MARIJUANA DERIVATIVE FAILS APPETITE TEST

The purported appetite-enhancement powers of marijuana have been cast into
doubt by a new study from the Mayo Clinic. The standard drug given to help
cancer patients regain appetite was found to be more effective than one
derived from marijuana.

The study, with 469 cancer patients, found that about three-fourths who
were given megestrol acetate reported improved appetites, whereas only
about half of those given dronabinol, a marijuana derivative, saw appetites
improve. Also, 11 percent taking the standard drug gained weight while only
3 percent of those taking the marijuana derivative did so.

"Anecdotal reports and previous small studies suggested that marijuana and
its derivatives stimulate appetite," said Dr. Aminah Jatoi, a Mayo
oncologist. "These findings should dampen enthusiasm for using marijuana
derivatives for this purpose."

Flu shot may ward off stroke

Getting an influenza vaccination may help prevent strokes in addition to
the flu, a French study suggests.

The study, published in the February issue of Stroke: Journal of the
American Heart Association, looked at 270 French people and concluded that
those who had been vaccinated against the flu also lowered their risk of
stroke by about 40 percent.

Researchers have speculated that infections can add to a person's risk of
heart attacks and strokes, possibly by destabilizing plaque that has built
up in arteries and promoting clots. The new study adds weight to the
stroke-infection connection.

"We found the reduction in stroke risk to be around 40 percent for those
who were vaccinated," said Dr. Pierre Amarenco, one of the study's authors.
"That would be a major advance in stroke prevention if further studies
confirm these results."

Amarenco cautioned that researchers might not fully understand their results.

"We conclude that influenza vaccination may protect against stroke by
reducing the occurrence of infections," he said. "However, we cannot
exclude that vaccinated patients may have better lifestyles and, therefore,
are less likely to have a stroke in the first place."

The researchers plan a new study that will include 3,000 people to see if
their results hold up.

Panic disorder minus drugs

Patients who take drugs to control their panic disorder may become
drug-free after taking a course in cognitive-behavior therapy, a new study
suggests.

The study, published in the journal Behaviour Research and Therapy,
included 19 patients who were taking anti-depressants to control their
fears and anxieties.

After taking a 12-week course in behavior therapy that taught them skills
to control their fears, 80 percent were able to discontinue the medication.

"Patients are often told that they'll need to take medication indefinitely
to control panic disorder," said Brad Schmidt, an associate professor of
psychology at Ohio State University and co- author of the study. "But
that's not true for every patient. Some people respond well with therapy
and can forgo medications."