Paracetamol or Tylenol is a popular pain and fever medication for decades for all and especially for pregnant women. Its safety record has for many years stood above the rest of the over-the-counter medications and is therefore used as the first-line medication for headache, fever, and mild pain in pregnancy. But new studies at Mount Sinai and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have opened the door to an important discussion: is prenatal exposure to acetaminophen associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children?

A study led by Andrea Baccarelli, dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s faculty of environmental health, published on August 14 in BMC Environmental Health, systematically reviewed 46 previous studies encompassing data from more than 100,000 participants. The aim was to investigate whether acetaminophen use during pregnancy correlates with neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Applying the Navigation Guide Systematic Review method—a strict, gold-standard approach to assessing environmental health evidence—the study team evaluated the quality, risk of bias, and strength of evidence of all included research. By doing so, it was possible to conduct a solid synthesis of available scientific literature, and what emerged was a pattern: better-quality studies more often showed an association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and offspring increased risk of ADHD and autism.

Also Read: Why Getting Your Covid Booster Shot This Fall Could Be Tricky?

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reiterated these alarms. The research highlighted that acetaminophen is not without risk, particularly considering its heavy use—more than half of pregnant women worldwide reportedly use it. Although the research does not establish causation, biological pathways may provide some insight. Acetaminophen passes through the placental membrane, which may initiate oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and epigenetic changes that can disrupt fetal brain development.

Dr. Diddier Prada, a population health science and policy and environmental medicine assistant professor at Mount Sinai, pointed to the larger picture: "With so many people taking this drug, even a modest increase in risk could have huge public health implications."

How To Balance Risks and Usage?

What this actually indicates is not that pregnant women should never take acetaminophen—not at all. Fever and unrelieved pain during pregnancy are actually risks to the fetus as well, risks of miscarriage, preterm labor, and developmental problems. Rather, researchers at both Harvard and Mount Sinai simply suggest the use of acetaminophen with restraint: the minimum dose that will be effective, for as short a period as possible, always under a physician's care.

Clinical practice guidelines in the U.S., such as those of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, still favor acetaminophen over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, which are usually avoided in the second and third trimesters. The focus is on personalized risk-benefit evaluation, not blanket bans.

Although the new evidence raised some eyebrows, not all research supports an association. For example, in 2024, the Swedish cohort of about 2 million children, of which more than 180,000 were exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy, identified no evidence of association with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Likewise, previously, the FDA and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine suggested that current studies are inconclusive or too small in number to change recommendations.

These contradictory findings demonstrate the nuance of research on prenatal effects of medication. Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD are affected by a wide range of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle variables. Separating the effect of acetaminophen from these elements is difficult, and large-scale, high-quality longitudinal studies are needed.

Why Is Tylenol A Concern For Pregnant Women?

Scientists investigating biological mechanisms have observed that acetaminophen has the potential to affect fetal brain growth through several mechanisms:

Oxidative Stress: Metabolism of acetaminophen can produce reactive oxygen species that could interfere with usual neural development.

Hormonal Disruption: Changes in maternal hormone levels may indirectly influence fetal neurodevelopment.

Epigenetic Changes: Exposure can induce changes in gene expression without changing DNA sequences, which can impact cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Though these mechanisms are still being studied, they are a reasonable hypothesis for why some have seen associations with ADHD and autism.

How Does It Affect Future Prenatal Care?

The results have important public health consequences. Acetaminophen is the most widely used over-the-counter medication among pregnant women, so even a modest increase in risk of neurodevelopment would impact huge populations worldwide. The study highlights the necessity of new clinical guidelines, improved patient education, and investment in safer alternatives for pain and fever management for pregnant women.

Researchers emphasize that pregnant women should not stop taking acetaminophen on their own. Rather, open communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women is essential, comparing untreated pain and fever risk against possible neurodevelopmental issues. Non-pharmacologic pain relief, rest, and hydration can be considered when appropriate.

As ADHD and autism diagnoses surge globally, knowing the environmental and drug causes of neurodevelopment becomes ever more pressing. This research contributes to mounting evidence calling for caution in prenatal use of acetaminophen, while continuing to support further study to establish causation, dose-response, and alternative safer medicines.

Tylenol is still widely used as a suggested painkiller and fever reducer during pregnancy. However, recent research has shown possible associations with ADHD and autism in kids, which has led scientists to recommend careful, short-term use under medical guidance. Women in pregnancy should consult their doctor concerning any pain relief plan, weighing current needs against possible long-term impacts on child development.

Orforglipron, a new daily pill, may be more effective than existing oral treatments for weight loss and blood sugar control than semaglutide, according to a recent clinical trial.

Semaglutide belongs to a group of drugs known as GLP-1 medications, known to mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, slow digestion, and control blood sugar. The drug is commonly sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic.

Despite being highly effective, semaglutide usually needs to be injected and requires refrigeration, which can make it inconvenient and harder to access for some patients. Additionally, the drug also carries a high price point.

However, in a 52-week trial involving people with Type 2 Diabetes, orforglipron was found to lower average blood sugar levels more than oral semaglutide and also led to greater weight loss.

Participants taking orforglipron lost around up to eight kilograms on average, compared to about five kilograms with semaglutide. Morever, orforglipron is a once-daily pill that does not require injections or cold storage.

But the study also found that orforglipron caused more side effects, particularly digestive issues like nausea and diarrhea. Yet scientists believe it may still be a better alternative to semaglutide as its easier and cheaper to produce than peptide-based drugs like semaglutide.

They also noticed that the drug absorbed more efficiently by the body and does not require strict timing around meals, unlike current oral versions of semaglutide.

READ MORE: Alkem Laboratories Launches Cheapest Semaglutide Injection In India

How Does Ozempic Function?

The first thing to remember here is that Ozempic is a brand-name medicine that contains semaglutide as its active ingredient. Semglutide is the synthetic version of GLP-1—a natural hormone produced in the intestines that regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. Now, every time you eat, your body produces various hormones, including GLP-1. These are called Post nutrition hormones, and help you absorb the energy you just consumed.

GLP-1 travels to your pancreas, prompting it to produce insulin. It also travels to the hypothalamus in your brain, which gives you the feeling of being full or satiated. Ozempic imitates this hormone, thereby, silencing the food chatter in the brain. Interestingly, for some people this food chatter is really quiet ( people with low appetite) and for others it is an outbrurst, (people who generally binge eat.) So with Ozempic, silencing this self-talk in the brain, people tend to lose their appetite and eventually weight.

However, it is important to note that losing weight includes not just fat but muscle as well. Losing too much muscle can lead to reduced strength and a shorter life span. Notably, records show that most people who start taking them stop it at 12 weeks; therefore, it is important for some but not for others.

Does Ozempic Have Side Effects?

As reiterated by doctors and health care experts, Ozempic is a drug that is tasked to help diabetic patients manage their blood sugar levels and weight. However, recent research has shown its effectiveness in mitigating various addictions like alcohol and drugs by inhibiting hormones. But what people ignore are its side effects, which include:

• Nausea is a frequent side effect, especially when starting Ozempic or increasing the dose, and vomiting may occur along with nausea.
• Diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort also show up in people using Ozempic, but they generally resolve as your body adjusts.
• Ozempic can reduce appetite but may also lead to unintended weight loss or reduced food intake, causing discomfort for some people.
• There are certain less common, but serious side effects also, like Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas.
• This drug may also cause severe kidney issues, particularly if dehydration occurs from side effects like vomiting or diarrhoea.

People with blood type B, either positive or negative, are 28 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, according to a 2024 BMC Medicine study.

Human blood is categorized into eight main groups based on the sugars and proteins, or lack thereof, present on the surface of your red blood cells.

A, B, and AB types are based on the presence of antigens, sugar molecules that can trigger an immune response. O-type blood has no A or B antigens. Meanwhile, Rhesus (Rh) factors are proteins that determine blood compatibility and give your blood its positive or negative designation.

According to a group of Chinese researchers, who conducted a thorough umbrella review of 270 studies, the strongest link between a blood group and Type 2 diabetes was between those with a B blood group.

The researchers also didn't examine what might drive this increased risk. A 2025 study suggests that the gut microbiome may be involved; however, further investigation is needed.

However, the results do suggest that there's a real, tangible association between blood type and Type 2 diabetes – one that people can factor into how they think about their own risk.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) occurs when blood sugar (glucose) remains consistently high. Normal blood sugar levels fall between 70 and 99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If undiagnosed, Type 2 diabetes often shows levels of 126 mg/dL or more.

T2D happens because the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, the body can’t use insulin effectively, or a combination of both. This differs from Type 1 diabetes, which arises when the immune system attacks the pancreas, leaving the body unable to produce insulin at all.

How Common Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is widespread. Over 37 million people in the US have diabetes (around 1 in 10), with 90–95 percent of cases being T2D. Globally, it affects roughly 6.3 percent of the population. While it’s most common in adults over 45, younger adults and even children can develop it.

Blood Sugar Range For Adults And Children With Type 2 Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following ranges for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and children with type 2 diabetes:

Recommended Blood Sugar Range

Fasting (before eating): 80 to 130 mg/dL

1 to 2 hours after meal: Lower than 180 mg/dL

Is Type 2 Diabetes Genetic?

T2D has complex causes, but genes play a significant role. If one biological parent has T2D, your lifetime risk is around 40 percent, and if both parents do, it rises to 70%. Scientists have identified over 150 DNA variations linked to T2D risk, some increase the chance of insulin resistance or reduced insulin production, while others influence obesity risk. These genetic factors interact with lifestyle and health habits to determine overall risk.

How is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed?

Doctors use several blood tests to confirm T2D:

• Fasting plasma glucose test: Measures blood sugar after an eight-hour fast. A result of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.
• Random plasma glucose test: Measures blood sugar at any time without fasting. A reading of 200 mg/dL or higher signals diabetes.
• A1C test: Reflects average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months. A level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.

Scientists have found a new potential way to treat Alzheimer’s disease and it's already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Researchers at the the Indiana University School of Medicine have found that removing or reducing a specific brain cell enzyme, known as IDOL, can significantly lower the buildup of amyloid plaques while also helping the brain resist further damage.

As of now, Lecanemab and Donanemab drugs can help achieve this as they work by clearing these plaques from the brain and can help slow the progression of symptoms.

However, the researchers' new theory focuses on preventing plaque buildup in the first place, while also improving how brain cells communicate and process fats.

The scientists claim that enzymes such as IDOL are easier to target with drugs due to their well-defined structures, allowing them to design treatments that are more precise and potentially have fewer side effects.

Kim, the P. Michael Conneally Professor of Medical and Molecular Genetics: "What makes this exciting is that we now have a specific target that could lead to a new type of treatment.

"We believe that IDOL will provide us with an alternative strategy to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Targeting enzymes in drug development offers key advantages due to their well-defined active sites or ‘pockets’ where drugs can attach and block their activity. This precision means we can design molecules that hit the right target with minimal side effects."

Kim notes that the team now plans to explore several approaches to target IDOL as part of new Alzheimer’s treatments including testing the safety and effectiveness of potential compounds in preclinical models.

The researchers will also study whether blocking IDOL can help preserve synaptic connections and reduce tau pathology, another key feature of the disease.

READ MORE: The One Critical Thing You Should Do To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.

The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”

FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

"Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."

It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.