focused on removing a harmful protein from the mother’s blood, which proved effective in safely extending pregnancy. Results from the small, pilot study were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

“We’re excited about this,” Thadhani told Scientific American. “It’s the first time anyone has developed a targeted treatment for this condition.”

Thadhani, executive vice president of Clinical Affairs, said investigators avoided potential fetal risk by removing the preeclampsia-linked protein sFlt-1 from the blood of 16 women through filtering, rather than targeting it with antibodies inside the body.

“This way, we [didn’t] have to worry about anything crossing the placenta, and we could turn off the machine if a woman had a complication,” he told Scientific American.

Thadhani said the method stabilized high blood pressure and extended pregnancies to roughly twice as long as expected.

“Extension is a key component, because if a woman is at 29 weeks or 32 weeks, the goal is to get her to 34 weeks, 36 weeks and let the baby grow,” he said.

Thadhani told Scientific American that while the findings need confirmation in larger clinical trials, “this is the end of the beginning” in “finally developing a strategy to target this condition for which we’ve never had a treatment.”

Read the complete article from Scientific American.

IBS affects about 10% of U.S. adults and, while incurable, can be managed through diet, behavioral therapy and medication.

Rezaie, director of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology at the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai, told HCPLive the field is shifting away from a one-size-fits-all approach to symptom treatment and toward therapies tailored to the biological drivers of each patient’s disease.

“Twenty or 30 years ago, we would empirically treat patients, mostly just targeting symptoms,” Rezaie told HCPLive. “Now, we recognize that IBS has multiple underlying pathophysiologies, and depending on the patient, we can tailor therapy more precisely.”

Rezaie told HCPLive research increasingly suggests “a subgroup of IBS patients has disease driven by the gut microbiome,” fueling interest in microbiome-targeted therapies.

Rezaie said that because IBS is a chronic condition often diagnosed when patients are in their 20s, 30s and 40s, it typically requires long-term management of fluctuating symptoms.

“If you start them on a medication,” he told HCPLive, “this is not necessarily a curable disease, so they might be on that medication for years or decades.”

A large real-world study led by Rezaie found that some commonly prescribed IBS medications, particularly antidepressants and certain antidiarrheals, may be associated with an increased long-term mortality risk, underscoring the importance of evaluating safety in a condition often treated for decades.

In a related interview with HCPLive, Rezaie noted that these research findings highlight the need for more informed patient discussions and for future IBS guidelines to better incorporate long-term safety data alongside symptom management.

Read the complete article from HCPLive.

El estudio internacional en etapa inicial, publicado en la revista Nature Medicine, se centró en eliminar una proteína dañina de la sangre materna.

La preeclampsia se caracteriza por presión arterial alta que puede volverse potencialmente mortal rápidamente. En su forma grave temprana —antes de las 34 semanas de embarazo— los médicos con frecuencia deben inducir el parto de manera prematura para proteger a la madre, aunque el nacimiento temprano puede representar riesgos significativos para el bebé. El método probado por los investigadores logró prolongar el embarazo de manera segura, dando a los bebés más tiempo para desarrollarse antes del nacimiento.

“Incluso unos pocos días adicionales en el útero pueden marcar una diferencia importante en los resultados de los bebés prematuros”, dijo el coautor corresponsal del estudio, Ananth Karumanchi, MD, profesor de Medicina, director del Renovascular Research Center y titular de la Medallion Chair in Vascular Biology en Cedars-Sinai. “Encontramos una forma de potencialmente ganar ese tiempo de manera segura. Nuestro enfoque podría cambiar la forma en que manejamos la preeclampsia muy temprana”.

El enfoque se centra en una proteína llamada sFlt-1, producida por la placenta y conocida por dañar los vasos sanguíneos y provocar los síntomas de la preeclampsia. Los investigadores diseñaron una proteína inmunitaria especializada que se une a la sFlt-1 y la incorporaron en un dispositivo de filtración sanguínea. Mediante un proceso llamado aféresis extracorpórea —similar a la diálisis renal— lograron filtrar la sangre de la madre y eliminar el exceso de sFlt-1 sin afectar otros componentes esenciales de la sangre.

El tratamiento fue evaluado en 16 mujeres. Su presión arterial mejoró, sus bebés continuaron creciendo normalmente durante el tratamiento y permanecieron embarazadas un promedio de 10 días adicionales, más del doble del tiempo observado en pacientes no tratadas.

“En este momento, la única forma de curar la preeclampsia y proteger la vida y la salud de la madre es dar a luz al bebé”, dijo Sarah Kilpatrick, MD, PhD, experta en medicina materno-fetal y presidenta del Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología de Cedars-Sinai. “Eso coloca a los bebés extremadamente prematuros en un alto riesgo. Este enfoque podría dar a los médicos más flexibilidad para manejar estos casos de alto riesgo”.

Los investigadores señalaron que el tratamiento también es notable porque elimina un factor dañino en lugar de introducir nuevos medicamentos, lo que potencialmente reduce el riesgo de efectos secundarios. Sin embargo, advirtieron que, a pesar de los resultados positivos del pequeño estudio, el tratamiento sigue siendo experimental y deberá evaluarse en ensayos clínicos más amplios.

“Nuestro objetivo era atacar directamente una de las causas fundamentales de la preeclampsia”, dijo Ravi Thadhani, MD, MPH, coautor corresponsal del estudio, vicepresidente ejecutivo de Asuntos Clínicos y director médico de Cedars-Sinai Medical Center y Cedars-Sinai Health System. “Al reducir la sFlt-1, pudimos estabilizar a las pacientes y prolongar el embarazo, un avance significativo y emocionante”.

Entre los autores adicionales de Cedars-Sinai se encuentra Agnes Lo.

Otros autores incluyen a Thomas F. Hiemstra, Manu Vatish, Holger Stepan, Ana Sofia Cerdeira, Jeremy Brockelsby, Tim James, Massimiliano Lia, Alissa Cornelis, Elena Krause, Martin R. Spath, Berthold Grüttner, Polina Todorova, Henning Hagmann, Kristen R. Yeung, Bei Xu, Scott Heffernan, Suzanne Pears, Richard Waugh, John Thompson, Jim Iliopoulos, Neroli Sunderland, Murray Killingsworth, Angela Makris, Annemarie Hennessy, Adelene Y. Tan, Paul Kussie, Yuchiao Chang, Linda Hanssens, Stefan Miltenyi y Thomas Benzing.

Financiamiento: Este trabajo fue respaldado por Miltenyi Biomedicine y Aggamin Pharmaceuticals.

Conflictos de interés: R.T. y S.A.K. son coinventores de múltiples patentes de biomarcadores relacionados con la preeclampsia, licenciadas a varias compañías (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Beckman Coulter, Siemens y Roche), y reportan intereses financieros en Aggamin Pharmaceuticals y funciones de consultoría para Comanche Biopharma. R.T. y S.A.K. también figuran como coinventores de una patente provisional propiedad de Cedars-Sinai Medical Center para una nueva prueba diagnóstica de flujo lateral para preeclampsia y afecciones relacionadas. A.H. es asesor de Comanche Biopharma. A.Y.T. y P.K. son empleados de Aggamin Pharmaceuticals. L.H. es empleada de Miltenyi Biomedicine y S.M. es fundador de la compañía. Todos los demás autores declararon no tener conflictos de interés. Estos intereses financieros fueron divulgados de acuerdo con las políticas de la revista.

La Universidad de Ciencias de la Salud de Cedars-Sinai está impulsando investigaciones innovadoras y formando a los futuros líderes en medicina, ciencias biomédicas y ciencias de la salud afines. Más información sobre la universidad.

En casa, Hedrick cuida al menos otras 60 plantas.

“No escucho audiolibros, no hablo con mi familia ni pienso en el trabajo cuando estoy en el jardín”, dijo Hedrick. “Estoy en el momento presente, completamente enfocada en mis plantas”.

Para Hedrick, la jardinería es una forma de meditación consciente. Inicialmente recurrió a la meditación para ayudar a controlar el estrés después de que una enfermedad autoinmune provocara brotes que le causaron pérdida de visión. Con el tiempo, la meditación ayudó a disminuir tanto la frecuencia como la intensidad de esos episodios.

Hoy, Hedrick incorpora la reducción del estrés basada en la atención plena en su trabajo como psiquiatra y promueve intervenciones similares entre mente y cuerpo como formas saludables y respaldadas por la ciencia para ayudar a aliviar la ansiedad.

En un ensayo clínico ampliamente citado y publicado en JAMA Psychiatry, se descubrió que un programa de reducción del estrés basado en la atención plena de ocho semanas funcionó tan bien como un medicamento comúnmente recetado como tratamiento de primera línea para la ansiedad al reducir los síntomas de los trastornos de ansiedad.

“La meditación no solo te calma en el momento”, dijo Hedrick. “Cambia la manera en que el cerebro está conectado, ayudando a que la parte pensante del cerebro sea más eficaz para disminuir la respuesta de miedo”.

Hedrick explicó que la meditación consciente fortalece la conexión entre la corteza prefrontal —el área del cerebro responsable de la planificación, el pensamiento de alto nivel y el procesamiento de información— y la amígdala, el centro cerebral del peligro.

“La meditación es como hacer curl de bíceps para el cerebro”, afirmó, señalando que los estudios de neuroimagen muestran que la meditación puede producir cambios estructurales y funcionales medibles en el cerebro. “El cerebro realmente crece en las áreas que controlan la regulación de la atención”.

Uno de los conceptos erróneos más comunes sobre la meditación, explicó Hedrick, es pensar que requiere permanecer completamente quieto y vaciar la mente. En realidad, consiste en prestar atención al momento presente sin juzgar.

“Muchas personas encuentran que el movimiento —la jardinería, correr, practicar tai chi o yoga, tocar guitarra— es una forma de meditación más accesible que quedarse quietas”, dijo. “Hay infinitas maneras de traer la mente al momento presente”.

Las distracciones durante la meditación no representan un fracaso, añadió Hedrick, sino que forman parte del ejercicio. Redirigir la atención fortalece los circuitos cerebrales relacionados con la regulación emocional y la autoconciencia.

Como ocurre con cualquier tipo de entrenamiento, los beneficios se desarrollan gradualmente con el tiempo.

“Hay que perseverar”, dijo. “Los beneficios llegan con la práctica. Por eso se llama práctica: hay que seguir haciéndola”.

Sin embargo, Hedrick advirtió que la meditación no debe utilizarse para reprimir emociones difíciles.

“La meditación funciona mejor cuando dejas de intentar usarla para sentirte mejor y, en cambio, la usas para mejorar tu capacidad de sentir”, explicó Hedrick. “La atención plena es más poderosa cuando se integra con la terapia. Si traumas no resueltos, duelo o depresión están impulsando estas emociones, aún se necesita el trabajo terapéutico de comprenderlas y procesarlas”.

Hedrick enfatizó que la meditación no siempre es relajante ni apropiada para todas las personas, particularmente para quienes tienen antecedentes de trauma, ansiedad severa o ciertas afecciones psiquiátricas. En esos casos, las decisiones de tratamiento deben ser guiadas por un profesional de la salud.

“La meditación no es una solución universal ni una cura milagrosa”, dijo Hedrick. “Considérela una parte de una caja de herramientas. La atención plena funciona junto con la terapia, la actividad física, la conexión social y, cuando corresponde, los medicamentos”.

Para quienes desean comenzar una práctica de atención plena, Hedrick recomienda unirse a un grupo de meditación guiada, explorar una aplicación digital o incorporar ejercicios de respiración: respiraciones lentas y enfocadas que ayudan a calmar el cuerpo y mantener la atención en el presente.

Música para Calmar y Sanar

La meditación y la atención plena no son las únicas herramientas terapéuticas que pueden ayudar a las personas a enfrentar el estrés y la ansiedad. La música también puede brindar consuelo, conexión y alivio emocional.

Bronwen Jones, MTheol, BCC, capellana interreligiosa del Departamento de Atención Espiritual que trabaja con el Programa de Apoyo para Pacientes y Familias en Cedars-Sinai Cancer, coordina conciertos virtuales en vivo interpretados por músicos profesionales para pacientes que reciben quimioterapia y otros tratamientos.

En las áreas de infusión, la música —desde Gershwin hasta clásicos de The Beatles— actúa como un bálsamo.

“Escuchar música en vivo cambia completamente la atmósfera de la sala”, dijo Jones. “Es extraordinario y poderoso cuando un músico profesional toca para uno de nuestros pacientes. Es una experiencia única, muy personal y muchas veces emocional: un momento mágico en el que las personas se transforman”.

Jones coordina las presentaciones con músicos a través de la iniciativa “Vital Sounds Initiative” de Project: Music Heals Us. Las sesiones se adaptan a las preferencias musicales de cada persona y los músicos frecuentemente aceptan solicitudes y crean vínculos durante la experiencia.

Los pacientes suelen describir la música como lo mejor de su día, comentó Jones, porque les ayuda a relajarse y reconectarse con la alegría durante la experiencia, a menudo aislante, del tratamiento contra el cáncer.

Recordó el caso de una paciente cuya presión arterial estaba peligrosamente alta antes de la quimioterapia. Después de escuchar una presentación de violonchelo en vivo, la presión arterial de la paciente disminuyó tanto que pudo continuar con el tratamiento.

Jones, exmúsica profesional, afirmó que la música puede llegar emocionalmente a las personas de maneras que otras intervenciones a veces no logran.

“Si disfrutas escuchar música, puedes usarla para ayudar a moldear tu estado de ánimo, ya sea que busques tranquilidad o una sensación de renovación”, dijo. “También animo a las personas a aprender o retomar un instrumento porque participar en el aprendizaje es una excelente estrategia para afrontar la ansiedad”.

El Poder del Asombro

Al igual que la meditación y la música, el asombro —experimentar admiración, maravilla y reverencia al encontrarse con algo vasto, poderoso o bello— puede permitir un replanteamiento conceptual al reconectar a las personas con el significado, la gratitud y la perspectiva.

Rebecca Benhaghnazar, PhD, científica posdoctoral y fundadora y copresidenta de la Comunidad Científica, Espiritual e Interreligiosa de Cedars-Sinai, explicó que el asombro puede surgir a través de la música, la oración, la atención plena, la naturaleza o el arte: cualquier experiencia que ayude a las personas a sentirse conectadas con algo más grande que ellas mismas.

“Todo aquello que permita a una persona trascenderse puede generar un cambio muy poderoso en el reentrenamiento cognitivo”, dijo Benhaghnazar. “Para algunos, eso significa contemplar un atardecer o escuchar música hermosa. Para otros, es la oración”.

Benhaghnazar, cuya investigación se centra en el diseño terapéutico y la biología celular, encuentra esos momentos de asombro en su propio trabajo.

“Puedo observar la naturaleza a nivel microscópico”, dijo. “Cuando veo el interior de una sola célula, es maravilloso”.

En una cultura dominada por la estimulación constante, Benhaghnazar destacó el reinicio mental que incluso unos pocos momentos de reflexión pueden proporcionar.

“Una práctica diaria de asombro es indispensable”, afirmó. “Salgan unos minutos y observen las hojas de un árbol, miren el cielo. El asombro, la conexión, la espiritualidad y la gratitud ayudan a mantenernos con los pies en la tierra”.

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At home, Hedrick tends to at least 60 more.

“I’m not listening to audiobooks, I’m not talking to family, I’m not thinking about work when I’m gardening,” Hedrick said. “I’m in the present moment, fully focused on my plants.”

For Hedrick, gardening is a form of mindfulness meditation. She initially turned to meditation to help manage stress after an autoimmune condition caused flare-ups that led to vision loss. Over time, meditation helped lessen both the frequency and intensity of those flare-ups.

Today, Hedrick incorporates mindfulness-based stress reduction into her work as a psychiatrist and encourages similar mind-body interventions as healthy, science-backed ways to help alleviate anxiety.

In a widely cited clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry, an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program was found to work as well as a commonly prescribed first-line medication for anxiety in reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders.

“Meditation doesn’t just calm you down in the moment,” Hedrick said. “It changes how the brain is wired, helping the thinking part of the brain get better at dialing down the fear response.”

Hedrick said mindfulness meditation strengthens the connection between the prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain responsible for planning, higher-level thinking and information processing—and the amygdala, the brain’s danger center.

“Meditation is a bicep curl for your brain,” she said, noting that neuroimaging studies show meditation can produce measurable structural and functional changes in the brain. “The brain actually gets bigger in the areas that control attention regulation.”

One common meditation misconception, Hedrick said, is that meditating requires sitting perfectly still and emptying the mind. Instead, it’s paying attention to the present moment without judgment.

“Many people find movement—gardening, running, practicing tai chi or yoga, playing the guitar—to be a more accessible form of meditation than sitting still,” she said. “There are infinite ways to bring your mind into the present moment.”

Distraction during meditation is not failure, Hedrick added, but part of the exercise. Redirecting attention strengthens brain circuits involved in emotional regulation and self-awareness.

As with any form of training, the benefits build gradually over time.

“Stick with it,” she said. “The benefits come with practice. That’s why we call it a practice—you have to keep doing it.”

Hedrick cautions, however, that meditation should not be used to suppress difficult emotions.

“Meditation works best when you stop trying to use it to feel better and instead, use it to get better at feeling,” Hedrick said. “Mindfulness is most powerful when integrated with therapy. If unresolved trauma, grief or depression are driving these emotions, you still need the therapeutic work of understanding and processing them.”

Hedrick emphasized that meditation is not always calming or appropriate for everyone, particularly people with trauma histories, severe anxiety or certain psychiatric conditions. In those cases, treatment decisions should be guided by a healthcare professional.

“Meditation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution or a cure-all,” Hedrick said. “Consider it one part of a tool kit. Mindfulness works alongside therapy, physical activity, social connection—and, when appropriate, medication.”

For those interested in beginning a mindfulness practice, Hedrick recommends joining a guided meditation group, exploring a digital app, or incorporating breath work—slow, focused breathing that helps calm the body and anchor attention in the present moment.

Music to Calm and Heal

Meditation and mindfulness are not the only therapeutic tools that can help people cope with stress and anxiety. Music also can bring comfort, connection and emotional relief.

Bronwen Jones, MTheol, BCC, an interfaith chaplain in the Spiritual Care Department who works with the Patient and Family Support Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, coordinates live, virtual concerts by professional musicians for patients receiving chemotherapy and other treatments.

In infusion areas, music—from Gershwin to Beatles classics—acts as a salve.

“Hearing live music completely changes the atmosphere of the room,” Jones said. “It’s extraordinary and powerful when a professional musician plays for one of our patients. It’s a uniquely personal and often emotional experience—a magical moment where people transform.”

Jones coordinates the performances with musicians through the Project: Music Heals Us “Vital Sounds Initiative.” Sessions are tailored to each person’s musical preferences, with musicians often taking requests and building rapport along the way.

Patients frequently describe the music as the highlight of their day, Jones said, helping them relax and reconnect with joy during the often-isolating experience of cancer treatment.

She recalled one patient whose blood pressure was dangerously high before chemotherapy. After watching a live cello performance, the patient’s blood pressure decreased so dramatically that she was able to proceed with treatment.

Jones, a former professional musician, said music can reach people emotionally in ways other interventions sometimes cannot.

“If you appreciate listening to music, you can use it to help shape your mood—whether you’re seeking tranquility or a sense of renewal,” she said. “I also encourage people to learn or relearn an instrument because engaging in learning is a wonderful coping skill when dealing with anxiety.”

The Power of Awe

Like meditation and music, awe—experiencing wonder, admiration and reverence when encountering something vast, powerful or beautiful—can allow for conceptual reframing by reconnecting people to meaning, gratitude and perspective.

Postdoctoral scientist Rebecca Benhaghnazar, PhD, founder and co-chair of the Scientific, Spiritual and Interfaith Community at Cedars-Sinai, said awe can emerge through music, prayer, mindfulness, nature or art—anything that helps people feel connected to something larger than themselves.

“Whatever allows a person to transcend themselves can create a very powerful shift in cognitive retraining,” Benhaghnazar said. “For some, that’s taking in a sunset or listening to beautiful music. For others, it’s prayer.”

Benhaghnazar, whose research focuses on therapeutic design and cell biology, finds those moments of awe in her own work.

“I get to take a look at nature on a microscopic level,” she said. “When I see inside a single cell, it’s wondrous.”

In a culture dominated by nonstop stimulation, Benhaghnazar emphasized the mental reset that even a few reflective moments can provide.

“A daily awe practice is a must,” she said. “Go outside for a few minutes and look at the leaves on a tree, look up at the sky. Awe, connection, spirituality, gratitude—they’re all grounding.”

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These are among the most common questions patients ask when they consider joining a clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai, where more than 700 such studies are currently underway.

Those trials are essential to advancing medical care and offer patients access to emerging new therapies while helping researchers better understand diseases and improve future treatments, said Michael Farkouh, MD, vice dean for Research and Clinical Trials at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.

“A clinical trial is the final step in translating research innovations into clinical practice—the bridge from research discovery to the patient,” Farkouh said. “As an academic medical center, Cedars-Sinai provides excellent clinical care alongside access to novel therapies that can enhance that care.”

To mark Clinical Trials Awareness Month, the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Farkouh about how patients can decide whether a clinical trial is right for them.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a carefully designed study that evaluates new drugs, devices or care strategies in eligible patients who choose to participate. A clinical trial typically compares a new approach with the current standard of care to determine whether it leads to better outcomes. If it does, it may become part of routine medical practice.

What are the phases of clinical trials?

Each phase serves a distinct purpose. Phase I focuses on safety, helping researchers determine whether a new treatment can be used safely in people.

Phase II evaluates whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness, often by comparing before and after images or blood test results.

Phase III tests whether the treatment improves patient outcomes—such as reducing heart attacks, lowering mortality or improving quality of life—and is required for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

Phase IV trials occur after FDA approval and involve larger populations to monitor long-term safety and effectiveness, including the identification of any side effects.

Are clinical trials safe?

Patient safety is a top priority. Participants must provide informed consent, meaning they fully understand the study and agree to participate. Studies follow strict ethical standards and are closely monitored by our Institutional Review Board to protect patient wellbeing. Patients enrolled in clinical trials often benefit from enhanced care because they are monitored more closely, with ongoing visits, tests and follow-up.

Who can participate in a clinical trial?

Each study has specific eligibility criteria to make sure the treatment is appropriate and safe for participants. For example, some trials may exclude patients with certain underlying conditions if they may be at increased risk or if they have little probability for benefit.

Because of these criteria, trial results apply most directly to the group of patients who were studied. Doctors then use their clinical judgment to decide how those findings may apply to patients in real-world settings.

What is a placebo, and do clinical trials always involve a placebo?

Some trials use a placebo, an inactive treatment designed to resemble the real one. In these studies, the patient and the doctor are often unaware of who receives the actual treatment, a process known as “blinding.” Placebo-controlled trials are considered the most reliable way to understand whether a treatment truly works because they help reduce bias, ensuring that expectations don’t influence the results.

A placebo is not possible in some clinical trials. An example is when surgical procedures are being compared. In those cases, researchers rely on other methods to evaluate outcomes.

Are clinical trials free?

Yes—in most cases, tests, treatments or procedures that are part of the study are provided at no additional cost to participants.

How are patients benefiting from clinical trials at Cedars-Sinai?

Up to half of clinical trials at Cedars-Sinai focus on cancer, and the others are specific to other conditions. Participation tends to be higher in trials for serious or life-threatening diseases, where patients may seek access to innovative therapies that could improve or extend their lives.

Beyond the potential individual benefit, participants play an important role in advancing medical knowledge. Many of today’s standard treatments are the result of clinical trials made possible by patients who volunteered to participate. They’re the true heroes.

How can patients find a clinical trial?

Cedars-Sinai offers an online registry where patients can search for studies by condition. Physicians are also informed about available studies and can help determine whether a trial may be a good fit. For most patients, the best first step is a conversation with their healthcare provider to explore whether a clinical trial is an appropriate option.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

Barmparas told L.A. Parent that as electric bikes, or e-bikes, have surged in popularity, he is seeing a sharp increase in severe injuries from accidents, including bone fractures and brain and facial injuries.

“These are not simple bicycle falls,” he said. “E-bikes can reach speeds of almost 30 mph, and many young riders are not prepared for how quickly they accelerate or how differently they handle at those speeds, especially when braking or turning.”

Barmparas told L.A. Parent that while he understands the appeal of e-bikes among tweens and teens because they offer mobility, independence and freedom, he recommends them only for mature older teens who practice good judgment and know and follow the rules of the road.

“Parents should ask whether their child can reliably handle speed, traffic, distraction and split-second decision-making,” Barmparas said, and they should “feel comfortable saying no if they are not confident their child is ready.”

Barmparas told KTLA 5 anchors Eric Spillman and Jessica Holmes e-bike riders should not wear earbuds or use a phone, and that they “always, always, always have to have the right helmet on,” such as a multisport or motorcycle-certified helmet. A bicycle helmet does not provide adequate protection.

Barmparas treated Albert Miranda, 17, when he was transferred to Cedars-Sinai, a Level 1 trauma center, after a catastrophic crash on his motorized minibike. Miranda was in the hospital for five months and required more than 20 surgeries, including a leg amputation.

Miranda told Spillman and Holmes that e-bikes are fun but also very dangerous.

He encouraged parents of teens with e-bikes to “have them wear protection, like a helmet, maybe some gloves,” so that if they fall, they’re equipped with “anything that will help them.”

Read the complete article from L.A. Parent. Watch the complete segment from KTLA 5.

experts at Cedars-Sinai are urging residents to take precautions to reduce their risk of infection.

“If you have pets that spend time outdoors, it’s important to take steps to prevent fleas, such as using flea control products,” said Jonathan Grein, MD, director of Hospital Epidemiology and associate professor in the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. “Typhus is not usually life-threatening, but if it’s untreated, it can result in severe illness.”

Flea-borne typhus, also known as murine typhus, is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi and is transmitted to humans by infected fleas.

According to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, a record 220 cases were reported in 2025—continuing a steady upward trend observed since 2010. At Cedars-Sinai, several patients required hospitalization for flea-borne typhus last year.

“While cases tend to peak in late summer and early fall, expanding urban wildlife habitats and warmer weather are likely contributing to increased transmission year-round, so we want people to be aware,” Grein said.  

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Grein about how flea-borne typhus spreads, its symptoms, treatment and ways to prevent infection.

How do people get flea-borne typhus?

Flea-borne typhus primarily circulates among rats, opossums and stray cats. Fleas that feed on these animals can become infected and then transmit the bacteria to humans through flea bites and flea feces—which enter the body through small breaks in the skin or when rubbed into the eyes.

Pets that spend time outdoors may carry infected fleas into the home, increasing the risk of human exposure. Because many fleas can feed on a single infected animal, the disease can spread and grow quickly within animal and flea populations, making outbreaks likelier to occur among humans.

Is flea-borne typhus contagious?

No. The disease is not spread from person to person; transmission occurs only through infected fleas.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are often flu-like and may include fever, headache and muscle aches. Sometimes people will develop a rash on the trunk or back of the body about one to two weeks after symptoms begin. While many cases resolve on their own within about a week, treatment is recommended because some people can develop complications affecting the brain and other organs.

How serious is typhus?

Flea-borne typhus is generally not life-threatening and is typically easy to treat. However, people who are pregnant or have a compromised immune system face a higher risk of severe illness.

Is typhus the same as typhoid?

Typhus is sometimes confused with typhoid fever. While the two have similar names and overlapping symptoms, they are caused by very different pathogens and are not related.

When should someone see a doctor?

Anyone who may have been exposed to fleas and develops persistent fever, severe headache and muscle aches within one to two weeks should seek medical care. A simple blood test is used to diagnose typhus, and early treatment helps prevent complications.

How is it treated?

Treatment typically involves the antibiotic doxycycline for about a week. Most patients respond quickly, with symptoms resolving soon after treatment begins.

How can people prevent flea-borne typhus?

Prevention centers on minimizing exposure to fleas. Keep pets on year-round flea control, avoid contact with wild or stray animals, and keep them away from areas where pets live or eat. Securing trash bins and controlling rodent populations around the home also can help reduce the spread of fleas between animals, and ultimately, to humans.

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The early-stage international study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, focused on removing a harmful protein from a mother’s blood.

Preeclampsia is marked by high blood pressure that can quickly become life-threatening. In its most severe early form—before 34 weeks of pregnancy—physicians frequently must deliver babies prematurely to protect the mother, even though early delivery can pose significant risks for the infant. The method tested by investigators was found to safely extend pregnancy, giving babies more time to develop before birth.

“Even a few extra days in the womb can make a meaningful difference in outcomes for premature infants,” said co-corresponding study author Ananth Karumanchi, MD, professor of Medicine, director of the Renovascular Research Center and the Medallion Chair in Vascular Biology at Cedars-Sinai. “We found a way to potentially buy that time safely. Our approach could shift how we manage very early preeclampsia.”

The approach focuses on a protein called sFlt-1, which is produced by the placenta and known to damage blood vessels and drive preeclampsia symptoms. Investigators engineered a specialized immune protein that binds to sFlt-1 and incorporated it into a blood-filtering device. Using a process called extracorporeal apheresis—similar to kidney dialysis—they were able to filter the mother’s blood and remove excess sFlt-1 without affecting other essential blood components.

The treatment was evaluated in 16 women. Their blood pressure improved, their babies continued to grow normally during treatment, and they remained pregnant for an average of 10 additional days—more than double the time seen in untreated patients.

“Right now, the only way to cure preeclampsia and protect the life and health of the mother is to deliver the baby,” said Sarah Kilpatrick, MD, PhD, an expert in maternal-fetal medicine and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai. “That puts very premature infants at high risk. This approach could give clinicians more flexibility in managing these high-risk cases.”

Researchers say the treatment is notable also because it removes a harmful factor rather than introducing new drugs, potentially reducing the risk of side effects. However, they note that despite the small study’s positive results, the treatment is experimental and needs to be tested in larger clinical trials.

“Our goal was to directly target one of the root causes of preeclampsia,” said the study’s co-corresponding author Ravi Thadhani, MD, MPH, executive vice president of Clinical Affairs, chief medical officer for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Health System. “By lowering sFLt-1, we were able to stabilize patients and extend pregnancy—a meaningful and exciting step forward.”

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Agnes Lo.

Other authors include Thomas F. Hiemstra, Manu Vatish, Holger Stepan, Ana Sofia Cerdeira, Jeremy Brockelsby, Tim James, Massimiliano Lia, Alissa Cornelis, Elena Krause, Martin R. Spath, Berthold Grüttner, Polina Todorova, Henning Hagmann, Kristen R. Yeung, Bei Xu, Scott Heffernan, Suzanne Pears, Richard Waugh, John Thompson, Jim Iliopoulos, Neroli Sunderland, Murray Killingsworth, Angela Makris, Annemarie Hennessy, Adelene Y. Tan, Paul Kussie, Yuchiao Chang, Linda Hanssens, Stefan Miltenyi and Thomas Benzing.

Funding: This work was supported by Miltenyi Biomedicine and Aggamin Pharmaceuticals.

Competing Interests: R.T. and S.A.K. are co-inventors on multiple biomarker patents related to preeclampsia that have been out-licensed to several companies (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Beckman Coulter, Siemens and Roche) and report financial interest in Aggamin Pharmaceuticals and serving as a consultant to Comanche Biopharma. R.T. and S.A.K. are named as co-inventors on a provisional patent held by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on a novel lateral-flow diagnostic assay for use in preeclampsia and related conditions. A.H. is an advisor to Comanche Biopharma. A.Y.T. and P.K. are employees of Aggamin.

Pharmaceuticals. L.H. is an employee of, and S.M. is the founder of, Miltenyi Biomedicine. All other authors disclose no conflicts. These financial interests have been disclosed in accordance with journal policies.

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Spiegel, who directs the Center for Virtual Medicine and Health System Transformation at Cedars-Sinai, was the keynote speaker at the medical center’s recent Virtual Medical Conference.

Spiegel told Healio he introduced the term “blended intelligence” to describe clinicians’ use of AI as a supportive tool while maintaining their own central, human role in patient care.

“Neither tries to be the other,” he said. “They augment each other.”

Spiegel told Healio that while computers excel at processing data, information and knowledge, “Wisdom is what distinguishes not just doctors but humans in general from computer systems.”

He cited an example from Cedars-Sinai, in which clinicians use smart glasses with AI-linked access to health records, allowing them to maintain eye contact with patients while seamlessly retrieving needed information.

“The computer is looking for patterns in the chart that humans might miss, while the human is engaging with the patient, making eye contact, communicating and being part of shared decision-making,” he said.

Spiegel also shared how Cedars-Sinai researchers are using an AI-enabled virtual reality system that simulates symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome—such as discomfort and bloating—so doctors can physically experience what patients feel.

"This is an example of where we can use technologies to enhance understanding of the human biopsychosocial experience of having an illness," he told Healio.

Spiegel said AI frees clinicians to focus on core patient care—exams, communication and decision-making—while handling administrative tasks.

“AI is not going to replace doctors, but doctors who use AI will replace doctors who don’t,” he said.

Read the complete article from Healio.

The May 3 panel discussion, “Informing Innovation: Emerging Medicine and Jewish Ethics,” begins at 9 a.m. and features experts focusing on the latest advancements in genetic and genomic testing, as well as gerotherapeutics—drugs that target the biological processes of aging.

“What was once considered science fiction is now real, and as scientific and medical innovation accelerate, the question is no longer just what’s possible—but what’s responsible,” said Rabbi Jason Weiner, PhD, senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai. “As a faith-based institution, we believe it’s essential to explore the science and its ethical, moral and theological implications. This event creates space for those conversations so people can make more informed decisions about their health.”

Topics Include:

• What research shows about emerging “anti-aging” therapies

• Clinical trials targeting the root causes of aging—and the potential impact on cancer, dementia, heart disease and other conditions

• The difference between evidence-based medicine and widely marketed but unproven products

• What genetic testing can and cannot reveal

“Advancements in genomic technologies have bolstered the promise of solving medical mysteries, predicting future health risks, and advancing personalized medicine,” said Joyce So, MD, PhD, chief genomics officer at Cedars-Sinai and a speaker at the event. “But that promise also raises ethical and theological questions. Asking those questions now helps ensure we use these powerful tools wisely.”

So’s presentation will explore direct-to-consumer genetic testing, genetic discrimination, privacy and confidentiality concerns, predictive testing without clear treatment options, and disparities in access to—and understanding of—genetic information.

James Kirkland, MD, PhD, director of the Center for Advanced Gerotherapeutics at Cedars-Sinai, will address common misconceptions about longevity science, including the gap between promising research and proven therapies. He also will discuss lifestyle interventions being studied now and how emerging gerotherapeutic approaches could reshape clinical care in the next decade.

“If scientists can safely slow the fundamental processes of aging, the impact could extend across many diseases at once,” Kirkland said. “Early clinical trials are already exploring how conditions linked to aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, begin developing long before symptoms appear. If these approaches prove safe, the next step could be preventing disease in people at high risk.”

Kirkland also will share his team’s research into removing damaged “aging” cells or preventing them from releasing harmful substances that contribute to disease and decline later in life.

Other event speakers include Rabbi Elan Segelman, U.S. rabbinic director of PUAH; and internationally known Torah scholar Rav Asher Weiss Shlit”a, who will give the keynote address.

“Informing Innovation: Emerging Medicine and Jewish Ethics” will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harvey Morse Auditorium, 8701 Gracie Allen Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Attendees are encouraged to register at csethicssymposium.com.

Media

To arrange an interview, contact Kristin Reynolds at 424-241-8108 or marykristin.reynolds@cshs.org.

Los hallazgos, publicados en Communications Medicine, se basan en casi dos décadas de historiales médicos electrónicos de más de 650,000 adultos en Estados Unidos con SII, lo que lo convierte en el estudio más grande en condiciones reales que examina la seguridad a largo plazo de los tratamientos para esta afección.

El SII es una condición gastrointestinal crónica que afecta aproximadamente al 10% de la población en Estados Unidos. No tiene cura, pero los cambios en la dieta, la terapia conductual y los medicamentos pueden ayudar a controlar los síntomas.

“Muchos pacientes reciben el diagnóstico de SII a una edad temprana y pueden permanecer en tratamiento farmacológico durante años”, dijo el Dr. Ali Rezaie, director médico del programa de Motilidad Gastrointestinal en Cedars-Sinai y autor principal del estudio. “Sin embargo, la mayoría de los ensayos clínicos de estos medicamentos duran menos de un año, por lo que sabemos muy poco sobre su seguridad a largo plazo. Este estudio comienza a llenar ese vacío”.

Los investigadores evaluaron a pacientes que tomaban medicamentos aprobados por la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA) para el SII, así como antidepresivos, antiespasmódicos y fármacos antidiarreicos a base de opioides, como la loperamida y el difenoxilato, ampliamente utilizados y recomendados en el tratamiento del SII. Descubrieron que el uso prolongado de antidepresivos se asoció con un aumento del 35% en el riesgo de muerte, y que el uso de loperamida y difenoxilato se relacionó con aproximadamente el doble del riesgo de muerte.

El estudio no establece que estos medicamentos causen directamente la muerte; más bien, las asociaciones observadas podrían reflejar mayores tasas de eventos adversos, como problemas cardiovasculares, caídas y accidentes cerebrovasculares, que fueron más frecuentes entre los pacientes expuestos.

Aunque los antidepresivos no están aprobados por la FDA específicamente para tratar el SII, se recetan con frecuencia a estos pacientes para ayudar a reducir el dolor, aliviar los síntomas y facilitar el manejo de la condición. El estudio encontró que otros tratamientos recomendados, incluidos los medicamentos aprobados por la FDA y los antiespasmódicos, no se asociaron con un mayor riesgo de mortalidad.

Los investigadores enfatizaron que, aunque el aumento del riesgo es significativo y puede sonar preocupante, el riesgo general para cualquier paciente individual es bajo.

“Los pacientes con SII no deben entrar en pánico, pero sí necesitan comprender y evaluar los riesgos pequeños pero relevantes al considerar tratamientos a largo plazo”, dijo Rezaie, quien también es director de Bioinformática en el Programa de Ciencia y Tecnología Asociada Médicamente (MAST) en Cedars-Sinai. “Los pacientes deben hablar con su proveedor de atención médica sobre las opciones más seguras y efectivas para controlar sus síntomas”.

Rezaie señaló que se necesita más investigación para confirmar estos hallazgos e identificar qué pacientes podrían tener mayor riesgo. También hizo un llamado a que las futuras guías de tratamiento aborden mejor la seguridad a largo plazo de los medicamentos comúnmente utilizados para tratar el SII.

Mientras tanto, destacó la importancia de un enfoque más personalizado en la atención de los pacientes con SII.

“El tratamiento debe centrarse en identificar las causas subyacentes y utilizar las opciones más seguras basadas en evidencia, en lugar de depender de una sola clase de medicamentos para el manejo a largo plazo”, dijo Rezaie.

Entre los autores adicionales de Cedars-Sinai se incluyen Sepideh Mehravar, MD; Yee Hui Yeo, MD; y Mark Pimentel, MD.

Otros autores incluyen Parnian Naji, MD; Wee Han Ng; Nils Burger, PhD; y Will Takakura, MD.

Conflictos de interés: Mark Pimentel es consultor y ha recibido apoyo de subvenciones de Bausch Health. Ali Rezaie informa haber sido consultor para Bausch Health y Ardelyx. Además, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center tiene un acuerdo de licencia con Gemelli Biotech. Ali Rezaie y Mark Pimentel tienen participación accionaria en Gemelli Biotech y Good LFE. Los demás autores no reportan conflictos de interés.

La Universidad de Ciencias de la Salud de Cedars-Sinai está impulsando investigaciones innovadoras y formando a los futuros líderes en medicina, ciencias biomédicas y ciencias de la salud afines. Más información sobre la universidad.