Newsline — Friday, August 9, 2013 9:00
Surgical Anesthestic May Treat Drug-Resistant Depression, Serve as an Alternative to Electroconvulsive Therapy
Analysis: For Pain Syndrome, Spinal Cord Stimulation Not Necessarily Best as a Last Resort
Thursday, August 8, 2013 13:00
In treating complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), research analysis has found that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) should be considered earlier as a treatment instead of a last resort. The analysis, found in Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, finds that SCS should be tried immediately after the failure of more conservative therapies. “There is extensive evidence that SCS therapy is effective for the treatment of pain from CRPS and, when compared with medication management, is more cost effective, safer, and cost neutral over time,” write the analysis’ co-authors. “It is clear to us . . . that SCS should be used before embarking on long-term opioid/medication management.” Click here to read the full story.
Study Finds Link Between Anemia, Dementia
Thursday, August 8, 2013 9:00
According to a study published in Neurology, low levels of red blood cells – or anemia – may increase a person’s risk of dementia. In an 11-year study, participants who had anemia had an almost 41 percent increased risk of developing dementia than those who were not anemic. “There are several explanations for why anemia may be linked to dementia. For example, anemia may be a marker for poor health in general, or low oxygen levels resulting from anemia may play a role in the connection. Reductions in oxygen to the brain have been shown to reduce memory and thinking abilities and may contribute to damage to neurons,” one researcher said. Click here to read the full story.
Experimental Treatment Shows Promise for Breast Cancer Spread to Brain
Wednesday, August 7, 2013 13:00
Published in the journal Clincal Cancer Research, a mouse model study found that combined cellular therapy and gene therapy comprise a viable treatement for breast cancer that has spread to a patient’s brain. Both of these experimental therapies are being tested in clinical trials for malignant primary brain tumors. Click here to read the full story.
Faster Brain Scans Reveal Insights to Active, Resting Brain
Wednesday, August 7, 2013 9:12
Quicker brain scans have revealed new information on how brain networks cooperate with one another. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine studied the brains of volunteers at rest and while the volunteers watched a movie. For the first time, scientists were able to sample brain activity every 50 milliseconds as opposed to slower time intervals. A better understanding of how brain networks function may lead to the advanced diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries. Click here to read the full article.
In Men, Sudden Decrease in Testosterone Levels May Result in Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 9:00
A study conducted at Rush University Medical Center has found that in male mice, a sudden decrease in testosterone levels make cause Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. In healthy men, testosterone levels drop about one percent every year after they peak in the mid-30s. Levels also may drop due to stress or shifting life events, making a man more vulnerable to Parkinson’s disease. “In men, testosterone levels are intimately coupled to many disease processes,” on researcher said. “Therefore, preservation of testosterone in males may be an important step to become resistant to Parkinson’s disease.” Click here to read the full story.
Migraines Linked to Varied Arterial Structures of the Brain, Study Says
Monday, August 5, 2013 13:00
In migraine sufferers, the network of arteries supplying blood to the brain is more likely to be incomplete than in those who do not suffer from migraines. The finding, appearing in PLOS ONE, suggests that migraines can be triggered by asymmetries in cerebral blood flow caused by variations in arterial structures. “People with migraine actually have differences in the structure of their blood vessels – this is something you are born with,” one investigator said. “These differences seem to be associated with changes in blood flow in the brain, and it’s possible that these changes may trigger migraine, which may explain why some people, for instance, notice that dehydration triggers their headaches.” Click here to read the full article.
Contact in Practice, Not Games, Has Significant Impact on Head Hits in Youth Football
Monday, August 5, 2013 9:26
According to a study conducted at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Virginia Tech, contact during practice – not games – is the most significant factor when measuring the number and force of head hits in youth football leagues. This finding is important since 70 percent of football players in the United States are under the age of 14 but most studies assess head hits in mostly college and high school players. Researchers believe that modifying practice can cut incidents of head hits in half without affecting the game. “We hope that the findings will help improve the safety of youth football through rule changes to limit contact in practices, coach training and equipment design, especially in developing youth-specific helmets to better reduce accelerations from head impacts,” one researcher said. Click here to read the full story.
By Assessing Movement, Novel Technique May Provide Accurate Autism Diagnosis, Treatment
Friday, August 2, 2013 13:00
A recent collection of papers titled “Autism: The Movement Perspective” includes a study unveiling a quantitaive screening method for the diagnosis and tracking of children older than age three. The technique uses a sophisticated computer program to track a person’s random movements in real time, factoring in the importance of noting changes in an child’s unique movement and movement sensing. “This research may open doors for the autistic community by offering the option of a dynamic diagnosis at a much earlier age and possibly enabling the start of therapy sooner in the child’s development,” one researcher said. Click here to read the full story.
Discontinued Use of Cholesterol Drugs Linked to Increased Parkinson’s Risk
Friday, August 2, 2013 9:00
Individuals who discontinue their use of cholesterol drugs may be at increased risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a study that appears in the online edition of Neurology. Research conducted in Taiwan found that those who stopped taking statins (cholesterol drugs) were 58 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s than those who kept taking the drugs. The result held up even after adjustments for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Click here to read the full article.