The menopause transition is linked with real body changes: one meta-analysis found higher BMI, body fat, waist size, and visceral fat after menopause, and a newer review described the same shift toward more weight around the middle
In 2016, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that prolonged or repeated exposures to general anesthetics in late pregnancy or before 3 years old may have effects on the developing brain ( Over the years, numerous clinical and preclinical studies have been conducted to improve the safety of general anesthesia exposure and find potential novel targets to protect the immature brain (Warner et al., 2018
Importantly, these medications carry a boxed warning for risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and are contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2
J Comp Neurol 526(9):14191443
In relation to CaMKK2, a pharmacogenomic study using a methamphetamine-induced model of bipolar disorder in mice found that valproate treatment increased Camkk2 mRNA expression in the brain caudate nucleus [155]
Building sustainable habits around nutrition, physical activity, and metabolic health can help patients maintain results long after medication is reduced or discontinued
