NIH trial finds more effective treatment for multi-food allergies; mental health care during and after pregnancy; sleep apnea and Parkinson’s, CPAP may help – Morning Medical Update

NIH study finds omalizumab more effective than oral immunotherapy for multi-food allergies

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, which was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, has found that omalizumab (Xolair) is a safer and more effective treatment for multi-food allergies than oral immunotherapy (OIT). The clinical trial, conducted by the NIH-funded Consortium for Food Allergy Research, found that 36% of participants treated with omalizumab could tolerate at least 2 grams of peanut protein and two other allergens, compared to just 19% in the OIT group. Many OIT participants discontinued treatment due to severe allergic reactions, highlighting omalizumab’s advantage as a well-tolerated alternative for patients with life-threatening food allergies.

Mental health care during pregnancy and after birth

A major psychotherapy trial led by researchers in Canada and the U.S. has found that talk therapy delivered by trained nurses, midwives and doulas is as effective as therapy from mental health specialists for treating depression and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum individuals. Published in Nature Medicine, the Scaling Up Maternal Mental Health Care by Increasing Access to Treatment (SUMMIT) Trial also showed that telehealth sessions are equally beneficial as in-person therapy, improving access to care.

Sleep apnea linked to higher Parkinson’s risk, early CPAP treatment may help

A new study suggests that people with obstructive sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, but early treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may lower that risk. Researchers analyzed medical records of nearly 1.6 million veterans and found that those who started CPAP within two years of diagnosis had fewer cases of Parkinson’s compared to those who delayed or did not use CPAP. The findings, set to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting, highlight the potential of early sleep apnea treatment in reducing neurodegenerative disease risk.