|
|
Topics
|
|
 |
OFSN
BAZELON CENTER
COMMUNITY DISPATCH
DISCOVERY CHANNEL
SCIENCE DAILY
NYTIMES
|
|
|
 |
OREGON NEWSPAPERS
ALBANY
ASHLAND
ASTORIA
BEND
BROOKINGS
CANBY
CANNON BEACH
CLATSKANIE
COTTAGE GROVE
DALLAS
ENTERPRISE
EUGENE
GEARHART
GOLD BEACH
GRESHAM
KEIZER
KLAMATH FALLS
LAKEVIEW
LEBANON
LINCOLN CITY
MADRAS
MCMINNVILLE
MEDFORD
NEWPORT
ONTARIO
PENDLETON
PORTLAND
PORT ORFORD
ROGUE RIVER
ROSEBURG
SALEM
SEASIDE
SISTERS
SCAPPOOSE
THE DALLES
TILLAMOOK
WOODBURN
|
|
|
OFSN IN THE NEWS
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISCLAIMER - OFSN WEB SITE INCLUDING RSS NEWSFEEDS
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Discovery Channel Health News
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Accident & Trauma (incl. PTSD) News
|
|
|
Neurologists should ask patients about abuse: New position statement from American Academy of Neurology
A new position statement issued by the American Academy of Neurology calls on neurologists to begin screening their patients for abusive or violent treatment by family, caretakers or others. Types of abuse include elder abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, cyberbullying and violence.
Headphones linked to pedestrian deaths, injuries
Serious injuries to pedestrians listening to headphones have more than tripled in six years, according to new research. In many cases, the cars or trains are sounding horns that the pedestrians cannot hear, leading to fatalities in nearly three-quarters of cases.
Fewer children require hospitalization following drowning-related incidents
Fewer children required hospitalization following a drowning incident over the last two decades, according to a new study. According to the study, pediatric hospitalizations from drowning-related incidents declined 51 percent from 1993 to 2008. The rates declined significantly for all ages and for both genders, although drowning-related hospitalizations remained higher for boys at every age.
Surprising results from smoke inhalation study
A new study includes some unexpected findings about the immune systems of smoke-inhalation patients.
Could heading in soccer lead to brain injury? No clear link to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, so far
Could heading the ball in soccer lead to degenerative brain disease, like that seen in athletes in other sports?
Gunshot, stabbing victims are recovering without exploratory surgery
Although more patients with abdominal gunshot and stab wounds can successfully forego emergency “exploratory” surgery and its potential complications, new research suggests that choosing the wrong patients for this “watchful waiting” approach substantially increases their risk of death from these injuries.
Pharmacists crucial in plan for terrorist chemical weapons
Terrorist attacks with chemical weapons are a real possibility, according to a new study. Thanks to their extensive knowledge of toxic agents, and how to treat those who have been exposed, pharmacists are an invaluable resource in the event of an actual or potential chemical weapons attack.
Traumatic injury sets off a 'genomic storm' in immune system pathways
Serious traumatic injuries, including major burns, set off a "genomic storm" in human immune cells, altering around 80 percent of the cells' normal gene expression patterns.
'Brain tsunamis' are clue to helping victims of major head injuries
Treating 'brain tsunamis' or 'killer waves' could stop many victims of major head injury from suffering additional brain damage, a study has found. Scientists have been investigating this phenomenon for decades, with the topic of spreading depolarizations now of keen interest to the U.S. military because head injuries have emerged as the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Spinal bleeding with brain injury may suggest abuse in young children
A new study found that spinal bleeding is found often in young children who are victims of abusive trauma. The findings support performing complete spine imaging for children undergoing brain magnetic resonance imaging for moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and suggest a pathway for distinguishing between abusive and accidental injury.
Vintage leather football helmets often as protective as modern helmets in common, game-like hits
Old-fashioned "leatherhead" football helmets from the early 1900s are often as effective as -- and sometimes better than -- modern football helmets at protecting against injuries during routine, game-like collisions, according to researchers.
New evidence for spinal membrane as a source of stem cells may advance treatment of spinal cord injuries
Italian and Spanish scientists studying the use of stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries have provided the first evidence to show that meninges, the membrane which envelops the central nervous system, is a potential source of self-renewing stem cells. The research develops the understanding of cell activation in central nervous system injuries; advancing research into new treatments for spinal injuries and degenerative brain disorders.
Teenage girls and senior students suffered highest levels of PTSD after major earthquake, study finds
Researchers who spoke to nearly 2,000 teenagers three months after an 8.0 earthquake found high level of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially among girls and senior students. The findings underline the need for young people to receive prompt psychological support after major disasters to avoid them developing long-term mental health problems. The study may be of particular interest to journalists doing follow-up pieces on the aftermath of the Turkish earthquake.
Fatal crashes in the US: Fewer Canadian drivers under the influence
Alcohol-related fatal motor vehicle crashes in the US are much lower among drivers with Canadian licenses than drivers with US or Mexican licenses. Research from other countries finds foreign drivers are at greater risk of crashes than native drivers. In contrast, this study shows that drivers licensed in Mexico and Canada who were involved in fatal crashes in the US had the same or less alcohol impairment than US-licensed drivers.
Incidence of non-fatal pediatric firearm injuries in U.S. higher than previously estimated, study finds
From 1999 to 2007, there were 185,950 emergency department visits in the U.S. for firearm injuries in children aged 0 to 19 years. A new study provides an overview of these injuries, including a variety of risk factors including age, race, hospital location, and insurance type.
Multiple riders, lack of helmet use, and faster ATVs contribute to pediatric injuries, studies find
As all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use continues to grow, so does the number of injuries. Children comprise about one-third of the 130,000 to 150,000 ATV-related emergency department visits each year and one-quarter of the more than 800 deaths. In fact, more children are injured from ATV crashes each year than from bicycles. Two new studies provide insights into the potential causes of ATV crashes as well as much-needed safety precautions.
White children far more likely to receive CT scans than Hispanic, African-American children
White children are far more likely to receive cranial computed tomography scans in an emergency department following minor head trauma than are African-American or Hispanic children, a new study has found.
Minority children less likely to wear a car seatbelt, putting them at greater risk of severe injury
Less than half of pediatric car passengers suffering injuries from motor vehicle crashes were restrained, with the lowest rates among blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans, according to a new research.
Minority children less likely to receive CT scans following head trauma
African-American and Hispanic children are less likely to receive a cranial computed tomography scan in an emergency department following minor head trauma than white children, according to new research.
Northern Ireland students help rebuild lives of Congo’s child soldiers
Two postgraduate students from Northern Ireland have completed the first phase of a pioneering trip to assist in the treatment of psychological distress among child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Genetic link to suicidal behavior confirmed
A new study has found evidence that a specific gene is linked to suicidal behavior, adding to our knowledge of the many complex causes of suicide. This research may help doctors one day target the gene in prevention efforts.
Race disparity found in post-hospital arrival homicide deaths at trauma centers
New research based on post-hospital arrival data from U.S. trauma centers finds that even after adjusting for differences in injury severity, gun use, and other likely causes of race difference in death from assault, African-Americans have a significantly higher overall post-scene of injury mortality rate than whites.
Longer trips to the ER, especially for minorities and poor
Closures of hospital trauma centers are disproportionately affecting poor, uninsured and African-American populations, and nearly a fourth of Americans are now forced to travel farther than they once did.
Earlier tracheostomies result in better patient outcomes, study finds
A tracheostomy performed within the first seven days after a severe head injury results in better overall patient outcome, according to new research. This is especially true for patients who have a greater chance of surviving when admitted to the hospital.
A shot of cortisone stops traumatic stress, study suggests
Scientists say that a single extra dose of cortisone -- which the body naturally produces just after a traumatic event -- reduces the chance that an individual will develop PTSD by 60 percent.
Cannabinoids after a traumatic experience may prevent post-traumatic stress symptoms, rat study suggests
Administration of cannabinoids (in the form of synthetic marijuana) after experiencing a traumatic event blocks the development of post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms in rats, according to a rat study conducted by researchers in Israel.
Racing against time: New tool available for rapidly rescuing those trapped beneath concrete
When the World Trade Center's Twin Towers collapsed on Sept. 11, 2011, one of the most critical challenges that first responders faced was cutting through concrete to get to victims trapped. A new tool has been developed to help rescue those trapped beneath concrete.
Fewer autopsies distorts suicide statistics, Austrian researchers report
In Austria, the number of autopsies carried out has fallen over the past 20 years from 35 per cent to 17 per cent, thus distorting the official number of suicides. This is also demonstrated in a recent study involving data from 35 countries taken from suicide statistics.
Air and paintball gun injuries caused more than 20,000 ER visits in 2008
Hospital emergency departments saw over 20,000 injuries due to air and paintball guns in 2008, according to the latest figures. This represents a 20 percent decrease in emergency room visits for injuries caused by air and paintball guns from 2006.
Best practices for treating victims of sexual assault outlined by experts
Experts have written an review article on the treatment of adult victims of sexual assault in an acute care setting.
Double damage: Partner violence impacts mental health of over half-million Californians
Violence from an intimate partner does not just brutalize a victim physically; exposure to violence can result in disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress, according to a new policy brief. Researchers found that of the 3.5 million Californians who reported experiencing intimate partner violence, more than half a million also reported recent symptoms of "serious psychological distress," such as anxiety or depression.
Suicide methods differ between men and women
Men are nearly twice as likely as women to use a method that disfigures the face or head when taking their own lives.
Withdrawing life support for traumatic brain injuries needs cautious approach, study finds
Death following severe traumatic brain injury is associated with a highly variable incidence of withdrawal of life support at the end of life, finds a new study. Rates of withdrawal of life support vary between hospitals, and caution should be used in making this decision, the study states.
Uninsured trauma patients are more likely to use the emergency department for follow-up care
Providing access to an outpatient clinic isn't enough to keep some trauma patients who have been discharged from the hospital from returning to the emergency department for follow-up care, even for such minor needs as pain medication refills and dressing changes, according to new research.
Measurement tools for traffic crash injury severity improving
Efforts to improve traffic safety have been aided by mathematical models that allow researchers to better assess those factors that impact the degree of injury suffered as a result of traffic crashes, researchers say.
Traumatic brain injury increases risk of Parkinson's disease, researchers say; Threat doubles with exposure to the pesticide paraquat
While traumatic brain injury was known to be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), no one knew why. Now scientists have found the mechanism for this elevated, long-term risk that is caused by TBI -- the loss of a specific type of neuron that is known to cause PD.
Window fall-related injuries among youth examined
Approximately 5,200 children and adolescents 17 years of age and younger were treated in US emergency departments each year from 1990 through 2008 for injuries sustained due to falls from windows. This translates to approximately 14 children being injured as the result of a window fall every day in the US.
Study evaluates tactical response guidelines for reducing battlefield deaths
Implementing a command-directed casualty response system appears to be associated with reducing battlefield casualties, including killed-in-action deaths, casualties who died of wounds, and preventable combat deaths, according to a new report.
World Trade Center attacks increased subsequent firefighter retirements, study finds
A new study reveals that the World Trade Center attacks affected the health of the New York City Fire Department resulting in more post-9/11 retirements than expected.
Could an 'ankle hotline' relieve strain on health care demands?
Should lower leg strains and sprains take up valuable ER time and resources? According to a new American study strains and sprains account for over a third of lower extremity injuries treated at emergency departments. They reason that because these problems are not life-threatening, perhaps telephone triage and scheduled care appointments might be a better use of precious emergency health care resources.
New research might help people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder
Researchers have discovered a mechanism in the brain that explains for the first time why people make particularly strong, long-lasting memories of stressful events in their lives.
Primary physicians may hold key to suicide prevention
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Every year millions of Americans think about taking their own lives. Sadly, each year tens of thousands die by suicide. While suicides can be a shock to family and friends, some warning signs exist.
Traumatic brain injury linked with tenfold increase in stroke risk
Suffering a trauma to the brain may increase the risk of stroke tenfold within three months, according to new research. This is the first study to show a direct correlation between traumatic brain injury and stroke. Researchers suggest neuroimaging, intensive monitoring and stroke education for anyone incurring a traumatic brain injury.
Researchers capture breakthrough data on cervical spine injuries
A high school football player's broken neck -- from which he's recovered -- has yielded breakthrough biomechanical data on cervical spine injuries that could ultimately affect safety and equipment standards for athletes.
Dolphins' 'remarkable' recovery from injury offers important insights for human healing
A dolphin's ability to heal quickly from a shark bite with apparent indifference to pain, resistance to infection, hemorrhage protection, and near-restoration of normal body contour might provide insights for the care of human injuries, according to experts. Researchers interviewed dolphin handlers/marine biologists, and reviewed the limited literature about dolphin healing to offer some new observations.
Lace-up ankle braces keep athletes on the court, study shows
Lace-up ankle braces can reduce the occurrence of acute ankle injuries in male and female high school basketball players, according to new research. The study demonstrated that the braces are effective for athletes both with and without a history of ankle injury.
Protective factors that help women recover from childhood violence identified
Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to be in abusive intimate relationships and experience psychological problems such as post traumatic stress disorder in adulthood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now researchers have found that certain protective factors foster resilience and increase the likelihood that the cycle of violence will end for women who, as children, were exposed to their mothers' battering.
Potential of simple injection on patients with head injury
New research has suggested that tranexamic acid has the potential to prevent people dying from head injuries. It is a cheap, off-patent drug with the potential to help people suffering from brain trauma.
Vets who survive suicide attempt have heightened mortality risk due to future suicide, disease, study finds
After weathering the stresses of military life and the terrors of combat, soldiers find themselves overwhelmed by the transition back into civilian life. Many have already survived one suicide attempt, but never received the extra help and support they needed, with tragic results. A team of researchers found that veterans who are repeat suicide attempters suffer significantly greater mortality rates due to suicide compared to both military and civilian peers.
Compulsory cycle helmet legislation linked to 29% reduction in cyclist head injuries, Australian study finds
Bicycle-related head injuries fell significantly in the months after mandatory helmet legislation came into effect in New South Wales, and recent calls for a repeal of the laws should be rejected, new research based on hospital admissions data shows. The injuries fell by up to 29 percent after the laws were introduced in 1991, according to the study.
Bone extension by 26 centimeters after traumatic accident
Medical researchers have developed a new treatment for traumatic bone defects caused by accidents. A severely shortened thighbone as the result of an accident has now been extended by using the innovative method, creating an increase of 26 centimeters in only eight months.
Buzz kills: No amount of alcohol safe to drive
In the United States, the blood-alcohol limit may be 0.08 percent, but no amount of alcohol seems to be safe for driving, according to new research. A study finds that blood-alcohol levels well below the U.S. legal limit are associated with incapacitating injury and death.
Hospitalizing children with normal CT scans after blunt head trauma is not necessary, study suggests
A large, national multicenter study of thousands of children taken to emergency departments with minor blunt head trauma has found that most of those with normal computed tomography scans do not require hospitalization for further observation.
Extreme exertion does not impair the quality of CPR given by lifeguards, research suggests
Swim-center personnel and lifeguards have higher stamina and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation more effectively than personnel in the emergency health-care services, even though they have undergone extreme exertion. Their life-saving efforts may be crucial while waiting for an ambulance.
People who have had head injuries report more violent behavior
Young people who have sustained a head injury during their lifetime are more likely to engage in violent behavior, according to an eight-year study.
Blast-related injuries detected in the brains of US military personnel
An advanced imaging technique has revealed that some US military personnel with mild blast-related traumatic brain injuries have abnormalities in the brain that have not been seen with other types of imaging.
Young females are victims of violent injury, study suggests
A new study shows that a large proportion of victims of community violence are female. Injured adolescent females are more likely than males to be injured by a relative or intimate partner, and are more likely to be injured by a single assailant. Among females aged 10 to 19 who suffer an injury, however, most of the injuries are inflicted by a non-partner.
Researchers evaluate red wine compound for treating concussions in pro boxers
Researchers are engaging the help of professional boxers and trainers to study whether a component in red wine and grapes could help reduce the short- and long-term effects of concussions.
Most children with head injuries are seen in hospitals not equipped to treat them, UK study finds
More than four-fifths of children who turn up at emergency departments with head injuries in the UK are seen in hospitals which would have to transfer them if the injury was serious, according to a new study.
More focus needed on mental health triage in disaster preparedness, bioethicists urge
Bioethicists say disaster-response planning has overlooked the needs of people who suffer from pre-existing, serious mental conditions. Survivors already diagnosed with schizophrenia, dementia, addictions and bipolar disorder are vulnerable long before disaster strikes, they point out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily ADD & ADHD News
|
|
|
Children with ADHD benefit from healthy lifestyle options as first-line treatment
Every year between 3 and 10 percent of school-age children in this country are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasingly, families are using natural or complementary therapies to improve their child’s attention or behavior, and often seek advice from an integrative pediatrician, according to a new study.
Maternal gestational diabetes and low socioeconomic status associated with increased risk of ADHD in offspring
Children exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and low socioeconomic status, particularly in combination, appear to be at an increased risk of developing childhood ADHD, according to a new report.
New biochemical changes found in children with ADHD
A new study shows that children with ADHD have nearly 50 percent less of a protein that is important for attention and learning. The finding may mean that there are other biochemical disturbances in the brains of individuals with ADHD than was previously believed.
New ADHD gene study points to defects in brain signaling pathways
Pediatric researchers analyzing genetic influences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have found alterations in specific genes involved in important brain signaling pathways. The study raises the possibility that drugs acting on those pathways might offer a new treatment option for patients with ADHD who have those gene variants -- potentially, half a million US children.
Functional brain pathways disrupted in children with ADHD
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have identified abnormalities in the brains of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder that may serve as a biomarker for the disorder, according to a new study.
Children with certain dopamine system gene variants respond better to ADHD drug
Children with certain dopamine system gene variants have an improved response to methylphenidate -- the most commonly prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to new research. The finding that could help eliminate the guesswork from prescribing effective medications for children with ADHD.
Prescribed stimulant use for ADHD continues to rise steadily
The prescribed use of stimulant medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rose slowly but steadily from 1996 to 2008, according to a new study.
ADHD symptoms worsen quality of life for individuals with autism, study finds
Research have found that symptoms of ADHD worsen quality of life and impact adaptive functioning for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Over half of the 2000 individual evaluated had symptoms of either attention or hyperactivity problems, more than a third had significant symptoms of both. Only one in ten studied were receiving medications used to treat ADHD, suggesting children with ASD and ADHD symptoms are not being treated with medications for inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.
For kids with ADHD, regular 'green time' is linked to milder symptoms
A study of more than 400 children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has found a link between the children's routine play settings and the severity of their symptoms, researchers report. Those who regularly play in outdoor settings with lots of green (grass and trees, for example) have milder ADHD symptoms than those who play indoors or in built outdoor environments, the researchers found. The association holds even when the researchers controlled for income and other variables.
School support for ADHD children may be missing the mark: Inattention, not hyperactivity, is associated with educational failure
New research shows that inattention, rather than hyperactivity, is the most important indicator when it comes to finishing a high school education.
Scientists show how gene variant linked to ADHD could operate; Study offers potential new target for treatment of ADHD
A study using mice provides insight into how a specific receptor subtype in the brain could play a role in increasing a person's risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research could also help explain how stimulants work to treat symptoms of ADHD.
Intestinal protein may have role in ADHD, other neurological disorders
A biochemical pathway long associated with diarrhea and intestinal function may provide a new therapeutic target for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) other neuropsychiatric disorders, according to scientists. Researchers discovered the pathway's key protein is also expressed in critical areas of the brain and its activity helps regulate attention and activity level in mice.
Study finds new ADHD genes, links susceptibility with autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions
New research has identified more genes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and shows that there is an overlap between some of these genes and those found in other neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Short-term use of amphetamines can improve ADHD symptoms in adults, review finds
Giving amphetamines to adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can help them control their symptoms, but the side effects mean that some people do not manage to take them for very long, according to a team of researchers in Spain.
Quality of life for children with ADHD and their families worsens with greater disease severity
The greater the severity of a child's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, the more negative impacts on the child's health-related quality of life from the perspective of the child and the parent, a new study has found.
As new data wave begins, a gene study in one disease reveals mutations in an unrelated disease
Researchers seeking rare gene variants in just a few individuals with ADHD discovered that one patient had a novel combination of two mutations. Those mutations caused an unrelated disease, the blood disorder idiopathic hemolytic anemia. That unexpected result may herald an oncoming wave of new findings from improved gene-searching tools, with implications for researchers about how to best return such information to their research subjects.
Non-invasive brain stimulation helps curb impulsivity
Inhibitory control can be boosted with a mild form of brain stimulation, according to a new study. The study's findings indicate that non-invasive intervention can greatly improve patients' inhibitory control.
Food coloring and ADHD: No known link, but wider safety issues remain, researcher says
When University of Maryland psychologist Andrea Chronis-Tuscano testified at an FDA hearing, it changed her mind about the risks of artificial food coloring for children, and drove her to reconsider what she feeds her kids. Chronis-Tuscano walked into the meeting certain that NO convincing scientific evidence supports the idea that these additives cause ADHD. While testimony from other experts did NOT shake that assessment, it did raise concerns about the overall safety for children.
Sleep loss in early childhood may contribute to the development of ADHD symptoms
Less sleep in preschool-age children significantly predicted worse parent-reported hyperactivity and inattention at kindergarten. In contrast, hyperactivity and inattention at preschool did not predict sleep duration at kindergarten. The sample consisted of approximately 6,860 children, and analyses controlled for gender, ethnicity and family income. According to the authors, sleep problems, particularly difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, are frequently reported in children and adolescents with ADHD. Longitudinal studies may reveal the direction of causation.
Gender differences in risk pathways for adolescent substance abuse and early adult alcoholism
According to a recent Finnish study, boys and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may differ from each other in their vulnerability to substance use problems. Inattentiveness and hyperactivity may be more predictive of alcohol use disorders and maladaptive patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use among girls than boys.
Brain imaging study of preschoolers with ADHD detects brain differences linked to symptoms
Researchers found differences in the brains of preschool children with symptoms of ADHD. Results showed the region of the brain important for cognitive and motor control was smaller in these children than in typically developing children. Novel for its use of neuroimaging in very young, preschool age children with ADHD symptoms, this examination of brain differences may offer insights into early interventions.
Link between childhood ADHD and substance abuse risk supported by long-term study data
Analysis of data from two long-term studies of the impact of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on the development of psychiatric disorders in young adults confirms that ADHD alone significantly increases the risk of cigarette smoking and substance abuse in both boys and girls.
No increase in severe cardiovascular events for children, adolescents taking ADHD medications, study finds
Despite recent concerns that medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in children and adolescents, an observational study conducted by researchers finds they are no more likely to die from a severe cardiovascular event than those who do not take the drugs. The findings provide the first analysis of such events in a large population of children and adolescents receiving ADHD medications compared to non-users.
Combination of ADHD and poor emotional control runs in families, study suggests
A subgroup of adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also exhibit excessive emotional reactions to everyday occurrences, and this combination of ADHD and emotional reactivity appears to run in families.
Over range of ADHD behavior, genes major force on reading achievement, environment on math
Researchers found that genes and environment both play a role in ADHD behavior and troubles with reading and math. But genes more so with reading, and the environment more so with math.
Infants with persistent crying problems more likely to have behavior problems in childhood, study finds
Infants who have problems with persistent crying, sleeping and/or feeding -- known as regulatory problems -- are far more likely to become children with significant behavioral problems, reveals new research.
When washing becomes a compulsion
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often diagnosed too late in children and adolescents. Experts point out that appropriate early recognition and treatment can positively affect the course of the disease.
Higher prevalence of psychiatric symptoms found in children with epilepsy
A newly published report reveals that children with epilepsy are more likely to have psychiatric symptoms, with gender a determining factor in their development. Findings showed that girls had more emotional problems, while boys had more hyperactivity/inattention problems and issues regarding peer relationships.
Tourettes brains are structured for greater, not lesser, cognitive motor control
Contrary to intuition, people who suffer from the motor and vocal tics characteristic of Tourette syndrome actually perform behavioral tests of cognitive motor control more accurately and quickly than their typically developing peers do. According to a new study, that enhanced control arises from structural and functional changes in the brain that likely come about from the need to constantly suppress tics.
ADHD and prenatal alcohol exposure: Comparing profiles of learning and memory impairments in two groups of children
A new study has compared the verbal learning and memory performance of children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) with that of children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The children with PAE had initial problems with learning information, reflecting inefficient encoding of verbal material. The children with ADHD had difficulty retaining information over time, reflecting a deficit in retrieval of learned material.
Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder score high in creativity
Young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder showed more creativity compared with those who did not have ADHD, a new study shows.
Moderate sleep loss impairs vigilance and sustained attention in children with ADHD
A new study indicates that the ability of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to remain vigilant and attentive deteriorated significantly after losing less than one hour of nightly sleep for a week.
New insight into ADHD
Researchers have generated important new insight into ADHD and how the condition manifests itself. Among other things, they have found that there is some overlap between ADHD and bipolar disorders with regard to rapid mood swings.
Abnormal control of hand movements may hint at ADHD severity in children
Measurements of hand movement control may help determine the severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, according to two new studies. ADHD is a brain disorder characterized by impulsiveness, hyperactivity, such as not being able to sit still, and inattention or difficulty staying focused.
Kids with ADHD much more likely to develop substance abuse problems as they age, study finds
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, or ADD) are two to three times more likely than children without ADHD to later develop serious substance abuse problems in adolescence and adulthood, report psychologists.
Adult ADHD significantly increases risk of common form of dementia, study finds
Adults who suffer from attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more than three times as likely to develop a common form of degenerative dementia than those without. Researchers confirmed the link during a study of 360 patients with degenerative dementia and 149 healthy controls, matched by age, sex and education.
Brain scans show children with ADHD have faulty off-switch for mind-wandering
Brain scans of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have shown for the first time why people affected by the condition sometimes have such difficulty in concentrating. The study may explain why parents often say that their child can maintain concentration when they are doing something that interests them, but struggles with boring tasks.
Boosting supply of key brain chemical reduces fatigue in mice
Researchers have "engineered" a mouse that can run on a treadmill twice as long as a normal mouse by increasing its supply of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter essential for muscle contraction. The finding could lead to new treatments for neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, which occurs when cholinergic nerve signals fail to reach the muscle.
Deficits in number processing in children with ADHD and alcohol exposure: Similar but different
Children with fetal alcohol exposure often exhibit similar symptoms to those with ADHD, but new research indicates that they actually occur in completely different areas within the brain.
Twin study helps scientists link relationship among ADHD, reading, math
Children with ADHD can sometimes have more difficulties on math and reading tests compared to their peers. A new study used identical and fraternal twins to look at the genetic and environmental influences underlying ADHD behaviors, reading and math skills in children in an attempt to better understand the relationship among them.
Computer-based program may help relieve some ADHD symptoms in children
An intensive, five-week working memory training program shows promise in relieving some of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, a new study suggests. Researchers found significant changes for students who completed the program in areas such as attention, ADHD symptoms, planning and organization, initiating tasks and working memory.
Common genetic influences for ADHD and reading disability
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental reading disability are complex childhood disorders that frequently occur together; if a child is experiencing trouble with reading, symptoms of ADHD are often also present. However, the reason for this correlation remains unknown.
US healthcare: Medicaid-funded ADHD treatment for children misses the mark, experts argue
The enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 expands Medicare benefits to scores of previously uninsured individuals including many American children. While access to treatment is laudable, the quality of such treatment misses the mark, according to experts in a new article.
Nicotine exposure in pregnant rats puts offspring at risk for learning disabilities
Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy leads to a decrease in adult stem cells and a change in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of the offspring, according to new research. Researchers say this could be a possible cause for behavioral problems such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder seen in children whose mothers smoked.
Gene linked to ADHD allows memory task to be interrupted by brain regions tied to daydreaming
Neuroscientists say brain scans show that a gene nominally linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder leads to increased interference by brain regions associated with mind wandering during mental tasks.
Children with high blood pressure more likely to have learning disabilities, study finds
Children who have hypertension are much more likely to have learning disabilities than children with normal blood pressure, according to a new study. In fact, when variables such as socioeconomic levels are evened out, children with hypertension were four times more likely to have cognitive problems.
Brain imaging identifies differences in childhood bipolar disorder, ADHD
Researchers are now using brain imaging to examine the effects of emotion on working memory function in children with pediatric bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD more common in offspring of mothers with genetic serotonin deficiencies
Children whose mothers are genetically predisposed to have impaired production of serotonin appear more likely to develop attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder later in life, according to a new report.
Children with ADHD at increased risk for depression and suicidal thoughts as adolescents
Greater numbers of depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder symptoms at ages 4 to 6 among children with ADHD robustly predicted risk for depression during adolescence.
Girls with autism or ADHD symptoms not taken seriously, study suggests
When girls with symptoms of autism or ADHD seek professional medical help, their problems are often played down or misinterpreted, and there is a real risk that they will not get the help or support they need. As such, more training is needed in this area, particularly in the public sector, reveals new research.
First direct evidence that ADHD is a genetic disorder: Children with ADHD more likely to have missing or duplicated segments of DNA
New research provides the first direct evidence that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a genetic condition. Scientists in the UK found that children with ADHD were more likely to have small segments of their DNA duplicated or missing than other children.
Childhood cancer survivors show sustained benefit from common ADHD medication
A medicine widely used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also provides long-term relief from the attention and behavior changes that affect many childhood cancer survivors, according to a multicenter trial.
Cognitive behavior therapy improves symptom control in adult ADHD
Adding cognitive behavioral therapy -- an approach that teaches skills for handling life challenges and revising negative thought patterns -- to pharmaceutical treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder significantly improved symptom control in a study of adult patients.
Nearly one million children in U.S. potentially misdiagnosed with ADHD, study finds
Nearly one million children in the United States are potentially misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder simply because they are the youngest -- and most immature -- in their kindergarten class, according to new research.
Birth dates, school enrollment dates affect ADHD diagnosis rates, study shows
Rising rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and large differences in diagnosis rates have led to fears that the condition is often being misdiagnosed. A new study demonstrates that these concerns are justified. Researchers found large discrepancies in diagnosis and treatment rates based on small differences in children's dates of birth.
ADHD, conduct disorder and smoking most strongly related to dropping out of high school
Teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- the most common childhood psychiatric condition in the United States -- are less likely to finish high school on time than students with other mental-health disorders that often are considered more serious, a large national study has found.
Widely used chemicals linked to ADHD in children
Researchers suggests a link between polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs), industrial compounds which are widely used in many consumer products, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. PFCs are highly stable compounds used in industrial and commercial products like stain-resistance coatings, food packaging, and fire-fighting foams.
TV viewing, video game play contribute to kids' attention problems, study finds
A study of both elementary school-aged and college-aged subjects found that youths who exceeded the two hours per day of screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be above average in attention problems.
Sleep-disordered breathing is common but hard to detect in pediatric patients
In a new study, an estimated 18 percent of pediatric patients were found to be at risk for sleep-related breathing disorders. Pediatric risk was not associated with any demographic or craniofacial characteristics, as it is in adults, making it difficult to detect.
ADHD linked to low maternal education, lone parents and welfare benefits, Swedish study finds
A major study of 1.16 million six to 19 year-olds has found strong links between receiving medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and limited maternal education, single parent families and welfare benefits. It is believed to be the first study of risk factors for ADHD in a national cohort of school children. Women who had only received the most basic education were 130% more likely to have a child on ADHD medication. Children were 54% more likely to be on ADHD medication if they came from a single parent family. Coming from a family on welfare benefits increased the risk of ADHD medication by 135%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Addiction News
|
|
|
Poorest smokers face toughest odds for kicking the habit
Quitting smoking is never easy. However, when you're poor and uneducated, kicking the habit for good is doubly hard, according to a new study.
Homeless heavy drinkers imbibe less when housing allows alcohol, study finds
A study of a controversial housing project that allows chronically homeless people with severe alcohol problems to drink in their apartments found that during their first two years in the building residents cut their heavy drinking by 35 percent.
Clue as to why alcohol is addicting: Scientists show that drinking releases brain endorphins
Drinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins in areas of the brain that produce feelings of pleasure and reward, according to a new study.
How the brain puts the brakes on negative impact of cocaine
New research provides fascinating insight into a newly discovered brain mechanism that limits the rewarding impact of cocaine. The study describes protective delayed mechanism that turns off the genes that support the development of addiction-related behaviors. The findings may lead to a better understanding of vulnerability to addiction and as well as new strategies for treatment.
Marijuana smoke not as damaging to lungs as cigarette smoke, study suggests
Using marijuana carries legal risks, but the consequences of occasionally lighting up do not include long-term loss of lung function, according to a new study. In the study in which participants had repeated measurements of lung function over 20 years, occasional and low cumulative marijuana use was not associated with adverse effects on pulmonary function.
Nicotine patch shows benefits in mild cognitive impairment, study suggests
Using a nicotine patch may help improve mild memory loss in older adults, according to a new study.
Guidelines stress caution when combining anti-epileptic, HIV drugs
New guidelines will help physicians better choose seizure drugs for people on HIV/AIDS medication, avoiding deadly drug interactions and preventing critical anti-HIV drugs from becoming less effective, possibly leading to a more virulent strain of the disease.
Crucial advances in 'brain reading' demonstrated
A new study demonstrates several crucial advances in "brain reading" or "brain decoding" using computerized machine learning methods. Researchers classified data taken from people being scanned while watching videos meant to induce nicotine cravings and detected whether people were watching and resisting cravings, indulging in them, or watching videos that were unrelated to smoking or cravings.
One trait has huge impact on whether alcohol makes you aggressive
Drinking enough alcohol to become intoxicated increases aggression significantly in people who have one particular personality trait, according to new research. But people without that trait don't get any more aggressive when drunk than they would when they're sober. That trait is the ability to consider the future consequences of current actions.
Cigarette and alcohol use at historic low among teens
Cigarette and alcohol use by eighth, 10th and 12th-graders are at their lowest point since the Monitoring the Future survey began polling teenagers in 1975, according to this year's survey results. However, this positive news is tempered by a slowing rate of decline in teen smoking as well as continued high rates of abuse of other tobacco products (e.g., hookahs, small cigars, smokeless tobacco), marijuana and prescription drugs.
Opioid abuse linked to mood and anxiety disorders
Researchers find that mood and anxiety disorders are highly associated with non-medical prescription opioid use.
New strain of lab mice mimics human alcohol consumption patterns
A line of laboratory mice drinks more alcohol than other animal models and consumes it in a fashion similar to humans: choosing alcohol over other options and binge drinking.
Anti-stress peptide may block alcohol dependence
New research underlines the power of an endogenous anti-stress peptide in the brain to prevent and even reverse some of the cellular effects of acute alcohol and alcohol dependence in animal models. The work could lead to the development of novel drugs to treat alcoholism.
Mother's touch may protect against drug cravings later
An attentive, nurturing mother may be able to help her children better resist the temptations of drug use later in life, according to a study in rats conducted by researchers in the United States and Australia.
Gray matter in brain's control center linked to ability to process reward; Structure-function impairments observed in people addicted to cocaine
The more gray matter you have in the decision-making, thought-processing part of your brain, the better your ability to evaluate rewards and consequences. A new study is the first to show this link between structure and function in healthy people -- and the impairment of both in people addicted to cocaine.
Youth smoking at all-time low; teen binge drinking, driving after cannabis use remain concerns, Canadian study suggests
Fewer Ontario teens are smoking cigarettes than ever before -- good news that is tempered by continuing concerns around binge drinking, and driving while under the influence of cannabis, according to the 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. The survey, which included 9,288 students across Ontario in grades 7 to 12, is the longest running student survey in Canada.
Smoking cessation interventions appear to be effective for some current smokers
Nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation intervention programs are associated with positive outcomes among current smokers, according to new studies.
Drug laws fail to protect children, experts say
“Would legal regulation and control of drugs better protect children?” is a question posed by former President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso in a new editorial.
New way to boost potency of natural pain relief chemical in body
Researchers have discovered a new means of enhancing the effects of anandamide -- a natural, marijuana-like chemical in the body that provides pain relief.
Illegal drug use is associated with abnormal weight in teens
A survey of more than 33,000 Italian high school students reveals that both underweight and overweight teens consume 20 to 40 percent more illegal drugs than their normal-weight peers.
Alcoholics' 'injured brains' work harder to complete simple tasks: Finger tapping study shows alcoholics may recruit other brain regions
Alcoholic brains can perform a simple finger-tapping exercise as well as their sober counterparts but their brain must work a lot harder to do it, according to a new study.
Gene impedes recovery from alcoholism, Swedish research finds
People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death, according to research from Sweden.
Serotonin system in women's brains is damaged more readily by alcohol than that in men’s brains, study finds
After only four years of problem drinking, a significant decrease in the function of the serotonin system in women’s brains can be seen. This is the system that regulates such functions as impulse control and mood. It takes 12 years before a corresponding decrease is seen in men.
High childhood IQ linked to subsequent illicit drug use, research suggests
A high childhood IQ may be linked to subsequent illegal drug use, particularly among women, new research suggests.
Volunteering, helping others decreases substance use in rural teens, study finds
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report the highest rates of substance use and dependence, according to the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use & Health. A new study found that rural adolescents who engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering and helping others, are less likely to use substances as young adults.
Racial and ethnic variations in substance-related disorders among adolescents
Substance use is widespread among adolescents in the United States, particularly among those of Native American, white, Hispanic and multiple race/ethnicity, and these groups are also disproportionally affected by substance-related disorders, according to a new report.
Fatherhood can help change a man's bad habits
After men become fathers for the first time, they show significant decreases in crime, tobacco and alcohol use, according to a new, 19-year study. Researchers assessed more than 200 at-risk boys annually from the age of 12 to 31, and examined how men's crime, tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use changed over time. While previous studies showed that marriage can change a man's negative behavior, they had not isolated the additional effects of fatherhood.
Adolescent amphetamine use linked to permanent changes in brain function and behavior
Amphetamine use in adolescence can cause neurobiological imbalances and increase risk-taking behavior, and these effects can persist into adulthood, even when subjects are drug free. These are the conclusions of a new study using animal models. The study is one of the first to shed light on how long-term amphetamine use in adolescence affects brain chemistry and behavior.
Nicotine primes brain for cocaine use: Molecular basis of gateway sequence of drug use
Cigarettes and alcohol serve as gateway drugs, which people use before progressing to the use of marijuana, cocaine and other illicit substances; this progression is called the "gateway sequence" of drug use. Latest findings provide the first molecular explanation for the gateway sequence. They show that nicotine causes specific changes in the brain that make it more vulnerable to cocaine addiction -- a discovery made by using a novel mouse model.
Chantix unsuitable for first-line smoking cessation use, study finds
The poor safety profile of the smoking-cessation drug varenicline (Chantix) makes it unsuitable for first-line use, according to a new study. Varenicline, which already carries a "black box warning" from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, showed a substantially increased risk of reported depression or suicidal behavior compared to other smoking-cessation treatments, according to researchers.
Nicotine as a gateway drug: Biological mechanism in mice identified
A landmark study in mice identifies a biological mechanism that could help explain how tobacco products could act as gateway drugs, increasing a person's future likelihood of abusing cocaine and perhaps other drugs as well, according to researchers. The study is the first to show that nicotine might prime the brain to enhance the behavioral effects of cocaine.
Legalizing medical marijuana does not increase use among youth, study suggests
Researchers studied whether legalizing medical marijuana in Rhode Island would be likely to increase its use among youths. Based on their analysis of 32,570 students, they found that while marijuana use was common throughout the study period, there were no statistically significant differences in marijuana use between states where medical marijuana was legal and where it was illegal in any year.
Underage drinking by black teens
New research shows that black middle school students whose close friends drink alcohol are more likely to drink alcohol in high school than their white classmates.
Doctors' own alcohol consumption colors advice to patients
Doctors who drink more themselves are more liberal in their advice to patients on alcohol consumption. They set higher thresholds for what is harmful, and while men who are heavy drinkers get to continue drinking, women are often advised to stop altogether, reveals new research.
Influencing craving for cigarettes by stimulating the brain
Targeted brain stimulation increases cigarette cravings, a new study has found, which may lead to new treatments. Cues such as watching someone else smoke, elicit craving and may provoke relapse. There are many methods that smokers use in an attempt to reduce their craving for cigarettes, including efficacious pharmacologic treatments such as nicotine patches, hypnosis and acupuncture. Scientists have long suspected that these diverse approaches might work through the reduction of activity in a brain circuit that is responsible for cigarette craving.
Findings offer new clues into the addicted brain
What drives addicts to repeatedly choose drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, overeating, gambling or kleptomania, despite the risks involved? Neuroscientists have pinpointed the exact locations in the brain where calculations are made that can result in addictive and compulsive behavior.
How cannabis causes 'cognitive chaos' in the brain
Cannabis use is associated with disturbances in concentration and memory. New research by neuroscientists in the UK has found that brain activity becomes uncoordinated and inaccurate during these altered states of mind, leading to neurophysiological and behavioral impairments reminiscent of those seen in schizophrenia.
How hemp got high: Cannabis genome mapped
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Cannabis sativa, the plant that produces both industrial hemp and marijuana, and in the process revealed the genetic changes that led to the plant's drug-producing properties.
The cannabis genome: How hemp got high
Throughout history, Cannabis sativa has been exploited by humanity. Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 6, and its fiber is used in the production of fabrics. Marijuana is known for its mind-altering properties. The changes to the genome that led to drug-producing plants is a mystery of cannabis evolution, but one that has now been solved, thanks to new research.
Updated guideline for treating essential tremor
An updated guideline on how to best treat essential tremor, which is the most common type of tremor disorder and is often confused with other movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, has just been published.
Study of U.S. popular music links luxury alcohol brands with degrading sex: Is the alcohol industry profiting from underage drinking?
In a new study, researchers reported that the average US adolescent is heavily exposed to alcohol brand references in popular music. Branded alcohol references are most common in rap, R&B, and hip hop songs, and they are commonly associated with a luxury lifestyle characterized by degrading sexual activity, wealth, partying, violence and the use of drugs.
Fatal crashes in the US: Fewer Canadian drivers under the influence
Alcohol-related fatal motor vehicle crashes in the US are much lower among drivers with Canadian licenses than drivers with US or Mexican licenses. Research from other countries finds foreign drivers are at greater risk of crashes than native drivers. In contrast, this study shows that drivers licensed in Mexico and Canada who were involved in fatal crashes in the US had the same or less alcohol impairment than US-licensed drivers.
'Drunkorexia:' A recipe for disaster
It is well-known that eating disorders are common among teens and college students. Heavy alcohol consumption is another well-known unhealthy habit of this age group. A new study shows that when college students combine these two unhealthy habits, their long-term health may be affected. "Drunkorexia" is a new term coined by the media to describe the combination of disordered eating and heavy alcohol consumption.
Developing new drugs made easier with method to track drugs in tissue
When a new drug is developed, the manufacturer must be able to show that it reaches its intended goal in the body's tissue, and only that goal. Such studies could be made easier with a new method.
Link between alcohol and harm is stronger in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden than in Italy, study suggests
A new study examines the impact that the cultural context of drinking may have on the relationship between drinking and harm in several European countries. Results suggest a significant relationship between volume of consumption and risk of experiencing alcohol-related problems in all five countries examined. The relationship appears to be stronger in three Baltic countries and Sweden than in Italy.
Alcohol consumption greatly increases serious injury risk for heavy and moderate drinkers
A new study has investigated the linkages between alcohol consumption and hospitalized injury. Heavy drinkers face higher injury risks than most people when sober; conversely, their injury risk rises less when alcohol positive. Moderate drinkers who occasionally drink to excess suffer more injuries than heavy drinkers per alcohol-positive hour.
Genetically influenced responses to alcohol affect brain activation both with and without alcohol
A low level of response (LR) to alcohol reflects at least in part a low brain response to alcohol and carries significant risk for the later development of alcoholism. A new study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activation in individuals with low and high LRs to alcohol while they performed a cognitive task. Significant differences detected in brain activation may contribute to the inability by individuals with a low LR to recognize modest levels of alcohol intoxication.
Heavy drinking undergraduates who are impulsive, aggressive may be at high risk for alcohol problems
Researchers used an anonymous online survey to examine drinking patterns and personality traits. Results identified three groups, two of which drank at fairly high levels. The group with higher levels of impulsivity and aggression appears most at-risk for future alcohol problems.
Brain scans reveal drugs' effects on attention
Scientists have developed a way to evaluate new treatments for some forms of attention deficit disorder. Working in mice, researchers showed that they can use brain scans to quickly test whether drugs increase levels of a brain chemical known as dopamine.
Tests to catch the makers of dangerous 'legal high' designer drugs
Urgently needed tests which could help identify the manufacturers of designer 'legal high' drugs are now being developed.
Macroeconomic conditions and alcohol consumption: When the economy is down, alcohol consumption goes up
Previous studies have found that health outcomes improve during an economic downturn. Job loss means less money available for potentially unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking, according to existing literature on employment and alcohol consumption. A new study has concluded just the opposite -- heavy drinking and alcohol abuse/dependence significantly increase as macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.
Potential new drugs plug brain's biological 'vacuum cleaner' and target HIV
In an advance toward eliminating pockets of infection in the brain that help make HIV disease incurable, scientists report the development of new substances that first plug the biological vacuum cleaner that prevents anti-HIV drugs from reaching the brain and then revert to an active drug to treat HIV. The advance promises to allow medications to cross the so-called "blood-brain barrier" and treat brain diseases.
Media habits of young people may make them drink more; What should be done?
Media companies are increasingly targeting adolescents with TV shows that feature violence, alcohol and drugs. An interdisciplinary research project, with researchers from Sweden and colleagues from the UK, is looking closer at how society and other actors should react to the link between young people's media habits and their alcohol consumption.
Smoking cannabis increases risk of depression in the case of genetic vulnerability, study finds
Young people who are genetically vulnerable to depression should be extra careful about using cannabis: smoking cannabis leads to an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms, according to a new study carried out by researchers in the Netherlands. Two-thirds of the population have the gene variant that makes one sensitive to depression.
Jonesing for java: Could caffeine use predict risk for cocaine abuse?
A new study that examined responses to stimulants is the first to demonstrate that caffeine reinforcement prospectively predicts the positive effects of another drug.
Extreme gambling: Extreme sport athletes have a lot in common with gamblers
Can parachuting help people with a gambling addiction? New research shows that extreme sport athletes have quite a lot in common with gamblers.
Marijuana use may double the risk of accidents for drivers, study finds
Researchers have found that drivers who test positive for marijuana or report driving within three hours of marijuana use are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes. The researchers also found evidence that crash risk increases with the concentration of marijuana-produced compounds in the urine and the frequency of self-reported marijuana use.
Marijuana component could ease pain from chemotherapy drugs, study suggests
A chemical component of the marijuana plant could prevent the onset of pain associated with drugs used in chemotherapy, particularly in breast cancer patients.
Social media sites may reveal information about problem drinking among college students
Social media websites, such as Facebook and MySpace, may reveal information that could identify underage college students who may be at risk for problem drinking, according to a new study.
Young adults want to recover from addiction but need help to make it happen, study suggests
A new study suggests that strong motivation to change may exist from the get-go among young adults with severe addiction problems entering residential treatment, but the know-how and confidence to change come through the treatment experience,.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Alcoholism News
|
|
|
Off-campus college party hosts drink more than attendees, research suggests
On any given weekend, at least 10 percent of students at a single college could be hosting a party, research suggests. How much hosts drink depends on whether they are on or off campus.
Homeless heavy drinkers imbibe less when housing allows alcohol, study finds
A study of a controversial housing project that allows chronically homeless people with severe alcohol problems to drink in their apartments found that during their first two years in the building residents cut their heavy drinking by 35 percent.
Clue as to why alcohol is addicting: Scientists show that drinking releases brain endorphins
Drinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins in areas of the brain that produce feelings of pleasure and reward, according to a new study.
One trait has huge impact on whether alcohol makes you aggressive
Drinking enough alcohol to become intoxicated increases aggression significantly in people who have one particular personality trait, according to new research. But people without that trait don't get any more aggressive when drunk than they would when they're sober. That trait is the ability to consider the future consequences of current actions.
Cigarette and alcohol use at historic low among teens
Cigarette and alcohol use by eighth, 10th and 12th-graders are at their lowest point since the Monitoring the Future survey began polling teenagers in 1975, according to this year's survey results. However, this positive news is tempered by a slowing rate of decline in teen smoking as well as continued high rates of abuse of other tobacco products (e.g., hookahs, small cigars, smokeless tobacco), marijuana and prescription drugs.
New strain of lab mice mimics human alcohol consumption patterns
A line of laboratory mice drinks more alcohol than other animal models and consumes it in a fashion similar to humans: choosing alcohol over other options and binge drinking.
Anti-stress peptide may block alcohol dependence
New research underlines the power of an endogenous anti-stress peptide in the brain to prevent and even reverse some of the cellular effects of acute alcohol and alcohol dependence in animal models. The work could lead to the development of novel drugs to treat alcoholism.
Youth smoking at all-time low; teen binge drinking, driving after cannabis use remain concerns, Canadian study suggests
Fewer Ontario teens are smoking cigarettes than ever before -- good news that is tempered by continuing concerns around binge drinking, and driving while under the influence of cannabis, according to the 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. The survey, which included 9,288 students across Ontario in grades 7 to 12, is the longest running student survey in Canada.
Alcoholics' 'injured brains' work harder to complete simple tasks: Finger tapping study shows alcoholics may recruit other brain regions
Alcoholic brains can perform a simple finger-tapping exercise as well as their sober counterparts but their brain must work a lot harder to do it, according to a new study.
Gene impedes recovery from alcoholism, Swedish research finds
People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death, according to research from Sweden.
Serotonin system in women's brains is damaged more readily by alcohol than that in men’s brains, study finds
After only four years of problem drinking, a significant decrease in the function of the serotonin system in women’s brains can be seen. This is the system that regulates such functions as impulse control and mood. It takes 12 years before a corresponding decrease is seen in men.
Racial and ethnic variations in substance-related disorders among adolescents
Substance use is widespread among adolescents in the United States, particularly among those of Native American, white, Hispanic and multiple race/ethnicity, and these groups are also disproportionally affected by substance-related disorders, according to a new report.
Fatherhood can help change a man's bad habits
After men become fathers for the first time, they show significant decreases in crime, tobacco and alcohol use, according to a new, 19-year study. Researchers assessed more than 200 at-risk boys annually from the age of 12 to 31, and examined how men's crime, tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use changed over time. While previous studies showed that marriage can change a man's negative behavior, they had not isolated the additional effects of fatherhood.
Nicotine as a gateway drug: Biological mechanism in mice identified
A landmark study in mice identifies a biological mechanism that could help explain how tobacco products could act as gateway drugs, increasing a person's future likelihood of abusing cocaine and perhaps other drugs as well, according to researchers. The study is the first to show that nicotine might prime the brain to enhance the behavioral effects of cocaine.
Underage drinking by black teens
New research shows that black middle school students whose close friends drink alcohol are more likely to drink alcohol in high school than their white classmates.
Doctors' own alcohol consumption colors advice to patients
Doctors who drink more themselves are more liberal in their advice to patients on alcohol consumption. They set higher thresholds for what is harmful, and while men who are heavy drinkers get to continue drinking, women are often advised to stop altogether, reveals new research.
High fizzy soft drink consumption linked to violence among teens
Teens who drink more than five cans of non-diet, fizzy soft drinks every week are significantly more likely to behave aggressively, new research suggests. This includes carrying a weapon and perpetrating violence against peers and siblings.
Study of U.S. popular music links luxury alcohol brands with degrading sex: Is the alcohol industry profiting from underage drinking?
In a new study, researchers reported that the average US adolescent is heavily exposed to alcohol brand references in popular music. Branded alcohol references are most common in rap, R&B, and hip hop songs, and they are commonly associated with a luxury lifestyle characterized by degrading sexual activity, wealth, partying, violence and the use of drugs.
Fatal crashes in the US: Fewer Canadian drivers under the influence
Alcohol-related fatal motor vehicle crashes in the US are much lower among drivers with Canadian licenses than drivers with US or Mexican licenses. Research from other countries finds foreign drivers are at greater risk of crashes than native drivers. In contrast, this study shows that drivers licensed in Mexico and Canada who were involved in fatal crashes in the US had the same or less alcohol impairment than US-licensed drivers.
'Drunkorexia:' A recipe for disaster
It is well-known that eating disorders are common among teens and college students. Heavy alcohol consumption is another well-known unhealthy habit of this age group. A new study shows that when college students combine these two unhealthy habits, their long-term health may be affected. "Drunkorexia" is a new term coined by the media to describe the combination of disordered eating and heavy alcohol consumption.
Link between alcohol and harm is stronger in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden than in Italy, study suggests
A new study examines the impact that the cultural context of drinking may have on the relationship between drinking and harm in several European countries. Results suggest a significant relationship between volume of consumption and risk of experiencing alcohol-related problems in all five countries examined. The relationship appears to be stronger in three Baltic countries and Sweden than in Italy.
Alcohol consumption greatly increases serious injury risk for heavy and moderate drinkers
A new study has investigated the linkages between alcohol consumption and hospitalized injury. Heavy drinkers face higher injury risks than most people when sober; conversely, their injury risk rises less when alcohol positive. Moderate drinkers who occasionally drink to excess suffer more injuries than heavy drinkers per alcohol-positive hour.
Genetically influenced responses to alcohol affect brain activation both with and without alcohol
A low level of response (LR) to alcohol reflects at least in part a low brain response to alcohol and carries significant risk for the later development of alcoholism. A new study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activation in individuals with low and high LRs to alcohol while they performed a cognitive task. Significant differences detected in brain activation may contribute to the inability by individuals with a low LR to recognize modest levels of alcohol intoxication.
Heavy drinking undergraduates who are impulsive, aggressive may be at high risk for alcohol problems
Researchers used an anonymous online survey to examine drinking patterns and personality traits. Results identified three groups, two of which drank at fairly high levels. The group with higher levels of impulsivity and aggression appears most at-risk for future alcohol problems.
Macroeconomic conditions and alcohol consumption: When the economy is down, alcohol consumption goes up
Previous studies have found that health outcomes improve during an economic downturn. Job loss means less money available for potentially unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking, according to existing literature on employment and alcohol consumption. A new study has concluded just the opposite -- heavy drinking and alcohol abuse/dependence significantly increase as macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.
Media habits of young people may make them drink more; What should be done?
Media companies are increasingly targeting adolescents with TV shows that feature violence, alcohol and drugs. An interdisciplinary research project, with researchers from Sweden and colleagues from the UK, is looking closer at how society and other actors should react to the link between young people's media habits and their alcohol consumption.
Marijuana use may double the risk of accidents for drivers, study finds
Researchers have found that drivers who test positive for marijuana or report driving within three hours of marijuana use are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes. The researchers also found evidence that crash risk increases with the concentration of marijuana-produced compounds in the urine and the frequency of self-reported marijuana use.
Social media sites may reveal information about problem drinking among college students
Social media websites, such as Facebook and MySpace, may reveal information that could identify underage college students who may be at risk for problem drinking, according to a new study.
Young adults want to recover from addiction but need help to make it happen, study suggests
A new study suggests that strong motivation to change may exist from the get-go among young adults with severe addiction problems entering residential treatment, but the know-how and confidence to change come through the treatment experience,.
Drunk behavior: A question of immunity
Researchers in Australia have found that immune cells in your brain may contribute to how you respond to alcohol.
Alcohol-related behavior changes: Blame your immune system
When you think about your immune system, you probably think about it fighting off a cold. But new research suggests that immune cells in your brain may contribute to how you respond to alcohol.
Adolescents particularly susceptible to drinking habits of romantic partner's friends
The drinking habits of a romantic partner's friends are more likely to impact an adolescent's future drinking than are the behaviors of an adolescent's own friends or significant other, according to a new study.
Asians fighting alcoholism may benefit from new study
New psychology research indicates that Asians who are struggling with alcoholism may especially benefit from naltrexone, one of three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of alcoholism.
University students who use cannabis, tobacco and alcohol take too many non-prescribed drugs, study suggests
A Spanish study on the consumption of drugs amongst university students confirms that non-prescribed drug abuse amongst those who use cannabis, tobacco and alcohol could be considered "another form of multi-drug consumption."
New study proposes public health guidelines to reduce the harms from cannabis use
A new research study recommends a public health approach to cannabis -- including evidence-based guidelines for lower-risk use -- to reduce the health harms that result from the use of cannabis.
Extent of peer social networks influences onset of adolescent alcohol consumption
Most parents recognize that the influence of peers on their children's behavior is an undeniable fact. But, just how far do these influences reach? A new study finds that adolescents are more likely to start drinking alcoholic beverages when they have large social networks of friends.
Living alone is associated with an increased risk of alcohol-related deaths, Finnish study finds
Living alone is associated with an increased risk of alcohol-related mortality -- from alcohol-related diseases and accidents -- according to a Finnish study, suggesting that a lack of social relationships should be regarded as a potential risk factor for death from alcohol related causes.
Stopping smoking boosts everyday memory, research finds
Giving up smoking isn't just good for your health, it's also good for your memory, according to new research.
Stress drives alcoholics' children to drink, study suggests
If either of your parents has a drink problem, there is a greater risk that you will consume more alcohol after stressful situations, new research from Sweden suggests.
Damaged gait and balance can recover with long-term abstinence from alcohol
Chronic alcoholism is often associated with a disturbed gait and balance, likely caused by alcohol damage to neural systems. While some studies have suggested that abstinence can lead to partial recovery of gait and balance functions, questions remain about duration of abstinence and sample size. This study of both short- and long-term abstinence has found that alcoholics' gait and balance can continue to recover with long-term abstinence from alcohol but that deficits can persist, especially eyes-closed standing balance.
People born after World War II are more likely to binge drink, develop alcohol disorders, study finds
Drinking can be influenced by both personal and societal factors, the latter leading to "drinking cultures." Researchers have completed a review of 31 studies on birth-cohort and gender differences in drinking. Analysis shows that people born after World War II are more likely to binge drink and develop alcohol use disorders, and that women are "catching up" to men in terms of alcohol problems.
Chronic drinking leads to reduced cortical thickness in frontal and temporal brain regions
Chronic misuse of alcohol can cause widespread damage to the brain. A new study uses cortical thickness measurements to examine alcohol-related tissue loss across the cortex. Results show most damage in the frontal and temporal brain regions, directly related to the amount of alcohol consumed.
Alcohol metabolism causes DNA damage and triggers a breast cancer-related DNA damage response
Alcohol is known to be carcinogenic to humans in the upper aerodigestive tract, liver, colorectum, and the female breast. Evidence suggests that acetaldehyde, the primary metabolite of alcohol, plays a major role in alcohol-related esophageal cancer. A new study using human cells has established linkages between alcohol metabolism and acetaldehyde-DNA damage that may have implications for breast and liver cancers.
Enzyme might be target for treating smoking, alcoholism at same time
An enzyme that appears to play a role in controlling the brain's response to nicotine and alcohol in mice might be a promising target for a drug that simultaneously would treat nicotine addiction and alcohol abuse in people, according to a new study.
Social contacts, self-confidence crucial to successful recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, study finds
Among the many ways that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous helps its members stay sober, two appear to be most important -- spending more time with individuals who support efforts towards sobriety and increased confidence in the ability to maintain abstinence in social situations. Researchers now report the first study to examine the relative importance of behavior changes associated with participation in AA on successful recovery.
Liquor store density linked to youth homicides, U.S. studies find
Violent crime could be reduced significantly if policymakers at the local level limit the number of neighborhood liquor stores and ban the sale of single-serve containers of alcoholic beverages, according to separate U.S. studies.
Intoxication important in determining when some men commit sexual aggression
A new review article assesses the extent to which alcohol plays a causal role in sexual assault perpetration. Results found that men who are already prone to anger, who have hostile attitudes toward women, and who are in social environments that accept sexual aggression are most likely to engage in sexual aggression when intoxicated.
Drinking pattern linked to alcohol's effect on heart health
New research shows that patterns of alcohol consumption -- a drink or two every night, or several cocktails on Friday and Saturday nights only -- may be more important in determining alcohol's influence on heart health than the total amount consumed. Scientists found that daily moderate drinking -- the equivalent of two drinks per day, seven days a week -- decreased atherosclerosis in mice, while binge drinking -- seven drinks a day, two days a week -- increased atherosclerosis.
Alcohol dulls brain 'alarm' that monitors mistakes, study finds
Most people have witnessed otherwise intelligent people doing embarrassing or stupid things when they are intoxicated, but what specifically happens in the brain to cause such drunken actions? A new study testing alcohol's effects on brain activity finds that alcohol dulls the brain "signal" that warns people when they are making a mistake, ultimately reducing self control.
Double damage: Partner violence impacts mental health of over half-million Californians
Violence from an intimate partner does not just brutalize a victim physically; exposure to violence can result in disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress, according to a new policy brief. Researchers found that of the 3.5 million Californians who reported experiencing intimate partner violence, more than half a million also reported recent symptoms of "serious psychological distress," such as anxiety or depression.
Community organization can reduce, negate impact of alcohol outlets on neighborhood violence
The density of businesses that sell alcohol in a community has been tied to local levels of violence, but new research has found that the influence depends on the nature of the community. More stable communities can see little to no influence but more disorganized communities are not so fortunate.
Impulsive alcoholics likely to die sooner
Alcohol and impulsivity are a dangerous mix: People with current drinking problems and poor impulse control are more likely to die in the next 15 years, a new study suggests. However, they could get by with a little help from their friends: The study also found that a strong social support network buffers the toxic effects of impulsivity.
Moderate drinking may protect against Alzheimer's and cognitive impairment, study suggests
Moderate social drinking may significantly reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, suggests a new analysis of 143 studies.
Linking brain-derived neurotrophic factor to alcohol dependence
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates neuronal plasticity. Researchers have found high serum BDNF levels among alcohol-dependent (AD) but abstinent individuals that do not correlate with either chronic drinking or associated toxicity. These findings suggest that BDNF may predict relapse in AD individuals undergoing treatment.
The aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 polymorphism affects alcohol dependence differently by gender
Gender differences exist in the prevalence, characteristics, and course of alcohol dependence (AD). Polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase-1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) are strong genetic determinants of AD. While inactive ALDH2 traditionally delays the development of AD in men, a new study has found that inactive ALDH2 can accelerate the development of AD in women.
Alcohol interferes with the restorative functions of sleep
Alcohol is known to increase slow-wave sleep during the first half of sleep, but then become disruptive. A new study of the relationship between sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep has found that alcohol interferes with the restorative functions of sleep.
Heavy drinkers have poor dietary habits
Excessive drinking and an unbalanced diet are two preventable contributors to health problems. A new study of adults in Spain has found that heavy drinking, binge drinking, a preference for spirits, and drinking alcohol at mealtimes were associated with a poor adherence to major food consumption guidelines.
New definition of addiction: Addiction is a chronic brain disease, not just bad behavior or bad choices
When people see compulsive and damaging behaviors in friends or family members -- or public figures such as celebrities or politicians -- they often focus only on the substance use or behaviors as the problem. However, these outward behaviors are actually manifestations of an underlying disease that involves various areas of the brain, according to a new definition.
Majority of adolescents with prescriptions for pain, stimulant, sleeping and antianxiety medications take them appropriately, study finds
Adolescents who misuse controlled medications (e.g., pain, stimulant, sleeping and antianxiety medications) for which they have a legitimate prescription may be more likely to abuse other substances and to sell, give or trade their controlled medications to other individuals, according to a new study.
Self-medication of anxiety symptoms with drugs or alcohol associated with increased risk of developing substance use disorders
Self-medicating with alcohol or other drugs appears to be associated with an increased risk of substance use disorders and social phobia in patients with anxiety-related symptoms, according to a new study.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Alternative Medicine News
|
|
|
Children with ADHD benefit from healthy lifestyle options as first-line treatment
Every year between 3 and 10 percent of school-age children in this country are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasingly, families are using natural or complementary therapies to improve their child’s attention or behavior, and often seek advice from an integrative pediatrician, according to a new study.
Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells, in vitro study shows
In a recent study, scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when they are exposed to the approximate number of bioactive compounds present in one cup of mate tea, which has long been consumed in South America for its medicinal properties.
Some like it hot: Popular yoga style cranks up the heat
Yoga is one of the hottest fitness trends and a style known as “hot yoga” is gaining in popularity. While the practice can offer health benefits, people practicing hot yoga, especially beginners, should take certain precautions, according to an expert.
Dried licorice root fights the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, study finds
Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice -- used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine -- that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a new study, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
Breast cancer survivors benefit from practicing mindfulness-based stress reduction
Women recently diagnosed with breast cancer have higher survival rates than those diagnosed in previous decades, according to new research. However, survivors continue to face health challenges after their treatments end. Previous research reports as many as 50 percent of breast cancer survivors are depressed. Now, researchers say a meditation technique can help breast cancer survivors improve their emotional and physical well-being.
Acupuncture reduces protein linked to stress in first of its kind animal study
Acupuncture significantly reduces levels of a protein in rats linked to chronic stress, researchers have found. They say their animal study may help explain the sense of well-being that many people receive from this ancient Chinese therapy.
Acupuncture may ease severe nerve pain associated with cancer treatment, study suggests
Acupuncture may help ease the severe nerve pain associated with certain cancer drugs, suggests a small preliminary study.
Age-old remedies using white tea, witch hazel and rose may be beneficial, study suggests
Age-old remedies could hold the key to treating a wide range of serious medical problems, as well as keeping skin firmer and less wrinkled, according to scientists. Experts have discovered that white tea, witch hazel and the simple rose hold potential health and beauty properties which could be simply too good to ignore.
DNA system developed to identify and authenticate plant species
Biologists have developed a method which can detect the use of illegal or counterfeit plants in medicine and could also be used to boost conservation by identifying and monitoring the exploitation of endangered plant species.
Acupuncture can prevent radiation-induced chronic dry mouth, study finds
When given alongside radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, acupuncture has shown for the first time to reduce the debilitating side effect of xerostomia, according to new research.
Yoga aids chronic back pain sufferers, study suggests
Yoga can provide more effective treatment for chronic lower back pain than more conventional methods, according to the UK's largest ever study into the benefits of yoga. The study found that people offered a specially-designed 12-week yoga program experienced greater improvements in back function and more confidence in performing everyday tasks than those offered conventional forms of care.
Yoga and stretching exercises beneficial for chronic low back pain, study finds
Yoga classes were found to be more effective than a self-care book for patients with chronic low back pain at reducing symptoms and improving function, but they were not more effective than stretching classes, according to a new study.
Yoga eases back pain in largest U.S. yoga study to date
Yoga classes were linked to better back-related function and diminished symptoms from chronic low back pain in the largest U.S. randomized controlled trial of yoga to date.
Can aromatherapy produce harmful indoor air pollutants?
Spas that offer massage therapy using fragrant essential oils, called aromatherapy, may have elevated levels of potentially harmful indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles, according to a new article.
Teachers, children mistake candy for medicine in study
More than one in four kindergarten children, and one in five teachers, had difficulty distinguishing between medicine and candy in new research conducted by two, now seventh-grade students.
Herbal supplements may cause dangerous drug interactions in orthopaedic surgery patients, study suggests
Complementary and alternative medical treatments such as herbal supplements have become increasingly popular in the United States, especially among older patients and those with chronic pain. However, many of these products can have serious and potentially harmful side effects when combined with medications prescribed during and after surgery, according to a review article.
Green tea helps mice keep off extra pounds
Green tea may slow down weight gain and serve as another tool in the fight against obesity, according to food scientists.
Higher quality diet associated with reduced risk of some birth defects
Healthier dietary choices by pregnant women are associated with reduced risks of birth defects, including neural tube defects and orofacial clefts, according to a new study.
Saw palmetto no more effective than placebo for urinary symptoms; Study finds dietary supplement does not alleviate BPH
Saw palmetto, a widely used herbal dietary supplement, does not reduce urinary problems associated with prostate enlargement any better than a placebo, according to new research.
Popular supplement has no effect on prostate health, clinical study shows
The most widely used over-the-counter supplement for prostate health is no more effective than a placebo in treating men's lower urinary tract symptoms, according to new findings.
Saw palmetto no benefit as prostate remedy
The fruit of the saw palmetto tree does not relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, even when men take the herbal supplement in very high doses, a new study shows.
Saw palmetto no better than placebo in relieving prostate symptoms, even at high doses
Long-term adminstration of the dietary supplement saw palmetto, even at three times the usual dose, did not reduce symptoms of prostate enlargement significantly better than placebo in a large group of middle-aged men.
Study identifies 'respectable addicts' experiencing range of problems with over-the-counter medicines
A report of a study investigating over the counter medicine (OTC) abuse provides evidence that there is a group of individuals experiencing a range of problems often with codeine-based medicines purchased from pharmacies, and for whom help and support varied.
Natural therapies: Cardiologists examine alternatives to halt high blood pressure
More and more, patients show up to appointments with hypertension experts carrying bags full of "natural" products that they hope will help lower their blood pressure. And like most physicians, hypertension experts don't always know if these products will do any good, or if they will cause any harm. To better educate physicians and patients, researchers have now conducted the most comprehensive review to date of the evidence behind a range of non-drug interventions.
Medicinal plants used in illegal abortions may help stop lethal bleeding in women after birth, African study suggests
Researchers from Denmark have examined a number of plants which are used for illegal abortions in Tanzania. Several of the plants can be used to stop lethal bleeding after birth.
Popular herbal supplements may adversely affect chemotherapy treatment
Acai berry, cumin, herbal tea, turmeric and long-term use of garlic -- all herbal supplements commonly believed to be beneficial to your health -- may negatively impact chemotherapy treatment according to a new report.
Green tea is effective in treating genetic disorder and types of tumors, study suggests
A compound found in green tea shows great promise for the development of drugs to treat two types of tumors and a deadly congenital disease.
Buyer beware: Herbal products missing key safety information
Many herbal remedies available over-the-counter in pharmacies and health food shops are still lacking important information needed for safe use, according to researchers.
Even with regular exercise, people with inactive lifestyles more at risk for chronic diseases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 percent of Americans have inactive lifestyles (they take fewer than 5,000 steps a day) and 75 percent do not meet the weekly exercise recommendations (150 minutes of moderate activity each week and muscle-strengthening activity twice a week) to maintain good health. After reviewing recent literature, researchers contend that physical inactivity is the primary cause of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and fatty liver disease.
Colon cleansing has no benefit but many side effects including vomiting and death, doctors say
Colon cleansing -- it's been described as a natural way to enhance well-being, but doctors say there's no evidence to back that claim. In fact, their review of scientific literature demonstrates that colon cleansing can cause side effects ranging from cramping and to renal failure and death.
Spiritual retreat can lower depression, raise hope in heart patients
Attending a non-denominational spiritual retreat can help patients with severe heart trouble feel less depressed and more hopeful about the future, a new study has found.
Yoga boosts stress-busting hormone, reduces pain, study finds
A new study finds that practicing yoga reduces the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia. The study is the first to look at the effects of yoga on cortisol levels in women with fibromyalgia. Participants' saliva revealed elevated levels of total cortisol following a program of 75 minutes of hatha yoga twice weekly over the course of eight weeks.
Could patients' own kidney cells cure kidney disease? Reprogrammed kidney cells could make transplants and dialysis things of the past
Approximately 60 million people across the globe have chronic kidney disease, and many will need dialysis or a transplant. Breakthrough research indicates that patients' own kidney cells can be gathered and reprogrammed. Reprogramming patients' kidney cells could mean that in the future, fewer patients with kidney disease would require complicated, expensive procedures that affect their quality of life.
A closer look at the placebo effect
A study provides new insights into the placebo effect and suggests that in addition to active therapies, the idea of being cared for is important to patients' health.
Omega-3 reduces anxiety and inflammation in healthy students, study suggests
A new study gauging the impact of consuming more fish oil showed a marked reduction both in inflammation and, surprisingly, in anxiety among a cohort of healthy young people. The findings suggest that if young participants can get such improvements from specific dietary supplements, then the elderly and people at high risk for certain diseases might benefit even more.
Unsolved mystery of kava toxicity
A major new review of scientific knowledge on kava -- a plant used to make dietary supplements and a trendy drink with calming effects -- has left unsolved the mystery of why Pacific Island people can consume it safely, while people in the United States, Europe and other Western cultures sometimes experience toxic effects.
Indirubin, component Of Chinese herbal remedy, might block brain tumor's spread, study suggests
Indirubin, the active ingredient in a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, might offer a new strategy for treating glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer. A new study shows that indirubin both blocks the migration of glioblastoma cells, preventing their spread to other areas of the brain, and the migration of endothelial cells, preventing them from forming the new blood vessels the tumor needs to grow.
Natural pain relief from poisonous shrub?
An extract of the poisonous shrub Jatropha curcas acts as a strong painkiller and may have a mode of action different from conventional analgesics, such as morphine and other pharmaceuticals.
Integrating science and medicine in the treatment of chronic disease
Chronic non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, chronic respiratory disorders and cancer represent the major global health problem of the 21st century and affect all age groups. The cost of treating these diseases is substantial. In a new article, an international group of scientists and medical doctors proposes an integrated method, using systems medicine, research, and personalized patient centered treatment, to look at chronic disease as a whole.
Massage eases low back pain in randomized controlled trial
Massage therapy helps ease chronic back pain and improve function, according to results of a randomized controlled trial. The first study to compare structural and relaxation (Swedish) massage, the trial found that both types of massage worked well, with few side effects. Massage helped people with back pain to function even after six months. They were more able to work, take care of themselves, and be active.
A wise man's treatment for arthritis: Frankincense?
The answer to treating painful arthritis could lie in an age old herbal remedy -- frankincense, according to scientists. They have been examining the potential benefits of frankincense to help relieve and alleviate the symptoms of the condition.
Pregnancy: Walking, sex and spicy food are favored unprescribed methods to bring on labor
More than half of the women in a recently published survey reported that near the end of their pregnancies, they took it upon themselves to try to induce labor, mostly by walking, having sex, eating spicy food or stimulating their nipples. Of the 201 women who responded to the survey at a Midwestern hospital, 102, or 50.7 percent, used these or other unprescribed methods to try to bring on labor.
Tai chi could help overcome cognitive effects of chemotherapy, evidence suggests
Previous studies have indicated that a significant number of patients who receive chemotherapy also experience cognitive declines, including decreases in verbal fluency and memory. Now, one psychologist has found evidence that indicates Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art, might help overcome some of those problems.
Yoga helps older stroke victims improve balance, endurance, study suggests
A recent study that exposed older veterans with stroke to yoga produced promising results as researchers explore whether this popular mind-body practice can help stroke victims cope with their increased risk for painful and even deadly falls. A range of balance items measured by the Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advance Balance Scale improved by 17 percent and 34 percent respectively, participants had more confidence in their balance -- and they enjoyed the practice.
Acupuncture of benefit to those with unexplained symptoms, study suggests
Researchers have carried out a randomized control trial and a linked interview study regarding 80 such patients from GP practices across London, to investigate their experiences of having five-element acupuncture added to their usual care. This is the first trial of traditional acupuncture for people with unexplained symptoms.
Siginificant benefits of yoga in people with rheumatoid arthritis, study shows
Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who practice yoga showed statistically significant improvements in disease activity, according to a small study.
Traditional remedy bitter cumin is a great source antioxidant plant phenols, study suggests
Bitter cumin is used extensively in traditional medicine to treat a range of diseases from vitiligo to hyperglycemia. It is considered to be antiparasitic and antimicrobial and science has backed up claims of its use to reduce fever or as a painkiller. New research shows that this humble spice also contains high levels of antioxidants.
Yoga improves quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, study finds
For women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue, according to new research.
T'ai chi helps prevent falls and improve mental health in the elderly, review finds
T'ai chi has particular health benefits for older people, including helping to prevent falls and improving mental wellbeing, reveals a new review.
Chinese herbal paste may help prevent exacerbations of COPD
A traditional Chinese herbal paste known as Xiao Chuan, or XCP, may help reduce winter exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a new study conducted by researchers in Beijing. The paste has been used to treat breathing difficulties in China for more than a thousand years.
Health-care providers are prescribing nontraditional medicine: Use of mind-body therapies on the rise
Prior research suggests that mind-body therapies, while used by millions of patients, is still on the fringe of mainstream medical care in America. New research suggests that attitudes are changing.
Homeopathy is 'dangerous and wasteful,' bioethics expert argues
A bioethics expert has denounced the public funding of homeopathy at a time where Scotland’s health budget is under unprecedented pressure.
Medical sleuthing linked muscle, kidney problems to kava tea
When a 34-year-old bicyclist was found collapsed on a roadside and rushed to the emergency room on the verge of kidney failure and muscle breakdown, doctors were surprised to discover that a trendy tea derived from the kava plant was the cause of his ills.
Tai chi appears to benefit quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure, study finds
Tai chi exercise appears to be associated with improved quality of life, mood and exercise self-efficacy in patients with chronic heart failure, according to a new study.
Acupuncture relieves hot flashes from prostate cancer treatment, study suggests
Acupuncture provides long-lasting relief to hot flashes, heart palpitations and anxiety due to side effects of the hormone given to counteract testosterone, the hormone that induces prostate cancer, according to a new study.
Protein and calories can help lessen effects of severe traumatic brain injury, report says
To help alleviate the effects of severe traumatic brain injury, the US Department of Defense should ensure that all military personnel with this type of injury receive adequate protein and calories immediately after the trauma and through the first two weeks of treatment, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.
Tansy may be used to treat herpes, study suggests
A folk remedy may be an effective treatment for the sexually transmitted disease herpes according to new research.
Integrative medicine, spirituality improves outcomes in urban adolescents with asthma, study suggests
A new study shows that urban adolescents with asthma may experience worse outcomes when not using spiritual coping and often use complementary and alternative medicine, or integrative medicine, like prayer or relaxation, to manage symptoms.
Glaucoma patients report a wide range of emotional and psychological changes
Fear of the unknown is one of the greatest issues facing patients with glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts. People also worry about how the eye disease, which can be hereditary, will affect other members of their family. Researchers spoke to 24 people aged from 23 to 86 with glaucoma, which can lead to severe restriction of the visual field and irreversible blindness if it is not detected early enough and successfully treated.
Green tea and tai chi enhance bone health and reduce inflammation in postmenopausal women
There is a favorable effect of modest green tea consumption on bone remodeling in this pre-osteoporotic population.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Anger Management News
|
|
|
Neurologists should ask patients about abuse: New position statement from American Academy of Neurology
A new position statement issued by the American Academy of Neurology calls on neurologists to begin screening their patients for abusive or violent treatment by family, caretakers or others. Types of abuse include elder abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, cyberbullying and violence.
When co-workers are treated poorly: 'I feel your pain ...'
According to a new study, workers who witness incivility towards colleagues feel negative emotions -- especially when the incivility is aimed at workers of the same sex. The work is the first to look at the relationship between employees' observations of incivility towards same gender coworkers and negative emotions.
One trait has huge impact on whether alcohol makes you aggressive
Drinking enough alcohol to become intoxicated increases aggression significantly in people who have one particular personality trait, according to new research. But people without that trait don't get any more aggressive when drunk than they would when they're sober. That trait is the ability to consider the future consequences of current actions.
Opioid abuse linked to mood and anxiety disorders
Researchers find that mood and anxiety disorders are highly associated with non-medical prescription opioid use.
Was Darwin wrong about emotions?
Contrary to what many psychological scientists think, people do not all have the same set of biologically "basic" emotions, and those emotions are not automatically expressed on the faces of those around us, according to the author of a new article. This means a recent move to train security workers to recognize "basic" emotions from expressions might be misguided.
Psychopathy: A misunderstood personality disorder
Psychopathic personalities are some of the most memorable characters portrayed in popular media today. These characters, like Patrick Bateman from 'American Psycho,' Frank Abagnale Jr. from 'Catch Me If You Can' and Alex from 'A Clockwork Orange,' are typically depicted as charming, intriguing, dishonest, guiltless, and in some cases, downright terrifying. But scientific research suggests that psychopathy is a personality disorder that is widely misunderstood.
Maltreated children show same pattern of brain activity as combat soldiers
Children exposed to family violence show the same pattern of activity in their brains as soldiers exposed to combat, new research has shown.
Child abuse changes the brain, study finds
When children have been exposed to family violence, their brains become increasingly "tuned" for processing possible sources of threat, a new study reports. The findings reveal the same pattern of brain activity in these children as seen previously in soldiers exposed to combat.
Violent video games alter brain function in young men
A functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis of long-term effects of violent video game play on the brain has found changes in brain regions associated with cognitive function and emotional control in young adult men after one week of game play.
The brain acts fast to reappraise angry faces
If you tell yourself that someone who's being mean is just having a bad day -- it's not about you -- you may actually be able to stave off bad feelings, according to a new study.
Extreme antisocial personality predicts gang membership, finds study based on survey of male prisoners
Research into the 2011 London riots found they were mostly committed by antisocial persons, less than 20 percent of whom were explicitly gang members. This is because gang membership is primarily for the most antisocial of such persons. New research has identified extreme antisocial personality as a key reason why some criminals join gangs.
High blood pressure may lead to missed emotional cues
Your ability to recognize emotional content in faces and texts is linked to your blood pressure, according to new research.
Impulsive versus controlled men: Disinhibited brains and disinhibited behavior
Impulsive individuals tend to display aggressive behavior and have challenges ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, to problem gambling and difficult relationships. They are less able to adapt to different social situations. Impulsivity is also a common feature of psychiatric disorders. New research shows that people may react this way, in part, because they have lower levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, in a specific part of their brain involved in regulating self-control.
Understanding emotions without language
Does understanding emotions depend on the language we speak, or is our perception the same regardless of language and culture?
Clues to young children's aggressive behavior uncovered by new study
In a new longitudinal study that moves beyond descriptive findings to explain underlying processes, researchers looked at difficult infant temperament and negative maternal parenting for more than 260 mother and child pairs and found that negative maternal parenting mattered more than difficult infant temperament in putting parent-child pairs at risk for conflict in the toddler period, and then putting children at risk for conduct problems at school age.
Good relationship with teacher can protect first graders from aggression
A new study of 217 Canadian seven-year-old twins finds that children who were genetically vulnerable to being aggressive were more likely to be victimized by their classmates than others. However, these children were protected from acting aggressively and being the target of other children's aggression if they had a very good relationship with their teacher. The study included both identical and fraternal twin pairs who were not in the same classroom.
High fizzy soft drink consumption linked to violence among teens
Teens who drink more than five cans of non-diet, fizzy soft drinks every week are significantly more likely to behave aggressively, new research suggests. This includes carrying a weapon and perpetrating violence against peers and siblings.
New aggression tool predicted violent patients in medical and surgical wards
Using a specially designed risk assessment tool within 24 hours of admission was an effective way of identifying which hospital patients in medical and surgical units would become violent. Researchers studied more than 2,000 patients admitted to an acute care hospital over a five-month period. As well as identify the traits that were most likely to lead to violence, they found that a disproportionate number of elderly patients and males became violent.
One in four children exposed to some form of family violence, study finds
More than one in four children have been exposed to physical violence between their parents at some time, one in nine of them during the past year, according to new research.
Education research shows LGBTQ-identified students at higher risk than straight-identified students
New research findings highlight differences between LGBTQ- and straight-identified youth in health outcomes and educational equity.
Violent games emotionally desensitizing, research suggests
After excessively violent events, shoot 'em up games regularly come under scrutiny. In Norway, several first-person shooter games disappeared from the market for a while after the killings. Does intense fighting on a flat screen display also result in aggressive behavior in real life? Researchers have found brain activity patterns in heavy gamers that differed from those of non-gamers.
Women in prison: An issue of blaming the individual for social problems
Researchers have long claimed that physical abuse and marginalization lead to criminal activity. However, women in prison are taught to overlook socioeconomic issues and blame only themselves for their behavior, according to a new study.
Annual cost of violence pegged at $6.9 billion after women leave abusive partners
Even after women have separated from an abusive partner, the violence still costs Canadians an estimated $6.9 billion a year, according to new research.
Men with disabilities four times more likely to be sexually abused than men without disabilities, study suggests
Previous studies have documented that women with disabilities are more likely to be sexually assaulted than women without disabilities. A new study is the first population-based investigation to examine sexual violence victimization against men with disabilities. Researchers report that men with disabilities are more than four times more likely to be victimized by sexual assaults compared to men without disabilities.
If you're happy and you know it: Researchers trail Twitter to track world's mood swings
Using Twitter to monitor the attitudes of 2.4 million people in 84 countries, researchers found that people all over the world awaken in a good mood -- but globally that cheer soon deteriorates once the workday progresses.
Complicated gene networks involved in fly aggression
Put up your dukes. A study of aggression in fruit flies aims to provide a framework for how complex gene interactions affect behavior. And these clues in flies could translate to a better understanding of human genes and behavior.
Resisting peer pressure: Why adolescents respond differently to peer influence
The company an adolescent keeps affects his or her behavior -- particularly when these friends engage in illicit activities and are indifferent to education -- right? Well, that all depends, according to a new study.
New online learning module gives children of domestic violence a voice
Over half of the residents of battered women's shelters in the United States are children, according to statistics. Now, a new, innovative online training program aims to elevate children's voices, so that service providers may better hear, understand, and respond to the children and families they serve.
Association found between stress and breast cancer aggressiveness
Psychosocial stress could play a role in the etiology of breast cancer aggressiveness, particularly among minority populations, according to a new study.
Serotonin levels affect the brain's response to anger
Fluctuations of serotonin levels in the brain, which often occur when someone hasn't eaten or is stressed, affects brain regions that enable people to regulate anger, new research has shown.
'Partner abuse is normal' say disadvantaged youth
The levels of violence girls and boys from disadvantaged backgrounds experience in their partner relationships has now been revealed. It is the first time there has been an in-depth look at violence in the intimate relationships of disadvantaged teenagers who are not in mainstream education. Some of those who took part had been permanently excluded from school, were young offenders or teenage mothers.
Quitting smoking enhances personality change
Researchers have found evidence that shows those who quit smoking show improvements in their overall personality.
Never too soon: Means to reduce violence may start in utero
It's hard to think of a baby being violent or destructive, but the seeds of violence may be planted before a child is born, according to new research. Attention to health factors as early as the prenatal stage could prevent violence in later life, reports researchers.
Liquor store density linked to youth homicides, U.S. studies find
Violent crime could be reduced significantly if policymakers at the local level limit the number of neighborhood liquor stores and ban the sale of single-serve containers of alcoholic beverages, according to separate U.S. studies.
Intoxication important in determining when some men commit sexual aggression
A new review article assesses the extent to which alcohol plays a causal role in sexual assault perpetration. Results found that men who are already prone to anger, who have hostile attitudes toward women, and who are in social environments that accept sexual aggression are most likely to engage in sexual aggression when intoxicated.
Advertising in violent video games results in poor recall, negative brand perception
Embedding advertisements in violent video games leads to lower brand recall and negative brand attitudes suggesting advertisers should think twice about including such ads in a media campaign, according to new research.
Double damage: Partner violence impacts mental health of over half-million Californians
Violence from an intimate partner does not just brutalize a victim physically; exposure to violence can result in disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress, according to a new policy brief. Researchers found that of the 3.5 million Californians who reported experiencing intimate partner violence, more than half a million also reported recent symptoms of "serious psychological distress," such as anxiety or depression.
Youths' social goals help determine response to bullying
This study finds that the types of goals children set in their relationships help determine how they respond to being bullied -- and whether they choose responses that are effective. For the study, researchers surveyed 370 children across grades two and three and their teachers. Findings suggest that by working to develop social competence, children orient themselves toward efforts to solve problems with their peers, handle their emotions, and think positively when relationships go awry.
Bullying: How do victims respond to bullies and why?
Many wonder why bullies bully, but a new study looks at the other side of the equation: How do children respond to bullying and why? The answer, researchers say, may lead to more effective interventions to reduce the negative consequences -- and perhaps even the frequency -- of bullying.
Playing highly competitive video games may lead to aggressive behavior
While most research into video games and aggressive behavior has focused on violent games, competitiveness may be the main video game characteristic that influences aggression, according to new research.
Mechanism links substance abuse with vulnerability to depression
A new study finds that repeated cocaine use increases the severity of depressive-like responses in a mouse model of depression and identifies a mechanism that underlies this cocaine-induced vulnerability.
Bullying victims often suffer academically, particularly high-achieving blacks and Latinos
Victims of bullying often suffer academically, and this is particularly true for high achieving black and Latino students, according to new research.
Good ruminations or bad ruminations in the depressed brain?
All of us, at times, ruminate or brood on a problem in order to make the best possible decision in a complex situation. This ruminative thinking can be either passive and maladaptive (i.e., worrying) or active and solution-focused (i.e., coping). New research provides insights into how these types of rumination are represented in the brains of depressed persons.
Sex differences in mental illness: Men more likely to develop substance abuse, antisocial problems; women more likely to develop anxiety, depression
When it comes to mental illness, the sexes are different: Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression, while men tend toward substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a new study.
Researchers push to import top anti-bullying program to US schools
An interdisciplinary team of researchers in Kansas plan to bring a highly successful anti-bullying effort, the KiVa program, to American schools. Starting as early as the 2012-13 school year, a pilot program could kick off in selected classrooms in Lawrence, Kan. If shown to be successful there, soon afterward the model could expand nationally. KiVa, implemented in Finland in 2007, has impressed researchers with its proven reduction in bullying incidents. According to one recent study, KiVa "halved the risk of bullying others and of being victimized in one school year."
Reduced recognition of fear and sadness in post-traumatic stress disorder
Facial expressions convey strong cues for someone's emotional state and the ability to interpret these cues is crucial in social interaction. This ability is known to be compromised in many psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as social anxiety or Korsakoff's syndrome. New research has now revealed evidence that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also characterized by changes in the way the brain processes specific emotions and that certain aspects of this disorder could be understood as a consequence of the altered processing of emotional cues.
Jailhouse phone calls reveal why domestic violence victims recant
A new study uses -- for the first time -- recorded jailhouse telephone conversations between men charged with felony domestic violence and their victims to help reveal why some victims decide not to follow through on the charges. Researchers listened to telephone conversations between 17 accused male abusers in a Washington state detention facility and their female victims, all of whom decided to withdraw their accusations of abuse.
Male acts of bravery increase accidental death: Effects of male aggression in response to insult most felt in states with 'culture of honor', study suggests
Men sometimes prove themselves by taking risks that demonstrate their toughness and bravery. Putting yourself in peril might establish manliness, but it can also lead to high rates of accidental death, particularly among men who live in states with a "culture of honor," according to a new study.
Possible therapeutic target for depression and addiction identified
Researchers have identified an important part of the pathway through which stress affects mood and motivation for drugs. The finding may prove useful in humans by providing new potential targets for drugs to treat problems related to stress.
Bullying may contribute to lower test scores
High schools in Virginia where students reported a high rate of bullying had significantly lower scores on standardized tests that students must pass to graduate, according to new research.
Gender-based violence associated with lifetime risk of mental illness and disability, research shows
Women who experience gender-based violence such as rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking have a higher lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders, dysfunction and disability, new research shows.
The dark side of oxytocin
For a hormone, oxytocin is pretty famous. It's the "cuddle chemical" -- the hormone that helps mothers bond with their babies. Salespeople can buy oxytocin spray on the internet, to make their clients trust them. It's known for promoting positive feelings, but more recent research has found that oxytocin can promote negative emotions, too.
Personality plays role in body weight: Impulsivity strongest predictor of obesity
People with personality traits of high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are likely to go through cycles of gaining and losing weight throughout their lives, according to an examination of 50 years of data. Impulsivity was the strongest predictor of who would be overweight, the researchers found.
Protective factors that help women recover from childhood violence identified
Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to be in abusive intimate relationships and experience psychological problems such as post traumatic stress disorder in adulthood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now researchers have found that certain protective factors foster resilience and increase the likelihood that the cycle of violence will end for women who, as children, were exposed to their mothers' battering.
Lack of empathy following traumatic brain injury associated with reduced responsiveness to anger
Egocentric, self-centred, and insensitive to the needs of others: these social problems often arise in people with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and have been attributed in part to a loss of emotional empathy, the capacity to recognise and understand the emotions of other people. A new study has recently revealed evidence of a relationship between physiological responses to anger and a reduction of emotional empathy post-injury.
Youth cybercrime linked to friends' influence
Peer influence and low self-control appear to be the major factors fueling juvenile cybercrime such as computer hacking and online bullying, according to a new study.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual youth bullied, abused more often than peers
Young people who identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual, experience same-sex attractions or engage in same-sex sexual behaviors are more likely to experience sexual abuse, parental physical abuse and bullying from peers than other youth, according to a new study. In addition, the meta-analysis found these adolescents were more likely to miss school due to fear.
The way you relate to your partner can affect your long-term mental and physical health, study shows
The potentially lasting implications of day-to-day couple conflict on physical and mental well-being are revealed in a new study.
Blame game: Sleepier college students are more likely to blame others and plan revenge
Sleepier people are more likely to imagine how outcomes could have been better than reality and think about how the behavior of others could have produced better outcomes, a new study finds. In contrast, sleepier people were not more likely to imagine how their own behavior could have produced better outcomes. Sleepiness also was positively correlated with all three subscales of displaced aggression: angry rumination, behavioral displaced aggression and revenge planning. The study involved 108 college students.
Tool developed to predict violence and aggression in children and teens
Researchers have developed a tool to rapidly assess the risk of aggressive and violent behavior by children and adolescents hospitalized on psychiatric units. Ultimately, they hope to use the questionnaire to improve treatment and prevention of aggressive behavior in schools and in the community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Anxiety News
|
|
|
Mechanism sheds light on how the brain adapts to stress
Scientists now have a better understanding of the way that stress impacts the brain. New research reveals pioneering evidence for a new mechanism of stress adaptation and may eventually lead to a better understanding of why prolonged and repeated exposure to stress can lead to anxiety disorders and depression.
When co-workers are treated poorly: 'I feel your pain ...'
According to a new study, workers who witness incivility towards colleagues feel negative emotions -- especially when the incivility is aimed at workers of the same sex. The work is the first to look at the relationship between employees' observations of incivility towards same gender coworkers and negative emotions.
Headphone music eases anxiety during prostate biopsies
Tuning in to tune out may be just what's needed for men undergoing a prostate biopsy, according to researchers.
Listening to music can be effective for reducing pain in high-anxiety persons
Distraction is an effective pain reliever, and a new study concludes that listening to music can be effective for reducing pain in high-anxiety persons who can easily become absorbed in cognitive activities.
New forms of torture leave 'invisible scars,' say researchers
Use of torture around the world has not diminished but the techniques used have grown more complex and sophisticated, according to new research.
Women with celiac disease suffer from depression, disordered eating, study finds
Women with celiac disease -- an autoimmune disorder associated with a negative reaction to eating gluten -- are more likely than the general population to report symptoms of depression and disordered eating, even when they adhere to a gluten-free diet, according to researchers.
Are the anxious oblivious?
Anxious study participants aren't as physiologically sensitive to subtle changes in their environment as less fearful individuals, new research shows. Researchers reason that anxious people could have a deficit in their threat evaluation capacities, which are necessary for effective decision-making and fear regulation.
Opioid abuse linked to mood and anxiety disorders
Researchers find that mood and anxiety disorders are highly associated with non-medical prescription opioid use.
Anti-stress peptide may block alcohol dependence
New research underlines the power of an endogenous anti-stress peptide in the brain to prevent and even reverse some of the cellular effects of acute alcohol and alcohol dependence in animal models. The work could lead to the development of novel drugs to treat alcoholism.
Chronic pain in children and adolescents becoming more common
Children who suffer from persistent or recurring chronic pain may miss school, withdraw from social activities, and are at risk of developing internalizing symptoms such as anxiety, in response to their pain. In the first comprehensive review of chronic pain in children and adolescents in 20 years, a group of researchers found that more children now are suffering from chronic pain and that girls suffer more frequently from chronic pain than boys.
Maternal care influences brain chemistry into adulthood, animal study shows
The effect of the messenger substance neuropeptide Y depends on the behavior of the mother during infancy.
Maltreated children show same pattern of brain activity as combat soldiers
Children exposed to family violence show the same pattern of activity in their brains as soldiers exposed to combat, new research has shown.
Child abuse changes the brain, study finds
When children have been exposed to family violence, their brains become increasingly "tuned" for processing possible sources of threat, a new study reports. The findings reveal the same pattern of brain activity in these children as seen previously in soldiers exposed to combat.
Depression can lead to heart disease, study suggests
Depression may have more far-reaching consequences than previously believed. Recent data suggests that individuals who suffer from a mood disorder could be twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to individuals who are not depressed.
Training in 'concrete thinking' can be self-help treatment for depression, study suggests
Research provides the first evidence that depression can be treated by only targeting an individual's style of thinking through repeated mental exercises in an approach called cognitive bias modification. The study suggests an innovative psychological treatment called 'concreteness training' can reduce depression in just two months and could work as a self-help therapy for depression in primary care.
Mental illness: Early-life depression and anxiety changes structure of developing brain
New research identifies the brain chemicals and circuits involved in mental illnesses like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, giving potential new directions to their treatment. In addition, research with children shows that early-life depression and anxiety changes the structure of the developing brain.
Surgery on toy animals lessens anxiety of veterinary students
Training basic surgical techniques on toy animals before having to perform operations on living animals makes veterinary students much less anxious. At the same time, the use of laboratory animals is minimized, according to recent research in Denmark.
Heart implant patients' fears about shock can lead to sexual dysfunction, research finds
Adults with congenital heart disease and implanted cardioverter defibrillators often have a high level of fear and anxiety about the device delivering a shock during sex -- resulting in sexual performance problems, according to new research.
Every mouse is different: How mouse 'personality' sheds light on human depression
Just as in humans, there are also the tough types or those with a more delicate personality among mice, researchers confirm. Some adopt an active strategy when faced with stressful situations and somehow try to tackle the problem, whereas others display a passive attitude. Those in the second group are more vulnerable: some of the physiological characteristics resemble those attributed to human depression.
Depression: Combination of environmental, psychological and genetic factors
Problems like anxiety and depression are caused by psychological and environmental factors, and are known to be influenced by genetic proclivities. However, it is still not clear how each factor affects the brain's functions to induce anxious and depressive symptoms. To shed light on these interactions, scientists have investigated the amygdala, a part of the brain that is hyperactive in individuals suffering from anxiety and depression. The researchers have shown that its activity can be modulated depending on the subject's genetic makeup, personal history and cognition. These results suggest that the effects of psychotherapies on the cerebral activity of patients could vary according to their genetic traits.
Gender differences: Viewing TV coverage of terrorism has more negative effect on women, study finds
Exposure to television coverage of terrorism causes women to lose psychological resources much more than men, which leads to negative feelings and moodiness. This has been shown in a new study that examined the differences between men and women in a controlled experiment environment.
Insomnia could moderately raise your heart attack risk, study suggests
Having trouble sleeping? If so, you could have a moderately higher risk of having a heart attack, according to new research. In a recent study, the risk of heart attack in people with insomnia ranged from 27 percent to 45 percent greater than for people who rarely experienced trouble sleeping.
Poor cerebral cortex functions leads to more impulsive behavior
If the front part of the cerebral cortex is less active then people have less control over their social behavior and automatically follow their inclinations more. The research was the first to make use of magnetic stimulation (TMS) to suppress this part at the front of the prefrontal cortex. During TMS a changing magnetic field on the head temporarily influences the activity of the underlying part of the brain.
Future-Directed Therapy helps depression patients cultivate optimistic outlook
Patients with major depression do better by learning to create a more positive outlook about the future, rather than by focusing on negative thoughts about their past experiences, researchers say after developing a new treatment that helps patients do this.
Brain study reveals how successful students overcome math anxiety
Using brain-imaging technology for the first time with people experiencing mathematics anxiety, scientists have gained new insights into how some students are able to overcome their fears and succeed in math. For the highly math anxious, researchers found a strong link between math success and activity in a network of brain areas in the frontal and parietal lobes involved in controlling attention and regulating negative emotional reactions.
Fall market jitters a SAD thing: Less daylight in fall may lead to depressed markets
It's no surprise to researchers that financial market dips and crashes typically happen in the fall. Researchers now show that people who experience seasonal depression shun financial risk-taking during seasons with diminished daylight but are more willing to accept risk in spring and summer. Seasonal depression may be sufficiently powerful to move financial markets.
Greater support is needed to tackle the serious emotional consequences of whistleblowing, study finds
Whistleblowing incidents can have a serious, long-term impact on people’s emotional well-being and colleagues and employers have a responsibility to support those involved. Alcohol problems, nightmares, paranoid behaviour at work and overwhelming distress were just some of the problems reported by whistleblowers and those they reported. However, a new study also stresses the important role that whistleblowing has played in large-scale inquiries that have led to improvements in healthcare safety and quality.
Northern Ireland students help rebuild lives of Congo’s child soldiers
Two postgraduate students from Northern Ireland have completed the first phase of a pioneering trip to assist in the treatment of psychological distress among child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Strong attachment to local communities made oil spill more stressful for many coastal residents
In one of the first publications to present systematically collected public health data on coastal populations affected by the catastrophic oil spill of 2010, sociologists report that individuals having a stronger sense of attachment to their community exhibited higher self-reported levels of anxiety, worry, nervousness and fear.
We are what we experience
Our life experiences -- the ups and downs, and everything in between -- shape us, stay with us and influence our emotional set point as adults, according to a new study.
Referral to talking therapies may cut use of health services and sick leave, UK study finds
Referring patients with mental health problems to talking therapies seems to cut their use of health-care services and the amount of sick leave they take, suggests research from the UK.
Brain study reveals stress code
Neuroscientists investigating the 'brain code' claim to have made a significant step forwards in understanding how the brain deals with stress- and mitigates its impact.
Promising drug treatment for improving language, social function in people with autism
Researchers are examining the use of propranolol (a drug used to treat high blood pressure and control heart rate as well as to reduce test anxiety) to improve the primary traits associated with autism -- difficulty with normal social skills, language and repetitive behaviors. Researchers say the drug is a promising new avenue for improving language and social function.
Atypical antipsychotics appear to be effective for only few off-label uses, study suggests
A review of previous studies suggests that even though atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for off-label conditions such as behavioral symptoms of dementia, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, these medications are effective for only a few off-label conditions, and that the benefits and harms of these medications for these uses vary, according to a new article.
Atypical antipsychotics may aid symptons for some off-label uses, but not others
Atypical antipsychotic medications, developed to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are frequently prescribed for many off-label uses. A new study finds that medical evidence suggests the drugs are effective in reducing symptoms for some off-label conditions, but not others.
Cannabinoids after a traumatic experience may prevent post-traumatic stress symptoms, rat study suggests
Administration of cannabinoids (in the form of synthetic marijuana) after experiencing a traumatic event blocks the development of post-traumatic stress disorder-like symptoms in rats, according to a rat study conducted by researchers in Israel.
Experts want practical research to improve mental health of people experiencing humanitarian crises
Experts in regions experiencing humanitarian crises want more research focused on generating and developing practical knowledge that could have tangible benefits in humanitarian settings rather than yet more research on topics, such as the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, that have to date dominated academic debates and research.
Association found between stress and breast cancer aggressiveness
Psychosocial stress could play a role in the etiology of breast cancer aggressiveness, particularly among minority populations, according to a new study.
Parents' anxiety about newborn screening results does not lead to increased health care use
There has been longstanding concern among physicians and policymakers that false-positive results may cause parents to believe that their children are vulnerable to illness, leading them to overuse health care services as their children grow older. However, a new study has found that this is not necessarily the case.
Lack of protein FKBP51 in old mice improves resilience to depressive behavior
Decreasing expression of a protein associated with susceptibility to depression made old mice resistant to depressive-like behavior while improving their hormonal response to stress, a new study reports.
Computerized anxiety therapy found helpful in small trial
An emerging therapy known as cognitive bias modification, in which software helps subjects divert attention away from anxiety and interpret situations more calmly, helped improve social anxiety disorder symptoms in a pilot-scale randomized controlled trial.
Risk of suffering from insomnia higher if family member is insomniac
The risk of insomnia is 67 percent higher in people from families in which at least one member is an insomniac, according to a new study.
Emotional impact of 9/11 attacks seen in brain's response to negative visual images
In the wake of the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks, new research reveals how the attacks impacted the psychological processes of those not directly exposed to the event. The study, which focused on college students in Massachusetts, found that even those who were not directly connected to New York or Washington showed increased stress responses to run of the mill visual images.
Control of fear in the brain decoded: Emotional balance is regulated by molecular factors behind stress response, study finds
When healthy people are faced with threatening situations, they react with a suitable behavioral response and do not descend into a state of either panic or indifference, as is the case, for example, with patients who suffer from anxiety. With the help of genetic studies on mice, scientists in Germany have discovered two opposing neuronal regulatory circuits for the generation and elimination of fear.
Search for predictors of risk for PTSD: Meaningful associations dependent on reliable measures of pre-existing trauma
A new study suggests that certain variants of a gene that helps regulate serotonin (a brain chemical related to mood) may serve as a useful predictor of risk for symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a trauma.
A father's stress may affect his unborn children
Does Dad's stress affect his unborn children? According to the results of a new study, it seems the answer may be "yes, but it's complicated."
Double damage: Partner violence impacts mental health of over half-million Californians
Violence from an intimate partner does not just brutalize a victim physically; exposure to violence can result in disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress, according to a new policy brief. Researchers found that of the 3.5 million Californians who reported experiencing intimate partner violence, more than half a million also reported recent symptoms of "serious psychological distress," such as anxiety or depression.
Anxiety interferes with some children's capacity to form friendships
Socially withdrawn children, who have less contact with peers, may miss out on the support that friendships provide. In a new study about the peer relationships of almost 2,500 fifth-graders who are socially withdrawn in different ways and those who aren't withdrawn, researchers have found that withdrawn children who can be described as "anxious-solitary" differ considerably in their relationships with peers, compared to other withdrawn children and children who aren't withdrawn.
Mind-altering microbes: Probiotic bacteria may lessen anxiety and depression
Probiotic bacteria have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry and treat anxiety and depression-related disorders, according to a new study by researchers in Ireland and Canada.
Mechanism links substance abuse with vulnerability to depression
A new study finds that repeated cocaine use increases the severity of depressive-like responses in a mouse model of depression and identifies a mechanism that underlies this cocaine-induced vulnerability.
Extreme morning sickness could lead to lifelong emotional, behavioral disorders in kids
A new study suggests that an extreme form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting known as hyperemesis gravidarum -- which already takes a heavy toll on thousands of women each year and can lead to hospitalization and pregnancy termination -- is also linked to an increased risk of anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression in adulthood among individuals whose mothers had the condition.
The neurobiology of trust
Could disorders such as autism be treatable through a combination of neurohormones and psychotherapy in the future?
Psychologists develop successful prevention program for postpartum OCD
The birth of a baby can elicit many emotions, from joy and excitement to fear and uncertainty. But it can also trigger unexpected difficulties with anxiety, in particular with postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Psychologists have developed an effective program for the prevention of postpartum obsessive compulsive symptoms.
Sex differences in mental illness: Men more likely to develop substance abuse, antisocial problems; women more likely to develop anxiety, depression
When it comes to mental illness, the sexes are different: Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression, while men tend toward substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a new study.
Stress can affect future offspring
Rats exposed to stress during early development inherit the effects of that stress to their offspring, largely expressed in behavior impairments but also characteristics of resilience, shows a new study. Providing environmental enrichment to the future mother rats had a remedial role on some of the negative effects.
Reduced recognition of fear and sadness in post-traumatic stress disorder
Facial expressions convey strong cues for someone's emotional state and the ability to interpret these cues is crucial in social interaction. This ability is known to be compromised in many psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as social anxiety or Korsakoff's syndrome. New research has now revealed evidence that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is also characterized by changes in the way the brain processes specific emotions and that certain aspects of this disorder could be understood as a consequence of the altered processing of emotional cues.
Increased light may moderate fearful reactions
Biologists and psychologists know that light affects mood, but a new study indicates that light may also play a role in modulating fear and anxiety.
Possible therapeutic target for depression and addiction identified
Researchers have identified an important part of the pathway through which stress affects mood and motivation for drugs. The finding may prove useful in humans by providing new potential targets for drugs to treat problems related to stress.
Music reduces anxiety in cancer patients
Cancer patients may benefit from sessions with trained music therapists or from listening to music. A new systematic review shows using music can reduce anxiety in cancer patients, and may also have positive effects on mood, pain and quality of life.
Succeeding in school: Stress boosts performance for confident students, but holds back those with more anxiety
Knowing the right way to handle stress in the classroom can make the difference between success and failure for the millions of students going back to school this fall. Researchers found that a hormone released in response to stress can either be tied to a student's poor performance on a math test or contribute to success, depending on the frame of mind of the student going into the test.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Autism News
|
|
|
Family history of psychiatric disorders shapes intellectual interests, study suggests
A family history of psychiatric conditions such as autism and depression could influence the subjects a person finds engaging, new research suggests. Although preliminary, the findings provide a new look at the oft-studied link between psychiatric conditions and aptitude in the arts or sciences.
Scientists link evolved, mutated gene module to syndromic autism
Medical researchers reports that newly discovered mutations in an evolved assembly of genes cause Joubert syndrome, a form of syndromic autism.
In the brain, signs of autism as early as 6 months old
Measuring brain activity in infants as young as six months may help to predict the future development of autism symptoms. In their first year of life, babies who will go on to develop autism already show different brain responses when someone looks at or away from them. The findings suggest that direct brain measures might help to predict the future development of autism symptoms in infants as young as six months.
Adolescents with autism spend free time using solitary, screen-based media
Children with autism spectrum disorders tend to be fascinated by screen-based technology. A new study found that adolescents with autism (64.2 percent) spend most of their free time using solitary, or non-social, screen-based media (television and video games) while only 13.2 percent spend time on socially interactive media (e-mail, Internet chatting).
How kids with autism spend screen time
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) tend to be preoccupied with screen-based media. A new study looks at how children with ASDs spend their “screen time.” Researchers found a very high rate of use of solitary screen-based media such as video games and television with a markedly lower rate of use of social interactive media, including email.
Learning to 'talk things through in your head' may help people with autism
Teaching children with autism to "talk things through in their head" may help them to solve complex day-to-day tasks, which could increase the chances of independent, flexible living later in life, according to new research.
Genetic variation increases risk of metabolic side effects in children on some antipsychotics
Researchers have found a genetic variation predisposing children to six-times greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome when taking second-generation anti-psychotic medications. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study showed a close association with two conditions in particular: high blood pressure and elevated fasting blood sugar levels, which is a precursor to diabetes.
Autism redefined: New diagnostic criteria more restrictive
Getting an autism diagnosis could be more difficult in 2013 when a revised diagnostic definition goes into effect. The proposed changes may affect the proportion of individuals who qualify for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, according to preliminary data.
Another clue in the mystery of autism
A study of discordant twins -- twins in which one has autism spectrum disorder and one doesn't -- finds the lower birth weight twins are more than three times as likely to have ASD than heavier twins. Though genetic effects are of major importance, say researchers, the study suggests a non-genetic influence associated with birth weight may contribute to development of ASD.
Scientists introduces automated imaging to greatly speed whole-brain mapping efforts
New technology transforms the way detailed anatomical images can be made of whole brains and will greatly facilitate systematic comparison of neuroanatomy in mouse models of human brain disorders, e.g., autism and schizophrenia.
No link found between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and autism, Swedish study finds
A large population-based study in Sweden indicates that there is no link between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children.
3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism
A new study describes how workshops to teach Google’s 3D modeling software to kids with autism have benefited the intergenerational relationships within the participants’ families.
Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children
The underlying reason autism is often associated with gastrointestinal problems is an unknown, but new results reveal that the guts of autistic children differ from other children in at least one important way: many children with autism harbor a type of bacteria in their guts that non-autistic children do not.
Autism may be linked to abnormal immune system characteristics and novel protein fragment
Immune system abnormalities that mimic those seen with autism spectrum disorders have been linked to the amyloid precursor protein (APP), according to new research. The study, conducted with mouse models of autism, suggests that elevated levels of an APP fragment circulating in the blood could explain the aberrations in immune cell populations and function -- both observed in some autism patients.
Understanding left-handedness
Left-handedness is sometimes the expression of a genetic defect or an early developmental disturbance.
Study could lead to a treatment for Angelman syndrome
Scientists say they have found a way to "awaken" the paternal allele of Ube3a, which could lead to a potential treatment strategy for Angelman syndrome -- a neurogenetic disorder often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism.
Rare genetic mutations linked to bipolar disorder
Scientists report that abnormal sequences of DNA known as rare copy number variants, or CNVs, appear to play a significant role in the risk for early onset bipolar disorder.
When nerve cells stop speaking: Neuroscientists decode important mechanism of nerve cell communication
By researching fruit flies, neuroscientists were able to gain a better understanding of a meaningful mechanism of neuronal communication. They demonstrated the importance of a specific protein for signal transmission between nerve cells. This is of high significance as certain people with autism - a functional development disturbances of the brain - suffer from genetic defects in this protein. Therefore the findings could improve the possibility of treating this disease more effectively.
Brain-heart link may explain sudden death in Rett syndrome
Poets might scoff at the notion that heart and brain are closely related, but scientists say a genetic defect that affects the brain can stop a heart. In a new study, researchers found that heart problems that occur in nearly 20 percent of children with Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder, originate because the Rett gene is lost in nerve cells -- not in heart muscle cells.
Teaching children with autism to imitate others may improve social skills
Teaching young children with autism to imitate others may improve a broader range of social skills, according to a new study.
Human brains unlikely to evolve into a 'supermind' as price to pay would be too high
Human minds have hit an evolutionary “sweet spot” and - unlike computers - cannot continually get smarter without trade-offs elsewhere, according to research by the University of Warwick.
Autism may involve disordered white matter in the brain
It's still unclear what's different in the brains of people with autism spectrum disorders, but evidence from genetic and cell studies points to abnormalities in how brain cells, connect to each other. A new study now provides visual evidence associating autism with a disorganized structure of brain connections, as well as defects in myelin -- the fatty, insulating coating that helps nerve fibers conduct signals and that makes up the brain's white matter.
Boys with regressive autism, but not early onset autism, have larger brains than age-matched healthy counterparts, study finds
In the largest study of brain development in preschoolers with autism to date, researchers have found that three-year-old boys with regressive autism, but not early onset autism, have larger brains than their healthy counterparts.
Neurons grown from skin cells may hold clues to autism
Potential clues to how autism miswires the brain are emerging from a study of a rare, purely genetic form of the disorders that affects fewer than 20 people worldwide. Using cutting-edge "disease-in a-dish" technology, researchers have grown patients' skin cells into neurons to discover what goes wrong in the brain in Timothy syndrome. Abnormalities included changes in the cortex, the largest brain structure in humans, and in neurons that secrete two key chemical messengers.
Scientists point to link between missing synapse protein and abnormal behaviors
Although many mental illnesses are uniquely human, animals sometimes exhibit abnormal behaviors similar to those seen in humans with psychological disorders. Such behaviors are called endophenotypes. Now, researchers have found that mice lacking a gene that encodes a particular protein found in the synapses of the brain display a number of endophenotypes associated with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
Research provides clues to neurodevelopemental disorders
Scientists are finding new tools to help understand neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and fragile X syndrome. Studies show in new detail how the brain's connections, chemicals, and genes interact to affect behavior.
Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders vary widely across clinics
To diagnose autism spectrum disorders, clinicians typically administer a variety of tests or scales and use information from observations and parent interviews to classify individuals into subcategories listed in standard psychiatric diagnostic manuals. This process of forming "best-estimate clinical diagnoses" has long been considered the gold standard, but a new study demonstrates that these diagnoses are widely variable across centers, suggesting that this may not be the best method for making diagnoses.
Pre-birth brain growth problems linked to autism, study shows
Children with autism have more brain cells and heavier brains compared to typically developing children, according to researchers. The small, preliminary study provides direct evidence for possible prenatal causes of autism.
Abnormal number of neurons in brains of children with autism, preliminary study finds
In a small, preliminary study that included 13 male children, those with autism had an average 67 percent more prefrontal brain neurons and larger than average brain weight, than children without autism.
Autism linked with excess of neurons in prefrontal cortex
A new study shows that brain overgrowth in boys with autism involves an abnormal, excess number of neurons in areas of the brain associated with social, communication and cognitive development.
Study characterizes epigenetic signatures of autism in brain tissue
Neurons in the prefrontal cortex of individuals with autism show changes at numerous sites across the genome, according to a new study.
Multi-site study finds wide variation in best-estimate clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders
In a study conducted at 12 university-based research sites, there was wide variation in how best-estimate clinical diagnoses within the autism spectrum were assigned to individual children.
X marks the spot: TBL1X gene involved in autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder affects about one in 100 children resulting in a range of problems in language, communication and understanding other people's emotional cues, all of which can lead to difficulties in social situations. New research used genome wide association study data to find a variation in the gene for transducin beta-like 1X-linked (TBL1X) which is associated with increased risk of ASD in boys.
Autistic people superior in multiple areas: Scientists must stop emphasizing autistics' shortcomings, expert urges
We must stop considering the different brain structure of autistic individuals to be a deficiency, as research reveals that many autistics -- not just "savants" -- have qualities and abilities that may exceed those of people who do not have the condition, according to a provocative new article.
Patterns of new DNA letter in brain suggest distinct function
In 2009, the DNA alphabet expanded. Scientists discovered that an extra letter or "sixth nucleotide" was surprisingly abundant in DNA from stem cells and brain cells. Now, researchers have mapped the patterns formed by that letter in the brains of mice, observing how its pattern of distribution in the genome changes during development and aging.
Antidepressant linked to developmental brain abnormalities in rodents
A new study shows that rats given a popularly prescribed antidepressant during development exhibit brain abnormalities and behaviors characteristic of autism spectrum disorders.
Perinatal antidepressant stunts brain development in rats; Miswired brain circuitry traced to early exposure
Rats exposed to an antidepressant just before and after birth showed substantial brain abnormalities and behaviors, according to a new study. After receiving citalopram, a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor, during this critical period, long-distance connections between the two hemispheres of the brain showed stunted growth and degeneration. The animals also became excessively fearful when faced with new situations and failed to play normally with peers.
Digital worlds can help autistic children to develop social skills
The benefits of virtual worlds can be used to help autistic children develop social skills beyond their anticipated levels, suggest early findings from new research. Researchers have developed an interactive environment which uses multi-touch screen technology where virtual characters on the screen demonstrate gestures and show children's actions in real time.
Autistic brains develop more slowly than healthy brains, researchers say
Researchers have found a possible explanation for why autistic children act and think differently than their peers -- for the first time, they show that the connections between regions of the brain that are important for language and social skills grow much more slowly in boys with autism, when compared to healthy children.
Autistic facial characteristics identified
Researchers have found distinct differences between the facial characteristics of children with autism compared to those of typically developing children. This knowledge could help researchers understand the origins of autism.
Genetic variant and autoantibodies linked to having a child with autism
A new study has found that pregnant women with a particular gene variation are more likely to produce autoantibodies to the brains of their developing fetuses and that the children of these mothers are at greater risk of later being diagnosed with autism.
Common link suggested between autism and diabetes: Study implicates hyperinsulinemia in increased incidence of autism
A review of the genetic and biochemical abnormalities associated with autism reveals a possible link between the widely diagnosed neurological disorder and Type 2 diabetes, another medical disorder on the rise in recent decades.
Bridging the gap: Neuroscientists find normal brain communication in people who lack connections between right and left hemispheres
Like a bridge that spans a river to connect two major metropolises, the corpus callosum is the main conduit for information flowing between the left and right hemispheres of our brains. Now, neuroscientists have found that people who are born without that link -- a condition called agenesis of the corpus callosum, or AgCC -- still show remarkably normal communication across the gap between the two halves of their brains.
Low birthweight infants five times more likely to have autism, study finds
Autism researchers have found a link between low birthweight and children diagnosed with autism, reporting premature infants are five times more likely to have autism than children born at normal weight.
Earlier autism diagnosis could mean earlier interventions
Autism is normally diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 3. But new research is finding symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in babies as young as 12 months. If children could be diagnosed earlier, it might be possible to help them earlier -- and maybe even stop them from developing autism, according to experts.
By reprogramming skin cells into brain cells, scientists gain new insights into mental disorders
By reprogramming skin cells from patients with mental disorders, scientists are creating brain cells that are now providing extraordinary insights into afflictions like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
Researcher identifies autism employment resources, tips for people with autism spectrum disorders
Preliminary employment studies indicate that the autism population may earn less and be employed at a lower rate compared to other people with disabilities. Now, an autism expert is identifying employment resources that are available for people with autism and steps employers can take to improve the workplace and hiring process for this population.
Neuroscientists pinpoint specific social difficulties in people with autism
Researchers say they have isolated a very specific difference in how high-functioning people with autism think about other people, finding that -- in actuality -- they don't tend to think about what others think of them at all.
Goal to build more than 30 more KASPARs to help children with autism
Researchers in the UK have a goal to build over 30 more KASPAR robots to help children with autism.
New mouse model recreates common form of autism
Scientists have created a genetically engineered mouse with increased dosages of the Ube3 gene. And, like the patients who also harbor increased dosages of this single gene, the genetically engineered mice exhibit robust examples of all three traits considered hallmarks of autism: reduced social interaction, impaired communication and excessive repetitive behaviors.
New findings validate the accuracy of autism diagnosis in children with Down syndrome
New findings from a 16-year study confirm that the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, the gold-standard for the classification of mental health conditions, can be used to accurately identify autism spectrum disorders in children with Down syndrome, according to new research.
Evidence found for the genetic basis of autism: Models of autism show that gene copy number controls brain structure and behavior
Scientists have discovered that one of the most common genetic alterations in autism -- deletion of a 27-gene cluster on chromosome 16 -- causes autism-like features. By generating mouse models of autism using a technique known as chromosome engineering, researchers provide the first functional evidence that inheriting fewer copies of these genes leads to features resembling those used to diagnose children with autism.
Promising drug treatment for improving language, social function in people with autism
Researchers are examining the use of propranolol (a drug used to treat high blood pressure and control heart rate as well as to reduce test anxiety) to improve the primary traits associated with autism -- difficulty with normal social skills, language and repetitive behaviors. Researchers say the drug is a promising new avenue for improving language and social function.
Autistic mice act a lot like human patients: Geneticists develop promising mouse model for testing new autism therapies
Scientists have created a mouse model for autism that opens a window into the biological mechanisms that underlie the disorder and offers a promising way to test new treatment approaches. The research found that autistic mice display remarkably similar symptoms and behavior as children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Autistic mouse shows striking parallels to human disease
Mice with a defective version of a single gene show behaviors and symptoms that are remarkably similar to characteristics observed in humans with autism spectrum disorders. The animals also respond similarly to an FDA-approved drug used to treat repetitive behaviors in people with autism.
Level and nature of autistic intelligence: What about Asperger Syndrome?
Autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger syndrome, have generally been associated with uneven intellectual profiles and impairment, but according to a new study of Asperger individuals, this may not be the case -- as long as intelligence is evaluated by the right test.
Children with autism benefit from early, intensive therapy
Researchers have found that children with autism spectrum disorders who receive more intensive therapy to combat social-communication impairments, especially at early ages, achieve the best outcomes.
Autism, intellectual disabilities related to parental age, education and ethnicity, not income, Utah study finds
New research from Utah shows that the presence or absence of intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) varies with risk factors such as gender, parental age, maternal ethnicity, and maternal level of education. The study also shows that household income level has no association with either ID or ASD, in contrast to what other studies have suggested.
ADHD symptoms worsen quality of life for individuals with autism, study finds
Research have found that symptoms of ADHD worsen quality of life and impact adaptive functioning for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Over half of the 2000 individual evaluated had symptoms of either attention or hyperactivity problems, more than a third had significant symptoms of both. Only one in ten studied were receiving medications used to treat ADHD, suggesting children with ASD and ADHD symptoms are not being treated with medications for inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.
Children with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms have altered digestive genes
Researchers report that children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have altered expression of genes involved in digestion. These variations may contribute to changes in the types of bacteria in their intestines.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Behavior News
|
|
|
School obesity programs may promote worrisome eating behaviors and physical activity in kids
A new report examines the possible association between school-based childhood obesity prevention programs and an increase in eating disorders among young children and adolescents. In a new poll, 30% of parents report at least one worrisome behavior in their children that could be associated with the development of eating disorders.
Off-campus college party hosts drink more than attendees, research suggests
On any given weekend, at least 10 percent of students at a single college could be hosting a party, research suggests. How much hosts drink depends on whether they are on or off campus.
Poorest smokers face toughest odds for kicking the habit
Quitting smoking is never easy. However, when you're poor and uneducated, kicking the habit for good is doubly hard, according to a new study.
Enhancing cognition in older adults also changes personality
A program designed to boost cognition in older adults also increased their openness to new experiences, researchers report, demonstrating for the first time that a non-drug intervention in older adults can change a personality trait once thought to be fixed throughout the lifespan.
Greater brain activation after cognitive rehabilitation for MS
Scientists have documented increased cerebral activation in patients with multiple sclerosis following memory retraining using modified Story Memory Technique. This study is the first to demonstrate that behavioral interventions can have a positive effect on brain function in MS, an important step in validating the clinical utility of cognitive rehabilitation.
No link found between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and autism, Swedish study finds
A large population-based study in Sweden indicates that there is no link between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children.
New working definition of 'recovery' from mental disorders and substance use disorders
A new working definition of recovery from mental disorders and substance use disorders has just been announced.
Childhood hypersensitivity linked to OCD
Medical researchers have established a direct correlation between sensory processing and ritualistic behaviors in children. A new study suggests that when children experience heightened levels of sensitivity, they develop ritualistic behaviors to better cope with their environment -- one potential pathway to OCD.
Habit formation is enabled by gateway to brain cells
A brain cell type found where habits are formed and movement is controlled has receptors that work like computer processors to translate regular activities into habits, researchers report. "Habits, for better or worse, basically define who we are," said one of the researchers. Habits also provide mental freedom and flexibility by enabling many activities to be on autopilot while the brain focuses on more urgent matters, he said.
Breast cancer survivors struggle with cognitive problems several years after treatment
A new analysis has found that breast cancer survivors may experience problems with certain mental abilities several years after treatment, regardless of whether they were treated with chemotherapy plus radiation or radiation only.
Economic recession takes toll on family relationships
Researchers studied how parents' financial problems and resulting mental distress affect their relationships with their children. They found that parents who experience financial problems and depression are less likely to feel connected to their children, and their children are less likely to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering or helping others.
Kids born just a few weeks early at risk of behavioral problems, study suggests
Children born just a few weeks too early are significantly more likely to have behavioral and/or emotional problems in the pre-school years, new research suggests.
Prolonged fatigue for those who had chemotherapy for breast cancer, follow-up study finds
In a follow-up study, researchers have found that patients who receive chemotherapy for breast cancer might experience prolonged fatigue years after their therapy. The new study is a follow-up to a study on fatigue and chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer.
MAKS: Drug-free prevention of dementia decline
There are many different causes of dementia and, although its progression can be fast or slow, it is always degenerative. Symptoms of dementia include confusion, loss of memory, and problems with speech and understanding. It can be upsetting for the affected person, their relatives and carers. New research shows that a regime of behavioral and mental exercises was able to halt the progression of dementia.
Violent video games alter brain function in young men
A functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis of long-term effects of violent video game play on the brain has found changes in brain regions associated with cognitive function and emotional control in young adult men after one week of game play.
Smoking cessation interventions appear to be effective for some current smokers
Nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation intervention programs are associated with positive outcomes among current smokers, according to new studies.
Scientists point to link between missing synapse protein and abnormal behaviors
Although many mental illnesses are uniquely human, animals sometimes exhibit abnormal behaviors similar to those seen in humans with psychological disorders. Such behaviors are called endophenotypes. Now, researchers have found that mice lacking a gene that encodes a particular protein found in the synapses of the brain display a number of endophenotypes associated with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
Psychological intervention reduces disability and depression in adolescents with fibromyalgia
A recent trial shows cognitive-behavioral therapy reduces functional disability and depressive symptoms in adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia. The psychological intervention was found to be safe and effective, and proved to be superior to disease management education.
Does hypertension affect brain capacity?
Can the course of dementias and mild cognitive impairment be influenced by diseases and risk factors? Larger numbers of people are affected by mild cognitive impairments and dementia, which means that early detection of possible precursors as well as diagnosis and therapy of risk factors that can actually be influenced are gaining in importance.
Treatment for juvenile offenders shows shows positive results 22 years later
A researcher, developed a treatment for juvenile offenders that has become one of the most widely used evidence-based treatments in the world. Now, he has found that the treatment continues to have positive effects on former participants more than 20 years after treatment.
Telephone-based therapy and exercise appear effective for reducing chronic widespread pain
Telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy and an exercise program, both separately and combined, are associated with short-term positive outcomes for patients with chronic widespread pain, and may offer benefits for patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, according to a new report.
Volunteering, helping others decreases substance use in rural teens, study finds
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report the highest rates of substance use and dependence, according to the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use & Health. A new study found that rural adolescents who engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering and helping others, are less likely to use substances as young adults.
Former football players prone to late-life health problems, study finds
Football players experience repeated head trauma throughout their careers, which results in short and long-term effects to their cognitive function, physical and mental health. Researchers are investigating how other lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise, impact the late-life health of former collision-sport athletes.
Web-based intervention appears ineffective for preventing weight gain in adolescents
A web-based computer-tailored intervention aiming to increase physical activity, decrease sedentary behavior, and promote healthy eating among adolescents was not associated with positive long-term outcome measures, but may have positive short-term effects on eating behaviors, according to a new report.
Fatherhood can help change a man's bad habits
After men become fathers for the first time, they show significant decreases in crime, tobacco and alcohol use, according to a new, 19-year study. Researchers assessed more than 200 at-risk boys annually from the age of 12 to 31, and examined how men's crime, tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use changed over time. While previous studies showed that marriage can change a man's negative behavior, they had not isolated the additional effects of fatherhood.
Psychologists stress the importance of memory in preventing relapse after therapy
Addictions, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder -- such painful and harmful problems are recalcitrant to treatment. In the clinic, a person may suppress the association between the stimulus and the response -- say, a bar with ashtrays and smoking -- by learning to pair the stimulus with a new memory not involving smoking. But once out in the world, faced with bars and ashtrays aplenty, he relapses into the old behavior. Some treatment aims at helping the patient avoid locations and stimuli that trigger the harmful behavior. A new article suggests this is not the most effective route.
Online interactions can lead to risky financial decision-making, study suggests
People who participate in online communities are more likely to make risky financial decisions, according to a new study.
Overweight teens want to lose weight, going about it the wrong way
While a majority of teens report wanting to lose weight, many engage in behavior that's counterproductive to that goal, according to new research.
Trance stare led researchers to discover a genuine hypnotic state
Hypnosis has had a long and controversial history in psychology, psychiatry and neurology. For the past hundred years, researchers have debated whether or not hypnosis really involves an altered mental state unlike the normal wakeful condition, or whether it simply reflects a cognitive state similar to those occurring outside hypnosis.
Want to resist temptation? Thinking might not always help you, study suggests
Uh oh. Here comes temptation -- for a dieter, it's a sweet treat; an alcoholic, a beer; a married man, an attractive, available woman. How to defeat the impulse to gratify desire and stick to your long-term goals of slimness, sobriety, or fidelity?
Good relationship with teacher can protect first graders from aggression
A new study of 217 Canadian seven-year-old twins finds that children who were genetically vulnerable to being aggressive were more likely to be victimized by their classmates than others. However, these children were protected from acting aggressively and being the target of other children's aggression if they had a very good relationship with their teacher. The study included both identical and fraternal twin pairs who were not in the same classroom.
Mood, cognition and sleep patterns improve in Alzheimer's patients after cataract surgery, study finds
Researchers in France have found that patients with mild Alzheimer's disease whose vision improved after cataract surgery also showed improvement in cognitive ability, mood, sleep patterns and other behaviors.
Evidence for the existence of a hypnotic state? Key may be in the glazed staring eyes, researchers suggest
A multidisciplinary group of researchers from Finland and Sweden has found that the strange stare of patients under hypnosis may be a key that can eventually lead to a solution to a long debate about the existence of a hypnotic state.
Exposure to chemical BPA before birth linked to behavioral, emotional difficulties in girls
Exposure in the womb to bisphenol A (BPA) -- a chemical used to make plastic containers and other consumer goods -- is associated with behavior and emotional problems in young girls, according to a new study.
Future-Directed Therapy helps depression patients cultivate optimistic outlook
Patients with major depression do better by learning to create a more positive outlook about the future, rather than by focusing on negative thoughts about their past experiences, researchers say after developing a new treatment that helps patients do this.
A new discipline emerges: The psychology of science
You've heard of the history of science, the philosophy of science, maybe even the sociology of science. But how about the psychology of science?
'Drunkorexia:' A recipe for disaster
It is well-known that eating disorders are common among teens and college students. Heavy alcohol consumption is another well-known unhealthy habit of this age group. A new study shows that when college students combine these two unhealthy habits, their long-term health may be affected. "Drunkorexia" is a new term coined by the media to describe the combination of disordered eating and heavy alcohol consumption.
People who really identify with their car drive more aggressively, study finds
People who view their car as an extension of themselves have stronger aggressive driving tendencies, according to a new study.
Genetically influenced responses to alcohol affect brain activation both with and without alcohol
A low level of response (LR) to alcohol reflects at least in part a low brain response to alcohol and carries significant risk for the later development of alcoholism. A new study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activation in individuals with low and high LRs to alcohol while they performed a cognitive task. Significant differences detected in brain activation may contribute to the inability by individuals with a low LR to recognize modest levels of alcohol intoxication.
Evidence points to potential roles for cognitive rehabilitation therapy in treating traumatic brain injury, but further research needed
There is some evidence about the potential value of cognitive rehabilitation therapy for treating traumatic brain injury.
Behavioral and educational interventions appear to be effective for patients with poorly controlled diabetes
Three randomized controlled trials examine the effectiveness of behavioral and educational interventions for patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
Aggression-boldness gene identified in model fish
A gene responsible for aggressive and bold behavior has been identified in zebrafish. This specific behavioral association, whose three characteristics are boldness, exploratory behavior and aggressiveness, has been described in many animal species. In zebrafish, it could be due to the action of a single gene (fgfr-1) through its regulation of histamine levels in the brain, as histamine is the neurotransmitter involved in numerous behavioral traits.
New mouse model recreates common form of autism
Scientists have created a genetically engineered mouse with increased dosages of the Ube3 gene. And, like the patients who also harbor increased dosages of this single gene, the genetically engineered mice exhibit robust examples of all three traits considered hallmarks of autism: reduced social interaction, impaired communication and excessive repetitive behaviors.
Here, there, everywhere: Reward and penalty processing is widespread in the human brain
Our behavior is often guided by the desire to obtain positive outcomes and avoid negative consequences, and neuroscientists have put a great deal of effort into looking for reward and punishment "centers" in the brain. Now, new research reveals that neural signals related to reinforcement and punishment are far more broadly distributed throughout the entire human brain than was previously thought.
Sociability may depend upon brain cells generated in adolescence
Mice become profoundly anti-social when the creation of new brain cells is interrupted in adolescence, a surprising finding that may help researchers understand schizophrenia and other mental disorders, researchers report.
New findings validate the accuracy of autism diagnosis in children with Down syndrome
New findings from a 16-year study confirm that the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, the gold-standard for the classification of mental health conditions, can be used to accurately identify autism spectrum disorders in children with Down syndrome, according to new research.
Certain therapies appear beneficial in reducing PTSD symptoms in some trauma survivors
Prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive therapy, and delayed prolonged exposure therapy, appear to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in patients who have experienced a recent traumatic event, according to a new report.
Severely impaired schizophrenics enter dynamic cycle of recovery after cognitive therapy
For the first time, researchers have shown that a psychosocial treatment can significantly improve daily functioning and quality of life in the lowest-functioning cases of schizophrenia.
Promising drug treatment for improving language, social function in people with autism
Researchers are examining the use of propranolol (a drug used to treat high blood pressure and control heart rate as well as to reduce test anxiety) to improve the primary traits associated with autism -- difficulty with normal social skills, language and repetitive behaviors. Researchers say the drug is a promising new avenue for improving language and social function.
How the use of smartphones can revolutionize research in cognitive science
Smartphones may be the new hot tool in cognitive psychology research, according to a new article.
Blood sugar control beyond standard target doesn't improve cognitive decline for diabetics, study finds
Intensive control of blood sugar levels beyond standard targets provides no additional protection against cognitive decline in older people with diabetes than standard treatment, according to a national U.S. study.
Adolescents particularly susceptible to drinking habits of romantic partner's friends
The drinking habits of a romantic partner's friends are more likely to impact an adolescent's future drinking than are the behaviors of an adolescent's own friends or significant other, according to a new study.
Therapy via Internet yields good results
Treatment via the Internet enables many more patients to get help with their depression, new research suggests. A psychologist has studied the effects of Internet-based CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) both on ongoing depression and for preventing relapses.
Couples counseling improves sexual intimacy after prostate treatment
Prostate cancer survivors and their partners experience improved sexual satisfaction and function after couples counseling, according to new research. The new article revealed both internet-based sexual counseling and traditional sex therapy are equally effective in improving sexual outcomes. Couples on a waiting list for counseling did not improve.
Electrical stimulation of brain boosts birth of new cells: Animal study suggests deep brain stimulation improves memory
Stimulating a specific region of the brain leads to the production of new brain cells that enhance memory, according to an animal study. The findings show how deep brain stimulation -- a clinical intervention that delivers electrical pulses to targeted areas of the brain -- may work to improve cognition.
Adding cognitive behavioral therapy to drug treatment of pediatric OCD appears to improve symptoms
Children and teens with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who were receiving some benefit from treatment with medication had a significantly greater reduction in OCD symptoms with the addition of cognitive behavior therapy, according to a new study.
Stopping smoking boosts everyday memory, research finds
Giving up smoking isn't just good for your health, it's also good for your memory, according to new research.
Negative emotions influence brain activity during anticipation and experience of pain
Neuroticism -- the tendency to experience negative emotions -- significantly affects brain processing during pain, as well as during the anticipation of pain.
Some memory complaints in the elderly may be warning signs of cognitive problems
Older individuals' complaints about memory lapses such as having trouble remembering recent events may indicate that they are experiencing cognitive problems that are greater than typical age-related changes. These findings indicate that primary care clinicians, who are often the first to see patients who are worried about their memory, should be aware that such complaints might be indicative of something serious and warrant a further cognitive assessment.
Campus smoking ban reduced students' smoking, changed attitudes
Smoking bans have become more common on university campuses, but do they work? Do they help reduce smoking in this newly independent age group? According to a new study by tobacco control and health behavior experts, they do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Bipolar News
|
|
|
Schizophrenia diagnosis associated with progressive brain changes among adolescents
Adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychoses appear to show greater decreases in gray matter volume and increases in cerebrospinal fluid in the frontal lobe compared to healthy adolescents without a diagnosis of psychosis, according to a new report.
Rare genetic mutations linked to bipolar disorder
Scientists report that abnormal sequences of DNA known as rare copy number variants, or CNVs, appear to play a significant role in the risk for early onset bipolar disorder.
Opioid abuse linked to mood and anxiety disorders
Researchers find that mood and anxiety disorders are highly associated with non-medical prescription opioid use.
Post-partum psychiatric episodes associated with increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder, study finds
Experiencing a psychiatric episode within the first 30 days post-partum appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder, according to a new study.
New biochemical changes found in children with ADHD
A new study shows that children with ADHD have nearly 50 percent less of a protein that is important for attention and learning. The finding may mean that there are other biochemical disturbances in the brains of individuals with ADHD than was previously believed.
Precise early diagnosis of psychotic disorders possible
Functional psychosis can be diagnosed from the first indications of the patient, thanks to affective symptomatology. Depressive moods, hyperactivity and lack of concentration are affective symptoms that can present themselves during the first psychotic episodes, and the presence or absence of any of them may contribute to differentiating, at an early stage, between the different variations of the mental disease, according to new research.
Gene regulatory protein is reduced in bipolar disorder
A new study provides evidence that changes in gene regulation may contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. Researchers found low levels of a transcription factor in the brain's prefrontal cortex and cerebellum in postmortem samples from patients with bipolar disorder, suggesting a new target for drug therapy.
Large study finds genetic 'overlap' between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
A worldwide consortium has discovered that common genetic variants contribute to a person's risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These studies provide new molecular evidence that 11 regions are strongly associated with these diseases, including six regions not previously observed.
Twin study reveals epigenetic alterations of psychiatric disorders
In the first study to systematically investigate genome-wide epigenetic differences in a large number of psychosis discordant twin-pairs, new research provides further evidence that epigenetic processes play an important role in neuropsychiatric disease. The findings may offer potential new avenues for treatment.
Common genetic contributions to mental illness discovered
This study of more than 50,000 adults ages 18 and older provides new molecular evidence that 11 DNA regions in the human genome have strong association with these diseases, including six regions not previously observed.
Common genetic variations linked to both schizophrenia and bipolar risk
Common genetic variants contribute to the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, an international research consortium has discovered. A team of scientists has found new molecular evidence that 11 genetic regions have strong links with these diseases, including six regions not previously observed. The researchers also found that many of these DNA variations contribute to both diseases.
The emotional brain in youth: Research suggests how to diagnose and treat mood disorders in children and adolescents
In recent years, a considerable increase in the number of children and adolescents evaluated, diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder has been noted. Bipolar-like symptoms are quite frequent in prepubertal children, but the age at which bipolar disorder can first be diagnosed remains controversial. Current neurobiological findings have advanced our understanding of emotional function and dysfunction in youth.
Major brain similarities found in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Researchers have conducted a study which has found striking brain similarities in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Can feeling too good be bad? Positive emotion in bipolar disorder
Positive emotions like joy and compassion are good for your mental and physical health, and help foster creativity and friendship. But people with bipolar disorder seem to have too much of a good thing. A new article explores how positive emotion may become negative in bipolar disorder.
Report offers hope to people diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Mood swings are not always best understood as an illness called 'bipolar disorder', and medication is not the only way to cope with them, says a new report from the UK. The report offers new hope to people diagnosed with bipolar disorder (about 1 to 2 percent of the population).
Fish oil may have positive effects on mood, alcohol craving, new study shows
Omega 3 fatty acids may be beneficial for more than just the heart. Researchers have found at a molecular level a potential therapeutic benefit from these dietary supplements for treating alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorders.
Bipolar disorder and postural control: Mind-body connection suggests new directions for treatment, research
A new study suggests that postural control problems may be a core feature of bipolar disorder, not just a random symptom, and can provide insights both into areas of the brain affected by the psychiatric disorder and new potential targets for treatment. The findings raises the question of whether therapies that improve motor symptoms may also help mood disorders.
Children of bipolar parents are overly sensitive to stress hormone cortisol, study finds
Children whose mother or father is affected by bipolar disorder may need to keep their stress levels in check. A new international study suggests the stress hormone cortisol is a key player in the mood disorder. The findings are the first to show that cortisol is elevated more readily in these children in response to the stressors of normal everyday life.
Limitations of evidence base for prescribing aripiprazole in maintenance therapy of bipolar disorder
The evidence base for the prescribing of aripiprazole in maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder is limited to a single trial, sponsored by the manufacturer of aripiprazole, according to a rigorous appraisal of the evidence for its use.
Mood swings of bipolar patients can be predicted, study shows
The future mood swings of people with bipolar disorder can be predicted by their current thoughts and behavior, a study has found.
Genetic link to attempted suicide identified
A study of thousands of people with bipolar disorder suggests that genetic risk factors may influence the decision to attempt suicide. Researchers have identified a small region on chromosome 2 that is associated with increased risk for attempted suicide. This small region contains four genes, including the ACP1 gene, and the researchers found more than normal levels of the ACP1 protein in the brains of people who had committed suicide. This protein is thought to influence the same biological pathway as lithium, a medication known to reduce the rate of suicidal behavior.
Prevalence and severity of bipolar disorder worldwide
Despite international variation in prevalence rates of bipolar spectrum disorder, the severity and associated disorders are similar and treatment needs are often unmet, especially in low-income countries, according to a new article.
Susceptibility factor for bipolar disorder identified
A new study provides fascinating insight into the genetic basis of bipolar disorder, a highly heritable mood disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. The research identifies a previously unrecognized susceptibility factor for bipolar disorder.
New clue to the genetics of bipolar disorder: Piccolo
Understanding the genetics of bipolar disorder could lead to new treatments, but identifying specific genetic variations associated with this disorder has been challenging. A new study implicates a brain protein called Piccolo in the risk for inheriting bipolar disorder. In the orchestra of neuronal proteins, Piccolo is a member of a protein family that includes another protein called Bassoon. Piccolo is located at the endings of nerve cells, where it contributes to the ability of nerve cells to release their chemical messengers.
Treatment for manic-depressive illness restores brain volume deficits
Lithium, introduced in the late 1940's, was the first "wonder drug" in psychiatry. It was the first medication treatment for the manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and it remains among one of the most effective treatments for this disorder. In the past 15 years, as molecular mechanisms underlying the treatment of bipolar disorder began to emerge, basic research studies conducted in animals began to identify neuroprotective and perhaps neurotrophic effects of this important medication.
People with severe mental illness 12 times more likely to commit suicide
People with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, are 12 times more likely to commit suicide than average, according to new research.
Psychotic-like symptoms associated with poor outcomes in patients with depression
Among patients with depression, the presence of many aspects of illness which may be associated with bipolar disorder does not appear to be associated with treatment resistance -- evidence against the common hypothesis that some cases of difficult-to-treat depression are actually unrecognized bipolar disorder, according to a new study.
Veterans with bipolar disorder may have increased risk of suicide
Veterans diagnosed with any psychiatric illness appear to have an elevated risk of suicide, and men with bipolar disorder and women with substance abuse disorders may have a particularly high risk, according to a new study.
Brain imaging identifies differences in childhood bipolar disorder, ADHD
Researchers are now using brain imaging to examine the effects of emotion on working memory function in children with pediatric bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Bipolar disorder does not increase risk of violent crime, Swedish study suggests
A new study from Sweden suggests that bipolar disorder -- or manic-depressive disorder -- does not increase the risk of committing violent crime. Instead, the over-representation of individuals with bipolar disorder in violent crime statistics is almost entirely attributable to concurrent substance abuse.
Ketamine may relieve depression quickly for those with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder
A single intravenous dose of the anesthetic agent ketamine appears to reduce symptoms of depression within 40 minutes among those with bipolar disorder who have not responded to other treatments.
Possible mechanism identified for how lithium treats bipolar disorder
Lithium has been established for more than 50 years as one of the most effective treatments for manic depression, clinically termed bipolar disorder. However, scientists have never been entirely sure exactly why it is beneficial. Now, new research suggests a possible mechanism for why lithium works, opening the door for better understanding of the illness and potentially more effective treatments.
Links between hypertension, bipolar disorders identified
Nearly half of patients hospitalized with bipolar disorder may suffer from hypertension, and the younger a person is diagnosed with the psychiatric condition the more likely they are to develop high blood pressure, according to a recent study. The research analyzed 99 patients hospitalized for bipolar disorder, a condition sometimes called manic-depressive disorder.
Uncovering lithium's mode of action
Though it has been prescribed for over 50 years to treat bipolar disorder, there are still many questions regarding exactly how lithium works. Researchers have provided solid evidence that lithium reduces brain inflammation by adjusting the metabolism of the health-protective omega-3 fatty acid called DHA.
Proposed diagnostic change not enough to help children currently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, experts say
Shifting children from the controversial diagnosis of bipolar disorder to one that more accurately reflects their symptoms, called temper dysregulation disorder with dysphoria, will not by new commentary.
Over-diagnosis of bipolar disorder and disability payments -- a link?
A new study finds patients who were "over-diagnosed" with bipolar disorder were more likely to have received disability payments and for a longer period of time. The researchers propose a link between these unconfirmed cases of bipolar disorder and the receipt of the payments.
Widely used screening scale may misidentify borderline personality disorder as bipolar disorder
A widely-used screening tool for bipolar disorder may incorrectly indicate bipolar disorder for patients suffering from borderline personality disorder. Researchers assessed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire which is the most widely-used and studied screening tool for bipolar disorder.
Broad application of bipolar diagnosis in children may do more harm than good
Troubled children diagnosed with bipolar disorder may fare better with a different diagnosis, according to new research. The researchers support an emerging approach, which gives many of those children a new diagnosis called severe mood dysregulation or temper dysregulation disorder with dysphoria.
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.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Brain Injury News
|
|
|
Three-dimensional perception in monkeys can be influenced, study finds
Researchers have identified a brain area in rhesus monkeys responsible for three-dimensional perception. By electrically stimulating brain cells, researchers were able to influence the monkeys' perception of objects.
Broken arm? Brain shifts quickly when using a sling or cast
Using a sling or cast after injuring an arm may cause your brain to shift quickly to adjust, according to a new study. The study found increases in the size of brain areas that were compensating for the injured side, and decreases in areas that were not being used due to the cast or sling.
How stem cell implants help heal traumatic brain injury
Researchers have identified key molecular mechanisms by which implanted human neural stem cells aid recovery from traumatic axonal injury.
How the brain computes 3-dimensional structure
The ability of our brain to create a 3D representation from an object's 2D projection on the retina is not well understood and is likely to be highly complex. Now, new research provides the first direct evidence that specific brain areas underlie perception of different 3D structures and sheds light the way that the primate brain reconstructs real-world objects.
Omega-3 fatty acids could prevent and treat nerve damage, research suggests
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, have the potential to protect nerves from injury and help them to regenerate, new research suggests.
Could heading in soccer lead to brain injury? No clear link to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, so far
Could heading the ball in soccer lead to degenerative brain disease, like that seen in athletes in other sports?
Diabetic mice provide a surprising breakthrough for multiple sclerosis research
Scientists have discovered that when mice with diabetes are injected with a specific protein, they experience the same brain lesions and disabilities that occur in human MS patients. Monitoring this brain lesion process through magnetic resonance imaging, scientists say they're on the path to treating MS more effectively.
Research demonstrating link between virus and MS could point the way to treatment and prevention
A new study from researchers at Queen Mary, University of London shows how a particular virus tricks the immune system into triggering inflammation and nerve cell damage in the brain, which is known to cause MS.
Songbird brain synapses and glial cells capable of synthesizing estrogen
A biology professor has detailed previously undiscovered ways songbirds can produce estrogen in their brains.
Agent shows ability to suppress brain metastasis and related damage
Brain metastasis remains an unconquered challenge in cancer treatment. Pigment epithelium-derived factor suppressed brain damage. Agent is already being studied for macular degeneration.
Multiple sclerosis linked to different area of brain
Radiology researchers have found evidence that multiple sclerosis affects an area of the brain that controls cognitive, sensory and motor functioning apart from the disabling damage caused by the disease's visible lesions.
Alzheimer's drug candidate may be first to prevent disease progression, mouse study suggests
A new drug candidate may be the first capable of halting the devastating mental decline of Alzheimer's disease, based on the findings of a new study.
High levels of tau protein linked to poor recovery after brain injury
High levels of tau protein in fluid bathing the brain are linked to poor recovery after head trauma, according to a new study.
'Brain tsunamis' are clue to helping victims of major head injuries
Treating 'brain tsunamis' or 'killer waves' could stop many victims of major head injury from suffering additional brain damage, a study has found. Scientists have been investigating this phenomenon for decades, with the topic of spreading depolarizations now of keen interest to the U.S. military because head injuries have emerged as the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Good or bad: Surprises drive learning in same neural circuits
Neurosurgeons hoping to find ways to accelerate re-learning after a stroke or brain injury are trying to tease out the circuitry that governs learning. A new study of how the brain processes unexpected events found that neurons in two important structures handle both positive and negative surprises. That was a surprise in its own right.
Concussion testing makes everyone tired
Testing athletes for concussions may induce mental fatigue in subjects whether or not they have a head injury, according to researchers.
Acupuncture may ease severe nerve pain associated with cancer treatment, study suggests
Acupuncture may help ease the severe nerve pain associated with certain cancer drugs, suggests a small preliminary study.
Scientists discover how brain corrects bumps to body
Researchers have identified the area of the brain that controls our ability to correct our movement after we've been hit or bumped -- a finding that may have implications for understanding why subjects with stroke often have severe difficulties moving.
Child abuse changes the brain, study finds
When children have been exposed to family violence, their brains become increasingly "tuned" for processing possible sources of threat, a new study reports. The findings reveal the same pattern of brain activity in these children as seen previously in soldiers exposed to combat.
How the brain strings words into sentences
Distinct neural pathways are important for different aspects of language processing, researchers have discovered, studying patients with language impairments caused by neurodegenerative diseases.
People with early Alzheimer's disease may be more likely to have lower BMI
Studies have shown that people who are overweight in middle age are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease decades later than people at normal weight, yet researchers have also found that people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have a lower body mass index (BMI). A current study examines this relationship between Alzheimer's disease and BMI.
Regeneration after a stroke requires intact communication channels between brain hemispheres
Recovery after a stroke depends on the exchange of information between the brain hemispheres.
Serotonin system in women's brains is damaged more readily by alcohol than that in men’s brains, study finds
After only four years of problem drinking, a significant decrease in the function of the serotonin system in women’s brains can be seen. This is the system that regulates such functions as impulse control and mood. It takes 12 years before a corresponding decrease is seen in men.
Routine head hits in school sports may cause brain injury
The brain scans of high school football and hockey players showed subtle injury -- even if they did not suffer a concussion -- after taking routine hits to the head during the normal course of play, according to a new study.
New technology to monitor brain aneurysms
Researchers have developed new technology for monitoring brain aneurysms – an approach that is potentially less invasive and more accurate than current methods, and one that is simple enough for patients to use at home for frequent monitoring.
Vintage leather football helmets often as protective as modern helmets in common, game-like hits
Old-fashioned "leatherhead" football helmets from the early 1900s are often as effective as -- and sometimes better than -- modern football helmets at protecting against injuries during routine, game-like collisions, according to researchers.
Cerebral palsy-like brain damage prevented in mice
Scientists have shown that a protein may help prevent the kind of brain damage that occurs in babies with cerebral palsy.
Protein could prevent secondary damage after stroke, neuroscientist says
A neuroscientist says a protein that regulates nerve cells and assists in overall brain function may be key to preventing the long-term damage of stroke and hopes her work leads to the development of an effective therapeutic intervention.
Noninvasive current stimulation improves sight in patients with optic nerve damage, study suggests
It has long been thought that blindness after brain lesions is irreversible and that damage to the optic nerves leads to permanent impairments in everyday activities such as reading, driving, and spatial orientation. A new study suggests that treating such patients with low levels of non-invasive, repetitive, transorbital alternating current stimulation for 10 days (30-40 minutes per day) significantly reduces visual impairment and markedly improves vision-related quality of life.
Enzyme controlling cell death paves way for treatment of brain damage in newborns
Brain damage due to birth asphyxia – where the brain is starved of oxygen around the time of delivery – is normally treated by cooling the infant, but this only helps one baby in nine. New research Sweden could now pave the way for new ways of treating brain damage in newborns.
Blood-pressure-lowering drug after stroke aids recovery, study suggests
A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth, a new study has found.
Decision-making: What you want vs. how you get it
New research reveals how we make decisions. Birds choosing between berry bushes and investors trading stocks are faced with the same fundamental challenge -- making optimal choices in an environment featuring varying costs and benefits.
Protecting the brain when energy runs low
Researchers have shed new light on the way that the brain protects itself from harm when 'running on empty.'
Minority children less likely to receive CT scans following head trauma
African-American and Hispanic children are less likely to receive a cranial computed tomography scan in an emergency department following minor head trauma than white children, according to new research.
By reprogramming skin cells into brain cells, scientists gain new insights into mental disorders
By reprogramming skin cells from patients with mental disorders, scientists are creating brain cells that are now providing extraordinary insights into afflictions like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
Seeds of destruction in Parkinson's disease: Spread of diseased proteins kills neurons
New research suggests that small "seed" amounts of diseased brain proteins can be taken up by healthy neurons and propagated within them to cause neurodegeneration. The research sheds light on the mechanisms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) and provides a model for discovering early intervention therapeutics that can prevent or slow the devastating loss of neurons that underlies PD.
Alzheimer's might be transmissible in similar way as infectious prion diseases, research suggests
The brain damage that characterizes Alzheimer's disease may originate in a form similar to that of infectious prion diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob, according to newly published research.
Robot brain implanted in a rodent: Researcher implants robotic cerebellum to repair motor function
With new cutting-edge technology aimed at providing amputees with robotic limbs, a researcher has successfully implanted a robotic cerebellum into the skull of a rodent with brain damage, restoring its capacity for movement.
Race to nerve regeneration: Faster is better
Researchers have now identified a way to accelerate the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves in mice such that muscle function is restored in situations where it normally would not be. It is hoped that these data might one day translate into strategies that increase the rate of nerve growth to enhance functional recovery in patients after peripheral nerve damage.
Study of COX-2 inhibitors could lead to new class of stroke drugs
A new study in mice points toward potential new therapies for stroke, a leading cause of death and foremost single cause of severe neurological disability. The study also may reveal why a much-heralded class of blockbuster drugs failed to live up to their promise.
Alcohol-related behavior changes: Blame your immune system
When you think about your immune system, you probably think about it fighting off a cold. But new research suggests that immune cells in your brain may contribute to how you respond to alcohol.
Neural linkage between motivation and motor functional recovery through rehabilitative training
Scientists revealed that the more motor function recovery progresses, the stronger the functional connectivity between the brain which regulates motivation, and in the brain regions involved in the motor learning and functional recovery.
New stem cell activity identified in human brain
Researchers have identified a new pathway of stem cell activity in the brain that represents potential targets of brain injuries affecting newborns. The recent study raises new questions of how the brain evolves.
Window of opportunity to treat some stroke patients may be longer than originally suspected
Stroke victims may have a longer window of opportunity to receive treatment to save their brain cells, demonstrates a new literature review.
Biologists discover genes that repair nerves after injury
Biologists have identified more than 70 genes that play a role in regenerating nerves after injury, providing biomedical researchers with a valuable set of genetic leads for use in developing therapies to repair spinal cord injuries and other common kinds of nerve damage such as stroke.
Chronic drinking leads to reduced cortical thickness in frontal and temporal brain regions
Chronic misuse of alcohol can cause widespread damage to the brain. A new study uses cortical thickness measurements to examine alcohol-related tissue loss across the cortex. Results show most damage in the frontal and temporal brain regions, directly related to the amount of alcohol consumed.
New imaging technique evaluates nerve damage
A new imaging technique could help doctors and researchers more accurately assess the extent of nerve damage and healing in a live patient. Researchers aimed lasers at rats' damaged sciatic nerves to create images of the individual neurons' insulating sheath called myelin.
Running backs take hardest hits to the head, linemen take the most, U.S. college football study finds
Researchers gathered data on the frequency, direction, and magnitude of head impacts from players who wore sensor-equipped helmets during three football seasons at Brown University, Dartmouth College, and Virginia Tech. The data amount to a measure of players' exposure to head impacts, which can ultimately help physicians and scientists understand how concussions occur.
Growth hormone helps repair the zebrafish ear
Loud noise, especially repeated loud noise, is known to cause irreversible damage to the hair cells inside the cochlea and eventually lead to deafness. In mammals this is irreversible. However, both birds and fish are able to re-grow the damaged hair cells and restore hearing. New research shows that growth hormone is involved in this regeneration in zebrafish.
Treating epilepsy in cats
Cats are known to have types of epileptic seizures in which consciousness is usually impaired although not all of the body is affected. Researchers in Austria now show that cats that suffer in this way have changes in the hippocampus, the part of the brain most commonly affected in human epilepsy.
Discovery suggests way to block fetal brain damage produced by oxygen deprivation
Examining brain damage that occurs when fetuses in the womb are deprived of oxygen, researchers have discovered that damage does not occur randomly but is linked to the specific action of a naturally occurring fatty molecule called LPA, acting through a receptor that transfers information into young brain cells.
Alzheimer disease: Transport protein ABCC1 plays key role in clearing beta-amyloid from brains of mice
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among older people. One of the main features of AD is the presence in the brain of abnormal clumps of the protein fragment beta-amyloid. Researchers have now identified a way to reduce the amount of beta-amyloid in the brains of mice with a disease that models AD, providing hope that a similar approach could benefit patients with this devastating condition.
Visual test effective in diagnosing concussions in collegiate athletes, study suggests
A sideline visual test effectively detected concussions in collegiate athletes, according to researchers. This quick visual test, easily administered on the playing field, holds promise as a complement to other diagnostic tools for sports-related concussion.
Withdrawing life support for traumatic brain injuries needs cautious approach, study finds
Death following severe traumatic brain injury is associated with a highly variable incidence of withdrawal of life support at the end of life, finds a new study. Rates of withdrawal of life support vary between hospitals, and caution should be used in making this decision, the study states.
Omega-3s reduce stroke severity, study suggests
A diet rich in omega-3s reduces the severity of brain damage after a stroke, according to a new study. Researches have shown that the extent of brain damage following a stroke was reduced by 25 percent in mice that consumed DHA type omega-3s daily.
Traumatic brain injury increases risk of Parkinson's disease, researchers say; Threat doubles with exposure to the pesticide paraquat
While traumatic brain injury was known to be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), no one knew why. Now scientists have found the mechanism for this elevated, long-term risk that is caused by TBI -- the loss of a specific type of neuron that is known to cause PD.
Headaches are common in year following traumatic brain injury, especially among females
Recurring headaches are common during the year following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), regardless of the severity of the TBI, and they tend to occur more often among females and those with a pre-TBI history of headache, according to a new article.
New research reveals brain's protection mechanism during stroke
Neuroscientists have identified a natural protection mechanism in some of the brain's nerve cells during the onset of stroke. The findings could be used to develop treatments to protect other nerve cell types responsible for speech and movement.
Exercise may help prevent brain damage caused by Alzheimer's disease
Regular exercise could help prevent brain damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, according to new research.
When you can recite a poem but not remember who asked you to learn it a few days earlier
Memory is not a single process but is made up of several sub-processes relying on different areas of the brain. Episodic memory, the ability to remember specific events such as what you did yesterday, is known to be vulnerable to brain damage involving the hippocampus. The question is, what happens when damage to the hippocampus occurs very early in life? Clinical neuropsychologists have now reported that a child can develop normally despite severe damage to the hippocampus resulting from lack of oxygen in the first days of life. This supports the theory that the different aspects of memory rely on distinct areas of the brain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Caregiving News
|
|
|
Will you have a heart attack or stroke?
Your risk of having a heart attack or stroke may be worse than you think. Currently, risk is assessed by projecting 10 years ahead. New research shows a young or middle-aged adult at low risk in the short term may be at high risk in the long term, if they have only one risk factor. This is the first study to examine the lifetime risk of heart disease in white and black men and women.
Neurologists should ask patients about abuse: New position statement from American Academy of Neurology
A new position statement issued by the American Academy of Neurology calls on neurologists to begin screening their patients for abusive or violent treatment by family, caretakers or others. Types of abuse include elder abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, cyberbullying and violence.
Scientists identify protein that contributes to symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Scientists have identified a protein that exacerbates symptoms of Parkinson's disease -- a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments for people who suffer from this devastating neurodegenerative illness.
Could Alzheimer's disease be diagnosed with a simple blood test?
A pilot study suggests infrared analysis of white blood cells is a promising strategy for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Sex no more strenuous than golf, expert says
For most heart and stroke patients, it's probably safe to have sex. "For a patient who has sex with a familiar partner in a familiar setting, sexual activity generally is safe and no more strenuous than golf," a cardiologist said.
Sugar for the brain: Mechanism to prevent programmed cell death of nerve cells deciphered
Scientists have deciphered a mechanism to prevent programmed cell death of nerve cells.
A new drug for heat stroke? Implications for malignant hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening genetic muscle disorder, most commonly triggered in those at risk by certain types of drugs used during anesthesia. Heat stroke, on the other hand, most commonly occurs in individuals in response to physical exertion in hot/humid environments. While their common triggers may differ, the signs associated with MH and heat stroke are remarkably similar – uncontrolled muscle contractions, dangerous increases in body temperature, and muscle breakdown leading to the release of toxins in the blood which may cause cardiac arrhythmias and death. A new medication may be effective in preventing certain forms of heat stroke.
Atrial arrhythmias detected by pacemakers increase risk of stroke
Silent atrial fibrillation is very common and may be the cause of many strokes that previously could not be explained. In all, atrial fibrillation may be responsible for nearly one in five strokes.
Parkinson's treatment shows positive results in clinical testing
Deep brain stimulation -- also known as DBS -- is effective at improving motor symptoms and quality of life in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, according to new research.
Diabetic mice provide a surprising breakthrough for multiple sclerosis research
Scientists have discovered that when mice with diabetes are injected with a specific protein, they experience the same brain lesions and disabilities that occur in human MS patients. Monitoring this brain lesion process through magnetic resonance imaging, scientists say they're on the path to treating MS more effectively.
Bariatric surgery associated with reduction in cardiovascular events and death
Among obese individuals, having bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced long-term incidence of cardiovascular deaths and events such as heart attack and stroke, according to a new study.
Advance in early diagnosis of spatial neglect after stroke
Bedside clinical evaluation can be optimized to diagnose spatial neglect, a disabling disorder that impedes recovery after stroke, according to stroke specialists. Often overlooked, it is associated with prolonged hospital stays, accidents, falls, safety problems and chronic functional disability. Early recognition and targeted cognitive rehabilitation may improve outcomes for the 30-50 percent of stroke survivors with this hidden disability that can be more disabling than paralysis.
Demographic and clinical factors appear associated with survival in patients with Parkinson disease
Demographics and clinical factors appear to be associated with survival in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), and the presence of dementia is associated with a significant increase in mortality, according to a new report.
New clues as to why some older people may be losing their memory
New research links 'silent strokes,' or small spots of dead brain cells, found in about one out of four older adults to memory loss in the elderly.
Vitamin therapy can still reduce stroke, researchers contend
Medical researchers argue that vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke.
Acupuncture reduces protein linked to stress in first of its kind animal study
Acupuncture significantly reduces levels of a protein in rats linked to chronic stress, researchers have found. They say their animal study may help explain the sense of well-being that many people receive from this ancient Chinese therapy.
Robotic therapy may provide lasting gains for immobilized stroke survivors
Adding robotic assistance to standard rehab was more effective than traditional methods in helping severely impaired stroke survivors regain the ability to walk. The additional therapy was not beneficial for those with less impairment.
Alzheimer's drug candidate may be first to prevent disease progression, mouse study suggests
A new drug candidate may be the first capable of halting the devastating mental decline of Alzheimer's disease, based on the findings of a new study.
Magnetic stimulation of brain may help some stroke patients recover
Imagine waking up and being unable to see or recognize anything on the left side of your body. This condition, called hemispatial neglect, is common after a stroke that occurs on the right side of the brain. The current treatment of attention and concentration training using computer and pencil-and-paper tasks is inadequate.
High levels of tau protein linked to poor recovery after brain injury
High levels of tau protein in fluid bathing the brain are linked to poor recovery after head trauma, according to a new study.
Widespread brain atrophy detected in Parkinson's disease with newly developed structural pattern
Atrophy in the hippocampus, the region of the brain known for memory formation and storage, is evident in Parkinson's disease patients with cognitive impairment, including early decline known as mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study.
Test for Alzheimer's disease predicts cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease
A method of classifying brain atrophy patterns in Alzheimer's disease patients using MRIs can also detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. Researchers also found that higher baseline Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predicted long-term cognitive decline in cognitively normal Parkinson's patients. The study is published online in Brain.
Researchers design Alzheimer’s antibodies: Surprisingly simple method to target harmful proteins
Researchers have developed a new method to design antibodies aimed at combating disease. The surprisingly simple process was used to make antibodies that neutralize the harmful protein particles that are believed to lead to Alzheimer's disease.
Blood pressure medicines reduce stroke risk in people with prehypertension, study suggests
Blood pressure medicines reduced the risk of stroke by 22 percent in people with prehypertension. More than 50 million Americans have an increased risk of stroke due to prehypertension.
Addressing pain and disease on the fly: How fruit flies can teach us about curing chronic pain and halting mosquito-borne diseases
Studies of a protein that fruit flies use to sense heat and chemicals may someday provide solutions to human pain and the control of disease-spreading mosquitoes. Researchers have discovered how fruit flies distinguish the warmth of a summer day from the pungency of wasabi by using TRPA1, a protein whose human relative is critical for pain and inflammation.
New move to use robots for stroke rehabilitation
Researchers have just begun a three-year project, which uses robots to help people to recover from strokes.
Scientists discover how brain corrects bumps to body
Researchers have identified the area of the brain that controls our ability to correct our movement after we've been hit or bumped -- a finding that may have implications for understanding why subjects with stroke often have severe difficulties moving.
Vegetables, fruits, grains reduce stroke risk in women
Swedish women who ate an antioxidant-rich diet had fewer strokes especially if they had no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. The findings persisted even after statistics were adjusted for other risk factors such as smoking and physical activity. Women with the highest level of antioxidants in their diet consumed about half their antioxidants from fruits and vegetables.
Simple blood test diagnoses Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear
A new research report shows how scientists from the United Kingdom have developed a simple blood test to detect Parkinson's disease even at the earliest stages. The test is possible because scientists found a substance in the blood, called "phosphorylated alpha-synuclein," which is common in people with Parkinson's disease, and then developed a way to identify its presence in our blood.
Parkinson's disease risk greater in those exposed to common chemical, trichloroethylene, study shows
A new study demonstrates a connection between a common solvent chemical and Parkinson's disease. The study looked at a cohort of human twins wherein one twin had been occupationally exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) and other chemicals believed to be linked to development of Parkinson's.
Psychological intervention reduces disability and depression in adolescents with fibromyalgia
A recent trial shows cognitive-behavioral therapy reduces functional disability and depressive symptoms in adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia. The psychological intervention was found to be safe and effective, and proved to be superior to disease management education.
People with early Alzheimer's disease may be more likely to have lower BMI
Studies have shown that people who are overweight in middle age are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease decades later than people at normal weight, yet researchers have also found that people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have a lower body mass index (BMI). A current study examines this relationship between Alzheimer's disease and BMI.
Regeneration after a stroke requires intact communication channels between brain hemispheres
Recovery after a stroke depends on the exchange of information between the brain hemispheres.
'Silent' stroke risk factors for children with sickle cell anemia
Factors such as low hemoglobin levels, increased systolic blood pressure, and male gender are linked to a higher risk of silent cerebral infarcts, or silent strokes, in children with sickle cell anemia, according to results from a large, first-of-its-kind study.
Form and function: New MRI technique to diagnose or rule out Alzheimer's disease
On the quest for safe, reliable and accessible tools to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease, researchers have found a new way of diagnosing and tracking Alzheimer's disease, using an innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called arterial spin labeling (ASL) to measure changes in brain function.
Abused girls may have higher risk of heart disease, stroke as adults, study suggests
Sexually and physically abused girls may have higher risks for heart attacks, heart disease and strokes as adults, according to new research.
Effects of 'mini stroke' can shorten life expectancy
Having a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini stroke," could lower your life expectancy, according to new research. Survival rates after TIA were 20 percent lower than expected nine years later, compared to the general population. The long-term effects of TIA were most serious for patients older than 65 and for patients with previous history of stroke and heart problems.
Dendritic cell subtype protects against atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as "hardening of the arteries," is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The cause of atherosclerosis is not well understood but, for some time, chronic inflammatory immune responses have been implicated in driving disease pathology. Now, a new study identifies a type of immune cell that is not associated with promoting disease, but with protection against atherosclerosis.
People with Parkinson's disease more likely to have leg restlessness than restless leg syndrome
People with Parkinson's disease may be more likely to have a movement disorder called leg motor restlessness, but not true restless legs syndrome as previous studies have suggested, according to a new study.
Surgical procedure does not appear to reduce risk of subsequent stroke for patients who have had 'mini-stroke'
Patients with thickening and blockage of the internal carotid artery (supplies blood to the brain) and hemodynamic cerebral ischemia (insufficient blood flow to the brain, sub-type of stroke) who had a surgical procedure performed to improve blood flow in the artery did not have a reduced rate of stroke after two years compared to similar patients who received medical therapy alone, according to a new study.
New technology to monitor brain aneurysms
Researchers have developed new technology for monitoring brain aneurysms – an approach that is potentially less invasive and more accurate than current methods, and one that is simple enough for patients to use at home for frequent monitoring.
Scientists identify gene critical for cell responses to oxygen deprivation
Scientists have identified a protein that kick-starts the response to low levels of oxygen, suggesting new lines of research relevant to a variety of potentially fatal disorders associated with diminished oxygen supply, including cancer, heart disease, stroke and other neurological conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.
Protein could prevent secondary damage after stroke, neuroscientist says
A neuroscientist says a protein that regulates nerve cells and assists in overall brain function may be key to preventing the long-term damage of stroke and hopes her work leads to the development of an effective therapeutic intervention.
Tangled web in Alzheimer's protein deposits is more complex than once thought
Scientists have made a discovery that will change the direction of Alzheimer's research. They found that the protein tangles, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's, involve three different proteins instead of one. The discovery of these additional proteins, called neurofilaments and vimentin, should help scientists better understand the biology and progression of Alzheimer's and provide additional drug discovery targets.
People with dementia less likely to return home after stroke
New research shows people with dementia who have a stroke are more likely to become disabled and not return home compared to people who didn't have dementia at the time they had a stroke.
Poorer countries, those spending less on health care have more strokes, deaths
Poorer countries and those that spend less on health care have greater incidences of stroke and stroke death than wealthier nations, according to new research. Stroke patients in poorer countries were more likely to be younger and to have hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in or near the brain bursts. The findings emphasize the importance of preventing stroke risk factors, especially in developing countries.
Hospital team significantly reduced risk of further vascular events after 'mini strokes'
Patients who had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a “mini stroke”, were much less likely to experience further vascular events in the first year if their care was coordinated by a special hospital team that integrated outpatient care and stroke unit facilities and provided on-going nurse-led counseling. Researchers studied 306 patients admitted to the hospital with a TIA. They found that when the patients were treated by an acute TIA team their cumulated risk of having a stroke in the first seven days was 65% lower than expected. The cumulated risk in the first 90 days fell by 74%.
Religious, spiritual support benefits men and women facing chronic illness, study finds
Individuals who practice religion and spirituality report better physical and mental health than those who do not. To better understand this relationship and how spirituality/religion can be used for coping with significant health issues, researchers are examining what aspects of religion are most beneficial and for what populations. Now, researchers have found that religious and spiritual support improves health outcomes for both men and women who face chronic health conditions.
Infection is an important post-stroke problem
After a stroke the brain tries to protect itself by blocking all inflammation. However, this also makes the patient highly susceptible to infection which can lead to death. Researchers have now discovered the mechanism behind this response and how to possibly treat it.
Yoga and stretching exercises beneficial for chronic low back pain, study finds
Yoga classes were found to be more effective than a self-care book for patients with chronic low back pain at reducing symptoms and improving function, but they were not more effective than stretching classes, according to a new study.
E-counseling shows dramatic results in lowering blood pressure; Online tool motivates patients to maintain a healthier lifestyle
E-counseling can significantly lower blood pressure, improve lifestyle and enhance quality of life, according to new research.
Blood-pressure-lowering drug after stroke aids recovery, study suggests
A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth, a new study has found.
Simple lifestyle changes can add a decade or more healthy years to the average lifespan, Canadian study shows
Health prevention strategies to help people achieve their optimal health potential could add a decade or more of healthy years to the average lifespan and save the economy billions of dollars as a result of reduced cardiovascular disease.
Alternating training improves motor learning: Study suggests varying practice sessions may benefit people with motor disorders
Learning from one's mistakes may be better than practicing to perfection, according to new research. A study found that forcing people to switch from a normal walking pattern to an unusual one -- and back again -- made them better able to adjust to the unusual pattern the following day. The findings may help improve therapy for people relearning how to walk following stroke or other injury.
Computer games help people with Parkinson's disease, pilot study shows
Playing computer-based physical therapy games can help people with Parkinson's disease improve their gait and balance, according to a new pilot study. More than half the subjects in the three-month research project showed small improvements in walking speed, balance and stride length.
Relationships more important than genetic ties when deciding who cares for aging family, study finds
Researchers have found that relationship quality trumps genetic ties when determining caregiving obligations. Researchers studied how divorce and remarriage affect beliefs about who should care for aging relatives and found that relationship quality, a history of mutual help, and resource availability influence decisions about who cares for parents and stepparents.
Protecting the brain when energy runs low
Researchers have shed new light on the way that the brain protects itself from harm when 'running on empty.'
Estrogen may prevent younger menopausal women from strokes, study suggests
Estrogen may prevent strokes in premature or early menopausal women, researchers have found in a new study. Their findings challenge the conventional wisdom that estrogen is a risk factor for stroke at all ages.
Preventing falls in people with Parkinson's disease
A new study has analyzed the results of an exercise program to prevent falls in those with Parkinson's disease.
Melatonin delays onset, reduces deaths in mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Melatonin, best known for its role in sleep regulation, delayed the onset of symptoms and reduced mortality in a mouse model of Huntington's disease, say researchers. Their findings show for the first time that certain receptors for the hormone reside in the mitochondria, and that there are fewer of them both in affected mice and human brains.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDailiy Child Development News
|
|
|
The pupils are the windows to the mind
The eyes are the window into the soul -- or at least the mind, according to a new article.
How a parent's education can affect the mental health of their offspring
Could depression in adulthood be tied to a parent's level of education? A new study by a medical sociologist suggests this is the case.
In the brain, signs of autism as early as 6 months old
Measuring brain activity in infants as young as six months may help to predict the future development of autism symptoms. In their first year of life, babies who will go on to develop autism already show different brain responses when someone looks at or away from them. The findings suggest that direct brain measures might help to predict the future development of autism symptoms in infants as young as six months.
Genetic abnormalities may cause cerebral palsy, study suggests
For years it was thought that a difficult birth and other perinatal factors were the leading causes of cerebral palsy (CP), a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. Now, researchers suggest that the majority of cerebral palsy causes may in fact be caused by genetic abnormalities.
Prenatal testosterone linked to increased risk of language delay for male infants, study shows
New research by Australian scientists reveals that males who are exposed to high levels of testosterone before birth are twice as likely to experience delays in language development compared to females. The research, published in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, focused on umbilical cord blood to explore the presence of testosterone when the language-related regions of a fetus' brain are undergoing a critical period of growth.
Adolescents with autism spend free time using solitary, screen-based media
Children with autism spectrum disorders tend to be fascinated by screen-based technology. A new study found that adolescents with autism (64.2 percent) spend most of their free time using solitary, or non-social, screen-based media (television and video games) while only 13.2 percent spend time on socially interactive media (e-mail, Internet chatting).
How kids with autism spend screen time
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) tend to be preoccupied with screen-based media. A new study looks at how children with ASDs spend their “screen time.” Researchers found a very high rate of use of solitary screen-based media such as video games and television with a markedly lower rate of use of social interactive media, including email.
Learning to 'talk things through in your head' may help people with autism
Teaching children with autism to "talk things through in their head" may help them to solve complex day-to-day tasks, which could increase the chances of independent, flexible living later in life, according to new research.
School obesity programs may promote worrisome eating behaviors and physical activity in kids
A new report examines the possible association between school-based childhood obesity prevention programs and an increase in eating disorders among young children and adolescents. In a new poll, 30% of parents report at least one worrisome behavior in their children that could be associated with the development of eating disorders.
Genetic variation increases risk of metabolic side effects in children on some antipsychotics
Researchers have found a genetic variation predisposing children to six-times greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome when taking second-generation anti-psychotic medications. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study showed a close association with two conditions in particular: high blood pressure and elevated fasting blood sugar levels, which is a precursor to diabetes.
Children with ADHD benefit from healthy lifestyle options as first-line treatment
Every year between 3 and 10 percent of school-age children in this country are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasingly, families are using natural or complementary therapies to improve their child’s attention or behavior, and often seek advice from an integrative pediatrician, according to a new study.
Babies are born with 'intuitive physics' knowledge, says researcher
While it may appear that infants are helpless creatures that only blink, eat, cry and sleep, one researcher says that studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of "intuitive physics."
Spotting dyslexia before a child starts school
Children at risk for dyslexia show differences in brain activity on MRI scans even before they begin learning to read, finds a new study. Since developmental dyslexia responds to early intervention, diagnosing children at risk before or during kindergarten could head off difficulties and frustration in school, the researchers say.
Nurturing mothers rear physically healthier adults
Nurturing mothers have garnered accolades for rescuing skinned knees on the playground and coaxing their children to sleep with lullabies. Now they're gaining merit for their offspring's physical health in middle age. While children raised in families with low socioeconomic status frequently go on to have high rates of chronic illness in adulthood, a sizable minority remain healthy across the life course, new research shows.
Dual-earner families: Mum and Dad share the workload, Norwegian study suggests
For the first time research is being carried out on the degree to which dual-earner families in Norway share paid and unpaid work. It is a key aim of Norwegian policy to promote an equal distribution of paid and unpaid work among dual-earner couples with children. The researchers conclude that roughly 40 per cent of the couples have a gender-equal relationship in that the mother and the father share both unpaid and paid work equally.
Another clue in the mystery of autism
A study of discordant twins -- twins in which one has autism spectrum disorder and one doesn't -- finds the lower birth weight twins are more than three times as likely to have ASD than heavier twins. Though genetic effects are of major importance, say researchers, the study suggests a non-genetic influence associated with birth weight may contribute to development of ASD.
Benefits of high quality child care persist 30 years later
Adults who participated in a high quality early childhood education program in the 1970s are still benefiting from their early experiences in a variety of ways, according to a new study.
New gene discovery unlocks mystery of epilepsy in infants
Researchers have come a step closer to unlocking a mystery that causes epileptic seizures in babies. Benign familial infantile epilepsy has been recognized for some time as infantile seizures, without fever, that run in families but the cause has so far eluded researchers. However, clinical researchers have now discovered a gene.
Junk food in schools doesn’t cause weight gain among children, study suggests
While the percentage of obese children in the United States tripled between the early 1970s and the late 2000s, a new study suggests that -- at least for middle school students -- weight gain has nothing to do with the candy, soda, chips, and other junk food they can purchase at school.
Headphones linked to pedestrian deaths, injuries
Serious injuries to pedestrians listening to headphones have more than tripled in six years, according to new research. In many cases, the cars or trains are sounding horns that the pedestrians cannot hear, leading to fatalities in nearly three-quarters of cases.
No link found between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and autism, Swedish study finds
A large population-based study in Sweden indicates that there is no link between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children.
Deaf sign language users pick up faster on body language
Deaf people who use sign language are quicker at recognizing and interpreting body language than hearing non-signers, according to new research.
We may be less happy, but our language isn't
Research shows that English is strongly biased toward being positive. This new study complements another study showing that average global happiness, based on Twitter data, has been dropping for the past two years. Combined, the two studies show that short-term average happiness has dropped -- against the backdrop of the long-term fundamental positivity of the English language.
Parental and societal values may present barriers to outdoor activity for children in child care centers
Three-fourths of preschool-age children in the United States attend child care, and many are not getting enough outdoor physical activity, which may be due in part to parental and societal values about injury prevention and kindergarten readiness.
'Tiger mothers' should tame parenting approach, expert says
A new study is refuting the "tiger mother" approach to parenting that pushes children to excel at all costs.
3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism
A new study describes how workshops to teach Google’s 3D modeling software to kids with autism have benefited the intergenerational relationships within the participants’ families.
Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children
The underlying reason autism is often associated with gastrointestinal problems is an unknown, but new results reveal that the guts of autistic children differ from other children in at least one important way: many children with autism harbor a type of bacteria in their guts that non-autistic children do not.
New light shed on how children learn to speak
Researchers have discovered that children under the age of two control speech using a different strategy than previously thought.
Most parents who get tested for breast cancer genes share results with their children
A new study has found that when parents get tested for breast cancer genes, many of them share their results with their children, even with those who are very young.
Comics and jokes are serious teaching tools for linguists
A professor discovers the key to helping students understand complex linguistic principles is through the funny bone.
Migration at a young age is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders
Recent research has found striking links between psychotic disorders and certain types of international immigration. Now for the first time, a major study has found that immigrating in early childhood appears to carry the highest risk and that the younger the age at migration, the higher the risk of psychotic disorders. The study -- the first to include data on age at migration -- suggests that there may be an early window of vulnerability.
Inflammation in depression: Chicken or egg?
An important ongoing debate in the field of psychiatry is whether inflammation in the body is a consequence of or contributor to major depression. A new study has attempted to resolve the issue.
Colorful plates boost a picky eater's appetite
Parents of picky eaters can encourage their children to eat more nutritionally diverse diets by introducing more color to their meals, according to new research.
Nap-deprived tots may be missing out on more than sleep
A new study indicates missed naps by toddlers leads to more anxiety, less joy and interest and a poorer understanding on how to solve problems.
Maternal gestational diabetes and low socioeconomic status associated with increased risk of ADHD in offspring
Children exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and low socioeconomic status, particularly in combination, appear to be at an increased risk of developing childhood ADHD, according to a new report.
Key to school improvement: Reading, writing, arithmetic ... and character?
A study of 20 elementary schools in Hawaii has found that a focused program to build social, emotional and character skills resulted in significantly improved overall quality of education, as evaluated by teachers, parents and students.
To children (but not adults) a rose by any other name is still a rose
Two vital parts of mentally organizing the world are classification, or the understanding that similar things belong in the same category; and induction, an educated guess about a thing's properties if it's in a certain category. There are reasons to believe that language greatly assists adults in both kinds of tasks. But how do young children use language to make sense of the things around them? It's a longstanding debate among psychologists.
Childhood hypersensitivity linked to OCD
Medical researchers have established a direct correlation between sensory processing and ritualistic behaviors in children. A new study suggests that when children experience heightened levels of sensitivity, they develop ritualistic behaviors to better cope with their environment -- one potential pathway to OCD.
Children don't give words special power to categorize their world
New research challenges the conventional thinking that young children use language just as adults do to help classify and understand objects in the world around them. In a new study involving 4- to 5-year-old children, researchers found that the labels adults use to classify items -- words like "dog" or "pencil" -- don't have the same ability to influence the thinking of children.
Elderly can be as fast as young in some brain tasks, study shows
Both children and the elderly have slower response times when they have to make quick decisions in some settings. But recent research suggests that much of that slower response is a conscious choice to emphasize accuracy over speed. In fact, healthy older people can be trained to respond faster in some decision-making tasks without hurting their accuracy -- meaning their cognitive skills in this area aren't so different from younger adults.
Quality of mother-toddler relationship linked to teen obesity
The quality of the emotional relationship between a mother and her young child could affect the potential for that child to be obese during adolescence, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed national data detailing relationship characteristics between mothers and their children during their toddler years. The lower the quality of the relationship in terms of the child's emotional security and the mother's sensitivity, the higher the risk that a child would be obese at age 15 years, according to the analysis.
Toddlers don't listen to their own voice like adults do
When grown-ups and kids speak, they listen to the sound of their voice and make corrections based on that auditory feedback. But new evidence shows that toddlers don't respond to their own voice in quite the same way.
How pregnancy changes a woman's brain
We know a lot about the links between a pregnant mother's health, behavior, and moods and her baby's cognitive and psychological development once it is born. But how does pregnancy change a mother's brain?
Listen up: Abnormality in auditory processing underlies dyslexia
Although disrupted processing of speech sounds has been implicated in the underlying pathology of dyslexia, the basis of this disruption and how it interferes with reading comprehension has not been fully explained. Now, new research finds that a specific abnormality in the processing of auditory signals accounts for the main symptoms of dyslexia.
New method of infant pain assessment
Recently, the accuracy of current methods of pain assessment in babies have been called into question. New research measures brain activity in infants to better understand their pain response.
Babies remember even as they seem to forget
Fifteen years ago, textbooks on human development stated that babies of six months of age or younger had no sense of "object permanence" -- the psychological term that describes an infant's belief that an object still exists even when it is out of sight. That meant that if mom or dad wasn't in the same room with junior, junior didn't have the sense that his parents were still in the world. These days, psychologists know that isn't true: for young babies, out of sight doesn't automatically mean out of mind. But how much do babies remember about the world around them, and what details do their brains need to absorb in order to help them keep track of those things? Babies may not remember what they saw, but they remember that they saw something.
Gender bias of prospective parents revealed
A new study has found that when people think about having children, men want boys and women want girls.
Midwives use rituals to send message that women's bodies know best
In reaction to what midwives view as the overly medicalized way hospitals deliver babies, they have created birthing rituals to send the message that women's bodies know best.
Ability to love takes root in earliest infancy
The ability to trust, love, and resolve conflict with loved ones starts in childhood -- way earlier than you may think. New research suggests that your relationship with your mother during the first 12 to 18 months of life predict your behavior in romantic relationships 20 years later.
Dodging the cognitive hit of early-life seizures
About half of newborns who have seizures go on to have long-term intellectual and memory deficits and cognitive disorders such as autism, but why this occurs has been unknown.Researchers now detail how early-life seizures disrupt normal brain development, and show in a rat model that it might be possible to reverse this pathology by giving certain drugs soon after the seizure.
Working moms feel better than stay-at-home moms, study finds
Mothers with jobs tend to be healthier and happier than moms who stay at home during their children's infancy and preschool years, according to a new study.
Teaching children with autism to imitate others may improve social skills
Teaching young children with autism to imitate others may improve a broader range of social skills, according to a new study.
Few allergies in unstressed babies, Swedish researchers find
A new study shows that infants with low concentrations of the stress-related hormone cortisol in their saliva develop fewer allergies than other infants. Hopefully this new knowledge will be useful in future allergy prevention.
Babies track word patterns long before word-learning starts
During the first year of life, when babies spend so much time listening to language, they're actually tracking word patterns that will support their process of word- learning that occurs between the ages of about 18 months and two years.
New approach to management of overeating in children
Overeating, whether in children or adults, often takes place even in the absence of hunger, resulting in weight gain and obesity. Current methods to treat such overeating in youth focus on therapies that restrict what kids may eat, requiring them to track their food intake and engage in intensive exercise. Psychiatrists are now developing new ways to treat overeating in children and adults.
Economic recession takes toll on family relationships
Researchers studied how parents' financial problems and resulting mental distress affect their relationships with their children. They found that parents who experience financial problems and depression are less likely to feel connected to their children, and their children are less likely to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering or helping others.
The big picture: Long-term imaging reveals intriguing patterns of human brain maturation
Now, new research describes the first comprehensive study of coordinated anatomical maturation within the developing human brain. The study reveals that functionally connected brain regions mature together and uncovers fascinating sex-specific differences in brain development.
Middle-class elementary students ask for help more than working-class peers, study finds
Middle-class children ask their teachers for help more often and more assertively than working-class children and, in doing so, receive more support and assistance from teachers, according to a new study.
Maternal care influences brain chemistry into adulthood, animal study shows
The effect of the messenger substance neuropeptide Y depends on the behavior of the mother during infancy.
Avatars help people develop real world skills
New research suggests that far from disengaging young people from real life, virtual worlds can provide unique environments that can help them learn and negotiate new situations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Child Psychology News
|
|
|
The pupils are the windows to the mind
The eyes are the window into the soul -- or at least the mind, according to a new article.
How a parent's education can affect the mental health of their offspring
Could depression in adulthood be tied to a parent's level of education? A new study by a medical sociologist suggests this is the case.
In the brain, signs of autism as early as 6 months old
Measuring brain activity in infants as young as six months may help to predict the future development of autism symptoms. In their first year of life, babies who will go on to develop autism already show different brain responses when someone looks at or away from them. The findings suggest that direct brain measures might help to predict the future development of autism symptoms in infants as young as six months.
Prenatal testosterone linked to increased risk of language delay for male infants, study shows
New research by Australian scientists reveals that males who are exposed to high levels of testosterone before birth are twice as likely to experience delays in language development compared to females. The research, published in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, focused on umbilical cord blood to explore the presence of testosterone when the language-related regions of a fetus' brain are undergoing a critical period of growth.
Adolescents with autism spend free time using solitary, screen-based media
Children with autism spectrum disorders tend to be fascinated by screen-based technology. A new study found that adolescents with autism (64.2 percent) spend most of their free time using solitary, or non-social, screen-based media (television and video games) while only 13.2 percent spend time on socially interactive media (e-mail, Internet chatting).
How kids with autism spend screen time
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) tend to be preoccupied with screen-based media. A new study looks at how children with ASDs spend their “screen time.” Researchers found a very high rate of use of solitary screen-based media such as video games and television with a markedly lower rate of use of social interactive media, including email.
Adolescents from unstable families lose ground in rigorous high schools
Research continues to support a connection between instability in the home and school performance in adolescents, but a new study takes the research a step further by exploring how the relationship between family structure change and adolescent academic careers is also affected by the kinds of schools they attend.
Learning to 'talk things through in your head' may help people with autism
Teaching children with autism to "talk things through in their head" may help them to solve complex day-to-day tasks, which could increase the chances of independent, flexible living later in life, according to new research.
School obesity programs may promote worrisome eating behaviors and physical activity in kids
A new report examines the possible association between school-based childhood obesity prevention programs and an increase in eating disorders among young children and adolescents. In a new poll, 30% of parents report at least one worrisome behavior in their children that could be associated with the development of eating disorders.
Genetic variation increases risk of metabolic side effects in children on some antipsychotics
Researchers have found a genetic variation predisposing children to six-times greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome when taking second-generation anti-psychotic medications. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The study showed a close association with two conditions in particular: high blood pressure and elevated fasting blood sugar levels, which is a precursor to diabetes.
Children with ADHD benefit from healthy lifestyle options as first-line treatment
Every year between 3 and 10 percent of school-age children in this country are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasingly, families are using natural or complementary therapies to improve their child’s attention or behavior, and often seek advice from an integrative pediatrician, according to a new study.
Babies are born with 'intuitive physics' knowledge, says researcher
While it may appear that infants are helpless creatures that only blink, eat, cry and sleep, one researcher says that studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of "intuitive physics."
How longstanding conflict influences empathy for others
A young researcher had long been drawn to conflict -- not as a participant, but an observer. In 1994, while doing volunteer work in South Africa, he witnessed firsthand the turmoil surrounding the fall of apartheid; during a 2001 trip to visit friends in Sri Lanka, he found himself in the midst of the violent conflict between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan military. He is now exploring how longstanding conflict influences empathy for others.
Teen passengers: 'The other distraction' for teen drivers
New studies describe which teens are likely to drive with multiple friends, and how these passengers may affect teen drivers right before a crash.
Spotting dyslexia before a child starts school
Children at risk for dyslexia show differences in brain activity on MRI scans even before they begin learning to read, finds a new study. Since developmental dyslexia responds to early intervention, diagnosing children at risk before or during kindergarten could head off difficulties and frustration in school, the researchers say.
Nurturing mothers rear physically healthier adults
Nurturing mothers have garnered accolades for rescuing skinned knees on the playground and coaxing their children to sleep with lullabies. Now they're gaining merit for their offspring's physical health in middle age. While children raised in families with low socioeconomic status frequently go on to have high rates of chronic illness in adulthood, a sizable minority remain healthy across the life course, new research shows.
Love of a dog or cat helps women cope with HIV/AIDS
A spoonful of medicine goes down a lot easier if there is a dog or cat around. Having pets is helpful for women living with HIV/AIDS and managing their chronic illness, according to a new study.
Autism redefined: New diagnostic criteria more restrictive
Getting an autism diagnosis could be more difficult in 2013 when a revised diagnostic definition goes into effect. The proposed changes may affect the proportion of individuals who qualify for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, according to preliminary data.
Dual-earner families: Mum and Dad share the workload, Norwegian study suggests
For the first time research is being carried out on the degree to which dual-earner families in Norway share paid and unpaid work. It is a key aim of Norwegian policy to promote an equal distribution of paid and unpaid work among dual-earner couples with children. The researchers conclude that roughly 40 per cent of the couples have a gender-equal relationship in that the mother and the father share both unpaid and paid work equally.
Another clue in the mystery of autism
A study of discordant twins -- twins in which one has autism spectrum disorder and one doesn't -- finds the lower birth weight twins are more than three times as likely to have ASD than heavier twins. Though genetic effects are of major importance, say researchers, the study suggests a non-genetic influence associated with birth weight may contribute to development of ASD.
Benefits of high quality child care persist 30 years later
Adults who participated in a high quality early childhood education program in the 1970s are still benefiting from their early experiences in a variety of ways, according to a new study.
Taking another look at the roots of social psychology
Psychology textbooks have made the same historical mistake over and over. Now the inaccuracy is pointed out in a new article.
New research finds sport is effective in reducing reoffending rates
A new research project into the role of sport in rehabilitating young prisoners has found that sport can be effective in reducing the reconviction rate of offenders.
New gene discovery unlocks mystery of epilepsy in infants
Researchers have come a step closer to unlocking a mystery that causes epileptic seizures in babies. Benign familial infantile epilepsy has been recognized for some time as infantile seizures, without fever, that run in families but the cause has so far eluded researchers. However, clinical researchers have now discovered a gene.
Junk food in schools doesn’t cause weight gain among children, study suggests
While the percentage of obese children in the United States tripled between the early 1970s and the late 2000s, a new study suggests that -- at least for middle school students -- weight gain has nothing to do with the candy, soda, chips, and other junk food they can purchase at school.
Headphones linked to pedestrian deaths, injuries
Serious injuries to pedestrians listening to headphones have more than tripled in six years, according to new research. In many cases, the cars or trains are sounding horns that the pedestrians cannot hear, leading to fatalities in nearly three-quarters of cases.
Planned actions improve the way we process information
Preparing to act in a particular way can improve the way we process information, and this has potential implications for those with learning disabilities. Researchers have shown that using a grabbing action with our hands can help our processing of visual information.
Office workers spend too much time at their desks, experts say
In a typical working week, people spend on average 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desk and 7 hours sleeping at night. Prolonged sitting at your desk is not only bad for your physical health, but potentially your mental well-being, experts in the UK say.
No link found between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and autism, Swedish study finds
A large population-based study in Sweden indicates that there is no link between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children.
Girl power surges in India
An affirmative action law in India has led to a direct role model effect and is changing the way the girls as well as their parents think about female roles of leadership and has improved their attitudes toward higher career aspirations and education goals for women, according to a new study.
Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life
Researchers have found that a lack of iron in the diet during the teenage years can have a negative impact on the brain years later, making the brain more susceptible to such disorders as Alzheimer's. Further, the researchers have identified a common set of genes that influence both iron and brain structure.
Parental and societal values may present barriers to outdoor activity for children in child care centers
Three-fourths of preschool-age children in the United States attend child care, and many are not getting enough outdoor physical activity, which may be due in part to parental and societal values about injury prevention and kindergarten readiness.
Young women unknowingly pack on the pounds
Researchers found that a significant number of women evaluated at six-month intervals did not recognize recent gains in weight. Self-perception of weight gain appears to be significantly influenced by race, ethnicity and contraceptive methods.
'Tiger mothers' should tame parenting approach, expert says
A new study is refuting the "tiger mother" approach to parenting that pushes children to excel at all costs.
3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism
A new study describes how workshops to teach Google’s 3D modeling software to kids with autism have benefited the intergenerational relationships within the participants’ families.
Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children
The underlying reason autism is often associated with gastrointestinal problems is an unknown, but new results reveal that the guts of autistic children differ from other children in at least one important way: many children with autism harbor a type of bacteria in their guts that non-autistic children do not.
New light shed on how children learn to speak
Researchers have discovered that children under the age of two control speech using a different strategy than previously thought.
Most parents who get tested for breast cancer genes share results with their children
A new study has found that when parents get tested for breast cancer genes, many of them share their results with their children, even with those who are very young.
Why are older people happier?
Older people tend to be happier. But why? Some psychologists believe that cognitive processes are responsible -- in particular, focusing on and remembering positive events and leaving behind negative ones; those processes, they think, help older people regulate their emotions, letting them view life in a sunnier light.
Drug to treat HIV in children shows promise via national clinical trial
For children with HIV infection, the FDA approval of the use of raltegravir, an antiretroviral drug that slows the spread of HIV infection, offers a new weapon to treat HIV infection in children.
Daily Show and Colbert Report viewers are 'deep'
Daily Show viewers are deep. That might be a shallow analysis of the research, but “there is a segment of the political satire audience that is motivated by a deeper level of processing,” according to new research.
Listening to music can be effective for reducing pain in high-anxiety persons
Distraction is an effective pain reliever, and a new study concludes that listening to music can be effective for reducing pain in high-anxiety persons who can easily become absorbed in cognitive activities.
Migration at a young age is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders
Recent research has found striking links between psychotic disorders and certain types of international immigration. Now for the first time, a major study has found that immigrating in early childhood appears to carry the highest risk and that the younger the age at migration, the higher the risk of psychotic disorders. The study -- the first to include data on age at migration -- suggests that there may be an early window of vulnerability.
Inflammation in depression: Chicken or egg?
An important ongoing debate in the field of psychiatry is whether inflammation in the body is a consequence of or contributor to major depression. A new study has attempted to resolve the issue.
Colorful plates boost a picky eater's appetite
Parents of picky eaters can encourage their children to eat more nutritionally diverse diets by introducing more color to their meals, according to new research.
Blogging may help teens dealing with social distress
Blogging may have psychological benefits for teens suffering from social anxiety, improving their self-esteem and helping them relate better to their friends, according to new research.
Nap-deprived tots may be missing out on more than sleep
A new study indicates missed naps by toddlers leads to more anxiety, less joy and interest and a poorer understanding on how to solve problems.
Maternal gestational diabetes and low socioeconomic status associated with increased risk of ADHD in offspring
Children exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and low socioeconomic status, particularly in combination, appear to be at an increased risk of developing childhood ADHD, according to a new report.
Physical activity, school performance may be linked
A systematic review of previous studies suggests that there may be a positive relationship between physical activity and the academic performance of children.
Key to school improvement: Reading, writing, arithmetic ... and character?
A study of 20 elementary schools in Hawaii has found that a focused program to build social, emotional and character skills resulted in significantly improved overall quality of education, as evaluated by teachers, parents and students.
People don't just think with their guts: Logic plays a role, too
For decades, science has suggested that when people make decisions, they tend to ignore logic and go with the gut. But a psychological scientist has a new suggestion: Maybe thinking about logic is also intuitive.
Using MP3 players at high volume puts teens at risk for early hearing loss, say researchers
Today's ubiquitous MP3 players permit users to listen to crystal-clear tunes at high volume for hours on end -- a marked improvement on the days of the Walkman. But according to new research, these advances have also turned personal listening devices into a serious health hazard, with teenagers as the most at-risk group.
To children (but not adults) a rose by any other name is still a rose
Two vital parts of mentally organizing the world are classification, or the understanding that similar things belong in the same category; and induction, an educated guess about a thing's properties if it's in a certain category. There are reasons to believe that language greatly assists adults in both kinds of tasks. But how do young children use language to make sense of the things around them? It's a longstanding debate among psychologists.
Childhood hypersensitivity linked to OCD
Medical researchers have established a direct correlation between sensory processing and ritualistic behaviors in children. A new study suggests that when children experience heightened levels of sensitivity, they develop ritualistic behaviors to better cope with their environment -- one potential pathway to OCD.
Children don't give words special power to categorize their world
New research challenges the conventional thinking that young children use language just as adults do to help classify and understand objects in the world around them. In a new study involving 4- to 5-year-old children, researchers found that the labels adults use to classify items -- words like "dog" or "pencil" -- don't have the same ability to influence the thinking of children.
Elderly can be as fast as young in some brain tasks, study shows
Both children and the elderly have slower response times when they have to make quick decisions in some settings. But recent research suggests that much of that slower response is a conscious choice to emphasize accuracy over speed. In fact, healthy older people can be trained to respond faster in some decision-making tasks without hurting their accuracy -- meaning their cognitive skills in this area aren't so different from younger adults.
Quality of mother-toddler relationship linked to teen obesity
The quality of the emotional relationship between a mother and her young child could affect the potential for that child to be obese during adolescence, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed national data detailing relationship characteristics between mothers and their children during their toddler years. The lower the quality of the relationship in terms of the child's emotional security and the mother's sensitivity, the higher the risk that a child would be obese at age 15 years, according to the analysis.
What are emotion expressions for?
That cartoon scary face -- wide eyes, ready to run -- may have helped our primate ancestors survive in a dangerous wild, according to a new article. The authors present a way that fear and other facial expressions might have evolved and then come to signal a person's feelings to the people around him.
Toddlers don't listen to their own voice like adults do
When grown-ups and kids speak, they listen to the sound of their voice and make corrections based on that auditory feedback. But new evidence shows that toddlers don't respond to their own voice in quite the same way.
What makes anesthetics work
Researchers have uncovered what cells respond to anesthesia in an organism known as the C. elegans, according to a new study.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ScienceDaily Dentisty News
|
|
|
Genetic variation that raises risk of serious complication linked to osteoporosis drugs identified
Researchers have identified a genetic variation that raises the risk of developing serious necrotic jaw bone lesions in patients who take bisphosphonates, a common class of osteoclastic inhibitors.
Lab-made tissue picks up the slack of Petri dishes in cancer research
New research, using oral cancer cells in a three-dimensional model of lab-made tissue, demonstrates that previous models used to examine cancer may not be complex enough to accurately mimic the true cancer environment.
Nanocrystals make dentures shine
Chemists have developed novel glass ceramics for dentistry. The new kind of glass ceramic with a nanocrystalline structure seems to be well suited to be used in dentistry due to its high strength and its optical characteristics.
Dried licorice root fights the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, study finds
Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice -- used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine -- that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a new study, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
How bacteria fight fluoride in toothpaste and in nature
Researchers have uncovered the molecular tricks used by bacteria to fight the effects of fluoride, which is commonly used in toothpaste and mouthwash to combat tooth decay.
Oral bacteria enables breaking bond on blood vessels to allow invaders in
A common oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, acts like a key to open a door in human blood vessels and leads the way for it and other bacteria like Escherichia coli to invade the body through the blood and make people sick, according to dental researchers.
Jaw size linked to diet: Could too soft a diet cause lower jaw to stay too short and cause orthodontic problems?
New research suggests that many of the common orthodontic problems experienced by people in industrialized nations is due to their soft modern diet causing the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of their teeth.
External capsule protects gum disease-causing bacteria from immune response
The capsule of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium that causes gum disease, provides stealth, boosting the bacterium's virulence, according to new study. Call it a sugar coating, if you will, for in fact, the capsule is made from sugar molecules, which do not ordinarily elicit immunity. Thus it hides the bacterium's proteins within, preventing immune response.
New mouthwash targeting harmful bacteria may render tooth decay a thing of the past
A new mouthwash developed by a microbiologist is highly successful in targeting the harmful Streptococcus mutans bacteria that is the principal cause tooth decay and cavities, research shows.
Professional dental cleanings may reduce risk of heart attack, stroke
Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a recent study from Taiwan.
First large-scale study of pain reveals risk factors
Researchers have developed a comprehensive set of clinical characteristics that they say will lead to the ability to identify individuals at risk for developing painful jaw conditions.
Lose the fat and improve the gums, dental researchers find
Researchers found the human body is better at fighting gum disease when fat cells, which trigger inflammation, disappear.
Teeth crowded in seniors, as jaws shrink
The size of our jaws decreases with age. This is shown in a unique study from Sweden that followed a cohort of dentists throughout their adult lives.
Healthy mouth bacteria provide ideal conditions for gum disease
Gum disease can only develop with the help of normal bacteria living in the mouth, new research has revealed.
Premature children have smaller teeth, research suggests
The size of teeth in premature children is smaller than that of children who were full-term, according to a new study.
DNA vaccines show promise in preventing dental caries
In a new study, researchers in China demonstrate that anti-caries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines.
Tooth movement an alternative to bone transplants
Although replacing lost teeth often involves artificially building up the jaw, researchers in Sweden are now showcasing a new method whereby teeth are instead moved into the toothless area using a brace, giving patients the chance of having more teeth.
Sugar-free polyol gum, lozenges, hard candy: Nonfluoride varnishes help prevent cavities, study finds
A multi-disciplinary expert panel, convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, issued a report this month containing clinical recommendations that sugar-free chewing gum, lozenges and hard candy including xylitol or polyol combinations, and a prescription varnish with chlorhexidine and thymol could be beneficial in preventing cavities when used as adjuncts to a comprehensive cavity prevention program which includes the use of fluoride-containing products.
Filling without drilling: Pain-free way of tackling dental decay reverses acid damage and re-builds teeth
Researchers in the UK have discovered a pain-free way of tackling dental decay that reverses the damage of acid attack and rebuilds teeth as new. The pioneering treatment promises to transform the approach to filling teeth forever.
Chemists discover most naturally variable protein in dental plaque bacterium
Chemists have discovered the most naturally variable protein known to date in a bacterium that is a key player in the formation of dental plaque.
Can oral care for babies prevent future cavities?
New parents have one more reason to pay attention to the oral health of their toothless babies. A recent study confirms the presence of bacteria associated with early childhood caries (ECC) in infant saliva.
Connecting the dots: Dental medicine team describes how enamel forms
Dental medicine researchers are piecing together the process of tooth enamel biomineralization, which could lead to novel nanoscale approaches to developing biomaterials.
Bone fluoride levels not associated with osteosarcoma, study suggests
A new study investigated bone fluoride levels in individuals with osteosarcoma, which is a rare, primary malignant bone tumor that is more prevalent in males. No significant association between bone fluoride levels and osteosarcoma risk was detected in this case-control study, based on controls with other tumor diagnoses.
Using Twitter for public health surveillance of dental pain
In a new study, researchers have demonstrated that Twitter users are extensively sharing their experiences of toothache and seeking advice from other users. The microblogging service Twitter is a new means for the public to communicate health concerns and could afford health care professionals new ways to communicate with patients, the study's authors say.
Dentists can identify people with undiagnosed diabetes
Dental visits represent a chance to intervene in the diabetes epidemic by identifying individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes who are unaware of their condition, according to a new study.
Print your own teeth: Rapid prototyping comes to dentistry
What if, instead of waiting days or weeks for a cast to be produced and prosthetic dental implants, false teeth and replacement crowns to be made, your dentist could quickly scan your jaw and "print" your new teeth using a rapid prototyping machine known as a 3-D printer?
Higher U.S. Medicaid payments to dentists associated with increased rate of dental care among children
Children and adolescents from states that had higher Medicaid payment levels to dentists between 2000 and 2008 were more likely to receive dental care, although children covered by Medicaid received dental care less often than children with private insurance, according to a new study.
Mutations in one gene cause craniosynostosis, delayed tooth eruption and supernumerary teeth
Researchers have described a new, recessively inherited human syndrome featuring craniosynostosis, maxillary hyperplasia, delayed tooth eruption and extra teeth. The researchers also identified causative mutations in a gene IL11RA.
Gum disease can increase the time it takes to become pregnant
Women who are trying to become pregnant should make sure they visit their dentist and brush their teeth regularly, after preliminary research revealed that gum disease potentially can lengthen the time it takes for a woman to become pregnant by an average of an extra two months. For the first time, fertility experts have shown that, from the time that a woman starts trying to conceive, poor oral health can have a significant effect on the time to pregnancy.
How cavity-causing microbes invade heart
Scientists have discovered the tool that bacteria normally found in our mouths use to invade heart tissue, causing a dangerous and sometimes lethal infection of the heart known as endocarditis. The work raises the possibility of creating a screening tool -- perhaps a swab of the cheek, or a spit test -- to gauge a dental patient's vulnerability to the condition.
More evidence vitamin D boosts immune response
Laboratory-grown gingival cells treated with vitamin D boosted their production of an endogenous antibiotic, and killed more bacteria than untreated cells, according to a new study. The research suggests that vitamin D can help protect the gums from bacterial infections that lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Periodontitis affects up to 50 percent of the US population, is a major cause of tooth loss, and can also contribute to heart disease. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin D.
Why disparities in dental care persist for African-Americans even when they have insurance coverage
African-Americans receive poorer dental care than white Americans, even when they have some dental insurance coverage. To better understand why this is so, researchers surveyed African-American adults with recent oral health symptoms, including toothaches and gum disease. Their findings provide insights into why disparities persist even among those with dental insurance and suggest strategies to removing barriers to dental care.
Healing times for dental implants could be cut
The technology used to replace lost teeth with titanium dental implants could be improved. By studying the surface structure of dental implants not only at micro level but also at nano level, researchers have come up with a method that could shorten the healing time for patients.
Oral appliance therapy improves craniofacial growth direction and snoring, research finds
Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids who wore an oral appliance for six months experienced more favorable craniofacial growth, enlargement of pharyngeal dimensions, and improved breathing and snoring during sleep, according to new research.
Cosmetics can cause serious adverse effects, study suggests
Permanent hair dye gives the most serious adverse effects, yet there are also many reactions to facial and body moisturizers, according to new research.
Researchers identify new dental cavity-causing species
A team of scientists from Boston has confirmed that the bacterium Streptococcus mutans is a primary culprit in early childhood caries (EEC) cavities on the first set of teeth, and has identified a new species of bacterium, Scardovia wiggsiae, which they suspect is also a major contributor.
Oklahoma graduate student developing solutions for water problems in Ethiopia
A University of Oklahoma environmental science graduate student will travel to Ethiopia in June to test materials she has been investigating as possible solutions to fluorosis -- a widespread problem in the Rift Valley, where high levels of fluoride in the drinking water result in dental and skeletal disease.
Dirty mouths lead to broken hearts
Nurses who care for patients with dementia now have a tailored approach to dental hygiene for their charges, thanks to a pilot study by a team of nurses.
Oral health inequalities in older people
Two new studies shed light on oral health inequalities in older people and low income individuals.
Right-handedness prevailed 500,000 years ago
Markings on fossilized front teeth show that right-handedness goes back a half-million years in the human family.
Snoring and sleep disorders: A dental approach to a major public health issue
Millions of people are at risk of developing sleep apnoea (SA), a health problem caused by obstructed air intake during sleep. The disorder has become a common issue in public health, affecting patients’ quality of life and potentially leading to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders, as well as increasing the likelihood of traffic, workplace and domestic accidents with personal, financial and healthcare repercussions. In children, SA is often associated with learning difficulties and behavioral and attention disorders.
Most substance–dependent individuals report poor oral health
Researchers have found that the majority of individuals with substance dependence problems report having poor oral health. They also found that opioid users, in particular, showed a decline in oral health over the period of one year.
New evidence that chronic ulcerative stomatitis is an autoimmune disease
In a study investigating the cause of a little-understood condition called chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS), researchers have provided evidence that an autoimmune response contributes to the painful oral disease, supporting the classification of CUS as an autoimmune disease.
Molar power: Milk teeth wanted for stem cell palace art project
Children across Britain are being asked to donate their milk teeth to create “Palaces”, a spectacular glittering sculpture made from crystal resin and decorated with retired pearly whites. The project is a part of an art-science collaboration that aims to inspire the nation with the regenerative potential of adult stem cells.
Orthodontic researchers ask: Where's your retainer?
Have you been wearing your retainer? It's a question countless parents ask of their children post-braces. Now researchers are getting serious about the question.
Streptococcus enzyme could compete with toothbrushes, dental floss
Investigators from Japan show in vitro that the bacterium Streptococcus salivarius, a non-biofilm forming, and otherwise harmless inhabitant of the human mouth, actually inhibits the formation of dental biofilms, otherwise known as plaque. Two enzymes this bacteria produces are responsible for this inhibition.
New 'dissolvable tobacco' products may increase risk of mouth disease
The first study to analyze the complex ingredients in the new genre of dissolvable tobacco products has concluded that these pop-into-the-mouth replacements for cigarettes in places where smoking is banned have the potential to cause mouth diseases and other problems.
Potentially pathogenic microbes growing on at least half of all orthodontic retainers, study suggests
Insufficient cleaning could allow build-up of microbes on orthodontic retainers, researchers have found. Researchers looked at the types of microbes which live on retainers. This study found potentially pathogenic microbes growing on at least 50% of the retainers.
Message to postmenopausal women: 'Increase yearly dental checkups,' researcher urges
Postmenopausal women have a new health message to hear. Two annual dental checkups aren't enough. Older women need more, according to new research findings. That message comes from a comparison study of women on and off bone-strengthening bisphosphonate therapies for osteoporosis.
Bone-creating protein could improve dental implant success
Using a bone-creating protein to augment the maxillary sinus could improve dental implant success, according to new research.
New pathogen connected to severe early childhood caries identifi
| | |