Research Review

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors on Cognition for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Lena Meziou — 2024-06-22

This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) including donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine in delaying cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. It addresses three primary objectives: overall efficacy assessment, comparison of cognitive benefits across AChEI types, and identification of research gaps. The review, comprising 45 selected articles, reveals consistent evidence of AChEI efficacy in improving cognitive outcomes in AD. While higher AChEI doses show potential for greater cognitive improvement, they also elevate the risk of adverse effects. Donepezil is noted for memory enhancement and slowing cognitive decline, galantamine for memory and attention, and rivastigmine for executive function improvement.

Correlation of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in autistic children in Iraq

Ayoub Bazzaz — 2024-06-22

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can infect almost any mammalian species, if not all where one-third of the population might be infected with latent toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is more common in underdeveloped countries than developed countries where it infects a large number of people worldwide. The Toxoplasma gondii should be considered as a contributing factor in mentally ill people who have been exposed to the parasite. Toxoplasmosis primarily affects the central nervous system, putting some people at risk, more than others. The Toxoplasma gondii infection has also been linked with psychiatric illnesses; however, research on the causal pathway is limited and therefore not clearly developed. The objectives: of this humble research has been to discuss the link between Toxoplasmosis and childhood autism as a type of mental disorders. Thirty autism child patients were selected from the Children’s hospital of Kerkuk city compared to fifteen healthy children used as control for comparison. Using rapid-test (IgG, IgM) of Toxoplasma gondii the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in autistic children were 13.3% which was significantly (p≤0.01) higher than that in healthy children (6.67%). It Is recommended that mothers should avoid contamination of their young babies from any source of the parasites natural or artificial feeding which might be the main pathway of infection.

Efficacy of the Mediterranean Diet for Visceral Fat Reduction and Metabolic Health: A Systematic Review

Aliah Alnahas — 2024-06-18

This systematic review examines the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MD) on weight management and metabolic health, drawing from a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature. The review encompasses diverse studies, including variations like the Green-Mediterranean diet, to provide a nuanced understanding of the MD's versatility and effectiveness across different populations and contexts. Findings reveal consistent reductions in abdominal fat, improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, and a lower risk of diabetes among individuals adhering to the MD. Additionally, the MD demonstrates cardiometabolic benefits, highlighting its role in cardiovascular disease prevention and mitigating diabetes risk. Distinct metabolic profiles observed between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese individuals underscore the importance of dietary patterns, particularly the MD, in modulating metabolic health outcomes. The emergence of the Green-Mediterranean diet as a promising intervention for reducing intrahepatic fat and mitigating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence aligns with broader health and ecological objectives. Furthermore, the MD improves diet quality and adipose tissue distribution, indicating its comprehensive impact on health. While the review acknowledges limitations such as study heterogeneity and limited long-term data, it underscores the MD as a viable and holistic strategy for sustainable weight management and improved metabolic health. Future research should aim for standardized protocols and longer follow-up durations to enhance understanding of the MD's long-term benefits.

Effects of Caffeine on Blood Pressure

Sarah Abuhamdan — 2024-06-22

Caffeine is seen in many different beverages such as coffee, energy drinks, tea, soft drinks, and juices. However, the topic of caffeine and effects on blood pressure has been discussed in multiple studies throughout the years. The purpose of the systematic review was to highlight the effects of caffeine consumption on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. The results presented were mixed as some studies showed an elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate after consuming the caffeinated beverages and other studies presented no change in the blood pressure values or heart rate after drinking the caffeinated source.