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OFSN IN THE NEWS
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Here's where we've begun to compile news clippings and publications featuring OFSN. If you hear or see mention of OFSN in any media channels, please contact OFSN (see contact information above). Thank you.
MEDIA CITINGS
Multnomah County Education Service District. (16 May 2008). Middle School Students Learn What It's Like to Cope with Mental Health Issues: MESD's Wraparound Project's Powerful Message Captures the Attention of Students at Beach School (Highlights a presentation given by Ezra Farish on National Children's Mental Health Day). Interactions (Multnomah ESD Employee News & Information), page 1. Last viewed on 16 May 2008 at: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/pa/Interaction5-16-08.pdf
Harshman, Marissa. (05 May 2008). Neighbors: Bonnie Dauterman. The News Review (Roseburg, Oregon). Last viewed on 07 May 2008 at:
Manning, Rob. (Feb 2008). Oregon Public Broadcasting 2008 Series on Mental Health. (See: Wraparound Program Aims to Care for Mentally Ill Children at Home featuring Ezra Farish). Last viewed on 22 Apr 2008 at: http://news.opb.org/series/2008/mentalhealth/
Oregon DHS Staff News. (November 2007). Jammie Farish, Executive Director of Oregon Family Support Network and a member of the Governor's Statewide Wraparound Project Steering Committee receives Mental Health Excellence Award. Last viewed on 01 Dec 2007 at http://www.dhs.state.or.us/tools/news/staff_news/2007/11.html.
Maternal and Child Health Services. (2006). Title V Block Grant. State Narrative for Oregon, Application for 2007, Annual Report for 2005. (Page 27). Salem, Oregon, State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Services, 2006 (09/15/2006). Last viewed on 01 Dec 2007 at: http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ofhs/mch/docs/narrat07.pdf
Gordon, L., Bradley, J., Aue, N., & Holman, A. (Eds.) (2006). Building on family strengths: Research and services in support of children and their families. 2005 conference proceedings. (Pages 10, 28). Portland, OR: Portland State University, Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health. Last viewed on 01 Dec 2007 at: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/cp05.pdf
Friesen, Barbara J., Mary Giliberti, Judith Katz-Leavy, Trina Osher, Michael D. Pullman. (2003). Research in the Service of Policy Change: The Custody Problem. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Vol. 11. Last viewed on 20 Oct 2008 at: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5001510026
Blankenship, K., Pullmann, M. & Friesen, B.J. (1999). Keeping Families Together: Implementation of an Oregon Law Aboloshing the Custody Relinquishment Requirement. Portland, OR: Portland State University, Research and Training Center of Family Support and Children's Mental Health. Last viewed online on 20 Oct 2008 at: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/pbKeepingFamiliesTogether.pdf
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DISCLAIMER - OFSN WEB SITE INCLUDING RSS NEWSFEEDS
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided from RSS Newsfeeds below comes from third parties (not OFSN) and may not represent the view or opinion of OFSN. OFSN cannot make any guarantees or, accept any liability of any kind whatsoever in any relation to any information provided on this web site at any time. Your use of this web site constitutes voluntary consent at your own risk and expense. OFSN cannot guarantee accuracy or fitness of any information provided on any part of this web site. Nothing on this web site shall substitute for professional, medical or legal advice in any way and you are hereby notified and advised to pursue medical, legal, and other professional counsel from qualified person(s) at your own risk and expense.
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Discovery Channel Health News
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ScienceDaily Accident & Trauma (incl. PTSD) News
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Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
Rwandan Genocide Survivors Provide New Insights Into Resilience and PTSD
The 1994 genocide in Rwanda resulted in the mass killing of up to one million people over the course of about 100 days. There can be no doubt or surprise then that some of the survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, an anxiety disorder that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatizing event, such as abuse, war, or natural disaster. However, even under stress as extreme as genocide, not all individuals develop PTSD. Why is it that some do and some don't?
Progesterone for traumatic brain injury tested in phase III clinical trial
Researchers at 17 medical centers soon will begin using the hormone progesterone to treat patients who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatment is part of an NIH-funded, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trial that will enroll approximately 1,140 people beginning in March, 2010. An earlier trial in 100 patients found that giving progesterone to trauma victims shortly after a brain injury appears to be safe and may reduce the risk of death and long-term disability.
Helmets must be part of skiing and snowboarding culture, doctors urge
While the world's best skiers and snowboarders at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games compete with helmets on, many other skiers and snowboarders are choosing to forgo this important piece of safety equipment. In fact, many skiers and snowboarders place fashion before safety, according to doctors.
Resilience therapy empowers family violence survivors
Traditionally, therapy for violence survivors has predominantly focused on evaluating their trauma and pain. In contrast, some researchers are now broadening the therapeutic focus to empower survivors through highlighting their resilience, resourcefulness, and ability to overcome adversity.
New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury
A new tool may help standardize the use of computed tomography (CT scans) in children with minor head injury and help reduce the number of scans, according to a new study.
Hospital uses device to revolutionize treatment of traumatic aortic injury
Vascular surgeons performed one of the nation's first implants of a Next Generation Conformable GORE TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis device for the treatment of a traumatic aortic transection as part of a national clinical trial. The goal of the trial is to gain insight into using thoracic endografts for patients with traumatic aortic transection (tear) as a less invasive alternative to major surgery.
Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands
Researchers are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships. They that found the biggest predictor of whether male and female college students would use violence against a partner was whether the partner was violent toward them.
Research could lead to way to halt deadly immune response
Scientists have published new details of their research into the complement reaction, an immune system response that kills thousands annually. Researchers have teased out the molecular process that can shut down a marauding, often deadly immune response that kills thousands each year who suffer battlefield casualties, heart attacks, strokes, automobile accidents and oxygen deprivation, according to a new article.
Watch your step: Elevator-related injuries and older adults
In the first large-scale epidemiological study of elevator-related injuries in older adults in the United States, researchers report on the frequency, nature and opportunities for prevention of these injuries.
Fingers account for majority of pediatric amputations, new study finds
According to a new study, there were more than 950 cases of traumatic amputations among children aged 17 years and younger in the United States in 2003. Of these cases, finger and thumb amputations accounted for the majority of the injuries.
Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent
Helmets reduce the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent with no evidence of an increased risk of neck injury, a new study finds.
Novel surgery may help young trauma patients avoid total hip replacements
A novel surgery using transplanted bone and cartilage may help young patients avoid a hip replacement after a specific traumatic injury to the hip joint, according to a new study.
Almost half of injured Haitians are likely to be children, pediatric emergency study indicates
A new study indicates that the victims of the January 12 quake include an extraordinarily high number of children -- more than 110,000, nearly half of the estimated total.
Could wearing a helmet be bad for a biker’s health?
Wearing a crash helmet is essential to a motorcyclist’s safety but could it actually be harming their health and affecting their riding?
More than 50 percent of injury-related deaths in rural Ontario occur before patients reach hospital
It's known that people who live or work in rural areas are more likely to suffer and die from serious injuries compared to those in more urban environments. But while time and distance play a role in these higher mortality rates, new research suggests that limited access to early, high-quality trauma care in many smaller Ontario hospitals may be a factor.
Trauma patients safe from mortality risks associated with so-called 'weekend effect'
People who are in car crashes or suffer serious falls, gunshot or knife wounds and other injuries at nights or on weekends do not appear to be affected by the same medical care disparities -- the so-called "weekend effect" -- as patients who suffer heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrests and other time-sensitive illnesses during those "off hours," according to new research.
Concussions not taken seriously enough, researcher finds
Despite growing public interest in concussions because of serious hockey injuries or skiing deaths, a researcher in Canada has found that we may not be taking the common head injury seriously enough.
Table saw-related injuries have remained consistently high, study finds
A recent study found that from 1990-2007, an estimated 565,670 non-occupational table saw-related injuries were treated in US hospital emergency departments, averaging 31,500 injuries per year.
Significant urban-rural disparities in injury mortality seen in China
The death rate from injuries in rural areas of China is higher than in urban areas, according to a new study. Rural males of all ages were 47 percent more likely to die from injuries than urban males, and the overall rate in rural females was 33 percent higher than in urban females.
WHO spearheads health response to earthquake in Haiti
The severe earthquake that struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic has inflicted large-scale damage, including on hospitals and health facilities, and large numbers of casualties are feared.
People's racial biases can skew perceptions of how much help victims need
Researchers surveyed undergraduate students a year after Hurricane Katrina to examine their perceptions of the hurricane victims and the helping response. The findings showed that when recalling victims of Hurricane Katrina, participants who were less racist thought the victims did not receive adequate help from the government. Participants who were more racist thought the victims received adequate government assistance and were at fault for their situation.
For gunshot and stab victims, on-scene spine immobilization may do more harm than good
Immobilizing the spines of shooting and stabbing victims before they are taken to the hospital -- standard procedure in Maryland and some other parts of the country -- appears to double the risk of death compared to transporting patients to a trauma center without this time-consuming, on-scene medical intervention, according to a new study.
Serious emotional disturbances found among children after Katrina
Mental health professionals have shown that there are serious emotional disturbances (SED) among children as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The Category 3 storm ravaged the Gulf Coast in August 2005. Characteristics of SED include inappropriate behavior, depression, hyperactivity, eating disorders, fears and phobias, and learning difficulties.
Extremity war injuries: More research is needed
The fourth annual Extremity War Injuries Symposium was held in Washington, D.C., last January to bring together military and civilian orthopedic surgeons, researchers, experts from governmental agencies, and others to discuss challenges faced by US medical personnel working in Iraq and Afghanistan and to discuss ways to synergize resources and improve care for wounded warriors.
Young hunters most likely to be injured using tree stands
Young hunters between the ages of 15 and 34 are the most likely to suffer serious injuries in tree stand-related incidents, say researchers. The same researchers' findings, though, suggest that such injuries are preventable.
Miss whiplash with locking headrest, study suggests
Whiplash neck injuries among drivers and their passengers who have been shunted from behind are a major cause of long-term health problems and, in extreme cases, death. A new type of vehicle headrest promises to improve both safety and comfort.
Synthetic platelets halve clotting time
Researchers have developed synthetic platelets from biodegradable polymers. In animal models, the synthetics attach to natural platelets and stem bleeding faster than current treatments.
Brain imaging shows kids' PTSD symptoms linked to poor hippocampus function
Psychological trauma leaves a trail of damage in a child's brain, say scientists. Their new study gives the first direct evidence that children with symptoms of post-traumatic stress suffer poor function of the hippocampus, a brain structure that stores and retrieves memories. The research helps explain why traumatized children behave as they do and could improve treatments for these kids.
Parents: Be mindful of hazardous holiday ornaments
A new study has found that holiday decorations, particularly glass ornaments, are one more safety hazard parents must consider during the season.
More than 1,000 patients in US admitted annually for aviation-related injuries
The first ever published study of aviation-related injuries and deaths in the US finds that more than 1,013 patients are admitted to US hospitals with aviation-related injuries annually, and that 753 aviation-deaths occur each year. The study also reports that the largest categories of patients were occupants of civilian, noncommercial powered aircraft (32 percent) and parachutists (29 percent).
Simulated car crashes involving pregnant women
Although states are not required to report fetal deaths in accident data, between 300 and 1,000 unborn babies die in car accidents each year. This accident fatality rate is about four times the rate for victims between infancy and four years old. In response to these numbers, Ford Motor Company has worked with researchers for the past three years to gather data in support of future development of a computer-aided model of a pregnant woman for virtual crash test simulations.
Careful diagnosis helps fracture patients put best foot forward
Located in areas of the foot that can be hard to visualize with X-rays and other imaging techniques, injuries to the ankle area of the foot are the most frequently misdiagnosed of all foot fractures.
CSI Sharks: New forensic technique gives clues about sharks from bite damage
Hit-and-run attacks by sharks can be solved with a new technique that identifies the culprits by the unique chomp they put on their victims, according to a shark expert.
Uninsured more likely to die after trauma
Americans without health insurance appear more likely to die following admission to the hospital for trauma than those with health care coverage, according to a report.
Brain-injured athletes may benefit from hypothermia research
NFL players and other athletes who suffer serious or multiple concussions may benefit from ground-breaking new research. Scientists are developing a surgical technique that involves hypothermia in specific regions of the brain.
More than half of cheerleading injuries in US due to stunts
Whether rallying the crowd at a sporting event or participating in competition, cheerleading can be both fun and physically demanding. Although integral to cheerleading routines, performing stunts can lead to injury. Stunt-related injuries accounted for more than half (60 percent) of US cheerleading injuries from June 2006 through June 2007, according to a new study. Nearly all of the reported concussions occurred when the cheerleader was performing a stunt.
Experts Offer Strategies For Working With Immigrant Victims Of Violence
Last year, the United States provided asylum and resettlement assistance for nearly 80,700 people from other countries, an increase from 71,300 individuals in 2007, according to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Health experts say the increase has made issues of immigrant and refugee violence and the need for effective intervention strategies more apparent.
Psychiatric Impact Of Torture Could Be Amplified By Head Injury
Depression and other emotional symptoms in survivors of torture and other traumatic experiences may be exacerbated by the effects of head injuries, according to a new study. The researchers found structural changes in the brains of former South Vietnamese political detainees who had suffered head injuries and clearly linked those changes to psychiatric symptoms often seen in survivors of torture.
Use Of Cannabinoids Could Help Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Patients
Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients, according to a new study.
Increasing Number Of Injuries From Hot Tubs, New National Study Finds
Though hot tubs, whirlpools and spas are widely used for relaxation and fun, they can pose serious risk for injury. Over the past two decades, as recreational use of hot tubs has increased, so has the number of injuries.
Genes And Environment May Interact To Influence Risk For Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Individuals who experience both childhood adversity and traumatic events in adulthood appear more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than those exposed to only one of these types of incidents, according to a new report. In addition, the risk was further increased in individuals with a certain genetic mutation.
Universal Helmet Laws For Motorcycling Most Important Policy For Saving Lives Of Motorcyclists
Researchers conducted one of the first longitudinal analyses of the effect of public policies to reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities. According to the study, the most significant policy in reducing both fatal and non-fatal motorcycle injuries is the universal helmet laws. The findings indicate that about 489 lives could have been saved if universal helmet laws were in effect in all 48 states in 2005.
Promising New Path For Treating Traumas Discovered
A discovery could help save lives threatened by traumatic injuries, severe infectious diseases and diabetes. Researchers have gained new knowledge about how proteins called histones can enter the bloodstream and kill the lining of blood vessels, resulting in uncontrolled internal bleeding and edema. Building on this work, the researchers have discovered an antibody that could counter this deadly process.
Increasing Severity Of Bicycle Injuries Leads To Concerns About Cycling Infrastructure
Record-high gasoline prices, the slowdown in the economy, and increasing environmental sensitivity are leading more people to bike to work or for play. But an adequate infrastructure may not be in place to protect cyclists from serious injury according to surgeons who recently presented a new study on the issue.
Partner Abuse Leads To Wide Range Of Health Problems, Study Finds
Women abused by intimate partners suffer higher rates of a wide variety of doctor-diagnosed medical maladies compared to women who were never abused, according to a new study of more than 3,000 women. Many of these health problems are not commonly understood as being associated with violence, such as abdominal pain, chest pain, headaches, acid reflux, urinary tract infections and menstrual disorders.
The High Cost Of Treating Alcohol-impaired Drivers
The costs of drinking and driving are all too apparent, with alcohol involved in 41 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2006. In addition to the mortality and morbidity, the economic impact of alcohol impaired driving is estimated at $51 billion. Now a new study has found that even minimally injured alcohol-impaired drivers account for higher emergency department costs than other drivers.
Child Burn Injuries Down Significantly
A new study finds burn injuries in children under age 21 are down significantly -- 31 percent. That's the good news. However, more than 300 children are still being treated in the hospital every day for thermal, chemical or electrical burns.
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ScienceDaily ADD & ADHD News
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Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Mouse model reveals a cause of ADHD
Although it's typically considered an adolescent curse, ADHD actually affects about five percent of adults as well. New research in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that the root of the psychiatric disorder might be the over-activity of a protein that regulates dopaminergic pathways. The work suggests a path toward new treatments for symptoms including inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity.
Scientists discover alterations in brain's reward system related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Until now, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was related to alterations in the brain affecting attention and cognitive processes. Researchers in Spain have now discovered anomalies in the brain's reward system related to the neural circuits of motivation and gratification. In children with ADHD, the degree of motivation when carrying out an activity is related to the immediacy with which the objectives of the activity are met. This would explain why their attention and hyperactivity levels differ depending on the tasks being carried out.
Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and cognition problems seen in individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure often resemble those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An assessment of these disorders has found that while children with FASD may meet the behavioral criteria for ADHD, their attention difficulties differ in subtle but important respects.
Lead may be the culprit in ADHD
ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is among the costliest of behavioral disorders. New research suggests that the culprit may be an old villain -- lead -- and what's more it explains the causal pathway from exposure to disability.
Mixed-handed children more likely to have mental health, language and scholastic problems, study finds
Children who are mixed-handed, or ambidextrous, are more likely to have mental health, language and scholastic problems in childhood than right- or left-handed children, according to a new study. The researchers behind the study suggest that their findings may help teachers and health professionals to identify children who are particularly at risk of developing certain problems.
How to measure attention span of a fly: Implications for ADHD, autism in humans
An Australian-German team of scientists has found a way to measure the attention span of a fly. The findings could lead to further advances in the understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in humans.
Disconnect between brain regions in ADHD
Two brain areas fail to connect when children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder attempt a task that measures attention, according to researchers.
New treatment for hyperactivity in children: Thought-operated computer system
A new thought-operated computer system which can reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children is being be rolled out across the UK.
Uniform method to interpret autism spectrum disorders
The main criterion defining autism spectrum disorders is difficulty in emotional-social behavior. Nevertheless, many people with ASD have some difficulties in three other domains -- memory, perception and motor behavior. In a new theoretical model, one researcher recommends a uniform way to think about these four types of difficulties, which she believes are linked by a common brain structure/brain function connection involving the medial prefrontal cortex.
National survey tracks rates of common mental disorders among American youth
Only about half of American children and teenagers who have certain mental disorders receive professional services, according to a nationally representative survey.
Startled flies may provide insight into ADHD
It seems obvious that naturally waking up from sleep and being startled by something in the environment are two very different emotional states. However, the neuroscience that underlies these different forms of arousal has, for the most part, remained a mystery. Now, new research demonstrates that there are at least two completely separate and independent forms of arousal in fruit flies.
Exposure to lead, tobacco smoke raises risk of ADHD
Children exposed prenatally to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead face a particularly high risk for ADHD, according to new research. The study estimates that up to 35 percent of ADHD cases in children between the ages of 8 and 15 could be reduced by eliminating both of these environmental exposures.
Faulty body clock may make kids bipolar
Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder.
Deep Brain Stimulation May Be Effective Treatment For Tourette's Syndrome
Deep brain stimulation may be a safe and effective treatment for Tourette's syndrome, according to new research. The first symptoms of Tourette syndrome are almost always noticed in childhood and some common tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging and head or shoulder jerking.
Eating Licorice In Pregnancy May Affect A Child's IQ And Behavior
Expectant mothers who eat excessive quantities of licorice during pregnancy could adversely affect their child's intelligence and behavior, a study has shown. A study of 8-year-old children whose mothers ate large amounts of licorice when pregnant found they did not perform as well as other youngsters in cognitive tests.
Psychiatric Symptoms May Predict Internet Addiction In Adolescents
Adolescents with psychiatric symptoms such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, social phobia, hostility and depression may be more likely to develop an Internet addiction, according to a new report.
Deficits In Brain's Reward System Observed In ADHD Patients; Low Levels Of Dopamine Markers May Underlie Symptoms
A brain-imaging study provides the first definitive evidence that patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lower-than-normal levels of certain proteins essential for experiencing reward and motivation.
Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Have More Severe Behavioral Problems Than Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Study Finds
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have a high risk of psychiatric problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with FASD are often initially diagnosed with ADHD. A first-of-its-kind study shows that children with FASD have a distinct behavioural profile: significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion-processing abilities than children with ADHD.
Placebo Effects In Caregivers May Change Behavior Of Children With ADHD
Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are the accepted treatment to stem hyperactivity in children with attention deficit-hyperactive disorder and improve their behavior. Now a recent review of research by pediatric psychologists suggests that such medication, or the assumption of medication, may produce a placebo effect -- not in the children, but in their teachers, parents or other adults who evaluate them.
ADHD Genes Found, Known To Play Roles In Neurodevelopment
Pediatric researchers have identified hundreds of gene variations that occur more frequently in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder than in children without ADHD. Many of those genes were already known to be important for learning, behavior, brain function and neurodevelopment, but had not been previously associated with ADHD.
Did Mozart Really Have ADHD? History Of Hyperactivity Off-base, Says Researcher
A Canadian researcher working in the UK says doctors, authors and educators are doing hyperactive children a disservice by claiming that hyperactivity as we understand it today has always existed.
Poor Attention In Kindergarten Predicts Lower High School Test Scores
As thousands of students nationwide prepare to leave high school, anew study shows a clear link between attention problems early in school -- as early as kindergarten -- and lower high school test scores.
Cognition Already Seriously Impaired In First Episode Of Schizophrenia
Significant and widespread cognitive problems appear to exist in schizophrenia in its earliest phase, making it very hard for people with the disorder to work, study or be social, according to a new study.
ADHD Linked To Sleep Problems In Adolescents
Adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to have current and lifetime sleep problems and disorders, regardless of the severity of current ADHD symptoms. Authors suggest that findings indicate that mental health professionals should screen for sleep problems and psychiatric comorbidities among all adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD.
No Data Supporting Antipsychotic Drug For Low-IQ Kids With ADHD
A new review finds no evidence to support the use of risperidone to treat attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people with intellectual disabilities, even though the review authors say this is a common prescribing pattern.
Inadequate Sleep Leads To Behavioral Problems, Study Finds
A recent Finnish study suggests that children's short sleep duration even without sleeping difficulties increases the risk for behavioral symptoms of ADHD.
Tourette Syndrome And ADHD Frequently Occur Together
The most disabling aspect of Tourette syndrome is that in 90% of cases, it exists in conjunction with another disorder. The most frequent co-occurring condition in people with Tourette is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, though the cause of this association is uncertain. Having one disorder can be disabling enough, but having two means coping with more than twice the disability.
Eye Exercises Help Patients Work Out Vision Problems, Optometrist Says
You've probably been there. In a doctor's office, being advised to do what you dread -- exercise. You get that feeling in your gut, acknowledging that, indeed, you should exercise but probably won't. Now imagine that the doctor is your optometrist.
Inconsistent Performance Speed Among Children With ADHD May Underlie How Well They Use Memory
Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder show more variable or inconsistent responses during on "working" or short-term, memory tasks when compared with typically developing peers, a new study has found.
Brain Wave Patterns Can Predict Blunders, New Study Finds
Everyone makes an occasional error due to lack of attention. Now scientists have found a distinct electric signature in the brain which predicts that such an error is about to be made. The discovery could prove useful in a variety of applications, from developing monitoring devices that alert air traffic control operators that their attention is flagging, to devising and monitoring new strategies to help children cope with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Drug Being Used To Improve Cognition Affects Dopamine, Suggesting Potential For Abuse
Preliminary research in healthy men suggests that the narcolepsy drug modafinil, increasingly being used to enhance cognitive abilities, affects the activity of dopamine in the brain in a way that may create the potential for abuse and dependence, according to a new study.
Brain Abnormality Found In Boys With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Researchers trying to uncover the mechanisms that cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder have found an abnormality in the brains of adolescent boys suffering from the conditions, but not where they expected to find it.
Hyperactivity Enables Children With ADHD To Stay Alert: Teachers Urged Not To Severely Limit That Activity
In studies of 8- to 12-year-old boys, scientists found that children with ADHD became significantly more active than their typically developing peers during tasks that required them to remember and manipulate information. All of the children sat relatively still while watching Star Trek and painting on a computer program, tasks that did not challenge their working memory.
Underlying Sleep Problem Linked To Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder In Children
New research suggests the presence of an intrinsic sleep problem specific to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and supports the idea that children with ADHD may be chronically sleep deprived and have abnormal REM sleep.
Genetic Determinants Of ADHD Examined
A special issue of American Journal of Medical Genetics: Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics presents a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in genetic research of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Television: Not The Only Channel To Early Sex
A new study says a combination of factors must be targeted to reduce sexual activity in teenagers. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 750,000 pregnancies and almost half of new cases of sexually transmitted infections were among adolescents.
Ability To Quit Smoking May Depend On ADHD Symptoms, Researchers Find
Tobacco use is more prevalent and smoking cessation less likely among persons with attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. In a study of smokers with attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms, those who exhibited elevated hyperactivity and impulsivity, with or without inattention, showed lower quit rates after eight weeks than those with inattention symptoms alone or those without the ADHD symptoms.
Brain Abnormalities That May Play Key Role In ADHD
A new study reveals shape differences in the brains of children with ADHD. Researchers used a new tool, large deformation diffeomorphic mapping, allowing them to examine the shape of the basal ganglia. Boys with ADHD had shape differences and decreased volume of the basal ganglia compared to typically developing children.
ADHD Medications Do Not Cause Genetic Damage In Children, Study Shows
In contrast to recent findings, two of the most common medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder do not appear to cause genetic damage in children who take them as prescribed, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Duke University Medical Center.
ADHD As A Serious Driver’s Disability
If your teen can’t pass a driver’s test, it might not mean more time in driver’s ed is needed. It might be due to ADHD.
Is ADHD More Likely To Affect Movement In Boys Or Girls?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears to affect movement in boys more than it does in girls, according to a new study. ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders found in children. Symptoms include impulsiveness, hyperactivity, such as not being able to sit still, and inattention or constant daydreaming. Few studies have been done that compare ADHD and movement in both boys and girls.
Tweens And Teens Double Use Of Diabetes Drugs
A study of chronic medication use in children ages 5 to 19 found that America's tweens and teens more than doubled their use of type 2 diabetes medications between 2002 and 2005. Utilization patterns for blood pressure, cholesterol, attention-deficit disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, asthma and depression medications also increased at varying levels.
ADHD Appears To Increase Level Of Nicotine Dependence In Smokers
Young people with ADHD are not only at increased risk of starting to smoke cigarettes, they also tend to become more seriously addicted to tobacco and more vulnerable to environmental factors such as having friends or parents who smoke. The report also found that individuals with more ADHD-related symptoms, even those without the full syndrome, are at greater risk of becoming dependent on nicotine than those with fewer symptoms.
Couples With Children With ADHD At Risk Of Higher Divorce Rates, Shorter Marriages
Parents of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are nearly twice as likely to divorce by the time the child is 8 years old than parents of children without ADHD, the first study to look at this issue in depth has shown.
A Walk In The Park Improves Attention In Children With ADHD
For children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tasks that require concentration such as doing homework or taking a test can be very difficult. A simple, inexpensive remedy may be a "dose of nature."
Premature Children Four Times More Likely To Have Behavioral Disorders
Children born prematurely are four times more likely to have emotional problems or behavioral disorders, according to new research.
Protein On 'Speed' Linked To ADHD
A genetic change in the dopamine transporter, discovered in two brothers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, makes it behave as if amphetamine is present and "run backward," Vanderbilt Medical Center investigators report. The researchers propose that because the altered transporter pushes dopamine out into the synapse, it alters dopamine signaling and contributes to the symptoms of ADHD. They further find that both Ritalin and Adderall, two ADHD medications, block the backward-running transporter.
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ScienceDaily Addiction News
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Women who drink moderately appear to gain less weight than nondrinkers
Normal-weight women who drink a light to moderate amount of alcohol appear to gain less weight and have a lower risk of becoming overweight and obese than nondrinkers, according to a new article.
Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days.
Ritalin boosts learning by increasing brain plasticity
Doctors treat millions of children with Ritalin every year to improve their ability to focus on tasks, but scientists now report that Ritalin also directly enhances the speed of learning.
Genome-wide study of alcohol dependence points to chromosome 11
Both genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD). To date, researchers have identified several genes associated with AD. Findings from a new genome-wide association study support an association between AD and a cluster of genes on chromosome 11.
New insight on how fast nicotine peaks in the brain
Nicotine takes much longer than previously thought to reach peak levels in the brains of cigarette smokers, according to new research.
Moderate drinking before trauma leads to more flashbacks, study finds
People who have drunk a moderate amount of alcohol before a traumatic event report more flashbacks than those who have had no alcohol, according to new research.
Toxicologist warning to parents: Look for signs of K2 -- 'fake marijuana'
In the last month, a professor of toxicology at Saint Louis University has seen nearly 30 cases involving teenagers who were experiencing hallucinations, severe agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vomiting and, in some cases, tremors and seizures. All of these teens had smoked a dangerous, yet legal substance known as K2 or "fake weed."
Cocaine-related deaths rise in warm weather, study finds
Researchers in the United States have discovered that accidental overdose deaths involving cocaine rise when the average weekly ambient temperature passes 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit).
Hangover-free booze? Increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may reduce negative side effects
Oxygen for ethanol oxidation is normally supplied through breathing, the stomach, and the skin. A new study has found that increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may help to reduce alcohol-related side effects and accidents.
Anterior cingulate cortex activity may represent a neurobiological risk for alcohol dependence
Activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been associated with risk factors for alcohol use disorders in adolescents. A new study has used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine ACC activity among adults. The increased ACC activation found during a working-memory task among alcohol-dependent participants may be an indicator of less control over alcohol-consuming behavior.
Prenatal cocaine exposure not severely damaging to growth, learning, study suggests
Children exposed to cocaine in the womb face serious consequences from the drug, but surprisingly not in certain critical physical and cognitive areas such as growth, IQ, academic achievement and learning ability, according to a new comprehensive review of research. The review found that cocaine-exposed, school-aged children suffered deficits in more subtle areas such as sustained attention and self-regulated behavior.
New smoking cessation therapy proves promising
A novel technology for delivering nicotine to the lungs may soon give smokers a new way to kick the habit. When compared to the nicotine vapor delivery system used in the Nicotrol/Nicorette inhaler, the new technology proved more effective at delivering nicotine to the blood stream. As a result, it provides immediate relief of withdrawal symptoms, according to researchers
Unique program helps new moms cut down on babies' exposure to second-hand smoke
Behavioral interventions have been shown to be very effective in helping new mothers cut down on second hand exposure for their babies. However, in underserved areas, women face a number of unique barriers to getting this type of treatment. To get around these barriers, researchers are delivering health interventions directly to the women who need them most.
Examining alcohol use disorders through gene networks instead of individual genes
Multiple genetic, environmental and behavioral factors contribute to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A person's level of response (LR) to alcohol can indicate a person's risk for developing AUDs. A new study has looked at "gene networks" instead of individual genes to confirm the influence of glutamate receptor signaling genes on a person's LR.
Increasing neurogenesis might prevent drug addiction and relapse
Researchers hope they have begun paving a new pathway in the fight against drug dependence. Their hypothesis -- that increasing the normally occurring process of making nerve cells might prevent addiction -- is based on a rodent study demonstrating that blocking new growth of specific brain nerve cells increases vulnerability for cocaine addiction and relapse.
A primer on migraine headaches
Migraine headache affects many people and a number of different preventative strategies should be considered, according to a new article.
Do recreational drugs make us fail to remember?
Have you ever forgotten to post an important letter or let an appointment slip your mind? A new study from UK researchers suggests that for those who regularly use ecstasy or other recreational drugs, this kind of memory lapse is more common. Their research uncovered potential links between memory deficits and cocaine for the first time.
More alcohol sales sites mean more neighborhood violence, new research finds
More alcohol sales sites in a neighborhood equates to more violence, and the highest assault rates are associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption, according to new research.
Quitting smoking especially difficult for select groups
With the national trend toward quitting smoking flat, psychologists are finding some success with treatments aimed at helping smokers from under-served groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and those with psychiatric disorders.
Chocoholic mice fear no pain
Ever get a buzz from eating chocolate? Scientists have shown that chocolate-craving mice are ready to tolerate electric shocks to get their fix.
Headache may linger years later in people exposed to World Trade Center dust, fumes
Workers and residents exposed to dust and fumes caused by the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, frequently reported headache years later, according to new research.
Intense sweets taste especially good to some kids
Children's response to intense sweet taste is related to both a family history of alcoholism and the child's own self-reports of depression. The findings illustrate how liking for sweets differs among children based on underlying familial and biological factors.
New proposed changes posted for leading manual of mental disorders: Draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5
The American Psychiatric Association has released the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The draft criteria represent content changes under consideration for DSM, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health and other health professionals, and is used for diagnostic and research purposes.
Nicotine replacement therapy is over-promoted since most ex-smokers quit unassisted, experts argue
Health authorities should emphasize the positive message that the most successful method used by most ex-smokers is unassisted cessation, despite the promotion of cessation drugs by pharmaceutical companies and many tobacco control advocates, according to a new article.
Brain dopamine receptor density correlates with social status
People have typically viewed the benefits that accrue with social status primarily from the perspective of external rewards. A new study suggests that there are internal rewards as well. Researchers found that increased social status and increased social support correlated with the density of dopamine D2/D3 receptors in the striatum, a region of the brain that plays a central role in reward and motivation, where dopamine plays a critical role in both of these behavioral processes.
New compound could become important new antidepressant
Chemists have discovered and synthesized a new compound that in laboratory and animal tests appears to be similar to, but may have advantages over one of the most important antidepressant medications in the world.
Novelty lures rats from cocaine-paired settings, hinting at new treatments for recovering addicts
The brain's innate interest in the new and different may help trump the power of addictive drugs, according to new research. In controlled experiments, novelty drew cocaine-treated rats away from the place they got cocaine.
Cocaine or ecstasy consumption during adolescence increases risk of addiction
Exposure to ecstasy or cocaine during adolescence increases the "reinforcing effects" that make people vulnerable to developing an addiction. This is the main conclusion of a research team that has shown for the first time how these changes persist into adulthood.
Excessive Internet use is linked to depression
People who spend a lot of time browsing the 'Net' are more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the first large-scale study of its kind.
Gene variation makes alcoholism less likely in some survivors of sexual abuse
Exposure to severe stress early in life increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet surprisingly, some adults sexually abused as children -- and therefore at high risk for alcohol problems -- carry gene variants that protect them from heavy drinking and its effects, according to researchers.
Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and cognition problems seen in individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure often resemble those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An assessment of these disorders has found that while children with FASD may meet the behavioral criteria for ADHD, their attention difficulties differ in subtle but important respects.
Teens who drink with parents may still develop alcohol problems
Parents who try to teach responsible drinking by letting their teenagers have alcohol at home may be well intentioned, but they may also be wrong, according to a new study.
Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings may reduce depression symptoms
One of many reasons that attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings helps people with alcohol use disorders stay sober appears to be alleviation of depression. Researchers found that study participants who attended AA meetings more frequently had fewer symptoms of depression -- along with less drinking -- than did those with less AA participation.
Prenatal alcohol exposure can alter the brain's developing pain regulatory system
Prenatal alcohol exposure is widely known to impair brain development in exposed offspring. Rodent studies have shown that developmental deficits in newborns related to altered levels of a brain chemical called serotonin, leading to subsequent alterations in patterns of neonatal acute pain responses and/or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress reactivity. New findings show a "blunted response" to an acutely painful event in alcohol-exposed human newborns, indicating that prenatal alcohol exposure may alter the brain's developing pain regulatory system.
Alcohol use and cognitive decline among the elderly
There are few studies of alcohol use among the elderly. A study of drinking among the elderly in Brazil has found that heavy alcohol use is associated with more memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate alcohol use, especially among women. Mild-to-moderate alcohol use was associated with lower cognitive disorder rates than no alcohol use, also among women.
Social factors can both predict and sustain alcohol misuse among older drinkers
Social factors are known to contribute to vulnerability to alcohol use and abuse. New research has looked at linkages between high-risk drinking among older adults and their social and financial resources. Older drinkers who have more money, engage in more social activities, and whose friends approve more of drinking are more likely to engage in excessive or high-risk drinking.
Stress hormone key to alcohol dependence discovered
Scientists have found that a specific stress hormone, the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), is key to the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence in animal models. Chemically blocking the stress factor also blocked the signs and symptoms of addiction, suggesting a potentially promising area for future drug development.
Two worlds of Drug Consumption in Late Modern Societies
Europeans belong to the largest consumers of illicit drugs, absorbing about one fifth of the global heroin, cocaine and cannabis supply, as well as one third of ecstasy production (UNODC World Drug report, 2008). However, the vast majority of Europeans have never tried any illicit substance.
Loss of epigenetic regulators causes mental retardation
Developing neurons don't just need the right genes to guide them as they grow, they need access to the right genes at the right times. The improper functioning of one specific protein complex that normally suppresses gene activation is responsible for a mental retardation-like syndrome in mice.
Parkinson's patients shed light on role of reward bias in compulsive behaviors
New research unravels the brain mechanisms that underlie the ability of a standard drug treatment for Parkinson's to elicit compulsive behaviors in some patients with the disease. The study provides fascinating new insight into the brain mechanisms that underlie a predisposition to behavioral addictions, such as pathological gambling and shopping.
Words used to describe substance-use patients can alter attitudes, contribute to stigma
Changing the words used to describe someone struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction may significantly alter the attitudes of health care professionals, even those who specialize in addiction treatment.
Sudden death in cocaine abusers: Study reveals role played by illegal drug
Forensic pathologists have shown that over three per cent of all sudden deaths in south-west Spain are related to the use of cocaine. They believe their findings can be extrapolated to much of the rest of Europe, indicating that cocaine use is a growing public health problem in Europe and that there is no such thing as "safe" recreational use of small amounts of the drug.
Reducing dosage of Parkinson's drugs can cause symptoms similar to those of cocaine withdrawal
New research has shown that reducing the dosage of dopamine agonist drugs, a mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease, sometimes causes acute withdrawal symptoms similar to those reported by cocaine addicts, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness and drug cravings. These symptoms can be severe, and are not alleviated by other PD medications. For the first time, researchers have defined this phenomenon, which they call dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome, or DAWS.
Molecule repairs alcohol metabolism enzyme
About 1 billion people worldwide carry a genetic mutation that produces an inactive form of ALDH2, an important alcohol metabolism enzyme. When individuals with the ALDH2 mutation drink alcohol, the toxic compound acetaldehyde accumulates in the body. The inactive form of ALDH2 is linked to increased risk for cancer. Researchers found that an experimental compound restores the structure and function of the inactive enzyme, which suggests the possibility of a treatment for the enzyme defect.
New mechanism underlying cocaine addiction discovered
Researchers have identified a key epigenetic mechanism in the brain that helps explain cocaine's addictiveness.
Technology new gateway into treatment for problem alcohol users
Interventions for problem alcohol use can be effective in changing drinking behaviors and offers a significant public health benefit, according to new research. The study found that problem drinkers provided access to an online screener reduced their alcohol consumption by 30 percent -- or six to seven drinks weekly -- rates that are comparable to face-to-face interventions.
Pain management failing as fears of prescription drug abuse rise
Millions of Americans with significant or chronic pain associated with their medical problems are being under-treated as physicians increasingly fail to provide comprehensive pain treatment -- either due to inadequate training, personal biases or fear of prescription drug abuse.
Drunk walking makes New Year's the deadliest day of the year for pedestrians
This is the time of the holiday season when New Year's partiers are inundated with warnings about the risks of drinking and driving. Little is ever heard, though, about the risks of drinking and walking, which can be just as dangerous.
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ScienceDaily Alcoholism News
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Women who drink moderately appear to gain less weight than nondrinkers
Normal-weight women who drink a light to moderate amount of alcohol appear to gain less weight and have a lower risk of becoming overweight and obese than nondrinkers, according to a new article.
Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days.
Genome-wide study of alcohol dependence points to chromosome 11
Both genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD). To date, researchers have identified several genes associated with AD. Findings from a new genome-wide association study support an association between AD and a cluster of genes on chromosome 11.
Moderate drinking before trauma leads to more flashbacks, study finds
People who have drunk a moderate amount of alcohol before a traumatic event report more flashbacks than those who have had no alcohol, according to new research.
Hangover-free booze? Increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may reduce negative side effects
Oxygen for ethanol oxidation is normally supplied through breathing, the stomach, and the skin. A new study has found that increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may help to reduce alcohol-related side effects and accidents.
Anterior cingulate cortex activity may represent a neurobiological risk for alcohol dependence
Activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been associated with risk factors for alcohol use disorders in adolescents. A new study has used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine ACC activity among adults. The increased ACC activation found during a working-memory task among alcohol-dependent participants may be an indicator of less control over alcohol-consuming behavior.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual individuals risk psychiatric disorders from discriminatory policies
A study examining the effects of institutional discrimination on the psychiatric health of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals found an increase in psychiatric disorders among the LGB population living in states that instituted bans on same-sex marriage.
Examining alcohol use disorders through gene networks instead of individual genes
Multiple genetic, environmental and behavioral factors contribute to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A person's level of response (LR) to alcohol can indicate a person's risk for developing AUDs. A new study has looked at "gene networks" instead of individual genes to confirm the influence of glutamate receptor signaling genes on a person's LR.
Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes
New research using magnetic resonance imaging shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression.
Stress hormone, depression trigger obesity in girls, study finds
Depression raises stress hormone levels in adolescent boys and girls but may lead to obesity only in girls, according to researchers. Early treatment of depression could help reduce stress and control obesity -- a major health issue.
More alcohol sales sites mean more neighborhood violence, new research finds
More alcohol sales sites in a neighborhood equates to more violence, and the highest assault rates are associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption, according to new research.
Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands
Researchers are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships. They that found the biggest predictor of whether male and female college students would use violence against a partner was whether the partner was violent toward them.
Intense sweets taste especially good to some kids
Children's response to intense sweet taste is related to both a family history of alcoholism and the child's own self-reports of depression. The findings illustrate how liking for sweets differs among children based on underlying familial and biological factors.
Financial hardship contributes to diagnosis anxiety
Women with medium or low levels of income are more susceptible to anxiety and depression after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis.
Brain dopamine receptor density correlates with social status
People have typically viewed the benefits that accrue with social status primarily from the perspective of external rewards. A new study suggests that there are internal rewards as well. Researchers found that increased social status and increased social support correlated with the density of dopamine D2/D3 receptors in the striatum, a region of the brain that plays a central role in reward and motivation, where dopamine plays a critical role in both of these behavioral processes.
New compound could become important new antidepressant
Chemists have discovered and synthesized a new compound that in laboratory and animal tests appears to be similar to, but may have advantages over one of the most important antidepressant medications in the world.
Early abuse tied to more depression in children
A study of 500 low-income children ages 7 to 13, about half of whom had been abused and/or neglected, aimed to find out whether abuse early in life and feelings of depression affected cortisol ("stress hormone") levels. Study results suggest that there are different subtypes of depression, with atypical cortisol regulation occurring among children who were abused before age 5.
Moms' depression in pregnancy tied to antisocial behavior in teens
Researchers studying 120 British youth from inner-city areas found that mothers who became depressed when pregnant were four times as likely to have children who were violent at 16. This was true for both boys and girls. The mothers' depression, in turn, was predicted by their own aggressive and disruptive behavior as teens.
Cocaine or ecstasy consumption during adolescence increases risk of addiction
Exposure to ecstasy or cocaine during adolescence increases the "reinforcing effects" that make people vulnerable to developing an addiction. This is the main conclusion of a research team that has shown for the first time how these changes persist into adulthood.
Gene variation makes alcoholism less likely in some survivors of sexual abuse
Exposure to severe stress early in life increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet surprisingly, some adults sexually abused as children -- and therefore at high risk for alcohol problems -- carry gene variants that protect them from heavy drinking and its effects, according to researchers.
Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and cognition problems seen in individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure often resemble those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An assessment of these disorders has found that while children with FASD may meet the behavioral criteria for ADHD, their attention difficulties differ in subtle but important respects.
Ginkgo herbal medicines may increase seizures in people with epilepsy
Restrictions should be placed on the use of Ginkgo biloba -- a top-selling herbal remedy -- because of growing scientific evidence that Ginkgo may increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy and could reduce the effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs, a new report concludes.
Teens who drink with parents may still develop alcohol problems
Parents who try to teach responsible drinking by letting their teenagers have alcohol at home may be well intentioned, but they may also be wrong, according to a new study.
Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings may reduce depression symptoms
One of many reasons that attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings helps people with alcohol use disorders stay sober appears to be alleviation of depression. Researchers found that study participants who attended AA meetings more frequently had fewer symptoms of depression -- along with less drinking -- than did those with less AA participation.
Prenatal alcohol exposure can alter the brain's developing pain regulatory system
Prenatal alcohol exposure is widely known to impair brain development in exposed offspring. Rodent studies have shown that developmental deficits in newborns related to altered levels of a brain chemical called serotonin, leading to subsequent alterations in patterns of neonatal acute pain responses and/or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress reactivity. New findings show a "blunted response" to an acutely painful event in alcohol-exposed human newborns, indicating that prenatal alcohol exposure may alter the brain's developing pain regulatory system.
Alcohol use and cognitive decline among the elderly
There are few studies of alcohol use among the elderly. A study of drinking among the elderly in Brazil has found that heavy alcohol use is associated with more memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate alcohol use, especially among women. Mild-to-moderate alcohol use was associated with lower cognitive disorder rates than no alcohol use, also among women.
Social factors can both predict and sustain alcohol misuse among older drinkers
Social factors are known to contribute to vulnerability to alcohol use and abuse. New research has looked at linkages between high-risk drinking among older adults and their social and financial resources. Older drinkers who have more money, engage in more social activities, and whose friends approve more of drinking are more likely to engage in excessive or high-risk drinking.
Stress hormone key to alcohol dependence discovered
Scientists have found that a specific stress hormone, the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), is key to the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence in animal models. Chemically blocking the stress factor also blocked the signs and symptoms of addiction, suggesting a potentially promising area for future drug development.
Disclosing sexual abuse is critical
Half of sexual abuse survivors wait up to five years before disclosing they were victimized, according to a new study.
Words used to describe substance-use patients can alter attitudes, contribute to stigma
Changing the words used to describe someone struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction may significantly alter the attitudes of health care professionals, even those who specialize in addiction treatment.
Sudden death in cocaine abusers: Study reveals role played by illegal drug
Forensic pathologists have shown that over three per cent of all sudden deaths in south-west Spain are related to the use of cocaine. They believe their findings can be extrapolated to much of the rest of Europe, indicating that cocaine use is a growing public health problem in Europe and that there is no such thing as "safe" recreational use of small amounts of the drug.
Molecule repairs alcohol metabolism enzyme
About 1 billion people worldwide carry a genetic mutation that produces an inactive form of ALDH2, an important alcohol metabolism enzyme. When individuals with the ALDH2 mutation drink alcohol, the toxic compound acetaldehyde accumulates in the body. The inactive form of ALDH2 is linked to increased risk for cancer. Researchers found that an experimental compound restores the structure and function of the inactive enzyme, which suggests the possibility of a treatment for the enzyme defect.
Technology new gateway into treatment for problem alcohol users
Interventions for problem alcohol use can be effective in changing drinking behaviors and offers a significant public health benefit, according to new research. The study found that problem drinkers provided access to an online screener reduced their alcohol consumption by 30 percent -- or six to seven drinks weekly -- rates that are comparable to face-to-face interventions.
Telephone Depression Program Offers Benefits At A Moderate Cost
Patients who participate in a structured telephone program to manage their depression appear to experience significant benefits and only a moderate increase in health care costs when compared with those who receive usual care, according to a new report.
Drunk walking makes New Year's the deadliest day of the year for pedestrians
This is the time of the holiday season when New Year's partiers are inundated with warnings about the risks of drinking and driving. Little is ever heard, though, about the risks of drinking and walking, which can be just as dangerous.
Treating alcohol-use disorders and tuberculosis together
Treatment for alcohol use disorders and tuberculosis (TB) is rarely integrated, even though the two diseases have a high co-occurrence. American and Russian researchers have jointly designed and are monitoring an innovative program that will deliver alcohol treatment as part of routine TB care. The trial study is continuing.
Pot and pop: New research finds stronger link between music and marijuana use among teens
Teens who frequently listen to music that contains references to marijuana are more likely to use the drug than their counterparts with less exposure to such lyrics, according to a new study.
Alcohol outlets lead to specific problems among youth and young adults
Alcohol research has clearly demonstrated a connection between alcohol outlets and alcohol-related problems. A new study focuses on the effects of alcohol outlets on underage youth and young adults. Findings show that alcohol-related injuries among underage youth and young adults are shaped by the density and types of alcohol outlets in neighborhoods.
Postural sway among abstinent alcoholics can be improved up to a point
Excessive sway during quiet standing is a common and significant consequence of chronic alcoholism, even after prolonged sobriety, and can lead to fall-related injury and even death. A new study of residual postural instability in alcohol-abstinent men and women shows that alcoholics improve with prolonged sobriety, but the improvement may not fully erase the problem of instability.
Use and misuse of alcohol and marijuana can be traced to common set of genes
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Roughly eight to 12 percent of marijuana users are considered "dependent" and, just like alcohol, the severity of symptoms increases with heavier use. A new study has found that use and misuse of alcohol and marijuana are influenced by a common set of genes.
Cannabis damages young brains more than originally thought, study finds
The damaging effects of the illicit drug Cannabis on young brains are worse than originally thought, according to a psychiatric researcher. A new study suggests that daily consumption of cannabis in teens can cause depression and anxiety, and have an irreversible long-term effect on the brain.
Bourbon versus vodka: Bourbon hurts more the next day, due to byproducts of fermenting process
Many alcoholic beverages contain byproducts of the materials used in the fermenting process. These byproducts are called "congeners," complex organic molecules with toxic effects including acetone, acetaldehyde, fusel oil, tannins, and furfural. Bourbon has 37 times the amount of congeners that vodka has. A new study has found that while drinking a lot of bourbon can cause a worse hangover than drinking a lot of vodka, impairment in people's next-day task performance is about the same for both beverages.
New study explores role of sexual, social behaviors in seniors' well-being
Researchers and the general public have a new resource for information on the health and intimate relationships of older people, thanks to new research.
Music and the arts fight depression, promote health
If you paint, dance or play a musical instrument – or just enjoy going to the theater or to concerts -- it’s likely that you feel healthier and are less depressed than people who don’t, a survey of nearly 50,000 individuals of all socio-economic backgrounds from a county in mid-Norway shows.
Witnesses to bullying may face more mental health risks than bullies and victims
Students who watch as their peers endure the verbal or physical abuses of another student could become as psychologically distressed, if not more so, by the events than the victims themselves, new research suggests.
Drinks industry supplanting government role in alcohol policies in Sub-Saharan Africa
A recent comparison of proposed national alcohol policies in Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda, and Botswana shows that the drinks industry has assumed a significant and detrimental role in designing national alcohol policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Flies offered unlimited alcohol behave a lot like human alcoholics
When given the chance to consume alcohol at will, fruit flies behave in ways that look an awful lot like human alcoholism. A new study considers alcohol self-administration in insects.
Caffeine doesn't reverse the negative cognitive impact of alcohol, study shows
People who drink may want to know that coffee won't sober them up, according to new laboratory research. Instead, a cup of coffee may make it harder for people to realize they're drunk.
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ScienceDaily Alternative Medicine News
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Dietary supplements discouraged for prostate cancer patients
Prostate-specific dietary supplements should not be taken during radiation therapy treatments because they have been shown to increase the radiosensitivity of normal prostate cell lines, leading to normal tissue complications, according to a new study.
Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does
A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation.
Acupuncture may relieve joint pain caused by some breast cancer treatments
A new study demonstrates that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients who are being treated with commonly used hormonal therapies.
Non-drug techniques reduce pain in hospitalized patients
Non-traditional therapies relieve pain among a wide range of hospitalized patients as much as 50 percent, according to a first-of-a-kind study. The study shows that an inpatient integrative medicine program can have a significant impact on pain in an environment where pain management continues to be a major challenge, and traditional medications can have negative consequences.
Kids lose pounds, gain fitness in Houston study
Innovative, kid-friendly strategies for losing weight and gaining nutrition savvy -- plus physical fitness skills -- are emerging from recent scientific studies.
Cancer patients find relief in integrative medicine services
A new integrative oncology program aim to address cancer patients' needs from every angle through treatment that extends beyond medical therapies.
New evidence that green tea may help fight glaucoma and other eye diseases
Scientists have confirmed that the healthful substances found in green tea -- renowned for their powerful antioxidant and disease-fighting properties -- do penetrate into tissues of the eye. Their new report, the first documenting how the lens, retina, and other eye tissues absorb these substances, raises the possibility that green tea may protect against glaucoma and other common eye diseases.
Herbal medicines can be lethal, pathologist warns
A forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs.
Dietary formula that maintains youthful function into old age
Researchers develop dietary formula that maintains youthful function into old age.
Young patients with chronic illnesses find relief in acupuncture
Some doctors are now offering pediatric patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses acupuncture therapy to help ease the pain and negative side effects like nausea, fatigue and vomiting caused by chronic health conditions and intensive treatments.
Linking breast cancer patients with alternative therapies
Biological-based therapies such as diet supplements and vitamins are the most popular complementary and alternative medicines for women recovering from breast cancer, according to a researcher working to create a support intervention for women in treatment for the disease.
Study maps effects of acupuncture on the brain
New research about the effects of acupuncture on the brain may provide an understanding of the complex mechanisms of acupuncture and could lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment.
Acupuncture found effective against depression during pregnancy
Researchers have shown that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy.
Heart patients using herbal remedies may be at heightened risk of dangerous drug interactions
More and more Americans are turning to herbal remedies to help manage chronic conditions or promote general health and wellness. But many of today's popular herbal supplements, including St. John's wort, gingko biloba, garlic and even grapefruit juice can pose serious risks to people who are taking medications for heart disease, according to a review article.
Ginkgo herbal medicines may increase seizures in people with epilepsy
Restrictions should be placed on the use of Ginkgo biloba -- a top-selling herbal remedy -- because of growing scientific evidence that Ginkgo may increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy and could reduce the effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs, a new report concludes.
Does electro-acupuncture prevent prolonged postoperative ileus?
Postoperative ileus is a common problem in patients who have major abdominal surgery. The duration is usually short, but prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) may lead to increased hospital stay and costs. Acupuncture is often used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in China, but it is still not known whether it is effective for preventing or treating PPOI. Information from a study group may help surgeons choose appropriate therapy for PPOI after abdominal surgery.
Med students say conventional medicine would benefit by integrating alternative therapies
The largest national survey of its kind that measured medical students' attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine found that three-quarters of them felt conventional Western medicine would benefit by integrating more CAM therapies and ideas.
Yoga reduces cytokine levels known to promote inflammation, study shows
Regularly practicing yoga exercises may lower a number of compounds in the blood and reduce the level of inflammation that normally rises because of both normal aging and stress, a new study has shown. The study showed that women who routinely practiced yoga had lower amounts of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in their blood.
Green tea could modify the effect of cigarette smoking on lung cancer risk
Green tea can reduce the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Benefits were also seen in non-smokers.
Caffeine consumption associated with less severe liver fibrosis
Researchers have discovered that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who consumed more than 308 mg of caffeine daily had milder liver fibrosis. The daily amount of caffeine intake found to be beneficial is equivalent to 2.25 cups of regular coffee.
St. John's wort not helpful treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, researchers say
St. John's wort is not an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to new research. While antidepressants are frequently used to treat IBS, to date, no study has examined the success of using the herbal supplement St. John's wort in treating IBS.
Pain management failing as fears of prescription drug abuse rise
Millions of Americans with significant or chronic pain associated with their medical problems are being under-treated as physicians increasingly fail to provide comprehensive pain treatment -- either due to inadequate training, personal biases or fear of prescription drug abuse.
Aerobic Exercise No Big Stretch For Older Adults But Helps Elasticity Of Arteries
Just three months of physical activity reaps heart health benefits for older adults with type 2 diabetes by improving the elasticity in their arteries -- reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, researchers say.
Acupuncture reduces hot flashes, improves sex drive for breast cancer patients
Not only is acupuncture as effective as drug therapy at reducing hot flashes in breast cancer patients, it has the added benefit of potentially increasing a woman's sex drive and improving her sense of well-being, according to a new study.
Ginkgo biloba does not appear to slow rate of cognitive decline
Older adults who used the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba for several years did not have a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to adults who received placebo, according to a new study.
Iranian Scholars Share Avicenna's Medieval Medical Wisdom
For pulmonary ailments, certain medieval physicians had a useful medical textbook on hand offering detailed information remarkably similar to those a modern doctor might use today.
Urinary tract cancer associated with Chinese herbal products containing aristolochic acid
The carcinogen aristolochic acid, which was found in many prescribed Chinese herbal products including Guan Mu Tong, is associated with an increased risk of urinary tract cancer, according to a new study.
Enzyme may create new approach to hypertension therapy
New research has found that an alternative therapy may be possible for treating some types of hypertension using an enzyme called ACE2.
Christmas cholesterol epiphany: 'Myrrh' may have cholesterol-lowering properties
Laboratory experiments suggest that the resin of certain trees of the Middle East, known commonly as the "myrrh" of the Christmas story, may have cholesterol-lowering properties.
More effort needed to crack down on 'secret remedies', expert argues
The medical establishment and politicians must do more to crack down on alternative medicine, argues one leading scientist.
First multilingual overview of 'Spice' drugs raises new concerns
Recent research into the availability of 'Spice' drugs online raises new concerns about its mood altering effects.
Light shed on mechanism of action of 'date rape drug'
Scientists have discovered two new metabolic pathways by which products of lipid peroxidation and some drugs of abuse, known as 4-hydroxyacids, are metabolized. The pathways were identified by a combination of metabolomics and mass isotopomer analysis. The findings shed new light on the mechanism of action of the drug of abuse gamma-hydroxybutyrate, also known as "the date rape drug."
Chinese 'herbal' cigarettes no healthier than regular cigarettes
Despite popular belief and some marketing claims, researchers have found that Chinese "herbal" cigarettes that combine medicinal herbs with tobacco are just as addictive and no safer than regular cigarettes.
Some patients diagnosed with HIV experience improved outlook on life
A new study reaffirms that some patients with HIV experience an improved quality of life following their diagnosis.
Yoga boosts heart health, new research finds
Heart rate variability, a sign of a healthy heart, has been shown to be higher in yoga practitioners than in non-practitioners, according to new research.
Antifibrotic effects of green tea
Scientists examined the protective effect of green tea extract on hepatic fibrosis in vitro and in vivo in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced rats. Their study demonstrates that green tea administration can effectively improve liver fibrosis caused by DMN, and may be used as a therapeutic option and preventive measure against hepatic fibrosis.
Got a pain? Researchers test Brazilian mint as pain reliever
Scientists have tested the pain relieving properties of Hyptis crenata -- Brazilian mint.
Let them eat snail: Nutritional giant snails could address malnutrition
A nutritionist in Nigeria says that malnutrition and iron deficiency in schoolchildren could be reduced in her country by baking up snail pie. She explains snail is not only cheaper and more readily available than beef but contains more protein.
When East meets West: Why consumers turn to alternative medicine
Alternative health remedies are increasingly important in the health care marketplace. A new study explores how consumers choose among the many available remedies.
Green Tea Shows Promise As Chemoprevention Agent For Oral Cancer
Green tea extract has shown promise as cancer prevention agent for oral cancer in patients with a pre-malignant condition known as oral leukoplakia, according to researchers.
Researchers Find Yoga May Be Effective For Chronic Low Back Pain In Minority Populations
Researchers have found that yoga may be more effective than standard treatment for reducing chronic low back pain in minority populations.
Tai Chi Exercise Reduces Knee Osteoarthritis Pain In The Elderly, Research Shows
Researchers have determined that patients over 65 years of age with knee osteoarthritis who engage in regular Tai Chi exercise improve physical function and experience less pain. Tai Chi is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements to induce mental relaxation and enhance balance, strength, flexibility, and self-efficacy.
Biofield Therapies: Helpful Or Full Of Hype? Review Looks At Reiki, Therapeutic Touch And Healing Touch
Biofield therapies -- Reiki, therapeutic touch and healing touch -- are promising complementary interventions for reducing the intensity of pain in diverse conditions, anxiety for hospitalized patients and agitated behaviors in dementia. A review of the science behind biofield therapies has now been published.
Herbal Tonic For Radiotherapy? Gingko Biloba Tree May Protect Cells From Radiation Damage
Antioxidant extracts of the leaves of the Gingko biloba tree may protect cells from radiation damage, according to a new study. The discovery may one day be used to help reduce side effects in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Brain-damaged Children Often Have Cold Feet
Many wheelchair-using children with neurological disorders have much colder hands and feet than other children, and most receive no special help even though they have had these problems for a long time.
Calculate Benefit Before Dialysis For Frail Elders, Experts Urge
Kidney specialists should weigh the potential quality of life for frail elders with end-stage renal disease in opting for dialysis over more conservative therapies, a nephrologist and a palliative care specialist suggest in an editorial.
Chinese Herbal Medicines For Preventing Diabetes In High Risk People: Still Not Enough Hard Scientific Evidence
More research is required to establish whether Chinese herbal medicines can reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes, according to researchers. Although herbal medicines are widely used in Asian countries to treat pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance or IGT), the precursor of the disease, researchers say there is still not enough hard scientific evidence to confidently recommend their use.
Alternative Medicine Use Increasing For Patients Suffering With Chronic Rhinosinusitis
A new study suggests that a growing segment of patients are turning to complementary and alternative medical therapies to help treat the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.
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ScienceDaily Anger Management News
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Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days.
Don't make that face at me! Prefrontal cortex may help regulate emotions
A new study suggests that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that may help people to control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their romantic partners.
Violent video game play makes more aggressive kids, study shows
Exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive thoughts and behavior, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in youths, a new study finds.
'Mean' girls and boys: The downside of adolescent relationships
Psychology researchers exploring relational aggression and victimization in 11- to 13-year-olds have found adolescent boys have a similar understanding and experience of "mean" behaviors and "bitchiness" as girls.
Cyberbullying: A growing problem
Around 10 percent of all adolescents in grades 7-9 are victims of internet bullying. "This type of bullying can be more serious than conventional bullying. At least with conventional bullying the victim is left alone on evenings and weekends," says on of the researchers.
Husbands' hostile, anti-social behaviors increase wives' symptoms of depression, study shows
While the causes of depression vary, a new study reveals that marital hostility is a contributing factor. Researchers found that husbands' hostile and anti-social behaviors increased their wives' symptoms of depression over time.
Self-control impaired in type 2 diabetics, research suggests
Type 2 diabetes, an increasingly common complication of obesity, is associated with poor impulse control. Researchers suggest that neurological changes result in this inability to resist temptation, which may in turn exacerbate diabetes.
Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands
Researchers are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships. They that found the biggest predictor of whether male and female college students would use violence against a partner was whether the partner was violent toward them.
Moms' depression in pregnancy tied to antisocial behavior in teens
Researchers studying 120 British youth from inner-city areas found that mothers who became depressed when pregnant were four times as likely to have children who were violent at 16. This was true for both boys and girls. The mothers' depression, in turn, was predicted by their own aggressive and disruptive behavior as teens.
Sexual minority youth bullied more than heterosexual youth
The act and victimization of bullying continues to be a problem among today's youth. While many children are experiencing this form of violence, it is more prevalent in children that are different from the social norm. As medical professionals continue to further their understanding of bullying, research shows a high rate of sexual minority youth who experience this harmful activity.
Reproductive coercion often is accompanied by physical or sexual violence, study finds
Young women and teenage girls often face efforts by male partners to sabotage birth control or coerce pregnancy -- including damaging condoms and destroying contraceptives -- and these efforts, defined as "reproductive coercion," frequently are associated with physical or sexual violence, a study has found.
Physicians' moods affect quality of care, according new study
Findings of a new study show that a good or bad mood affected all five physician behaviors. On days the doctors felt positive moods, they spoke more to patients, wrote fewer prescriptions, ordered fewer tests and issued fewer referrals. However, when doctors were in a bad mood, they did the opposite. Additionally, if the physicians' burnout level was higher, their moods more strongly impacted their behaviors.
Teenagers use violence to boost their social standing
A new study looks in depth at the social relationships between male and female teenagers, relational violence, and psycho-social adjustment factors such as loneliness, self-esteem and satisfaction with life. The results show that young people who want to be better appreciated and respected within their group are the most likely to be violent.
Witnesses to bullying may face more mental health risks than bullies and victims
Students who watch as their peers endure the verbal or physical abuses of another student could become as psychologically distressed, if not more so, by the events than the victims themselves, new research suggests.
Bullying at school linked to bullying at home
Children who bully at school are likely to also bully their siblings at home. This is the finding of a new study. Researchers investigated whether the age and gender of a child’s siblings predicted whether children were likely to bully, or to become victims of bullying.
Recreational drug use is related to impulsive behavior, research reveals
Psychologists in Spain have just concluded a study regarding the use of addictive substances by young university students and the manifestation of impulsive behavior in the same group of people, on a cognitive and psychomotor level. The findings suggest that regular consumers of cannabis and alcohol are more impulsive than non-users. However, there is no evidence of the differences between both of these consumer groups, which makes these experts believe that "consuming these substances, whatever their nature, is related to impulsivity."
New discoveries about the experience of anger
Younger people, those with children and less-educated individuals are more likely to experience anger, according to new research that examines one of the most common negative emotions in society.
High unexpressed anger in multiple sclerosis patients linked to nervous system damage, not disease severity
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) feel more than twice as much withheld anger as the general population, but expressed anger levels are similar. Researchers were surprised by the results from the 195 MS patients. They also found that elevated withheld anger levels were not related to the severity of the patients' MS. This suggests that these inconsistent changes were caused by nervous system damage, rather than an emotional reaction to the stress of the disease.
Road rage: Fuel vapor heightens aggression, rat study finds
Outrageous prices may not be the only thing causing anger at the petrol pumps. A new study has shown that rats exposed to fumes from leaded and unleaded gasoline become more aggressive.
Pig out more at Thanksgiving and you may shop less
Eating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and mashed potatoes makes consumers less likely to buy on impulse, which might affect the outcome of their shopping on Black Friday, historically one of the busiest retail shopping days of the year.
TV Exposure May Be Associated With Aggressive Behavior In Young Children
Three-year-old children who are exposed to more TV appear to be at an increased risk for exhibiting aggressive behavior, according to a new report.
Angry Faces: Facial Structure Linked To Aggressive Tendencies, Study Suggests
Angry words and gestures are not the only way to get a sense of how temperamental a person is. According to new findings, a quick glance at someone's facial structure may be enough for us to predict their tendency towards aggression.
Stress-induced Changes In Brain Circuitry Linked To Cocaine Relapse
Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse of cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies.
Violence Between Couples Is Usually Calculated, And Does Not Result From Loss Of Control, Study Suggests
Violence between couples is usually the result of a calculated decision-making process and the partner inflicting violence will do so only as long as the price to be paid is not too high, according to a new study. "The violent partner might conceive his or her behavior as a 'loss of control', but the same individual, unsurprisingly, would not lose control in this way with a boss or friends," she explains.
Cocaine Exposure During Pregnancy Leads To Impulsivity In Male, Not Female, Monkeys
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine while in the womb have poor impulse control and may be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys, even a decade or more after the exposure, according to a new study. The findings could lead to a better understanding of human drug abuse. The study was presented yesterday at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in Chicago.
High Rates Of Childhood Exposure To Violence And Abuse In United States, New Study Finds
A new study finds that US children are routinely exposed to even more violence and abuse than has been previously recognized, with nearly half experiencing a physical assault in the study year.
Violent Upbringing May Lead To Domestic Violence
A recent study shows that individuals who have experienced violence at an early age may have trouble adjusting to healthy, adult romantic relationships and are at a higher risk to experience marital difficulties.
Eating Sweets Every Day In Childhood 'Increases Adult Aggression'
Children who eat sweets and chocolates every day are more likely to be violent as adults, according to a new study. Researchers found a higher percentage of adults who were violent at age 34 had eaten sweets every day, compared to those who were non-violent. This link persisted after controlling for other factors.
Group Therapy Benefits Homeless Veterans Prone To Violence, Researchers Find
A new study examines the rates of violence among homeless veterans and their partners and the significant results of group therapy.
New Ways To Predict Violent Behavior?
In the future, diagnosing severe personality disorders, evaluating the childhood environment, assessing alcohol consumption and the analysis of the MAOA genotype may provide more accurate means for assessing risk among violent offenders, according to the research carried out jointly at the University of Helsinki, Finland.
Moody Memories? Mood Has Limited Effect On Memory, Study Shows
Whether we're deciding to return to a restaurant or to purchase a DVD, many consumers rely on memory when they're making decisions. A new study examines the role of mood on those memory-based decisions.
Face Off: Misunderstood Expressions Facilitate Adolescent Aggression
Juvenile delinquency may be a result of misunderstood social cues. Research shows that male juvenile delinquents frequently misinterpret facial expressions of disgust as anger, providing a possible cause for their aggressive behavior.
High School Put-downs Make It Hard For Students To Learn, Study Says
High-school put-downs are such a staple of teen culture that many educators don't take them seriously. However, a study suggests that classroom disruptions and psychologically hostile school environments can contribute to a climate in which good students have difficulty learning and students who are behind have trouble catching up.
Workplace Bullying Is Associated With Sleep Disturbances
A new study shows that current or past exposure to workplace bullying is associated with increased sleep disturbances. Associations also were found between observed bullying and sleep disruption, indicating that bullying has detrimental effects even when it is experienced indirectly.
Substance Abuse, Schizophrenia And Risk Of Violence
A new study demonstrates that there is an association between schizophrenia and violence, but shows that this association is greatly increased by drug and alcohol abuse. Importantly, the study also finds that the risk of violence from patients with psychoses who also have substance use disorder is no greater than those who have a substance use disorder but who do not have a psychotic illness.
Harsh Punishment Backfires: Psychologists Offer Ways To Improve Prison Environment, Reduce Violent Crime
U.S. prisons are too punitive, and often fail to rehabilitate, but targeting prisoners' behavior, reducing prison populations and offering job skills could reduce prisoner aggression and prevent recidivism, says one leading researcher.
Optimism Appears To Lower Women's Risk Of Death, Heart Disease
Optimistic women have a lower risk of developing heart disease and dying than pessimistic women. Pessimistic African-American women, in particular, had a higher risk of dying in the study. Researchers say it is unclear if interventions to change attitudes can alter risk.
No Bullies Here: Student Labels Of 'Bullying' Can Be Misleading
While a number of researchers have examined bullying, particularly in the wake of high-profile school shootings, these researchers largely ignore the ways that bullying is actually defined by students.
Temptation More Powerful Than Individuals Realize
New research demonstrates that individuals believe they have more restraint than they actually possess -- ultimately leading to poor decision-making.
Mental, Emotional And Behavioral Disorders Can Be Prevented In Young People
Around one in five young people in the U.S. have a current mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. About half of all adults with mental disorders recalled that their disorders began by their mid-teens and three-quarters by their mid-20s. Early onset of mental health problems have been associated with poor outcomes such as failure to complete high school, increased risk for psychiatric and substance problems, and teen pregnancy.
If Bipolar Disorder Is Over-diagnosed, What Are The Actual Diagnoses?
A year ago, researchers reported that fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received an actual diagnosis of bipolar disorder after using a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview tool -- the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. In this follow-up study, the researchers have determined the actual diagnoses of those patients.
Young Men Living At Home With Parents Are More Violent, Study Suggests
Young men who stay at home with their parents are more violent than those who live independently, according to new research. Men still living at home in their early twenties have fewer responsibilities and more disposable income to spend on alcohol. This group makes up only four percent of the UK's male population but they are responsible for 16 percent of all violent injuries in the last five years.
Nearly One In Five University Students Experienced Violence In Last Six Months
While attending university, men are equally likely as women to have been victims of physical or emotional violence, and that violence is often linked to drinking, according to a new study.
Partner Violence Continues After Break-up
Violence inflicted by an intimate partner lasts longer if the couple has children together, and the violence continues after the relationship ends. In addition, children are harmed more by witnessing violence between their parents than previously thought.
Afghani Children Suffering From Post-traumatic Stress
Children who live in Afghanistan are more prone to developing PTSD.
'Warrior Gene' Linked To Gang Membership, Weapon Use
Boys who carry a particular variation of the gene Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), sometimes called the "warrior gene," are more likely not only to join gangs but also to be among the most violent members and to use weapons, according to a new study that is the first to confirm an MAOA link specifically to gangs and guns.
Glucose Metabolism And Recidivism Of Severe Violent Crimes In Alcohol Intoxications
A low glycogen level, which means non-oxidative glucose metabolism, predicts forthcoming violent offending among antisocial violent offender males, suggests a new study.
People With Parents Who Fight Are More Likely To Have Mental Health Problems In Later Life
People with parents who were violent to each other are more likely to have mental health problems when they grow up, reveals new research.
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ScienceDaily Anxiety News
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Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does
A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation.
New scale to measure anxiety outcomes developed
A new questionnaire and outcomes measurement scale has proven to be a reliable and valid measure of anxiety. The scale can easily be incorporated into routine clinical practice when treating psychiatric disorders.
Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders
A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes.
Critical brain chemical shown to play role in severe depression
The next advance in treating major depression may relate to a group of brain chemicals that are involved in virtually all our brain activity, according to a new study. This study shows that compared to healthy individuals, people who have major depressive disorder have altered functions of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
Lesbian, gay, bisexual individuals risk psychiatric disorders from discriminatory policies
A study examining the effects of institutional discrimination on the psychiatric health of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals found an increase in psychiatric disorders among the LGB population living in states that instituted bans on same-sex marriage.
Regular exercise reduces patient anxiety by 20 percent, study finds
The anxiety that often accompanies a chronic illness can chip away at quality of life and make patients less likely to follow their treatment plan. But regular exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, a new study shows.
Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes
New research using magnetic resonance imaging shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression.
Rwandan Genocide Survivors Provide New Insights Into Resilience and PTSD
The 1994 genocide in Rwanda resulted in the mass killing of up to one million people over the course of about 100 days. There can be no doubt or surprise then that some of the survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, an anxiety disorder that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatizing event, such as abuse, war, or natural disaster. However, even under stress as extreme as genocide, not all individuals develop PTSD. Why is it that some do and some don't?
Stress hormone, depression trigger obesity in girls, study finds
Depression raises stress hormone levels in adolescent boys and girls but may lead to obesity only in girls, according to researchers. Early treatment of depression could help reduce stress and control obesity -- a major health issue.
Low-income urban mothers have high rate of postpartum depression
More than half of low-income urban mothers met the criteria for a diagnosis of depression at some point between two weeks and 14 months after giving birth, according to a new study.
Psychosocial problems are common in children with dental fear
Children and adolescents with severe dental fear often come from families with a turbulent background. It is also more common that they have had counseling contact with a psychologist.
People with anxiety disorder less able to regulate response to negative emotions, study shows
People with generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, have abnormalities in the way their brain unconsciously controls emotions. That's the conclusion of a new study, and the authors say the findings could open up new avenues for treatments and change our understanding of how emotion is regulated in everyday life.
Depressed people feel more gray than blue
People with anxiety and depression are most likely to use a shade of gray to represent their mental state. Researchers describe the development of a color chart, the Manchester Color Wheel, which can be used to study people's preferred pigment in relation to their state of mind.
Financial hardship contributes to diagnosis anxiety
Women with medium or low levels of income are more susceptible to anxiety and depression after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis.
Early abuse tied to more depression in children
A study of 500 low-income children ages 7 to 13, about half of whom had been abused and/or neglected, aimed to find out whether abuse early in life and feelings of depression affected cortisol ("stress hormone") levels. Study results suggest that there are different subtypes of depression, with atypical cortisol regulation occurring among children who were abused before age 5.
Functional connection between hippocampus and cortex modulates anxiety
A new study demonstrates that cooperation between the hippocampus, best known for its critical role in learning and memory, and a principal downstream cortical target modulates anxiety-related behaviors in mice. The research provides intriguing insight into how anxiety is processed in the brain and may help to explain what governs anxiety-related behaviors.
Losing sleep, losing brain?
Chronic and severely stressful situations, like those connected to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, have been associated with smaller volumes in "stress sensitive" brain regions, such as the cingulate region of the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory formation.
Brain scientists extend map of fear memory formation
Draw a map of the brain when fear and anxiety are involved, and the amygdala looms large. But scientists have now extended the brain's fear map to include the prelimbic cortex. Researchers found that mice lacking a critical growth factor in the prelimbic cortex have trouble remembering to fear electric shocks. The discovery could help improve diagnosis and treatment for anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy brings lasting benefits, new study finds
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, panic and stress-related physical ailments, and the benefits of the therapy grow after treatment has ended, according to new research.
Believing stereotype undermines girls' math performance: Elementary school women teachers transfer their fear of doing math to girls, study finds
Female elementary school teachers who are anxious about math pass on to female students the stereotype that boys, not girls, are good at math. Girls who endorse this belief then do worse at math, research shows. The research found that boys' math performance was not related to their teacher's math anxiety while girls' math achievement was affected.
By measuring magnetic fields in brain, researchers identify post-traumatic stress disorder biomarker
Researchers have identified a biological marker in the brains of those exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder. A group of 74 United States veterans were involved in the study, which for the first time objectively diagnoses PTSD using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain. It's something conventional brain scans such as an X-ray, CT, or MRI have failed to do.
Treating panic disorder on the web
An online treatment system for patients suffering with panic disorder and anxiety problems combine biofeedback therapy with web technologies, and allows patients and medical professionals to communicate effectively, according to new research.
Mice and humans with same anxiety-related gene abnormality behave similarly
Studying animals in behavioral experiments has been a cornerstone of psychological research, but whether the observations are relevant for human behavior has been unclear. Researchers have now identified an alteration to the DNA of a gene that imparts similar anxiety-related behavior in both humans and mice, demonstrating that laboratory animals can be accurately used to study these human behaviors.
No evidence to support psychological debriefing in schools, experts argue
There is no evidence to support psychological debriefing in schools after traumatic events such as violence, suicides and accidental death, which runs counter to current practice in some Canadian school jurisdictions, according to a group of experts.
Why England's soccer team keeps losing on penalty shots
A new study may explain why the England soccer team keeps losing in penalty shootouts -- and could help the team address the problem in time for the World Cup 2010. New research shows for the first time the effect of anxiety on a footballer's eye movements while taking a penalty.
Brain scans show distinctive patterns in people with generalized anxiety disorder
Scrambled connections between the part of the brain that processes fear and emotion and other brain regions could be the hallmark of a common anxiety disorder, according to a new study. The findings could help researchers identify biological differences between types of anxiety disorders as well as such disorders as depression.
Cannabis damages young brains more than originally thought, study finds
The damaging effects of the illicit drug Cannabis on young brains are worse than originally thought, according to a psychiatric researcher. A new study suggests that daily consumption of cannabis in teens can cause depression and anxiety, and have an irreversible long-term effect on the brain.
Witnesses to bullying may face more mental health risks than bullies and victims
Students who watch as their peers endure the verbal or physical abuses of another student could become as psychologically distressed, if not more so, by the events than the victims themselves, new research suggests.
National survey tracks rates of common mental disorders among American youth
Only about half of American children and teenagers who have certain mental disorders receive professional services, according to a nationally representative survey.
Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms
Individuals taking a medication to treat depression may experience changes in their personality separate from the alleviation of depressive symptoms, according to a new report.
Noninvasive technique to rewrite fear memories developed
Researchers have developed a noninvasive technique to block the return of fear memories in humans. The technique may change how we view the storage processes of memory and could lead to new ways to treat anxiety disorders.
Young adults' blood lead levels linked to depression, panic disorder
Young adults with higher blood lead levels appear more likely to have major depression and panic disorders, even if they have exposure to lead levels generally considered safe, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Major impacts of climate change expected on mental health
Leading mental health researchers are warning that some of the most important health consequences of climate change will be on mental health. The researchers say that climate change has the potential to have significant negative effects on those with pre-existing serious mental illness, but that there is also likely to be an increase in the overall burden of mental disorder worldwide.
New mental treatment improves anxiety and depression in secondary education teachers
Research in Spain supports the effectiveness of mindfulness, an emotional self-regulating tool that consists in focusing on what we are doing, thinking about or feeling at every moment. This psychological technique, more and more popular in the U.S., contributed to fight against psychological diseases such as anxiety, depression, concern or complaints about health, and improves emotional regulation.
Face IT helps reduce anxiety in people with facial disfigurement
Using Face IT - a new computer-based teaching aid that includes interactive videos - can reduce anxiety, depression and appearance concerns among people with facial disfigurement.
Fear of anxiety linked to depression in above-average worriers
Anxiety sensitivity, or the fear of feeling anxious, may put people who are already above-average worriers at risk for depression, according to researchers. Understanding how sensitivity to anxiety is a risk factor for depression may make anxiety sensitivity a potential target for treating depression in the future.
PTSD less common than depression and alcohol misuse amongst UK troops
Common mental disorders, such as depression and alcohol misuse, are the top psychological problems amongst UK troops post-deployment and not post traumatic stress disorder as is widely believed. A new study also finds that reservists remain at special risk of operational stress injury.
Virtual reality offers solution to driving phobias
Nervous drivers are being helped to overcome their road phobias by donning Cyclops-style goggles that transport them to a three-dimensional virtual world. Researchers have recruited volunteers with a variety of driving phobias to test whether virtual reality can be used alongside conventional psychological therapies to help tackle their fears.
Brain's fear center is equipped with built-in suffocation sensor
The portion of our brains that is responsible for registering fear and even panic has a built-in chemical sensor that is triggered by a primordial terror -- suffocation. A new article shows in studies of mice that the rise in acid levels in the brain upon breathing carbon dioxide triggers acid-sensing channels that evoke fear behavior.
Depression as deadly as smoking, study finds
A new study has found that depression is as much of a risk factor for mortality as smoking. The study also shows that patients with depression face an overall increased risk of mortality, while a combination of depression and anxiety in patients lowers mortality compared with depression alone.
New evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress
The "chocolate cure" for emotional stress is getting new support from a clinical trial. It found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.
Psychiatric Impact Of Torture Could Be Amplified By Head Injury
Depression and other emotional symptoms in survivors of torture and other traumatic experiences may be exacerbated by the effects of head injuries, according to a new study. The researchers found structural changes in the brains of former South Vietnamese political detainees who had suffered head injuries and clearly linked those changes to psychiatric symptoms often seen in survivors of torture.
Teeth Grinding Linked To Sleep Apnea; Bruxism Prevalent In Caucasians With Sleep Disorders
New research has found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with OSA suffers from nighttime teeth grinding. This seems to be especially more prevalent in men and in Caucasians compared with other ethnic groups.
Use Of Cannabinoids Could Help Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Patients
Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients, according to a new study.
Genes And Environment May Interact To Influence Risk For Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Individuals who experience both childhood adversity and traumatic events in adulthood appear more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than those exposed to only one of these types of incidents, according to a new report. In addition, the risk was further increased in individuals with a certain genetic mutation.
Deep Brain Stimulation Gives Hope For Very Severe Depression
Thanks to a new method, there is a reason for hope for patients with very severe depression. Physicians in Germany have treated ten patients with deep brain stimulation. Subsequent to this treatment, the patients' depression improved significantly in half of the patients. All patients had suffered from very severe depression for many years and did not respond to any other therapies.
Deep Brain Stimulation May Be Effective Treatment For Tourette's Syndrome
Deep brain stimulation may be a safe and effective treatment for Tourette's syndrome, according to new research. The first symptoms of Tourette syndrome are almost always noticed in childhood and some common tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging and head or shoulder jerking.
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ScienceDaily Autism News
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Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Loss of enzyme reduces neural activity in Angelman syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by mental retardation and a high frequency of autism. Researchers have now found that the gene mutation underlying AS appears to affect the ability of neurons to communicate and to properly develop during the first few years of life, a time when brain activity is "rewired" by external stimuli.
Vital new clue into how the brain is wired
Scientists have uncovered a vital clue into how the brain is wired, which could eventually steer research into nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease and cognitive disorders including autism.
Mother's sensitivity may help language growth in children with autism spectrum disorder
A new study shows that maternal sensitivity may influence language development among children who go on to develop autism. Understanding the benefits of sensitive structuring in the development of language among young children with emergent autism provides scientific support for early intervention programs that focus on parent-child interactions.
Research builds on genetic link to autism and schizophrenia
A genetic link between schizophrenia and autism is enabling researchers to study the effectiveness of drugs used to treat both illnesses.
Redefining function of protein implicated in autism and Retts syndrome
A new article proposes that Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) impacts the entire genome in neurons, rather than acting as a regulator of specific genes. Mutations in MeCP2 cause the autism spectrum disorder, Rett syndrome as well as some cases of neuropsychiatric problems including autism, schizophrenia and learning disabilities.
Gene mutation is linked to autism-like symptoms in mice, researchers find
When a gene implicated in human autism is disabled in mice, the rodents show learning problems and obsessive, repetitive behaviors, researchers have found.
Common scents: Honeybees guide neurological discoveries
Every moment of every day the brain is forced to process thousands of separate odorants from the world around us. Through a new study of honeybees, scientists have discovered the brain has an advanced ability to isolate specific odors and recollect smells.
Autism's earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months, study finds
A study of the development of autism in infants, comparing the behavior of the siblings of children diagnosed with autism to that of babies developing normally, has found that the nascent symptoms of the condition.
Autism: Oxytocin improves social behavior of patients, study finds
Autism is a disease characterized by difficulties in communicating effectively with other people and developing social relationships. New research in France shows that the inhalation of oxytocin, a hormone known to promote mother-infant bonds and social relationships, significantly improved the abilities of autistic patients to interact with other individuals.
Common thread links multiple human cognitive disorders
A new study reveals that a common underlying mechanism is shared by a group of previously unrelated disorders which all cause complex defects in brain development and function. It helps to explain why these different chromatin abnormalities all interfere with proper gene expression patterns necessary for normal development and mature brain function.
New clue why autistic people don't want hugs
Why do people with fragile X syndrome, a genetic defect that is the best-known cause of autism and inherited mental retardation, recoil from hugs and physical touch? New research has found in fragile X syndrome there is delayed development of the sensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to touch, according to a study from Northwestern University. This delay may trigger a domino effect and cause further problems with wiring of the brain.
Developmental delay in brain provides clue to sensory hypersensitivity in autism
New research provides insight into why fragile X syndrome, the most common known cause of autism and mental retardation, is associated with an extreme hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells, and visual stimuli that causes sensory overload and results in social withdrawal, hyperarousal, and anxiety. The study uncovers a previously unknown developmental delay in a critical brain circuit that processes sensory information in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.
Brain protein for synapse development identified
A new study identifies for the first time a brain protein called SynDIG1 that plays a critical role in creating and sustaining synapses, the complex chemical signaling system responsible for communication between neurons.
Link between advanced maternal age and autism confirmed
Advanced maternal age is linked to a significantly elevated risk of having a child with autism, regardless of the father's age, according to an exhaustive study of all births in California during the 1990s.
Uncorrelated activity in the brain
Interconnected networks of neurons process information and give rise to perception by communicating with one another via small electrical impulses known as action potentials. In the past, scientists believed that adjacent neurons synchronized their action potentials. However, researchers now show that this synchronization does not happen.
Three brain diseases linked by toxic form of same neural protein
Researchers have found that three different degenerative brain disorders are linked by a toxic form of the same protein. Elk-1 was found in clumps of misshaped proteins that are the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. This suggests a molecular link between the presence of inclusions and neuronal loss that is shared across a spectrum of neurodegenerative disease. Identifying these links could open up novel avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Distance education for parents of children with autism found effective
Through the use of instructional DVDs, parents of children with autism can learn how to teach their child to communicate and improve their behavior, according to new research.
Combined approach may be better way to treat autism
Children with autism would likely receive better treatment if supporters of the two major teaching methods stopped bickering over theory and focused on a combined approach, a psychologist argues in a new article.
Babies' brains tuned to sharing attention with others
Children as young as five months old will follow the gaze of an adult towards an object and engage in joint attention, according to new research. The findings suggest that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.
How to measure attention span of a fly: Implications for ADHD, autism in humans
An Australian-German team of scientists has found a way to measure the attention span of a fly. The findings could lead to further advances in the understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in humans.
Ask the non-experts about autism detection in infants
In a research project about early autism detection in infants, psychologists are working with non-expert coders to observe and provide data during experiments. The project shows that non-experts can effectively gain similar outcomes to the coders who have gone through extensive training, thus simplifying the research process without compromising the results.
Communication problems in the brain
For brain cells to communicate, the contacts to each other must function. The protein molecule neuroligin-1 plays an important role in this as it stimulates the necessary maturation processes at the contact sites (synapses) of the nerves. A synaptic maturation disorder is possibly involved in the development of autism.
Gene linked to schizophrenia may reduce cancer risk
A specific form of a gene that puts people on the road to schizophrenia may protect against some forms of cancer.
More evidence that autism is a brain 'connectivity' disorder
Studying a rare disorder that also causes autism in 25-50 percent of affected patients, new research supports the emerging idea that autism results from disrupted brain "connectivity" causing improper information flow. These abnormalities might be reversible with rapamycin or rapamycin-like drugs, which the studies researchers will be bringing to clinical trial later this year.
Brain imaging may help diagnose autism
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) process sound and language a fraction of a second slower than children without ASDs, and measuring magnetic signals that mark this delay may become a standardized way to diagnose autism. While more work remains to be done, this pattern of delayed brain response may be refined into the first imaging biomarker for autism.
Before or after birth, gene linked to mental health has different effects
Scientists have long eyed mutations in a gene known as DISC1 as a possible contributor to schizophrenia and mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Now, new research suggests that perturbing this gene during prenatal periods, postnatal periods or both may have different effects in mice, leading to separate types of brain alterations and behaviors with resemblance to schizophrenia or mood disorders.
Canine compulsive disorder gene identified in dogs; shares family with recently targeted gene for autism in humans
A canine chromosome 7 locus that confers a high risk of compulsive disorder susceptibility has been identified.
Autism clusters identified in California; associated with areas of greater parental education
Researchers at UC Davis have identified 10 locations in California where the incidence of autism is higher than surrounding areas in the same region. Most of the areas, or clusters, are in locations where parents have higher-than-average levels of educational attainment. Because children with more educated parents are more likely to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, one need look no further for a cause, the authors say. The other clusters are located close to major autism treatment centers.
Uniform method to interpret autism spectrum disorders
The main criterion defining autism spectrum disorders is difficulty in emotional-social behavior. Nevertheless, many people with ASD have some difficulties in three other domains -- memory, perception and motor behavior. In a new theoretical model, one researcher recommends a uniform way to think about these four types of difficulties, which she believes are linked by a common brain structure/brain function connection involving the medial prefrontal cortex.
Scientists discover a controller of brain circuitry
By combining a research technique that dates back 136 years with modern molecular genetics, a neuroscientist has been able to see how a mammal's brain shrewdly revisits and reuses the same molecular cues to control the complex design of its circuits.
Seeing without looking: Brain structure crucial for moving the mind's spotlight
Like a spotlight that illuminates an otherwise dark scene, attention brings to mind specific details of our environment while shutting others out. A new study shows that the superior colliculus, a brain structure that primarily had been known for its role in the control of eye and head movements, is crucial for moving the mind's spotlight.
Rate of autism disorders climbs to one percent among 8-year-olds
One in 110 American 8-year-olds is classified as having an autism spectrum disorder, a 57 percent increase in ASD cases compared to four years earlier.
How the autistic brain distinguishes oneself from others
Scientists have discovered that the brains of individuals with autism are less active when engaged in self-reflective thought. The study provides new evidence for the neural correlates of self-awareness and a new window into understanding social difficulties in autism spectrum conditions.
First evidence of brain rewiring in children: Reading remediation positively alters brain tissue
Scientists have uncovered the first evidence that intensive instruction to improve reading skills in young children causes the brain to physically rewire itself, creating new white matter that improves communication within the brain.
People affected by autism believe increase is 'real,' not diagnostic
There has been a major increase in the number of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders over the last two decades -- the question is why? Researchers have found a sharp difference between the beliefs of ordinary people and medical experts about the reasons for the increased incidence of autism.
Early intervention for toddlers with autism highly effective, study finds
A novel early intervention program for very young children with autism -- some as young as 18 months -- is effective for improving IQ, language ability and social interaction, a comprehensive new study has found.
Parent training key to improved treatment of behavior problems in children with autism
The serious behavior problems that can occur in children with autism and related conditions can be reduced with a treatment plan that includes medication combined with a structured training program for parents, according to researchers.
Autism: Parent training complements medication for treating behavioral problems in children with PDD
Treatment that includes medication plus a structured training program for parents reduces serious behavioral problems in children with autism and related conditions, according to a new study.
Pushing the brain to find new pathways
Until recently, scientists believed that, following a stroke, a patient had about six months to regain any lost function. After that, patients would be forced to compensate for the lost function by focusing on their remaining abilities. Although this belief has been refuted, an occupational therapy professor believes that the current health system is still not giving patients enough time to recover.
Genetic variation linked to individual empathy, stress levels
Researchers have discovered a genetic variation that may contribute to how empathetic a human is, and how that person reacts to stress. In the first study of its kind, a variation in the hormone/neurotransmitter oxytocin's receptor was linked to a person's ability to infer the mental state of others.
Love and envy linked by same hormone, oxytocin
A new study has found that the hormone oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone," which affects behaviors such as trust, empathy and generosity, also affects opposite behaviors, such as jealousy and gloating.
Why Can't Chimps Speak? Key Differences In How Human And Chimp Versions Of FOXP2 Gene Work
If humans are genetically related to chimps, why did our brains develop the innate ability for language and speech while theirs did not? Scientists suspect that part of the answer to the mystery lies in a gene called FOXP2. When mutated, FOXP2 can disrupt speech and language in humans. Now, a new study reveals major differences between how the human and chimp versions of FOXP2 work, perhaps explaining why language is unique to humans.
Language Support In Schools Vital For Children With Autism
Teachers and parents must be vigilant in observing difficulties with language comprehension, reading and spelling in children and young people with autism, Asperger's syndrome and ADHD.
Children With Autism Show Slower Pupil Responses, Study Finds
Researchers have developed a pupil response test that is 92.5 percent accurate in separating children with autism from those with typical development. In the study, the scientists found that children with autism have slower pupil responses to light change.
Handwriting Is Real Problem For Children With Autism
Handwriting skills are crucial for success in school, communication, and building children's self-esteem. The first study to examine handwriting quality in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has uncovered a relationship between fine motor control and poor quality of handwriting in children with ASD.
Clinical Tests Begin On Medication To Correct Fragile X Defect
Scientists are beginning a clinical trial of a potential medication designed to correct a central neurochemical defect underlying Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. There has to date been no medication that could alter the disorder's neurologic abnormalities. The study will evaluate safety, tolerability and optimal dosage in healthy volunteers.
Sights And Sounds Of Emotion Trigger Big Brain Responses
Researchers have identified a part of the brain that responds to both facial and vocal expressions of emotion. They used the MagnetoEncephaloGraphic (MEG) scanner at the York Neuroimaging Centre to test responses in a region of the brain known as the posterior superior temporal sulcus.
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ScienceDaily Behavior News
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Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days.
Major depression more than doubles risk of dementia among adults with diabetes
Adults with both depression and diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with diabetes alone. Earlier studies have shown that depression alone is a risk factor for dementia, and that diabetes itself is a dementia risk factor. Researchers found even greater risk of dementia in people with both conditions. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are not yet clear. The researchers suggest that physicians screen and treat their diabetes patients for depression, which is common in people with diabetes.
Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
Teaching self-control skills to children reduces classroom problems
Children taught skills to monitor and control their anger and other emotions improved their classroom behavior and had significantly fewer school disciplinary referrals and suspensions, according to a new study.
Deficits in brain's 'executive' skills common with TIA, minor stroke
Cognitive impairment is common in transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke patients. Cognitive impairment in these patients can be detected with tests that evaluate the brain's "executive functions" -- but not with another commonly used screening designed to test for Alzheimer's dementia.
Don't make that face at me! Prefrontal cortex may help regulate emotions
A new study suggests that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that may help people to control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their romantic partners.
Having greater purpose in life associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease
Individuals who report having greater purpose in their lives appear less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study.
Unique program helps new moms cut down on babies' exposure to second-hand smoke
Behavioral interventions have been shown to be very effective in helping new mothers cut down on second hand exposure for their babies. However, in underserved areas, women face a number of unique barriers to getting this type of treatment. To get around these barriers, researchers are delivering health interventions directly to the women who need them most.
Scientists find first physiological evidence of brain's response to inequality
The human brain is a big believer in equality -- and a team of scientists has become the first to gather the images to prove it. Specifically, the team found that the reward centers in the human brain respond more strongly when a poor person receives a financial reward than when a rich person does.
Gene mutation is linked to autism-like symptoms in mice, researchers find
When a gene implicated in human autism is disabled in mice, the rodents show learning problems and obsessive, repetitive behaviors, researchers have found.
Husbands' hostile, anti-social behaviors increase wives' symptoms of depression, study shows
While the causes of depression vary, a new study reveals that marital hostility is a contributing factor. Researchers found that husbands' hostile and anti-social behaviors increased their wives' symptoms of depression over time.
Autism: Oxytocin improves social behavior of patients, study finds
Autism is a disease characterized by difficulties in communicating effectively with other people and developing social relationships. New research in France shows that the inhalation of oxytocin, a hormone known to promote mother-infant bonds and social relationships, significantly improved the abilities of autistic patients to interact with other individuals.
Self-control impaired in type 2 diabetics, research suggests
Type 2 diabetes, an increasingly common complication of obesity, is associated with poor impulse control. Researchers suggest that neurological changes result in this inability to resist temptation, which may in turn exacerbate diabetes.
Behavioral therapy improves sleep and lives of patients with pain
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain and also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with their daily functioning, according to a new study.
Quitting smoking especially difficult for select groups
With the national trend toward quitting smoking flat, psychologists are finding some success with treatments aimed at helping smokers from under-served groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and those with psychiatric disorders.
If children won't go to school doctor's notes are not the answer, experts say
Children and adolescents who refuse to attend school should not be given doctors' sick notes. A child and adolescent psychiatrist explains the causes of school avoidance and describe measures to tackle the problem.
Morality research sheds light on the origins of religion
The details surrounding the emergence and evolution of religion have not been clearly established and remain a source of much debate among scholars. Now, a new article brings a new understanding to this long-standing discussion by exploring the fascinating link between morality and religion.
Drug shows promise for Huntington's disease
An early stage clinical trial of the experimental drug dimebon (latrepirdine) in people with Huntington's disease appears to be safe and may improve cognition.
Moms' depression in pregnancy tied to antisocial behavior in teens
Researchers studying 120 British youth from inner-city areas found that mothers who became depressed when pregnant were four times as likely to have children who were violent at 16. This was true for both boys and girls. The mothers' depression, in turn, was predicted by their own aggressive and disruptive behavior as teens.
Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and cognition problems seen in individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure often resemble those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An assessment of these disorders has found that while children with FASD may meet the behavioral criteria for ADHD, their attention difficulties differ in subtle but important respects.
Antidepressant may result in improved cognitive function after stroke
Patients who received the antidepressant escitalopram following a stroke appeared to recover more of their thinking, learning and memory skills than those taking placebo or participating in problem-solving therapy, according to a report.
Teens who drink with parents may still develop alcohol problems
Parents who try to teach responsible drinking by letting their teenagers have alcohol at home may be well intentioned, but they may also be wrong, according to a new study.
Cost to patients barrier to counseling for obesity and smoking
Researchers found that when primary care clinicians and community counselors collaborated to offer free counseling services to patients, there was an overwhelming positive response. Yet, when the same services were offered at a cost to the patient, there was a significant drop in participation.
Combined approach may be better way to treat autism
Children with autism would likely receive better treatment if supporters of the two major teaching methods stopped bickering over theory and focused on a combined approach, a psychologist argues in a new article.
Developmental delay may explain behavior of easygoing bonobo apes
New research suggests that evolutionary changes in cognitive development underlie the extensive social and behavioral differences that exist between two closely related species of great apes. The study enhances our understanding of our two closest living relatives, chimpanzees and the lesser-known bonobos, and may provide key insight into human evolution.
Lead may be the culprit in ADHD
ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is among the costliest of behavioral disorders. New research suggests that the culprit may be an old villain -- lead -- and what's more it explains the causal pathway from exposure to disability.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy brings lasting benefits, new study finds
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, panic and stress-related physical ailments, and the benefits of the therapy grow after treatment has ended, according to new research.
Alcohol use and cognitive decline among the elderly
There are few studies of alcohol use among the elderly. A study of drinking among the elderly in Brazil has found that heavy alcohol use is associated with more memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate alcohol use, especially among women. Mild-to-moderate alcohol use was associated with lower cognitive disorder rates than no alcohol use, also among women.
Facebook or MySpace, youths' use reflect face-to-face interactions
Though parents often have concerns about letting their teens use social media Web sites like Facebook and MySpace, a new study suggests that well-adapted youth with positive friendships will use these sites to further enhance the positive relationships they already have. However, teens who have behavioral problems and difficulty making friends, may be more inclined to use social media in negative and sometimes aggressive ways.
Three key factors to help children avoid social rejection identified
Neurobehavioral researchers have found three key factors in a child's behavior that can lead to social rejection. The studies are a crucial step in developing scientifically sound screening tests and treatment planning for social-emotional learning difficulties.
Estrogen in the fight against schizophrenia
Restoring normal levels of estrogen may work as a protective agent in menopausal women vulnerable to schizophrenia.
Mice and humans with same anxiety-related gene abnormality behave similarly
Studying animals in behavioral experiments has been a cornerstone of psychological research, but whether the observations are relevant for human behavior has been unclear. Researchers have now identified an alteration to the DNA of a gene that imparts similar anxiety-related behavior in both humans and mice, demonstrating that laboratory animals can be accurately used to study these human behaviors.
Drowsiness, staring and other mental lapses may signal Alzheimer's disease
Cognitive fluctuations, or episodes when train of thought temporarily is lost, are more likely to occur in older persons who are developing Alzheimer's disease than in their healthy peers, according to scientists. Cognitive fluctuations include excessive daytime sleepiness, staring into space and disorganized or illogical thinking.
Parkinson's patients shed light on role of reward bias in compulsive behaviors
New research unravels the brain mechanisms that underlie the ability of a standard drug treatment for Parkinson's to elicit compulsive behaviors in some patients with the disease. The study provides fascinating new insight into the brain mechanisms that underlie a predisposition to behavioral addictions, such as pathological gambling and shopping.
Got cognitive activity? It does a mind good
If you don't have a college degree, you're at greater risk of developing memory problems or even Alzheimer's. Education influences lifelong memory performance and risk for dementia, and those with a college degree possess a cognitive advantage over their less educated counterparts in middle and old age. A new study shows that those with less schooling can compensate by doing mental exercises such as word games, puzzles, reading and lectures.
Before or after birth, gene linked to mental health has different effects
Scientists have long eyed mutations in a gene known as DISC1 as a possible contributor to schizophrenia and mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Now, new research suggests that perturbing this gene during prenatal periods, postnatal periods or both may have different effects in mice, leading to separate types of brain alterations and behaviors with resemblance to schizophrenia or mood disorders.
Technology new gateway into treatment for problem alcohol users
Interventions for problem alcohol use can be effective in changing drinking behaviors and offers a significant public health benefit, according to new research. The study found that problem drinkers provided access to an online screener reduced their alcohol consumption by 30 percent -- or six to seven drinks weekly -- rates that are comparable to face-to-face interventions.
Treating alcohol-use disorders and tuberculosis together
Treatment for alcohol use disorders and tuberculosis (TB) is rarely integrated, even though the two diseases have a high co-occurrence. American and Russian researchers have jointly designed and are monitoring an innovative program that will deliver alcohol treatment as part of routine TB care. The trial study is continuing.
Football (soccer) fights depression
Despite being a significant risk group, young men are amongst those least likely to seek professional help when mentally distressed or suicidal. The 'Back of the Net' program, a pilot initiative using football (called soccer in the U.S.) and cognitive behavioral based techniques was effective in decreasing symptoms of depression in young men.
Psychologists show that future-minded people make better decisions for their health
People who tend to think in the long term are more likely to make positive decisions about their health, whether it's how much they drink, what they eat, or their decision to wear sunscreen.
Scientists decode memory-forming brain cell conversations
The conversations neurons have as they form and recall memories have been decoded by scientists. The breakthrough in recognizing in real time the formation and recollection of a memory opens the door to objective, thorough memory studies and eventually better therapies, say the researchers.
New screening tool helps identify children at risk for developmental issues
When a baby is born, new parents often wonder, "Will he be the next President of the United States?" or "Could she be the one to find a cure for cancer?" But the underlying question for many specialists is, "Is this child 'at risk' for developmental issues?" An answer to this question has been elusive -- until now.
With amino acid diet, mice improve after brain injury
Neurology researchers have shown that feeding amino acids to brain-injured mice restores their cognitive abilities and may set the stage for the first effective treatment for cognitive impairments suffered by people with traumatic brain injuries. If these animal results can be translated to human medicine, there would be a broad clinical benefit. Every 23 seconds, a man, woman or child in the US suffers a traumatic brain injury.
Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms
Individuals taking a medication to treat depression may experience changes in their personality separate from the alleviation of depressive symptoms, according to a new report.
Study confirms association between tobacco smoke and behavioral problems in children
Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke during their early development can develop abnormal behavioral symptoms by the age of 10 years, according to a new study.
First evidence of brain rewiring in children: Reading remediation positively alters brain tissue
Scientists have uncovered the first evidence that intensive instruction to improve reading skills in young children causes the brain to physically rewire itself, creating new white matter that improves communication within the brain.
Testosterone does not induce aggression, study shows
New scientific evidence refutes the preconception that testosterone causes aggressive, egocentric, and risky behavior. A study with more than 120 experimental subjects has shown that the sexual hormone with the poor reputation can encourage fair behaviors if this serves to ensure one's own status.
HIV-related memory loss linked to Alzheimer's protein
More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer's-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid.
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ScienceDaily Bipolar News
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Offspring of two psychiatric patients have increased risk of developing mental disorders
Offspring of two parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder appear more likely to develop the same illness or another psychiatric condition than those with only one parent with psychiatric illness, according to a new study.
In schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, life is not black and white
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder affect 10s of millions of individuals around the world. These disorders have a typical onset in the early 20s and in most cases have a chronic or recurring course. Neither disorder has an objective biological marker than can be used to make diagnoses or to guide treatment.
Combination therapy better than leading drug for bipolar disorder, study suggests
People with bipolar disorder are less likely to suffer a relapse if they are taking both lithium and sodium valproate rather than the drug valproate alone, a new study has shown.
Antiepileptic drugs not linked to suicide among those with bipolar disorder
Despite government warnings about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions while taking antiepileptic drugs, these medications do not appear to be associated with increased risk of suicide attempts in individuals with bipolar disorder, and may have a possible protective effect, according to a new report.
Gene knockout may cheer up mice
A gene in the brain that was not previously linked to mood disorders could have a role in biopolar, depression, and schizophrenic conditions.
Faulty body clock may make kids bipolar
Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder.
Young Adults May Outgrow Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depression, causes severe and unusual shifts in mood and energy, affecting a person's ability to perform everyday tasks. With symptoms often starting in early adulthood, bipolar disorder has been thought of traditionally as a lifelong disorder. Now, researchers have found evidence that nearly half of those diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 25 may outgrow the disorder by the time they reach 30.
If Bipolar Disorder Is Over-diagnosed, What Are The Actual Diagnoses?
A year ago, researchers reported that fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received an actual diagnosis of bipolar disorder after using a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview tool -- the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. In this follow-up study, the researchers have determined the actual diagnoses of those patients.
Irritability Should Be Considered When Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder In Children
Diagnosing children with bipolar disorder is challenging and controversial. Some children with bipolar disorder are diagnosed based on irritable mood alone. Findings support current diagnostic criteria.
Skin Cells Provide New Knowledge About Brain Functions
Until now diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been difficult to study biologically, since this would entail taking samples from the patient’s brain. But new research findings show that it is just as good to study a certain type of skin cells, since they function in a way that is similar to a type of brain cells that are suspected of playing a major role in both disorders.
Specialty Care Costs For Patients With Bipolar Disorder Are Higher Than Diabetes And Other Chronic Diseases
Researchers have found that bipolar disorder is more costly than other chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression, asthma or coronary artery disease.
Schizophrenia And Manic-depressive Disorder: Genetic Variant Impairs Communication Within Brain
For some time now it has been known that certain hereditary factors enhance the risk of schizophrenia or a manic-depressive disorder. However, just how this occurs had remained obscure. Researchers are now able to answer this question, at least for one common genetic variant: this impairs the interoperation of certain regions of the brain.
Lithium And The Brain: New Light On Bipolar Treatment Drugs
New research suggests a possible pathway for the operation of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It offers potential for new perspectives on the genetics of bipolar disorder and the development of new treatments for this disorder and other conditions.
Having Parents With Bipolar Disorder Associated With Increased Risk Of Psychiatric Disorders
Children and teens of parents with bipolar disorder appear to have an increased risk of early-onset bipolar disorder, mood disorders and anxiety disorders, according to a new report.
New Treatment Approach Needed For Management Of Depression With Bipolar Disorder
Scientists have attempted to identify what factors make some people with bipolar depression more likely to experience treatment-emergent mania.
Bipolar Disorder Linked To Risk Of Early Death From Natural Causes
People with bipolar disorder have a higher death rate from natural causes compared to people in the general population of the same age and gender but without mental illness.
Lack Of Grey Matter In Brain Is Linked To Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder
Lack of grey matter in the brain is linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A new study shows that adolescents experiencing a first outbreak of psychosis have lower levels of gray matter in their brains than healthy teenagers. Strangely, this change was seen in patients suffering from various psychoses, including bipolar illness and schizophrenia.
First Comprehensive Map Of Genes Likely To Be Involved In Bipolar Disorder
Neuroscientists have created the first comprehensive map of genes likely to be involved in bipolar disorder.
Patients With Depressive Disorders Or Schizophrenia More Likely To Re-attempt Suicide
Men and women who have tried to kill themselves and are suffering from unipolar disorder (major depression), bipolar disorder (manic depression) or schizophrenia are at a very high risk of committing suicide within a year of their first attempt, concludes a new study.
Bipolar Disorder In Children Appears Likely To Continue Into Young Adulthood
About 44 percent of individuals who had bipolar disorder as children continue to have manic episodes as young adults, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. This rate, along with the severity of the disease at young ages, strongly suggest that bipolar disorder can be continuous from childhood to adulthood, the authors note.
Add-On Therapy Improves Depressive Symptoms In Bipolar Disorder
Lingering depression is a serious and common problem in bipolar disorder, and does not resolve well with existing treatments. Because individuals with both depression and bipolar disorder experience a glutathione deficiency, an antioxidant that protects cells from toxins, researchers sought to evaluate whether N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an over-the-counter supplement that increases brain glutathione, might help alleviate depressive symptoms.
Children Of Older Fathers More Likely To Have Bipolar Disorder, New Report Finds
Older age among fathers may be associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder in their offspring, according to a new report.
Family Therapy Helps Relieve Depression Symptoms In Bipolar Teens
Family-focused therapy, when combined with medication, appears effective in stabilizing symptoms of depression among teens with bipolar disorder, according to a new report.
What Is Bipolar Depression?
Bipolar disorder is one of the most important psychiatric diseases, often associated with considerable treatment needs and tremendous social and occupational burden for both the individual and family (Pini et al., 2005). Previously also labeled manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is typically referred to as an episodic, yet lifelong and clinically severe mood (or affective) disorder.
Bipolar Disorder And Gene Abnormalities: Sodium, Calcium Imbalances Linked To Manic Depressive Episodes
A large genetic study of bipolar disorder has implicated machinery that balances levels of sodium and calcium in neurons. The disorder was associated with variation in two genes that make components of such ion channels. Although it's not yet known if or how the suspect genetic variation might affect the balance machinery, the results point to the possibility that bipolar disorder might stem, at least in part, from malfunction of ion channels.
Using Genetics To Improve Traditional Psychiatric Diagnoses
Psychiatry has begun the laborious effort of preparing the DSM-V, the new iteration of its diagnostic manual. In so doing, it once again wrestles with the task set by Carl Linnaeus, to "cleave nature at its joints." However, these "joints," the boundaries between psychiatric disorders, such as that between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are far from clear. We now know that symptoms of bipolar disorder may be seen in patients with schizophrenia and the reverse is true, as well.
Poor Sleep Linked To Suicidal Behavior Among Children And Adolescents With Depressive Episodes
A new study finds a link between poor sleep and suicidal behavior among children and adolescents with depressive episodes. Poor sleep was more frequent among those with pediatric bipolar disorder and pediatric unipolar disorder, and this was clearly detected by the presence of initial insomnia and sleep maintenance insomnia.
Family Traits Provide Clues To Genes For Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
It is important to identify the endophenotypes -- traits associated with a clinical disorder -- that can serve as a roadmap for detecting disease-related genes. That is why researchers are studying families to detect relatives who are carriers of the genes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, even though these individuals don't have the diseases themselves.
Increased Risk Of Smoking, Substance Abuse In Bipolar Adolescents Confirmed
A new study supports previous reports that adolescents with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for smoking and substance abuse. The article also indicates that bipolar-associated risk is independent of the risk conferred by other disorders affecting study participants.
Is Bipolar Disorder Overdiagnosed?
Fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview -- the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.
Benefits Of Omega-3s Still Unclear For Bipolar Disorder
Despite intriguing findings that omega-3 fatty acid supplements could alleviate depression symptoms, there is still not enough evidence to say whether omega-3s are useful treatments for people with bipolar disorder, according to a review of recent studies. Nevertheless, omega-3s deserve further study, since they seem to have no serious side effects and most experts recommend the supplements for people with heart disease and some immune disorders, said the authors.
Incidence, Precursors And Psychiatric Sequelae Of Major Psychiatric Disorders Revealed
An analysis of NESARC's Wave 2 identifies predictors of first episodes of DSM-IV substance, mood and anxiety disorders. One-year incidence was highest for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Incidence was significantly greater among men for most substance use disorders, greater among women for most mood and anxiety disorders, decreased among Blacks for alcohol abuse, and decreased among Hispanics for GAD. Age was related inversely to all disorders.
Bipolar Disorder: Manic Mouse Made With One Gene Missing
Bipolar Disorder (BPD or manic-depressive illness) is one of the most serious of all mental disorders, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Affected individuals alternate between states of deep depression and mania. Now, a mouse model of the disease has been developed. Researchers found that the glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6) gene is associated with bipolar disorder. Mice that were missing the GluR6 gene underwent a series of tests designed to approximate the symptoms of mania. These mice showed many of the symptoms of mania, including hyperactivity, aggressiveness, driven or increased goal-directed pursuits, risk-taking, and super-sensitivity to amphetamine. The researchers also found that treating the mice with lithium -- the classic treatment for bipolar disorder -- reduced these symptoms.
Tamoxifen May Help Treat Mania In Patients With Bipolar Disorder
A small, three-week trial of tamoxifen, a drug typically used to treat breast cancer, indicates that it also may decrease symptoms of mania in patients with bipolar disorder, according to a new article.
Chemical Signature Of Manic Depression Discovered
People with manic depression have a distinct chemical signature in their brains, according to a new study. The research may also indicate how the mood stabilizers used to treat the disorder counteract the changes in the brain that it appears to cause. Manic depression, which is also known as bipolar disorder, is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterised by alternating mania and depression, affecting about one in every hundred people worldwide.
Bright Light Therapy Eases Bipolar Depression For Some
Bright light therapy can ease bipolar depression in some patients, a new study has found. Women with bipolar depression were given light boxes and instructed on how to use them at home. Using the light boxes daily for two-week stretches of 15, 30 and 45 minutes, some patients responded extremely well to the light therapy and their symptoms of depression disappeared.
Brain Differences Identified In Adolescents With Mental Illness
Puberty may have an impact on areas of the brain that contribute to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in youth, according to a new study.
Stable Sleep Patterns And Regular Routines May Improve Outcomes In Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depressive disorder, is highly influenced by the circadian system -- the body's internal clock -- and a specific kind of psychotherapy may help decrease irregularities in the circadian system that can trigger key symptoms of bipolar disorder, according to a new study.
Facial Expressions Have Greater Impact On Kids With Bipolar Disorder
Children with bipolar disorder respond differently to facial expressions than typically developing children without psychiatric disorders, according to a new study. Children with bipolar disorder also demonstrated reduced memory for emotional faces as compared to children without bipolar disorder -- particularly with "fearful" faces.
Asthma Linked To Depressive Disorders, Study Suggests
Young people with asthma are about twice as likely to suffer from depressive and anxiety disorders than are children without asthma, according to a new study. Previous research had suggested a possible link in young people between asthma and some mental health problems, but this study is the first showing such a strong connection.
Manic Phase Of Bipolar Disorder Benefits From Breast Cancer Medication
The manic phase of bipolar disorder favors destructive behaviors. Stemming it quickly is important. Tamoxifen's effects were dramatic -- 63 percent of patients responded vs. 13 percent on placebo -- and it kicked in faster than many current medications. Tamoxifen skips some of current drugs' biochemical steps and acts directly on the enzyme protein-kinase C, giving scientists a more direct target at which to aim new medications in their search for faster-acting treatments.
Bipolar Disorder Relapses Halved WIth New Program
Mental health researchers have succeeded in halving the number of relapses experienced by people with bipolar disorder which strikes two in 100 Australians, accounts for 12 percent of suicides each year and costs the country at least $1.5 billion annually.
'Wake-Up Pill' Under Study To Treat Patients With Bipolar Disorder
A preliminary study of 85 patients with bipolar disorder shows that a drug used to treat patients with sleep disorders might also control the depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. At least 44 percent of the participants in the study reported improved symptoms, a noteworthy improvement for a disorder in which new treatments are needed.
New Databases Put Wings On Search For Bipolar Risk Genes
A novel, free, public online database that recently opened should greatly speed efforts to find genes linked to increase risk of bipolar disorder. The Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database is the first of its kind, offering detailed descriptions of symptoms and course of disease on more than 5,000 people with bipolar illness, a mood disorder commonly marked by alternating bouts of depression and manic or overexcited behavior.
Manic Depression Linked With Brain Tissue Loss
People with bipolar disorder suffer from accelerated brain tissue loss, which is associated with progressive decline in some areas of mental ability. This discovery has implications not only for the way we research the disease, but may also impact the way this condition is treated.
Lithium For Pediatric Bipolar Disorder?
Lithium will be evaluated for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents in a new study. Pediatric bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder, is characterized by extreme and unusual changes in mood, ranging from mania to depression. Symptoms of mania can include extreme or persistent euphoria or irritability, inflated self-esteem, increased energy and a decreased need for sleep. Depressive symptoms may include physical complaints such as headaches, tiredness, lack of interest in activities, or social isolation.
Comorbidities Common In Bipolar Disorder May Have Genetic Link
While the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be disabling on their own, most patients with the condition also are afflicted with a variety of other psychiatric and physical disorders.
Brain Holds Clues To Bipolar Disorder
Looking into the brain is yielding vital clues to understanding, diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder, according to new findings.
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ScienceDaily Brain Injury News
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3-D hand movement reconstructed using brain signals: Future portable prosthetic devices for movement-impaired
Researchers have successfully reconstructed 3-D hand motions from brain signals recorded in a non-invasive way. This finding uses a technique that may open new doors for portable brain-computer interface systems. Such a non-invasive system could potentially operate a robotic arm or motorized wheelchair -- a huge advance for people with disabilities or paralysis.
Can blood-pressure cuffs work? Novel ways to limit stroke damage
Can using a simple blood-pressure cuff limit damage from strokes caused by decreased blood supply to the brain? An emerging field of study is working to see whether using this blood-pressure cuff or other methods of "training the brain" could help reduce damage from a stroke as it is occurring while a patient is being transported to the hospital.
Deficits in brain's 'executive' skills common with TIA, minor stroke
Cognitive impairment is common in transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke patients. Cognitive impairment in these patients can be detected with tests that evaluate the brain's "executive functions" -- but not with another commonly used screening designed to test for Alzheimer's dementia.
New form of prion disease damages brain arteries
Scientists investigating how prion diseases destroy the brain have observed a new form of the disease in mice that does not cause the sponge-like brain deterioration typically seen in prion diseases. Instead, it resembles a form of human Alzheimer's disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, that damages brain arteries.
Crowded houses: Why our peripheral vision may not be as random as we think
As you read this, you may notice that the word directly in front of you is clear, but all the surrounding words are hard to make out. For most people, this effect is not a problem. However, for millions of people worldwide with eye disease, it can make everyday tasks such as reading or recognizing friends a challenge. Researchers have made new insights into this process.
Learning keeps brain healthy: Mental activity could stave off age-related cognitive and memory decline
Neurobiologists are providing the first visual evidence that learning promotes brain health -- and, therefore, that mental stimulation could limit the debilitating effects of aging on memory and the mind.
Brain holds early signs of glaucoma
Researchers are now a step closer to deciphering a leading cause of blindness in the United States -- glaucoma. They found that the first sign of injury in glaucoma actually occurs in the brain. The findings show that glaucoma is very much like other neurodegenerative central nervous system diseases.
Study supports alternative anti-seizure medication following acute brain injury
A new study supports the use of an alternative medication to prevent seizures in patients who have suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury or bleeding stroke.
Vitamin B3 shows early promise in treatment of stroke
An early study suggests that vitamin B3 or niacin, a common water-soluble vitamin, may help improve neurological function after stroke. When rats with ischemic stroke were given niacin, their brains showed growth of new blood vessels, and sprouting of nerve cells which greatly improved neurological outcome. Now research is underway to investigate the effects of an extended-release form of niacin on stroke patients.
Children can have recurrent strokes
Children can have strokes, and the strokes can recur, usually within a month, according to pediatric researchers. Unfortunately, the strokes often go unrecognized the first time, and the child does not receive treatment before the recurrence.
Clot-busting drugs effective in patients with unwitnessed strokes
When stroke symptom onset is unknown, basing emergency clot-busting treatment on the time patients were last seen normal may be beneficial. Clot-busting drugs are only recommended for stroke patients within three to 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Treating neonatal meningitis: Is nitric oxide a foe or a friend to bacteria?
Nitric oxide plays a key role in the pathogenesis of meningitis; however, it remains unclear whether it plays a pro- or anti-microbial role.
Mild traumatic brain injury, not so mild after all
Scientists are gaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanism at play in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly called concussions. Although mTBI affects over one million people each year in the United States, it is generally ignored as a major health issue.
Progesterone for traumatic brain injury tested in phase III clinical trial
Researchers at 17 medical centers soon will begin using the hormone progesterone to treat patients who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatment is part of an NIH-funded, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trial that will enroll approximately 1,140 people beginning in March, 2010. An earlier trial in 100 patients found that giving progesterone to trauma victims shortly after a brain injury appears to be safe and may reduce the risk of death and long-term disability.
How far should neuroscience evidence go in court trials?
Although MRI scans showing a malfunctioning brain could conjure empathy and a finding of innocence for a criminal defendant, they might just as well lead jurors and judges to opt for convictions and long sentences, the law professor says.
Exercise helps protect brain of multiple sclerosis patients, study suggests
Highly fit multiple sclerosis patients perform significantly better on tests of cognitive function than similar less-fit patients, a new study shows. In addition, MRI scans of the patients showed that the fitter MS patients showed less damage in parts of the brain that show deterioration as a result of MS, as well as a greater volume of vital gray matter.
How nerve cells grow: Researcher decodes molecular process that controls growth of nerve cells
A brain researcher has discovered the workings of a process that had been completely overlooked until now, and that allows nerve cells in the brain to grow and form complex networks. The study shows that an enzyme which usually controls the destruction of protein components has an unexpected function in nerve cells: it controls the structure of the cytoskeleton and thus ensures that nerve cells can form the tree-like extensions that are necessary for signal transmission in the brain.
Learning from the brain: Computer scientists develop new generation of neuro-computer
Intelligent machines that not only think for themselves but also actively learn are the vision of researchers who have been co-ordinating the European Union research project "Brain-i-Nets" (Novel Brain Inspired Learning Paradigms for Large-Scale Neuronal Networks). The scientists want to design a new generation of neuro-computers based on the principles of calculation and learning mechanisms found in the brain, and at the same time gain new knowledge about the brain's learning mechanisms.
Scientists image brain at point when vocal learning begins
Scientists have imaged living juvenile songbird brains at the moment the brains heard a tutor's mating song. Instead of staying plastic and dynamic after hearing the song, the bird's neurons snapped into a framework nearly immediately, surprising the researchers. Some birds were unable to learn or learn it well, indicating they were past their prime learning window.
Brain-controlled cursor doubles as a neural workout
Electrodes on the surface of the brain show that using imagined movements to control a computer cursor can generate larger-than-life brain signals after less than 10 minutes of training.
New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury
A new tool may help standardize the use of computed tomography (CT scans) in children with minor head injury and help reduce the number of scans, according to a new study.
Shifting cellular energy metabolism may help treat cardiovascular disease
Drugs that target the way cells convert nutrients into energy could offer new approaches to treating a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. Using a new way to screen for potential drugs, researchers have identified several FDA-approved agents, including an over-the-counter anti-nausea drug, that can shift cellular energy metabolism processes in animals.
Selective brain damage modulates human spirituality, research reveals
New research provides fascinating insight into brain changes that might underlie alterations in spiritual and religious attitudes. The study explores the neural basis of spirituality by studying patients before and after surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Brain scans track hoop fans' happy memories
In a novel study that used historical tape of a thrilling overtime basketball game between Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, brain researchers at Duke have found that fans remember the good things their team did much better than the bad.
Locust study promises new insights into limb control
New research into how the brain controls the movements of limbs could prompt major advances in understanding the human brain and the development of prosthetic limbs.
Mediterranean diet may lower risk of brain damage that causes thinking problems
A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory, according to a new study.
Double agent: Glial cells can protect or kill neurons, vision
Scientists have identified a double agent in the eye that, once triggered, can morph from neuron protector to neuron killer. The discovery has significant health implications since the neurons killed through this process results in vision loss and blindness.
Scientists discover new treatment for chronic pain condition
Scientists have discovered that treating the immune system of patients with complex regional pain syndrome leads to a significant reduction in pain.
Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent
Helmets reduce the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent with no evidence of an increased risk of neck injury, a new study finds.
Blacks with MS have more severe symptoms, decline faster than whites, new study shows
Fewer African Americans than Caucasians develop multiple sclerosis, statistics show, but their disease progresses more rapidly, and they don't respond as well to therapies, a new study by neurology researchers has found.
New brain research: Hunger for stimulation driven by dopamine in the brain
Our need for stimulation and dopamine's action upon the brain are connected, which explains why people who constantly crave stimulation are in danger of addictive behavior such as drug abuse and gambling.
Reduced brain gray matter concentration found in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea
In a study of 36 newly diagnosed men with severe obstructive sleep apnea and 31 healthy controls, significant gray matter concentration deficits were found in multiple brain areas of men with OSA, including limbic structures, prefrontal cortices and the cerebellum. These changes in brain structure may be related to problems such as memory impairment and executive dysfunction that are observed in OSA patients.
Memory failing? You may be at higher risk for stroke
People who experience memory loss or a decline in their thinking abilities may be at higher risk of stroke, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with dementia, according to a new study.
Stem cells rescue nerve cells by direct contact
Scientists in Sweden have shown how transplanted stem cells can connect with and rescue threatened neurons and brain tissue. The results point the way to new possible treatments for brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases.
First evidence that the brain’s native dendritic cells can muster an immune response
The human brain is a delicate organ, robustly defended. A thick skull shields it from any direct exposure to the outside world, and the blood-brain barrier keeps out any foreign substances that are circulating within. New research shows that the brain may have its own specialized immune defenses, too.
Discovery of mechanism in brain cell injury in Huntington's offers new treatment approaches
Scientists have uncovered a key cellular mechanism that alters brain cell function in Huntington's disease, and identified a possible treatment for the disease.
New class of brain-protecting drugs emerging
The compound 7,8-dihydroxyflavone mimics BDNF, one of the brain's own growth factors, and can protect brain cells against damage in animal models of seizure, stroke and Parkinson's disease. 7,8-dihydroxyflavone is a member of a family of antioxidant compounds naturally found in foods ranging from cherries to soybeans.
A mind at rest strengthens memories, researchers find
Our memories are strengthened during periods of rest while we are awake, researchers have found. The findings expand our understanding of how memories are boosted -- previous studies had shown this process occurs during sleep, but not during times of awake rest.
Treating depression by stimulating brain's pleasure center
Even with the best of available treatments, over a third of patients with depression may not achieve a satisfactory antidepressant response. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a form of targeted electrical stimulation in the brain via implanted electrodes, is now undergoing careful testing to determine whether it could play a role in the treatment of patients who have not sufficiently improved during more traditional forms of treatment.
'Silent strokes' linked to kidney failure in diabetics
In patients with type 2 diabetes, silent cerebral infarction -- small areas of brain damage caused by injury to small blood vessels -- signals an increased risk of progressive kidney disease and kidney failure, according to a new study.
Novel computational model: How Parkinson's medications affect learning and attention
A new brain-based computational model is helping to understand how Parkinson's disease and dopamine medications -- used to treat motor symptoms caused by the disease -- can affect learning and attention.
Human brain uses a grid to represent space
"Grid cells" that act like a spatial map in the brain have been identified for the first time in humans, which may help to explain how we create internal maps of new environments.
Stroke's 'death signal' can be blocked; discovery may aid drug development
Biomedical scientists have identified a way to block a "cell death signal" that they believe triggers brain damage during strokes.
Brain abnormalities in Parkinson's patients develop before symptoms occur
Scientists who have identified brain networks damaged in Parkinson's disease have new evidence that these systems become abnormal a few years before symptoms appear. And what's more, parts of the network appear to respond in a last ditch attempt to rescue the brain.
Neurons developed from stem cells successfully wired with other brain regions in animals
Transplanted neurons grown from embryonic stem cells can fully integrate into the brains of young animals, according to new research. Healthy brains have stable and precise connections between cells that are necessary for normal behavior. This new finding is the first to show that stem cells can be directed not only to become specific brain cells, but to link correctly.
By measuring magnetic fields in brain, researchers identify post-traumatic stress disorder biomarker
Researchers have identified a biological marker in the brains of those exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder. A group of 74 United States veterans were involved in the study, which for the first time objectively diagnoses PTSD using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain. It's something conventional brain scans such as an X-ray, CT, or MRI have failed to do.
HIV infection prematurely ages the brain
HIV infection or the treatments used to control it are prematurely aging the brain, researchers have found. Blood flow in the brains of HIV patients is reduced to levels normally seen in uninfected patients 15 to 20 years older.
New target for central nervous system drug development
Scientists have discovered that the small molecule withaferin-A simultaneously targets two intermediate filaments, GFAP and vimentin, which are implicated in reactive gliosis, a damaging biological process common to a variety of diseases of the central nervous system and eye.
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ScienceDaily Caregiving News
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Ocular shingles linked to increased risk of stroke
Having a shingles infection that affects the eyes may increase the risk of stroke, according to new research.
Warfarin users appear more likely to develop brain bleeding following stroke treatment
Patients already taking warfarin who develop an acute stroke appear more likely to experience a brain hemorrhage following treatment with an intravenous clot-dissolving medication, even if their blood clotting function appears normal, according to a new study.
Can blood-pressure cuffs work? Novel ways to limit stroke damage
Can using a simple blood-pressure cuff limit damage from strokes caused by decreased blood supply to the brain? An emerging field of study is working to see whether using this blood-pressure cuff or other methods of "training the brain" could help reduce damage from a stroke as it is occurring while a patient is being transported to the hospital.
Deficits in brain's 'executive' skills common with TIA, minor stroke
Cognitive impairment is common in transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke patients. Cognitive impairment in these patients can be detected with tests that evaluate the brain's "executive functions" -- but not with another commonly used screening designed to test for Alzheimer's dementia.
Women need clot-busting therapy after stroke
New research shows women who don't receive a clot-busting drug after a stroke fare worse than men who are not treated.
New ways to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's, findings suggest
Researchers have found a new mechanism by which a key protein associated with Alzheimer's disease can spread within the human brain. The study provideas a new explanation of how the protein tau, a normal human protein that becomes toxic in Alzheimer's patients, can appear in their cerebrospinal fluid.
Study supports alternative anti-seizure medication following acute brain injury
A new study supports the use of an alternative medication to prevent seizures in patients who have suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury or bleeding stroke.
Stroke incidence rising among younger adults, decreasing among elderly
Stroke, often considered a disease of old age, is declining in the elderly and increasing at younger ages. The percentage of strokes occurring in people under age 45 has grown significantly since the 1990s.
Vitamin B3 shows early promise in treatment of stroke
An early study suggests that vitamin B3 or niacin, a common water-soluble vitamin, may help improve neurological function after stroke. When rats with ischemic stroke were given niacin, their brains showed growth of new blood vessels, and sprouting of nerve cells which greatly improved neurological outcome. Now research is underway to investigate the effects of an extended-release form of niacin on stroke patients.
Wii video games may help stroke patients improve motor function
The use of virtual reality Wii game technology holds the promise as a safe and feasible way to help patients recovering from stroke improve their motor function. Researchers said it's too early to recommend it as standard stroke rehabilitative therapy.
Blacks less likely to know they have heart condition or to use treatment for it, study suggests
A large nationwide study has found that blacks are substantially less likely than whites to know that they have atrial fibrillation or to use warfarin, the most common treatment for the condition. Atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm, significantly increases risk of stroke. Warfarin is known to reduce that risk.
Intracranial stenting, injecting clot-busting drugs directly to brain
Placing stents in the brain and injecting clot-busting drugs directly to the brain had better success rates for acute ischemic stroke than other treatments. There was no excess risk of hemorrhage from either of the two treatments, according to a new study.
Children can have recurrent strokes
Children can have strokes, and the strokes can recur, usually within a month, according to pediatric researchers. Unfortunately, the strokes often go unrecognized the first time, and the child does not receive treatment before the recurrence.
Single men, unhappily married men may have higher risk of fatal stroke
Single men and unhappily married men may face a higher risk of fatal stroke in later decades compared to happily married men. The data were taken from interviews done in Israel in the 1960s and follow-up through 1997. It did not include women.
Potential rehabilitation following 'mini stroke'
Researchers found that a modified version of cardiac rehabilitation was effective at reducing some symptoms of stroke in just six weeks following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) often referred to as "mini strokes." No post-TIA regimen exists to help prevent future strokes -- something that researchers say needs to change.
Clot-busting drugs effective in patients with unwitnessed strokes
When stroke symptom onset is unknown, basing emergency clot-busting treatment on the time patients were last seen normal may be beneficial. Clot-busting drugs are only recommended for stroke patients within three to 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Total fat, trans fat linked to higher incidence of ischemic stroke
Post-menopausal women who ate the most daily dietary fat had a 40 percent higher incidence of ischemic stroke compared to those who consumed the least. In addition, high trans fat consumption was associated with a 30 percent increase in the incidence of stroke caused by blockages in the brain.
Zen Meditation: Thicker brains fend off pain
People can reduce their sensitivity to pain by thickening their brain, according to a new study. Researchers have made their discovery by comparing the gray matter thickness of Zen meditators and non-meditators. They found evidence that practicing the centuries-old discipline of Zen can reinforce a central brain region (anterior cingulate) that regulates pain.
Secondary stroke prevention needs improvement
New research finds that one out of 12 people who have a stroke will likely soon have another stroke, and one out of four will likely die within one year.
Hypertension may predict dementia in older adults with certain cognitive deficits
High blood pressure appears to predict the progression to dementia in older adults with impaired executive functions (ability to organize thoughts and make decisions) but not in those with memory dysfunction, according to a new study.
Evidence-based care and outcomes improve at Get With The Guidelines-Stroke hospitals
A study looking at the first 1 million patients in the Get With The Guideline-Stroke program shows significant improvement in the use of evidence-based stroke therapies at participating hospitals. Among hospitals participating in the program, there were significant reductions in in-hospital death after ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks from 2003 to 2009.
Chronic migraine sufferers sicker, poorer and more depressed than episodic migraine sufferers
Chronic migraine sufferers tend to be in poorer general health, less well off, and more depressed than those with episodic migraine, reveals new research.
Behavioral therapy improves sleep and lives of patients with pain
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain and also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with their daily functioning, according to a new study.
The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime
As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from birth, regardless of whether or not the offspring are obese themselves.
Low levels of natural antibodies behind stroke
The chances of suffering a stroke are linked to the presence of a certain type of antibody in the immune system, a new study from Sweden shows. The researchers hope to be able to develop a vaccine that can mobilize the body's own defense against arteriosclerosis and stroke.
Migraine may double risk of heart attack
Migraine sufferers are twice as likely to have heart attacks as people without migraine, according to a new study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
Young patients with chronic illnesses find relief in acupuncture
Some doctors are now offering pediatric patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses acupuncture therapy to help ease the pain and negative side effects like nausea, fatigue and vomiting caused by chronic health conditions and intensive treatments.
Can chocolate lower your risk of stroke?
Eating chocolate may lower your risk of having a stroke, according to an analysis of available research. Another study found that eating chocolate may lower the risk of death after suffering a stroke.
Scientists discover new treatment for chronic pain condition
Scientists have discovered that treating the immune system of patients with complex regional pain syndrome leads to a significant reduction in pain.
Recent immigrants may have lower risk of early stroke
New immigrants to North America may be less likely to have a stroke at a young age than long-time residents, according to a new study.
US Parkinson's rates highest in whites, Hispanics, and Midwest, Northeast
The largest epidemiological study of Parkinson's disease in the United States has found that the disease is more common in the Midwest and the Northeast and is twice as likely to strike whites and Hispanics as blacks and Asians. The study is based on data from 36 million Medicare recipients.
Antidepressant may result in improved cognitive function after stroke
Patients who received the antidepressant escitalopram following a stroke appeared to recover more of their thinking, learning and memory skills than those taking placebo or participating in problem-solving therapy, according to a report.
Memory failing? You may be at higher risk for stroke
People who experience memory loss or a decline in their thinking abilities may be at higher risk of stroke, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with dementia, according to a new study.
Researchers studying deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
A multi-disciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, neurophysiologist, neuropsychologists and a movement disorders specialist are offering hope to some Parkinson's patients with a treatment called deep brain simulation.
Caregivers of ICU patients are collateral damage of critical illness, say researchers
Intensive care unit patients are not the only ones likely to be severely depressed in the aftermath of hospitalization. Family and friends who care for them often suffer emotional and social hardship, too, according to a prospective study that is the first to monitor patients and caregivers during a one-year period for predictors of depression and lifestyle disruption.
New class of brain-protecting drugs emerging
The compound 7,8-dihydroxyflavone mimics BDNF, one of the brain's own growth factors, and can protect brain cells against damage in animal models of seizure, stroke and Parkinson's disease. 7,8-dihydroxyflavone is a member of a family of antioxidant compounds naturally found in foods ranging from cherries to soybeans.
Degree of obesity raises risk of stroke, regardless of gender, race
The higher a person's degree of obesity, the higher their risk of stroke -- regardless of sex or race. Stroke is more likely among obese blacks than obese whites. Effects of obesity on stroke incidence are likely related to the increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
'Silent strokes' linked to kidney failure in diabetics
In patients with type 2 diabetes, silent cerebral infarction -- small areas of brain damage caused by injury to small blood vessels -- signals an increased risk of progressive kidney disease and kidney failure, according to a new study.
Novel computational model: How Parkinson's medications affect learning and attention
A new brain-based computational model is helping to understand how Parkinson's disease and dopamine medications -- used to treat motor symptoms caused by the disease -- can affect learning and attention.
Stroke's 'death signal' can be blocked; discovery may aid drug development
Biomedical scientists have identified a way to block a "cell death signal" that they believe triggers brain damage during strokes.
Brain abnormalities in Parkinson's patients develop before symptoms occur
Scientists who have identified brain networks damaged in Parkinson's disease have new evidence that these systems become abnormal a few years before symptoms appear. And what's more, parts of the network appear to respond in a last ditch attempt to rescue the brain.
Common heart medications may also protect against Parkinson's disease, study finds
In the first large-scale population-based study of its kind, researchers have found that a specific type of medication used to treat such cardiovascular conditions as hypertension, angina and abnormal heart rhythms, may also decrease the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's: Treadmill training improves movement
Treadmill training can be used to help people with Parkinson's disease achieve better walking movements, say researchers. In a systematic review of the evidence, Cochrane researchers concluded treadmill training could be used to improve specific gait parameters in Parkinson's patients.
Genetic risk factor identified for Parkinson's disease
Doctors and human geneticists have identified a new genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease.
New compound improves cognitive decline, symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in rodents
A fast-acting compound that appears to improve cognitive function impairments in mice similar to those found in patients with progressive Alzheimer's disease has been identified by scientists. Researchers hope to one day replicate the result in humans.
How one form of natural vitamin E protects brain after stroke
Blocking the function of an enzyme in the brain with a specific kind of vitamin E can prevent nerve cells from dying after a stroke, new research suggests. In a study using mouse brain cells, scientists found that the tocotrienol form of vitamin E, an alternative to the popular drugstore supplement, stopped the enzyme from releasing fatty acids that eventually kill neurons.
New stroke therapy successful in rats: Protein completely restores motor function
People with impaired mobility after a stroke soon may have a therapy that restores limb function long after the injury, if a supplemental protein works as well in humans as it does in paralyzed rats.
Pain management failing as fears of prescription drug abuse rise
Millions of Americans with significant or chronic pain associated with their medical problems are being under-treated as physicians increasingly fail to provide comprehensive pain treatment -- either due to inadequate training, personal biases or fear of prescription drug abuse.
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ScienceDailiy Child Development News
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Abused children more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
Children who have been abused psychologically, physically or sexually are more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting than children who have not been abused, a new study concludes.
Pioneering treatment reduces disability in premature babies with serious brain hemorrhage, study suggests
A pioneering technique has been shown to reduce disability in premature babies with serious brain hemorrhage by washing the brain to remove toxic fluid.
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Ritalin boosts learning by increasing brain plasticity
Doctors treat millions of children with Ritalin every year to improve their ability to focus on tasks, but scientists now report that Ritalin also directly enhances the speed of learning.
To remember the good times, reach for the sky
Simple motor actions, like moving marbles upward or downward between two cardboard boxes, may not seem meaningful. But a new study shows that motor actions can partly determine people's emotional memories. Moving marbles upward caused participants to remember more positive life experiences, and moving them downward to remember more negative experiences. ‘Meaningless’ motor actions can make people remember the good times or the bad.
Prevalence of cyberbullying and its psychological impact on nonheterosexual youth revealed
One out of every two lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied youths are regular victims of "cyberbullying," which causes psychological and emotional distress to victims -- producing thoughts of suicide in some who are repeatedly victimized, according to new research.
Teaching self-control skills to children reduces classroom problems
Children taught skills to monitor and control their anger and other emotions improved their classroom behavior and had significantly fewer school disciplinary referrals and suspensions, according to a new study.
Women's support groups make dramatic improvements on neonatal survival rates
Women's community groups have had a dramatic effect on reducing neonatal mortality rates in some of the poorest areas on India, according to a new study. The groups provide a cost-effective intervention with added benefits such as reducing significantly maternal depression and improving decision-making amongst the women.
Infants do not appear to learn words from educational DVDs
Among 12- to 24-month old children who view educational baby videos, there does not appear to be evidence that overall general language learning improves or that words featured in the programming are learned, according to a new study.
Students' physical fitness associated with academic achievement; organized physical activity
Physical fitness is associated with academic performance in young people, according to a new study.
Loss of enzyme reduces neural activity in Angelman syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by mental retardation and a high frequency of autism. Researchers have now found that the gene mutation underlying AS appears to affect the ability of neurons to communicate and to properly develop during the first few years of life, a time when brain activity is "rewired" by external stimuli.
Baby monkeys receive signals through their mother's breast milk that affect behavior and temperament
Among rhesus macaque monkeys, mothers who weigh more and have had previous pregnancies produce more and better breast milk for their babies than mothers who weigh less and are less experienced. Scientists are using this natural variation in breast milk quality and quantity to show that a mother's milk sends a reliable signal to infants about their environment. This signal may program the infant's behavior and temperament.
Comparative effectiveness trial leads to evidence-based care for childhood epilepsy
The first comprehensive comparative effectiveness clinical trial of three widely used anti-seizure drugs for childhood absence epilepsy -- the most common form of epilepsy in kids -- has established an evidence-based approach for initial drug therapy. The trial is expected to impact how physicians select and monitor initial therapy for children with the disorder and ultimately lead to improved outcomes.
Offspring of two psychiatric patients have increased risk of developing mental disorders
Offspring of two parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder appear more likely to develop the same illness or another psychiatric condition than those with only one parent with psychiatric illness, according to a new study.
Prenatal cocaine exposure not severely damaging to growth, learning, study suggests
Children exposed to cocaine in the womb face serious consequences from the drug, but surprisingly not in certain critical physical and cognitive areas such as growth, IQ, academic achievement and learning ability, according to a new comprehensive review of research. The review found that cocaine-exposed, school-aged children suffered deficits in more subtle areas such as sustained attention and self-regulated behavior.
Violent video game play makes more aggressive kids, study shows
Exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive thoughts and behavior, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in youths, a new study finds.
Children with insomnia may have impaired heart rate variability
Children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration had impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep, researchers report.
Breaking down barriers to prevent childhood obesity
Many children enrolled in the Head Start early childhood education program are from low-income families and are at higher risk of obesity as a result. While Head Start has been shown to go above and beyond federal food and exercise requirements for its children, researchers have found some barriers exist that could threaten that momentum.
Word learning better in deaf children who receive cochlear implants by age 13 months
Researcher report that deaf children's word-learning skill is strongly affected by early auditory experience, whether that experience was through normal means or with a cochlear implant. Children who received an implant by age 13 months performed similarly to normal-hearing counterparts while children who received a cochlear implant later performed, on average, more poorly than their normal-hearing peers.
Mouse model may provide insight into the schizophrenic brain
Schizophrenia is an incredibly complex and profoundly debilitating disorder that typically manifests in early adulthood but is thought to arise, at least in part, from pathological disturbances occurring during very early brain development. Now, a new study manipulates a known schizophrenia susceptibility gene in the brains of fetal mice to begin to unravel the complex link between prenatal brain development and maturation of information processing and cognition in adult animals.
Study Explores End-of-Life Experiences of Children With Brain Tumors
Parents and clinicians caring for children with brain tumors may experience significant challenges near the end of life due to the neurologic deterioration that often occurs in these patients.
Unique program helps new moms cut down on babies' exposure to second-hand smoke
Behavioral interventions have been shown to be very effective in helping new mothers cut down on second hand exposure for their babies. However, in underserved areas, women face a number of unique barriers to getting this type of treatment. To get around these barriers, researchers are delivering health interventions directly to the women who need them most.
If bonobo Kanzi can point as humans do, what other similarities can rearing reveal?
You may have more in common with Kanzi, Panbanisha and Nyota, three language-competent bonobos living at Great Ape Trust, than you thought. And those similarities, right at your fingertip, might one day tell scientists more about the effect of culture on neurological disorders that limit human expression. A recently published pointing study supports the assertion that the success of language studies with bonobos is tied to rearing.
Babies, even when premature, 'see' with their hands
Even premature babies at 33 weeks post-conceptional age, about 2 months before term (40 gestational weeks), are capable of recognizing and distinguishing two objects of different shapes (a prism and a cylinder) with their right or left hands.
Good parenting triumphs over prenatal stress
A mother's nurture may provide powerful protection against risks her baby faces in the womb, according to a new article. The research shows that fetuses exposed to high levels of stress hormone -- shown to be a harbinger for babies' poor cognitive development -- can escape this fate if their mothers provide them sensitive care during infancy and toddler-hood.
Mother's sensitivity may help language growth in children with autism spectrum disorder
A new study shows that maternal sensitivity may influence language development among children who go on to develop autism. Understanding the benefits of sensitive structuring in the development of language among young children with emergent autism provides scientific support for early intervention programs that focus on parent-child interactions.
Nouns and verbs are learned in different parts of the brain
Two Spanish psychologists and a German neurologist have recently shown that the brain that activates when a person learns a new noun is different from the part used when a verb is learnt. The scientists observed this using brain images taken using functional magnetic resonance.
Children can have recurrent strokes
Children can have strokes, and the strokes can recur, usually within a month, according to pediatric researchers. Unfortunately, the strokes often go unrecognized the first time, and the child does not receive treatment before the recurrence.
An emotion detector for baby
Baby monitors of the future could translate infant cries, so that parents will know for certain whether their child is sleepy, hungry, needing a change, or in pain. Japanese scientists have developed a statistical computer program that can analyze a baby's crying.
Children don't trust each other when learning the rules
Children don't trust other children when it comes to learning a new game and will turn to adults for to learn the rules instead, according to a new psychology study.
Rates of childhood obesity, chronic health problems increase, but conditions may not persist
A new study confirms that rates of obesity and other chronic health problems have risen in American children in recent years, but it also shows that many children's conditions will improve or resolve over time.
Reading to kids a crucial tool in English language development
Poring over the works of Dr. Seuss, the adventures of the Bernstain Bears or exploring the worlds of Hans Christian Andersen with a child has always been a great parent-child bonding exercise. But, according to new research it is instrumental for English-speaking children if they are to acquire the language skills, particularly comprehension, essential to their future reading ability.
Naps help babies learn and retain new information
Psychologists have found that infants need adequate sleep, including regular naps, in order to effectively learn about the new world they live in.
Music training enhances brainstem sensitivity to speech sounds, neuroscientist says
What is the relationship between music and speech processing? Playing an instrument may help children better process speech in noisy classrooms and more accurately interpret language nuances conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice, says one expert who has studied the links between neural encoding of speech and music in the auditory nervous system for three decades.
Parents still major influence on child’s decision to pursue science careers
Parental influence and access to mathematics courses are likely to guide students to careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine, according to new research.
Scientists image brain at point when vocal learning begins
Scientists have imaged living juvenile songbird brains at the moment the brains heard a tutor's mating song. Instead of staying plastic and dynamic after hearing the song, the bird's neurons snapped into a framework nearly immediately, surprising the researchers. Some birds were unable to learn or learn it well, indicating they were past their prime learning window.
Autism's earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months, study finds
A study of the development of autism in infants, comparing the behavior of the siblings of children diagnosed with autism to that of babies developing normally, has found that the nascent symptoms of the condition.
People not only judge mothers based on work status, but also judge their kids
A new study evaluated the perceptions people have of women and their children based on the woman's work status. The findings showed that people value mothers who stay in the home full time and mothers who find a compromise between working and at-home motherhood after they have a child. People also devalue mothers employed full time outside the home and perceive their children to be troubled and their relationships to be problematic.
Bilingual babies: The roots of bilingualism in newborns
According to new findings, infants born to bilingual mothers (who spoke both languages regularly during pregnancy) exhibit different language preferences than infants born to mothers speaking only one language. These results suggest that bilingual infants, along with monolingual infants, are able to discriminate between the two languages, providing a mechanism from the first moments of life that helps ensure bilingual infants do not confuse their two languages.
Teaching a foreign language? Best teach in the accent of the listener
Perception of second language speech is easier when it is spoken in the accent of the listener and not in the "original" accent of that language, shows a new study.
New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury
A new tool may help standardize the use of computed tomography (CT scans) in children with minor head injury and help reduce the number of scans, according to a new study.
Six month old babies can understand our intentions
Researchers have uncovered evidence that six-month-old babies can comprehend our intentions. This contradicts previous findings that infants develop this ability at nine months of age.
The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime
As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from birth, regardless of whether or not the offspring are obese themselves.
How brain hears the sound of silence: Separate brain pathways process the start and end of what we hear
Researchers have isolated an independent processing channel of synapses inside the brain's auditory cortex that deals specifically with shutting off sound processing at appropriate times. Such regulation is vital for hearing and for understanding speech.
Psychosocial problems are common in children with dental fear
Children and adolescents with severe dental fear often come from families with a turbulent background. It is also more common that they have had counseling contact with a psychologist.
New clue why autistic people don't want hugs
Why do people with fragile X syndrome, a genetic defect that is the best-known cause of autism and inherited mental retardation, recoil from hugs and physical touch? New research has found in fragile X syndrome there is delayed development of the sensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to touch, according to a study from Northwestern University. This delay may trigger a domino effect and cause further problems with wiring of the brain.
First genes for stuttering: Common speech problem, in some cases, may actually be an inherited metabolic disorder
Researchers have identified three genes as a source of stuttering in some people. Mutations in two of the genes have already been implicated in rare metabolic disorders involved in cell recycling, while mutations in a third, closely related, gene have now been shown to be associated for the first time with a disorder in humans.
Intense sweets taste especially good to some kids
Children's response to intense sweet taste is related to both a family history of alcoholism and the child's own self-reports of depression. The findings illustrate how liking for sweets differs among children based on underlying familial and biological factors.
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ScienceDaily Child Psychology News
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Repeated anesthesia can affect children's ability to learn
There is a link between repeated anesthesia in children and memory impairment, though physical activity can help to form new cells that improve memory, reveals new research.
Abused children more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
Children who have been abused psychologically, physically or sexually are more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting than children who have not been abused, a new study concludes.
Pioneering treatment reduces disability in premature babies with serious brain hemorrhage, study suggests
A pioneering technique has been shown to reduce disability in premature babies with serious brain hemorrhage by washing the brain to remove toxic fluid.
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
To remember the good times, reach for the sky
Simple motor actions, like moving marbles upward or downward between two cardboard boxes, may not seem meaningful. But a new study shows that motor actions can partly determine people's emotional memories. Moving marbles upward caused participants to remember more positive life experiences, and moving them downward to remember more negative experiences. ‘Meaningless’ motor actions can make people remember the good times or the bad.
Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
Prevalence of cyberbullying and its psychological impact on nonheterosexual youth revealed
One out of every two lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied youths are regular victims of "cyberbullying," which causes psychological and emotional distress to victims -- producing thoughts of suicide in some who are repeatedly victimized, according to new research.
How a romantic breakup affects self-concept
When a romantic relationship ends, an individual's self-concept is vulnerable to change, according to new research.
Teaching self-control skills to children reduces classroom problems
Children taught skills to monitor and control their anger and other emotions improved their classroom behavior and had significantly fewer school disciplinary referrals and suspensions, according to a new study.
Women's support groups make dramatic improvements on neonatal survival rates
Women's community groups have had a dramatic effect on reducing neonatal mortality rates in some of the poorest areas on India, according to a new study. The groups provide a cost-effective intervention with added benefits such as reducing significantly maternal depression and improving decision-making amongst the women.
Infants do not appear to learn words from educational DVDs
Among 12- to 24-month old children who view educational baby videos, there does not appear to be evidence that overall general language learning improves or that words featured in the programming are learned, according to a new study.
More effective method of predicting lead-poisoning risk
As health departments across the United States seek a better way to determine which children should be tested for lead poisoning, a new method has proven to be more accurate and cost-effective than current strategies.
Research: How you think about your age may affect how you age
The saying "You're only as old as you feel" really seems to resonate with older adults, according to new research.
Students' physical fitness associated with academic achievement; organized physical activity
Physical fitness is associated with academic performance in young people, according to a new study.
Toxicologist warning to parents: Look for signs of K2 -- 'fake marijuana'
In the last month, a professor of toxicology at Saint Louis University has seen nearly 30 cases involving teenagers who were experiencing hallucinations, severe agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vomiting and, in some cases, tremors and seizures. All of these teens had smoked a dangerous, yet legal substance known as K2 or "fake weed."
Baby monkeys receive signals through their mother's breast milk that affect behavior and temperament
Among rhesus macaque monkeys, mothers who weigh more and have had previous pregnancies produce more and better breast milk for their babies than mothers who weigh less and are less experienced. Scientists are using this natural variation in breast milk quality and quantity to show that a mother's milk sends a reliable signal to infants about their environment. This signal may program the infant's behavior and temperament.
Comparative effectiveness trial leads to evidence-based care for childhood epilepsy
The first comprehensive comparative effectiveness clinical trial of three widely used anti-seizure drugs for childhood absence epilepsy -- the most common form of epilepsy in kids -- has established an evidence-based approach for initial drug therapy. The trial is expected to impact how physicians select and monitor initial therapy for children with the disorder and ultimately lead to improved outcomes.
Offspring of two psychiatric patients have increased risk of developing mental disorders
Offspring of two parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder appear more likely to develop the same illness or another psychiatric condition than those with only one parent with psychiatric illness, according to a new study.
Teens with more screen time have lower-quality relationships
Teens who spend more time watching television or using computers appear to have poorer relationships with their parents and peers, according to new study.
Some parents weigh 'hastening death' for children in extreme pain with terminal cancer
A survey of parents who had a child die of cancer found one in eight considered hastening their child's death, a deliberation influenced by the amount of pain the child experienced during the last month of life, researchers report. The study suggests that many parents worry that their children will suffer from uncontrollable pain. The researchers say the findings underscore the importance of managing patients' suffering and communicating with parents about pain management options.
Prenatal cocaine exposure not severely damaging to growth, learning, study suggests
Children exposed to cocaine in the womb face serious consequences from the drug, but surprisingly not in certain critical physical and cognitive areas such as growth, IQ, academic achievement and learning ability, according to a new comprehensive review of research. The review found that cocaine-exposed, school-aged children suffered deficits in more subtle areas such as sustained attention and self-regulated behavior.
Violent video game play makes more aggressive kids, study shows
Exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive thoughts and behavior, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in youths, a new study finds.
Children with insomnia may have impaired heart rate variability
Children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration had impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep, researchers report.
Breaking down barriers to prevent childhood obesity
Many children enrolled in the Head Start early childhood education program are from low-income families and are at higher risk of obesity as a result. While Head Start has been shown to go above and beyond federal food and exercise requirements for its children, researchers have found some barriers exist that could threaten that momentum.
Regular analgesic use increases hearing loss in men, study finds
Researchers have determined that regular use of aspirin, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases the risk of hearing loss in men, particularly in younger men, below age 60.
Word learning better in deaf children who receive cochlear implants by age 13 months
Researcher report that deaf children's word-learning skill is strongly affected by early auditory experience, whether that experience was through normal means or with a cochlear implant. Children who received an implant by age 13 months performed similarly to normal-hearing counterparts while children who received a cochlear implant later performed, on average, more poorly than their normal-hearing peers.
'Mean' girls and boys: The downside of adolescent relationships
Psychology researchers exploring relational aggression and victimization in 11- to 13-year-olds have found adolescent boys have a similar understanding and experience of "mean" behaviors and "bitchiness" as girls.
Study Explores End-of-Life Experiences of Children With Brain Tumors
Parents and clinicians caring for children with brain tumors may experience significant challenges near the end of life due to the neurologic deterioration that often occurs in these patients.
Unique program helps new moms cut down on babies' exposure to second-hand smoke
Behavioral interventions have been shown to be very effective in helping new mothers cut down on second hand exposure for their babies. However, in underserved areas, women face a number of unique barriers to getting this type of treatment. To get around these barriers, researchers are delivering health interventions directly to the women who need them most.
Babies, even when premature, 'see' with their hands
Even premature babies at 33 weeks post-conceptional age, about 2 months before term (40 gestational weeks), are capable of recognizing and distinguishing two objects of different shapes (a prism and a cylinder) with their right or left hands.
Lack of morning light keeping teenagers up at night
The first field study on the impact of light on teenagers' sleeping habits finds that insufficient daily morning light exposure contributes to teenagers not getting enough sleep.
Good parenting triumphs over prenatal stress
A mother's nurture may provide powerful protection against risks her baby faces in the womb, according to a new article. The research shows that fetuses exposed to high levels of stress hormone -- shown to be a harbinger for babies' poor cognitive development -- can escape this fate if their mothers provide them sensitive care during infancy and toddler-hood.
Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes
New research using magnetic resonance imaging shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression.
Mother's sensitivity may help language growth in children with autism spectrum disorder
A new study shows that maternal sensitivity may influence language development among children who go on to develop autism. Understanding the benefits of sensitive structuring in the development of language among young children with emergent autism provides scientific support for early intervention programs that focus on parent-child interactions.
Taxing unhealthy foods may encourage healthier eating habits
A recent study found that taxing unhealthy food reduces the amount of calories purchased more than subsidizing healthy foods.
Children can have recurrent strokes
Children can have strokes, and the strokes can recur, usually within a month, according to pediatric researchers. Unfortunately, the strokes often go unrecognized the first time, and the child does not receive treatment before the recurrence.
TV ads may be more effective if we pay less attention
Viewers pay less attention to creative television adverts, shows new research from the UK, but may make themselves more vulnerable to the advertiser's message.
Liberals and atheists smarter? Intelligent people have values novel in human evolutionary history, study finds
Higher intelligence is associated with liberal political ideology, atheism, and men's (but not women's) preference for sexual exclusivity. More intelligent people are statistically more likely to exhibit social values and religious and political preferences that are novel to human evolution. Specifically, liberalism and atheism, and for men (but not women), preference for sexual exclusivity correlate with higher intelligence, a new study finds.
An emotion detector for baby
Baby monitors of the future could translate infant cries, so that parents will know for certain whether their child is sleepy, hungry, needing a change, or in pain. Japanese scientists have developed a statistical computer program that can analyze a baby's crying.
Stress hormone, depression trigger obesity in girls, study finds
Depression raises stress hormone levels in adolescent boys and girls but may lead to obesity only in girls, according to researchers. Early treatment of depression could help reduce stress and control obesity -- a major health issue.
Internal and environmental factors trigger unique brain activity in teens
While the otherworldly behavior of teenagers is well documented, researchers have taken a significant step toward finally unraveling the actual brain activity that can drive adolescents to engage in impulsive, self-indulgent, or self-destructive behavior.
Children don't trust each other when learning the rules
Children don't trust other children when it comes to learning a new game and will turn to adults for to learn the rules instead, according to a new psychology study.
Rates of childhood obesity, chronic health problems increase, but conditions may not persist
A new study confirms that rates of obesity and other chronic health problems have risen in American children in recent years, but it also shows that many children's conditions will improve or resolve over time.
Cyberbullying: A growing problem
Around 10 percent of all adolescents in grades 7-9 are victims of internet bullying. "This type of bullying can be more serious than conventional bullying. At least with conventional bullying the victim is left alone on evenings and weekends," says on of the researchers.
Reading to kids a crucial tool in English language development
Poring over the works of Dr. Seuss, the adventures of the Bernstain Bears or exploring the worlds of Hans Christian Andersen with a child has always been a great parent-child bonding exercise. But, according to new research it is instrumental for English-speaking children if they are to acquire the language skills, particularly comprehension, essential to their future reading ability.
Naps help babies learn and retain new information
Psychologists have found that infants need adequate sleep, including regular naps, in order to effectively learn about the new world they live in.
Music training enhances brainstem sensitivity to speech sounds, neuroscientist says
What is the relationship between music and speech processing? Playing an instrument may help children better process speech in noisy classrooms and more accurately interpret language nuances conveyed by subtle changes in the human voice, says one expert who has studied the links between neural encoding of speech and music in the auditory nervous system for three decades.
Husbands' hostile, anti-social behaviors increase wives' symptoms of depression, study shows
While the causes of depression vary, a new study reveals that marital hostility is a contributing factor. Researchers found that husbands' hostile and anti-social behaviors increased their wives' symptoms of depression over time.
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ScienceDaily Dentisty News
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Stress: Don't let it grind you down
People who are stressed by daily problems or trouble at work seem to be more likely to grind their teeth at night. Researchers studied the causes of "sleep bruxism," gnashing teeth during the night, finding that it was especially common in those who try to cope with stress by escaping from difficult situations.
Late baby teeth may mean more orthodontic visits: Genes associated with early tooth development identified
Several genes affect tooth development in the first year of life, according to a new study. The research shows that the teeth of babies with certain genetic variants tend to appear later and that these children have a lower number of teeth by age one. Additionally, those children whose teeth develop later are more likely to need orthodontic treatment.
Researchers find biomarkers in saliva for detection of early-stage pancreatic cancer
The genetic biomarkers of pancreatic cancer are present in human saliva, researchers report. The finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of this most lethal of human cancers. Early results suggest salivary diagnostics may prove superior to blood tests for the purpose of early detection.
Children more likely to visit the dentist if their parents do, too
Whether or not children receive regular dental care is strongly associated with their parents' history of seeking dental care. A new report is the first to analyze the relationship between parents' and childrens' dental visits in a nationally representative sample.
Psychosocial problems are common in children with dental fear
Children and adolescents with severe dental fear often come from families with a turbulent background. It is also more common that they have had counseling contact with a psychologist.
Biofilms: Discovery of a new mechanism of virus propagation
Researchers have shown for the first time that certain viruses are capable of forming complex biofilm-like assemblies, similar to bacterial biofilms. These extracellular infectious structures may protect viruses from the immune system and enable them to spread efficiently from cell to cell. "Viral biofilms" would appear to be a major mechanism of propagation for certain viruses. They are therefore emerging as new and particularly attractive therapeutic targets.
Ancient human teeth show that stress early in development can shorten life span
Ancient human teeth are telling secrets that may relate to modern-day health: Some stressful events that occurred early in development are linked to shorter lifespans. "Prehistoric remains are providing strong, physical evidence that people who acquired tooth enamel defects while in the womb or early childhood tended to die earlier, even if they survived to adulthood," says anthropologist George Armelagos, who recently published the first summary of prehistoric evidence for the Barker hypothesis.
Parents should use toothpastes that contain fluoride with a minimum concentration of 1,000 parts per million, study suggests
Parents should use toothpastes that contain fluoride with a minimum concentration of 1,000 parts per million to prevent tooth decay in their children, says a new report. Preventing tooth decay can help reduce the need for extensive and costly dental treatments, including extractions.
First oral bacteria found linking a mother and her stillborn baby
Researchers report the first documented link between a mother with pregnancy-associated gum disease to the death of her fetus.
Painless plasma jets could replace dentist's drill
Plasma jets capable of obliterating tooth decay-causing bacteria could be an effective and less painful alternative to the dentist's drill, according to a new study.
One in four patients have lost bone around their implants, Swedish study finds
Bone loss around dental implants is far more common than previously realized, reveals new research from Sweden. Around a quarter of patients loose some degree of supporting bone around their implants.
30,000-year-old child's teeth shed new light on human evolution
The teeth of a 30,000-year-old child are shedding new light on the evolution of modern humans, thanks to new research.
First molars provide insight into evolution of great apes, humans
Scientists have gained new insights into the timing of molar emergence and its relation to growth and reproduction in apes. "We can use the same techniques to calculate ages at first molar emergence from the fossils of early hominids that just happened to die while their first molars were erupting," researchers report.
Genetic study reveals the origins of cavity-causing bacteria
Researchers have uncovered the complete genetic make-up of the cavity-causing bacterium Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1, revealing the genetic adaptations that allow this microorganism to live and cause decay in the human oral cavity.
Proline repeats help protein grow tooth enamel
A simple amino acid that is repeated in the center of proteins found in tooth enamel makes teeth stronger and more resilient, according to new research.
Added sugar in raisin cereals increases acidity of dental plaque
Elevated dental plaque acid is a risk factor that contributes to cavities in children. But eating bran flakes with raisins containing no added sugar does not promote more acid in dental plaque than bran flakes alone, according to new research.
More than 90 percent of people with gum disease are at risk for diabetes, study finds
An overwhelming majority of people who have periodontal disease are also at high risk for diabetes and should be screened for diabetes, a nursing-dental research team has found. The researchers also determined that half of those at risk had seen a dentist in the previous year, concluded that dentists should consider offering diabetes screenings in their offices, and described practical approaches to conducting diabetes screenings in dental offices.
Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds
A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought.
Nearly one third of human genome is involved in gingivitis, study shows
Gingivitis, which may affect more than one-half of the US adult population, is a condition commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. However, a new study shows that development and reversal of gingivitis at the molecular level is apparently much more complicated than its causes might indicate.
Can cleft palate be healed before birth?
Scientists have discovered how to non-surgically reverse the onset of cleft palate in fetal mice -- potentially one step in the journey to a better understanding of similar defects in humans.
Look Ma, no mercury in fillings!
Tooth enamel is hardest material in the human body because it's made almost entirely of minerals. As tough as it may be, however, enamel can be broken down by bacteria, forming cavities and eventually destroying the tooth. That's why dentists repair cavities by filling them with a material to replace the lost enamel. The most common such restorative is a material invented in the 19th-century known as amalgam -- the classic silver-black fillings many people have.
Factors from common human bacteria may trigger multiple sclerosis
New research suggests that a common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease. Multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, affects nearly 1 in 700 people in the United States. Patients with multiple sclerosis have a variety of neurological symptoms, including muscle weakness, difficulty in moving, and difficulty in speech.
Tooth-binding micelles containing antimicrobials may provide long-term cavity protection
A new study suggests that tooth-binding micelles (or particles) may provide long-term cavity protection by adhering to tooth surfaces and gradually releasing encapsulated antimicrobials. Formulation of a mouthwash-based delivery system is anticipated, ultimately simplifying application and increasing at-home patient compliance.
Mouth is indicator of overall health, says dental school professor
One day in medical clinics, the big picture of a patient's state of health may be found in little pictures from the mouth, says an expert.
Dentists Can Identify Patients At Risk For Fatal Cardiovascular Event, Study Suggests
A new study indicates dentists can play a potentially life-saving role in health care by identifying patients at risk of fatal heart attacks and referring them to physicians for further evaluation.
Hybrid Composite For Root Canal Treatment
A dentist carrying out root canal treatment will need to use a variety of compounds. These do not always bond together properly and sometimes expensive follow-up treatment has to be performed. But a new class of material meets the requirements, and solves the problem.
Teeth Grinding Linked To Sleep Apnea; Bruxism Prevalent In Caucasians With Sleep Disorders
New research has found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with OSA suffers from nighttime teeth grinding. This seems to be especially more prevalent in men and in Caucasians compared with other ethnic groups.
Exposure To Alkaline Substances Can Result In Damaged Teeth
It has long been known that acids can erode tooth enamel but a new Swedish study shows that strong alkaline substances can damage teeth too -- substances with high pH values can destroy parts of the organic content of the tooth, leaving the enamel more vulnerable.
Training Clinicians Helps Reduce Rates Of Early Childhood Cavities
Researchers have found that pediatricians provided with the proper communication, educational and information technology tools and training could reduce the rates of children developing early childhood caries or cavities by 77 percent.
Body's Immune System Response To Dental Plaque Varies By Gender And Race
In a study of healthy men and women, dentistry researchers found that dental plaque accumulation did not result in a change in total white blood count, a known risk factor for adverse cardiac events. However, in black males the researchers noted a significant increase in the activity of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell and an essential part of the immune system.
Prevent Periodontitis To Reduce The Risk Of Head And Neck Cancer
Chronic periodontitis, a form of gum disease, is an independent risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This suggests the need for increased efforts to prevent and treat periodontitis as a possible means to reduce the risk of this form of cancer.
Flying By The Skin Of Our Teeth
A new study looks at the highly sophisticated structure of teeth and how this structure could be applied to aircraft and space vehicles of the future.
Dentists Urged To Take A Role In Identifying Children Suffering From Neglect
A new policy urging dentists to check for tell-tale signs of neglect when treating children with severe oral disease has been published.
MicroRNA In Human Saliva May Help Diagnose Oral Cancer
Researchers continue to add to the diagnostic alphabet of saliva by identifying the presence of at least 50 microRNAs that could aid in the detection of oral cancer, according to new research.
Open Wide And Say 'Zap': New Way To Clinically Assess Condition Of Tooth Enamel Using Lasers
A group of researchers in Australia and Taiwan has developed a new way to analyze the health of human teeth using lasers. By measuring how the surface of a tooth responds to laser-generated ultrasound, they can evaluate the mineral content of tooth enamel -- the semi-translucent outer layer of a tooth that protects the underlying dentin.
How To Manage Dental Erosion Caused By Everyday Beverages
Researchers have outlined the acidic content of beverages, such as soda; lemon, grapefruit and orange juice; green and black tea; and revealed three steps to rehabilitate teeth that suffer from dental erosion as a result of the excessive consumption of these products.
Mercury Released By Dental Amalgam Fillings Are Not High Enough To Cause Harm, FDA Finds
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a final regulation classifying dental amalgam and its component parts -- elemental mercury and a powder alloy -- used in dental fillings. While elemental mercury has been associated with adverse health effects at high exposures, the levels released by dental amalgam fillings are not high enough to cause harm in patients.
Do You Believe In 'Tooth Worms?' Micro-images Of Strange, Worm-like Structures Uncovered Inside Dissected Molar
New, micro-images of strange, worm-like structures uncovered inside a dissected molar might have been held in ancient times as proof that gnawing tooth worms were the cause of tooth decay, a theory widely believed in many cultures before modern times. The structures are not worms, but what they are is still in question.
Tooth Gel: Healing Power Of Aloe Vera Proves Beneficial For Teeth And Gums, Too
Aloe vera tooth gel is intended, like toothpaste, to eliminate disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. The ability of aloe vera tooth gel to do that successfully has been a point of contention for some dental professionals. The study compared the germ-fighting ability of a gel to two commercially popular toothpastes and revealed that the tooth gel was just as effective -- in some cases more effective -- as the commercial brands at controlling cavity-causing organisms.
Skin-like Tissue Developed From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers have used pluripotent human embryonic stem cells to create three-dimensional tissues that mimic human skin and the oral mucosa.
Link Between Oral Infections And Cardiovascular Disease Morbidity Explained
A strong connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been suggested in recent clinical studies. As many as 75 percent of adults in the United States have been affected by periodontal disease, and an estimated 80.7 million adults (one out of every three) have been a victim of CVD in 2006, according to the American Heart Association.
Diets Bad For The Teeth Are Also Bad For The Body
Dental disease reveals very early on that eating habits are putting a person at risk for systemic disease. Because chronic medical disease takes decades to become severe enough to be detected in screening tests, dental diseases may provide plenty of lead-time to change harmful eating habits and thereby decrease the risk of developing the other diseases of civilization.
Patients With Moderate To Severe Periodontitis Need Evaluation For Heart Disease Risk
Patients with moderate to severe periodontitis should receive evaluation and possible treatment to reduce their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a special consensus paper.
Dry Mouth Linked To Prescription And Over The Counter Drugs
Approximately ninety-one percent of dentists say patients complaining about dry mouth are taking multiple medications, according to a nationwide survey.
Is Obesity An Oral Bacterial Disease?
Scientists have discovered new links between certain oral bacteria and obesity. In a recent study, the researchers demonstrated that the salivary bacterial composition of overweight women differs from non-overweight women. This preliminary work may provide clues to interactions between oral bacteria and the pathology of obesity. This research may help investigators learn new avenues for fighting the obesity epidemic.
Sugar Substitute Appears To Prevent Early-childhood Cavities
Children given an oral syrup containing the naturally occurring sweetener xylitol may be less likely to develop decay in their baby teeth, according to a new article.
New Treatment For Receding Gums: No Pain, Lots Of Gain
Dental researchers have demonstrated three-year success with a tissue regeneration application that reduces the pain and recovery time of gum grafting surgery. This specific treatment eliminates the need to take tissue from the roof of the mouth.
Nanotechnology May Increase Longevity Of Dental Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings may be more attractive than silver ones, but the bonds between the white filling and the tooth quickly age and degrade. Researchers hope a new nanotechnology technique will extend the fillings' longevity.
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ScienceDaily Depression News
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Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does
A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation.
New scale to measure anxiety outcomes developed
A new questionnaire and outcomes measurement scale has proven to be a reliable and valid measure of anxiety. The scale can easily be incorporated into routine clinical practice when treating psychiatric disorders.
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Vitamin D lifts mood during cold weather months, researchers say
A daily dose of vitamin D may just be what people in northern climates need to get through the long winter, according to researchers. This nutrient lifts mood during cold weather months when days are short and more time is spent indoors.
Major depression more than doubles risk of dementia among adults with diabetes
Adults with both depression and diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with diabetes alone. Earlier studies have shown that depression alone is a risk factor for dementia, and that diabetes itself is a dementia risk factor. Researchers found even greater risk of dementia in people with both conditions. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are not yet clear. The researchers suggest that physicians screen and treat their diabetes patients for depression, which is common in people with diabetes.
Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders
A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes.
The truth about online dating and the link between depression and relational uncertainty
There's no doubt that meeting partners on the Internet is a growing trend. But can we trust the information that people provide about themselves via online dating services? And why is depression so dissatisfying in relationships?
New generation of rapid-acting antidepressants?
Conventional antidepressant treatments generally require three to four weeks to become effective, thus the discovery of treatments with a more rapid onset is a major goal of biological psychiatry. The first drug found to produce rapid improvement in mood was the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, ketamine. Researchers report that another medication, scopolamine, also appears to produce replicable rapid improvement in mood.
Critical brain chemical shown to play role in severe depression
The next advance in treating major depression may relate to a group of brain chemicals that are involved in virtually all our brain activity, according to a new study. This study shows that compared to healthy individuals, people who have major depressive disorder have altered functions of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
Psychosurgery makes gentle comeback
Psychosurgery is making a comeback. Recently published case series have shown encouraging results of so-called deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder, depressive disorders, and Tourette syndrome.
Obesity associated with depression and vice versa
Obesity appears to be associated with an increased risk of depression, and depression also appears associated with an increased risk of developing obesity, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies.
Video games may help combat depression in older adults
New research suggests a novel route to improving the symptoms of subsyndromal depression (SSD) in seniors through the regular use of "exergames" -- entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise. In a pilot study, the researchers found that use of exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in older adults with SSD.
Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes
New research using magnetic resonance imaging shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression.
Prozac and Celexa exhibit anti-inflammatory effects
A new study found that fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) treatment significantly inhibited disease progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Researchers studied the anti-arthritic potential of these drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors most commonly used to treat depression.
Psychiatry's main method to prevent mistaken diagnoses of depression doesn't work: study
A new empirically challenges the effectiveness of psychiatrists' official diagnostic manual in preventing mistaken, false-positive diagnoses of depression.
Belief in a caring god improves response to medical treatment for depression, study finds
In patients diagnosed with clinical depression, belief in a concerned god can improve response to medical treatment, according to a new paper.
Stress hormone, depression trigger obesity in girls, study finds
Depression raises stress hormone levels in adolescent boys and girls but may lead to obesity only in girls, according to researchers. Early treatment of depression could help reduce stress and control obesity -- a major health issue.
Husbands' hostile, anti-social behaviors increase wives' symptoms of depression, study shows
While the causes of depression vary, a new study reveals that marital hostility is a contributing factor. Researchers found that husbands' hostile and anti-social behaviors increased their wives' symptoms of depression over time.
Low-income urban mothers have high rate of postpartum depression
More than half of low-income urban mothers met the criteria for a diagnosis of depression at some point between two weeks and 14 months after giving birth, according to a new study.
Don't worry, be happy! Positive emotions protect against heart disease
People who are usually happy, enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease than those who tend not to be happy, according to a major new study.
Intense sweets taste especially good to some kids
Children's response to intense sweet taste is related to both a family history of alcoholism and the child's own self-reports of depression. The findings illustrate how liking for sweets differs among children based on underlying familial and biological factors.
Depression and lack of concentration do not necessarily go together
A recent review has found that depression does not always lead to memory problems or difficulties concentrating.
Depressed people feel more gray than blue
People with anxiety and depression are most likely to use a shade of gray to represent their mental state. Researchers describe the development of a color chart, the Manchester Color Wheel, which can be used to study people's preferred pigment in relation to their state of mind.
Financial hardship contributes to diagnosis anxiety
Women with medium or low levels of income are more susceptible to anxiety and depression after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis.
Early abuse tied to more depression in children
A study of 500 low-income children ages 7 to 13, about half of whom had been abused and/or neglected, aimed to find out whether abuse early in life and feelings of depression affected cortisol ("stress hormone") levels. Study results suggest that there are different subtypes of depression, with atypical cortisol regulation occurring among children who were abused before age 5.
Moms' depression in pregnancy tied to antisocial behavior in teens
Researchers studying 120 British youth from inner-city areas found that mothers who became depressed when pregnant were four times as likely to have children who were violent at 16. This was true for both boys and girls. The mothers' depression, in turn, was predicted by their own aggressive and disruptive behavior as teens.
Melatonin precursor stimulates growth factor circuits in brain
N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor to melatonin, activates the same growth circuits in the brain as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). The results have implications for how some antidepressants function and suggest that the molecules and pathways involved in mood regulation and circadian rhythms are intertwined.
Acupuncture found effective against depression during pregnancy
Researchers have shown that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy.
Excessive Internet use is linked to depression
People who spend a lot of time browsing the 'Net' are more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the first large-scale study of its kind.
Severe complications of diabetes higher in depressed patients
A prospective study of Group Health primary-care patients with diabetes in western Washington showed that depression raised the risks of advanced and severe complications from diabetes during a five-year follow-up. These complications include kidney failure or blindness, the result of small vessel damage, as well as major vessel problems leading to heart attack or stroke.
Many physicians not using established criteria when diagnosing major depressive disorder in patients, study finds
A new study indicates that a majority of non-psychiatrist physicians and a substantial minority of psychiatrists reported that they often do not use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition when diagnosing major depressive disorder in patients.
Caregivers of ICU patients are collateral damage of critical illness, say researchers
Intensive care unit patients are not the only ones likely to be severely depressed in the aftermath of hospitalization. Family and friends who care for them often suffer emotional and social hardship, too, according to a prospective study that is the first to monitor patients and caregivers during a one-year period for predictors of depression and lifestyle disruption.
Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings may reduce depression symptoms
One of many reasons that attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings helps people with alcohol use disorders stay sober appears to be alleviation of depression. Researchers found that study participants who attended AA meetings more frequently had fewer symptoms of depression -- along with less drinking -- than did those with less AA participation.
Treating depression by stimulating brain's pleasure center
Even with the best of available treatments, over a third of patients with depression may not achieve a satisfactory antidepressant response. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a form of targeted electrical stimulation in the brain via implanted electrodes, is now undergoing careful testing to determine whether it could play a role in the treatment of patients who have not sufficiently improved during more traditional forms of treatment.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy brings lasting benefits, new study finds
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, panic and stress-related physical ailments, and the benefits of the therapy grow after treatment has ended, according to new research.
Slow breathing reduces pain
Controlled breathing at a slowed rate can significantly reduce feelings of pain, according to new research. Chronic pain sufferers, specifically fibromyalgia (FM) patients, also reported less pain while breathing slowly, unless they were overwhelmed by negative feelings, sadness or depression.
Low socioeconomic status affects cortisol levels in children over time
Given the importance of identifying risk factors for such diseases early in life, a new study looked at the relationship between low SES and cortisol in children over a 2-year period. The researchers hypothesized that living in a low SES environment would increase cortisol trajectories over time.
Treating panic disorder on the web
An online treatment system for patients suffering with panic disorder and anxiety problems combine biofeedback therapy with web technologies, and allows patients and medical professionals to communicate effectively, according to new research.
Emotions should be taken seriously, researcher urges
The extent of mental health problems is increasing, and has become one of the biggest challenges facing Europe today. As much as 10-25 per cent of women are at risk of developing serious depression during their lifetime. This implies that a large number of European women will experience mental problems such as anxiety and depression, which are more frequent among women than men. How can the health services improve safeguarding women’s mental health?
Migraine and depression may share genetic component
New research shows that migraine and depression may share a strong genetic component. The study involved 2,652 people who took part in the larger Erasmus Rucphen Family study. All of the participants are descendants of 22 couples who lived in Rucphen in the 1850s to 1900s.
New method to measure childhood stress
Researchers in Spain have created the 'Inventory of Daily Stressors' -- a method aimed at schoolchildren. According to experts, worrying about physical appearance, taking part in numerous extracurricular activities and being alone a lot are some of the factors that increase the risk of suffering from childhood stress.
Surplus of serotonin receptors may explain failure of antidepressants in some patients
An excess of one type of serotonin receptor in the center of the brain may explain why antidepressants fail to relieve symptoms of depression for 50 percent of patients, a new study shows. The study is the first to find a causal link between receptor number and antidepressant treatment and may lead to more personalized treatment.
Reducing dosage of Parkinson's drugs can cause symptoms similar to those of cocaine withdrawal
New research has shown that reducing the dosage of dopamine agonist drugs, a mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease, sometimes causes acute withdrawal symptoms similar to those reported by cocaine addicts, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness and drug cravings. These symptoms can be severe, and are not alleviated by other PD medications. For the first time, researchers have defined this phenomenon, which they call dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome, or DAWS.
Deep brain stimulation successful for treatment of severely depressive patient
Neurosurgeons and psychiatrists have for the first time successfully treated a patient suffering from severe depression by stimulating the habenula, a tiny nerve structure in the brain.
Before or after birth, gene linked to mental health has different effects
Scientists have long eyed mutations in a gene known as DISC1 as a possible contributor to schizophrenia and mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Now, new research suggests that perturbing this gene during prenatal periods, postnatal periods or both may have different effects in mice, leading to separate types of brain alterations and behaviors with resemblance to schizophrenia or mood disorders.
No evidence to support psychological debriefing in schools, experts argue
There is no evidence to support psychological debriefing in schools after traumatic events such as violence, suicides and accidental death, which runs counter to current practice in some Canadian school jurisdictions, according to a group of experts.
Benefit of antidepressant medications appears to vary with severity of depression symptoms
An analysis of randomized trials indicates that compared with placebo, the magnitude of benefit of antidepressant medications varies with the severity of depressive symptoms, and may provide little benefit for patients with mild or moderate depression, but appear to provide substantial benefit for patients with very severe depression, according to a new study.
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ScienceDaily Diabetes News
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Obesity as protection against metabolic syndrome, not its cause
The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome -- insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke -- are all related to obesity, but, according to a new review not in the way you probably think they are.
Surprising findings about Hepatitis C and insulin resistance
Scientists have known for several years that Hepatitis C, a common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In studying the insulin resistance of 29 people with Hepatitis C, Australian researchers have confirmed that they have high insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. However, almost all insulin resistance was in muscle, with little or none in the liver, a very surprising finding given that Hepatitis C is a liver disease.
Starting treatment early doubles chance of success for people with diabetes
The sooner people with diabetes start taking metformin, the longer the drug remains effective, according to a new study.
Vitamin D lifts mood during cold weather months, researchers say
A daily dose of vitamin D may just be what people in northern climates need to get through the long winter, according to researchers. This nutrient lifts mood during cold weather months when days are short and more time is spent indoors.
Food allergy-related disorder linked to master allergy gene
Scientists have identified a region of a human chromosome that is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis, a recently recognized allergic disease. People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating disorder.
Intestinal bacteria drive obesity and metabolic disease in immune-altered mice
Mice lacking a gene called TLR5 have an altered ability to recognize and control bacteria in their intestines, leading them to develop obesity and insulin resistance, which is often referred to as "pre-diabetes." The bacteria appear to influence appetite and metabolism rather than how well calories are absorbed. Obesity and insulin resistance can be transferred from TLR5-deficient mice via intestinal bacteria.
Major depression more than doubles risk of dementia among adults with diabetes
Adults with both depression and diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with diabetes alone. Earlier studies have shown that depression alone is a risk factor for dementia, and that diabetes itself is a dementia risk factor. Researchers found even greater risk of dementia in people with both conditions. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are not yet clear. The researchers suggest that physicians screen and treat their diabetes patients for depression, which is common in people with diabetes.
Studies on nutrients, gene expression could lead to tailored diets for disease prevention
A new research article examines the potential for nutrigenomics, a field that studies the effects of food on gene expression. The researchers discussed the possibility of using food to prevent an individual's genes from expressing disease. They said nutrigenomics could completely change the future of public health and the food and culinary industries.
Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily linked to diabetes
More Americans now drink sugar-sweetened sodas, sport drinks and fruit drinks daily, and this increase in consumption has led to more diabetes and heart disease over the past decade, researchers report.
Insulin used to treat diabetes may be linked to increased cancer risk, review suggests
The benefits of using insulin to treat diabetes far outweigh the risks, but a new review suggests that people with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, may face an increased risk of cancer and that their cancer may be modified by treatment choices. The review showed that: diabetic patients are 30 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer and have an 82 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Female diabetics face a 20 percent greater risk of breast cancer.
People with prediabetes not taking adequate precautions to avoid diabetes
Although it is known that diabetes can be prevented or delayed among adults at high risk through modest weight loss and increased physical activity, a new study reveals that only about half of US adults with prediabetes reported that in the past year they tried to lose weight or exercise more.
Pregnancy weight gain may increase a woman's risk of gestational diabetes
Women who gain excessive weight during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, may increase their risk of developing diabetes later in their pregnancy, according to a new study.
Hemoglobin A1c outperforms fasting glucose for risk prediction
Measurements of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) more accurately identify persons at risk for clinical outcomes than the commonly used measurement of fasting glucose, according to a new study. HbA1c levels accurately predict future diabetes, and they better predict stroke, heart disease and all-cause mortality as well.
An apple a day? Study shows soluble fiber boosts immune system
A new study touts the benefits of soluble fiber -- found in oats, apples, and nuts, for starters -- saying that it reduces the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system.
Pinpointing immune system disturbances in celiac disease
New research has identified four aspects of immune system disturbance which lead to the development of celiac disease. Nearly 40 different inherited risk factors which predispose to the disease have now been identified. These latest findings could speed the way towards improved diagnostics and treatments for the autoimmune complaint that affects 1 in 100 of the population, and lead to insights into related conditions such as type 1 diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory signal protein discovered
Researchers have discovered a protein that is crucial in mediating the anti-inflammatory actions of nuclear lipid receptors. The findings link lipid metabolism and inflammation and open up new possibilities for developing treatments of metabolic diseases associated with inflammation, such as diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Immunology: Uncovering the in vivo role of the protein DO
Using a mouse model of type 1 diabetes, researchers have clearly defined the in vivo biological role of the immune system protein DO, something that had not been well characterized before.
Frequent napping linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults
A study shows that frequent napping is associated with an elevated prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in an older Chinese population.
Gestational diabetes: Blood sugar levels once considered normal are not safe for baby, mother
Two to three times more pregnant women may soon be diagnosed and treated for gestational diabetes, based on new measurements for determining risky blood sugar levels for the mother and her unborn baby, according to a new study. Blood sugar levels that were once considered in the normal range are now seen as causing a sharp increase in the occurrence of overweight babies, early deliveries, cesarean section deliveries and potentially life-threatening preeclampsia.
Stress raises risk of mental decline in older diabetics, study shows
Stress raises the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline among older people with diabetes, research suggests. Researchers have studied more than 900 men and women aged between 60 and 75 with type-2 diabetes, which tends to be common after the age of 40. They found that brain function slowed in participants with higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
The pig and its pancreas: A unique model for a common disease
The incidence of diabetes is rising worldwide. Using genetic engineering techniques in pigs, scientists at in Germany have created a new model of this metabolic disorder, which recapitulates many features of the disease, and promises to contribute significantly to improvements in diagnosis and therapy.
Avosentan reduces proteinuria but causes serious side effects
The drug avosentan substantially reduces urinary protein loss in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, but the drug causes serious side effects, according to a new study. The results suggest that lower doses of avosentan may have a more favorable risk/benefit ratio for patients.
Single men, unhappily married men may have higher risk of fatal stroke
Single men and unhappily married men may face a higher risk of fatal stroke in later decades compared to happily married men. The data were taken from interviews done in Israel in the 1960s and follow-up through 1997. It did not include women.
More evidence on benefits of high blood pressure drugs in diabetic eye disease
Scientists in Massachusetts are reporting new evidence that certain high blood pressure drugs may be useful in preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. The study, the largest to date on proteins in the retina, could lead to new ways to prevent or treat the sight-threatening disease, they say.
High levels of vitamin D in older people can reduce heart disease and diabetes
Middle aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D could reduce their chances of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43 percent, according to researchers.
Experts create classification system for leading cause of kidney failure
Medical experts have crafted a much-needed classification system for diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of total kidney failure, according to a new study. The effort should improve communication among health professionals, help researchers design better clinical studies, and guide patient care.
Childhood obesity a risk for premature death
A new study shows how childhood obesity, together with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, affects premature death.
Fat behaves differently in patients with polycistic ovary syndrome
Fat tissue in women with polycystic ovary syndrome produces an inadequate amount of the hormone that regulates how fats and glucose are processed, promoting increased insulin resistance and inflammation, glucose intolerance and greater risk of diabetes and heart disease, according to a study.
Self-control impaired in type 2 diabetics, research suggests
Type 2 diabetes, an increasingly common complication of obesity, is associated with poor impulse control. Researchers suggest that neurological changes result in this inability to resist temptation, which may in turn exacerbate diabetes.
Neighborhood socioeconomic status and diabetes
Researchers have found a direct link between neighborhood socioeconomic status and risk for type 2 diabetes in African American women. The study is the first prospective study to examine the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic status and incidence of type 2 diabetes in a large, geographically diverse cohort of African-American women.
White rye bread healthier than whole wheat?
Wholegrain bread is good and good for you, as most people know. But it is not only the fiber-rich bran, the outer shell of the grain, that is healthful. On the contrary, new research shows that bread baked with white rye flour, which is flour made from the inner, white part of the rye kernel, leads to better insulin and blood sugar levels compared with wheat bread with rye bran. White rye flour thus leads to much better values than both regular wheat flour and rye bran. At the same time, much of the bread that is sold in stores today in most countries is in fact baked with wheat flour and bran from various grains.
Diabetes drug ups risk for bone fractures in older women, study suggests
A new study finds women with type 2 diabetes who take a commonly prescribed class of medications to treat insulin resistance may be at a higher risk for developing bone fractures. After taking a thiazolidinedione (TZD) for one year, women are 50 percent more likely to have a bone fracture than patients not taking TZDs, according to study results. And those at the greatest risk for fractures from TZD use are women older than 65.
'Starving' fat suppresses appetite
Peptides that target blood vessels in fat and cause them to go into programmed cell death (termed apoptosis) could become a model for future weight-loss therapies, say researchers.
Preventing pancreatic islet loss after transplantation
Although transplantation of pancreatic islets is an attractive way to treat type 1 diabetes, early islet loss soon after transplantation has limited its clinical use. By studying islet transplantation in a mouse model of diabetes, researchers have now identified a potential new set of targets to improve the efficiency of pancreatic islet transplantation.
New research on Type 2 diabetes could benefit young adults with condition
Researchers have demonstrated new mechanisms in muscle cells that may explain severe insulin resistance and a reduced response to aerobic exercise in young obese patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings may contribute to the development of more specific treatments for young people with type 2 diabetes.
Scientists map out regulatory regions of genome, hot spots for diabetes genes
Researchers have generated a complete map of the areas of the genome that control which genes are "turned on" or "off." The discovery, made in pancreatic islet cells, opens new avenues for understanding the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes and other common illnesses.
'Artificial pancreas' a step nearer for children with type 1 diabetes
Scientists have made a significant step towards developing a so-called "artificial pancreas" system for managing type 1 diabetes in children. The team has developed and successfully tested a new algorithm, providing a stepping stone to home testing for the artificial pancreas.
Molecular 'firing squad' in mice triggered by overeating destroys metabolism
Overeating in mice triggers a molecule once considered to be only involved in detecting and fighting viruses to also destroy normal metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and setting the stage for diabetes.
Possible source of beta cell destruction that leads to Type 1 diabetes
Doctors have been studying the role of the enzyme 12-Lipoxygenase (12-LO) in the development of Type 1 diabetes. They hope that targeting this enzyme will hold the key to reversing the disease.
Cell mechanism leading to diabetic blindness identified
Scientists have long known that high blood sugar levels from diabetes damage blood vessels in the eye, but they didn't know why or how. Now scientists have discovered the process that causes retinal cells to die, which could lead to new treatments that halt the damage.
Recent immigrants may have lower risk of early stroke
New immigrants to North America may be less likely to have a stroke at a young age than long-time residents, according to a new study.
Severe complications of diabetes higher in depressed patients
A prospective study of Group Health primary-care patients with diabetes in western Washington showed that depression raised the risks of advanced and severe complications from diabetes during a five-year follow-up. These complications include kidney failure or blindness, the result of small vessel damage, as well as major vessel problems leading to heart attack or stroke.
Diabetes medication may help decrease BMI in obese adolescents
Metformin XR (extended release formulation) -- a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes -- appears to cause a small but significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) in non-diabetic obese adolescents when combined with a lifestyle intervention program, according to a report.
Making macrophages protect against effects of obesity
It is well known that diet-induced obesity increases dramatically a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One reason underlying this susceptibility is that diet-induced obesity triggers the accumulation of inflammatory immune cells known as macrophages in fat tissue known as white adipose tissue (WAT). Researchers have now determined that engineering macrophages to store increased amounts of triacylglycerol (the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats) is sufficient to protect mice from diet-induced inflammatory macrophage activation, macrophage accumulation in WAT, and insulin resistance, a condition that preempts the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Doctors miss major cause of infertility and obesity: Polycystic ovary syndrome
Ballooning weight, irregular periods and trouble getting pregnant are red flags for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It's a serious metabolic disorder and one of the major causes of hormonally related infertility -- affecting about 5 million women in the US. But the disorder remains largely undiagnosed and unknown. The complex genetic disease has long-term health risks throughout a woman's lifespan, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. New research shows men are also affected.
Overweight in 20s Could Lead to Serious Problems in 40s
People who are obese and have type 2 diabetes in their 20s will be at higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke in their 40s if they do not change their lifestyle.
Diabetes patients rank health concerns differently than their doctors
About one-third of doctors and their patients with diabetes do not see eye to eye on the most important health conditions to manage, according to a new survey.
Insulin research points way to better diabetes treatments
New research significantly improves our understanding of how insulin interacts with cells in the human body with implications for the treatments of diabetes.
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ScienceDaily Diet & Weight Loss News
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Obesity associated with depression and vice versa
Obesity appears to be associated with an increased risk of depression, and depression also appears associated with an increased risk of developing obesity, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies.
New study examines the impact on children of food product placements in the movies
New research sheds light on the significant potential negative impact that food product placements in the movies could be having on children.
The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime
As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from birth, regardless of whether or not the offspring are obese themselves.
Mediterranean diet may lower risk of brain damage that causes thinking problems
A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory, according to a new study.
Winning the war on weight
An Australian study into the health beliefs and behaviors of obese people has found that the more severely obese a person is, the less likely they feel they can reduce their weight.
Magnesium supplement helps boost brainpower
New research finds that an increase in brain magnesium improves learning and memory in young and old rats. The study suggests that increasing magnesium intake may be a valid strategy to enhance cognitive abilities and supports speculation that inadequate levels of magnesium impair cognitive function, leading to faster deterioration of memory in aging humans.
New study shows effectiveness of MEND program in prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity
Groundbreaking results from a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the MEND Program, a multi-component community-based childhood obesity intervention have just been published. The independent study demonstrates the success of weight management program MEND for overweight/obese children and their families. Results coincide with the launch of Michelle Obama's initiative to reduce childhood obesity announced last week.
Sweet future: Fluctuating blood glucose levels may affect decision making
People's preferences for current vs. later rewards may be influenced by blood glucose levels: Volunteers who drank a regular soda (and therefore had higher blood glucose levels) were more likely to select receiving more money at a later date while the volunteers who drank a diet soda (containing artificial sweetener) were likelier to opt for receiving smaller sums of money immediately.
Most parents don't realize their 4- or 5-year-olds are overweight or obese
Half of the mothers who took part in a study thought that their obese four or five year-old was normal weight, as did 39 percent of the fathers. When it came to overweight children, 75 percent of mothers and 77 percent of fathers thought that their child was normal weight. Researchers also found that the parents of overweight and obese children were significantly heavier than the parents of normal weight children.
Gimmick-free weight-loss pill in the works
A Canadian research team is developing a pill composed of leptin, the protein that tells our brain to stop eating.
Sticking to diets is about more than willpower -- complexity matters
Cognitive scientists compared the dieting behavior of women following two radically different diets. The more complicated people found their diet plans, the sooner they were likely to bail. "For people on a more complex diet that involves keeping track of quantities and items eaten, their subjective impression of the difficulty of the diet can lead them to give up on it," said one researcher.
New eating device retrains dietary habits and helps children lose weight
A new computerized device that tracks portion size and how fast people eat is more successful in helping obese children and adolescents lose weight than standard treatments, according to new research.
Depressed women can lose weight as successfully as others do
Women with major depression were no less likely than were women without it to have successful results with a weight loss program, according to an new article.
Finally, an excuse for pregnant women to eat bacon and eggs
If you're pregnant and looking for an excuse to eat bacon and eggs, now you've got one: new research shows that choline plays a critical role in helping fetal brains develop regions associated with memory. Choline is found in meats, including pork, as well as chicken eggs.
Adolescent boys seeking 'the norm' may take risks with their appearances
Teen-aged boys are more likely to use tanning booths, take diet pills and have their bodies waxed -- even if they think those activities are unhealthy -- if they are influenced by their peers, according to new research.
New study links DHA type of omega-3 to better nervous-system function
The omega-3 essential fatty acids commonly found in fatty fish and algae help animals avoid sensory overload, according to new research. The finding connects low omega-3s to the information-processing problems found in people with schizophrenia; bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders; Huntington's disease; and other afflictions of the nervous system.
Negative emotions outweigh intent to exercise at health clubs
With only 30 percent of Americans trying to lose weight meeting the National Institutes of Health exercise guidelines of 300 minutes/week, a new study explores the paradox that exists -- an antidote for obesity and its comorbidities is exercise, but the majority of obese Americans do not exercise. Investigators explore and compare the barriers associated with regular exercise in health clubs between overweight and normal weight individuals.
Diet high in methionine could increase risk of Alzheimer's
A diet rich in methionine, an amino acid typically found in red meats, fish, beans, eggs, garlic, lentils, onions, yogurt and seeds, can possibly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
Psychotherapy offers obesity prevention for 'at risk' teenage girls
Scientists have piloted psychotherapy treatment to prevent excessive weight gain in teenager girls deemed "at risk" of obesity.
Killer cookies: To resist temptation, exaggerate the threat
Your ability to resist that tempting cookie depends on how a big a threat you perceive it to be, according to a new study.
Reducing TV time helps adults burn more calories, study finds
Adults who used an electronic lock-out system to reduce their television time by half did not change their calorie intake but did expend more energy over a three-week period, according to a new study.
Are holiday and weekend eating patterns affecting obesity rates?
The holidays can be challenging for even the most diligent dieters. But are weekends just as detrimental? Researchers found that weekend eating patterns change significantly.
Weight control strategies for adolescents identified
Adolescent obesity is a major public health problem that impacts one out of every three children, resulting in 4-5 million overweight youth in the United States. Researchers have now evaluated differences in weight control behaviors, including dietary intake and physical activity, comparing overweight adolescents who lost weight and those who did not in order to better understand which strategies could be most effective.
Polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids boost the birth of new neurons, study finds
Researchers in Spain have confirmed that a diet rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids, patented as an LMN diet, helps boost the production of the brain's stem cells -- neurogenesis -- and strengthens their differentiation in different types of neuron cells. The research revealed that mice fed an LMN diet, when compared to those fed a control diet, have more cell proliferation in the two areas of the brain where neurogenesis is produced, the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus.
Diabetics show alarming increase in morbid obesity
One out of five type 2 diabetics is morbidly obese -- approximately 100 pounds or more overweight -- a new study has found.
Skin color gives clues to health
Researchers have found that the color of a person's skin affects how healthy and therefore attractive they appear, and have found that diet may be crucial to achieving the most desirable complexion.
Women can quit smoking and control weight gain
Many women don't quit smoking because they are afraid of gaining weight. That's because nicotine suppresses appetite and boosts a smoker's metabolism. But a new meta-analysis shows that women who quit smoking while receiving treatment for weight control are better able to control their weight gain and are more successful at quitting cigarettes. The finding disproves clinical guidelines that say trying to diet and quit smoking at the same time will sabotage efforts to ditch cigarettes.
Some obese people perceive body size as OK, dismiss need to lose weight
Eight percent of obese people misperceived their body size, believing they did not need to lose weight or that they could afford to gain weight. While those who misperceived their need for weight loss thought they were healthier than others their age, they had the same risk factors for heart disease as other obese patients. Those who misperceived their body size were less likely to exercise and see a physician than their counterparts who accurately perceived their body size.
To eat or not to eat? Mental budgets help control consumption
If you feel like you're in a losing battle with a triple-chocolate cake, a "mental budget" can help, according to a new study.
Family partnership, education interventions lower heart failure patients' salt consumption
Educating family members of heart failure (HF) patients about the health benefits of consuming a low-salt diet and providing skills for support and communication can effectively reduce HF patients' sodium consumption, according to a new study.
Mood improves on low-fat, but not low-carb, diet plan
After one year, a low-calorie, low-fat diet appears more beneficial to dieters' mood than a low-carbohydrate plan with the same number of calories, according to a new report.
Diet Switching Can Activate Brain's Stress System, Lead To 'Withdrawal' Symptoms
Intermittent access to foods rich in fat and sugar induces changes in the brain which are comparable to those observed in drug dependence, according to new research. The findings may explain how abstinence from these foods contributes to relapse eating among dieters as well as related eating disorders.
'Health-at-every-size' Approach Is Effective: Health-centered Weight Control Method Shows Promise
Most weight-control strategies emphasize energy-restricted diets and increased physical activity -- and most are not effective over the long term. In a study of a "weight-acceptance" intervention, researchers found that there could be long-term beneficial effects on certain eating behaviors using a weight-acceptance intervention approach.
Disruption Of Circadian Rhythms Affects Both Brain And Body, Mouse Study Finds
A new study has found that chronic disruption of one of the most basic circadian (daily) rhythms -- the day/night cycle -- leads to weight gain, impulsivity, slower thinking, and other physiological and behavioral changes in mice, similar to those observed in people who experience shift work or jet lag.
Maternal High-Fat Diet Has Serious Implications For Brain Development Of Offspring, Mouse Study Finds
Feeding high-fat food to pregnant mice can affect their pups' brain development in ways that may cause them to be more vulnerable to obesity and to engage in addictive-like behaviors in adulthood, a new study has found.
Junk Food Diet Causes Rats’ Brain Pleasure Centers To Become Progressively Less Responsive
Brain pleasure centers became progressively less responsive in rats fed a diet of high-fat, high-calorie food, a new study has found. As the changes occurred, the rats developed compulsive overeating habits -- and became obese. The overeating continued even when it meant the rats had to endure an unpleasant consequence (a mild foot shock) in order to consume the food.
Pinpointing When Rates Of Binge Eating Converge Across Races
Existing research has shown that rates of binge eating are almost identical between white and African-American adult women. A new study finds that among college age women, rates are higher among Caucasian women. When do rates begin to match up, and why?
Low-Carb Diet Speeds Recovery From Spinal Cord Injury
A diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates, known as the "ketogenic" diet, quickens recovery in paralyzed rats after spinal cord injury, according to new research.
Physicians Have Less Respect For Obese Patients, Study Suggests
Doctors have less respect for their obese patients than they do for patients of normal weight, a new study suggests. The findings raise questions about whether negative physician attitudes about obesity could be affecting the long-term health of their heavier patients.
Alzheimer's Researchers Find High Protein Diet Shrinks Brain
One of the many reasons to pick a low-calorie and low-fat diet is that host of epidemiological studies have suggested that such a diet may delay the onset or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Now a study tests the effects of several diets for their effects on Alzheimer's disease pathology. Unexpectedly, the researchers found that a high protein diet apparently led to a smaller brain.
Study Shows How Substance In Grapes May Squeeze Out Diabetes
A naturally produced molecule called resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, has been shown to lower insulin levels in mice when injected directly into the brain, even when the animals ate a high-fat diet.
How Does Media Exposure Affect Self-esteem In Overweight And Underweight Women?
Overweight women's self-esteem plummets when they view photographs of models of any size, according to a new study. And underweight women's esteem increases, regardless of models' size.
Physical Activity In Adolescence Associated With Decreased Risk Of Brain Cancer In Adulthood
While little is known about the causes of glioma, researchers have found that this rare but often deadly form of brain cancer may be linked to early life physical activity and height.
Mediterranean Diet Associated With Reduced Risk Of Depression
Individuals who follow the Mediterranean dietary pattern -- rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish -- appear less likely to develop depression, according to a new report.
Eating Sweets Every Day In Childhood 'Increases Adult Aggression'
Children who eat sweets and chocolates every day are more likely to be violent as adults, according to a new study. Researchers found a higher percentage of adults who were violent at age 34 had eaten sweets every day, compared to those who were non-violent. This link persisted after controlling for other factors.
Social Background Weighs Heavily On Teenage Diet
Teenagers' attitudes to diet and weight are shaped by their social class, according to new research. Policymakers have long insisted on the importance of understanding young people's health and eating habits but this is the first study to show how everyday practices and perceptions of different social classes contribute to variation in the diet, weight and health of teenagers.
Personality Traits Influencing Weight Loss, Study Finds
Being too optimistic could harm weight loss efforts. Research reveals the psychological characteristics that may contribute to weight loss.
Ice Cream May Target The Brain Before Your Hips, Study Suggests
Blame your brain for sabotaging your efforts to get back on track after splurging on an extra scoop of ice cream or that second burger during Friday night's football game.
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ScienceDaily Disorders & Syndromes News
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Lacosamide validated as promising therapy for uncontrolled partial-onset seizures
A recent multi-center study has confirmed earlier study results that 400 mg/day of lacosamide provides a good balance of efficacy and tolerability for patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, and doses of 600mg/day may provide additional benefit for some patients.
Abused children more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
Children who have been abused psychologically, physically or sexually are more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting than children who have not been abused, a new study concludes.
After a fight with a partner, brain activity predicts emotional resiliency
Neural activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex can predict whether an individual will still be upset on the day after a conflict with his or her partner, according to new research. The findings point to the brain region's role in emotion regulation, and suggest that greater activity in this area might lead to improvement in day-to-day mood.
Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does
A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation.
New scale to measure anxiety outcomes developed
A new questionnaire and outcomes measurement scale has proven to be a reliable and valid measure of anxiety. The scale can easily be incorporated into routine clinical practice when treating psychiatric disorders.
Ocular shingles linked to increased risk of stroke
Having a shingles infection that affects the eyes may increase the risk of stroke, according to new research.
Anti-depressants bring higher risk of developing cataracts
Some anti-depressant drugs are associated with an increased chance of developing cataracts, according to a new statistical study.
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Ritalin boosts learning by increasing brain plasticity
Doctors treat millions of children with Ritalin every year to improve their ability to focus on tasks, but scientists now report that Ritalin also directly enhances the speed of learning.
3-D hand movement reconstructed using brain signals: Future portable prosthetic devices for movement-impaired
Researchers have successfully reconstructed 3-D hand motions from brain signals recorded in a non-invasive way. This finding uses a technique that may open new doors for portable brain-computer interface systems. Such a non-invasive system could potentially operate a robotic arm or motorized wheelchair -- a huge advance for people with disabilities or paralysis.
Major depression more than doubles risk of dementia among adults with diabetes
Adults with both depression and diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with diabetes alone. Earlier studies have shown that depression alone is a risk factor for dementia, and that diabetes itself is a dementia risk factor. Researchers found even greater risk of dementia in people with both conditions. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are not yet clear. The researchers suggest that physicians screen and treat their diabetes patients for depression, which is common in people with diabetes.
Genome-wide study of alcohol dependence points to chromosome 11
Both genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD). To date, researchers have identified several genes associated with AD. Findings from a new genome-wide association study support an association between AD and a cluster of genes on chromosome 11.
Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders
A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes.
How a romantic breakup affects self-concept
When a romantic relationship ends, an individual's self-concept is vulnerable to change, according to new research.
Sleep differences among ethnic groups revealed in new poll
Significant differences have been found in the sleep habits and attitudes of Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics and whites.
Can blood-pressure cuffs work? Novel ways to limit stroke damage
Can using a simple blood-pressure cuff limit damage from strokes caused by decreased blood supply to the brain? An emerging field of study is working to see whether using this blood-pressure cuff or other methods of "training the brain" could help reduce damage from a stroke as it is occurring while a patient is being transported to the hospital.
Teaching self-control skills to children reduces classroom problems
Children taught skills to monitor and control their anger and other emotions improved their classroom behavior and had significantly fewer school disciplinary referrals and suspensions, according to a new study.
New generation of rapid-acting antidepressants?
Conventional antidepressant treatments ge | | |