Robin McKie, science editor The Observer Autism, the devastating mental illness that affects thousands of UK children every year, is not a single psychological condition, scientists have discovered. Researchers have found the ailment is really a combination of two separate illnesses, each controlled by different sets of genes. The discovery, outlined yesterday at the British Psychological Society conference, is expected to cause intense interest among psychologists. Many believe prospects of uncovering the condition's genetic causes and finding new treatments have been significantly boosted. © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003

Keyword: Autism; Genes & Behavior
Link ID: 3808 - Posted: 06.24.2010

By ANNE EISENBERG THE nerve center of a conventional robot is a microprocessor of silicon and metal. But for a robot under development at Georgia Tech, commands are relayed by 2,000 or so cells from a rat's brain. A group led by a university researcher has created a part mechanical, part biological robot that operates on the basis of the neural activity of rat brain cells grown in a dish. The neural signals are analyzed by a computer that looks for patterns emitted by the brain cells and then translates those patterns into robotic movement. If the neurons fire a certain way, for example, the robot's right wheel rotates once. The leader of the group, Steve M. Potter, a professor in the Laboratory for Neuroengineering at Georgia Tech, calls his creation a Hybrot, short for hybrid robot. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Keyword: Robotics
Link ID: 3807 - Posted: 05.19.2003

By ERICA GOODE It was just one voice at first, loud and male, coming from the ceiling, saying, "Hi, John," calling him by name as if they were buddies. But after a while, the voice, which he came to know as the "evil genius," urged him to steal other people's brain cells and told him that he had a cancerous tumor in his head. Eventually, other voices joined in, maybe 50 of them, male and female, yelling "as loud as humans with megaphones," John recalled, from the moment he awoke in the morning until he fell asleep at night, cursing or ordering him to kill himself or, once, when he picked up a ringing telephone, screaming in chorus, "You're guilty! You're guilty!" "It was utter despair," John said. "I felt scared. They were always around." Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Keyword: Schizophrenia; Hearing
Link ID: 3806 - Posted: 05.19.2003

By JAMES GORMAN The study of consciousness has always fascinated me. I love all the impossible arguments about the self and the nature of experience. I also love fishing, but I never expected the two interests to coincide or, more precisely, collide. I heard the crash when I read the word "nociception" in the current issue of that esteemed scientific journal Field and Stream, which I often read, but not usually for news of neurobiology. The word was in a news item about the research of Dr. James D. Rose at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Rose published a paper last year in The Review of Fisheries Science. In it, he argued that fish do not have the brains to produce a level of consciousness capable of feeling pain. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Keyword: Animal Rights; Pain & Touch
Link ID: 3805 - Posted: 05.19.2003

Of all the addictions, some scientists say addiction to alcohol is one of the most powerful. As this ScienCentral News video reports, they may have identified what actually regulates the craving for alcohol in the brain, which could lead to new therapies for alcoholics. Why is it that some of us can stop after a few drinks, but others struggle hard to control the craving? Some neuroscientists say it may be because of a specific brain protein called urocortin. © ScienCentral, 2000-2003

Keyword: Drug Abuse
Link ID: 3804 - Posted: 06.24.2010

The sex hormone estrogen plays a part in many brain processes, including memory. As women age, their bodies make estrogen. Neuroscientists are studying just what effect this has on the brain. “When there’s more estrogen,” explains Teresa Milner, professor of neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College, “the nerve cells can form more connections between each other and make the memories stronger. Then, the better you’re able to learn certain things.” Nerve cells in the brain form connections when their branches, called dendrites, sprout twig-like protrusions called spines. Writing in the March 15, 2003 issue of the journal Neuroscience, Milner and her team explained how they used a powerful electron microscope to study nerve cells associated with learning and memory in female rats. They found that as estrogen levels increase in the female rats during their estrous cycle, there is an increase in the formation of new spines. © ScienCentral, 2000-2003.

Keyword: Learning & Memory; Hormones & Behavior
Link ID: 3803 - Posted: 06.24.2010

by Jan Volavka, M.D., Ph.D., and Leslie Citrome, M.D., M.P.H. Psychiatric Times Vol. XX Issue 5 The development of new atypical antipsychotics and their introduction to the U.S. market has been proceeding at a fast pace. The Table provides an overview of their indications, formulations available, dosing, efficacy and safety in typical adult patients. More detailed information on dosing, as well as on treatment-resistant schizophrenia, can be found elsewhere (Citrome et al., 2002; Citrome and Volavka, 2002). The most recent additions to the antipsychotic armamentarium, ziprasidone (Geodon) and aripiprazole (Abilify), differ from the previously available products in their mechanisms of action and side-effect profiles. Antipsychotic efficacy of these two agents appears similar to older agents, but definitive head-to-head, randomized clinical trials will be required to answer questions about relative efficacy. Also reviewed is information about a new intramuscular (IM) formulation of olanzapine (Zyprexa) and an indication for clozapine (Clozaril) recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ziprasidone acts as a D2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT1D and H1 antagonist, and as a 5-HT1A agonist. This combination of activities, somewhat different from those of other antipsychotics, may be responsible for ziprasidone's pattern of side effects. Unlike most other antipsychotics, it does not have significant effects on weight, lipid profile or glucose metabolism. Furthermore, it shows low rate of persistent prolactin elevation and low incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Ziprasidone increases the QTC , however, and this particular side effect has raised concerns about its cardiac safety. Such prolongation increases the risk of torsade de pointes, a ventricular tachycardia-fibrillation with a characteristic electrocardiogram (ECG) presentation. Episodes of torsade de pointes may be brief and self-limiting. They may also be manifested by syncope. Torsade de pointes rarely progresses to typical ventricular fibrillation and death. This risk must be evaluated in the context of the fact that no cases of mortality from ziprasidone overdoses or torsade de pointes and no excess in sudden and unexpected deaths have so far been reported, even though by mid-2002 more than 150,000 patients received long-term treatment (Glassman and Bigger, 2002), and an overdose of 4020 mg of ziprasidone elicited only minor ECG changes (House, 2002).

Keyword: Schizophrenia
Link ID: 3802 - Posted: 05.19.2003

by Sherie Novotny, M.D., and Eric Hollander, M.D. Psychiatric Times Vol. XX Issue 5 Autism and related spectrum disorders such as Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder have been estimated to affect as many as 62.6 children per 10,000, with prevalence for autism affecting as many as 16.8 children per 10,000 and milder variants possibly affecting as many as 45 per 10,000 (Chakrabarti and Fombonne, 2001). Symptoms include deficits in social and communication abilities, as well as compulsive and repetitive behaviors such as stereotypic complex hand and body movements, rigidity, and narrow repetitive interests. Currently, there are no pharmacological treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for autism. Although many pharmacological treatment studies have been published, most are inconclusive and suffer from methodological shortcomings in study design, including subject selection, outcome measures utilized and open-label design. The few controlled studies suggest efficacy rates of approximately 40% to 70% for the various pharmacological agents studied (Hollander et al., 1998; McDougle et al., 1996; Posey and McDougle, 2000). No one medication has yet emerged as a primary treatment, most likely due to the inherent heterogeneity in the neurobiology of these disorders. However, treatments for the core and associated symptom domains of the autism spectrum disorders show promise. The most promising treatments include the use of atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone (Risperdal) for the treatment of disruptive behaviors (McCracken et al., 2002) and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluvoxamine (Luvox) and fluoxetine (Prozac) for the treatment of repetitive behaviors (Buchsbaum et al., 2001; Hollander et al., 1998; McDougle et al., 1996). Studies are attempting to determine the neurobiology of the symptom domains of autism spectrum disorders and predict treatment response to a variety of psychopharmacological agents. © 2003 Psychiatric Times. All rights reserved.

Keyword: Autism
Link ID: 3801 - Posted: 06.24.2010

by Frank Vocci, Ph.D. Psychiatric Times Vol. XX Issue 5 Drug abuse and addiction continue to be among the largest and most challenging health and social problems facing society. They affect both the well-being of the individual and the health of the public. In 2001, 15.9 million Americans 12 years and older reported using an illicit drug in the past month, and more than 4.6 million met the DSM-IV criteria for requiring treatment (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2002). The encouraging news is that breakthrough discoveries in science continue to refine our understanding of drug abuse and addiction and are yielding new opportunities to translate basic research findings into tangible treatment products. The processes underlying drug abuse and addiction are complex, and recent findings suggest that addiction does not just involve changes in the neural substrates of positive reinforcement but changes in motivational and cognitive systems as well. The challenge then, is to identify the mechanisms that dampen drug cravings or rewards without interfering with motivation for natural rewards. © 2003 Psychiatric Times. All rights reserved.

Keyword: Drug Abuse
Link ID: 3800 - Posted: 06.24.2010

by H. Michael Zal, D.O. Psychiatric Times Social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder) is the third most common mental health problem in the United States, affecting more than 10 million Americans. It is exceeded only by major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence (Kessler et al., 1994). Because prevalence estimates vary based on the diagnostic criteria, assessment methods and population used, lifetime prevalence estimates range from 0.5% to 16.0% (Furmark et al., 1999, as cited in Lang and Stein, 2001). In Western countries, recent surveys estimate the lifetime prevalence of social phobia at 7% to 13% (Furmark, 2002). In 1998, the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety developed a consensus statement on social anxiety disorder that provides guidelines for diagnosis and treatment (Ballenger et al., 1998). Individuals with social phobia experience the clinical anxiety-fear triad of worry, avoidance behavior and physical complaints commonly seen in general anxiety and the other anxiety disorders but with a unique twist--a paralyzing fear of being scrutinized (Table 1). © 2003 Psychiatric Times. All rights reserved.

Keyword: Depression; Stress
Link ID: 3799 - Posted: 06.24.2010

By SANDRA BLAKESLEE Diagnoses of autism have nearly doubled in the last four years among children in California, state officials reported yesterday. They said they could not explain the increase. "The number of cases is accelerating," said Dr. Ron Huff, a senior psychologist at the Department of Developmental Services, who oversaw preparation of the report, "and we do not know why." Whether the California figures reflect a nationwide trend is not clear, since reporting practices vary from state to state. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is studying the issue in 13 states. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Keyword: Autism
Link ID: 3798 - Posted: 05.19.2003

The tangerine-scented crested auklet is the first bird found to send fragrant signals. JOHN WHITFIELD You smell a group of crested auklets before you see them, says Julie Hagelin. "It's like someone is peeling a tangerine next to you," she says. The citrus-scented seabirds are the first found to communicate using odour. The birds seem to use perfume to make themselves attractive, Hagelin's team has discovered. Crested auklets (Aethia cristatella) live in Alaska; a breeding colony can be 100,000 strong. When birds meet, they press their bills against each other's necks - feathers here have the strongest smell. © Nature News Service / Macmillan Magazines Ltd 2003

Keyword: Chemical Senses (Smell & Taste)
Link ID: 3797 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Montreal, . A new discovery by scientists at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University may provide insights into Multiple Sclerosis. In a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Neuroscience (J. Neuroscience 2003 23: 3735-3744), Dr. Tim Kennedy and colleagues have discovered that a protein called netrin-1 directs the normal movement of the cells that become oligodendrocytes in the developing spinal cord. Oligodendrocytes are the cells that provide critical support for the nerve cells – they make myelin, the electrical insulation of the central nervous system. They are also the cells that degenerate and die in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although oligodendrocytes play an essential role in the nervous system, many aspects of their basic cell biology are not well understood, which is one of the reasons why MS is such a mystery. This research finding identifies a fundamental mechanism that directs migrating oligodendrocyte precursor cells. This has implications for understanding demyelinating diseases such as MS, where even a small myelin deficit can lead to functional impairment of the nerve cell. An estimated 50,000 people have MS, which is most often diagnosed in young adults. Its devastating effects last a lifetime and may include problems in seeing or speaking, difficulty with balance and coordination, and even paralysis. “Dr. Kennedy's research will contribute to the growing body of knowledge which is developing new therapies for MS," said Dr. William McIlroy, MS Society of Canada national medical advisor.

Keyword: Multiple Sclerosis
Link ID: 3796 - Posted: 06.24.2010

New findings reveal fetuses recognize mother's voice in-utero (Kingston, Ont.)- New research findings on the ability of a fetus to recognize its mother's voice and even distinguish it from other female voices confirms what scientists have speculated about for more than 20 years - that experiences in the womb help shape newborn preferences and behaviour. Dr. Barbara Kisilevsky, a Queen's University professor of nursing along with a team of psychologists at Queen's and obstetricians in Hangzhou, China, found that fetuses are capable of learning in the womb and can remember and recognize their mother's voice before they are even born. Their research findings are published in the current issue of the international journal Psychological Science. © Queen's University

Keyword: Development of the Brain; Language
Link ID: 3795 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Thirty percent of soldiers who go to war end up with PTSD, according to Dennis Charney, chief of the National Institute of Mental Health’s Mood & Anxiety Disorders Research Program. But why do some soldiers get the disorder, while others do not? A study at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina revealed that some soldiers in the Army’s Special Forces Units were less likely to suffer from PTSD than their non-Special Forces counterparts. Researchers discovered that during rigorous training exercises, these elite soldiers produced more Neuropeptide-Y, a brain chemical that helps you stay focused on a task even under stress. “The more Neuropeptide-Y you generated, the less likely you were to be distressed,” says Dr. Matthew Friedman, director of the National Center for PTSD. Armed with this knowledge, the researchers’ next step is to explore prevention. A low level of Neuropeptide Y in a person may be a marker that helps doctors identify which people may be more vulnerable to developing PTSD, and perhaps these people could be given a drug to enhance their neuropeptide Y level. “I think of it as a morning after pill,” says Freidman. “If you are exposed to trauma, if you’ve been raped or mugged or exposed to a terribly violent World Trade Center catastrophe plane crash, is there something you can take in the immediate aftermath that will protect you against later developments? I think that the research is very, very exciting. I think it is emblematic of where the field has to go, which is to understand vulnerability and resilience, and then to understand if we can help people to achieve resilience through our own version of vaccination, immunization or just training them to deal with trauma.” © ScienCentral, 2000-2003.

Keyword: Stress
Link ID: 3794 - Posted: 06.24.2010

NewScientist.com news service An experimental drug given to a UK teenager with the human form of mad cow disease appears to have stopped the fatal disease in its tracks. The controversial treatment may even have improved 18-year-old Jonathan Simms' condition, according to his father. Pentosan polysulphate had never been used in humans for treating vCJD before being injected directly into Jonathan's brain. The treatment began in January 2003 after the family won a High Court ruling against the UK's National Health Service. The NHS had refused to allow doctors to carry out the procedure with an untested drug. But the court ruled the treatment acceptable, as without treatment Jonathan was certain to die. © Copyright Reed Business Information Ltd.

Keyword: Prions
Link ID: 3793 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Hormone therapy tempts aging men, but its risks haven't yet been reckoned Ben Harder With each passing birthday, Mr. Y feels increasingly frail. His bones have grown fragile, his strength has slipped, and his muscles have given way to fat. His sex drive has waned, and his once-keen mind seems perpetually fogged. He often feels gloomy. Vigor has turned to fatigue, zest to melancholy. In body and in mind, he has grown old. While advanced age naturally brings certain declines, a growing number of men who might identify with the fictive Mr. Y are looking to hormone-replacement therapy to stave off the advance of the characteristic signs. Specifically, they're taking prescribed, synthetic forms of testosterone. Declining concentrations of natural androgens, which include testosterone and related male sex hormones, may be at least partially responsible for physical and mental signs of aging in some men. Accumulating research suggests that supplemental testosterone can stall or counteract some aspects of these declines, but the specifics are far from resolved. What's more, it will take years to determine whether the treatment is doing most men more harm than good. As the first substantial studies are concluding, some doctors are optimistic. Testosterone therapy "can make the process of aging more tolerable," says Alvaro Morales, a urologist at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. "I'm all in favor of giving [certain aging men] therapy, but they have to be followed closely." Copyright ©2003 Science Service.

Keyword: Hormones & Behavior
Link ID: 3792 - Posted: 06.24.2010

By GINA KOLATA Each year, 300,000 Americans have bypass surgery to improve blood flow to their hearts. Most of the operations succeed. But a minority of patients leave the hospital confused or forgetful, unable to think clearly or unable to concentrate. "Pumpheads," some doctors privately call those patients, and the information shows that a third or more may be affected. As the term implies, doctors attributed the problems to the pump, the heart-lung machine that takes over during surgery when doctors literally stop a heart from beating so that they can repair its blocked vessels. Doctors theorize that something about the pump — little fat fragments or tiny clots that may be thrown into the blood or maybe blood pressure levels in the brain that are too high or too low — may be causing damage. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Keyword: Stroke
Link ID: 3791 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Since the introduction of chlorpromazine in psychiatry in 1952, all antipsychotic drugs with proven efficacy have been dopamine (DA) D2 receptor antagonists. It has been suggested that positive schizophrenic symptoms (such as hallucinations) are associated with increased subcortical DA neurotransmission, and negative and cognitive symptoms with impaired mesocortical DA function. Studies on striatal D2 receptor densities in drug-naive schizophrenic patients have indicated that deviation in D2 density is larger among patients vs. controls, and although some patients have markedly elevated D2 levels, the D2 densities do not differ substantially at group level. Although DA neurotransmission in basal ganglia may be more important for motor functions rather than for emotions and behavioral symptoms, D2 binding studies have previously concentrated in the striatum, because there have been no suitable in vivo -ligands available for measuring extrastriatal D2 receptor binding. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that extrastriatal D2/3 density in temporal and cingulate cortex is lower among drug naive schizophrenic patients when compared with matched controls.

Keyword: Schizophrenia
Link ID: 3790 - Posted: 05.13.2003

ATLANTA -- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN) researchers have demonstrated that genetically identical mice placed in different environments both pre- and post-natally differ dramatically as adults in their stress responses and learning abilities. The finding, reported in the May issue of Nature Neuroscience, suggests that pre- and post-natal maternal environments, when taken together, play a strong role in determining the stress profile and cognitive development of genetically identical mice. In the study led by Darlene Francis, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center, and Thomas Insel, MD, former director of the CBN and current director of the National Institute of Mental Health, the scientists selected two in-bred mouse strains known to differ in their stress reactivity (high versus low) and cognitive performance. All the mice within each in-bred strain were identical. To gauge the influence of different uterine and early-life environments on development, the scientists transferred embryos from recently mated low-stress (B6) female mice to female surrogates from the strain that displayed high-stress reactive profiles (BALBs). For comparison purposes, they also transferred embryos to surrogate females within the same strain.

Keyword: Development of the Brain; Stress
Link ID: 3789 - Posted: 05.13.2003