(May 6, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From Boston - According to research published in Neurology, taking Ibuprofen may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. In a study comparing nearly 50,000US Veterans with Alzheimer's disease to 200,000 without it, those who took Ibuprofen for more than 5 years had a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. Other NSAIDs also lowered the risk, but the effect was not seen with COX-2 anti-inflammatories like VIoxx and Celebrex.

From China - A virus that can cause hand foot and mouth disease is responsible for the death of over 20 children in Fuyang, a city in China's eastern Anhui province. The virus EV71 usually causes a self-limiting condition in which children develop blisters in the mouth and on their soles and palms. In this outbreak, however, it is causing high fever, paralysis and cerebral swelling.
While the WHO is monitoring, they believe it is not a threat to the 2008 Olympics.

And finally from Montreal - Research presented today at the AFMC shows that medical students can improve their comfort with using an ophthalmoscope, an instrument that uses a light and lenses to examine the back of the eye by watching online videos. In a survey of 46 second year medical student, those who watched Insidermedicine's "How to use an Ophthalmoscope Video" were significantly more likely to feel comfortable with using their ophthalmoscope after watching the short video, as compared to their baseline assessment. A larger randomized clinical trial is underway.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.