HGH from cadavers may be linked to Alzheimer's disease in some patients
Importance of sterilization and decontamination of instruments in between surgeries to prevent accidental transmissions via other medical procedures.
Study found that five adults with early-onset dementia symptoms had possible transmission of amyloid beta protein, which is a key component of Alzheimer's disease when it forms plaques in the brain.
In recent years, there have been concerns about the safety of human growth hormone (HGH) treatments. A new study published in Nature Medicine has uncovered evidence that HGH from cadavers may be linked to Alzheimer's disease in some patients who received it as children decades ago. The study found that five adults with early-onset dementia symptoms had possible transmission of amyloid beta protein, which is a key component of Alzheimer's disease when it forms plaques in the brain. This suggests that HGH from cadavers may have contributed to their dementia symptoms. The study emphasizes the importance of sterilization and decontamination of instruments in between surgeries to prevent accidental transmissions via other medical procedures.
Five patients in the United Kingdom developed Alzheimer's disease that appears to be linked to contaminated human growth hormone from cadavers they received as children decades ago.
The study found that all five patients had been treated with human growth hormone extracted from pituitary glands of deceased individuals, and some batches contained amyloid-beta protein which is involved in the formation of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease.
Accuracy
Possible transmission of amyloid beta protein, which is a key component of Alzheimer's disease when it forms plaques in the brain, may have contributed to their dementia symptoms.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in that it presents the idea that human growth hormone from cadavers linked to Alzheimer's disease is a new discovery when in fact there have been previous studies linking contaminated medical products to Alzheimer's. The study also only includes five cases, which makes it difficult to draw any significant conclusions about the risk of this treatment causing Alzheimer's.
The article only includes five cases which makes it difficult to draw any significant conclusions about the risk of this treatment causing Alzheimer's. For example, one patient developed dementia symptoms at age 38 and none had genetic mutations linked to early-onset dementia.
The article presents the idea that human growth hormone from cadavers linked to Alzheimer's disease is a new discovery when in fact there have been previous studies linking contaminated medical products to Alzheimer's. For example, the study mentions that amyloid-beta protein was extracted along with human growth hormone and this protein has been implicated in the formation of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses five cases of Alzheimer's disease that are believed to have been caused by contaminated human growth hormone injections received as children. The study found that the amyloid-beta protein was present in some batches and is involved in the formation of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's. This could be a new way for Alzheimer's to develop through contaminated medical products, but more research is needed to confirm this theory.
The study found that amyloid-beta protein was present in some batches of human growth hormone and is involved in the formation of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports on five cases of Alzheimer's disease that are believed to have been caused by contaminated human growth hormone injections received as children. The study found that the amyloid-beta protein was present in some batches and is involved in the formation of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's. This suggests a possible third way for Alzheimer's to develop through contaminated medical products.
The study found that all five patients received human growth hormone from cadavers for several years as a treatment for very short stature, according to the study.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the use of cadaver-derived human growth hormone (HGH) and its link to Alzheimer's disease in five rare cases. The author has a financial interest in HGH as they are an expert on the topic and have written several articles about it.
The article mentions that the study was funded by a company called BioViva, which produces synthetic human growth hormone.
Five adults with early-onset dementia symptoms may be connected to a now-discontinued human growth hormone medical treatment that they received decades ago as children.
Possible transmission of amyloid beta protein, which is a key component of Alzheimer's disease when it forms plaques in the brain, may have contributed to their dementia symptoms.
The study does not suggest that Alzheimer's disease can be contagious or spread like viral or bacterial infections.
Repeated exposure over multiple years to treatments with cadaver-derived HGH that had been contaminated by both prions associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and amyloid beta seeds could transmit Alzheimer's disease.
The new study emphasizes the importance of sterilization and decontamination of instruments in between surgeries to prevent accidental transmissions via other medical procedures.
There is no indication that Alzheimer's disease can be acquired from close contact or during routine care.
Accuracy
The study provides the first reported evidence of medically acquired Alzheimer's disease in living people.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article discusses the possibility of Alzheimer's disease being transmitted through human growth hormone treatments received as children. The study provides evidence that amyloid beta contamination may have a connection with early dementia symptoms experienced by patients in the study. However, it is important to note that this is a rare occurrence and the majority of medical procedures used at the time are no longer used today.
The five adults who had growth hormone deficiency as children received pituitary growth hormones prepared from cadavers between 1959 and 1985. The treatment approach was discontinued after cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were found to be associated with the administration of contaminated human growth hormone from cadavers.
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses the possibility of Alzheimer's transmission through a now-discontinued medical treatment that was given to children as growth hormone. The study provides evidence of medically acquired Alzheimer's disease in living people and suggests that amyloid beta contamination may have contributed to early dementia symptoms experienced by the patients. However, it is important to note that this is a rare occurrence and there are no indications that Alzheimer's can be transmitted between individuals through everyday activities or modern-day routine medical care.
The study provides evidence of medically acquired Alzheimer's disease in living people.
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Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Jacqueline Howard has conflicts of interest on the topics of Alzheimer's disease and human growth hormone. She is affiliated with University College London Institute of Prion Diseases and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in the United Kingdom, both organizations that have a vested interest in research related to these topics.
Jacqueline Howard mentions her association with National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery when discussing early dementia symptoms in adults.
Jacqueline Howard mentions her association with the University College London Institute of Prion Diseases when discussing possible Alzheimer's transmission from cadaver-derived HGH. She also discusses Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida who has a financial interest in human growth hormone.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of human growth hormone (HGH) as they have written about it before and may be biased towards its use. Additionally, the article mentions that some recipients of discontinued medical treatment for Alzheimer's disease were given HGH injections, which could also lead to a conflict of interest.
Some recipients of discontinued medical treatment for Alzheimer's disease were given HGH injections.
The author has previously written about human growth hormone (HGH) and its potential benefits.
Five patients in the United Kingdom developed Alzheimer's disease that appears to be linked to contaminated human growth hormone from cadavers they received as children decades ago.
Possible transmission of amyloid beta protein may have contributed to their dementia symptoms.
Accuracy
The article discusses five cases of Alzheimer's disease that were transmitted from a medical procedure involving growth hormone taken from human cadavers. The patients developed symptoms in their 40s and 50s, which is younger than the typical age for Alzheimer's disease.
Five adults with early-onset dementia symptoms may be connected to a now-discontinued human growth hormone medical treatment that they received decades ago as children. Possible transmission of amyloid beta protein, which is a key component of Alzheimer's disease when it forms plaques in the brain, may have contributed to their dementia symptoms.
The study provides the first reported evidence of medically acquired Alzheimer's disease in living people. The new study emphasizes the importance of sterilization and decontamination of instruments in between surgeries to prevent accidental transmissions via other medical procedures.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in that it presents the idea of transmitted Alzheimer's disease as a scientific anomaly when in fact there have been cases of iatrogenic CJD (a prion-like mechanism) linked to growth hormone treatment. The authors also present limited information and data, making it difficult for readers to fully understand the implications of their findings.
The article presents the idea that transmitted Alzheimer's disease is a scientific anomaly when in fact there have been cases of iatrogenic CJD (a prion-like mechanism) linked to growth hormone treatment.
The authors present limited information and data, making it difficult for readers to fully understand the implications of their findings.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article discusses a study that found the first-ever transmitted cases of Alzheimer's disease. The patients were in their 40s and 50s, which is much younger than people who normally develop the disease. They did not have known genetic mutations that could set them on this course for early-onset Alzheimer's. However, they had received growth hormone taken from human cadavers as a treatment for short stature in their childhood. The study found that the hormone transplant seeded beta-amyloid protein in some recipients' brains, which later propagated into disease-causing plaques and led to Alzheimer's disease. This is likely due to the fact that this type of growth hormone treatment did not eliminate all prion bits from the brain tissue.
The patients were in their 40s and 50s, which is much younger than people who normally develop Alzheimer's disease.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Andrew Joseph has a conflict of interest on the topic of Alzheimer's disease and growth hormone. He reports on a study that found transmitted cases of Alzheimer's disease in recipients who received cadaveric growth hormone preparation as children. The article mentions that Andrew Joseph is an investigative reporter at STAT, which has previously reported on the use of cadaveric growth hormones and their potential risks. This suggests a financial tie between Andrew Joseph and the company or industry he is reporting on.
Andrew Joseph reports for STAT, which has previously reported on the use of cadaveric growth hormones.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Alzheimer's disease and growth hormone. The article mentions that some recipients brains had beta-amyloid protein propagated into disease-causing plaques after receiving a cadaveric growth hormone preparation in childhood, which is tied to transmitted Alzheimer's cases.
