BOSTON (Reuters) - A large-scale comparative test of three anti-epilepsy drugs found the oldest was best for treating childhood absence epilepsy, in which youngsters often stare into space for up to 20 seconds many times a day. Ethosuximide, available since the 1950s, offered the best protection for the condition. Lamotrigine fared the worst, the researchers reported in the New England Journal ...

A promising Alzheimer's disease drug Pfizer Inc. and a partner are developing failed to work in a late-stage study, a startling disappointment after the potential blockbuster kept symptoms from worsening for a year in a prior test. Pfizer and partner Medivation Inc. said Wednesday ...

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who have had an attack of shingles involving the eyes may have a heightened risk of stroke for a year afterward, a study published Wednesday suggests. Shingles is a painful condition caused by a reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, known as varicella-zoster virus. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus goes into ...

DRUG DISAPPOINTMENT: After strong results in a midstage study, an Alzheimer's drug Pfizer Inc. is developing with a partner unexpectedly failed to work in a late-stage patient test. WHAT'S NEXT: Scientists at Pfizer and Medivation Inc. will analyze the data to try ...