(January 13, 2010 - Insidermedicine)

From Boston - According to a report published in The Lancet, the anti-clotting medication ticagrelor has proven to reduce mortality without consequently increasing bleeding in heart attack patients. Researchers studied nearly 13, 500 heart attack patients, randomizing some to ticagrelor and placebo and others to clopidogrel and placebo for six months following hospitalization. Results showed that the ticagrelor group had a 16% reduced risk of suffering either cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or stroke when compared to the clopidogrel group.

From New York - Scientists have discovered a genetic variant that may be associated with a lower risk for dementia, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers studied 523 adults aged 70 and older, finding that those who had two copies of the CETP longevity variant had a 72% reduced risk of eventually developing dementia during the 4.3 years of the study.

And finally, from England - According to a report published in the journal PLoS ONE, new research has confirmed that BPA--or bisphenol A--is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers studied nearly 1500 patients, finding that those who had the highest urinary concentration of BPA--a chemical compound that is used in baby bottles, food cans and water containers--were 33% more likely to suffer heart disease.