Cardiovascular diseases the number one cause of death worldwide
September 29 is World Heart Day. Each year, there are over 17 million global deaths from cardiovascular diseases. Dr. George Thanassoulis, Director of Preventative and Genomic Cardiology, spoke to Breakfast Television's Joanne Vrakas on risk factors and preventative measures that people can take to keep their heart healthy. To hear more on this, visit Breakfast Television.
Researchers tackle the scourge of insomnia
Insomnia affects 10 per cent of the Quebec population. Dr. Charles Bourque and his team of researchers at the Montreal General Hospital sleep laboratory are working to find a way will relieve individuals suffering from insomnia as a result of a constantly changing work schedule. According to their research, the brain's biological clock stimulates thirst signals before the sleep period. Researcher, Claire Gizowski, explains to TVA how findings like this could be the key to treating insomnia sufferers.
Dean Stock: Montreal crusader for ALS research dies at 39
Former hockey player and Montrealer Dean Stock – a young father who was very public about his ALS diagnosis in December 2014 and made it his mission to advance research into treatments for the deadly neuromuscular disorder – lost his battle with the disease last Friday at the age of 39. He participated in clinical trials and hoped to raise money to advance the work of Dr. Angela Genge, director of the Montreal Neurological Institute’s ALS Clinical Research Program, whose goal is to raise the life expentance from around two years, to five to 10 years. To learn more, visit The Montreal Gazette.
Dr. Mitch Shulman: Do ultrasounds during pregnancy cause autism?
A new study may be stoking unnecessary fears among pregnant women. Researchers in the U.S. looked at boys who were already diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and tried to figure out if the number of ultrasounds that the mom had undergone during her pregnancy led to more severe autistic symptoms later on. The study seemed to indicate that it did, but you have to be careful interpreting this data. To find out what Dr. Mitch Shulman, Attending Physician in the MUHC Emergency Department had to say on the matter, visit The Suburban.
Dr. Michael Whitehead, former Director of Hematology at Montreal Children's Hospital, dead at 82
Dr. Michael Whitehead, former Director of Hematology at the Montreal Children's Hospital, died at his home at the age of 82. Whitehead began his career in medicine in 1966 as an assistant physician at the Montreal General Hospital. By 1977, he was named Director of Hematology at the Montreal Children's Hospital. "I will remember Michael Whitehead as an accomplished clinician-scientist. He was a man who made a difference in his life. He worked tirelessly in the hospital and in the general community for the welfare of children with cancer," said MUHC physician Dr. David Rosenblatt, head of the department of Human Genetics at McGill. Rosenblatt worked with Whitehead for decades. He was also best man at his wedding. For more about Dr. Michael Whitehead, please visit CBC.ca.
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