Glioblastoma - The Aggressive Brain Cancer That Has No Cure

Updated Mar 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM IST

SummaryGlioblastoma is a form of aggressive brain cancer which killed the former US President Joe Biden's son Beau Biden, and is diagnosed in 12,000 Americans every year.
Glioblastoma - the aggressive brain cancer that has no cure

Credits: Canva

Many diseases succumbed to get the attention that they really deserve up until a big name is associated with it. Something similar happened with Glioblastoma, the aggressive brain cancer that killed former US Rep Mia Love. She was the first Black Republican woman elected to the US House. She died at the age of 49 due to the aggressive brain cancer, which has brought many people's attention on the condition.

Hailing from Utah, she had undergone treatment for glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial. However, her daughter, earlier this month, revealed that she is no longer responding to the treatment. She passed away at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, as per family's statement.

What Had Happened To Love?

Love was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022, and that is when her doctors had estimated that she only had about 10 to 15 months to survive. However, she had clearly surpassed that. During her speaking engagement in Salt Lake City, she described how she discovered her tumor. She explained that she was on vacation with her friends when she developed she had a bad headache when the plane landed. She went back to the beach and the sun's reflection on the water made her headache unbearable. This is when her husband took her to the hospital and a series of X-rays revealed a tumor in her brain.

She was taken back to Utah, where, through a surgery, 95% of her tumor was removed. However, biopsy results revealed that it was cancerous and most likely to spread to surrounding brain tissue.

She also entered a clinical trial at Duke University's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center in Durham, North Carolina. This involved using her body's immune system to attack the tumor. While initially the tumor shank, it eventually stopped responding to treatments.

What Is This Disease?

This is called glioblastoma. It is the most aggressive primary brain tumor and there is no cure for it. It keeps mutating no matter whatever is done and can come back.

A glioblastoma is a fast-growing glioma, a type of tumor that arises from glial cells, which protect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

If no cure, then what can be done? While there exists no known cure to this, there are aggressive treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other targeted therapies which could slow the growth of the tumor. As per experts, even if a surgeon removes all the tumor that can be seen, there are some tumor cells that are still left, which cannot be seen but they multiply quickly.

Is It Common?

As per the MD Anderson Cancer Center, each year, around 12,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States. All glioblastomas are grade IV brain tumors, meaning they contain the most abnormal looking cells and are the most aggressive. About 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year, accounting for almost half of all cancerous brain tumors, according to the Cleveland Clinic. More than 10,000 people in the U.S. will succumb to the disease every year, the National Brain Tumor Society reports.

Glioblastoma can occur at any age but is more commonly found in older adults. The average age at diagnosis is 64.

It's the same type of brain cancer that killed former President Joe Biden's son Beau Biden in 2015 and Sen. John McCain in 2018.

What is even more concerning is that researchers have not found a way to prevent glioblastoma and the cause of most of these tumors remain unknown. It is not hereditary, however, the source is unknown.

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'Inside Our ADHD Minds': 7 Things The Series Gets Right About Learning Disabilities

Updated May 20, 2025 | 05:51 PM IST

SummaryChris Packham’s eye-opening documentary doesn’t just explain ADHD, it shows it. Through raw stories, expert insights, and powerful short films, it captures the chaos, brilliance, and heartbreak of neurodivergent lives.
Inside Our ADHD Minds: 7 Takeaways From The BBC Documentary That’ll Change How You See Neurodivergence

What's it like to live with ADHD or dyslexia or know how a neurodivergent friend actually feels in their mind-not just the textbook definitions, but the day-to-day emotional rollercoaster? In Chris Packham’s groundbreaking new documentary, Inside Our ADHD Minds, we’re invited into the lives of Henry and Jo, two individuals navigating the invisible yet overwhelming terrain of neurodivergence.

Henry, a vibrant tour guide in Soho, speaks with honesty about forgetting to eat, losing track of time, and the deep fear that even those closest to him don’t truly understand who he is. Then there’s Jo, whose story hits a different chord. After 14 career changes and years of being labeled “too much,” it took her daughter’s comment to spark the realization that ADHD might have been part of her life story all along.

What follows in the documentary is not just awareness it’s a revelation. With stunning personal films, expert insights, and Chris Packham’s own neurodivergent lens guiding the way, Inside Our ADHD Minds dismantles stereotypes and replaces them with empathy, clarity, and humanity. This isn’t just about attention or hyperactivity it’s about identity, grief, resilience, and the need to be truly seen.

the two-part documentary series offers an emotionally intelligent and deeply personal exploration into the minds of individuals living with ADHD and dyslexia. It’s a follow-up to Packham’s earlier acclaimed project, Inside Our Autistic Minds, and again leans into empathy, science, and storytelling to deepen public understanding of neurodivergence.

As rates of ADHD and dyslexia diagnoses rise globally, especially among women and adults, Packham’s series couldn’t be more timely. But unlike dry medical overviews, this is narrative-driven, first-person neurodivergence—seen through the eyes of those who live it. From chaotic inner worlds to coping mechanisms that go unnoticed, here are the seven most compelling takeaways from Inside Our ADHD Minds—and what they reveal about the realities of neurodiverse thinking.

1. ADHD Isn’t an Attention Deficit- It’s Attention Dysregulation

One of the first myths the documentary busts is right there in the name: “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” As Packham candidly explains while walking through the woods—a signature format in the series—ADHD is not about lacking attention. It's about struggling to control and regulate it. One expert likens it to having six televisions on in your brain, all blaring at once, with no remote control.

This reframing is important. People with ADHD don’t lack focus—they often focus too much, too intensely, or on the “wrong” thing from a neurotypical perspective. Recognizing this nuance allows for more compassionate, functional approaches to support and treatment.

2. Gender Disparities in Diagnosis Persist

A vital theme running through the series is the gendered nature of neurodivergence diagnosis. While ADHD has historically been associated with hyperactive boys in classrooms, Packham interviews experts who explain how girls—like Jo, one of the documentary’s protagonists—often display symptoms differently. They may internalize their restlessness, mask their distress, or be mislabeled as emotional, disorganized, or lazy.

This misrecognition delays diagnosis, sometimes for decades. Jo wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood, after navigating 14 careers and hitting emotional and professional burnout. Her journey reflects a broader issue: ADHD and dyslexia in women are under-diagnosed, under-researched, and misunderstood—something healthcare systems globally must address.

3. Expressive Storytelling Can Be Transformative

Perhaps the most powerful element of the documentary is the way it allows neurodivergent individuals to represent themselves. Both Jo and Henry, the two central figures with ADHD, are given the opportunity to make short films to express what their minds feel like from the inside.

Henry’s film is a chaotic collage of missed alarms, cluttered thoughts, and forgotten meals—offering his family a visceral insight into why even small daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Jo’s story is more emotional, showing the grief she carries for the person she might have become if she had been diagnosed earlier.

These segments remind us that self-expression and creative agency are critical tools for mental health and healing. They can bridge the chasm between external behavior and internal reality in ways clinical language cannot.

4. Dyslexia Is More Than Letter Confusion

In the second episode, Packham shifts the lens to dyslexia—a learning difference that affects up to 10% of the population. While commonly associated with reading difficulties, the documentary underscores the broader cognitive landscape of dyslexia: challenges with time management, memory, verbal expression, and navigation.

One striking insight comes from the lived experience of Packham’s stepdaughter, Megan McCubbin, who was told by a teacher that she would never succeed in science due to her dyslexia. Today, she holds a degree in zoology. Her story is a testament to the fact that neurodivergence often coexists with creativity, adaptability, and resilience—not deficiency.

5. Living with Neurodivergence Means Managing Constant Fatigue

A subtle but crucial theme throughout the series is the sheer exhaustion of navigating a world not built for you. Dyslexic individuals often expend extraordinary energy simply trying to remember appointments, organize their day, or communicate clearly. ADHD minds, bombarded by sensory input and interrupted thoughts, can find even simple decisions emotionally taxing.

This cognitive labor takes a toll. Many neurodivergent individuals live with chronic fatigue, which further exacerbates symptoms and can lead to a cycle of self-blame and burnout.

6. Medication Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Both Jo and Henry try medication as part of their ADHD management—but with mixed results. Henry, diagnosed during his school years, disliked how the medication made him feel. Jo, however, found relief. This mirrors real-world experiences: medication can be life-changing for some, while others prefer alternative or supplemental strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy, coaching, and lifestyle modifications.

The documentary handles this with grace—there’s no agenda or judgment, only individual stories and honest reflection. It’s a reminder that treatment for neurodivergent conditions must be personalized and patient-centered.

7. Neurodivergent People Need Understanding—Not “Fixing”

Ultimately, Inside Our ADHD Minds is about asking for understanding, not solutions. Henry isn’t asking his parents to change him. Jo isn’t looking for retroactive pity. What both seem to want is acknowledgment: “This is how I operate, and I’m okay.”

This message lands at a time when the neurodiversity movement is gaining traction globally—from classrooms in the U.S. to boardrooms in Europe and universities in Asia. Creating truly inclusive societies means moving beyond awareness to acceptance and adaptation.

As Chris Packham himself notes, “By better understanding neurodivergent people’s lived experiences, we can help remove barriers to their success.”

And that’s the real takeaway here: empathy, not diagnosis, is the first step toward meaningful support.

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Exercising May Not Be A Lifeline For Couch Potatoes Against Alzheimer’s Disease - You Need To Change THIS

Updated May 20, 2025 | 02:22 PM IST

SummaryExercising is said to be the cornerstone of cognitive health. Many studies show the benefits of it and how it helps us keep our brain healthy. However, a new study shows, it may not be as effective as you think it is.

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest perpetrators of declining brain health. According to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation there are many other factors like eating unhealthy processed foods, high LDL cholesterol, depression, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure etc., that can cause dementia. One of the best ways to prevent cognitive decline is said to be physical exercise. It reduces chronic inflammation, improves blood flow as well as releases proteins necessary for brain health. However, a new study shows physical activity is not the cure-all answer for decline in cognitive health.

The surprising thing was the link between how much time older adults spend sitting and their risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. What's even more interesting is that this risk seems to be higher even for people who make sure to get their daily exercise. The study found that those who sat for longer periods were more likely to experience a decline in their thinking skills and even showed signs of their brains shrinking over time, regardless of their exercise habits.

More Sedentary Time Means Faster Brain Decline

The study published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia journal 2025, followed a group of adults aged 50 and older for an average of seven years. They used special watches to track exactly how much each person moved around during the day and how much time they spent being still. Over this period, they found a clear pattern: the more hours someone spent sitting down regularly, the worse their performance was on tests that measured their memory and how quickly they could process new information. This suggests that prolonged sitting has a negative impact on brain health over time.

Daily Exercise May Not Help Your Brain As Much

One of the key findings of this study is that simply exercising once a day might not be enough to completely protect your brain if you spend the rest of your time sitting. The lead researcher emphasized that while exercise is definitely good for overall health, minimizing the total time you spend sitting down each day could be even more important for reducing your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life. This highlights the need to think about our activity levels throughout the entire day, not just during planned workouts.

The results of the study were quite revealing. They showed that even a large majority of the participants – about 87% – were meeting the recommended weekly amounts of physical activity set by health authorities. Despite getting enough exercise, these individuals still faced a higher risk of brain shrinkage and cognitive decline if they also spent a lot of time sitting down. This strongly suggests that being sedentary is an independent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, meaning it can be harmful to the brain even if you are otherwise physically active.

You Need Less Sitting Time For Brain Health

Researchers emphasized the importance of breaking up long periods of sitting with movement. She stated that taking regular breaks to stand up and walk around throughout the day is likely a promising way to help prevent the kind of brain degeneration that can lead to cognitive decline and eventually Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that incorporating more short bursts of activity into our daily routines, rather than just focusing on a single workout, could be very beneficial for long-term brain health.

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Severe Pneumonia Shows 'Differently' In Children, Study Reveals New Models To Help Doctors Distinguish

Updated May 20, 2025 | 12:59 PM IST

SummaryBeing one of the most infectious diseases in the world, Pneumonia poses a great threat to children’s life everywhere, especially in places with less access to healthcare. New models, found in a study, may make it easier for doctors to focus on much more severe cases.
Study Reveals New Models To Help Doctors Distinguish Severe Pneumonia In Children

(Credit-Canva)

Pneumonia is one of the most common infections that was responsible for 14% of all deaths in children under the age of five, influencing the death of 740,180 children in 2019. It is a form of acute respiration infection that affects the lungs, making it difficult or painful to breathe. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention statistics explain that the number of visits to the emergency department due to pneumonia happens to be 1.4 million people in 2021.

The symptoms and effects of pneumonia can be mild like coughing, shortness of breath to fever, chest pains nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. However, since the infection can be severe, doctors must treat them with urgency. To help them identify severe cases quicker, a new study published in the Lancet May 2025, reveals new models that can help doctors distinguish severe cases from the moderate ones.

Can This Help Lower The Risk Of Pneumonia

The researchers made an interesting discovery about common cold symptoms. They found that if a child has a runny nose and feels stuffed up, they are actually less likely to have a more serious type of pneumonia. In fact, the chances are lower by quite a bit! On the other hand, the study also pointed out some warning signs that suggest a child might have severe pneumonia.

The research showed that some common cold symptoms, like a runny nose and congestion, actually means a child is less likely (by 41%) to have a more serious form of pneumonia. On the other hand, certain signs like stomach pain, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, and low oxygen levels in the blood point to a higher chance of severe pneumonia in children.

The study pointed out that doctors haven't had a good way to know for sure which of these children are in danger of getting much sicker. This new research is trying to fix that problem by giving doctors better tools to quickly identify the kids who need the most help right away.

Symptoms That Identified Mild from Severe Pneumonia

The researchers analyzed 2,200 children between the age bracket of 3 months and 14 years of age. The symptoms that were associated with increased risk of moderate or severe pneumonia

  • Children with stomach pain had a significantly higher chance (52%) of having moderate or severe pneumonia.
  • Kids who wouldn't drink fluids also faced a greater likelihood (57%) of a more serious pneumonia case.
  • If a child had already been given antibiotics before coming to the emergency room, their risk of moderate or severe pneumonia was notably higher (64%).
  • Labored breathing made the risk of moderate or severe pneumonia almost three times (2.8 times) as high.
  • A faster than normal heartbeat also indicated a considerably increased risk (64%) of more serious pneumonia.

Pneumonia's Impact on Children's Health

Pneumonia is not just a minor illness; it's actually one of the most common infections that affects children all across the globe. It's also a very frequent reason why children in the United States end up needing to be admitted to the hospital. This shows just how important it is for doctors and scientists to really understand pneumonia and find the best ways to diagnose it, treat it, and even predict how serious it might become for each child who gets it.

Researchers pointed out that said that while most kids who get pneumonia will thankfully have a milder form of the illness, there's a small group, about 5 out of every 100 children, who will become very sick and might develop serious health problems. It's absolutely crucial for doctors to be able to spot these children very early on. This way, they can start strong and fast treatments to stop their condition from getting worse and potentially causing long-term issues.

Impact of This Study On Pneumonia Care

Being able to tell how severe a child's pneumonia will be doesn't just help the very sick kids. It can also help the kids who are likely to have a milder illness. If doctors can confidently say that a child's pneumonia is not serious, they can avoid doing extra medical tests that might not be needed. They can also prevent the child from having to stay in the hospital if it's not really necessary, which can be a big relief for both the child and their family.

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