Atypical Antipsychotic More Effective Than Older Drugs In Treating Childhood Mania, But Side Effects Can Be Serious

On February 5, 2012, in Bipolar Disorder, Medication, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
prescription medication

The antipsychotic medication risperidone is more effective for initial treatment of mania in children diagnosed with bipolar disorder compared to other mood stabilizing medications, but it carries the potential for serious metabolic side effects, according to an NIMH-funded study published online ahead of print January 2, 2012, in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson’s Improves Motion and Mood And Reduces Medications

On February 5, 2012, in Electrotherapy, Neurological, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
deep brain stimulation electrode

A new multi-center study, including neurologists and neurosurgeons from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, reveals that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – a treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with medication-resistant muscle movement impairment or tremors – can improve those symptoms and reduce medications for patients implanted with the device. The study appears Online First in Lancet Neurology.

FDA Urges Parents To Read Infant Acetaminophen Labels Carefully

On January 19, 2012, in Healthcare, Medication, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly used pain and fever relievers for infants and children and is safe and effective when used as directed. However, with recent dosing changes to liquid acetaminophen products for infants, the FDA last week issued a press release urging parents to know the concentration and read the label as the new, less concentrated form of the popular pain reliever arrives on store shelves. Included in this report is a video discussion of these recommendations by Dr. Jim Sears.

Girls Report More Mental Distress And Are Prescribed More Psychiatric Drugs Than Boys

On January 10, 2012, in Medication, Mental Health, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
anti-depressant medication

More than 15 percent of Norwegian teenagers ages 15 to 16 reported “mental distress,” or symptoms of depression and anxiety, with significantly more girls reporting distress than boys, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Girls with mental distress were also more likely than their male counterparts to be prescribed psychotropic drugs — those that alter chemical levels in the brain, affecting behavior and mood.

Breast Cancer Survivors Benefit From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

On January 1, 2012, in Cancer, Meditation, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Jame Armer

Women recently diagnosed with breast cancer have higher survival rates than those diagnosed in previous decades, according to the American Cancer Society. However, survivors continue to face health challenges after their treatments end. Previous research reports as many as 50 percent of breast cancer survivors are depressed. Now, University of Missouri researchers in the Sinclair School of Nursing say a meditation technique can help breast cancer survivors improve their emotional and physical well-being.

Magnetic Stimulation Of Brain May Help Some Stroke Patients Recover

On December 14, 2011, in Electrotherapy, Stroke, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Imagine waking up and being unable to see or recognize anything on the left side of your body. This condition, called hemispatial neglect, is common after a stroke that occurs on the right side of the brain. The current treatment of attention and concentration training using computer and pencil-and-paper tasks is inadequate.

No Increased Risk Of Serious Cardiovascular Events Found Among Adults Who Use ADHD Medications

On December 12, 2011, in ADHD, Medication, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Ritalin SR 20MG pills

Although there have been cardiovascular safety concerns about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications because of their ability to increase heart rate and blood pressure levels, an analysis that included more than 150,000 ADHD users found no evidence of an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death associated with current use compared with non-use or rare-use among young and middle-aged adults, according to a study appearing in JAMA. The study is being released early online because of its public health importance. Included in this report is a video summary of the study results.

Group Programs To Prevent Childhood Depression Prove To Be Effective

On December 7, 2011, in Depression, Psychotherapy, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
a troubled teenage girl

Psychological interventions to prevent depression in children and adolescents can be useful and with protective effects that last for up to a year, finds a new systematic review. According to research cited in the new review, in 2002, depression ranked second greatest cause of disability in developed countries and first in many developing ones. The review appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

Autism Risk Linked To Prenatal Drug Exposure

On December 5, 2011, in Autism, Medication, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
prescription medication

Investigators in a population-based study in Denmark reporting today at the American Epilepsy Society’s 65th annual meeting have found there is an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and childhood autism in children born of mothers who are exposed to the anticonvulsant valproate during pregnancy. The Lead investigator was Dr. Jakob Christensen of Aarhus University [...]

Anorexia Nervosa Study Reveals Inner Conflicts Over The ‘Real’ Self That Have Treatment Implications

On December 1, 2011, in Mental Health, Psychotherapy, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
a women's reflection

People with anorexia nervosa struggle with questions about their real, or “authentic,” self – whether their illness is separate from or integral to them – and this conflict has implications for compulsory treatment, concludes a study in the Hastings Center Report. The researchers also conclude that exploring ideas of authenticity may help clinicians formulate therapeutic approaches and provides insights into whether compulsory treatment can be justified.

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