Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of phone calls, online meetings, and deadlines has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, keeps spinning. So time to give it a nudge in a useful direction with a cup or three of stimulation. Our choice today is caramel apple. As always, please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here is a menu of tidbits to help you get going. We hope your journey today is meaningful and productive. And of course, do stay in touch. We appreciate juicy tips and hearing about saucy doings. …
Researchers are testing several new drugs to treat depression and anxiety symptoms that women often experience during perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, The Wall Street Journal tells us. Up to one-third of women experience depressive symptoms during this time, and antidepressants are often prescribed to women for midlife depression, but the drugs do not work for everyone and can have side effects. Now scientists are studying medications that may help combat perimenopausal mood changes in different ways. Some drugs are already approved for other health issues. Doctors are also hopeful some new drugs aimed at treating hot flashes may help with mood changes.
In a revelation that may help Uganda combat its Ebola outbreak, Merck acknowledged — after repeated inquiries — it has up to 100,000 doses of an experimental vaccine in its freezers in Pennsylvania and will donate them, Science says. The World Health Organization and Ugandan officials are discussing if and how the doses can be used in clinical trials of other candidate Ebola vaccines that could launch as soon as next month. In an Oct. 13 email, Merck first acknowledged it made the vaccine but said vials expired and were destroyed in 2021. After further questions, the company replied the vaccine still existed in bulk, testing had confirmed those doses were viable, and would be donated.
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