(May 19, 2010 - Insidermedicine)

From Oxford – According to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists have identified certain genes that raise susceptibility to certain diseases. Studying over 8,000 patients, researchers found that presence of the CISH gene was associated with susceptibility to TB and malaria. Having just one of five genetic variants within this gene raised risk of either disease by 18%.

From the Netherlands – A new study published online in the British Medical Journal reveals a gap in infant’s protection against measles. Researchers studied over 200 healthy women and their children. Blood tests revealed that at around two to three months of age, the infant’s maternal antibodies began to drop resulting in increased susceptibility to measles until vaccination at 12 months.

And finally, from Seattle – According to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who suffer traumatic brain injuries frequently suffer depression afterwards. Researchers studied nearly 600 TBI patients, finding that 53% met criteria for major depressive disorder at least once in the year following their injury.