Chris Pratt, PhD
chrisprattphd.bsky.social
Chris Pratt, PhD
@chrisprattphd.bsky.social
Father, husband, founder, and scientist-communicator working to promote cutting-edge science and medicine to improve health for all.

▷ www.quillscience.com ◁
An exciting rundown of what's next in the antiobesity market:
www.medscape.com/s/viewarticl...
December 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Exciting to see positive results for an orexin agonist in #narcolepsy type 2 (NT2).

This result demonstrates the value of targeting orexin receptor 2 in this poorly understood form of narcolepsy.

#sleep #medicine #orexin #research

www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/view/alkerme...
Alkermes’ Alixorexton Shows Positive Phase II Results in Narcolepsy Type 2 | Applied Clinical Trials Online
In Vibrance-2, oral alixorexton significantly improved wakefulness and reduced excessive daytime sleepiness with a favorable safety profile, positioning the OX2R agonist for rapid advancement into…
www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Sorry, Phoenix airport. I know you’re trying to say “water is important,” but DNA is the DNA of life 🧬

Even for simple campaigns, subject matter expertise is important.
#copywriting #someoneShouldHaveReviewedThis
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Obstructive sleep apnea is an insidious condition. Its impacts go beyond sleep quality, and a recent study connects OSA to microbleeds that could lead to dementia and cognitive impairments over time.

#SleepApnea #Medicine #Sleep

www.medpagetoday.com/pulmonology/sleepdisorders/118302
Sleep Apnea Linked to Brain Microbleeds
Longitudinal study shows doubled incidence with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
www.medpagetoday.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
A medication is only as good as adherence.

This is hardly a surprising result: patients less likely to be completely adherent to more complicated regimens. But it's something worth repeating.

#Diabetes #MedicationAdherence #Medicine #MedComms

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Treatment Complexity May Lower Medication Adherence in T2D
Non-adherence to at least one prescribed antidiabetic drug is highly common among patients with type 2 diabetes and rises with the complexity of antidiabetic treatment.
www.medscape.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
A true hero... She changed how we think about so many things...
BREAKING

Dr. Jane Goodall has died. She was 91.

It is impossible to sum up the impact she has had on our world and on science in a social media post.

She lived a long and incredible life but I am devastated.

Full Story: bit.ly/4pPcNFH
October 1, 2025 at 6:17 PM
“Our country has survived darker periods than the one we are going through now—but that only happened because good people refused to stay silent. The attacks must end with Chicago. So I’m asking you, my fellow Americans across the nation: instead of being bystanders, be upstanders for our democracy“
Be Loud — For America
By Governor JB Pritzker
contrarian.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
I believe that the mounting pressure by many experts sounding the alarm on the threat of canceling the birth-dose of the hepatitis B vaccine contributed to the indefinite postponement of that vote by ACIP.
kKeep reminding folks that canceling the birth dose will kill children. Pressure works.
Newborn lives are on the line. The hepatitis B birth dose is safe, effective, and lifesaving yet it’s under attack at ACIP this week. Weakening this policy would be a grave mistake.
Read why we must defend it.
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
The Hepatitis B Vaccine: Why the Birth Dose Matters and Why We Must Defend It
Defending science, saving newborn lives, and keeping the world on track to end Hepatitis B
open.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
A look inside the chaos from the NIH funding scene and how it is damaging research, especially in areas with smaller patient populations.

This will have long-term impacts on how we treat cancer and other diseases.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...
Trump Is Shutting Down the War On Cancer
America’s cancer research system, which has helped save millions of lives, is under threat in one of its most productive moments.
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
In the coming days, we expect to see what's playing out in LA and DC happen in Chicago.

These efforts are not about fighting crime or making communities safer.

This is about Donald Trump testing his power and producing political drama to cover up his own corruption.
September 2, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
Today: CDC said ENOUGH.
We stand with them and for America.
#USAnotRFK Read & share this letter. Images or newsletter version below.

techingitapart.substack.com/cp/172217963

@niniandthebrain.bsky.social @enirenberg.bsky.social @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social @matthewfacciani.bsky.social
August 29, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
Attack on universities, de jour...

www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Universities get federal grants and universities lobby, ipso facto, universities are spending grant dollars for lobbying until proven otherwise.
Use of Appropriated Funds for Illegal Lobbying and Partisan Political Activity by Federal Grantees
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SUBJECT:       Use of Appropriated Funds for Illegal Lobbying and Partisan Political Activity by   Federal Grantees By
www.whitehouse.gov
August 28, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.
Release from HHS: HHS will wind down its development of the mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
August 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This is encouraging! An interim analysis of a Ph1b/2a study of an investigational anti-amyloid antibody drug shows promising results in #Alzheimers! And this drug is given by IV.

#AlzheimerDisease #Neurodegeneration #Antibodies #Bispecifics #Medicine

www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...
Novel Anti-Amyloid Drug Aims to Outperform Current Standards
Engineered to cross blood-brain barrier and scavenge plaques more effectively
www.medpagetoday.com
August 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
🍂 👿 🏛️
It is seriously dangerous territory when Trump fires anyone who doesn't cook the books for him.

The entire economy hinges on the accurate, nonpartisan data we get from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Republicans need to join us in fighting to protect the integrity of BLS.
Trump fires BLS commissioner after weak jobs report
Without evidence, Trump called the data "rigged" and implied that BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer manipulated the numbers "for political purposes."
www.nbcnews.com
August 2, 2025 at 12:31 AM
A vagus nerve stimulator was approved for refractory rheumatoid arthritis, engaging a "neuroimmune reflex" to tamp down immune activity with a daily 60-second stimulation course.

www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology...
Vagus Nerve Device OK'd for Rheumatoid Arthritis
First of its kind to win FDA approval
www.medpagetoday.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
So a government drowning in trillion-dollar deficits would borrow $150 billion more at 4.5% interest rates that taxpayers will be paying forever, in order to compensate us for higher tariff prices that they deny are actually happening. Makes sense.
July 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
An interesting natural experiment showing immune exposure and entrainment.

“Farm dust contains a hodgepodge of bacteria shed from livestock and animal feed that isn’t harmful enough to cause illness, but does effectively train the immune system to become less responsive to allergens later in life.”
Allergies seem nearly impossible to avoid — unless you’re Amish
Despite the increasing rate of allergic diseases, both in industrialized and in developing countries, the Amish remain exceptionally - and bafflingly - resistant.
www.seattletimes.com
July 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
We need robust panels of experts to ensure impactful and high-quality science happens! This is another step toward the politicization and weaponizing of science.

This will impact the development of medicines, both on the academic and business side and will erode American science further.
Exclusive: NIH to dismiss dozens of grant reviewers to align with Trump priorities
The move would undo years of work, leaving advisory councils understaffed, and without the full expertise needed for reviews.
www.nature.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
I still can't get over the fact that "panels you point at sky and make electricity from sunlight with no fuel is the cheapest source of energy" needed explanation.
July 13, 2025 at 7:40 PM
In 2007, I was in Finland taking biology courses taught in Swedish.

I sat in class with a dictionary on my desk just in case—occasionally frantically looking something up.

Now I get to relive that experience! Except this time it’s using Urban Dictionary to figure out what my kid just said... 🤔
July 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.

This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.

It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"These are not serious, legitimate arguments by people who understand the science extensively. These are, generously, arguments that are made by people who don't really understand the epidemiology and how these vaccines are tested and evaluated."

www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
July 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Chris Pratt, PhD
🏛️ Senate Budget Bill Now at US House of Representatives
🍃
Call your Reps - Tell them to Vote NO !!

Bill contains steep cuts to Medicaid, food stamps & clean energy funding, allocates $46.5 billion for border wall construction & $45 billion for detention of undocumented persons
From Axios
Anonymous GOP Congressman
"There are over 20 GOP threatening to vote against this bill "

Make those phonecalls please
Call Your Congressional Representatives 202 224-3121
Say no to the BIG BAD BILL
July 2, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Political theater that will just continue to damage science.

The pay to publish model is a whole discussion, but axing government scientists’ access to reputable journals is outside that and it seems purely political.

Trump team axes contracts with publishing giant Springer Nature
Trump team axes contracts with publishing giant Springer Nature
The action comes as high-ranking US officials criticize top journals as ‘woke’ and ‘corrupt’.
www.nature.com
July 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM