Eli Lilly is expanding its direct-to-consumer telehealth platform, LillyDirect, to include care for Alzheimer’s disease. It’ll connect patients with Synapticure, another telehealth company, which will arrange for virtual diagnoses and care navigation — but not drug delivery, since treatments like Lilly’s new infusion drug Kisunla require in-person administration.

Lilly is framing this as an effort to streamline early diagnosis and access, which is especially important with all the new treatments that are available. At the same time, some lawmakers and experts worry that the growth of pharma and telehealth arrangements may lead to over-prescribing and inadequate care.

“I would not want to compromise the quality of care just to increase capacity,” one Alzheimer’s researcher told STAT. “I would want to make sure that whoever they’re connecting to truly is a dementia expert … and doesn’t have a conflict of interest in doing it.”

Read more.

New tests for Alzheimer’s and cancer get FDA’s ‘breakthrough’ status

STAT Breakthrough Device Tracker update includes blood tests for Alzheimer’s and an AI chatbot that can digest images and discuss the results with a doctor.

By Lizzy Lawrence

Peter Marks, FDA’s top vaccine regulator, forced out

By Matthew Herper, Helen Branswell, Usha Lee McFarling, Lizzy Lawrence, and Jason Mast

Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images

Peter Marks, the top FDA official who oversaw vaccines, gene therapies, and the blood supply, resigned Friday after being told by Trump administration officials he would be fired if he did not step down, according to press reports and people familiar with the situation. In his resignation letter, which was obtained by STAT, Marks said that he had attempted to answer the concerns of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., regarding the safety of common childhood vaccinations.  “However, it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote. from Medtech Dive:Labcorp to close Los Angeles site, lay off 73 people Labcorp lists the plant as part of its consumer genetics business and plans to begin eliminating positions in May.  Simple dietary changes may help lower tinnitus riskAccording to a major new analysis, increasing your intake of four common foods could significantly reduce your risk of developing tinnitus. The study examined data from eight previous studies involving over 301,000 adults. It identified specific dietary factors that appear protective against the persistent “ringing in the ears.” This condition affects approximately 740 million people worldwide. After analyzing 15 specific dietary factors, researchers found that people who regularly consumed fruits had a 35% lower risk of developing tinnitus. Dairy products reduced risk by 17%, while caffeine and dietary fiber lowered risk by 10% and 8%, respectively. The researchers found no significant link between tinnitus and the other 11 dietary factors, including vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, and water. “These findings reinforce the idea that lifestyle factors may play a role in tinnitus risk,” explained Rachel Artsma, senior audiologist at Hear.com. “Given how challenging tinnitus can be for patients, it’s encouraging to see evidence suggesting that certain dietary habits could potentially lower its incidence.” To learn which specific types of fruits and dairy show the strongest associations, and what experts recommend for those already experiencing tinnitus, jump to “Tinnitus: Dietary fiber, dairy could help lower risk.” Also making headlines this week:  Could the probiotic kefir help fight Alzheimer’s disease? This fermented drink may improve cognitive functioning and memory in people with Alzheimer’s.  Red wine or white? Which one is worse for cancer risk? White wine is linked to increased skin cancer risk in women compared to red varieties.  Can exercise help you live longer? Twin study says it may be complicated. Research challenges assumptions about physical activity’s effect on life span. Stay informed and stay healthy! Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Medical News Today

https://meet.google.com/call?authuser=0&hl=en-GB&mc=KAIwAZoBFDoScGludG9fZTM0Z2Nqa2J1MmFiogE7GgIQADICUAA6AhABSgQIARABWgIIAGoCCAFyAggBegIIAogBAJIBAhABmgEEGAEgAKIBAhAA4gECCACyAQcYAyAAKgEwwgECIAHYAQE&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com&iilm=1743435682397