Top stories in health and medicine, February 28, 2013

This series is brought to you by MedPage Today.

1. 5 Psych Disorders Have Common Genetics. Autism, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia share common genetic underpinnings — despite differences in symptoms and course of disease.

2. Imaging Suggests Wide Window for Alzheimer’s Tx. The biological path to Alzheimer’s disease might continue for more than a decade, suggesting a broad window of opportunity for intervention.

3. Side Effects Dim Niacin Promise. A highly significant increase in adverse events, in particular myopathy, appears to have been a driving force behind the decision to shut down a pivotal trial of Tredaptive, the agent that many hoped would improve niacin tolerance.