NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

Silencing a Faulty Gene May Uncover Clues to Rare Forms of ALS

Using an experimental drug, researchers suppressed a mutated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) gene. Studies in mice demonstrate the therapy shows potential in treating rare, aggressive forms of ALS caused by mutations in the fused in sarcoma (FUS) gene.

Signs of Mental Health Resilience in Youth During Pandemic

Survey data found that supportive relationships with family and friends and healthy behaviors—such as engaging in physical activity and better sleep—appeared to shield against the harmful effects of the pandemic on adolescents’ mental health.

SARS-CoV-2 May Cause Fetal Inflammation

A small NICHD-led study showed that a SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy may cause inflammatory immune responses in the fetus, even if the virus does not infect the placenta.

Offering Buprenorphine to Inmates Has Hopeful Results

A study conducted in two rural Massachusetts jails found that people with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were incarcerated and received buprenorphine, a medication approved to treat OUD, were less likely to face re-arrest and reconviction after release.

NIH Celebrates FDA Approval of Injectable Drug for HIV Prevention

The FDA recently approved a long-acting HIV prevention medication. Developed by ViiV Healthcare, cabotegravir is injected once every 2 months. FDA has approved the medicine for use by adults and adolescents weighing at least 77 pounds who are at risk of sexually acquiring HIV.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Early Pregnancy Linked to Diabetes Risk

A small NIH-funded study has linked sleep-disordered breathing in early pregnancy with insulin resistance or difficulty clearing glucose from the blood. The results, which appear in Sleep, strengthen the link between sleep-disordered breathing, which includes pauses or slowing of breathing during sleep, and gestational diabetes.

Viagra May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

NIA-funded researchers have found that people who took the drug sildenafil, sold under the brand names Viagra and Revatio, were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sildenafil also enhanced growth and reduced Alzheimer’s biomarkers in cultured human neurons.

The NIH Record

The NIH Record, founded in 1949, is the biweekly newsletter for employees of the National Institutes of Health.

Published 25 times each year, it comes out on payday Fridays.

Assistant Editor: Eric Bock
Eric.Bock@nih.gov (link sends e-mail)

Staff Writer: Amber Snyder
Amber.Snyder@nih.gov (link sends e-mail)