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

Anxiety misdiagnosis leads to serotonin syndrome in woman

A 47-year-old woman with Cushing’s disease was initially misdiagnosed with an anxiety disorder, ultimately leading to her developing additional complications, scientists in China reported. The woman was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease after an ineffective psychiatric intervention, but continued taking high doses of psychiatric medications after surgery to remove a…

Cushing’s patients report high disease burden, despite treatment

People with Cushing’s syndrome have a high disease burden linked to persistent symptoms of weight gain, pain, and anxiety, despite being treated, a recent study reported. These observations highlight the need for interventions that address these persistent symptoms and “underscore the importance of the patient’s perspective in clinical decision making…

Tumor in woman’s rare Cushing’s case not found by MRI, 2 surgeries

A 48-year-old woman in Belgium was found to have a hormone-producing tumor located in the sphenoid sinus, a hollow space behind the nose and between the eyes, in a rare case of Cushing’s syndrome. The tumor perfectly mimicked the biological characteristics of a classical pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing tumor on…

Adrenal gland cancer causes Cushing’s in pregnant woman

A 28-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with Cushing’s caused by advanced adrenal gland cancer, a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis, scientists reported. Her case highlights the difficulties in diagnosing and treating such tumors, particularly during pregnancy, when hormonal changes can camouflage its symptoms. “It is reported that benign and malignant…

Rare Chest Tumor Is Cause of Ectopic Cushing’s in Man, 33: Report

A 33-year-old man with ectopic Cushing’s syndrome saw his symptoms ease after undergoing surgery to remove a rare, slow-growing cancer tumor from his chest. The carcinoid tumor, a type of neuroendocrine tumor, was the cause of the man’s condition, according to researchers. “The patient had complete resolution of symptoms…

‘Mini Pituitary Tumors’ May Help Personalized Medicine, Study Says

“Mini pituitary tumors” derived from patients, including those with Cushing’s disease, mimic several features of the individual’s tumor, including response to treatments, a study shows. These pituitary tumor-like organoids can serve as models for studies of the underlying molecular mechanisms of Cushing’s disease and to screen for the most…