Adolescents who undergo bariatric surgery face a higher risk of weight regain, which can undermine treatment success and long-term health, if they have elevated blood levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) prior to the procedure, according to new USC research. PFAS are manufactured chemicals used in consumer products that accumulate in the body over time and are increasingly linked to a range of health concerns, including kidney problems, liver damage and various cancers. USC researchers tracked 186 adolescents who had bariatric surgery for five years, finding that those with higher PFAS blood levels before surgery regained more weight and had greater increases in waist circumference than those with lower PFAS levels. The strongest associations were observed in a class of PFAS known as sulfonic acids, which includes perfluoroctaansulfonaten (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS). The findings could help health care providers tailor treatment plans to better serve patients, as well as offer hints about the biological mechanisms that underlie the health effects of PFAS. The study also underscores the need for stronger limits on PFAS levels in food packaging, water supplies and other sources of exposure.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in children. The study, published today in BMC Environmental Health, is the first to apply the rigorous Navigation Guide methodology to systematically evaluate the rigor and quality of the scientific literature.

The new study of more than 30,000 adults in the U.S. found that the rate of cognitive decline associated with aging fell by 15%-20% for people who formally volunteer their services or who help in more informal ways with neighbors, family or friends outside the home on a regular basis. This cognitive benefit was consistently observed when individuals devoted about two to four hours per week to helping others.

A key discovery about the impact of stroke on a person’s ability to read reveals why a deficit occurs – a finding that presents a possible opportunity for new therapeutic strategies to help people recover one of the most important life skills. It’s long been known that people who experience a stroke can struggle with reading, but researchers weren’t clear exactly why. Now, a new study reveals that strokes can rob a person’s ability to use the meaning of words to help them recognize the words when reading.