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OFSN IN THE NEWS
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Here's where we've begun to compile news clippings and publications featuring OFSN. If you hear or see mention of OFSN in any media channels, please contact OFSN (see contact information above). Thank you.
MEDIA CITINGS
Multnomah County Education Service District. (16 May 2008). Middle School Students Learn What It's Like to Cope with Mental Health Issues: MESD's Wraparound Project's Powerful Message Captures the Attention of Students at Beach School (Highlights a presentation given by Ezra Farish on National Children's Mental Health Day). Interactions (Multnomah ESD Employee News & Information), page 1. Last viewed on 16 May 2008 at: http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/pa/Interaction5-16-08.pdf
Harshman, Marissa. (05 May 2008). Neighbors: Bonnie Dauterman. The News Review (Roseburg, Oregon). Last viewed on 07 May 2008 at:
Manning, Rob. (Feb 2008). Oregon Public Broadcasting 2008 Series on Mental Health. (See: Wraparound Program Aims to Care for Mentally Ill Children at Home featuring Ezra Farish). Last viewed on 22 Apr 2008 at: http://news.opb.org/series/2008/mentalhealth/
Oregon DHS Staff News. (November 2007). Jammie Farish, Executive Director of Oregon Family Support Network and a member of the Governor's Statewide Wraparound Project Steering Committee receives Mental Health Excellence Award. Last viewed on 01 Dec 2007 at http://www.dhs.state.or.us/tools/news/staff_news/2007/11.html.
Maternal and Child Health Services. (2006). Title V Block Grant. State Narrative for Oregon, Application for 2007, Annual Report for 2005. (Page 27). Salem, Oregon, State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Services, 2006 (09/15/2006). Last viewed on 01 Dec 2007 at: http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ofhs/mch/docs/narrat07.pdf
Gordon, L., Bradley, J., Aue, N., & Holman, A. (Eds.) (2006). Building on family strengths: Research and services in support of children and their families. 2005 conference proceedings. (Pages 10, 28). Portland, OR: Portland State University, Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health. Last viewed on 01 Dec 2007 at: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/cp05.pdf
Friesen, Barbara J., Mary Giliberti, Judith Katz-Leavy, Trina Osher, Michael D. Pullman. (2003). Research in the Service of Policy Change: The Custody Problem. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. Vol. 11. Last viewed on 20 Oct 2008 at: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5001510026
Blankenship, K., Pullmann, M. & Friesen, B.J. (1999). Keeping Families Together: Implementation of an Oregon Law Aboloshing the Custody Relinquishment Requirement. Portland, OR: Portland State University, Research and Training Center of Family Support and Children's Mental Health. Last viewed online on 20 Oct 2008 at: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/pbKeepingFamiliesTogether.pdf
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DISCLAIMER - OFSN WEB SITE INCLUDING RSS NEWSFEEDS
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided from RSS Newsfeeds below comes from third parties (not OFSN) and may not represent the view or opinion of OFSN. OFSN cannot make any guarantees or, accept any liability of any kind whatsoever in any relation to any information provided on this web site at any time. Your use of this web site constitutes voluntary consent at your own risk and expense. OFSN cannot guarantee accuracy or fitness of any information provided on any part of this web site. Nothing on this web site shall substitute for professional, medical or legal advice in any way and you are hereby notified and advised to pursue medical, legal, and other professional counsel from qualified person(s) at your own risk and expense.
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Discovery Channel Health News
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ScienceDaily Accident & Trauma (incl. PTSD) News
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Most youth hockey injuries caused by accidents, not checking, study shows
Hockey fans likely would assume that body-checking -- intentionally slamming an opponent against the boards -- causes the most injuries in youth ice hockey. But they would be wrong.
Soldiers with brain injuries at higher risk of epilepsy decades later, study finds
Soldiers who receive traumatic brain injuries during war may be at a higher risk of epilepsy even decades after the brain injury occurred, according to new research.
Battlefield psychologists investigate stress in combat and after
People confronted with acute stress -- daily rocket attacks -- tend to dissociate from threats instead of becoming more vigilant, according to a new study. This research overturns accepted convention and may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute stress reactions.
Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11
Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates.
Sri Lankan children affected by war, tsunami, daily stressors
Two studies on Sri Lankan children affected by trauma found that both daily stressors and traumatic events contribute to children's psychological health. The first study, of 400 adolescents who survived the 2004 tsunami, found that poverty and family violence were major sources of continuing stress. The second study, of 1,400 children affected by both the tsunami and civil war, focused on the cumulative effect of multiple stressors on children's later functioning.
Hurricane Katrina's effects on children: Resilience and gender
Two studies examining stress in children affected by Hurricane Katrina found that stress responses were influenced by various factors. The first study, of 400 mostly white students, found that while many children were stress-resistant and lacked psychological problems three years after the hurricane, more than 25 percent of the children still had significant trauma symptoms after three years. The second study, looking at 60 mostly African-American teens, found distinct patterns of stress responses based on gender.
Suicide attempt method affects prognosis, study finds
The method used for a suicide attempt is highly significant for the risk of subsequent successful suicide, reveals a long-term study. The results may be of help in acute risk assessment following a suicide attempt.
Violence, not overdose, the likely method of suicide in veterans with substance use disorders
Veterans with substance use disorders who die by suicide are more likely to use violent means (such as a firearm) rather than nonviolent means (such as a drug overdose), new research suggests.
Sexual abuse survivors have increased of psychiatric disorders
New research finds that a history of sexual abuse, regardless of the victim's gender or age when the abuse occurred, correlates strongly with a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.
Head and spine trauma from ATV accidents cost $3.24 billion annually, study finds
Severe trauma to the head and spine resulting from all-terrain vehicle accidents are increasing dramatically, according to new research.
Abusive mothering aggravates the impact of stress hormones
In a new study, researchers have dissected the behavior of mother rats and their infant pups, modeling nurturing by stroking and abuse with electric shock. In this animal model of infant abuse, they took into consideration the unique infant neurobehavioral learning attachment system that ensures infant rats’ attachment to their caregiver regardless of the quality of care received.
Simple injection could save the lives of thousands of accident victims worldwide
If recently injured patients with serious bleeding were to receive a cheap, widely available and easily administered drug to help their blood to clot, tens of thousands of lives could be saved every year, according to a new paper.
Uninsured more likely to die from trauma than patients with insurance, study finds
Trauma patients without insurance are more likely to die of their injuries from auto accidents and gunshot wounds than privately insured patients with similar injuries, according to findings of an analysis of 193,804 patients in the from 649 facilities in the U.S.
Domestic violence: Why some women have real reason to fear the world cup
Victims of domestic abuse need to be aware that they are at risk during the World Cup and should have a plan in place should their partners turn violent.
What are the most effective strategies for secondary suicide prevention?
Attempts to reduce suicide in a population do not always focus enough on high-risk patients, argues an expert who discusses different interventions for "secondary suicide prevention."
Domestic violence victims have higher health costs for years after abuse ends
Victims of domestic violence endure significantly higher health costs than other women for three years after the abuse ends, a new study finds. Abuse victims had health care costs that averaged more than $1,200 above non-abused women for the first two years after the abuse ended and about $400 above others in the third year.
More than 3,500 pediatric injuries related to crutches, walkers and wheelchairs each year in the US, study finds
Children and adolescents with an injury or disability may use mobility aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to help them move around more easily. However, use of these aids has been associated with risk for injury. A new study found that more than 63,000 pediatric mobility aid-related injuries were treated in United States emergency departments from 1991-2008, and the annual number of cases increased 23 percent during the 19-year study period.
Air Force Prevention Program reduces suicide rates significantly, according to new data
The US Air Force Suicide Prevention Program has reduced suicide rates significantly since it was launched in 1996, according to a new study that examined almost three decades of data.
Lessons from 9/11: Psychiatrists are indispensible in first-response teams
Psychiatrists should be included in disaster first-response teams because survivors have immediate need for help in alleviating early trauma symptoms ranging from sleeplessness to constant anxiety, says a new study of 9/11 survivors and victims' family members.
Majority of young victims of unintentional shootings shot by another youth, study finds
Over three-quarters of youths under age 15 who die in firearm accidents are shot by another person, usually another youth, according to new research.
Canadian C-spine rule could help trauma patients, ease overcrowding in emergency departments, study finds
Widespread use of the Canadian C-spine rule by triage nurses in emergency departments would ease discomfort of trauma patients and improve patient flow in overcrowded emergency departments in Canada and abroad, according to a new study.
Children's well-being another casualty of recession: Researchers see marked increase in abusive head trauma cases during economic downturn
The incidence of abusive head trauma among children has skyrocketed since the beginning of the recession in late 2007, according to new research.
Vitamin D deficiency associated with chronic fatigue in brain injured patients
New evidence has shown that vitamin D deficiency is closely associated with the chronic fatigue that often follows post traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Weight training-related injuries increasing
The popularity of weight training has grown over the past decade. A new study has found that the number of injuries from weight training has increased as well. The study found that more than 970,000 weight training-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments between 1990 and 2007, increasing nearly 50 percent during the 18-year study period.
Gay men and lesbians more likely to experience violent events and subsequent PTSD
A new study has found that gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and heterosexuals who have ever had a same-sex sex partner are one-and-a-half to two times as likely to experience violent events, especially in childhood, than the general population and have double the risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a consequence of these events.
Fatal injuries increase in older Americans
The risk of dying from injuries is increasing for Americans ages 65 and older according to a new report, which found significant increases in death rates from falls, machinery, motorcycle crashes and unintentional poisoning.
Child sexual abuse: A risk factor for pregnancy, study finds
A new study has found that women who were victims of sexual abuse in childhood reported higher levels of depression and symptoms of post-trauma during pregnancy.
Aging motorcyclists hit the road, but at greater risk of injury, death, study finds
A study of 61,689 motorcyclists between 1996 and 2005 found that the average age of motorcyclists involved in crashes is increasing. Study also found that aging riders are more likely to be injured or die as a result of a motorcycle mishap compared to their younger counterparts.
X-rays often inaccurate in the diagnosis of hip and pelvic fractures
Radiographs (standard X-rays) are often inconclusive in the detection of hip and pelvic fractures in the emergency department, according to a new study.
Children's sense of threat from parental fighting determines trauma symptoms
If children feel threatened by even very low levels of violence between their parents, they may be at increased risk for developing trauma symptoms, such as bad dreams and nightmares, new research suggests. A new study found that children who witness parental violence report fewer symptoms if they don't perceive the violence as threatening. The research highlights the importance of assessing how threatened a child feels.
Therapy via teleconference? Professor studies remote psychotherapy
Obtaining therapy via teleconference is just as effective as face-to-face meetings, according to new research.
Trauma of war doubles asthma risk among civilians
Living through the trauma of war seems to increase the risk of developing asthma, suggests new research.
Insurance status of gunshot trauma patients affects mortality outcomes
New research findings indicate that despite similar injury severity, uninsured patients were significantly more likely to die after hospital admission for gunshot injury than were insured patients. This difference could not be attributed to demographics or hospital resource use, and held true even after adjusting for the effects of race, age, gender and injury severity.
Resource problems in Haiti required ethical decision-making, doctor/disaster expert says
In an essay published in this week's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a Johns Hopkins emergency physician outlines how he and other physicians who worked in Haiti after the earthquake had to make emotionally difficult ethical decisions daily in the face of a crushing wave of patients and inadequate medical resources.
ATV and motocross sports: High velocity toys merit caution, experts say
Over the years, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motocross motorcycles have gained popularity and marketed as toys to consumers. These high-velocity machines can weigh between 300 and 600 pounds, and run on average between 25 and 60 miles per hour, while some even reach maximum speeds of 75 miles per hour. In 2008, nearly 28 percent of all ATV-related injuries were to children younger than 16. There were an estimated 135,000 injuries for riders of all ages for ATV use. A majority of ATV injuries happen from tipping, overturning or multiple riders.
Outreach program brings relief to traumatized London bombing survivors
A new mental health outreach program set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors.
Rwandan Genocide Survivors Provide New Insights Into Resilience and PTSD
The 1994 genocide in Rwanda resulted in the mass killing of up to one million people over the course of about 100 days. There can be no doubt or surprise then that some of the survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, an anxiety disorder that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatizing event, such as abuse, war, or natural disaster. However, even under stress as extreme as genocide, not all individuals develop PTSD. Why is it that some do and some don't?
Progesterone for traumatic brain injury tested in phase III clinical trial
Researchers at 17 medical centers soon will begin using the hormone progesterone to treat patients who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatment is part of an NIH-funded, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trial that will enroll approximately 1,140 people beginning in March, 2010. An earlier trial in 100 patients found that giving progesterone to trauma victims shortly after a brain injury appears to be safe and may reduce the risk of death and long-term disability.
Helmets must be part of skiing and snowboarding culture, doctors urge
While the world's best skiers and snowboarders at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games compete with helmets on, many other skiers and snowboarders are choosing to forgo this important piece of safety equipment. In fact, many skiers and snowboarders place fashion before safety, according to doctors.
Resilience therapy empowers family violence survivors
Traditionally, therapy for violence survivors has predominantly focused on evaluating their trauma and pain. In contrast, some researchers are now broadening the therapeutic focus to empower survivors through highlighting their resilience, resourcefulness, and ability to overcome adversity.
New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury
A new tool may help standardize the use of computed tomography (CT scans) in children with minor head injury and help reduce the number of scans, according to a new study.
Hospital uses device to revolutionize treatment of traumatic aortic injury
Vascular surgeons performed one of the nation's first implants of a Next Generation Conformable GORE TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis device for the treatment of a traumatic aortic transection as part of a national clinical trial. The goal of the trial is to gain insight into using thoracic endografts for patients with traumatic aortic transection (tear) as a less invasive alternative to major surgery.
Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands
Researchers are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships. They that found the biggest predictor of whether male and female college students would use violence against a partner was whether the partner was violent toward them.
Research could lead to way to halt deadly immune response
Scientists have published new details of their research into the complement reaction, an immune system response that kills thousands annually. Researchers have teased out the molecular process that can shut down a marauding, often deadly immune response that kills thousands each year who suffer battlefield casualties, heart attacks, strokes, automobile accidents and oxygen deprivation, according to a new article.
Watch your step: Elevator-related injuries and older adults
In the first large-scale epidemiological study of elevator-related injuries in older adults in the United States, researchers report on the frequency, nature and opportunities for prevention of these injuries.
Fingers account for majority of pediatric amputations, new study finds
According to a new study, there were more than 950 cases of traumatic amputations among children aged 17 years and younger in the United States in 2003. Of these cases, finger and thumb amputations accounted for the majority of the injuries.
Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent
Helmets reduce the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent with no evidence of an increased risk of neck injury, a new study finds.
Novel surgery may help young trauma patients avoid total hip replacements
A novel surgery using transplanted bone and cartilage may help young patients avoid a hip replacement after a specific traumatic injury to the hip joint, according to a new study.
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ScienceDaily ADD & ADHD News
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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%.
Pesticide exposure may contribute to ADHD, study finds
A team of scientists has discovered that exposure to organophosphate pesticides is associated with increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
Minorities face barriers to effective ADHD treatments, study contends
Several barriers prevent minority children with ADHD from receiving the most effective treatments, according to a new study.
Research helps end guesswork in prescribing ADHD drug
Children with ADHD who carry a specific type of dopamine receptor gene respond better to the drug methylphenidate than those without the genotype, according to new research.
Children with autism frequently receive psychotropic medications
A new study shows that use of psychotropic medications is common among children with ASD, with 27 percent of those enrolled in the network registry receiving at least one medication to manage their behavior. The most common reasons for medication use were hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, irritability and attentional concerns.
ADHD linked to interaction of genetics and psychology
ADHD may be caused by alterations in the serotonin neurotransmission system combined with a tendency to experience psychosocial distress. Researchers found that ADHD behaviors in children and adolescents were associated with interactions between low and high serotonin activity and self-blame in relation to inter-parental conflict.
Synergy between behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting children and adolescents. Children with ADHD are excessively restless, impulsive, and distractible and experience difficulties at home and in school. Problems inhibiting behavior are a common theme for ADHD symptoms.
Behavioral incentives mimic effects of medication on brain systems in ADHD
Medication and behavioral interventions help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) better maintain attention and self control by normalizing activity in the same brain systems, according to new research.
Meta-cognitive therapy more effective for adult ADHD patients
Researchers have learned that meta-cognitive therapy (MCT), a method of skills teaching by use of cognitive-behavioral principles, yielded significantly greater improvements in symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults than those that participate in supportive therapy.
Mouse model reveals a cause of ADHD
Although it's typically considered an adolescent curse, ADHD actually affects about five percent of adults as well. New research in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that the root of the psychiatric disorder might be the over-activity of a protein that regulates dopaminergic pathways. The work suggests a path toward new treatments for symptoms including inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity.
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Scientists discover alterations in brain's reward system related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Until now, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was related to alterations in the brain affecting attention and cognitive processes. Researchers in Spain have now discovered anomalies in the brain's reward system related to the neural circuits of motivation and gratification. In children with ADHD, the degree of motivation when carrying out an activity is related to the immediacy with which the objectives of the activity are met. This would explain why their attention and hyperactivity levels differ depending on the tasks being carried out.
Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and cognition problems seen in individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure often resemble those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An assessment of these disorders has found that while children with FASD may meet the behavioral criteria for ADHD, their attention difficulties differ in subtle but important respects.
Lead may be the culprit in ADHD
ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is among the costliest of behavioral disorders. New research suggests that the culprit may be an old villain -- lead -- and what's more it explains the causal pathway from exposure to disability.
Mixed-handed children more likely to have mental health, language and scholastic problems, study finds
Children who are mixed-handed, or ambidextrous, are more likely to have mental health, language and scholastic problems in childhood than right- or left-handed children, according to a new study. The researchers behind the study suggest that their findings may help teachers and health professionals to identify children who are particularly at risk of developing certain problems.
How to measure attention span of a fly: Implications for ADHD, autism in humans
An Australian-German team of scientists has found a way to measure the attention span of a fly. The findings could lead to further advances in the understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in humans.
Disconnect between brain regions in ADHD
Two brain areas fail to connect when children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder attempt a task that measures attention, according to researchers.
New treatment for hyperactivity in children: Thought-operated computer system
A new thought-operated computer system which can reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children is being be rolled out across the UK.
Uniform method to interpret autism spectrum disorders
The main criterion defining autism spectrum disorders is difficulty in emotional-social behavior. Nevertheless, many people with ASD have some difficulties in three other domains -- memory, perception and motor behavior. In a new theoretical model, one researcher recommends a uniform way to think about these four types of difficulties, which she believes are linked by a common brain structure/brain function connection involving the medial prefrontal cortex.
National survey tracks rates of common mental disorders among American youth
Only about half of American children and teenagers who have certain mental disorders receive professional services, according to a nationally representative survey.
Startled flies may provide insight into ADHD
It seems obvious that naturally waking up from sleep and being startled by something in the environment are two very different emotional states. However, the neuroscience that underlies these different forms of arousal has, for the most part, remained a mystery. Now, new research demonstrates that there are at least two completely separate and independent forms of arousal in fruit flies.
Exposure to lead, tobacco smoke raises risk of ADHD
Children exposed prenatally to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead face a particularly high risk for ADHD, according to new research. The study estimates that up to 35 percent of ADHD cases in children between the ages of 8 and 15 could be reduced by eliminating both of these environmental exposures.
Faulty body clock may make kids bipolar
Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder.
Deep Brain Stimulation May Be Effective Treatment For Tourette's Syndrome
Deep brain stimulation may be a safe and effective treatment for Tourette's syndrome, according to new research. The first symptoms of Tourette syndrome are almost always noticed in childhood and some common tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging and head or shoulder jerking.
Eating Licorice In Pregnancy May Affect A Child's IQ And Behavior
Expectant mothers who eat excessive quantities of licorice during pregnancy could adversely affect their child's intelligence and behavior, a study has shown. A study of 8-year-old children whose mothers ate large amounts of licorice when pregnant found they did not perform as well as other youngsters in cognitive tests.
Psychiatric Symptoms May Predict Internet Addiction In Adolescents
Adolescents with psychiatric symptoms such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, social phobia, hostility and depression may be more likely to develop an Internet addiction, according to a new report.
Deficits In Brain's Reward System Observed In ADHD Patients; Low Levels Of Dopamine Markers May Underlie Symptoms
A brain-imaging study provides the first definitive evidence that patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lower-than-normal levels of certain proteins essential for experiencing reward and motivation.
Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Have More Severe Behavioral Problems Than Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Study Finds
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have a high risk of psychiatric problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with FASD are often initially diagnosed with ADHD. A first-of-its-kind study shows that children with FASD have a distinct behavioural profile: significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion-processing abilities than children with ADHD.
Placebo Effects In Caregivers May Change Behavior Of Children With ADHD
Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are the accepted treatment to stem hyperactivity in children with attention deficit-hyperactive disorder and improve their behavior. Now a recent review of research by pediatric psychologists suggests that such medication, or the assumption of medication, may produce a placebo effect -- not in the children, but in their teachers, parents or other adults who evaluate them.
ADHD Genes Found, Known To Play Roles In Neurodevelopment
Pediatric researchers have identified hundreds of gene variations that occur more frequently in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder than in children without ADHD. Many of those genes were already known to be important for learning, behavior, brain function and neurodevelopment, but had not been previously associated with ADHD.
Did Mozart Really Have ADHD? History Of Hyperactivity Off-base, Says Researcher
A Canadian researcher working in the UK says doctors, authors and educators are doing hyperactive children a disservice by claiming that hyperactivity as we understand it today has always existed.
Poor Attention In Kindergarten Predicts Lower High School Test Scores
As thousands of students nationwide prepare to leave high school, anew study shows a clear link between attention problems early in school -- as early as kindergarten -- and lower high school test scores.
Cognition Already Seriously Impaired In First Episode Of Schizophrenia
Significant and widespread cognitive problems appear to exist in schizophrenia in its earliest phase, making it very hard for people with the disorder to work, study or be social, according to a new study.
ADHD Linked To Sleep Problems In Adolescents
Adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to have current and lifetime sleep problems and disorders, regardless of the severity of current ADHD symptoms. Authors suggest that findings indicate that mental health professionals should screen for sleep problems and psychiatric comorbidities among all adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD.
No Data Supporting Antipsychotic Drug For Low-IQ Kids With ADHD
A new review finds no evidence to support the use of risperidone to treat attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people with intellectual disabilities, even though the review authors say this is a common prescribing pattern.
Inadequate Sleep Leads To Behavioral Problems, Study Finds
A recent Finnish study suggests that children's short sleep duration even without sleeping difficulties increases the risk for behavioral symptoms of ADHD.
Tourette Syndrome And ADHD Frequently Occur Together
The most disabling aspect of Tourette syndrome is that in 90% of cases, it exists in conjunction with another disorder. The most frequent co-occurring condition in people with Tourette is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, though the cause of this association is uncertain. Having one disorder can be disabling enough, but having two means coping with more than twice the disability.
Eye Exercises Help Patients Work Out Vision Problems, Optometrist Says
You've probably been there. In a doctor's office, being advised to do what you dread -- exercise. You get that feeling in your gut, acknowledging that, indeed, you should exercise but probably won't. Now imagine that the doctor is your optometrist.
Inconsistent Performance Speed Among Children With ADHD May Underlie How Well They Use Memory
Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder show more variable or inconsistent responses during on "working" or short-term, memory tasks when compared with typically developing peers, a new study has found.
Brain Wave Patterns Can Predict Blunders, New Study Finds
Everyone makes an occasional error due to lack of attention. Now scientists have found a distinct electric signature in the brain which predicts that such an error is about to be made. The discovery could prove useful in a variety of applications, from developing monitoring devices that alert air traffic control operators that their attention is flagging, to devising and monitoring new strategies to help children cope with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Drug Being Used To Improve Cognition Affects Dopamine, Suggesting Potential For Abuse
Preliminary research in healthy men suggests that the narcolepsy drug modafinil, increasingly being used to enhance cognitive abilities, affects the activity of dopamine in the brain in a way that may create the potential for abuse and dependence, according to a new study.
Brain Abnormality Found In Boys With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Researchers trying to uncover the mechanisms that cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder have found an abnormality in the brains of adolescent boys suffering from the conditions, but not where they expected to find it.
Hyperactivity Enables Children With ADHD To Stay Alert: Teachers Urged Not To Severely Limit That Activity
In studies of 8- to 12-year-old boys, scientists found that children with ADHD became significantly more active than their typically developing peers during tasks that required them to remember and manipulate information. All of the children sat relatively still while watching Star Trek and painting on a computer program, tasks that did not challenge their working memory.
Underlying Sleep Problem Linked To Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder In Children
New research suggests the presence of an intrinsic sleep problem specific to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and supports the idea that children with ADHD may be chronically sleep deprived and have abnormal REM sleep.
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ScienceDaily Addiction News
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No safe level: First study to show teenage binge drinkers harm abilities in later life
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory.
Leap forward in addiction awareness and control
A study by researchers in the UK has designed and tested two programs that help problem drinkers curb their alcohol abuse. The study shows positive results after drinkers have followed either the Alcohol Attention-Control Training Program or the Life Enhancement and Advancement Program.
Morphine blocks tumor growth, study suggests
Current research suggests that taking morphine can block new blood vessel and tumor growth.
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.
New compound improves obesity-related health complications
An experimental compound appears to improve metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, according to a preliminary study.
Can I buy you a drink? Genetics may determine sensitivity to other people's drinking behavior
Your friend walks into a bar to meet you for happy hour. He sidles up to the bar and orders a drink -- does that make you more likely to get a drink yourself? According to new findings, genetics may determine the extent to which you are influenced by social drinking cues -- signals such as advertisements, drinks placed on a bar, and seeing other people around you drinking.
Malicious use of pharmaceuticals: An under-recognized form of child abuse
Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the US. The American Academy of Pediatrics and US Department of Health and Human Services classify child abuse into four categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. None of these categories clearly includes the abusive use of drugs on children. A new study investigates the malicious use of pharmaceuticals and attempts to shed light on this under-recognized problem.
Anguish of romantic rejection may be linked to stimulation of areas of brain related to motivation, reward and addiction
Breaking up really is hard to do, and a recent study found evidence that it may be partly due to the areas of the brain that are active during this difficult time.
Children of older women appear vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
The presence and severity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are influenced by factors beyond alcohol consumption, such as maternal age. New findings have shown that the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.
Most men in long-term study of HIV report low use of illicit drugs
Most older gay and bisexual men enrolled in a long-term study of HIV used recreational drugs infrequently over a 10-year period, researchers report. The study explored the drug use habits of 1,378 HIV-positive and negative gay and bisexual men, ages 44-63, and found that 79 percent of participants reported infrequent drug use.
Healthy families, religious involvement buffer youth against risk factors related to drug abuse
American-Indian adolescents continue to have the highest rates of illicit drug use among all ethnic groups. Recent findings reveal that positive family relationships and religious affiliation can counteract risk factors -- including addicted family members, exposure to violence and deviant peers -- associated with drug use.
Tuning cocaine addiction
Reducing the abundance of a set of microRNAs -- small bits of genetic material that influence gene expression -- reduces the urge for a cocaine fix in mice, according to a new study.
Little action on recommendations aimed to curb college drinking, researchers find
Few colleges and college communities have taken steps to implement recommendations to reduce college student drinking, according to a new study. Alcohol consumption by US college students remains a major issue despite a report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that detailed the problems associated with student drinking.
Drinking trends increase for whites, blacks and Hispanics
Drinking trends for whites tend to dominate views of overall drinking trends for the United States. Yet blacks and Hispanics often face specific challenges related to alcohol. A new study has found a rise in the proportion of drinkers for all three ethnic groups.
Genders of alcohol-dependent parents and children influence psychopathology in the children
The children of alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals have a greater risk of developing a psychiatric illness. New findings indicate that gender of AD parents and the gender of their children interact to influence the nature and extent of psychopathology in the children. This influence appeared strongest in the female parent-female child pairing.
Men and women respond equally to naltrexone as treatment for alcohol dependence
While the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in the United States during the 1980s was roughly five times more common among men than women, the gap between the genders has narrowed: AUDs are now only twice as prevalent in men than in women. Treatment for alcohol dependence (AD) utilizes multiple therapeutic modalities, including pharmacotherapy. This study found that women respond to naltrexone treatment for AD similarly to men.
Peer drug use may increase a genetically susceptible individual's tendency to use drugs
The nature-nurture debate is usually about how much of something is due to our genes and how much is caused by our environment. New research shows that the case is more complicated for young women who smoke, drink, or use drugs, for two related reasons.
Are teen binge drinkers risking future osteoporosis?
Binge-drinking teenagers may be putting themselves at risk for future osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to new research.
Stroke risk temporarily increases for an hour after drinking alcohol, study finds
The risk for stroke doubles in the hour after drinking beer, wine or liquor, according to a small study. Researchers note, however, that moderate alcohol consumption (less than two drinks a day) appears to be protective over the long-term which may outweigh this temporary rise in immediate risk.
New analysis may help clarify the role of craving in addiction
Psychologists have shown that behavioral economic analysis may lead to an improved understanding of craving for alcohol and other drugs. This method of studying how craving alters the way a person values a drug is fairly new, but according to the study, it may well help assess cravings more accurately and contribute to identifying more effective ways to defeat addictions.
Risks of banned drug mephedrone revealed in new research
Pharmaceutical scientists have discovered that the recently reclassified drug mephedrone varies in quality so much that users could be at risk of overdosing. Six samples were tested, and although impurities levels were low, three samples revealed various particle size and crystalline form, which means that the drug is more likely to vary in its affect and safety on the user.
Smoking mind over smoking matter: Surprising new study shows cigarette cravings result from habit, not addiction
The intensity of cravings for cigarettes has more to do with the psychosocial element of smoking than with the physiological effects of nicotine as an addictive chemical, according to a new study by an Israeli scientist. He hopes this research will help clinicians and health authorities develop more successful smoking cessation programs than those utilizing expensive nicotine patches or gum.
Individuals confess alcohol abuse to clergy
People with alcohol problems are finding comfort in speaking about their situation to clergy, a new study shows.
Criminalization of drugs and drug users fuels HIV; laws should be reviewed, say experts
Strict laws on the criminalization of drug use and drug users are fueling the spread of HIV and other serious harms associated with the criminal market and should be reviewed, say experts in a series of new articles.
Foreign homestay students exposed to major health risks; need better safety net, study finds
Foreign homestay students who come to Canada to attend high school without their parents are exposed to major health risks such as smoking, drug use and early sexual intercourse, according to new research.
Violence, not overdose, the likely method of suicide in veterans with substance use disorders
Veterans with substance use disorders who die by suicide are more likely to use violent means (such as a firearm) rather than nonviolent means (such as a drug overdose), new research suggests.
Homicide and suicide rates among mentally ill on the decline, UK study finds
People with mental health problems are committing fewer homicides while the number of suicides by mental health patients has also fallen, latest figures reveal; a previous rise in homicides by mentally ill people may have been the result of drug misuse, says the report.
Teens drink more during summer before college, study finds
Summertime and the living is easy. But not too easy for parents whose children will head to college in the fall. An alcohol researcher says parents should be aware that this is a time when teens tend to increase their alcohol consumption.
Combining sex and drugs reduces rock and roll
Sharing a bottle of red wine may seem like the best recipe for a romantic interlude. However, the evening may not turn out as planned, according to a new study, which evaluated the effect of a wide range of drugs, including alcohol, on sexual behavior. The findings definitively show that despite our preconceived notions, use of many recreational drugs can cause a loss in that lovin' feeling.
Previously unknown natural mechanism controls cocaine use
Scientists have found that a particular type of genetic material plays a key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction and may offer an entirely new direction for the development of anti-addiction therapies.
Romantic rejection stimulates areas of brain involved in motivation, reward and addiction
The pain and anguish of rejection by a romantic partner may be the result of activity in parts of the brain associated with motivation, reward and addiction cravings, according to a new study.
Abused children appear likely to have mental disorders as young adults
Abuse and neglect during childhood appear to be associated with increased rates of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders among young adults, according to a new study.
Difficult childhoods can lead to teenage drinking, African study finds
An African study has found a link between a difficult childhood and alcohol consumption as a teenager. Researchers studied the association between adverse childhood experiences and drunkenness among 9,189 adolescents aged 12-19 years living in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda.
A community approach to kicking the habit
Health researchers from the UK are spearheading a new project to reduce tobacco use in an area which has one of the highest rates of smoking in the country.
Psychotropic medications can cause birth defects, study finds
The use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy increases the probability of birth defects, according to a new study. Researchers have documented the serious side effects that can be associated with these types of medications.
Teens and alcohol study: After a few drinks, parenting style kicks in
The teens least prone to heavy drinking had parents who scored high on both accountability and warmth. So-called "indulgent" parents, those low on accountability and high on warmth, nearly tripled the risk of their teen participating in heavy drinking. "Strict" parents -- high on accountability and low on warmth -- more than doubled their teen's risk of heavy drinking.
Addiction: a loss of plasticity of the brain?
Why is it that only some drug users become addicts?Researchers have just discovered that the transition to addiction could result from a persistent impairment of synaptic plasticity in a key structure of the brain.
Ignoring stress leads recovering addicts to more cravings
Recovering addicts who avoid coping with stress succumb easily to substance use cravings, making them more likely to relapse during recovery, according to behavioral researchers.
Exercise may be an effective and nonpharmacologic treatment option for alcohol dependence
Alcohol abuse is highly disruptive of circadian rhythms, which refers to the timing of daily rhythms. A new animal study has used hamsters to test for the influence of wheel-running on alcohol intake. Results indicate that exercise, perhaps through stimulation of brain reward pathways, may be able to reduce alcohol intake in humans.
Puberty and sleep regulation can influence alcohol use during early adolescence
Alcohol is known to disrupt sleep, but little is known about alcohol use and sleep problems during adolescence. A new study has found that puberty is related to sleep problems and later bedtimes, which were in turn associated with alcohol use.
Greater religiosity during adolescence may protect against developing problem alcohol use
Phenotypes are measurable and/or observable traits or behaviors. The heritability of an alcohol-related phenotype depends upon the social environment within which it is measured, such as urbanicity, marital status, or religiosity. A new study of the effects of religiosity on the genetic variance of problem alcohol use in males and females has found that religiosity can moderate genetic effects on problem alcohol use during adolescence but not during early adulthood.
Danish children at risk from psychotropic medicines, study finds
Between 1998 and 2007, psychotropic medications were associated with 429 adverse drug reactions in children under 17 in Denmark. Researchers found that more than half of these were serious and several were birth defects -- suggesting that tighter controls on the prescription of psychotropic medications to pregnant women may be required.
Creating a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
A new study has created a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Researchers selected 22 of 547 neuropsychological variables for analysis based on their ability to distinguish children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) from unexposed children. Results suggest that executive functioning and spatial processing are especially sensitive in children with suspected or known PAE.
Anxiety/panic disorder most frequent disabling comorbid disorder in Tourette syndrome patients, study finds
An assessment of patients with adult Tourette syndrome to identify clinical factors that contribute to psychosocial and occupational disabilities resulting from the vocal or motor tics that define TS found that anxiety/panic disorder may be the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with the disorder.
Teen boys who attempted suicide more like to abuse partners as adults, study finds
Young men who attempt suicide before age 18 are much more likely as adults to be aggressive toward their girlfriends or wives, including hitting and injuring their partners, according to a new study.
Little is understood about alcohol's effect on fetal development, researchers say
It's long been known that alcohol use in pregnancy can lead to children with mental retardation and birth defects, but researchers who study fetal alcohol syndrome have not made definitive progress on preventing the disorder, detecting it early, or effectively treating it, say researchers.
Brand preference may be in the drink, not in the head, vodka study shows
Scientists are reporting the first identification of a chemical basis for people's preference for certain brands of vodka, which outsells rum, gin, whiskey and tequila. They found that vodka differs from simple water-ethanol solutions in ways that could alter vodka's perceived taste.
Driving while distracted is a primary-care issue, physician says; Talking or texting behind the wheel is roughly equivalent to driving drunk
It's time for physicians to talk to patients about driving while distracted, a problem that has risen to the rough equivalence of drunken driving thanks to the proliferation of phones that allow drivers to talk and text, a primary-care physician suggests.
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ScienceDaily Alcoholism News
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No safe level: First study to show teenage binge drinkers harm abilities in later life
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory.
Leap forward in addiction awareness and control
A study by researchers in the UK has designed and tested two programs that help problem drinkers curb their alcohol abuse. The study shows positive results after drinkers have followed either the Alcohol Attention-Control Training Program or the Life Enhancement and Advancement Program.
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.
New compound improves obesity-related health complications
An experimental compound appears to improve metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, according to a preliminary study.
New links between cholesterol and depression in the elderly
Most people know that high cholesterol levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Prior research has shown that particular types of strokes contribute to one’s risk for depression, and that abnormal blood lipid levels can increase the risk of depression in the elderly. However, new findings by French researchers suggest the link between increased cholesterol and depression may be complicated.
Can I buy you a drink? Genetics may determine sensitivity to other people's drinking behavior
Your friend walks into a bar to meet you for happy hour. He sidles up to the bar and orders a drink -- does that make you more likely to get a drink yourself? According to new findings, genetics may determine the extent to which you are influenced by social drinking cues -- signals such as advertisements, drinks placed on a bar, and seeing other people around you drinking.
Malicious use of pharmaceuticals: An under-recognized form of child abuse
Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the US. The American Academy of Pediatrics and US Department of Health and Human Services classify child abuse into four categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. None of these categories clearly includes the abusive use of drugs on children. A new study investigates the malicious use of pharmaceuticals and attempts to shed light on this under-recognized problem.
Children of older women appear vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
The presence and severity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are influenced by factors beyond alcohol consumption, such as maternal age. New findings have shown that the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.
Little action on recommendations aimed to curb college drinking, researchers find
Few colleges and college communities have taken steps to implement recommendations to reduce college student drinking, according to a new study. Alcohol consumption by US college students remains a major issue despite a report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that detailed the problems associated with student drinking.
Drinking trends increase for whites, blacks and Hispanics
Drinking trends for whites tend to dominate views of overall drinking trends for the United States. Yet blacks and Hispanics often face specific challenges related to alcohol. A new study has found a rise in the proportion of drinkers for all three ethnic groups.
Genders of alcohol-dependent parents and children influence psychopathology in the children
The children of alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals have a greater risk of developing a psychiatric illness. New findings indicate that gender of AD parents and the gender of their children interact to influence the nature and extent of psychopathology in the children. This influence appeared strongest in the female parent-female child pairing.
Men and women respond equally to naltrexone as treatment for alcohol dependence
While the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in the United States during the 1980s was roughly five times more common among men than women, the gap between the genders has narrowed: AUDs are now only twice as prevalent in men than in women. Treatment for alcohol dependence (AD) utilizes multiple therapeutic modalities, including pharmacotherapy. This study found that women respond to naltrexone treatment for AD similarly to men.
Peer drug use may increase a genetically susceptible individual's tendency to use drugs
The nature-nurture debate is usually about how much of something is due to our genes and how much is caused by our environment. New research shows that the case is more complicated for young women who smoke, drink, or use drugs, for two related reasons.
Are teen binge drinkers risking future osteoporosis?
Binge-drinking teenagers may be putting themselves at risk for future osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to new research.
Stroke risk temporarily increases for an hour after drinking alcohol, study finds
The risk for stroke doubles in the hour after drinking beer, wine or liquor, according to a small study. Researchers note, however, that moderate alcohol consumption (less than two drinks a day) appears to be protective over the long-term which may outweigh this temporary rise in immediate risk.
New analysis may help clarify the role of craving in addiction
Psychologists have shown that behavioral economic analysis may lead to an improved understanding of craving for alcohol and other drugs. This method of studying how craving alters the way a person values a drug is fairly new, but according to the study, it may well help assess cravings more accurately and contribute to identifying more effective ways to defeat addictions.
Health providers need to do more to understand and support lesbians who are overweight, experts urge
Lesbian patients who took part in a study on weight and heart disease were unhappy with health care professionals who focused on their body mass index rather than improving their general health. The study also reveals important generational attitudes to weight and a greater acceptance of different body shapes.
Hurricane Katrina's effects on children: Resilience and gender
Two studies examining stress in children affected by Hurricane Katrina found that stress responses were influenced by various factors. The first study, of 400 mostly white students, found that while many children were stress-resistant and lacked psychological problems three years after the hurricane, more than 25 percent of the children still had significant trauma symptoms after three years. The second study, looking at 60 mostly African-American teens, found distinct patterns of stress responses based on gender.
Individuals confess alcohol abuse to clergy
People with alcohol problems are finding comfort in speaking about their situation to clergy, a new study shows.
Violence, not overdose, the likely method of suicide in veterans with substance use disorders
Veterans with substance use disorders who die by suicide are more likely to use violent means (such as a firearm) rather than nonviolent means (such as a drug overdose), new research suggests.
Sexual abuse survivors have increased of psychiatric disorders
New research finds that a history of sexual abuse, regardless of the victim's gender or age when the abuse occurred, correlates strongly with a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.
Homicide and suicide rates among mentally ill on the decline, UK study finds
People with mental health problems are committing fewer homicides while the number of suicides by mental health patients has also fallen, latest figures reveal; a previous rise in homicides by mentally ill people may have been the result of drug misuse, says the report.
Teens drink more during summer before college, study finds
Summertime and the living is easy. But not too easy for parents whose children will head to college in the fall. An alcohol researcher says parents should be aware that this is a time when teens tend to increase their alcohol consumption.
Combining sex and drugs reduces rock and roll
Sharing a bottle of red wine may seem like the best recipe for a romantic interlude. However, the evening may not turn out as planned, according to a new study, which evaluated the effect of a wide range of drugs, including alcohol, on sexual behavior. The findings definitively show that despite our preconceived notions, use of many recreational drugs can cause a loss in that lovin' feeling.
Difficult childhoods can lead to teenage drinking, African study finds
An African study has found a link between a difficult childhood and alcohol consumption as a teenager. Researchers studied the association between adverse childhood experiences and drunkenness among 9,189 adolescents aged 12-19 years living in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda.
People with depression eat more chocolate, a mood food
Researchers have found that women and men eat more chocolate as depressive symptoms increase, suggesting an association between mood and chocolate.
Internet dependence and gambling addiction are not linked, study finds
A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling. However, both addictive behaviors are associated with psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Teens and alcohol study: After a few drinks, parenting style kicks in
The teens least prone to heavy drinking had parents who scored high on both accountability and warmth. So-called "indulgent" parents, those low on accountability and high on warmth, nearly tripled the risk of their teen participating in heavy drinking. "Strict" parents -- high on accountability and low on warmth -- more than doubled their teen's risk of heavy drinking.
Ignoring stress leads recovering addicts to more cravings
Recovering addicts who avoid coping with stress succumb easily to substance use cravings, making them more likely to relapse during recovery, according to behavioral researchers.
Brief psychological therapy is effective in primary care, study finds
Brief therapy at the GP's surgery can effectively treat anxiety and depression. Researchers found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was effective for treating anxiety disorders, while CBT, problem solving therapy and counseling were all equally effective in treating depression and mixed anxiety and depression.
Exercise may be an effective and nonpharmacologic treatment option for alcohol dependence
Alcohol abuse is highly disruptive of circadian rhythms, which refers to the timing of daily rhythms. A new animal study has used hamsters to test for the influence of wheel-running on alcohol intake. Results indicate that exercise, perhaps through stimulation of brain reward pathways, may be able to reduce alcohol intake in humans.
People who suppress anger are more likely to become violent when drunk
A new study reveals that drunkenness increases the risk for violent behavior, but only for individuals with a strong inclination to suppress anger.
Puberty and sleep regulation can influence alcohol use during early adolescence
Alcohol is known to disrupt sleep, but little is known about alcohol use and sleep problems during adolescence. A new study has found that puberty is related to sleep problems and later bedtimes, which were in turn associated with alcohol use.
Greater religiosity during adolescence may protect against developing problem alcohol use
Phenotypes are measurable and/or observable traits or behaviors. The heritability of an alcohol-related phenotype depends upon the social environment within which it is measured, such as urbanicity, marital status, or religiosity. A new study of the effects of religiosity on the genetic variance of problem alcohol use in males and females has found that religiosity can moderate genetic effects on problem alcohol use during adolescence but not during early adulthood.
Creating a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
A new study has created a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Researchers selected 22 of 547 neuropsychological variables for analysis based on their ability to distinguish children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) from unexposed children. Results suggest that executive functioning and spatial processing are especially sensitive in children with suspected or known PAE.
Anxiety/panic disorder most frequent disabling comorbid disorder in Tourette syndrome patients, study finds
An assessment of patients with adult Tourette syndrome to identify clinical factors that contribute to psychosocial and occupational disabilities resulting from the vocal or motor tics that define TS found that anxiety/panic disorder may be the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with the disorder.
Male desire to be strong and protect family key to preventing suicides, study finds
Masculine ideals of strength coupled with strong family ties can help men combat depression and overcome thoughts of suicide, according to new research.
Teen boys who attempted suicide more like to abuse partners as adults, study finds
Young men who attempt suicide before age 18 are much more likely as adults to be aggressive toward their girlfriends or wives, including hitting and injuring their partners, according to a new study.
Little is understood about alcohol's effect on fetal development, researchers say
It's long been known that alcohol use in pregnancy can lead to children with mental retardation and birth defects, but researchers who study fetal alcohol syndrome have not made definitive progress on preventing the disorder, detecting it early, or effectively treating it, say researchers.
Brand preference may be in the drink, not in the head, vodka study shows
Scientists are reporting the first identification of a chemical basis for people's preference for certain brands of vodka, which outsells rum, gin, whiskey and tequila. They found that vodka differs from simple water-ethanol solutions in ways that could alter vodka's perceived taste.
Link between depression, abdominal obesity confirmed by new study
A new study confirms the relationship between depression and abdominal obesity, which has been linked to an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Domestic violence: Why some women have real reason to fear the world cup
Victims of domestic abuse need to be aware that they are at risk during the World Cup and should have a plan in place should their partners turn violent.
Alcohol use and smoking are associated with headaches in high schoolers
Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were associated with increased migraines and tension-type headaches in high school students, according to new research. Coffee drinking and physical inactivity were associated specifically with migraines.
About one-tenth of soldiers returning from Iraq may be impaired by mental health problems, study finds
Between 8.5 percent and 14 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq report serious functional impairment due to either post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, according to a new study.
Binge drinkers report sub-optimal health status more often than non-binge drinkers
Binge drinking accounts for more than half of 79,000 excessive-drinking deaths annually in the United States. A new study has looked at heavy and binge drinking in relation to drinkers' own perceptions of their overall health status. Results show binge drinkers have a 13 to 23 percent greater likelihood of self-reporting fair to poor health status.
Tobacco tax hike could curb smoking among those with alcohol, drug or mental disorders
A new study suggests that increasing cigarette taxes could be an effective way to reduce smoking among individuals with alcohol, drug or mental disorders. It found that a 10 percent increase in cigarette pricing resulted in an 18.2 percent decline in smoking among people in these groups.
Supplement may prevent alcohol-related brain, skull defects
The dietary supplement CDP-choline, sold as a brain-boosting agent and under study for stroke and traumatic brain injury, may block skull and brain damage that can result from alcohol consumption early in pregnancy, researchers report. Alcohol consumption in early pregnancy increases levels of a little-known lipid called ceramide, significantly increasing suicide among cells critical to skull and brain formation.
Impulsivity-related problem drinking decreases greatly for 18- to 25-year-olds
Impulsivity normally decreases during emerging and young adulthood and is associated with reduced substance abuse. Not all individuals, however, "mature out" of impulsive behavior. A new study has found that 18-to-25-year-olds exhibited the largest declines in impulsivity as well as the sharpest decreases in alcohol consumption.
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ScienceDaily Alternative Medicine News
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Nasal zinc gels may be associated with loss of sense of smell, study finds
An evaluation of 25 patients and a review of reports of clinical, biological and experimental data suggest that over-the-counter, homeopathic nasal zinc therapies may be associated with a reduced sense of smell, according to a new study.
Mechanism for link between high fat diet and risk of prostate cancer and disorders unveiled
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, and diet is considered one of the most important controllable risk factors for inflammation and prostate diseases including benign prostatic hyperplsia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer. A new study sheds light on the mechanisms of the deleterious effects of a high fat diet on the prostate.
Tea may contain more fluoride than once thought, research shows
Black tea, a Southern staple and the world's most consumed beverage, may contain higher concentrations of fluoride than previously thought, which could pose problems for the heaviest tea drinkers, researchers say.
Knee arthritis? Flexible options can help keep you active
Middle-aged men and women with osteoarthritis of the knee now have more options than ever before for treatments that may allow them to remain active in the sports they love, according to a new review.
Acupuncture improves exercise tolerance in heart patients, German study finds
Acupuncture can improve exercise tolerance in patients suffering from chronic heart failure, according to a clinical pilot study by a team in Germany.
Bees help to beat MRSA bugs
Bees could have a key role to play in urgently needed new treatments to fight the virulent MRSA bug, according new research from Scotland.
Women who consume large amounts of tea have increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis, study finds
Women who drink tea have an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with those who drink none (p=0.04), according to results of a new study. Further results from the same study showed no correlation between the amount of coffee consumption and RA incidence (p=0.16).
Coffee or tea: Enjoy both in moderation for heart benefits, Dutch study suggests
Both high and moderate amounts of tea are linked with reduced heart disease deaths. Moderate amounts of coffee are linked with reduced heart disease risk. Neither coffee nor tea consumption was associated with stroke risk in this Dutch study.
Polyphenols in red wine and green tea halt prostate cancer growth, study suggests
In what could lead to a major advance in the treatment of prostate cancer, scientists now know exactly why polyphenols in red wine and green tea inhibit cancer growth. This new discovery explains how antioxidants in red wine and green tea produce a combined effect to disrupt an important cell signaling pathway necessary for prostate cancer growth.
Green tea extract appears to keep cancer in check in majority of CLL patients
An extract of green tea appears to have clinical activity with low toxicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients who used it in a Phase II clinical trial.
New blood thinners can cause dangerous drug interactions, study finds
Three new oral blood-thinning drugs nearing approval by the Food and Drug Administration are more convenient than the standard drug Coumadin because they do not require monthly visits to adjust doses. But the promising drugs also could be subject to dangerous interactions when taken alongside widely used prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin and even herbal supplements such as St. John's Wort, according to a new study.
Acupuncture's molecular effects pinned down: New insights spur effort to boost treatment's impact significantly
Scientists have identified the molecule adenosine as a central player in parlaying some of the effects of acupuncture in the body. Building on that knowledge, scientists were able to triple the beneficial effects of acupuncture in mice by adding a medication approved to treat leukemia in people.
Surgical options for female incontinence found to be effective but with different complications
Two popular procedures for female stress incontinence were found to be equivalent in efficacy but differed in side effects, according to new data. These surgical techniques, called mid urethral slings, are increasingly common for the treatment of stress incontinence or urine loss from physical activity such as coughing, sneezing or laughing.
Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier during, after treatment
Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers.
Tai Chi gets cautious thumbs up for psychological health
Tai Chi, a low impact martial art, has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions. A systematic review of the subject found that although Tai Chi does appear to have positive psychological effects, more high quality, randomized trials are needed.
Children with severe asthma at increased risk of developing COPD, study finds
Children with severe asthma have more than 30 times the risk of developing adult chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) as adults compared to children without asthma, according to a prospective longitudinal cohort study.
Coffee and soft drinks have little or no association with colon cancer risk, study finds
Drinking even large amounts of coffee and sugar-sweetened, carbonated soft drinks is not associated with the risk of colon cancer, according to a large study.
Use of alternative therapy for pain treatment increases with age and wealth
One out of 3 patients with chronic pain reported using complementary and alternative medicine therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic visits for pain relief.
Fish oil supplements provide no benefit to brain power in elders, study shows
The largest ever trial of fish oil supplements has found no evidence that they offer benefits for cognitive function in older people. The study investigated the effects of taking omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements over a two year period on the cognitive function of participants aged 70-80 years.
Coronary CTA a cost-effective alternative to cardiac catheterization for the evaluation of CAD, study suggests
Noninvasive coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a cost-effective alternative to invasive cardiac catheterization in the care of patients who have positive stress test results but a less than 50 percent chance of actually having significant coronary artery disease (CAD) according to a new study.
Lack of omega-6 fatty acid linked to severe dermatitis
Scientists have learned that a specific omega-6 fatty acid may be critical to maintaining skin health.
Tiny worms employed to unlock keys to herbal medicines
Researchers have developed a biologic method to tease out which compounds from herbal medicines and medicinal herbal mixtures produce their reputed medicinal benefits. Using tiny worms that live only 20 days, the team sorted out which compounds found in two common Chinese herbal formulations showed most potential for their stated purpose: extending life expectancy. Cinnamon and ginseng won, showing the most promise.
Doctor warns against St. John's wort for anxiety
In a broad-based review of studies focused on drugs that treat anxiety, a doctor found no evidence supporting the use of so-called "natural" treatments in combating the effects of anxiety.
Essential oils to fight superbugs
Essential oils could be a cheap and effective alternative to antibiotics and potentially used to combat drug-resistant hospital superbugs, according to new research.
Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for post-viral infection loss of smell
Traditional Chinese acupuncture, where very thin needles are used to stimulate specific points in the body to elicit beneficial therapeutic responses, may be an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from persistent post- viral olfactory dysfunction, according to new research.
Chinese wolfberries may improve vision imperfections caused by type-2 diabetes
Researchers are exploring the use of Chinese wolfberries to improve vision deficiencies that are common for type-2 diabetics. Wolfberries may lower the oxidative stress that the eye undergoes as a result of type-2 diabetes.
Acupuncture calms highly anxious dental patients, study suggests
Acupuncture can calm highly anxious dental patients and ensure that they can be given the treatment they need, suggests a small study.
Hand and feet massages provide consolation for bereaved relatives
Receiving soothing massages for eight weeks after the death of a loved one can provide much-needed consolation during an intense, stressful period of grieving. Eighteen people, aged from 34-78, who had lost a relative to cancer took part in the study. They all said the massages provided consolation, helping them to balance the need to grieve and the need to adapt to life after the loss of their relative.
Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does
A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation.
Dietary supplements discouraged for prostate cancer patients
Prostate-specific dietary supplements should not be taken during radiation therapy treatments because they have been shown to increase the radiosensitivity of normal prostate cell lines, leading to normal tissue complications, according to a new study.
Acupuncture may relieve joint pain caused by some breast cancer treatments
A new study demonstrates that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients who are being treated with commonly used hormonal therapies.
Non-drug techniques reduce pain in hospitalized patients
Non-traditional therapies relieve pain among a wide range of hospitalized patients as much as 50 percent, according to a first-of-a-kind study. The study shows that an inpatient integrative medicine program can have a significant impact on pain in an environment where pain management continues to be a major challenge, and traditional medications can have negative consequences.
Kids lose pounds, gain fitness in Houston study
Innovative, kid-friendly strategies for losing weight and gaining nutrition savvy -- plus physical fitness skills -- are emerging from recent scientific studies.
Cancer patients find relief in integrative medicine services
A new integrative oncology program aim to address cancer patients' needs from every angle through treatment that extends beyond medical therapies.
New evidence that green tea may help fight glaucoma and other eye diseases
Scientists have confirmed that the healthful substances found in green tea -- renowned for their powerful antioxidant and disease-fighting properties -- do penetrate into tissues of the eye. Their new report, the first documenting how the lens, retina, and other eye tissues absorb these substances, raises the possibility that green tea may protect against glaucoma and other common eye diseases.
Herbal medicines can be lethal, pathologist warns
A forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs.
Dietary formula that maintains youthful function into old age
Researchers develop dietary formula that maintains youthful function into old age.
Young patients with chronic illnesses find relief in acupuncture
Some doctors are now offering pediatric patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses acupuncture therapy to help ease the pain and negative side effects like nausea, fatigue and vomiting caused by chronic health conditions and intensive treatments.
Linking breast cancer patients with alternative therapies
Biological-based therapies such as diet supplements and vitamins are the most popular complementary and alternative medicines for women recovering from breast cancer, according to a researcher working to create a support intervention for women in treatment for the disease.
Study maps effects of acupuncture on the brain
New research about the effects of acupuncture on the brain may provide an understanding of the complex mechanisms of acupuncture and could lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment.
Acupuncture found effective against depression during pregnancy
Researchers have shown that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for depression during pregnancy.
Heart patients using herbal remedies may be at heightened risk of dangerous drug interactions
More and more Americans are turning to herbal remedies to help manage chronic conditions or promote general health and wellness. But many of today's popular herbal supplements, including St. John's wort, gingko biloba, garlic and even grapefruit juice can pose serious risks to people who are taking medications for heart disease, according to a review article.
Ginkgo herbal medicines may increase seizures in people with epilepsy
Restrictions should be placed on the use of Ginkgo biloba -- a top-selling herbal remedy -- because of growing scientific evidence that Ginkgo may increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy and could reduce the effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs, a new report concludes.
Does electro-acupuncture prevent prolonged postoperative ileus?
Postoperative ileus is a common problem in patients who have major abdominal surgery. The duration is usually short, but prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) may lead to increased hospital stay and costs. Acupuncture is often used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in China, but it is still not known whether it is effective for preventing or treating PPOI. Information from a study group may help surgeons choose appropriate therapy for PPOI after abdominal surgery.
Med students say conventional medicine would benefit by integrating alternative therapies
The largest national survey of its kind that measured medical students' attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine found that three-quarters of them felt conventional Western medicine would benefit by integrating more CAM therapies and ideas.
Yoga reduces cytokine levels known to promote inflammation, study shows
Regularly practicing yoga exercises may lower a number of compounds in the blood and reduce the level of inflammation that normally rises because of both normal aging and stress, a new study has shown. The study showed that women who routinely practiced yoga had lower amounts of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in their blood.
Green tea could modify the effect of cigarette smoking on lung cancer risk
Green tea can reduce the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Benefits were also seen in non-smokers.
Caffeine consumption associated with less severe liver fibrosis
Researchers have discovered that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who consumed more than 308 mg of caffeine daily had milder liver fibrosis. The daily amount of caffeine intake found to be beneficial is equivalent to 2.25 cups of regular coffee.
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ScienceDaily Anger Management News
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Narcissistic heterosexual men target their hostility primarily at heterosexual women, the objects of their desires, study finds
Heterosexual women bear the brunt of narcissistic heterosexual men's hostility, while heterosexual men, gay men and lesbian women provoke a softer reaction, according to a new study.
Abusive mothers improve parenting after in-home training, emotional support of therapists
Each year, US child welfare agencies log more than 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect. Many services aim to address child abuse but there's very little scientific data about whether the services actually work, say psychologists. A new study finds that women in families reported previously for child abuse improved their parenting after intensive, weekly, in-home, hands-on training by mental health service providers.
Even in good communities, roaming teens a recipe for violence
Even in better neighborhoods, parents should be wary about letting teens gather with nothing to do and with no adult supervision, a new study suggests. In a long-term study of Chicago neighborhoods, researchers found that informal teen gatherings significantly increased the likelihood of violent behavior by the adolescents.
The healing effects of forests
Forests -- and other natural, green settings -- can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness. Forest visits may also strengthen our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.
One-size-fits-all approach to child custody can endanger moms and kids
Child custody evaluators' beliefs generally fall into two categories, and one group is far more likely to prioritize safety for women and children when making custody decisions. Researchers would like to see standardized and mandated training that would teach custody evaluators how to discriminate between types of violence because different kinds of violence require different interventions.
Getting angry can help negotiations in some cultures, hurt it in others
Getting angry might help you get your way if you're negotiating with European-Americans, but watch out -- in negotiations with East Asians, getting angry may actually hurt your cause. That's the conclusion of a new study on how people from different cultures react to anger in negotiations.
Childhood sexual abuse and social shaming linked to health issues later
Gay and bisexual men enrolled in a long-term study of HIV who reported sexual abuse and social shaming in childhood experience psychosocial health problems later in life that could put them at greater risk for HIV, researchers report.
Diversity of grieving among Alzheimer's caregivers
New research reveals racial and ethnic differences in the emotional attitudes of caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients.
Who is likely to become a bully, victim or both? New research shows poor problem-solving increases risk for all
Children and adolescents who lack social problem-solving skills are more at risk of becoming bullies, victims or both than those who don't have these difficulties, according to new research. But those who are also having academic troubles are even likelier to become bullies.
Rudeness at work causes mistakes
If someone is rude to you at work or if you witness rudeness you are more likely to make mistakes, according to one expert.
Abused children appear likely to have mental disorders as young adults
Abuse and neglect during childhood appear to be associated with increased rates of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders among young adults, according to a new study.
Adverse childhood experiences linked to frequent headache in adults
Children who experience maltreatment such as emotional, physical and sexual abuse are more likely to experience frequent headaches, including chronic migraine, as adults, say scientists.
People who suppress anger are more likely to become violent when drunk
A new study reveals that drunkenness increases the risk for violent behavior, but only for individuals with a strong inclination to suppress anger.
Teen boys who attempted suicide more like to abuse partners as adults, study finds
Young men who attempt suicide before age 18 are much more likely as adults to be aggressive toward their girlfriends or wives, including hitting and injuring their partners, according to a new study.
Specific PTSD symptoms related to anger and aggressiveness among Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, study finds
Focusing on certain PTSD symptoms may be key to treating anger among Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, according to a new study.
Domestic violence: Why some women have real reason to fear the world cup
Victims of domestic abuse need to be aware that they are at risk during the World Cup and should have a plan in place should their partners turn violent.
Violent video games may increase aggression in some but not others, says new research
Playing violent video games can make some adolescents more hostile, particularly those who are less agreeable, less conscientious and easily angered. But for others, it may offer opportunities to learn new skills and improve social networking.
About one-tenth of soldiers returning from Iraq may be impaired by mental health problems, study finds
Between 8.5 percent and 14 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq report serious functional impairment due to either post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, according to a new study.
Intimate partner violence against mothers associated with children's obesity
Children whose mothers report being abused by their partners appear more likely to be obese at age 5, according to a new report.
What happens when we get angry?
When we get angry, the heart rate, arterial tension and testosterone production increases, cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases, and the left hemisphere of the brain becomes more stimulated. This is indicated by a new investigation that analyzes the changes in the brain's cardiovascular, hormonal and asymmetric activation response when we get angry.
Young assault victims often involved in subsequent violence
When adolescents are treated in an emergency department (ED) after being assaulted, they have a significant chance of being involved in another violent encounter soon afterward.
Canine aggression and genetic control
The control of different behaviors is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. A new study throws light on interesting connections between canine aggression and genes that are involved in neurotransmission in the brain.
Meaner than fiction: Reality TV high on aggression, study shows
Researchers looked at five reality shows and five non-reality shows and found 52 acts of aggression per hour on reality TV compared to 33 per hour for the non-reality programs.
Shyness negatively affects marital quality
Shyness can influence the quality of an ongoing relationship -- even one as important as marriage -- according to a new study.
Violent teenage girls fail to spot anger or disgust in others’ faces
Girls appear to be "protected" from showing antisocial behaviour until their teenage years, new research has found. The study sheds new light on antisocial behavior in girls compared with boys and suggests that rather than violence or antisocial behavior simply reflecting bad choices, the brains of people with antisocial behavior may work differently from those who behave normally.
Return home from war not always peaceful for young vets
When young servicemen and women return home from a tour of duty, their family and friends breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their loved ones finally are safe and sound. New research, however, shows that is not always the case. Young veterans are at risk for violent deaths at home, especially suicide.
Parental involvement key to preventing child bullying
Communities across the United States are developing programs to address child bullying. New research shows that parents can play an important role in preventing their children from becoming bullies in the first place.
Mood and anxiety disorders affect many older adults
Rates of mood and anxiety disorders appear to decline with age but the conditions remain common in older adults, especially women, according to a new study.
Living in a high-crime neighborhood may worsen children's asthma
After adjusting for the child's age, gender, family history of asthma and socioeconomic status, children were nearly twice as likely to have moderate/severe asthma if their caregivers reported high levels of stress or if the incidence of violent crime was high in their neighborhood.
Nearly 4 million Californians report sexual or physical violence from a spouse or companion
Nearly four million adults in California reported being a victim of physical or sexual violence at the hand of a spouse, companion or other intimate partner, according to a new policy brief. Latinos had among the lowest rates of reported inter-personal violence (IPV) while lesbian, gay and bisexual adults reported high rates of IPV: approximately one-third reported physical and/or sexual abuse in their adult lives.
Tough girl or sidechick? Violent female characters in American films
Despite an increase in tough and even violent female characters in American films, women continue to be shown as sidekicks to more dominant male heroes and they are also frequently involved in a romantic relationship with them. Researchers point to continued gender stereotypes set within a violent framework of contemporary American cinema.
Gay men and lesbians more likely to experience violent events and subsequent PTSD
A new study has found that gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and heterosexuals who have ever had a same-sex sex partner are one-and-a-half to two times as likely to experience violent events, especially in childhood, than the general population and have double the risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a consequence of these events.
Over half of women in abusive relationships still saw their male partners as dependable
It's well known that many women remain in abusive relationships with their male partners. A new study suggests that many who live with chronic psychological abuse still see certain positive traits in their abusers -- such as dependability and being affectionate -- which may partly explain why they stay.
Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, research suggests
Researchers in Spain have investigated the brain structures involved with empathy -- in other words, the ability to put oneself in another person's position -- and carried out a scientific review of them. They conclude that the brain circuits responsible for empathy are in part the same as those involved with violence.
Children's sense of threat from parental fighting determines trauma symptoms
If children feel threatened by even very low levels of violence between their parents, they may be at increased risk for developing trauma symptoms, such as bad dreams and nightmares, new research suggests. A new study found that children who witness parental violence report fewer symptoms if they don't perceive the violence as threatening. The research highlights the importance of assessing how threatened a child feels.
Pursuit of status and affection drives bullies' behavior
A longitudinal study of almost 500 Dutch elementary-school children ages 9 to 12 finds that bullies generally choose to gain status by dominating their victims and that, at the same time, bullies try to reduce the chances that they'll end up on the outs with other classmates by choosing as victims children who are weak and not well-liked by others. The research team also found that gender plays a strong role in who victimizes whom.
Online ostracism damages children’s self esteem
Research by psychologists has revealed that online ostracism is a threat to children’s self-esteem. The study looked at how children, adolescents and adults react to being ostracised by other players during an online computer game.
Sexism: Cat-calls are detrimental to everyone
For every woman who is a direct target of sexism, there are others who witness the event and are also affected. The actions of one sexist man affect how female bystanders feel and behave towards men in general.
Some bullies are just the shy type: New research shows a darker side to social anxiety disorder
When you think of people suffering from social anxiety, you probably characterize them as shy, inhibited and submissive. However, new research from psychologists suggests that there is a subset of socially anxious people who act out in aggressive, risky ways -- and that their behavior patterns are often misunderstood.
Behind a child with aggressive behavior there is a negative family environment
Children who use violence usually come from conflict-ridden families; as has been shown by a number of research studies.
Psychopaths' brains wired to seek rewards, no matter the consequences
The brains of psychopaths appear to be wired to keep seeking a reward at any cost, new research finds. The research uncovers the role of the brain's reward system in psychopathy and opens a new area of study for understanding what drives these individuals.
Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days.
'Mean' girls and boys: The downside of adolescent relationships
Psychology researchers exploring relational aggression and victimization in 11- to 13-year-olds have found adolescent boys have a similar understanding and experience of "mean" behaviors and "bitchiness" as girls.
Don't make that face at me! Prefrontal cortex may help regulate emotions
A new study suggests that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that may help people to control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their romantic partners.
Violent video game play makes more aggressive kids, study shows
Exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive thoughts and behavior, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in youths, a new study finds.
Cyberbullying: A growing problem
Around 10 percent of all adolescents in grades 7-9 are victims of internet bullying. "This type of bullying can be more serious than conventional bullying. At least with conventional bullying the victim is left alone on evenings and weekends," says on of the researchers.
Husbands' hostile, anti-social behaviors increase wives' symptoms of depression, study shows
While the causes of depression vary, a new study reveals that marital hostility is a contributing factor. Researchers found that husbands' hostile and anti-social behaviors increased their wives' symptoms of depression over time.
Self-control impaired in type 2 diabetics, research suggests
Type 2 diabetes, an increasingly common complication of obesity, is associated with poor impulse control. Researchers suggest that neurological changes result in this inability to resist temptation, which may in turn exacerbate diabetes.
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ScienceDaily Anxiety News
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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.
Battlefield psychologists investigate stress in combat and after
People confronted with acute stress -- daily rocket attacks -- tend to dissociate from threats instead of becoming more vigilant, according to a new study. This research overturns accepted convention and may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute stress reactions.
Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11
Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates.
Health providers need to do more to understand and support lesbians who are overweight, experts urge
Lesbian patients who took part in a study on weight and heart disease were unhappy with health care professionals who focused on their body mass index rather than improving their general health. The study also reveals important generational attitudes to weight and a greater acceptance of different body shapes.
Sexual abuse survivors have increased of psychiatric disorders
New research finds that a history of sexual abuse, regardless of the victim's gender or age when the abuse occurred, correlates strongly with a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.
Simple massage relieves chronic tension headache, study finds
Researchers in Spain have shown that the psychological and physiological state of patients with tension headache improves within 24 hours after receiving a 30-minute massage.
A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens
Happier youths are also healthier youths, according to new research. Adolescents' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, could be more important than their anxiety or depression levels for predicting their physical health, they argue.
Therapist competence matters -- and more for some patients than others
While studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for depression, it has still not been clear the role therapists' training and expertise plays in making treatment successful. A new study finds that depressed patients show more symptom improvement when their therapists more competently follow the guidelines for delivering cognitive therapy.
New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression
Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests.
Anxiety may be at root of religious extremism, researchers find
New findings show that anxiety and uncertainty can cause us to become more idealistic and more radical in our religious beliefs.
Abused children appear likely to have mental disorders as young adults
Abuse and neglect during childhood appear to be associated with increased rates of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders among young adults, according to a new study.
Heart patients with anxiety disorder experience more cardiovascular events, deaths
Among patients with heart disease, anxiety disorders appear to be associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and death, according to a new study.
Treating depression with Omega-3: Encouraging results from largest clinical study
The use of Omega-3 supplements is effective among patients with major depression who do not have anxiety disorders, according to a recent clinical study -- the largest ever conducted assessing Omega-3's efficacy in treating major depression.
Depressed mice could aid research on drug-resistant depression in humans
New research shows that a unique strain of laboratory mice has behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical characteristics that are similar to those of human patients with drug-resistant forms of depression. The mice -- which have a defect in a gene -- are expected to be useful as a new model organism in the effort to develop more effective medications for specific forms of depression.
Internet dependence and gambling addiction are not linked, study finds
A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling. However, both addictive behaviors are associated with psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Brief psychological therapy is effective in primary care, study finds
Brief therapy at the GP's surgery can effectively treat anxiety and depression. Researchers found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was effective for treating anxiety disorders, while CBT, problem solving therapy and counseling were all equally effective in treating depression and mixed anxiety and depression.
Anxiety/panic disorder most frequent disabling comorbid disorder in Tourette syndrome patients, study finds
An assessment of patients with adult Tourette syndrome to identify clinical factors that contribute to psychosocial and occupational disabilities resulting from the vocal or motor tics that define TS found that anxiety/panic disorder may be the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with the disorder.
'Lap-band' weight loss surgery in very obese adults improves mental health, study finds
One year after weight loss surgery with laparoscopic gastric banding, extremely obese adults demonstrate not only better physical health but also improved psychological health, a new study shows.
Bright light therapy improves sleep disturbances in soldiers with combat PTSD, research finds
Bright light therapy has significant effects on sleep disturbances associated with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, according to new research.
Long-term study links chronic insomnia to increased risk of death
The adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was three times higher in people with chronic insomnia (HR = 3.0) than in people without insomnia. When examining individual subtypes of insomnia, the risk of death was elevated, regardless of which subtype people reported. The risk of death was two to three times higher in individuals with one of the four insomnia subtypes. The study involved 2,242 participants.
Drug induces a memory of safety in rat brains
Researchers have found a way to pharmacologically induce a memory of safety in the brain of rats, mimicking the effect of training. The finding suggests possibilities for new treatments for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders.
Coffee consumption unrelated to alertness: Stimulating effects may be illusion, study finds
The stimulatory effects of caffeine may be nothing more than an illusion, according to new research that shows there is no real benefit to be gained from the habitual morning cup of coffee.
Switching medications and continuing treatment could help teens with severe depression, study suggests
More than one-third of teenagers with treatment-resistant depression -- many of whom had been depressed for more than two years -- became symptom-free six months after switching their medication or combining a medicine switch with cognitive behavioral therapy during a multicenter study.
Can bacteria make you smarter?
Exposure to specific bacteria in the environment, already believed to have antidepressant qualities, could increase learning behavior, according to new research.
Brain injuries may result in trouble sleeping, study finds
People with brain injuries may produce low amounts of melatonin, which affects their sleep, according to a new study.
Flexible treatment intervention associated with greater improvement in anxiety symptoms
An intervention in primary care settings that allowed a choice of cognitive behavior therapy, medication or both, along with computer-assisted treatment support for patients with common anxiety disorders, resulted in greater improvement in anxiety symptoms and functional disability compared to usual care, according to a new study.
Patients have misconceptions and high levels of anxiety about general anesthesia
Eighty-five percent of patients who took part in a survey shortly after day surgery said that they had been anxious about receiving a general anesthetic. The top three concerns that made patients very anxious were the thought of not waking up, dying while asleep and waking up during surgery.
Tai Chi gets cautious thumbs up for psychological health
Tai Chi, a low impact martial art, has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions. A systematic review of the subject found that although Tai Chi does appear to have positive psychological effects, more high quality, randomized trials are needed.
Lessons from 9/11: Psychiatrists are indispensible in first-response teams
Psychiatrists should be included in disaster first-response teams because survivors have immediate need for help in alleviating early trauma symptoms ranging from sleeplessness to constant anxiety, says a new study of 9/11 survivors and victims' family members.
High prevalence of depression after traumatic brain injury, study finds
During the year following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury, a majority of patients experienced major depression, according to a new study.
Gene that ties stress to obesity and diabetes discovered
Scientists have identified a gene that links mental stress to such metabolic diseases as obesity, diabetes and arteriosclerosis.
Study demonstrates art therapy's effectiveness in pediatric asthma
In the first randomized trial of art therapy for asthma, researchers found that children with persistent asthma enjoyed decreased anxiety and increased quality of life after seven weekly art-therapy sessions.
Mood and anxiety disorders affect many older adults
Rates of mood and anxiety disorders appear to decline with age but the conditions remain common in older adults, especially women, according to a new study.
One molecule opens the door to new treatments for depression
There has been little progress in the way we treat depression and anxiety for over thirty years, but a recent study may open the door to new strategies. A new article explains how understanding the functioning of a molecule called MIF, or macrophage migration inhibitory factor, may change the way we treat depression.
Biological link between stress, anxiety and depression identified
Scientists have discovered the biological link between stress, anxiety and depression. By identifying the connecting mechanism in the brain, the researchers show exactly how stress and anxiety could lead to depression. The study also reveals a small molecule inhibitor developed by Ferguson, which may provide a new and better way to treat anxiety and depression.
Panic disorder and depression can be treated over the Internet, study suggests
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) via the internet is just as effective in treating panic disorder (recurring panic attacks) as traditional group-based CBT., according to new research. It is also efficacious in the treatment of mild and moderate depression.
Depression affects how women with PMDD respond to stress, pain
A severe mood disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, affects 5 percent to 7 percent of all women of reproductive age in the United States, but it is often misdiagnosed as major depression or other mood disorder. A recent study further establishes that PMDD is biologically different, and that women with PMDD who have experienced depression could make up a subset.
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections affected by stress
PANDAS is an abbreviation for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. This diagnosis was created when clinicians observed that following streptococcal infections, which include strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo, children developed tics and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Children of combat-deployed parents show increased worries, even after parent returns
Researchers have found that it is the number and lengths of repeated military deployments that cause higher levels of anxiety in children -- and that the anxiety persists even after the deployed parent returns home. Second, they found that the level of anxiety children experience can be predicted by the amount of psychological distress shown by both the active duty and at-home parent.
Doctor warns against St. John's wort for anxiety
In a broad-based review of studies focused on drugs that treat anxiety, a doctor found no evidence supporting the use of so-called "natural" treatments in combating the effects of anxiety.
Depression associated with sustained brain signals: Genetic mutation in mice elevates their risk of stress-induced depression
Genetics may have some role in the predisposition of some people to the effects of stress, as changes in a gene that regulates brain signals are associated with depression. Scientists have now created a mouse with these same genetic changes. These mice show signs characteristic of depression and social anxiety and they provide some insight into the neurological effects that may influence vulnerability to depression in humans.
Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often for depression, anxiety, research suggests
Exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, new research suggests. An analysis of dozens of population-based studies, clinical studies and meta-analytic reviews related to exercise and mental health confirmed exercise programs reduce depression and anxiety for people who can't receive traditional therapies.
Depressed? Fearful? It might help to worry, too
A new study of brain activity in depressed and anxious people indicates that some of the ill effects of depression are modified -- for better or for worse -- by anxiety.
Acupuncture calms highly anxious dental patients, study suggests
Acupuncture can calm highly anxious dental patients and ensure that they can be given the treatment they need, suggests a small study.
Therapy via teleconference? Professor studies remote psychotherapy
Obtaining therapy via teleconference is just as effective as face-to-face meetings, according to new research.
Advance care planning improves end of life care and reduces stress for relatives
Advance care planning improves end-of-life care and reduces stress, anxiety and depression in surviving relatives, according to new research.
Some bullies are just the shy type: New research shows a darker side to social anxiety disorder
When you think of people suffering from social anxiety, you probably characterize them as shy, inhibited and submissive. However, new research from psychologists suggests that there is a subset of socially anxious people who act out in aggressive, risky ways -- and that their behavior patterns are often misunderstood.
Family mealtimes help children with asthma breathe easier, study says
Children who have asthma are at high risk for separation anxiety, but a new study has found a home remedy that parents can use -- regular family mealtimes.
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ScienceDaily Autism News
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Electrical activity in developing brain influences choice of neurotransmitter
Cascades of genetic signals determine which neurotransmitter a brain cell will ultimately use to communicate with other cells. Now a pair of reports have shown for the first time that electrical activity in these developing neurons can alter their chemical fate -- and change an animal's behavior -- by tweaking this genetic program.
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them, survey finds
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely.
Autism has unique vocal signature, new technology reveals
New technology could fundamentally change the study of language development as well as the screening for autism spectrum disorders and language delay.
Autism-related study discovers how drug interferes with neuronal cell function
A new study has shown for the first time how the drug misoprostol, linked to neurodevelopmental defects associated with autism, interferes with neuronal cell function. It is an important finding because misoprostol is similar in structure to naturally occurring prostaglandins, the key signaling molecules produced by fatty acids in the brain. The study examined mouse neuronal cells to see how the drug interferes at a molecular level with prostaglandins.
IVF linked to autism, Israeli study suggests
Scientists in Israel have reported a strong link between IVF and mild to moderate cases of autism. In their study, 10.5% of 461 children diagnosed with a disorder on the autism spectrum were conceived using IVF, a significantly higher number than the 3.5% autism rate in the general Israeli population.
Mothers of children with autism pay price in workplace
Mothers of children with autism see their careers disproportionally affected as they confront greater demands on their time, inflexible workplaces and increased medical costs, according to a new study.
World's largest DNA scan reveals rare variants that disrupt gene activity in autistic children
The largest DNA scan for familial autism found rare genetic changes occurring nearly 20 percent more in autistic children than healthy children. Not always found in autistic children's parents, these variants suggest that tiny genetic errors occur during formation of the parents' eggs and sperm, which are copied during creation of the child's DNA. The findings may reveal clues to where genes go awry and increase autism risk, offering hope for common treatments.
Individual brain cells can ID objects as dissimilar as cars and dogs
Researchers have found that single brain cells, if confronted with a difficult task, can identify objects as dissimilar as sports cars and dogs.
Gestational age at delivery has relationship with the risk of special educational needs, study finds
There is an association between gestation of a baby at delivery and the risk of special educational needs in later life, according to new research.
Autism finding could lead to simple urine test for the condition
Children with autism have a different chemical fingerprint in their urine than non-autistic children, according to new research. The researchers suggest that their findings could ultimately lead to a simple urine test to determine whether or not a young child has autism.
Compulsive behavior in mice cured by bone marrow transplant
Scientists earlier found that mice missing one of a group of core developmental genes known as the Hox genes developed an odd and rather unexpected pathology: the mutant animals groomed themselves compulsively to the point that they were removing their own hair and leaving self-inflicted open sores on their skin.
Gene variants lead to autism and mental retardation: Inner structure of nerve synapses defective in patients
Researchers in Germany have discovered previously unknown mutations in autistic and mentally impaired patients in what is known as the SHANK2 gene, a gene that is partially responsible for linking nerve cells.
First drug to demonstrate therapeutic effect in a type of autism
Researchers have identified a drug that improves communication between nerve cells in a mouse model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Behavioral symptoms of PMS fall under the autism spectrum disorder category.
Popular autism diet does not demonstrate behavioral improvement
A popular belief that specific dietary changes can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly controlled study, which found that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.
80 percent autism-divorce rate debunked in first-of-its kind scientific study
Having a child with autism can put stress on the parents' marriage, and a frequently cited statistic leads to a common perception that the divorce rate among these families is as high as 80 percent. But a new study found that a child's autism has no effect on the family structure.
Newborn infants learn while asleep; Study may lead to later disability tests
Sleeping newborns are better learners than thought, according to new research. The study could lead to identifying those at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia.
Mirror neuron system functions normally in individuals with autism
Neuroscientists have found that the mirror neuron system, which is thought to play a central role in social communications, responds normally in individuals with autism. Their findings counter theories suggesting that a mirror system dysfunction causes the social difficulties exhibited by individuals with autism.
Consortium recommends microarray testing as new standard for pediatric genetic diagnosis
An international consortium of genetics experts has issued a consensus statement recommending chromosomal microarray as the new standard practice for genetic evaluation of children with unexplained developmental delay, autism or birth defects.
Rare disease in Amish children sheds light on common neurological disorders
Researchers investigating a regulatory protein involved in a rare genetic disease have shown that it may be related to epileptic and autistic symptoms in other more common neurological disorders. A team of researchers demonstrate how mutations in the STRAD-alpha gene can cause a disease called PMSE (polyhydramnios, megalencephaly, and symptomatic epilepsy) syndrome, found in a handful of Amish children.
How Darwin's little-known work impacts current schizophrenia and autism treatment
Historical research reveals more of Charles Darwin's thinking when he completed what may be the first example of a prospective "single-blind" study of human perception of emotional expression. Through scrutiny of Darwin's work, including previously unpublished handwritten notes on his experiments, a scholar explains how this early experiment has direct implications to current work today in the areas of schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and other neuropsychiatric conditions.
Genes found for schizophrenia are involved in brain signaling
By analyzing the genomes of patients with schizophrenia, genetics researchers have discovered numerous copy number variations -- deletions or duplications of DNA sequences -- that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Significantly, many of these variations occur in genes that affect signaling among brain cells.
Brain's master switch is verified
The protein that has long been suspected by scientists of being the master switch allowing brains to function has now been verified. New research shows that the protein called synaptotagmin1 is the sole trigger for the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Fragile X syndrome gene's role in shaping brain uncovered
Researchers have discovered how the genetic mutation that causes Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation, interferes with the "pruning" of nerve connections in the brain.
Human working memory is based on dynamic interaction networks in the brain
A new study sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms sustaining memory traces of visual stimuli in the human brain. The results show that the maintenance of working memory is associated with synchronization of neurons, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain. On the basis of interaction between the brain areas, it was even possible to predict the subject's individual working memory capacity.
Gene linked to schizophrenia: New clues to disorder
An international study suggests that gene mutations may predispose some individuals to schizophrenia and provides new clues about the causes of this ambiguous disorder. The findings demonstrate that new mutations in the SHANK3 gene are found in schizophrenic patients.
Imaging study discovers brain development differences in kids with fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is the most common known cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism. Now, researchers using advanced, noninvasive imaging techniques have shown how the brains of very young boys with fragile X syndrome differ from those of young boys without it, providing critical information for the development of treatments for the condition.
Gastrointestinal problems common in children with autism
Gastrointestinal symptoms occur in nearly half of children with autism spectrum disorders, and the prevalence increases as children get older.
Study adds to evidence that autism has genetic basis
Although there is no known cause of autism, studies have shown that mutations in several genes are associated with the developmental brain disorder. New research has uncovered two additional genes that may be involved with autism.
Sleep disturbances associated with behavior problems in children with autism
Reports have suggested that sleep problems in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are associated with challenging daytime behaviors. A new study on a large group of youths with ASD confirms these reports and will support the development of treatments for sleep disturbances as a way to improve behavior, according to researchers.
Treatment plan for children with autism often includes complementary therapies
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming a popular treatment for a variety of conditions, with national data showing it is used by about 12 percent of children. New research shows that about 21 percent of youths enrolled in a large registry of children on the autism spectrum use CAM as part of their overall treatment plan.
Children with autism frequently receive psychotropic medications
A new study shows that use of psychotropic medications is common among children with ASD, with 27 percent of those enrolled in the network registry receiving at least one medication to manage their behavior. The most common reasons for medication use were hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, irritability and attentional concerns.
Leading text on autism to be translated into Hindi
One of the world’s most respected texts on autism -- 'Parents’ Education as Autism Therapists' -- is to be translated into Hindi and published in India. Currently over one million people in India are thought to be affected by the condition.
Extremely preterm children are three times as likely to have psychiatric disorder
Significant advances in the neonatal intensive care have resulted in increased survival rates of children who are born at less than 26 weeks of gestation, so termed "extremely preterm children." Notably, however, improved survival rates have been accompanied by a higher risk for later cognitive, neuromotor, and sensory impairments in these children.
New insights into the implications of autism onset patterns
New study results show that when and how autism symptoms appear in the first three years of life has vital implications to a child's developmental, diagnostic, and educational outcomes.
Dual approach gives a more accurate picture of the autistic brain
A new study, the first of its kind, combines two complementary analytical brain imaging techniques, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the neuroanatomy of the autistic brain.
Uncommon eye injury in autistic children has common cause
The presence of metallic foreign bodies in the eye is an uncommon injury in children, so much so that two children with autism presenting with this injury led to detective work by two physicians that found the common cause. They discovered that therapeutic swings, commonly used for patients with autism-spectrum disorders, were shedding metallic particles directly into the eyes of the children.
First direct recording made of mirror neurons in human brain
For the first time, researchers have made the first direct recording of mirror neurons in the living human brain, thus providing definitive proof of their existence. Mirror neurons fire not only when we perform a particular action, but also when we watch someone else perform that same action, and if defective, are thought to play a role in autism.
When social fear is missing, so are racial stereotypes, shows study of children with Williams syndrome
Children with the genetic condition known as Williams syndrome have unusually friendly natures because they lack the sense of fear that the rest of us feel in many social situations. Now, a study suggests that children with Williams Syndrome are missing something else the rest of us have from a very tender age: the proclivity to stereotype others based on their race.
Children with autistic traits remain undiagnosed
There has been a major increase in the incidence of autism over the last twenty years. While people have differing opinions as to why this is, there are still many children who have autistic traits that are never diagnosed clinically. Therefore, they do not receive the support they need through educational or health services.
Social influence plays role in surging autism diagnoses, study finds
Researchers find that children living near a child who has been previously diagnosed with autism have a much higher chance of being diagnosed themselves in the following year. The increased likelihood of being diagnosed is not due to environmental factors or contagious agents, the study found. Rather, it is due mainly to parents learning about autism from other parents who have a child diagnosed with the disorder.
New treatment for social problems in autism? Oxytocin improves emotion recognition
In a new study, Australian researchers recruited adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and administered a single dose each of oxytocin and placebo via a nasal spray, received one week apart. Compared to administration of the placebo spray, the subjects' performance on a facial expression task that measures emotion recognition was improved when they received the oxytocin spray.
New survey finds grandparents play key role in lives of children with autism
The Interactive Autism Network, the nation's largest online autism research project, has announced results of the Grandparents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Survey. The research report demonstrates the substantial impact having a grandchild on the spectrum has on grandparents' lives, as well as the contributions they make through early detection -- which is crucial to early diagnosis and intervention -- child care, and financial support.
Autism susceptibility genes identified
Two genes have been associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in a new study of 661 families. Researchers found that variations in the genes for two brain proteins, LRRN3 and LRRTM3, were significantly associated with susceptibility to ASD.
Human brain becomes tuned to voices and emotional tone of voice during infancy
New research finds that the brains of infants as young as seven months old demonstrate a sensitivity to the human voice and to emotions communicated through the voice that is remarkably similar to what is observed in the brains of adults. The study probes the origins of voice processing in the human brain and may provide important insight into neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Better genetic test for autism? Chromosomal microarray analysis picks up more abnormalities than current tests
A large study from Children's Hospital Boston and the Boston-based Autism Consortium finds that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis, has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) than standard tests.
Loss of enzyme reduces neural activity in Angelman syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by mental retardation and a high frequency of autism. Researchers have now found that the gene mutation underlying AS appears to affect the ability of neurons to communicate and to properly develop during the first few years of life, a time when brain activity is "rewired" by external stimuli.
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Vital new clue into how the brain is wired
Scientists have uncovered a vital clue into how the brain is wired, which could eventually steer research into nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease and cognitive disorders including autism.
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ScienceDaily Behavior News
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Psychologists develop two potent new predictors of suicide risk
Two powerful new tests developed by psychologists show great promise in predicting patients' risk of attempting suicide. The work may help clinicians overcome their reliance on self-reporting by at-risk individuals, information that often proves misleading when suicidal patients wish to hide their intentions.
Children of older women appear vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
The presence and severity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are influenced by factors beyond alcohol consumption, such as maternal age. New findings have shown that the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.
Apathy and depression predict progression from mild cognitive impairment
A new study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual's progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
New analysis may help clarify the role of craving in addiction
Psychologists have shown that behavioral economic analysis may lead to an improved understanding of craving for alcohol and other drugs. This method of studying how craving alters the way a person values a drug is fairly new, but according to the study, it may well help assess cravings more accurately and contribute to identifying more effective ways to defeat addictions.
Smoking mind over smoking matter: Surprising new study shows cigarette cravings result from habit, not addiction
The intensity of cravings for cigarettes has more to do with the psychosocial element of smoking than with the physiological effects of nicotine as an addictive chemical, according to a new study by an Israeli scientist. He hopes this research will help clinicians and health authorities develop more successful smoking cessation programs than those utilizing expensive nicotine patches or gum.
Who is likely to become a bully, victim or both? New research shows poor problem-solving increases risk for all
Children and adolescents who lack social problem-solving skills are more at risk of becoming bullies, victims or both than those who don't have these difficulties, according to new research. But those who are also having academic troubles are even likelier to become bullies.
Therapist competence matters -- and more for some patients than others
While studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for depression, it has still not been clear the role therapists' training and expertise plays in making treatment successful. A new study finds that depressed patients show more symptom improvement when their therapists more competently follow the guidelines for delivering cognitive therapy.
Memory problems not the only predictor of later mild cognitive impairment
Researchers have found that lower, though not necessarily impaired, performance on tests measuring story learning or retention and processing speed in motor tasks dependent on visual control, as well as symptoms of depression, predicted subsequent cognitive decline in a normal population.
Teenage physical activity reduces risk of cognitive impairment in later life
Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important.
Psychological research conducted in 'WEIRD' nations may not apply to global populations
A new study says that an overreliance on research subjects from the US and other Western nations can produce false claims about human psychology and behavior because their psychological tendencies are highly unusual compared to the global population.
Piglets open doors to study infant brain development
Events occurring during the development of an infant's brain can leave behind fingerprints. And researchers are interested in learning how these fingerprints can predict future behavioral problems such as cognitive deficits, anxiety disorders, depression and even autism. New research shows that the baby pig may provide some answers.
Parkinson's patients' 'risky behavior' explained
Scientists have explained Parkinson's patients' risky behavior, a rare side effect of standard treatments for the disease. The finding has implications for future medication of patients.
Antioxidants may help prevent malaria complicaton that leads to learning impairment
Using an experimental mouse model for malaria, scientists have discovered that adding antioxidant therapy to traditional antimalarial treatment may prevent long-lasting cognitive impairment in cerebral malaria.
Internet dependence and gambling addiction are not linked, study finds
A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling. However, both addictive behaviors are associated with psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
New therapy to overcome body dysmorphic disorder
People coping with body dysmorphic disorder seek out in particular plastic surgeons, orthodontists and aesthetic professionals to alleviate their suffering: "However, what they really need is psychological support and assistance," says one expert.
Brief psychological therapy is effective in primary care, study finds
Brief therapy at the GP's surgery can effectively treat anxiety and depression. Researchers found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was effective for treating anxiety disorders, while CBT, problem solving therapy and counseling were all equally effective in treating depression and mixed anxiety and depression.
Creating a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
A new study has created a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Researchers selected 22 of 547 neuropsychological variables for analysis based on their ability to distinguish children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) from unexposed children. Results suggest that executive functioning and spatial processing are especially sensitive in children with suspected or known PAE.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: Serotonin system influences vulnerability and treatment
There is a great deal of interest in factors that contribute to the vulnerability to developing post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. One factor that appears to contribute to the heritable vulnerability to PTSD is a variation in the gene that codes for the serotonin transporter, also known as the serotonin uptake site.
Teen boys who attempted suicide more like to abuse partners as adults, study finds
Young men who attempt suicide before age 18 are much more likely as adults to be aggressive toward their girlfriends or wives, including hitting and injuring their partners, according to a new study.
Apple juice improves behavior but not cognition in Alzheimer's patients, study finds
Apple juice can be a useful supplement for calming the declining moods that are part of the normal progression of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
Significant positive outcomes found following behavioral therapy for depression
Depression is one of the most common forms of psychiatric disorder. It can occur at any time of life and it may affect children and adolescents as well as the elderly. However, depression can usually be suitably managed with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy. Researchers have now been able to demonstrate both the efficacy and the extent of the beneficial effect of routine psychotherapeutic treatment for depression.
Biologists isolate genes that regulate the sleep-feeding conflict: New insights into how brain chooses between critical survival behaviors
A team of biologists has isolated genes that regulate the sleep-feeding conflict. The study offers new insights into how the brain chooses between behaviors that are critical for survival.
Poor health? Easier for some to blame bad genes than change lifestyle
Does knowing that genes are partly responsible for your health condition mean you are less likely to be motivated to find out about the benefits of behavioral changes? Those with the greatest need to change their behaviors are more likely to favor genetic explanations for diseases and the more behavioral risk factors they have, the less likely they are to be interested in behavior change information.
Frontal cortex dysfunction may contribute to compulsive sexual behavior, study suggests
Sex "addiction" is a concept that has had particularly high visibility recently with the publicity associated with Tiger Woods. Persons with addictive or compulsive disorders frequently display an inability to inhibit behaviors once they become maladaptive, despite adverse consequences of their behavior. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a brain region involved in decision-making and behavioral flexibility, and it has been identified as a potential mediator of behavioral inhibition.
New psychological intervention program shows promise in helping those with bowel diseases
A new cognitive-behavioral, skills-based treatment intervention program developed and tested by psychologists shows promise of reducing physical symptoms and increasing adaptive coping strategies in people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Strangers influence our dating preferences
Many people think they have discriminating tastes when it comes to romance. A new study found that men and women are greatly influenced by what their friends and strangers think of their potential fling or partner.
New intervention to reduce self-stigma among persons with serious mental illness
A new intervention was found to reduce the self-stigma and improve the quality of life and self-esteem among persons with serious mental illness.
Adolescent brains biologically wired to engage in risky behavior, study finds
There are biological motivations behind the stereotypically poor decisions and risky behavior associated with adolescence, psychologists reveal.
More choline for pregnant, nursing women could reduce Down syndrome dysfunction, guard against dementia
More choline during pregnancy and nursing could provide lasting cognitive and emotional benefits to people with Down syndrome. The work indicated greater maternal levels of the essential nutrient also could protect against neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Epilepsy surgery can have beneficial effect on memory, research suggests
Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy run the risk of gradual deterioration in their cognitive abilities. Surgical treatment generally puts an end to seizures but can have a negative effect on memory. However, there is no further deterioration in memory, and some patients may even recover some of their memory capacity, new research from Sweden reveals.
Will we succeed? The science of self-motivation
Can you help you? Recent research has shown that those who ask themselves whether they will perform a task generally do better than those who tell themselves that they will.
New cause of cognitive decline in aging population discovered in nerve cell specializations
Researchers have found that certain types of specializations on nerve cells called "spines" are depleted as a person ages, causing cognitive decline in the part of the brain that mediates the highest levels of learning. These spines receive an important class of synapses that are involved with the process of learning.
Canine aggression and genetic control
The control of different behaviors is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. A new study throws light on interesting connections between canine aggression and genes that are involved in neurotransmission in the brain.
Switching medications and continuing treatment could help teens with severe depression, study suggests
More than one-third of teenagers with treatment-resistant depression -- many of whom had been depressed for more than two years -- became symptom-free six months after switching their medication or combining a medicine switch with cognitive behavioral therapy during a multicenter study.
Smoking cessation treatments work and are safe for people with severe mental illness
In a new study, researchers have determined that treatment for smoking dependence is as effective among people with severe mental illnesses as it is for the general population. Importantly, they also found that offering such treatments does not appear to cause deterioration in mental health.
Flexible treatment intervention associated with greater improvement in anxiety symptoms
An intervention in primary care settings that allowed a choice of cognitive behavior therapy, medication or both, along with computer-assisted treatment support for patients with common anxiety disorders, resulted in greater improvement in anxiety symptoms and functional disability compared to usual care, according to a new study.
Depression care program eliminates suicide
A unique program for patients with depression has resulted in two and a half years without a single suicide from Henry Ford's patient population. The program was created by the Behavioral Health Services division of Henry Ford Health System in 2001.
Popular autism diet does not demonstrate behavioral improvement
A popular belief that specific dietary changes can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly controlled study, which found that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.
Time to rethink causes, possible treatments of mental disorders, experts say
It is time to reassess mental disorders, recognizing that these are disorders of brain circuits likely caused by development processes, according to a new commentary.
Behavior therapy effective in reducing tics in children with Tourette syndrome, study finds
A multisite study has developed an effective, non-medication treatment for children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome and related tic disorders that shows improvement similar to that found in recent anti-tic medication studies.
Good results of bad habits? Research explains paradox
When people are under chronic stress, they tend to smoke, drink, use drugs and overeat to help cope with stress. These behaviors trigger a biological cascade that helps prevent depression, but they also contribute to a host of physical problems that eventually contribute to early death.
Web- and phone-based counseling work well to quit smoking with Chantix, study finds
A randomized trial compared three ways to deliver a behavioral smoking cessation program using varenicline (Chantix): by phone, Web, or both. Although phone counseling had greater treatment advantage for early cessation and appeared to increase medication adherence, abstinence outcomes did not differ at six months. The findings suggest the three programs are all effective treatment options when combined with varenicline.
Quality of child care linked to academic achievement: Behaviors persist into adolescence
Teens who were in high-quality child care settings as young children scored slightly higher on measures of academic and cognitive achievement and were slightly less likely to report acting-out behaviors than peers who were in lower-quality child care arrangements during their early years, according to the latest analysis of a long-running study.
Eureka! Neural evidence for sudden insight
A recent study provides intriguing information about the neural dynamics underlying behavioral changes associated with the development of new problem solving strategies. The research supports the idea of "a-ha" moments in the brain that are associated with sudden insight.
Changing thoughts key to battling even severe depression
Moderate to severely depressed clients showed greater improvement in cognitive therapy when therapists emphasized changing how they think rather than how they behave, new research has found.
Minorities face barriers to effective ADHD treatments, study contends
Several barriers prevent minority children with ADHD from receiving the most effective treatments, according to a new study.
Parkinson's disease treatments associated with compulsive behaviors
Pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating and other impulse control disorders appear to be more common among individuals taking dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.
Telephone therapy for depression? Study says yes
A trial shows professional counseling for depression may be just as effective over the phone as traditional face-to-face consultations.
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ScienceDaily Bipolar News
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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.
Children Of Older Fathers More Likely To Have Bipolar Disorder, New Report Finds
Older age among fathers may be associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder in their offspring, according to a new report.
Family Therapy Helps Relieve Depression Symptoms In Bipolar Teens
Family-focused therapy, when combined with medication, appears effective in stabilizing symptoms of depression among teens with bipolar disorder, according to a new report.
What Is Bipolar Depression?
Bipolar disorder is one of the most important psychiatric diseases, often associated with considerable treatment needs and tremendous social and occupational burden for both the individual and family (Pini et al., 2005). Previously also labeled manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is typically referred to as an episodic, yet lifelong and clinically severe mood (or affective) disorder.
Bipolar Disorder And Gene Abnormalities: Sodium, Calcium Imbalances Linked To Manic Depressive Episodes
A large genetic study of bipolar disorder has implicated machinery that balances levels of sodium and calcium in neurons. The disorder was associated with variation in two genes that make components of such ion channels. Although it's not yet known if or how the suspect genetic variation might affect the balance machinery, the results point to the possibility that bipolar disorder might stem, at least in part, from malfunction of ion channels.
Using Genetics To Improve Traditional Psychiatric Diagnoses
Psychiatry has begun the laborious effort of preparing the DSM-V, the new iteration of its diagnostic manual. In so doing, it once again wrestles with the task set by Carl Linnaeus, to "cleave nature at its joints." However, these "joints," the boundaries between psychiatric disorders, such as that between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are far from clear. We now know that symptoms of bipolar disorder may be seen in patients with schizophrenia and the reverse is true, as well.
Poor Sleep Linked To Suicidal Behavior Among Children And Adolescents With Depressive Episodes
A new study finds a link between poor sleep and suicidal behavior among children and adolescents with depressive episodes. Poor sleep was more frequent among those with pediatric bipolar disorder and pediatric unipolar disorder, and this was clearly detected by the presence of initial insomnia and sleep maintenance insomnia.
Family Traits Provide Clues To Genes For Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
It is important to identify the endophenotypes -- traits associated with a clinical disorder -- that can serve as a roadmap for detecting disease-related genes. That is why researchers are studying families to detect relatives who are carriers of the genes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, even though these individuals don't have the diseases themselves.
Increased Risk Of Smoking, Substance Abuse In Bipolar Adolescents Confirmed
A new study supports previous reports that adolescents with bipolar disorder are at increased risk for smoking and substance abuse. The article also indicates that bipolar-associated risk is independent of the risk conferred by other disorders affecting study participants.
Is Bipolar Disorder Overdiagnosed?
Fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview -- the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.
Benefits Of Omega-3s Still Unclear For Bipolar Disorder
Despite intriguing findings that omega-3 fatty acid supplements could alleviate depression symptoms, there is still not enough evidence to say whether omega-3s are useful treatments for people with bipolar disorder, according to a review of recent studies. Nevertheless, omega-3s deserve further study, since they seem to have no serious side effects and most experts recommend the supplements for people with heart disease and some immune disorders, said the authors.
Incidence, Precursors And Psychiatric Sequelae Of Major Psychiatric Disorders Revealed
An analysis of NESARC's Wave 2 identifies predictors of first episodes of DSM-IV substance, mood and anxiety disorders. One-year incidence was highest for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Incidence was significantly greater among men for most substance use disorders, greater among women for most mood and anxiety disorders, decreased among Blacks for alcohol abuse, and decreased among Hispanics for GAD. Age was related inversely to all disorders.
Bipolar Disorder: Manic Mouse Made With One Gene Missing
Bipolar Disorder (BPD or manic-depressive illness) is one of the most serious of all mental disorders, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Affected individuals alternate between states of deep depression and mania. Now, a mouse model of the disease has been developed. Researchers found that the glutamate receptor 6 (GluR6) gene is associated with bipolar disorder. Mice that were missing the GluR6 gene underwent a series of tests designed to approximate the symptoms of mania. These mice showed many of the symptoms of mania, including hyperactivity, aggressiveness, driven or increased goal-directed pursuits, risk-taking, and super-sensitivity to amphetamine. The researchers also found that treating the mice with lithium -- the classic treatment for bipolar disorder -- reduced these symptoms.
Tamoxifen May Help Treat Mania In Patients With Bipolar Disorder
A small, three-week trial of tamoxifen, a drug typically used to treat breast cancer, indicates that it also may decrease symptoms of mania in patients with bipolar disorder, according to a new article.
Chemical Signature Of Manic Depression Discovered
People with manic depression have a distinct chemical signature in their brains, according to a new study. The research may also indicate how the mood stabilizers used to treat the disorder counteract the changes in the brain that it appears to cause. Manic depression, which is also known as bipolar disorder, is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterised by alternating mania and depression, affecting about one in every hundred people worldwide.
Bright Light Therapy Eases Bipolar Depression For Some
Bright light therapy can ease bipolar depression in some patients, a new study has found. Women with bipolar depression were given light boxes and instructed on how to use them at home. Using the light boxes daily for two-week stretches of 15, 30 and 45 minutes, some patients responded extremely well to the light therapy and their symptoms of depression disappeared.
Brain Differences Identified In Adolescents With Mental Illness
Puberty may have an impact on areas of the brain that contribute to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in youth, according to a new study.
Stable Sleep Patterns And Regular Routines May Improve Outcomes In Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depressive disorder, is highly influenced by the circadian system -- the body's internal clock -- and a specific kind of psychotherapy may help decrease irregularities in the circadian system that can trigger key symptoms of bipolar disorder, according to a new study.
Facial Expressions Have Greater Impact On Kids With Bipolar Disorder
Children with bipolar disorder respond differently to facial expressions than typically developing children without psychiatric disorders, according to a new study. Children with bipolar disorder also demonstrated reduced memory for emotional faces as compared to children without bipolar disorder -- particularly with "fearful" faces.
Asthma Linked To Depressive Disorders, Study Suggests
Young people with asthma are about twice as likely to suffer from depressive and anxiety disorders than are children without asthma, according to a new study. Previous research had suggested a possible link in young people between asthma and some mental health problems, but this study is the first showing such a strong connection.
Manic Phase Of Bipolar Disorder Benefits From Breast Cancer Medication
The manic phase of bipolar disorder favors destructive behaviors. Stemming it quickly is important. Tamoxifen's effects were dramatic -- 63 percent of patients responded vs. 13 percent on placebo -- and it kicked in faster than many current medications. Tamoxifen skips some of current drugs' biochemical steps and acts directly on the enzyme protein-kinase C, giving scientists a more direct target at which to aim new medications in their search for faster-acting treatments.
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ScienceDaily Brain Injury News
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New pathway to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases
Researchers have uncovered new clues about the cause of brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases.
No safe level: First study to show teenage binge drinkers harm abilities in later life
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory.
New class of drugs for epileptic seizures?
A chemical compound that boosts the action of a molecule normally produced in the brain may provide the starting point for a new line of therapies for the treatment of epileptic seizures, according to a new study.
Memory's master switch: Molecular power behind memory discovered
A new study describes GABA, a natural molecule that occurs in the brain, which could be the main factor in regulating how many new memories we can generate. The understanding of these mechanisms might lead to the development of new memory enhancers and new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Children with brain injuries have problems with story-telling, study suggests
Children with brain injuries have difficulty developing story-telling skills even though other language abilities, such as vocabulary, tend to catch up with other children as they mature, new research shows.
Irradiating stem cell niche doubles survival in brain cancer patients
Patients with deadly glioblastomas who received high doses of radiation that hit a portion of the brain that harbors neural stem cells had double the progression-free survival time as patients who had lower doses or no radiation targeting the area, a study has found.
Parkinson's: New clues to alleviating gait disorders and falls
Drugs that target the mediator of nerve cell communication dopamine alleviate many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease but not the gait disorders and falls that affect those with severe disease. New research indicates that drugs targeting nerve cells that communicate using the molecule acetylcholine in the PPN region of the brain might provide a way to alleviate these otherwise untreatable symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Starve a cancer: Calorie restriction as an anti-invasive therapy for malignant brain cancer
Researchers have found that reducing calorie intake can restrict the growth and spread of brain cancer.
Natural substance NT-020 aids aging brains in rats, study finds
Researchers found that a combination of nutrients called NT-020 promoted adult neural stem cell proliferation in aged rats and boosted their memory and spatial navigation performance. They tested two groups of aged laboratory rats; one group received NT-020 and a control group did not. In the NT-020 treated group, neurogenesis increased and researchers concluded that the NT-020 treated group had fewer activated inflammatory brain cells and an increase in stem cells.
Soldiers with brain injuries at higher risk of epilepsy decades later, study finds
Soldiers who receive traumatic brain injuries during war may be at a higher risk of epilepsy even decades after the brain injury occurred, according to new research.
Cultured brain cells taught to keep time
Scientists have tested whether networks of brain cells kept alive in culture could be "trained" to keep time. The findings suggest that networks of brain cells can learn to generate simple timed intervals.
How technology may improve treatment for children with brain cancer
A new study shows that children with brain tumors who undergo radiation therapy (the application of X-rays to kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors) may benefit from a technique known as "intensity modulated arc therapy" or IMAT.
New principle discovered for how muscle pain is signaled
Chronic muscular pain may be linked to a previously unknown principle for how pain signals are transmitted in the human body, according to new research from Sweden.
Skin cells could help discover cause of Parkinson's disease
Researchers are applying new stem cell technology to use skin samples to grow the brain cells thought to be responsible for the onset of Parkinson's disease.
Problematic blood clotting contributes to Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's disease has long been studied primarily as a disease of neurons. But researchers have now shown how the disease may be damaging the brain by choking off blood flow. Scientists have revealed that amyloid-beta, which builds up around brain cells in Alzheimer's patients, interacts with a common blood clotting agent to increase clotting in the arteries that feed the brain. Such activity could cut off blood flow to neurons, suffocating them over time.
Finding may pave way for new treatments for muscle wasting diseases
Scientists have discovered a mechanism that muscles use to regulate the nerves which control them. They believe their finding could yield new ideas for treating symptoms of motor neuron disease - a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative condition that leads to muscle weakness and wasting - and other neuromuscular conditions.
Whisker stimulation prevents strokes in rats; Stimulating fingers, lips and face may also work in humans
Talk about surviving by a whisker. The most common type of stroke can be completely prevented in rats by stimulating a single whisker, according to a new study. In people, stimulating the fingers, lips or face in general could all have a similar effect, researchers suggest.
Larger head size may protect against Alzheimer's symptoms
New research shows that people with Alzheimer's disease who have large heads have better memory and thinking skills than those with the disease who have smaller heads, even when they have the same amount of brain cell death due to the disease.
Eating foods rich in vitamin E associated with lower dementia risk
Consuming more vitamin E through the diet appears to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
New method helps nerves grow after trauma or injury
Scientists have discovered a way to enhance nerve regeneration in the peripheral nervous system. The finding could lead to new treatments for nerve damage caused by diabetes or traumatic injuries. Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to the body, and without them, there is no movement or sensation. Peripheral nerve damage is common and often irreversible.
New guideline: MRI better than CT scans at diagnosing stroke
Doctors should use a diffusion MRI scan to diagnose stroke instead of a CT scan, according to a new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology.
Marijuana derivative could be useful for pain treatment
A new compound similar to the active component of marijuana (cannabis) might provide effective pain relief without the mental and physical side effects of cannabis, according to a new study.
Rhythm of life: Music shows potential in stroke rehabilitation
Music therapy provided by trained music therapists may help to improve movement in stroke patients, according to a new review. A few small trials also suggest a wider role for music in recovery from brain injury.
Best tests for predicting Alzheimer's disease identified
New research has identified the memory and brain scan tests that appear to predict best whether a person with cognitive problems might develop Alzheimer's disease.
Searching for causes of neural disconnection in schizophrenia
Dendritic spines act as hubs for communication between nerve cells. Reductions in spines may contribute to a lack of coordination in activity between brain regions. This structural abnormality is particularly relevant in schizophrenia, where pyramidal neurons located in layer 3, the principal cell type receiving communication from other brain regions, have fewer dendritic spines.
'Butterfly effect' in the brain makes the brain intrinsically unreliable
Next time your brain plays tricks on you, you have an excuse: according to new research, the brain is intrinsically unreliable.
Understanding how folic acid might help heal brain and spinal cord injuries
Babies born to women who do not consume enough folic acid are at high risk of developing neural tube defects. This is the reason underlying the recommendation that women who are pregnant take a folic acid supplement. New research using rodents now suggests how folic acid might also help promote healing in injured brain and spinal cord.
Pacemaker for your brain: Brain-to-computer chip revolutionizes neurological therapy
Researchers in Israel are delving deep into human behavior, neurophysiology and engineering to create a chip that can help doctors wire computer applications and sensors to the brain. The chip will provide deep brain stimulation precisely where and when it's needed.
Antioxidants may help prevent malaria complicaton that leads to learning impairment
Using an experimental mouse model for malaria, scientists have discovered that adding antioxidant therapy to traditional antimalarial treatment may prevent long-lasting cognitive impairment in cerebral malaria.
Tool manipulation is represented similarly in the brains of the blind and the sighted
Blind people think about manipulating tools in the same regions of the brain as do people who can see, according to a new study. The researchers say this adds to evidence that the brain has a fairly defined organization, while still being able to adapt to unusual conditions, such as not having any vision.
Brain stimulation technique boosts language ability in Alzheimer's patients
A brain stimulation technique, known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, boosts the language ability of patients with Alzheimer's disease, suggests preliminary research.
New metric predicts language recovery following stroke
A team of researchers has developed a method to predict post-stroke recovery of language by measuring the initial severity of impairment. Being able to predict recovery has important implications for stroke survivors and their families, as they plan for short and long-term treatment needs.
Imaging reveals how brain fails to tune out phantom sounds of tinnitus
About 40 million people in the US today suffer from tinnitus, an irritating and sometimes debilitating auditory disorder in which a person "hears" sounds, such as ringing, that don't actually exist. There isn't a cure for what has long been a mysterious ailment, but new research suggests there may, someday, be a way to alleviate the sensation of this sound.
Brain structure corresponds to personality
Personalities come in all kinds. Now psychological scientists have found that the size of different parts of people's brains correspond to their personalities.
New guideline helps determine brain death in adults
In an effort to create a uniform and accurate method for determining brain death, the American Academy of Neurology has issued an updated guideline that provides doctors with a step-by-step process for determining brain death in adults.
Stroke recovery goes 3-D: Canadian video game takes rehab to the next level
Montreal researchers' innovative use of virtual reality to tap into the power of brain plasticity is emerging as a major technique in brain recovery for stroke patients.
Ethical and cost-effective strategy for managing MRI incidental findings
The increasing number of incidental findings in brain imaging can be managed ethically and cost-effectively by screening study participants based on gender, age and family history, according to researchers.
Damage to the frontal cortex of the brain affects ability to react quickly to a stimulus
Researchers have demonstrated that patients who have damage to the right prefrontal cortex of the brain present a deficit in intentional anticipation (for example, when we put the vehicle in gear before the traffic light turns green).
Can mental activity protect against memory problems in multiple sclerosis?
A new study shows that a mentally active lifestyle may protect against the memory and learning problems that often occur in multiple sclerosis.
Antibodies involved in nerve repair in injuries, researchers find
Antibodies -- proteins the immune system makes to defend the body against invading pathogens -- have a gentler side nobody knew about until now: They function not only as soldiers but also as nurses. Researchers now think antibodies' absence in the central nervous system may be a key part of the reason why nerve damage there doesn't get naturally repaired in humans. That insight could lead to new treatments for stroke and spinal-cord trauma.
Targeted molecules play only minor role in axon repair; Discovery underscores difficulties in developing regenerative spinal cord injury therapies
Neuroscientists have found that removing three key inhibitory molecules from myelin -- the insulating material that surrounds nerve cell fibers -- does not significantly boost the ability of injured spinal axons to regenerate and restore themselves to full function.
Astrocytes affect brain's information signaling, research finds
Astrocytes are the most common type of cell in the brain and play an important role in the function of neurons -- nerve cells. New research from Sweden shows that they are also directly involved in the regulation of signaling between neurons.
Tiny insect brains capable of huge feats
Insects may have tiny brains the size of a pinhead, but the latest research from Australia shows just how clever they really are.
How mutations in presenilin gene cause early onset Alzheimer's disease
Researchers have discovered how mutations in the presenilin 1 gene cause early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The finding opens the door to developing novel treatments for this form of the mind-robbing disease and for the more common, late-onset form that develops later in life and affects millions of people worldwide.
Mechanism links abnormal blood clots with Alzheimer's disease
New research suggests that abnormalities in the process of blood clot formation may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The study advances our understanding of the link between vascular pathology and AD and proposes a new therapeutic strategy aimed at slowing cognitive decline.
Vacuum cleaner sucks up strokes
A clot vacuum cleaner that sucks out stroke-producing blockages from blood vessels in the brain may sound like science fiction. But this potentially paradigm-shifting procedure may successfully salvage brain cells for more than just the first three hours following a major stroke, with fewer risks.
Protein lets brain repair damage from multiple sclerosis, other disorders
A protein that helps build the brain in infants and children may aid efforts to restore damage from multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, researchers have found.
Getting a grip on stroke treatment: New device may provide safer way to treat third leading cause of death in U.S.
When someone suffers a stroke, time is critical -- more than a million brain cells die each minute, starved of nourishment due to critical damage in a cerebral blood vessel. Now, researchers have developed a new tool for efficiently removing blood clots in the brain, the leading cause of strokes. The tool overcomes limitations in current emergency stroke treatments, potentially extending the time for a victim to get help.
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ScienceDaily Caregiving News
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New pathway to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases
Researchers have uncovered new clues about the cause of brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases.
New links between cholesterol and depression in the elderly
Most people know that high cholesterol levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Prior research has shown that particular types of strokes contribute to one’s risk for depression, and that abnormal blood lipid levels can increase the risk of depression in the elderly. However, new findings by French researchers suggest the link between increased cholesterol and depression may be complicated.
Parkinson's: New clues to alleviating gait disorders and falls
Drugs that target the mediator of nerve cell communication dopamine alleviate many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease but not the gait disorders and falls that affect those with severe disease. New research indicates that drugs targeting nerve cells that communicate using the molecule acetylcholine in the PPN region of the brain might provide a way to alleviate these otherwise untreatable symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Cannibinoids offer novel treatment for pain in sickle cell disease, study suggests
Researchers have discovered that cannibinoids offer a novel approach to ease the chronic and acute pain caused by sickle cell disease.
Afraid of a broken heart? Feeling insecure in relationships may predispose people to later cardiovascular problems, says research
People who feel insecure about their attachments to others might be at higher risk for cardiovascular problems than those who feel secure in their relationships, according to a new study.
Guided Care improves physician satisfaction with patient/family communications, study finds
Physicians who provided Guided Care, a primary care enhancement program for patients with multiple chronic conditions, reported higher levels of satisfaction with their patient/family communications and their knowledge of their patients' clinical characteristics. The researchers found that Guided Care physicians were significantly more satisfied with patient/family communications than physicians who provide usual care. Guided Care physicians were also significantly more satisfied with their knowledge of their patients' clinical characteristics.
Stroke risk temporarily increases for an hour after drinking alcohol, study finds
The risk for stroke doubles in the hour after drinking beer, wine or liquor, according to a small study. Researchers note, however, that moderate alcohol consumption (less than two drinks a day) appears to be protective over the long-term which may outweigh this temporary rise in immediate risk.
Skin cells could help discover cause of Parkinson's disease
Researchers are applying new stem cell technology to use skin samples to grow the brain cells thought to be responsible for the onset of Parkinson's disease.
Obesity harms women's memory and brain function, study finds
The more an older woman weighs, the worse her memory, according to new research. The effect is more pronounced in women who carry excess weight around their hips, known as pear shapes, than women who carry it around their waists, called apple shapes. The study of post-menopausal women is the first in the US to link obesity to poorer memory in women and to identify the body shape connection.
Whisker stimulation prevents strokes in rats; Stimulating fingers, lips and face may also work in humans
Talk about surviving by a whisker. The most common type of stroke can be completely prevented in rats by stimulating a single whisker, according to a new study. In people, stimulating the fingers, lips or face in general could all have a similar effect, researchers suggest.
Vitamin D levels associated with Parkinson's disease risk
Individuals with higher levels of vitamin D appear to have a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.
Parkinson’s patients more likely to stick with certain ‘add-on’ drugs
Of the three main types of oral drugs commonly added to levodopa therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, one might be the most effective, according to a new review.
Help is on the phone: Reducing pain and depression of cancer
Pain and depression associated with cancer -- symptoms often unrecognized and undertreated -- can be significantly reduced through centralized telephone-based care management coupled with automated symptom monitoring, according to researchers.
Diversity of grieving among Alzheimer's caregivers
New research reveals racial and ethnic differences in the emotional attitudes of caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients.
New guideline: MRI better than CT scans at diagnosing stroke
Doctors should use a diffusion MRI scan to diagnose stroke instead of a CT scan, according to a new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology.
Rhythm of life: Music shows potential in stroke rehabilitation
Music therapy provided by trained music therapists may help to improve movement in stroke patients, according to a new review. A few small trials also suggest a wider role for music in recovery from brain injury.
Best tests for predicting Alzheimer's disease identified
New research has identified the memory and brain scan tests that appear to predict best whether a person with cognitive problems might develop Alzheimer's disease.
Attitudes, beliefs and health literacy impact how patients manage chronic lower-back pain
In a new study, a group of Australian researchers investigating the relevance of health literacy in patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) found that LBP-related beliefs and behaviors affect a person's disability more than pain intensity or a standard measure of functional health literacy. However, when delving deeper into aspects of health literacy, important factors were identified which might help to explain disability associated with CLBP.
Heart patients with anxiety disorder experience more cardiovascular events, deaths
Among patients with heart disease, anxiety disorders appear to be associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and death, according to a new study.
Stroke complications may subtract additional two years of healthy life
Stroke complications may deprive patients of about two years of healthy life, in addition to three years of healthy life lost due to the stroke, according to a South Korean study. A combined measure of potential life years and function lost can impact public health decisions, researchers said. However, it's unclear if the findings can be applied to other populations.
Spinal cord stimulation may benefit Parkinson's patients
Spinal cord stimulation may be able to modulate Parkinson's disease symptoms, recent research suggests.
Migraine sufferers who experienced childhood abuse have greater risk of cardiovascular disease, study finds
Migraine sufferers who experienced abuse and neglect as children have a greater risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease including stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) among others, say scientists.
Alzheimer's Disease: Some Cells More Prone to Death
Scientists have discovered that hyperploid neurons, which have greater than the normal number of chromosomes, are more prone to cell death in Alzheimer's disease.
Antihypertensive drugs may protect against Alzheimer's disease
Researchers have found that the drug carvedilol, currently prescribed for the treatment of hypertension, may lessen the degenerative impact of Alzheimer's disease and promote healthy memory functions.
New metric predicts language recovery following stroke
A team of researchers has developed a method to predict post-stroke recovery of language by measuring the initial severity of impairment. Being able to predict recovery has important implications for stroke survivors and their families, as they plan for short and long-term treatment needs.
Caring for an elderly, sick spouse sometimes has positive elements
Although long-term care of sick or disabled loved ones is widely recognized as a threat to the caregiver's health and quality of life, a new study finds that in some contexts, helping valued loved ones may promote the well being of helpers.
Tests help predict falls in Parkinson's disease
A group of tests may help predict which people with Parkinson's disease are more likely to fall, according to a new study.
Stigma of migraine is significant; worse for those with chronic migraine
Researchers looking for the first time at how migraine sufferers experience the stigmatizing effects of their disease show that chronic migraine sufferers experience worse stigma than episodic migraine sufferers and more than those with other neurological diseases including stroke, epilepsy and MS.
Stroke recovery goes 3-D: Canadian video game takes rehab to the next level
Montreal researchers' innovative use of virtual reality to tap into the power of brain plasticity is emerging as a major technique in brain recovery for stroke patients.
Can Alzheimer's disease be prevented?
Although effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease has been slow to emerge, there has been substantial progress in identifying AD risk factors and developing treatments that might delay or prevent onset of the disease. In a special issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers report on key findings that point towards possible significant interventions.
Apple juice improves behavior but not cognition in Alzheimer's patients, study finds
Apple juice can be a useful supplement for calming the declining moods that are part of the normal progression of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
Long-term study links chronic insomnia to increased risk of death
The adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was three times higher in people with chronic insomnia (HR = 3.0) than in people without insomnia. When examining individual subtypes of insomnia, the risk of death was elevated, regardless of which subtype people reported. The risk of death was two to three times higher in individuals with one of the four insomnia subtypes. The study involved 2,242 participants.
Genes and pesticide exposure interact to increase men's risk for Parkinson's disease
Genetic mutations and workplace exposure to some insecticides together appear to be associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease among men, according to a new study.
Molecular imaging detects first signs of Alzheimer's disease
Research is furthering efforts to use molecular imaging as a means of early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are striving to detect the disease as early as possible by imaging the formation of a naturally-occurring protein in the brain called beta-amyloid, which is thought to be closely linked to disease onset.
Vacuum cleaner sucks up strokes
A clot vacuum cleaner that sucks out stroke-producing blockages from blood vessels in the brain may sound like science fiction. But this potentially paradigm-shifting procedure may successfully salvage brain cells for more than just the first three hours following a major stroke, with fewer risks.
Getting a grip on stroke treatment: New device may provide safer way to treat third leading cause of death in U.S.
When someone suffers a stroke, time is critical -- more than a million brain cells die each minute, starved of nourishment due to critical damage in a cerebral blood vessel. Now, researchers have developed a new tool for efficiently removing blood clots in the brain, the leading cause of strokes. The tool overcomes limitations in current emergency stroke treatments, potentially extending the time for a victim to get help.
Community-based health promotion program reduces rates of heart disease and stroke
A community-based health promotion program delivered by peer volunteers is the recipient of the Canadian Stroke Congress Co-Chairs' Award for Impact. Program significantly reduces heart disease and stroke in seniors and points to importance of blood pressure reduction measures.
Under 50? Silent duo could put you at risk for a big stroke
Silent or covert strokes in young adults with first-ever ischemic stroke are associated with recurrent stroke.
Cost of caring for stroke patients double that of earlier estimates
Care in first six months post stroke in Canada soars to more than $2.5 billion annually according to new study. The direct and indirect health-care costs for new stroke patients tally an average $50,000 in the six-month period following a new stroke.
Why does feeling low hurt? Depressed mood increases the perception of pain
When it comes to pain, the two competing schools of thought are that it's either "all in your head" or "all in your body." A new study led by University of Oxford researchers indicates that, instead, pain is an amalgam of the two.
Non-intense physical activity to reduce depression and boost recovery of stroke patients
Physical activity -- the prescription for depression in stroke patients? Non-intense physical activity can play key role in reducing depression and boosting the recovery of stroke patients.
Daughters caring for a parent recovering from stroke more prone to depression than sons
Daughters caring for a parent recovering from stroke are more prone to depression than sons, according to new research. Strained relationships before or following the stroke increases depression in daughters.
Stroke prevention study in children with sickle cell anemia, iron overload stopped early
Researchers have stopped a clinical trial evaluating a new approach to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke in children with sickle cell anemia and iron overload because of evidence that the new treatment was unlikely to prove better than the existing treatment.
Special care plan does not slow decline in patients with Alzheimer's, study finds
A special dementia care plan, involving regular assessments of patients with Alzheimer's disease in specialist memory clinics, does not slow functional decline compared with usual care, a new study finds.
Low-dose HRT patches carry less risk of stroke than tablets, study says
Hormone replacement therapy skin patches containing low doses of estrogen carry less risk of stroke than oral therapy and may represent a safer alternative to tablets, a new study suggests.
Meditation reduces the emotional impact of pain, study finds
People who meditate regularly find pain less unpleasant because their brains anticipate the pain less, a new study has found.
Synthetic peptide may regenerate brain tissue in stroke victims
A synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide promoted the creation of new blood vessels and repaired damaged nerve cells in lab animals, according to researchers.
Changing 'channels' to eliminate chronic pain: Researcher maps drug target to wipe pain away
Researchers are developing new computer-derived models of drugs that might affect chronic pain -- such as pain from backaches, sore limbs and arthritis -- which are targeted for calcium channels.
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ScienceDailiy Child Development News
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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.
Abusive mothers improve parenting after in-home training, emotional support of therapists
Each year, US child welfare agencies log more than 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect. Many services aim to address child abuse but there's very little scientific data about whether the services actually work, say psychologists. A new study finds that women in families reported previously for child abuse improved their parenting after intensive, weekly, in-home, hands-on training by mental health service providers.
Even in good communities, roaming teens a recipe for violence
Even in better neighborhoods, parents should be wary about letting teens gather with nothing to do and with no adult supervision, a new study suggests. In a long-term study of Chicago neighborhoods, researchers found that informal teen gatherings significantly increased the likelihood of violent behavior by the adolescents.
Children with brain injuries have problems with story-telling, study suggests
Children with brain injuries have difficulty developing story-telling skills even though other language abilities, such as vocabulary, tend to catch up with other children as they mature, new research shows.
Plentiful maternal affection in early infancy boosts adult coping skills, study finds
Moms who shower their infants with affection equip them to cope well with life stressors as adults, new research finds.
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them, survey finds
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely.
Confident teachers help preschoolers more with language and literacy skills
New research suggests that pre-school students may gain more language and literacy skills if they have teachers with higher levels of confidence in their abilities. However, in some cases students only saw gains when their teachers also had classrooms that emphasized emotional support for the children.
One-size-fits-all approach to child custody can endanger moms and kids
Child custody evaluators' beliefs generally fall into two categories, and one group is far more likely to prioritize safety for women and children when making custody decisions. Researchers would like to see standardized and mandated training that would teach custody evaluators how to discriminate between types of violence because different kinds of violence require different interventions.
Neurological process for the recognition of letters and numbers explained
How does the brain link the visual basic traits of letters and numbers to abstract representations and to words? Scientists have analyzed the influence of context on the visual recognition of a written word regardless of the format in which these letters may be displayed.
Heart bypass for uncomplicated heart surgery does not reduce neurocognitive function in children, study finds
School-aged children who undergo cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery for less complicated congenital heart defects do not appear to suffer any impairments in neurocognitive abilities, such as intelligence, memory, motor skills and behavior, according to a new study. Pediatric researchers studied children aged 5-18 who received surgery for acyanotic heart defects. Researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, in a study in the August issue of Pediatrics, reported on neuropsychological effects after surgery for acyanotic heart defects.
Mental health woes grow while spending declines, study finds
As the current global economic crisis drives up the demand for mental health-care services, cash-strapped agencies are slashing mental health budgets, according to a new study.
Academic language impedes students' ability to learn science, expert argues
Middle and high school students who read fluently in English class and on the Web may find that they cannot understand their science texts. And their science teachers may be ill-prepared to guide them in reading the academic language in which science information is presented. A professor of education and expert on language and literacy development makes the case that students need to be taught academic language to learn science and other subjects.
Autism has unique vocal signature, new technology reveals
New technology could fundamentally change the study of language development as well as the screening for autism spectrum disorders and language delay.
Adults recall negative events less accurately than children, study finds
Emotions -- particularly those provoked by negative events -- can cause distorted, inaccurate memories, but less often in children than in adults, according to a new study.
Family feud: US parents more likely to have conflict with adult children than European parents
Tolstoy wrote that every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, and a new study finds significant national differences in the degree of conflict between older parents and their adult children.
Parents and physicians should share decisions in sex development disorder surgery, study suggests
A shared decision-making process would assist doctors and parents who are facing the extraordinarily complex, challenging and controversial choices presented when infants are born with genetic or anatomical anomalies in sexual development and are being considered for elective corrective surgery, a new research paper suggests.
Once a delinquent, always a delinquent? Not necessarily
Children who come in conflict with the law early on in life do not necessarily become long-term criminals thereafter, according to a child delinquency study by researchers in Germany.
Genetic link to children’s emotional problems precipitated by bullying
Bullying victimization is common among children of school age, although its consequences are often anything but benign. The recent death of a Massachusetts teen by suicide prompted state lawmakers to pass one of the most far-reaching anti-bullying laws within the U.S. Whether such legislative actions result in measurable decreases in physical or emotional distress among school peers remains to be seen, but a team of researchers have discovered a genetic variation that moderates whether victims of bullying will go on to develop emotional problems.
Family chats can help students learn, especially in richer countries, study shows
Taking the time to talk to your children about current events like the Gulf Oil spill -- and using mathematical terms to do so -- can help students develop better reasoning and math skills and perform better in school, according to a new study.
Children of older women appear vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
The presence and severity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are influenced by factors beyond alcohol consumption, such as maternal age. New findings have shown that the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.
How music training primes nervous system and boosts learning
A data-driven review pulls together converging research from the scientific literature linking musical training to learning that spills over to skills including language, speech, memory, attention and even vocal emotion. The science covered comes from labs all over the world, from scientists of varying scientific philosophies, using a wide range of research methods.
Children's school performance tied to family 'type'
The way a family interacts can have more of an impact on a child's predicted school success than reading, writing or arithmetic, according to a new study.
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.
Brain training reverses age-related cognitive decline
Specialized brain training targeted at the regions of a rat's brain that process sound reversed many aspects of normal, age-related cognitive decline and improved the health of the brain cells, according to a new study.
HIV testing for children must be improved
National HIV programs should recognize that HIV testing and counseling systems designed for adults do not meet the needs of children.
Genders of alcohol-dependent parents and children influence psychopathology in the children
The children of alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals have a greater risk of developing a psychiatric illness. New findings indicate that gender of AD parents and the gender of their children interact to influence the nature and extent of psychopathology in the children. This influence appeared strongest in the female parent-female child pairing.
Essential ingredients of supportive sibling relationships
Many moms and dads say the toughest part of parenting is keeping the peace when their kids squabble and bicker. But making an end to conflict your primary focus is a mistake, according to experts.
Studies explore effects of war on former child soldiers
Two studies found that how child soldiers adapt upon returning home depends on the communities they return to. The first study, of 150 former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, found that children who lived in communities where they felt accepted were less depressed and more confident. The second study, of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers, found that the most resilient children were those who returned to less violent communities and better family socioeconomic situations.
Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11
Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates.
Behavior problems in school linked to two types of families
Contrary to Leo Tolstoy's famous observation that "happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," a new psychology study confirms that unhappy families, in fact, are unhappy in two distinct ways. And these dual patterns of unhealthy family relationships lead to a host of specific difficulties for children during their early school years.
Hurricane Katrina's effects on children: Resilience and gender
Two studies examining stress in children affected by Hurricane Katrina found that stress responses were influenced by various factors. The first study, of 400 mostly white students, found that while many children were stress-resistant and lacked psychological problems three years after the hurricane, more than 25 percent of the children still had significant trauma symptoms after three years. The second study, looking at 60 mostly African-American teens, found distinct patterns of stress responses based on gender.
Person's language may influence how he or she thinks about other people
The language a person speaks may influence his or her thoughts, according to a new study on Israeli Arabs who speak both Arabic and Hebrew fluently. The study found that Israeli Arabs' positive associations with their own people are weaker when they are tested in Hebrew than when they are tested in Arabic.
Children and teens with Tourette syndrome find relief with self-hypnosis
A new study of children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome finds that self-hypnosis taught with the aid of videotape training reduced their symptoms and improved their quality of life. Seventy-nine percent of 33 research participants achieved enough improvement in tic control to report personal satisfaction with the technique.
Baby brain growth mirrors changes from apes to humans
A study undertaken to help scientists concerned with abnormal brain development in premature babies has serendipitously revealed evolution's imprint on the human brain. Scientists found that the human brain regions that grow the most during infancy and childhood are nearly identical to the brain regions with the most changes when human brains are compared to those of apes and monkeys.
New intervention program promotes healthy dietary choices during infancy
New research shows that teaching first-time mothers to feed their babies "responsively" promotes higher acceptance of vegetables and novel foods by their infants.
Simple two-question survey can better identify hungry children
Asking parents just two simple screening questions could help health care providers and social workers to easily identify families whose young children are suffering from hunger, enabling early interventions that could prevent serious health consequences, according to a new study.
Making the invisible visible: Verbal cues enhance visual detection
Cognitive psychologists have shown that an image displayed too quickly to be seen by an observer can be detected if the participant first hears the name of the object.
Simple tools help parents understand a child's risk of obesity, make positive changes
Researchers have confirmed previous reports that parents of overweight or obese children do not recognize their child's weight problem. But this time, by arming pediatricians with a "toolkit," an easily used chart and a series of questions and suggestions, the researchers addressed several problems.
Moms' favoritism tied to depression in adulthood
Whether mom's golden child or her black sheep, siblings who sense that their mother consistently favors or rejects one child over others are more likely to show depressive symptoms as middle-aged adults, finds a new study.
One in five preschool children in the U. S. demonstrates mental health issues when entering kindergarten
Social competence and behavior problems that are evident at kindergarten and first grade are known to be strong predictors of a child's academic and social functioning. However, new findings suggest that psychosocial risk factors can be identified even earlier and can be observed during the transition from preschool to formal schooling.
Chemical makes brain cells grow, thwarts mental decline in aging rats
Scientists have discovered a compound that restores the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. The research has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective compound, called P7C3, holds promise because of its medication-friendly properties. It can be taken orally, has long-lasting effects, and is safely tolerated by mice.
A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens
Happier youths are also healthier youths, according to new research. Adolescents' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, could be more important than their anxiety or depression levels for predicting their physical health, they argue.
Delayed school start time associated with improvements in adolescent behaviors
A short delay in school start time appears to be associated with significant improvements in adolescent alertness, mood and health, according to a new study.
Bilingualism associated with brain reorganization involving better efficiency in executive functions, research finds
Researchers in Spain report that bilinguals are faster and more efficient in certain tasks in which executive functions are used due to a different form of cerebral control.
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.
Many English speakers cannot understand basic grammar
Research into grammar suggests that a significant proportion of native English speakers are unable to understand some basic sentences. The findings - which undermine the assumption that all speakers have a core ability to use grammatical cues - could have significant implications for education, communication and linguistic theory.
Abused children appear likely to have mental disorders as young adults
Abuse and neglect during childhood appear to be associated with increased rates of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders among young adults, according to a new study.
Childhood malnutrition could weaken brain function in elderly
Malnutrition early in life appears to diminish brain function in older adulthood, according to a new study that has implications for many poor, developing nations.
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ScienceDaily Child Psychology News
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To make one happy, make one busy
A new study found that people who have something to do, even something pointless, are happier than people who sit idly.
Worse mental health associated with worse pain in osteoarthritis
How much pain osteoarthritis sufferers feel is directly related to their mental health, a new study has found. In the study, people with better mental health felt less pain, and people with worse mental health felt more.
Nearly one in five Californians report need for mental health services, study finds
A comprehensive new study of mental health status and use of mental health services in California found that nearly 1 in 5 adults in California, about 4.9 million persons, said they needed help for a mental or emotional health problem. Additionally, approximately 1 in 25, or over one million Californians, reported symptoms associated with serious psychological distress, which includes the most serious diagnosable mental health disorders.
Body mass index at age 17 within the normal range can predict future risk for hypertension in later life
How might teenage boys and girls with normal blood pressure might progress into becoming young adults with hypertension? Boys are three to four times more likely to develop hypertension as young adults and the higher the blood pressure value, even within the normal range, the higher is the risk for becoming hypertensive adults, according to new research.
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.
Abusive mothers improve parenting after in-home training, emotional support of therapists
Each year, US child welfare agencies log more than 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect. Many services aim to address child abuse but there's very little scientific data about whether the services actually work, say psychologists. A new study finds that women in families reported previously for child abuse improved their parenting after intensive, weekly, in-home, hands-on training by mental health service providers.
Even in good communities, roaming teens a recipe for violence
Even in better neighborhoods, parents should be wary about letting teens gather with nothing to do and with no adult supervision, a new study suggests. In a long-term study of Chicago neighborhoods, researchers found that informal teen gatherings significantly increased the likelihood of violent behavior by the adolescents.
Children with brain injuries have problems with story-telling, study suggests
Children with brain injuries have difficulty developing story-telling skills even though other language abilities, such as vocabulary, tend to catch up with other children as they mature, new research shows.
Plentiful maternal affection in early infancy boosts adult coping skills, study finds
Moms who shower their infants with affection equip them to cope well with life stressors as adults, new research finds.
Elder Care Puts Strain on Adult Parent-Child Relationship
Relationships between elder and younger members of a family can be strained and positive and negative in nature, even when affection is shared. A new study finds that long-term caretaking duties puts further strain on adult parent-child relationships.
Use of decision-aid program increases safety for women experiencing abuse, researchers find
Intimate partner violence results in two million injuries among women in the US each year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Researchers are reducing these numbers with a new Web-based program that helps women experiencing abuse develop individualized safety plans and better assess the severity of their situations.
Study finds 63% of women report sexual problems, with orgasm proving biggest issue in teens and 20s
Almost two-thirds of females attending a general urology practice said they suffered from sexual dysfunction. Dysfunction rose with age in all categories except orgasm, with 54% of women aged from 18 to 30 reporting orgasm problems, significantly higher than women aged 31 to 45 (43%) and women aged 46 to 54 (48%). Researchers asked 587 women aged from 18 to 95, attending a urology clinic in New Jersey, USA, about six key areas of female sexual dysfunction (FSD): lack of desire, arousal issues, lack of lubrication, problems achieving orgasm, lack of satisfaction and pain during intercourse. They found that that 63% suffered from FSD and that there were significant links between FSD and age, menopausal status and use of selective antidepressants.
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them, survey finds
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely.
Exposure to early evening sunlight in spring creates teenage night owls
In the spring, later sunset and extended daylight exposure delay bedtimes in teenagers, according to new research.
The healing effects of forests
Forests -- and other natural, green settings -- can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness. Forest visits may also strengthen our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.
Confident teachers help preschoolers more with language and literacy skills
New research suggests that pre-school students may gain more language and literacy skills if they have teachers with higher levels of confidence in their abilities. However, in some cases students only saw gains when their teachers also had classrooms that emphasized emotional support for the children.
One-size-fits-all approach to child custody can endanger moms and kids
Child custody evaluators' beliefs generally fall into two categories, and one group is far more likely to prioritize safety for women and children when making custody decisions. Researchers would like to see standardized and mandated training that would teach custody evaluators how to discriminate between types of violence because different kinds of violence require different interventions.
Heart bypass for uncomplicated heart surgery does not reduce neurocognitive function in children, study finds
School-aged children who undergo cardiopulmonary bypass during surgery for less complicated congenital heart defects do not appear to suffer any impairments in neurocognitive abilities, such as intelligence, memory, motor skills and behavior, according to a new study. Pediatric researchers studied children aged 5-18 who received surgery for acyanotic heart defects. Researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, in a study in the August issue of Pediatrics, reported on neuropsychological effects after surgery for acyanotic heart defects.
Mental health woes grow while spending declines, study finds
As the current global economic crisis drives up the demand for mental health-care services, cash-strapped agencies are slashing mental health budgets, according to a new study.
Autism has unique vocal signature, new technology reveals
New technology could fundamentally change the study of language development as well as the screening for autism spectrum disorders and language delay.
Adults recall negative events less accurately than children, study finds
Emotions -- particularly those provoked by negative events -- can cause distorted, inaccurate memories, but less often in children than in adults, according to a new study.
Link between childhood physical abuse and heart disease
Childhood physical abuse is associated with significantly elevated rates of heart disease in adulthood, according to new findings.
Malicious use of pharmaceuticals: An under-recognized form of child abuse
Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the US. The American Academy of Pediatrics and US Department of Health and Human Services classify child abuse into four categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. None of these categories clearly includes the abusive use of drugs on children. A new study investigates the malicious use of pharmaceuticals and attempts to shed light on this under-recognized problem.
Family feud: US parents more likely to have conflict with adult children than European parents
Tolstoy wrote that every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, and a new study finds significant national differences in the degree of conflict between older parents and their adult children.
Parents and physicians should share decisions in sex development disorder surgery, study suggests
A shared decision-making process would assist doctors and parents who are facing the extraordinarily complex, challenging and controversial choices presented when infants are born with genetic or anatomical anomalies in sexual development and are being considered for elective corrective surgery, a new research paper suggests.
Once a delinquent, always a delinquent? Not necessarily
Children who come in conflict with the law early on in life do not necessarily become long-term criminals thereafter, according to a child delinquency study by researchers in Germany.
Genetic link to children’s emotional problems precipitated by bullying
Bullying victimization is common among children of school age, although its consequences are often anything but benign. The recent death of a Massachusetts teen by suicide prompted state lawmakers to pass one of the most far-reaching anti-bullying laws within the U.S. Whether such legislative actions result in measurable decreases in physical or emotional distress among school peers remains to be seen, but a team of researchers have discovered a genetic variation that moderates whether victims of bullying will go on to develop emotional problems.
Summer reading is key to maintaining or improving students' reading skills
Researchers have completed a three-year study showing a significantly higher level of reading achievement in students who received books for summer reading at home.
Marriage patterns drive fertility decline
Researchers have applied an evolutionary "use it or lose it" principle when studying past marriage patterns, to show that marriage can influence the evolution of age-patterns of fertility.
Family chats can help students learn, especially in richer countries, study shows
Taking the time to talk to your children about current events like the Gulf Oil spill -- and using mathematical terms to do so -- can help students develop better reasoning and math skills and perform better in school, according to a new study.
Children of older women appear vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
The presence and severity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are influenced by factors beyond alcohol consumption, such as maternal age. New findings have shown that the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.
Practice makes perfect? Consumers overestimate their ability to learn prior to purchase
Consumers give up on using products because they underestimate their learning abilities, according to a new study.
Children's school performance tied to family 'type'
The way a family interacts can have more of an impact on a child's predicted school success than reading, writing or arithmetic, according to a new study.
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.
Brain training reverses age-related cognitive decline
Specialized brain training targeted at the regions of a rat's brain that process sound reversed many aspects of normal, age-related cognitive decline and improved the health of the brain cells, according to a new study.
Combatting maternal HIV transmission in Eastern Rwanda collaboratively
Researchers show how the Rwanda Learning Collaborative on Child Health sought to increase access to and the quality of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS services in the Eastern Province of Rwanda using a learning collaborative model.
HIV testing for children must be improved
National HIV programs should recognize that HIV testing and counseling systems designed for adults do not meet the needs of children.
Genders of alcohol-dependent parents and children influence psychopathology in the children
The children of alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals have a greater risk of developing a psychiatric illness. New findings indicate that gender of AD parents and the gender of their children interact to influence the nature and extent of psychopathology in the children. This influence appeared strongest in the female parent-female child pairing.
Point-of-sale advertising major cause of teen smoking, study shows
Researchers report that teens' exposure to cigarette advertising at retail outlets substantially increases the odds they will start smoking. According to the findings, students who visited these stores on a regular basis were at least twice as likely to try smoking as those who visited infrequently.
How technology may improve treatment for children with brain cancer
A new study shows that children with brain tumors who undergo radiation therapy (the application of X-rays to kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors) may benefit from a technique known as "intensity modulated arc therapy" or IMAT.
Socioeconomic status not associated with access to cochlear implants, study finds
Poor children with hearing loss appear to have equal access to cochlear implantation, but have more complications and worse compliance with follow-up regimens than children with higher socioeconomic status, according to a new study.
New study challenges stereotypes of adolescent sex offenders
Adolescent sex offenders are often stereotyped and treated as socially inept, but new research negates this image, finding that they are more likely to be characterized by atypical sexual interests -- such as desire for prepubescent children, coercive sex with peers and adults, and exposing their genitals to strangers. Adolescent sex offenders are also more likely to have a history of sexual abuse themselves, been exposed to sexual violence in their families, and experienced early exposure to sex or pornography.
Essential ingredients of supportive sibling relationships
Many moms and dads say the toughest part of parenting is keeping the peace when their kids squabble and bicker. But making an end to conflict your primary focus is a mistake, according to experts.
The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count
Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to sociologists.
Studies explore effects of war on former child soldiers
Two studies found that how child soldiers adapt upon returning home depends on the communities they return to. The first study, of 150 former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, found that children who lived in communities where they felt accepted were less depressed and more confident. The second study, of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers, found that the most resilient children were those who returned to less violent communities and better family socioeconomic situations.
Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11
Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates.
Sri Lankan children affected by war, tsunami, daily stressors
Two studies on Sri Lankan children affected by trauma found that both daily stressors and traumatic events contribute to children's psychological health. The first study, of 400 adolescents who survived the 2004 tsunami, found that poverty and family violence were major sources of continuing stress. The second study, of 1,400 children affected by both the tsunami and civil war, focused on the cumulative effect of multiple stressors on children's later functioning.
Behavior problems in school linked to two types of families
Contrary to Leo Tolstoy's famous observation that "happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," a new psychology study confirms that unhappy families, in fact, are unhappy in two distinct ways. And these dual patterns of unhealthy family relationships lead to a host of specific difficulties for children during their early school years.
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ScienceDaily Dentisty News
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Novel cause for genetic tooth decay
New research implicates a novel peptide in impaired dentin mineralization in rickets. Rickets, the softening of bones in children, is often caused by vitamin D deficiency due to severe malnutrition. Rickets is one of the most frequent childhood diseases in developing countries and is associated with severe bone deformities, including dental ailments due to impaired dentin mineralization.
Gene may hold key to reducing spread of oral cancers
The spread of cancer cells in the tongue may be reduced if a gene that regulates cancer cell migration can be controlled, according to new research.
Quitting smoking may minimize harmful bacteria and replenish healthy bacteria
Patients with chronic gum disease who quit smoking in addition to undergoing nonsurgical therapy not only demonstrated a lower abundance of harmful oral pathogens, but also an increase in health-associated bacteria.
Tea may contain more fluoride than once thought, research shows
Black tea, a Southern staple and the world's most consumed beverage, may contain higher concentrations of fluoride than previously thought, which could pose problems for the heaviest tea drinkers, researchers say.
Dental researchers discover human beta defensin-3 ignites in oral cancer growth
Detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages can save the lives of the nearly 40,500 people diagnosed annually. But early detection has been difficult. Researchers discovered a biomarker, called human beta defensin-3, which may serve as an early warning. The defensin is present in all oral cancers and associated with the early stages of oral cancer.
One in four Californian children have never seen a dentist, study finds
A new study reveals that in California, nearly 25 percent of children in the state have never seen a dentist and that disparities exist across race, ethnicity, and type of insurance when it comes to the duration between dental care visits.
Nano-sized advance toward next big treatment era in dentistry
Scientists are reporting an advance toward the next big treatment revolution in dentistry -- the era in which root canal therapy brings diseased teeth back to life, rather than leaving a "non-vital" or dead tooth in the mouth. Researchers now describe a first-of-its-kind, nano-sized dental film that shows early promise for achieving this long-sought goal.
How to rapidly assess children's tooth decay risk
Researchers have determined that ATP-driven (adenosine triphosphate-driven) bioluminescence -- a way of measuring visible light generated from ATP contained in bacteria -- is an innovative tool for rapidly assessing in children at the chair-side the number of oral bacteria and amount of plaque that can ultimately lead to tooth decay.
Teeth of cadavers reveal their identity
Researchers in Spain have shown that a person's dental patterns can be used as proof of their identity with the same degree of reliability as DNA testing, the method that forensic police use to reveal the identity of dead bodies. The researchers came to their conclusion after analyzing the dental patterns of more than 3,000 people.
New therapy to overcome body dysmorphic disorder
People coping with body dysmorphic disorder seek out in particular plastic surgeons, orthodontists and aesthetic professionals to alleviate their suffering: "However, what they really need is psychological support and assistance," says one expert.
Tray bleaching may improve oral health of elderly, special-needs patients
A tooth-bleaching agent may improve the oral health of elderly and special-needs patients, say dentists.
Amniotic membrane used to repair human articular cartilage
Spanish scientists have proposed using human amniotic membrane as a new tool for repairing damaged human articular cartilage, which heals very poorly because of its low capacity for self-repair. Their research shows that the cellular density of the cartilage synthesized could be greater than that of the body's own natural cartilage.
Decay of baby teeth may be linked to obesity, poor food choices, study suggests
Preschool children with tooth decay may be more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population and, regardless of weight, are more likely to consume too many calories, a new study indicates.
Children with special needs are at increased risk for oral disease
At the beginning of 2010, as many as 17 percent of children in the United States were reported as having special health care needs. Behavioral issues, developmental disorders, cognitive disorders, genetic disorders and systemic diseases may increase a child's risk of developing oral disease.
New evidence that smokeless tobacco damages DNA and key enzymes
Far from having adverse effects limited to the mouth, smokeless tobacco affects the normal function of a key family of enzymes found in almost every organ in the body, according to a new study. The enzymes play important roles in production of hormones; production of cholesterol and vitamin D; and help the body breakdown prescription drugs and potentially toxic substances. Smokeless tobacco also damages genetic material in the liver, kidney and lungs.
Dental pulp cells for stem cell banking
Defined sets of factors can reprogram human cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. However, many types of human cells are not easily accessible to minimally invasive procedures. Researchers have now report that dental pulp cells are an optimal source of iPS cells, since they are easily obtained from extracted teeth and can be expanded under simple culture conditions.
Putting teeth into forensic science
In a large natural disaster, such as the Haitian earthquake earlier this year, or in an unsolved homicide case, knowing the birth date of an individual can guide forensic investigators to the correct identity among a large number of possible victims. Researchers are also looking at victim's teeth to determine how old they are at the time of death.
Leaded gasoline predominant source of lead exposure in latter 20th century
Leaded gasoline was responsible for about two-thirds of toxic lead that African-American children in Cleveland ingested or inhaled during the latter two-thirds of the 20th century, according to a new study.
Tongue measurements may help dentists determine oral appliance therapy success for sleep apnea
The ratio between tongue volume and bony enclosure size in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may help dentists calculate oral appliance treatment success.
Nasendoscopy proves useful in predicting treatment success in sleep apnea patients
Japan-based research shows that nasendoscopy may help dentists predict oral appliance therapy success in sleep apnea patients.
US dental schools leave graduates unprepared to screen for sleep disorders, study suggests
The majority of US dental schools have not adequately prepared their graduates to screen for sleep disorders, which affect more than 70 million adults in the US, according to new research.
Patients' skin, dental problems often misunderstood by care providers
Problems patients experience due to dental or skin conditions are often differently perceived by care providers, according to a new European study.
Little-known mouth fluid may lead to test for gum disease
A little-known fluid produced in tiny amounts in the gums, those tough pink tissues that hold the teeth in place, has become a hot topic for scientists trying to develop an early, noninvasive test for gum disease, the No. 1 cause of tooth loss in adults. It's gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), produced at the rate of millionths of a quart per tooth.
If you don't brush your teeth twice a day, you're more likely to develop heart disease, study finds
Individuals who have poor oral hygiene have an increased risk of heart disease compared to those who brush their teeth twice a day, finds new research.
Mutant gum disease bacteria provide clue to treatment for Alzheimer's
A defective, mutant strain of the bacterium that causes gum disease could provide a clue to potential treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and a number of other diseases.
Grin and bear it: Texas dentists to test students' portable suction device
A group of university students has created a portable dental suction device, an inexpensive, battery-powered version of the vacuum system commonly used in dentists' offices to remove blood and saliva from a patient's mouth.
Some bisphosphonates users unfamiliar with drug's possible side effects on oral health
People undergoing bisphosphonate therapy to prevent or treat osteoporosis (a thinning of the bones) may be unfamiliar with the drug and possible adverse side effects on oral health, according to a new study.
Tissue engineering technique yields potential biological substitute for dental implants
A pioneering tissue engineering technique can orchestrate stem cells to migrate to a 3-D scaffold infused with growth factor, holding the translational potential to yield an anatomically correct tooth in as soon as nine weeks once implanted.
Toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer kills harmful germs, study finds
Toothpaste that contains triclosan/copolymer is better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing the kinds of bacteria that live in people's mouths, according to a new study.
Unhealthy patterns of innate oral bacteria may cause bad breath
It might not just be poor oral hygiene causing that bad breath say researchers from Japan. Unhealthy patterns of bacterial populations inherent to the mouth may also contribute to oral malodor.
Like parent, like child: Good oral health starts at home
Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to a new article.
Good oral health is essential during pregnancy
Despite the fact that good oral health is essential for the overall health of both mother and child during pregnancy, only 22-34 percent of women in the United States visit a dentist during pregnancy. In fact, dental care during pregnancy is not only safe and effective, it's essential for combating the adverse effects of oral disease, according to a new article.
Sniff of local anesthetic in the dentist's chair could replace the needle
Modern dentistry has eliminated much of the "ouch" from getting a shot of local anesthetic. Now a new discovery may replace the needle used to give local anesthetic in the dentist's chair for many procedures. The discovery could lead to a new generation of intranasal drugs for noninvasive treatment for dental pain, migraine, and other conditions.
New model for investigating tobacco/oral cancer link
Now, a recently completed study has shown that a powerful carcinogen in tobacco smoke can be used for oral cancer research in experimental animals, thus providing a new, more relevant research model with which to understand the initiation, progression, and, ultimately, the prevention of oral cancer.
Treatment of gum disease may lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes
Treatment of serious gum (periodontal) disease in diabetics with type 2 diabetes may lower their blood sugar levels, a new study suggests.
Susceptibility for caries, gum disease found in genes
Certain genetic variations may be linked to higher rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis, according to two new studies.
New emergency preparedness information available for dental offices
Best practices for managing medical emergencies in dental clinics have evolved over the past decade to account for advances in knowledge and the development of new medications and medical equipment. A clinician offers dental providers an updated emergency preparedness checklist and information on emergency medications and equipment.
Are periodontal disease and prostatitis linked?
Are prostate problems, which impact 8 percent of the population, associated with poor oral health? Researchers report initial results from a small sample that inflammation from gum disease and prostate problems just might be linked.
Oral bacteria linked to intrauterine infections and pre-term birth
Bacteria in the mouths of pregnant women can contribute to pre-term birth, according to researchers.
Drinking tap water may help you avoid dentist's drill, study says
The controlled addition of a fluoride compound to public water supplies is considered to be the most cost-effective way to prevent cavities and fight tooth decay, according to a new study.
Mouth breathing can cause major health problems
For some, the phrase "spring is in the air" is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called "mouth breathing." The physical, medical and social problems associated with mouth breathing are not recognized by most health care professionals, according to a new study.
Acupuncture calms highly anxious dental patients, study suggests
Acupuncture can calm highly anxious dental patients and ensure that they can be given the treatment they need, suggests a small study.
New animal model developed to study craniofacial pain by manipulating genes
Using a novel animal model to study craniofacial pain, researchers have discovered that when tissues are inflamed, the nerve cells carrying pain information from the head to the brain produce in large quantities a protein involved in pain signaling.
Formula for making teeth will soon be found, researchers say
Each cusp of our teeth is regulated by genes which carefully control the development. A similar genetic puzzle also regulates the differentiation of our other organs and of all living organisms. Scientists have developed a computer model reproducing population-level variation in complex structures like teeth and organs. The research takes a step towards the growing of correctly shaped teeth and other organs.
Powerful molecule regulator in blood pressure control system
Researchers have discovered that nitric oxide is a powerful regulator of a molecule that plays a critical role in the development and function of the nervous system. The finding could someday play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure, which affects about one in three adults in the United States.
Stress: Don't let it grind you down
People who are stressed by daily problems or trouble at work seem to be more likely to grind their teeth at night. Researchers studied the causes of "sleep bruxism," gnashing teeth during the night, finding that it was especially common in those who try to cope with stress by escaping from difficult situations.
Late baby teeth may mean more orthodontic visits: Genes associated with early tooth development identified
Several genes affect tooth development in the first year of life, according to a new study. The research shows that the teeth of babies with certain genetic variants tend to appear later and that these children have a lower number of teeth by age one. Additionally, those children whose teeth develop later are more likely to need orthodontic treatment.
Researchers find biomarkers in saliva for detection of early-stage pancreatic cancer
The genetic biomarkers of pancreatic cancer are present in human saliva, researchers report. The finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of this most lethal of human cancers. Early results suggest salivary diagnostics may prove superior to blood tests for the purpose of early detection.
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ScienceDaily Depression News
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Certain epilepsy drugs may increase risk of suicide, study suggests
While the Food and Drug Administration requires a warning of an increased risk of suicide for all epilepsy drugs, a new study shows that only certain drugs may increase the risk.
New links between cholesterol and depression in the elderly
Most people know that high cholesterol levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Prior research has shown that particular types of strokes contribute to one’s risk for depression, and that abnormal blood lipid levels can increase the risk of depression in the elderly. However, new findings by French researchers suggest the link between increased cholesterol and depression may be complicated.
The healing effects of forests
Forests -- and other natural, green settings -- can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness. Forest visits may also strengthen our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.
Mental health woes grow while spending declines, study finds
As the current global economic crisis drives up the demand for mental health-care services, cash-strapped agencies are slashing mental health budgets, according to a new study.
A blood test for depression?
Blood tests have been extremely important tools aiding doctors in making medical diagnoses and in guiding the treatment of many diseases. However, psychiatry is one area of medicine where there are few diagnostic blood tests. Dutch researchers evaluated blood gene expression profiles in healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, or MDD. They identified a set of seven genes in whole blood that was able to distinguish un-medicated MDD patients from healthy controls.
Genetic link to children’s emotional problems precipitated by bullying
Bullying victimization is common among children of school age, although its consequences are often anything but benign. The recent death of a Massachusetts teen by suicide prompted state lawmakers to pass one of the most far-reaching anti-bullying laws within the U.S. Whether such legislative actions result in measurable decreases in physical or emotional distress among school peers remains to be seen, but a team of researchers have discovered a genetic variation that moderates whether victims of bullying will go on to develop emotional problems.
Why does everything look gray when you feel blue?
Regardless of culture, language, era, or individual artist, the arts consistently depict depression using darkness. Scientific findings now lend empirical support to this representation of depression that everything looks gray when you feel blue. Researchers had previously shown that people with depression have difficulty detecting black-and-white contrast differences.
The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count
Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to sociologists.
Apathy and depression predict progression from mild cognitive impairment
A new study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual's progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11
Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates.
Health providers need to do more to understand and support lesbians who are overweight, experts urge
Lesbian patients who took part in a study on weight and heart disease were unhappy with health care professionals who focused on their body mass index rather than improving their general health. The study also reveals important generational attitudes to weight and a greater acceptance of different body shapes.
Hurricane Katrina's effects on children: Resilience and gender
Two studies examining stress in children affected by Hurricane Katrina found that stress responses were influenced by various factors. The first study, of 400 mostly white students, found that while many children were stress-resistant and lacked psychological problems three years after the hurricane, more than 25 percent of the children still had significant trauma symptoms after three years. The second study, looking at 60 mostly African-American teens, found distinct patterns of stress responses based on gender.
Depressed men with ED at risk for cardiovascular problems
A new study finds that the presence of depressive symptoms in men with erectile dysfunction constitutes a risk factor for a major cardiovascular event.
Help is on the phone: Reducing pain and depression of cancer
Pain and depression associated with cancer -- symptoms often unrecognized and undertreated -- can be significantly reduced through centralized telephone-based care management coupled with automated symptom monitoring, according to researchers.
Locker room talk: How male athletes portray female athletic trainers
A college quarterback coming into the locker room with a dislocated shoulder wouldn't care whether the athletic trainer taking care of him is male or female -- or would he? A study from North Carolina State University examining male football players' perceptions of female athletic trainers -- and their comfort level in being treated by females -- shows that the quarterback would most likely prefer a male, unless the dislocated shoulder made him depressed.
Sexual abuse survivors have increased of psychiatric disorders
New research finds that a history of sexual abuse, regardless of the victim's gender or age when the abuse occurred, correlates strongly with a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.
Pain, dry mouth may play role in sleep quality of head and neck cancer patients
Head and neck cancer patients who reported poor sleep quality one year after diagnosis had more symptoms of chronic pain and complaints of dry mouth related to radiation treatments, according to a recent study.
Honey bee venom may help design new treatments to alleviate muscular dystrophy, depression and dementia
Scientists researching a toxin extracted from the venom of the honey bee have used this to inform the design of new treatments to alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as muscular dystrophy, depression and dementia.
A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens
Happier youths are also healthier youths, according to new research. Adolescents' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, could be more important than their anxiety or depression levels for predicting their physical health, they argue.
Therapist competence matters -- and more for some patients than others
While studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for depression, it has still not been clear the role therapists' training and expertise plays in making treatment successful. A new study finds that depressed patients show more symptom improvement when their therapists more competently follow the guidelines for delivering cognitive therapy.
New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression
Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests.
Racism shapes African-American women's views on depression care
African-American women's beliefs about depression and depression care are consistently and systematically influenced by racism, according to a new study.
Competition is a double-edged sword for teenage girls
Is being competitive a good or a bad thing when you're a teenager? Well, a bit of both actually: competing to win is detrimental to girls' social relationships and was linked to higher levels of depression, whereas this was much less the case for boys. However, competing to excel is beneficial to the well-being of both genders, according to a new study.
Depression is a risk factor and not an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, study suggests
Researchers have found that depressive symptoms show little change during the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that depression is truly a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and not just an early sign of the disease.
Brain atrophy responsible for depression in people battling multiple sclerosis
Adding to all that ails people managing their multiple sclerosis (MS) is depression, which has a lifetime risk for MS sufferers as high as 50 percent. Now for the first time in living humans, researchers suggest atrophy of a specific region of the hippocampus, a critical part of the brain involved in mood and memory, among other functions, may be the cause.
Memory problems not the only predictor of later mild cognitive impairment
Researchers have found that lower, though not necessarily impaired, performance on tests measuring story learning or retention and processing speed in motor tasks dependent on visual control, as well as symptoms of depression, predicted subsequent cognitive decline in a normal population.
People with depression eat more chocolate, a mood food
Researchers have found that women and men eat more chocolate as depressive symptoms increase, suggesting an association between mood and chocolate.
Treating depression with Omega-3: Encouraging results from largest clinical study
The use of Omega-3 supplements is effective among patients with major depression who do not have anxiety disorders, according to a recent clinical study -- the largest ever conducted assessing Omega-3's efficacy in treating major depression.
Depressed mice could aid research on drug-resistant depression in humans
New research shows that a unique strain of laboratory mice has behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical characteristics that are similar to those of human patients with drug-resistant forms of depression. The mice -- which have a defect in a gene -- are expected to be useful as a new model organism in the effort to develop more effective medications for specific forms of depression.
Internet dependence and gambling addiction are not linked, study finds
A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling. However, both addictive behaviors are associated with psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness.
Brief psychological therapy is effective in primary care, study finds
Brief therapy at the GP's surgery can effectively treat anxiety and depression. Researchers found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was effective for treating anxiety disorders, while CBT, problem solving therapy and counseling were all equally effective in treating depression and mixed anxiety and depression.
Computer program detects depression in bloggers' texts
Researchers have developed a computer program capable of identifying language that can indicate a writer's psychological state, which could serve as a screening tool. The software was used to scan more than 300,000 English language blogs that were posted to mental health Web sites. The program identified what it perceived to be the 100 "most depressed" and 100 "least depressed" bloggers.
More than just baby blues: How postpartum depression arises and how it could be prevented
Within the first week after giving birth, up to 70 percent of all women experience symptoms of the baby blues. While most women recover quickly, up to 13 percent of all new mothers suffer from symptoms of a clinical-level postpartum depression.
Anxiety/panic disorder most frequent disabling comorbid disorder in Tourette syndrome patients, study finds
An assessment of patients with adult Tourette syndrome to identify clinical factors that contribute to psychosocial and occupational disabilities resulting from the vocal or motor tics that define TS found that anxiety/panic disorder may be the most disabling psychiatric condition associated with the disorder.
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.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: Serotonin system influences vulnerability and treatment
There is a great deal of interest in factors that contribute to the vulnerability to developing post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. One factor that appears to contribute to the heritable vulnerability to PTSD is a variation in the gene that codes for the serotonin transporter, also known as the serotonin uptake site.
Male desire to be strong and protect family key to preventing suicides, study finds
Masculine ideals of strength coupled with strong family ties can help men combat depression and overcome thoughts of suicide, according to new research.
Teen boys who attempted suicide more like to abuse partners as adults, study finds
Young men who attempt suicide before age 18 are much more likely as adults to be aggressive toward their girlfriends or wives, including hitting and injuring their partners, according to a new study.
Helping the brain's messengers get from A to B
In what has been hailed as a breakthrough, scientists have outlined the molecular mechanism of membrane transport. The research shows how a protein transforms its shape to transport substances across the cell membrane in order to regulate transmission of the brain's messages across the synaptic gap from one neuron to another.
Bright light therapy improves sleep disturbances in soldiers with combat PTSD, research finds
Bright light therapy has significant effects on sleep disturbances associated with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, according to new research.
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.
Link between depression, abdominal obesity confirmed by new study
A new study confirms the relationship between depression and abdominal obesity, which has been linked to an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Young men more vulnerable to relationship ups and downs than women
Contrary to popular belief, the ups and downs of romantic relationships have a greater effect on the mental health of young men than women.
High-school seniors with excessive daytime sleepiness have an increased risk of depression
High school seniors were three times more likely to have strong depression symptoms (odds ratio = 3.04) if they had excessive daytime sleepiness. Fifty-two percent of participants had excessive daytime sleepiness, 30 percent had strong depression symptoms and 32 percent had some symptoms of depression. Students reported a mean total sleep time on school nights of only 6.1 hours. The study involved 262 high-school seniors.
Significant positive outcomes found following behavioral therapy for depression
Depression is one of the most common forms of psychiatric disorder. It can occur at any time of life and it may affect children and adolescents as well as the elderly. However, depression can usually be suitably managed with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy. Researchers have now been able to demonstrate both the efficacy and the extent of the beneficial effect of routine psychotherapeutic treatment for depression.
Sleep problems are common in US soldiers returning from wartime deployment
Study shows that 86 percent of participants had sleep disturbances upon return from deployment and 45 days later even though the majority of them had no signs of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. Soldiers were more likely to have sleep disturbances if they had a personal history of sleep problems, symptoms of physical illness or mild traumatic brain injury. The study involved 58 US soldiers between the ages of 23 and 58 years.
Molecular link between diabetes and schizophrenia connects food and mood
Defects in insulin function -- which occur in diabetes and obesity -- could directly contribute to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. Researchers have discovered a molecular link between impaired insulin signaling in the brain and schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice. The findings offer a new perspective on the psychiatric and cognitive disorders that affect patients with diabetes and suggest new strategies for treating these conditions.
About one-tenth of soldiers returning from Iraq may be impaired by mental health problems, study finds
Between 8.5 percent and 14 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq report serious functional impairment due to either post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, according to a new study.
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ScienceDaily Diabetes News
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One molecule, many more insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes
With a single stimulatory molecule, human insulin-producing beta cell replication can be sustained for at least four weeks in a mouse model of diabetes, according to new research. Scientists also found several cocktails of molecules that drive human beta cells to replicate, as well as important differences between mouse and human beta cells that could influence how these approaches are best used to treat diabetes.
Mystery of healthy fat people: Why some obese people go on to become diabetic while others do not
It is common to find obese people – even morbidly obese people – who are healthier than their condition would normally allow. Working with subjects with a body mass index of about 56, a team of researchers investigated the inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways in the patients’ visceral adipose tissue.
Women with gestational diabetes have increased risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, study finds
There is an increased risk of recurring gestational diabetes in pregnant women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies, according to new study.
Diabetes care: Implanted glucose sensor works for more than a year in animal studies
Bioengineers have developed an implantable glucose sensor and wireless telemetry system that continuously monitors tissue glucose and transmits the information to an external receiver. A new article describes the use of this glucose-sensing device as an implant in animals for over one year. After human clinical trials and FDA approval, the device may be useful to people with diabetes as an alternative to finger sticking and short-term, needle-like glucose sensors that have to be replaced every three to seven days.
Just drop it: One-size-fits-all approach to blood sugar control, that is
Aggressive blood sugar control does not improve survival in diabetic patients with kidney failure, according to a new study. The results suggest that physicians should individualize blood sugar targets for these patients and not rely on recommendations based on studies in the general population.
Plant compound resveratrol shown to suppresses inflammation, free radicals in humans
Resveratrol, a popular plant extract shown to prolong life in yeast and lower animals due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, appears also to suppress inflammation in humans, based on results from the first prospective human trial of the extract.
Popular diabetes drugs associated with fractures in type 2 diabetic patients, study finds
Postmenopausal women with diabetes taking thiazolidinediones (TZDS), including rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, may be at increased risk for fractures, according to a new study. Men with diabetes taking both loop diuretics and TZDs may also be at increased risk of fractures.
Why fad diets work well for some, but not others
Using fruit flies, researchers have found that genes interacting with diet, rather than diet alone, are the main cause of variation in metabolic traits, such as body weight. This helps explain why some diets work better for some people than others, and suggests that future diets should be tailored to an individual's genes rather than to physical appearance.
Early predictors of metabolic syndrome in healthy 7-9 year-olds identified
New research finds evidence supporting relationships seen in adolescents between insulin sensitivity and fatty liver, belly fat, and total body fat and identifies additional potential early markers of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in healthy 7-9 year-olds, including fat in muscle cells, blood pressure, physical activity, and birth weight.
Experimental obesity drug avoids brain effects that troubled predecessors
A second-generation experimental anti-obesity and diabetes drug has shown promise in reducing body weight in rodents just as effectively as the predecessor rimonabant while avoiding the risk of psychiatric side effects that led to the withdrawal of rimonabant from the market and stopped further development of other brain-penetrating drugs of its type.
Inhibiting fatty acids in immune cells decreases atherosclerosis risk
Scientists have found a way to significantly reduce atherosclerosis in mice that does not involve lowering cholesterol levels or eliminating other obesity-related problems. They did it by interfering with production of a substance called fatty acid synthase, an enzyme that converts dietary sugars into fatty acids in the liver.
Excessive intake of omega 6 and deficiencies in omega 3 induce obesity down the generations
Chronic excess of linoleic acid (omega 6), coupled with a deficiency in alpha-linoleic acid (omega 3), can increase obesity down the generations. Researchers exposed several generations of male and female adult and young mice to a "Western-like" diet of this type, and then assessed the consequences of such a lipid environment in the human diet.
Morning test helps doctors save kidneys
A morning urine test is superior to all other tests for detecting declining kidney performance in patients with diabetic kidney disease, according to a new study. The results suggest that clinicians should monitor kidney function by measuring the albumin:creatinine ratio from a first morning urine sample.
Eye study finds two therapies slow diabetic eye disease progression
In high-risk adults with Type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that two therapies may slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans.
Chokeberry extract found to regulate weight gain, blood glucose, and inflammation in rats
A new study finds that chokeberry extract inhibits weight gain in insulin-resistant animals and modulates multiple genes associated with adipose tissue growth, blood glucose regulation, and inflammatory pathways.
Diabetes monitoring device benefits not just people but dogs and other animals, too
A researcher is using a continuous glucose monitoring device -- commonly used in humans with diabetes -- to help treat dogs and other animals. The device, which provides a detailed glucose picture of an animal over several days, will help pet owners manage their pets' diabetes.
Protein important in diabetes may also play a key role in heart disease, other disorders
Studying a protein already known to play an important role in Type 2 diabetes and cancer, genomics researchers have discovered that it may have an even broader role in disease, particularly in other metabolic disorders and heart disease. In finding unsuspected links to other disease-related genes, the scientists may have identified future targets for drug treatments.
Could diabetes be in your bones? Link between metabolic disease, bone mass; Breakdown of bone keeps blood sugar in check
Our bones have much greater influence on the rest of our bodies than they are often given credit for, according to two new studies. Both studies offer new insights into the interplay between bone and blood sugar, based on signals sent via insulin and a bone-derived hormone known as osteocalcin.
Novel anti-diabetes mechanism uncovered: Findings could lead to next generation of improved therapies
Scientists have uncovered a novel mechanism that dramatically increases insulin sensitivity and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Unearthing King Tet: Key protein influences stem cell fate
Researchers have discovered that a protein called Tet 1 helps stem cells renew themselves and stay pluripotent -- able to become any type of cell in the body.
Greater obesity in offspring of nursing mothers consuming a high-fat diet
The future health of offspring is more negatively impacted when their mothers consume a high fat diet while nursing compared with high-fat diet consumption during pregnancy, according to animal research.
No heart benefit from Omega-3 in women with type 1 diabetes
Consuming higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids does not appear to lower heart disease risk for women with type 1 diabetes, according to new research.
More than half the world's population gets insufficient vitamin D, says biochemist
Vitamin D surfaces as a news topic every few months. How much daily vitamin D should a person get? According to an international expert on vitamin D, half the people in North America and Western Europe get insufficient amounts of the vitamin. Elsewhere, the situation is worse.
New treatment for crippling diabetic Charcot foot
The alarming increase of morbidly obese diabetics is causing more new cases of a debilitating foot deformity called Charcot foot. But a surgical technique that secures foot bones with an external frame has enabled more than 90 percent of patients to walk normally again.
Diabetes shouldn't deter young athletes, study suggests
Young athletes with Type 1 diabetes may experience a marked decrease in performance as a result of their blood sugar levels, but can compete by learning to manage their condition, suggests a new study.
Dementia in diabetics differs from dementia in nondiabetics, research finds
Researchers say that dementia in some diabetics appears to be caused often by vascular disease in the brain, and the dementia that develops in people without diabetes is more likely associated with deposition of the plaque seen in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Diabetes risk: Waist circumference gives better prediction than BMI
Waist circumference gives a better prediction of diabetes risk than does BMI.
When does obesity become a child protection issue?
Childhood obesity alone is not a child protection concern, nor is failure to control weight. But consistent failure to change lifestyle and engage with outside support indicates neglect, particularly in younger children, say experts.
New role for master regulator in cell metabolism, response to stress: Clinical implications for obesity, diabetes and cancer research
Biologists have been studying how AMPK works for several decades and know that once it is activated, AMPK turns on a large number of genes by passing the "make more energy" message through numerous signaling cascades in the cell. What was not known, until now, was that AMPK also works via an epigenetic mechanism to slow down or stop cell growth.
Cashew seed extract an effective anti-diabetic, study shows
Cashew seed extract shows promise as an effective anti-diabetic, according to a new study. The investigation analyzed the reputed health benefits of cashew tree products on diabetes, notably whether cashew extracts could improve the body's response to its own insulin.
Mice essentially 'cured' of mild diabetes with enzyme
Nutrition experts have essentially "cured" laboratory mice of mild, diet-induced diabetes by stimulating the production of a particular enzyme.
Mouse stem cell study offers new insights into body fat distribution
New research shows that adding fat to mouse stem cells grown in the lab affects their response to the signals that push them to develop into one or other of the main types of fat storage cells -- subcutaneous (under the skin) or visceral (around the organs).
New method helps nerves grow after trauma or injury
Scientists have discovered a way to enhance nerve regeneration in the peripheral nervous system. The finding could lead to new treatments for nerve damage caused by diabetes or traumatic injuries. Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to the body, and without them, there is no movement or sensation. Peripheral nerve damage is common and often irreversible.
Fat cells play key role in development of type 2 diabetes
Cellular changes in fat tissue -- not the immune system -- lead to the "hyperinflammation" characteristic of obesity-related glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
Severe angina poses three times the coronary artery disease risk for women than men
Women who have the most serious form of angina are three times as likely to develop severe coronary artery disease (CAD) as men with the same condition, according to a new study.
Simple diagnostic tool predicts Type 2 diabetes in Southeast Asians
Australian and Vietnamese researchers have estimated the current prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Vietnam, and have developed a simple tool for identifying individuals at high risk. Often triggered by sedentary lifestyles and high-fat or high-sugar diets, diabetes is a condition where the body becomes less able to make and use insulin, a hormone that reduces sugar in the blood by moving it into cells for energy use.
Sweet way to detect prediabetes
Having discovered a dramatic increase of an easy-to-detect enzyme in the red blood cells of people with diabetes and prediabetes, scientists say the discovery could lead to a simple, routine test for detecting the subtle onset of the disease, before symptoms or complications occur and in time to reverse its course.
Biologists identify a new clue into cellular aging
The ability to combat some age-related diseases may rest with scientists unlocking clues about the molecular and cellular processes governing aging. The underlying theory is that if the healthy portion of an individual's life span can be extended, it may delay the onset of certain age-related diseases. In the search to understand these molecular processes, researchers have uncovered an important new DAF-16 isoform that helps to regulate longevity.
Women with gestational diabetes: Common glucose test also accurately predicts adult-onset diabetes, study finds
New research shows that pregnant women who "fail" the common glucose challenge test, a series of four blood tests conducted over a single four-hour period, have a higher chance of developing adult onset diabetes later in life.
Inactivity 'no contributor' to childhood obesity epidemic, new report suggests
A new report from the EarlyBird Diabetes Study suggests that physical activity has little if any role to play in the obesity epidemic among children. Obesity is the key factor behind diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Hospital hyperglycemia may predict future diabetes
Hyperglycemia during critical illness may be used as a warning of future diabetes. Researchers have found a significant association between acute illness complicated with hyperglycemia and the future development of type II diabetes or glucose intolerance.
Low vitamin D linked to the metabolic syndrome in elderly people
A new study adds to the mounting evidence that older adults commonly have low vitamin D levels and that vitamin D inadequacy may be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects one in four adults.
Tight blood pressure control for patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease not associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes
Patients with hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease who maintained their systolic blood pressure at less than 130 mm Hg did not have improved cardiovascular outcomes compared to patients with usual blood pressure control, according to a new study.
Muscular problems in children with neonatal diabetes are neurological, study finds
The muscle weakness and coordination problems sometimes seen in patients with neonatal diabetes -- a rare, inherited form of diabetes -- are caused by problems in the brain rather than the muscles, according to new research. The findings could pave the way for the development of improved treatments for the disease.
Teenage physical activity reduces risk of cognitive impairment in later life
Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important.
When food intake stops, enzyme turns off production of fats, cholesterol
Researchers have found that an enzyme with several important roles in energy metabolism also helps to turn off the body's generation of fats and cholesterol under conditions of fasting. Their report describes how SIRT1, one of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, suppresses the activity of a family of proteins called SREBPs, which control the body's synthesis and handling of fats and cholesterol.
Genetic basis of alopecia areata -- one of most common causes of hair loss
Researchers have uncovered eight genes that underpin alopecia areata, one of the most common causes of hair loss. Since many of the genes are also implicated in other autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes, this discovery may soon lead to new treatments for the 5.3 million Americans suffering from hair loss caused by alopecia areata.
Visually impaired people get insulin pen dosages right, study finds
Labels on the popular insulin pen used by people with diabetes warn against visually impaired people using pens to measure out and administer their insulin dosage. A pilot study overturns that thinking, finding that visually impaired people actually did slightly better than their seeing peers, although the difference was not statistically significant.
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ScienceDaily Diet & Weight Loss News
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Aging and longevity tied to specific brain region in mice
The protein SIRT1 in the brain is tied into a mechanism that allows animals to survive when food is scarce, according to a new study. The research suggests that SIRT1 may be involved with the life span-increasing effect of low-calorie diets, they report.
Experimental obesity drug avoids brain effects that troubled predecessors
A second-generation experimental anti-obesity and diabetes drug has shown promise in reducing body weight in rodents just as effectively as the predecessor rimonabant while avoiding the risk of psychiatric side effects that led to the withdrawal of rimonabant from the market and stopped further development of other brain-penetrating drugs of its type.
New compound improves obesity-related health complications
An experimental compound appears to improve metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, according to a preliminary study.
Obesity is associated with reduced sensitivity to fat
New research found marked differences between obese and lean men in how they respond to the taste of fat. Fat also is less effective in obese men in stimulating certain gut hormones that are released into the bloodstream and normally suppress appetite.
A high-fat diet alters crucial aspects of brain dopamine signaling
Prolonged exposure to a high fat diet is correlated with changes in the brain chemical dopamine within the striatum, a critical component of the brain's reward system according to new research.
The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count
Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to sociologists.
'Tough love' no good for obesity interventions, study finds
Obese people support lifestyle-change interventions, rather than those that purely promote weight loss. Researchers interviewed 142 obese people about their opinions on interventions ranging from gastric bands to legal regulation, finding that non-commercial, non-stigmatizing techniques were preferred.
Obesity harms women's memory and brain function, study finds
The more an older woman weighs, the worse her memory, according to new research. The effect is more pronounced in women who carry excess weight around their hips, known as pear shapes, than women who carry it around their waists, called apple shapes. The study of post-menopausal women is the first in the US to link obesity to poorer memory in women and to identify the body shape connection.
Brain responses of obese individuals are more weakly linked to feelings of hunger
Feelings of hunger have less influence on how the brain responds to the smell and taste of food in overweight than healthy weight individuals,
Could our minds be tricked into satisfying our stomachs?
New research suggests that the key to losing weight could lie in manipulating our beliefs about how filling we think food will be before we eat it, suggesting that portion control is all a matter of perception.
Supportive community programs can prevent women from gaining weight
Women who attend programs with ongoing support about healthy eating are less likely to gain weight and be more physically active than women who receive a one-off information session on dietary guidelines, finds an Australian study.
Combined behavioral interventions best way to reduce heart disease risk, study finds
Combining counseling, extended follow-up from a health-care provider and self-monitoring of diet and exercise is the most effective behavioral intervention to reduce risk for heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases, according to a new statement. Current health-care policies should be modified to make it easier for health-care providers to encourage these measures, experts urge.
Simple tools help parents understand a child's risk of obesity, make positive changes
Researchers have confirmed previous reports that parents of overweight or obese children do not recognize their child's weight problem. But this time, by arming pediatricians with a "toolkit," an easily used chart and a series of questions and suggestions, the researchers addressed several problems.
Protein must exist in specific brain cells to prevent diet-induced obesity
A protein found in cells throughout the body must be present in a specific set of neurons in the brain to prevent weight gain after chronic feeding on high-calorie meals, new findings suggest.
Brain chemical boosts body heat, aids in calorie burn, UT Southwestern research suggests
New findings suggest that an enzyme in the brain known as PI3 kinase might control the increased generation of body heat that helps burn off excess calories after eating a high-fat meal.
Decay of baby teeth may be linked to obesity, poor food choices, study suggests
Preschool children with tooth decay may be more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population and, regardless of weight, are more likely to consume too many calories, a new study indicates.
'Lap-band' weight loss surgery in very obese adults improves mental health, study finds
One year after weight loss surgery with laparoscopic gastric banding, extremely obese adults demonstrate not only better physical health but also improved psychological health, a new study shows.
Body-image distortion predicts onset of unsafe weight-loss behaviors
Normal weight and underweight teenage girls who falsely believe they are overweight are at significantly greater risk of succumbing to unnecessary and unsafe weight-loss behaviors than girls who can accurately assess their weight status, according to new research by an expert in eating disorders and body-image perception.
Pediatricians can help parents recognize overweight preschoolers
Parents are more likely to underestimate their preschool children's weight when pediatricians do not tell them their children are overweight or gaining weight too fast, a new study reports.
Healthy diet could slow or reverse early effects of Alzheimer's disease
Patients in the early to moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease could have their cognitive impairment slowed or even reversed by switching to a healthier diet, new research suggests.
Popular autism diet does not demonstrate behavioral improvement
A popular belief that specific dietary changes can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly controlled study, which found that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.
High-fat ketogenic diet effectively treats persistent childhood seizures, study finds
The high-fat ketogenic diet can dramatically reduce or completely eliminate debilitating seizures in most children with infantile spasms, whose seizures persist despite medication, according to a new study.
Summer weight-loss camp improve obese children's health, study suggests
A residential summer weight-loss camp markedly improved obese children's health. A physician found the camp improved children's weight, body mass index, physical fitness and blood pressure.
Managing the emotions behind eating
Many diet plans only look at how to change behavior to lose weight. But for people who have always eaten to deal with their emotions, how can they change their behavior, when they haven't learned other ways of coping? Researchers are trying to answer that question as part of a new study.
Overwhelmed by diet tips? Change your environment first, study advises
According to a new finding, dieters who focus on changing their surroundings find it easier to adhere to their diet. Understandably, they also report losing the most weight.
Tapping away desire for those favorite foods and snacks
Psychological acupuncture has been shown to be successful in reducing food cravings for up to six months in people who are overweight or obese. The technique combines gentle tapping on pressure points while focusing on particular emotions and thoughts.
What's motivation got to do with weight loss?
Energy in, energy out, it's the basic equation to weight loss, or is it? With more than two thirds of Americans classified as overweight or obese, a study examines how motivation might be a large contributor to sticking with weight loss programs.
Obesity gene, carried by more than a third of the US population, leads to brain tissue loss
Researchers have found that an obesity-related gene carried by nearly half of all Central and Western Europeans may also be associated with brain degeneration.
Childhood obesity interventions must begin early, experts say
To be a truly comprehensive and successful anti-obesity program, First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign must include interventions that target pregnant women, infants, and pre-school-age children, experts say.
Diet alone will not likely lead to significant weight loss, study suggests
Newly published research demonstrates that simply reducing caloric intake is not enough to promote significant weight loss.
Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may lose muscle mass
Lean mass -- the weight of an individual's bones, muscles and organs without body fat -- appears to decline among patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report. These decreases may be associated with declines in brain volume and function.
Food combination associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease risk identified in new study
Individuals whose diet includes more salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry and certain fruits and vegetables and fewer high-fat dairy products, red meats, organ meats and butter appear less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report.
Poor sleep for obese adolescents
Obese adolescents go to bed later and sleep less than their lighter contemporaries. Researchers explored the sleep patterns of 9-18 year old Australians on different days of the week. The poor sleep among obese students was particularly evident on Sundays -- the night before school resumed after a weekend off.
Compulsive eating shares addictive biochemical mechanism with cocaine, heroin abuse, study shows
In a newly published study, scientists have shown for the first time that the same molecular mechanisms that drive people into drug addiction are behind the compulsion to overeat, pushing people into obesity.
Study connects workplace turmoil, stress and obesity
A new study that provides a snapshot of a typical American workplace observed that chronic job stress and lack of physical activity are strongly associated with being overweight or obese. Researchers also found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables did little to offset the effect of chronic job stress on weight gain among the employees, who were mostly sedentary. Instead, exercise seemed to be the key to managing stress and keeping a healthy weight.
Anti-obesity drugs unlikely to provide lasting benefit, according to scientists
Scientists argue that anti-obesity drugs fail to provide lasting benefits for health and well-being because they tackle the biological consequences of obesity, and not the important psychological causes of over-consumption and weight gain.
Obesity associated with depression and vice versa
Obesity appears to be associated with an increased risk of depression, and depression also appears associated with an increased risk of developing obesity, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies.
New study examines the impact on children of food product placements in the movies
New research sheds light on the significant potential negative impact that food product placements in the movies could be having on children.
The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime
As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from birth, regardless of whether or not the offspring are obese themselves.
Mediterranean diet may lower risk of brain damage that causes thinking problems
A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory, according to a new study.
Winning the war on weight
An Australian study into the health beliefs and behaviors of obese people has found that the more severely obese a person is, the less likely they feel they can reduce their weight.
Magnesium supplement helps boost brainpower
New research finds that an increase in brain magnesium improves learning and memory in young and old rats. The study suggests that increasing magnesium intake may be a valid strategy to enhance cognitive abilities and supports speculation that inadequate levels of magnesium impair cognitive function, leading to faster deterioration of memory in aging humans.
New study shows effectiveness of MEND program in prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity
Groundbreaking results from a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the MEND Program, a multi-component community-based childhood obesity intervention have just been published. The independent study demonstrates the success of weight management program MEND for overweight/obese children and their families. Results coincide with the launch of Michelle Obama's initiative to reduce childhood obesity announced last week.
Sweet future: Fluctuating blood glucose levels may affect decision making
People's preferences for current vs. later rewards may be influenced by blood glucose levels: Volunteers who drank a regular soda (and therefore had higher blood glucose levels) were more likely to select receiving more money at a later date while the volunteers who drank a diet soda (containing artificial sweetener) were likelier to opt for receiving smaller sums of money immediately.
Most parents don't realize their 4- or 5-year-olds are overweight or obese
Half of the mothers who took part in a study thought that their obese four or five year-old was normal weight, as did 39 percent of the fathers. When it came to overweight children, 75 percent of mothers and 77 percent of fathers thought that their child was normal weight. Researchers also found that the parents of overweight and obese children were significantly heavier than the parents of normal weight children.
Gimmick-free weight-loss pill in the works
A Canadian research team is developing a pill composed of leptin, the protein that tells our brain to stop eating.
Sticking to diets is about more than willpower -- complexity matters
Cognitive scientists compared the dieting behavior of women following two radically different diets. The more complicated people found their diet plans, the sooner they were likely to bail. "For people on a more complex diet that involves keeping track of quantities and items eaten, their subjective impression of the difficulty of the diet can lead them to give up on it," said one researcher.
New eating device retrains dietary habits and helps children lose weight
A new computerized device that tracks portion size and how fast people eat is more successful in helping obese children and adolescents lose weight than standard treatments, according to new research.
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ScienceDaily Disorders & Syndromes News
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New pathway to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases
Researchers have uncovered new clues about the cause of brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases.
Molecular mechanism triggering Parkinson's disease identified
Scientists have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the death of key nerve cells whose loss causes Parkinson's disease. This discovery not only may explain how a genetic mutation linked to Parkinson's causes the cells' death, but could also open the door to new therapeutic approaches for the malady.
Aging and longevity tied to specific brain region in mice
The protein SIRT1 in the brain is tied into a mechanism that allows animals to survive when food is scarce, according to a new study. The research suggests that SIRT1 may be involved with the life span-increasing effect of low-calorie diets, they report.
New class of drugs for epileptic seizures?
A chemical compound that boosts the action of a molecule normally produced in the brain may provide the starting point for a new line of therapies for the treatment of epileptic seizures, according to a new study.
Sleep disorder may signal dementia, Parkinson's disease up to 50 years early
A new study shows that a sleep disorder may be a sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease up to 50 years before the disorders are diagnosed.
Sirtuin1 may boost memory and learning ability; Discovery could lead to new drugs to fight Alzheimer's, other neurological diseases
The same molecular mechanism that increases life span through calorie restriction may help boost memory and brainpower, researchers report.
Multiple Sclerosis: Iimmunological study finds earlier way to diagnose axon and neuron degeneration
Immunologists have found that testing for increased levels of antibodies that inhibit energy production in neurons can detect axon and neuron degeneration in multiple sclerosis earlier than existing diagnostic tools.
Memory's master switch: Molecular power behind memory discovered
A new study describes GABA, a natural molecule that occurs in the brain, which could be the main factor in regulating how many new memories we can generate. The understanding of these mechanisms might lead to the development of new memory enhancers and new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Huntington's disease discovery provides new hope for treatment
Australian scientists have identified the behavior of the mutant protein "huntingtin" which leads to the fatal Huntington's disease providing potential targets to treat the disease, a new study reveals.
Multiple sclerosis: Antihypertensive drug ameliorates inflammation in the brain
Researchers have discovered a new signaling pathway of brain cells that explains how widely used antihypertensive drugs could keep inflammation in multiple sclerosis in check.
Leap forward in efforts to develop treatments for Huntington's disease
Research reveals that an enzyme linked with multiple disorders -- including stroke, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis -- is also involved in the generation of toxic protein fragments in Huntington's disease.
Delirium in older patients associated with greater risk of death, dementia and institutionalization
A review and analysis of previous research indicates that delirium in elderly patients is associated with an increased risk of death, dementia, and institutionalization, independent of age, co-existing illnesses or illness severity, according to a new study.
Nearly one in five Californians report need for mental health services, study finds
A comprehensive new study of mental health status and use of mental health services in California found that nearly 1 in 5 adults in California, about 4.9 million persons, said they needed help for a mental or emotional health problem. Additionally, approximately 1 in 25, or over one million Californians, reported symptoms associated with serious psychological distress, which includes the most serious diagnosable mental health disorders.
Electrical activity in developing brain influences choice of neurotransmitter
Cascades of genetic signals determine which neurotransmitter a brain cell will ultimately use to communicate with other cells. Now a pair of reports have shown for the first time that electrical activity in these developing neurons can alter their chemical fate -- and change an animal's behavior -- by tweaking this genetic program.
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.
Abusive mothers improve parenting after in-home training, emotional support of therapists
Each year, US child welfare agencies log more than 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect. Many services aim to address child abuse but there's very little scientific data about whether the services actually work, say psychologists. A new study finds that women in families reported previously for child abuse improved their parenting after intensive, weekly, in-home, hands-on training by mental health service providers.
Experimental obesity drug avoids brain effects that troubled predecessors
A second-generation experimental anti-obesity and diabetes drug has shown promise in reducing body weight in rodents just as effectively as the predecessor rimonabant while avoiding the risk of psychiatric side effects that led to the withdrawal of rimonabant from the market and stopped further development of other brain-penetrating drugs of its type.
Children with brain injuries have problems with story-telling, study suggests
Children with brain injuries have difficulty developing story-telling skills even though other language abilities, such as vocabulary, tend to catch up with other children as they mature, new research shows.
Infectious prions can arise spontaneously in normal brain tissue, study shows
In a startling new discovery, scientists have shown for the first time that abnormal prions, bits of infectious protein devoid of DNA or RNA that can cause fatal neurodegenerative disease, can suddenly erupt from healthy brain tissue.
In the 'neck' of time: Scientists unravel another key evolutionary trait
By deciphering the genetics in humans and fish, scientists now believe that the neck -- that little body part between your head and shoulders -- gave humans so much freedom of movement that it played a surprising and major role in the evolution of the human brain, according to neuroscientists.
Study finds 63% of women report sexual problems, with orgasm proving biggest issue in teens and 20s
Almost two-thirds of females attending a general urology practice said they suffered from sexual dysfunction. Dysfunction rose with age in all categories except orgasm, with 54% of women aged from 18 to 30 reporting orgasm problems, significantly higher than women aged 31 to 45 (43%) and women aged 46 to 54 (48%). Researchers asked 587 women aged from 18 to 95, attending a urology clinic in New Jersey, USA, about six key areas of female sexual dysfunction (FSD): lack of desire, arousal issues, lack of lubrication, problems achieving orgasm, lack of satisfaction and pain during intercourse. They found that that 63% suffered from FSD and that there were significant links between FSD and age, menopausal status and use of selective antidepressants.
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them, survey finds
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these pat | | |