The Burrill Report


The Burrill Report (May 2, 2011): Changing Medical Research through Social Media (.MP3,12.89 Mb)

While the findings of a new study published in the journal Nature Biotechology on the use of lithium in patients with the neurodegenerative disease ALS are meaningful, the study's real significance lies in how the trial was conducted. The findings, based on data contributed by more than 500 members of the health information sharing website PatientsLikeMe, refuted an earlier study that suggested lithium could slow the progression of ALS. We spoke to Jamie Heywood, chairman and co-founder of PatientsLikeMe, about the study, how it came about, and what it says about the role social media could play in changing the way clinical trials are conducted.


April 28, 2011
http://www.burrillreport.com/article-changing_medical_research_through_social_media_.html