Andrea Lobo,  —

Andrea Lobo is a Science writer at BioNews. She holds a Biology degree and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

Surgery can partially restore certain brain networks in Cushing’s

Surgery can partially reverse functional impairments in brain networks in people with Cushing’s disease after three months, when their cortisol levels return to normal, according to a recent study. Researchers say elevated cortisol levels in patients with active disease are linked to connectivity impairments in three large-scale functional brain…

BIPSS can reliably diagnose Cushing’s after inconclusive tests

A recent study supports the reliability of a diagnostic tool to distinguish adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent forms of Cushing’s syndrome in people who have inconclusive imaging or biochemical test results. The procedure, called bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS), is able to accurately differentiate patients with Cushing’s disease from…

Pituitary tumor surgery found safe, effective in elderly patients

Surgery to remove a tumor in the brain’s pituitary gland is effective in patients 75 years or older, including those with Cushing’s disease, and is associated with a low rate of complications, according to a study in France. The surgery was generally performed using a minimally invasive procedure and…

Adrenal gland tumor surgery safe in pregnant woman: Case report

A pregnant woman underwent a successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove tumors in the adrenal glands, for Cushing’s syndrome which was caused by such a tumor and resolved, according to a case report. Although it is the standard treatment for adrenal tumors, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is not commonly done…

Case of exogenous Cushing’s sparks warnings of herbal supplement

A 44-year-old man developed exogenous, or treatment-related, Cushing’s syndrome, after taking an herbal supplement called Nhan Sam Tuyet Lien, which contained undisclosed amounts of glucocorticoids, a case study reports. His symptoms eased after he stopped taking the supplement and started taking prednisone. “This case highlights the importance of history taking…

Tumor removal surgery seen to benefit Cushing’s patients in study

While people with Cushing’s syndrome often experience hypertension, or high blood pressure, and diabetes — two conditions that put them at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases — tumor removal surgery was found to ease these conditions in a new study from Tunisia. Indeed, most patients saw improvements within one…

First patient enters extension study of SPI-62

The first patient has opted to enter the open-label extension study of a Phase 2 trial testing SPI-62 in people with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent forms of Cushing’s syndrome, including Cushing’s disease. The announcement was made by SPI-62’s developer, Sparrow Pharmaceuticals, which is conducting a Phase 2 trial called…

Rare adrenal tumor found as cause of woman’s Cushing’s syndrome

A woman who developed Cushing’s syndrome caused by an adenoma — a benign tumor in the adrenal gland — saw her symptoms ease after she had surgery to remove the gland, scientists in Nepal reported. In rare cases, adrenal adenomas are associated with high levels of metanephrine, a byproduct of…

Pulmonary embolism may be first symptom of Cushing’s: Report

A 37-year-old woman diagnosed with Cushing’s disease following childbirth experienced a pulmonary embolism — a blockage in blood flow to the lungs that’s generally caused by blood clots — as one of the first symptoms of the rare disorder. According to clinicians, her case highlights that pulmonary embolism may…

Ectopic pituitary tumor is culprit in rare Cushing’s case

A woman developed Cushing’s syndrome as a result of a rare pituitary tumor in the clivus region — a bone at the base of the skull — that produced excess levels of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a case study from China reports. This is a very rare case of…