News Releases - October 2014 Archives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuPT5_Fa82w Projects will help advance research through collaborations and development of novel strategies for frontotemporal dementia Rochester, Minn. — Mayo Clinic has been awarded two grants for large, five-year projects on frontotemporal dementia (FTD), characterized by degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. While rare, it may strike people in their twenties, even in their teens. MEDIA CONTACT: Duska Anastasijevic, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu Journalists: Sound bites are available in the downloads.

ROCHESTER, Minn. ― The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) today announced that it has updated the criteria for diagnosing multiple myeloma. A paper outlining the new criteria was published in the journal Lancet Oncology. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. "Our group, which includes more than 180 myeloma researchers worldwide, has updated the definition of multiple myeloma for diagnostic purposes to include validated biomarkers in addition to the current clinical symptoms used for diagnosis which include, elevated blood calcium levels, kidney failure, anemia and bone lesions," said lead author S. Vincent Rajkumar, M.D. a hematologist at Mayo Clinic. http://youtu.be/2btysJElI-A Dr. Rajkumar said multiple myeloma is always preceded sequentially by two asymptomatic conditions, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). However, since MGUS and SMM are both asymptomatic conditions, most myeloma patients are not diagnosed until organ damage occurs. "The new IMWG criteria allow for the diagnosis of myeloma to be made in patients without symptoms and before organ damage occurs, using validated biomarkers that identify patients with SMM who have an “ultra-high” risk of progression to multiple myeloma," Dr. Rajkumar said. "These biomarkers are associated with the near inevitable development of clinical symptoms and are important for early diagnosis and treatment which is very important for patients."

Mayo Clinic is recognized among University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) Quality Leadership Award winners for 2014. Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester ranked second in the UHC Quality ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the U.S. Department of Defense have awarded researchers at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Jacksonville approximately $6 million in two grants to further their studies aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from either amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). NINDS has awarded Leonard Petrucelli, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Neuroscience, and his colleagues Kevin Boylan, M.D., Rosa Rademakers, Ph.D., and Dennis Dickson, M.D., a five-year P01 grant (P01 NS084974-1) to combine their expertise in neurology, genetics, neuropathology and cell biology. Given that no biomarker or blood test currently exists for clinicians to definitely diagnose ALS or FTD, the funding will allow researchers to improve understanding of C9ORF72-related neurodegeneration, identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and develop a biological fluid and tissue resource to aid future drug discovery. MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-0746. Email: punsky.kevin@mayo.edu

Years After Treatment for HER2-Positive Early Stage Breast Cancer Trastuzumab Shows Life-Altering Benefit  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After following breast cancer patients for an average of eight-plus years, researchers say that adding trastuzumab (Herceptin) to chemotherapy significantly improved the overall and disease-free survival of women with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer. They found that the use of trastuzumab produced a 37 percent improvement in survival and a 40 percent reduction in risk of cancer occurrence, compared to patients treated with chemotherapy alone. These findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, demonstrate how important trastuzumab has been to the treatment of this form of breast cancer, says the study’s lead author, Edith A. Perez, M.D., deputy director at large, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and director of the Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program at Mayo Clinic in Florida.

ROCHESTER, Minn. ― Here are highlights from the October issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Reprinting is allowed for a fee. Mayo Clinic Health Letter attribution is required. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Visit http://healthletter.mayoclinic.com/ or call toll-free for subscription information, 1-800-333-9037, extension 9771. Full newsletter text: Mayo Clinic Health Letter October 2014 (for journalists only). No exaggeration: Sitting is the new smoking The new health phrase, “Sitting is the new smoking,” is not an exaggeration, according to the October issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Most people don’t smoke, but everyone sits — and most sit too long each day. Many U.S. workers sit for 15 hours a day. In the past 15 years, a wave of research has shed new light on sitting as a serious health risk, even in those of normal weight and who routinely exercise. Thirty-four chronic conditions and illnesses have been associated with excess sitting. One recent study compared adults who spent less than two hours a day watching television with those who spent more than four hours a day doing so. After adjusting for obesity, age and other risk factors, those with higher screen time had:

Knowing the specific subtype is important for getting the best possible care Rochester, Minn. – The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) offer a new guideline on how to determine what genetic tests may best diagnose a person’s subtype of limb-girdle or distal muscular dystrophy. The guideline is published in the October 14, 2014, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the AAN. Researchers reviewed all of the available studies on the muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic diseases in which muscle fibers are unusually susceptible to damage, as part of the process in developing the new guideline. Doctors should conduct a thorough evaluation of symptoms, family history, ethnicity, and results of physical exam and certain lab tests to determine what genetic tests may be more appropriate to order. “The guideline should help physicians arrive at the right diagnosis quicker so patients will not need to take unnecessary test”, says Mayo Clinic neurologist Duygu Selcen, M.D., who was part of the multi-center research team led by Julie Bolen, PhD, MPH, from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “This is particularly important because the muscle diseases are often hard to diagnose”, adds Dr. Selcen. Media Contacts: Duska Anastasijevic, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email: newsbureau@mayo.edu Rachel Seroka, AAN, rseroka@aan.com, (612) 928-6129

WCCO will broadcast the Morning Show with Dave Lee from Mayo Clinic on Oct. 10 from 5 to 9 a.m. ROCHESTER, Minn. — News Radio 830 WCCO joins Mayo Clinic in marking its 150th anniversary with a live broadcast of the Morning Show with Dave Lee on Friday, Oct. 10, 5–9 a.m. from the Landow Atrium in the Gonda Building on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester. The public is encouraged to tune in. Scheduled* guests include: Kris Johnson, R.N., Mayo Clinic Clinical Nurse Administrator Michael Stuart, M.D., Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic John Noseworthy, M.D., Mayo Clinic President and CEO Amit Sood, M.D., Mayo Clinic Stress Management and Resiliency Expert Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede Sam DiPiazza, Chair, Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees WCCO personalities on the broadcast will include Dave Lee, host; Mike Lynch, weather; Sid Hartman, sports; Mike Max, sports. Lee is the popular, longtime host of The Morning News on WCCO Radio in Minneapolis. He has been with WCCO Radio for more than 20 years. In October 2014, WCCO Radio celebrates its 90th year on the air.

ROCHESTER, Minn. ― Individualizing Medicine 2014: From Promise to Practice is underway at Mayo Clinic. The conference is scheduled for Oct. 6–8, with optional workshops and sessions ...

WICKENBURG, Ariz. — Wickenburg residents in need of emergency medical care for a stroke may benefit from a Mayo Clinic telestroke program that is now be available at Wickenburg Community Hospital. A recent agreement between Wickenburg Community Hospital and Mayo Clinic in Arizona means the service featuring a remotely controlled, self-propelled robot is now available in Wickenburg. Mayo Clinic was the first medical center in Arizona to do pioneering clinical research to study telemedicine as a means of serving patients with a stroke in neurologically underserved rural and urban settings, and today serves as the "hub" in a network of 15 other "spoke" centers in 4 states. Wickenburg Community Hospital is the 16th hospital to be part of the telestroke service from Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic’s annual Heritage Days celebration takes place Oct. 6–10, 2014. The events being held across the Mayo Clinic campuses in Rochester, Florida, Arizona and Mayo Clinic Health System will recognize and thank all of the dedicated employees and volunteers who provide service to patients. This year’s events continue the yearlong commemoration of Mayo Clinic’s 150 years of serving humanity. The event brings together exhibits, activities, talented performers and artisans to celebrate the arts, culture, history and community spirit of Mayo Clinic. All events are free and open to the public.

MINNEAPOLIS — Mayo Clinic announced today the opening of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center at Mayo Clinic Square in downtown Minneapolis. Services in the new 22,000-square-foot facility include health and well-being programs, injury prevention, physical rehabilitation and sport-specific skills programs, and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic sports injuries for athletes of all ages. The facility will be staffed by orthopedic and physical medicine & rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning specialists. “For more than two decades, the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center has provided care for professional and international sports teams, premier athletes and weekend warriors from virtually every sport,” says Jonathan Finnoff, D.O., medical director, Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center at Mayo Clinic Square. “Our approach to integrated, multidisciplinary care to optimize performance, minimize risk and treat injury is truly a differentiator.” MEDIA CONTACT: Bryan Anderson, Mayo Clinic, 507-284-5005, anderson.bryan@mayo.edu Journalists: Sound bites and b-roll are available in the downloads.