Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Nicotine is a cholinergic agonist that acts, not only post-synaptically, but also releases pre-synaptic acetylcholine, and in animal models has been shown to reverse spatial memory decline in rats with lesion in the medial septal nucleus and to show recovery on memory in aged monkeys. Nicotine also has effects on other transmitters like serotonin (5HT), dopamine, or GABA. On the other hand, because nicotine has serious adverse effects, especially concerning cardiovascular risks in elderly people, and also on sleep and behavior, there are several important reasons to conduct a systematic review to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of nicotine in patients with AD. ⋯ This review is not able to provide reliable evidence that nicotine is a useful treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
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To assess the effects of advising pregnant women to increase their energy and protein intakes on those intakes, on gestational weight gain, and on the outcome of pregnancy. ⋯ Nutritional advice appears effective in increasing pregnant women's energy and protein intakes, but the implications for fetal, infant, or maternal health cannot be judged from the available trials. Given the rather modest health benefits demonstrated with actual protein/energy supplementation (see the Cochrane review of 'Balanced protein/energy supplementation in pregnancy'), however, the provision of such advice is unlikely to be of major importance.
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Many women experience leg cramps in the second half of pregnancy. ⋯ Both calcium and sodium chloride appear to help reduce leg cramps in pregnancy. However the results of the sodium chloride trial may no longer be relevant because of dietary changes.
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To assess the effects of bisphosphonates for the prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. ⋯ Bisphosphonates are effective at preventing and treating corticosteroid-induced bone loss at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Efficacy regarding fracture prevention cannot be concluded from this analysis, although bone density changes are correlated with fracture risk.
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Circulating progesterone may be the cause of slower gastrointestinal movement in mid and late pregnancy. ⋯ Dietary supplements of fibre in the form of bran or wheat fibre are likely to help women experiencing constipation in pregnancy.