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Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
World's oldest practicing doctor, a NE Ohio native, celebrates 103rd birthday
BEACHWOOD, Ohio (WJW) – The name 'Dr. Howard Tucker' is etched in the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest practicing doctor. The longtime Cleveland neurologist is also a highly respected educator at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and on Thursday, Tucker turned 103 years old. During an interview at his home in Beachwood, Tucker reflected on his long life. 'I'm so happy to be here, so happy that I have my life, my happy family, no mental deterioration and I'm just grateful for every day,' he told FOX 8 News. Community builds new home for mysterious rare bird residing in Kent Tucker is a 1940 graduate of Cleveland Heights High School and a 1947 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was the Chief of Neurology for the Atlantic Fleet during the Korean War. Tucker said the most important moment in his life came when he met his wife Sue while working in New York City, and his biggest accomplishment has been their 67-year marriage. Together, they have four children and 10 grandchildren. His best advice about happiness at home comes from a poem written by Ogden Nash: 'to husbands, to keep love brimming in your loving cup, if you're wrong, admit it, if you're right, shut up.' In 1957, Tucker was teaching at the then-Columbia College of Physicians in New York when he was approached about an opening for an assistant professor position at the Case Medical School. He said he jumped at the chance to come home to Cleveland. The journey back to Northeast Ohio would lead to decades of service at the Cleveland Clinic and St. Vincent Charity Hospital, but Tucker said it has been his time at Case molding the minds of medical students that kept him young at heart. His sage wisdom and advice for young doctors made him an icon at the school. 'You do not have to be smart to be a good doctor. All you have to do is be thorough. Brains help, but it's the thoroughness that's the critical issue,' he said. The doctor's grandson, Austin Tucker, produced a documentary about the life of the legendary physician called 'What's Next?' and has turned the centenarian into a viral sensation by posting videos of his words or wisdom on TikTok. Former Dave's Market in AsiaTown eyed for new middle-income housing 'It's bewildering. I just don't understand it. I've just gone step by step in my life and I'm doing the best I can,' said Tucker. He has simple advice on how to live a long, happy life, telling FOX 8, 'everything in moderation. Except, no cigarettes. That's the key.' Tucker said it is also best to avoid one emotion: hatred. 'Your blood pressure goes up, your pulse goes up, your Sympathetic Nervous System overflows. It's damaging to you, so avoid your hatreds,' he said. Tucker said his longevity is also due to good luck and genetics. His 'little' brother turns 100 later this year. The doctor said he is planning to once again lecture at the Case Medical School in the fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Medscape
10-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Does Gabapentin Raise Dementia Risk?
The anticonvulsant gabapentin has been linked to a significantly increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. However, some experts are urging caution in interpreting the study. After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and use of other pain medications, adults prescribed gabapentin for chronic low back pain had a 29% higher risk of developing dementia and an 85% higher risk of MCI within 10 years, compared to those with back pain who were not prescribed the drug. This finding provides 'a foundation to further research whether gabapentin plays a causal role in the development of dementia and cognitive decline,' the investigators, led by Nafis Eghrari, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, wrote. In the meantime, they said their observations 'support the need for close monitoring of adult patients prescribed gabapentin to assess for potential cognitive decline.' The study was published online July 10 in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Management. Hidden Cognitive Cost of Pain Relief? Gabapentin has become a common go-to alternative to opioids for chronic pain because of its low abuse potential, but its association with cognitive decline and dementia remain unclear. To investigate, Eghrari and colleagues used the TriNetX national database of de-identified patient records to recreate a propensity-score matched cohort of 26,416 gabapentin users and an equal number of nonusers. In the initial analysis of all adults aged 18 and older, gabapentin prescription was associated with a higher incidence of dementia (risk ratio [RR], 1.29) and MCI (RR, 1.85). To explore age-dependent differences, the researchers stratified the cohort into elderly (age ≥ 65) and nonelderly (age 18-64) groups. In the elderly cohort, gabapentin prescription was associated with increased incidence of both dementia and MCI (RR 1.28 and 1.53, respectively). Similarly, dementia and MCI were more commonly diagnosed in nonelderly gabapentin users than nonusers (RR 2.10 and 2.50, respectively). The researchers further stratified the nonelderly group into narrower age ranges: 18-34, 35-49 and 50-64 years. Among the 18-34 age group, there was no significant difference in dementia or MCI incidence between gabapentin users and nonusers. In contrast, patients aged 35-49 who were prescribed gabapentin had an increased likelihood of both dementia (RR, 2.44) and MCI (RR, 3.50). A similar pattern was observed in the 50-64 age group, where gabapentin exposure was associated with elevated incidence of dementia (RR, 2.28) and MCI (RR, 2.22). The risk increased further with prescription frequency: patients with 12 or more gabapentin prescriptions had a higher incidence of dementia (RR, 1.40) and MCI (RR, 1.65) than those prescribed gabapentin 3-11 times. Interpret With Caution Several experts offered perspective on the study in a statement from the UK nonprofit Science Media Centre. Martin Prince, professor of epidemiological psychiatry, King's College London, cautioned that 'confounding and reverse causality are tenable explanations for the observed effects.' Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, noted that 'while authors used statistical methods to try and account for other risk factors, this type of study cannot prove that gabapentin was the cause of increased dementia risk.' 'One very important factor that was not examined in this study is levels of physical activity. People with chronic pain requiring gabapentin may have been less physically active, which is a known risk factor for developing dementia,' Spires-Jones said. Prof Sir John Hardy, group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London said while the study is 'interesting, one has to worry that these types of findings are artefactual and result (for example) from a marginal acute effect on cognitive performance rather than effects on the underlying disease.' Ian Maidment, professor in clinical pharmacy, Aston University, Birmingham, England, noted that the study did not control for length of treatment or dose of gabapentin and further noted that 'other similar recent studies have failed to find a link.' In Maidment's view, 'the jury is out on whether gabapentin causes dementia.'
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Blockbuster weight loss jabs ‘significantly lower' the risk of dementia
WEIGHT loss jabs may also help ward off dementia, a new study suggests. Researchers found that semaglutide - the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy - could "significantly" slash the risk of the brain-robbing disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Study leader Professor Rong Xu said: "There is no cure or effective treatment for dementia, so this new study provides real-world evidence for its potential impact on preventing or slowing dementia development among a high risk population." Semaglutide, part of a group of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, was originally invented to treat type 2 diabetes. But trials found it could also cause major weight loss - about 10 to 15 per cent of body weight over 18 months. It triggers fullness hormones in the gut to prevent hunger and over-eating. Semaglutide has already been found to lower the risk of heart disease, bowel cancer and fertility issues. But researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, United States, now have evidence it could play a key role in preventing dementia. The syndrome occurs when brain cells are damaged and their connections stop working properly. That damage, which worsens over time, impacts memory, thinking and reasoning. It can be caused by various conditions and events, including obesity diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Previous research has indicated that 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing these " modifiable risk factors". Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs The new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, analysed the electronic records of nearly 1.7million American patients with type 2 diabetes over three years. Patients taking semaglutide had a "significantly lower" risk of developing Alzheimer's disease-related dementia compared to those on seven other antidiabetic medications. This included other types of GLP-1R-targeting drugs. The results were more "profound" in women and older adults. Prof Xu said the findings support the idea that semaglutide could prevent dementia. But she cautioned that more research is needed. "Our results indicate that research into semaglutide's use for dementia prevention will need to be further investigated through randomised clinical trials," Prof Xu added. Are you eligible for weight loss jabs on the NHS? By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent THEY are arguably the biggest medical breakthrough of recent times. And now, so-called ' fat jabs ' are available to many more Brits on the NHS. In what marks the dawn of a new era, GPs have begun prescribing the weight loss jab Mounjaro in the first anti- obesity rollout of its kind. More than three million people are thought to be eligible for tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - the strongest jab on the market. Health chiefs hope it will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis which has seen rates double since the 1990s. Injections including Ozempic and Wegovy have previously only been available for type 2 diabetes or through specialist slimming clinics. Family doctors will now be encouraged to prescribe them in a bid to get more people on the meds. Experts hope widespread use will slash work sick days and boost the economy, while reducing rates of cancer, heart disease and dementia. But demand for the drugs is already huge and NHS clinics cannot dish them out fast enough. Who is eligible in the new rollout? The new rollout allows GPs to prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss, starting with those patients whose weight places them at greatest health risk. Top of the list will be those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) and four weight-related health conditions. A BMI of 40 is roughly equal to weighing 16st (102kg) for an average height 5'3' woman, or 19st 6lbs (123kg) for an average 5'9' man. Weight-related conditions include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea and heart disease. Patients will likely be expected to have tried diet and exercise first before being offered a jab. Many are likely to miss out, as some 13.5million adults in England are obese but only 3.4million are estimated to be eligible in the rollout. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Currently only patients who meet certain criteria - those who could benefit most - are eligible to be prescribed weight loss drugs on the NHS, and GPs will also need to follow local guidelines when prescribing. 'If your practice advises you that they won't be able to provide weight loss medication, these will likely be the reasons why. 'We appreciate the idea of weight loss medication is an attractive prospect to many patients - and they do have a lot of potential benefits for patients and may be a valuable tool as we try to tackle obesity at a national level – but it's important these medications aren't seen as a silver bullet. 'Weight loss drugs do not come without risk, they can cause side effects which range in seriousness, and they won't be suitable for everyone. 'It's important we don't lose sight of the role lifestyle factors play in achieving a healthy weight. 'The roll out of weight loss medications as a treatment for obesity must not come at the expense of other weight loss services.' If you are eligible but your GP denies you a prescription, you may be able to ask for a referral to specialist weight management services. Known as tier 2 and tier 3 weight management services, they may prescribe the jabs after other weight loss attempts. Many people are expected to find it easier to go private, with the injections widely available from high street pharmacies like Boots, Superdrug, and even Asda. There are also numerous online pharmacies offering the drugs. Buying the drugs online might seem like the faster fix – but buyer beware. Slimming success stories are everywhere but so, too, are tales of horror. Many patients have been duped by dodgy sellers, suffered severe side effects or even died after taking jabs they bought online. Bargain prices, easy tick-box applications, or prescriptions with no follow-up, should all be red flags to online shoppers.
Bloomberg
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Bloomberg Law:Threats to Habeas Corpus & 'Diddy' Trial
Constitutional law expert Jonathan Adler, a professor at Case Western Reserve University Law School, discusses the Trump administration talking about suspending the writ of habeas corpus. Former federal prosecutor Robert Mintz, a partner at McCarter & English, discusses the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. June Grasso hosts.
Associated Press
05-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Atticus Publishing proudly presents Paul Martin's book 'Blessed Memorial: Imaginings from Lectio Divina'
Rediscovering Faith Through Stories of Transformation and Hope CA, UNITED STATES, April 5, 2025 / / -- Paul Martin, an accomplished storyteller and Third Order Franciscan, is proud to announce his book, " Blessed Memorial: Imaginings from Lectio Divina." Drawing from decades of diverse experiences and spiritual practice, Martin offers readers a unique narrative that explores the transformative power of compassion and faith. ' Blessed Memorial" introduces readers to Thomas Strongtree, a retiree who stumbles upon old juvenile police records and embarks on a journey to reconnect with the individuals they pertain to. Each encounter reveals a story of challenge, redemption, and the strength of the human spirit. Through these narratives, Martin crafts a powerful testament to the impact of understanding and kindness, and the profound connections that can bridge past mistakes and present reconciliation. Paul Martin graduated from Case Western Reserve and has a rich background that includes working as a bicycle repairman, violin maker, furniture restorer, nurse's aide, and writer for hospice life journals. As a member of the Third Order of Franciscans, he deeply engages with Lectio Divina and Ignatian Meditation, practices that have significantly influenced his writing. Married for over forty years, Paul is a dedicated family man with two children and three grandchildren. Driven by a desire to connect those familiar with God to deeper and sometimes challenging experiences of faith, Martin uses his book as a medium to share uplifting stories of human spirit and resilience. 'Blessed Memorial' reaches out to those who might have had complicated relationships with religion, offering them narratives that highlight the beauty and possibility of faith in everyday life. Paul Martin aims to pass on the remarkable stories that have shaped his outlook and enriched his life. 'Blessed Memorial' is an invitation to discover the wonder and awe in the lives around us and recognize our shared journey in faith and humanity. 'Blessed Memorial: Imaginings from Lectio Divina' is available for purchase on and at major book retailers. Individual readers and those who share their reading with others in a book club are encouraged. Atticus Publishing LLC Legal Disclaimer:
