Obese patients could be helped by experiments which suggest a particular hormone can affect appetite in humans. Ghrelin - or a drug designed to cancel its effects - might be able to help both people who are eating too little, such as cancer patients, or those who eat too much. The level of obesity-related diseases is growing steadily in the UK - they are estimated to cost £2.5bn and kill up to 30,000 people a year. The search for an effective appetite-limiting pill is also widespread, and only partly successful. However, doctors from Imperial College, London, and the city's Hammersmith Hospital, claim that Ghrelin is the first circulating hormone which appears to increase food consumption in humans. (C) BBC

Keyword: Obesity
Link ID: 1665 - Posted: 03.11.2002

By SARAH KERSHAW Linda Richard thought she would feel better by now. Instead, she is more anxious, more afraid, more paranoid. Six months after Sept. 11, she cannot sleep. She is overeating, taking the anti- depressants she had stopped using last spring, and her apartment, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, is a mess. There are too many Mondays spent under the covers, staring at the receipt for the last thing she bought at the World Trade Center — a pretzel — and ignoring the telephone. Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company

Keyword: Stress; Learning & Memory
Link ID: 1664 - Posted: 06.24.2010

In blind and blindfolded-sighted people, spatial language worked as well as audio cues, aiding the design of navigation tools for the visually impaired WASHINGTON - Designers of navigation systems for the visually impaired can tap new evidence of the mind's ability to update its internal "maps" relative to the body, using audio sounds or verbal directions with equal effectiveness. The findings can foster tools that not only get people from one point to another, but also help them build better mental images of their total environment -- including important places (such as pay phones or shops) not directly in their path. The research is reported in the March issue of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition, published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Three psychologists and a prominent geographer from the University of California, Santa Barbara and Carnegie Mellon University took 10 blindfolded, sighted participants and six blind participants to a grassy field to see how well they could walk to a target location. They learned their target location from one of two stimuli. One was an auditory 3-D stimulus at the target location, a loudspeaker playing a synthesized voice that said "Speaker 3." The other was an experimenter speaking in spatial language, with "o'clock" terminology for direction and linear feet for distance (for example, "2 o'clock, 10 feet" to walk 10 feet in a north-northeast direction). In some trials, participants were asked to walk directly to the target; in others, they walked forward from their starting point, then had to turn and walk toward the target after being tapped on the shoulder. © PsycNET 2002 American Psychological Association

Keyword: Hearing
Link ID: 1663 - Posted: 06.24.2010

By Cindy Starr, Post staff reporter A year ago, Dan Lewin was on the verge of disability and disaster. Forty years old and a critical financial provider for his wife and a blended family of seven children, he was becoming increasingly crippled by Parkinson's disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system. Some nights Lewin was so uncomfortable he could hardly sleep. Some mornings his legs cramped so badly he could hardly walk. He frequently awoke with paralyzing leg cramps. ''I was losing functionality in my legs and arms, and the tremors were worse,'' the Edgewood resident recalled. ''I was worn out because of tremors and slowness of movement. I couldn't do anything. It was complicated to even write my name.'' Copyright 2001 The Cincinnati Post, an E.W. Scripps newspaper.

Keyword: Parkinsons
Link ID: 1662 - Posted: 03.11.2002

By Bruce Lieberman UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Dr. Arthur Toga, a UCLA neuroscientist deep into research on how Alzheimer's disease devastates the aging brain, relies on a stunning amount of data to create images that map the mind. The analyses illustrate what the brain of an Alzheimer's patient looks like, and how and where the disease progresses over time. Research into Alzheimer's and other brain disorders promises to accelerate under a national initiative headed by UCSD. © Copyright 2002 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

Keyword: Brain imaging
Link ID: 1661 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Scientists believe they have identified a "master gene" linked to epilepsy and learning difficulties. Although other genes which can help cause epilepsy have already been identified, this gene controls how, where and when other genes work, affecting the way the brain functions. The Australian team behind the research said their discovery was likely to impact most on families and isolated cases with "non-specific" learning difficulties. Until now these could only be diagnosed by delayed development and intellectual impairment. The researchers, from the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide, estimate up to 2% of the population suffers from learning difficulties and the same percentage from epilepsy. (C) BBC

Keyword: Epilepsy; Genes & Behavior
Link ID: 1660 - Posted: 03.11.2002

Help for those still suffering stress from September 11 In the days after the September 11 attacks, a RAND Corp. survey found that 90% of Americans were suffering from stress related to the horrific events. Many have recovered. But for perhaps a third of those most directly affected--survivors, relatives of those who died, rescue workers--the misery continues. It has turned into chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Characterized by sleep disruption, flashbacks, and a desire to avoid any reminder of the occurrence, this condition is considered chronic if symptoms persist beyond three months. After six months, they stand an increased chance of becoming permanent. That's why anyone with serious symptoms--whether related to September 11 or some other traumatic event--should seek help. Also, new studies suggest that chronic stress may be linked to biological changes in parts of the brain associated with fear and memory. The brain may essentially start overreacting, causing repeated release of fear hormones and creating a vicious cycle of stress. Among those suffering from September 11 fallout is a 40-year-old New York firefighter who asked not to be identified. He was off-duty but rushed to the World Trade Center in time to watch the second tower fall. He spent the next three days crawling over the rubble, looking for friends he will never see again. Then came dreams of planes hitting buildings, of himself riding one of the towers down, of being in a room and hearing himself called up to die. Along with difficulty sleeping, he felt jumpy and emotionally detached--both classic PTSD symptoms. For two months, the firefighter used sleeping pills as he rotated among work, Ground Zero searches, and funerals for friends. Then he went to a therapist. "Not much has gotten easier, but I am not as depressed," he says now. "I'm having better days." Copyright 2002 , by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.

Keyword: Stress
Link ID: 1659 - Posted: 03.11.2002

Scientists have identified a key brain protein involved in retaining memories, which could help explain why some are stored away and some are not. So far, US researchers have only carried out the work on the brain patterns of mice. But the discovery could one day lead to the development of drugs that could treat age-related memory loss in humans. The scientists, from Columbia University in New York, looked at a protein called CREB (cAMP response element binding protein). CREB operates in the nucleus of brain cells and helps to activate genes which it has been thought could be involved in the formation of long-term memory. The scientists examined mice which had been genetically modified so that their brain contained an altered form of the protein which was always active. (C) BBC

Keyword: Learning & Memory
Link ID: 1658 - Posted: 03.10.2002

Scans of 'emotion engine' spot if we mean what we say Robin McKie, science editor The Observer Scanners that could determine our political beliefs, pinpoint our involvements in crime, or even uncover extra-marital liaisons are being developed by neurologists. It sounds like science fiction, but the idea is being taken seriously by neurologists following breakthroughs in research on the amygdala, an almond-shaped region of the forebrain. During one trial, scientists read the electrical patterns of amygdalas in individuals undergoing cognitive trials and decoded volunteers' emotions from their scanners. © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2002

Keyword: Emotions; Brain imaging
Link ID: 1657 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Chris Marshall noticed it when he snorkeled with manatees: Even when he remained still and quiet in murky water, they kept a safe distance. It was as if the lumbering sea cows had a sixth sense that kept them posted on his location. Now, Marshall, who did his doctoral research at the University of Florida, and two UF colleagues think they've discovered exactly what that sense is. In a paper accepted last month at the journal Brain, Behavior and Evolution , the researchers argue that manatees use small hairs on their body as "tiny antennas" that pick up information about water currents, nearby landscape and the presence of other animals. Copyright © 1995-2002 UniSci. All rights reserved.

Keyword: Pain & Touch; Animal Migration
Link ID: 1656 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Scientists claim to have found the first hard evidence that a common type of migraine has its roots in genetic differences. An estimated one in 10 "migraineurs" suffer from a form of the condition which involves "aura" as well as the better-known headache attacks. The "aura", which normally happens an hour or so before the headache, involves various kinds of sensory disturbance, such as dizziness or vision changes. A team of geneticists from the University of California in Los Angeles looked at blood samples from the members of 50 Finnish families which each had three or more sufferers. They looked to see if any of the families had genetic markers in common. In 30% of the 430 people studied, the scientists found three common genetic markers linked to one particular part of chromosome 4. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Genetics. (C) BBC

Keyword: Pain & Touch; Genes & Behavior
Link ID: 1655 - Posted: 03.09.2002

Copyright © 2002 AP Online The Associated Press GENEVA - The Swiss biotechnology company Serono SA announced Friday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved the firm's multiple sclerosis drug, Rebif, for use in the U.S. market. The FDA move effectively breaks the "orphan drug status" granted to Avonex, a multiple sclerosis drug produced by Biogen Inc., which is based in Cambridge, Mass. Shares of Biogen dropped 11 percent to $50.21 in early trading Friday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Copyright © 2001 Nando Media

Keyword: Multiple Sclerosis
Link ID: 1652 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Most smokers regret taking up the habit and say they would not do so if it was possible to get a second chance. A national survey also found that once hooked, many smokers were over-optimistic about how easy it would be for them to kick the habit. The survey of 893 smokers found that four out of five would not take up the habit if they had their time again. The sense of regret was most common among smokers aged 45 to 64. Most smokers overestimated the likelihood of stopping in the future and greatly underestimated how long it is likely to take. More than half expected to stop within two years, but in reality, only about 6% manage to kick the habit. (C) BBC

Keyword: Drug Abuse
Link ID: 1650 - Posted: 03.08.2002

by Julie Dopheide, Pharm.D., BCPP, and Susie Park, Pharm.D. Psychiatric Times March 2002 Vol. XIX Issue 3 The range of medicinal compounds useful for anxiety disorders has expanded from antidepressants, benzodiazepines and buspirone to include anticonvulsants, some antipsychotics and herbal/alternative compounds. Frequently, combination therapy is needed (e.g., antidepressant and benzodiazepine) to achieve maximum efficacy and tolerability. Epidemiologic studies (e.g., Kessler et al., 1994; Lecrubier, 1998) show that between 30% and 60% of patients with anxiety disorders have comorbid illnesses such as depression or a substance abuse disorder. The presence of comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions guides drug therapy selection. For example, antidepressants are preferred if comorbid depression exists, and benzodiazepines may be problematic in those with active substance abuse disorders. A World Health Organization study found that recognition of comorbidity in anxiety disorders was a key reason for preferentially prescribing antidepressants rather than benzodiazepines in most primary care practices worldwide (Lecrubier, 2001). Copyright 1995-2002

Keyword: Emotions; Stress
Link ID: 1649 - Posted: 03.08.2002

by Katharina Manassis, M.D. Psychiatric Times March 2002 Vol. XIX Issue 3 Anxiety disorders often begin in childhood and are associated with significant long-term morbidity (Bernstein et al., 1996). Recognizing and treating children with early signs of vulnerability to anxiety disorders are, therefore, important clinical goals. Twin studies have established a genetic contribution to childhood anxiety symptoms and disorders. Family-association studies have found anxiety disorders to be elevated in children of parents with anxiety disorders and, conversely, in parents of children with anxiety disorders. Specific genes linked to certain neurotransmitters implicated in anxiety are now being studied in anxiety-disorder populations. Further studies have demonstrated temperamental risk factors for anxiety disorders (most notably, behavioral inhibition) using both family-association and prospective designs (Biederman et al., 1990; Kagan et al., 1989; Manassis et al., 1995). While each type of study has certain methodological constraints, and constitutional factors undoubtedly interact with environmental ones, this group of findings makes an impressive case for a hereditary component in anxiety disorders. However, exploring environmental contributions to anxiety (for example, family problems or stressful life events) and developmental or medical contributors (for example, learning disabilities or hyperthyroidism) is also essential. Copyright 1995-2002, CME Inc.

Keyword: Genes & Behavior; Stress
Link ID: 1648 - Posted: 03.08.2002

by R. Bruce Lydiard, M.D., Ph.D. Psychiatric Times March 2002 Vol. XIX Issue 3 Over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates described a patient with social phobia, which is also known as social anxiety disorder (SAD): "He dare not come in company for fear he should be misused, disgraced, overshoot himself in gesture or speech or be sick; he thinks every man observes him." SAD Overview The lifetime and 12-month prevalences of SAD are 13.3% and 7.9%, respectively, making SAD the third most common psychiatric disorder following major depression and alcohol dependence/abuse (Kessler et al., 1994). Despite this high prevalence rate, SAD remains woefully underdiagnosed. There are two subtypes of SAD. Non-generalized SAD is the less severe subtype and includes those individuals who experience anxiety in only one or two types of social situations (primarily public speaking and/or performance anxiety experienced by entertainers). Individuals with non-generalized SAD usually have adequate social skills and function normally outside these specific performance situations. Copyright 1995-2002, CME Inc.

Keyword: Emotions; Stress
Link ID: 1647 - Posted: 03.08.2002

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have identified the underlying mechanism by which cocaine triggers hypertensive crisis, the most severe form of high blood pressure and one of the most common cocaine-related, cardiovascular emergencies in the United States. The findings, reported in the current issue of Circulation, may lead to the development of new treatment strategies for cocaine-induced blood pressure elevation and related complications including stroke and acute myocardial infarction. "The underlying mechanism of the blood-pressure-raising effect of cocaine use in humans has not been well studied," said Dr. Wanpen Vongpatanasin, senior author of the study and assistant professor of internal medicine. Copyright © 1995-2002 UniSci. All rights reserved.

Keyword: Drug Abuse
Link ID: 1646 - Posted: 06.24.2010

Researchers believe that because rats and mice are so well treated these days, the animals now respond slightly differently to the tests carried out on them. This could make it more difficult to compare the results of modern experiments with those conducted many years ago. It could also mean more animals have to be used in procedures to get statistically significant results - at least in the short term. (C) BBC

Keyword: Miscellaneous
Link ID: 1645 - Posted: 03.07.2002

Exclusive from New Scientist Print Edition Some people have a special gift for predicting the twists and turns of chaotic systems like the weather and perhaps even financial markets, according to an Australian psychologist. Richard Heath, who has now moved to the UK's University of Sunderland tried to identify people who can do this by showing volunteers a list of eight numbers and asking them to predict the next four. The volunteers were told that the numbers were maximum temperatures for the previous eight days. In fact the numbers were computer-generated: some sets were part of a chaotic series while the rest were random. Random sequences are by their nature unpredictable, whereas chaotic sequences follow specific rules. Despite this, chaotic sequences are very hard to predict in practice because of the "butterfly effect" - even an unmeasurably small change in initial conditions can have a dramatic impact on their future state. © Copyright Reed Business Information Ltd.

Keyword: Intelligence
Link ID: 1644 - Posted: 06.24.2010

But scientists unsure about extent of harm David Perlman, Chronicle Science Editor A three-city study of heavy marijuana users has found that long-term pot smoking impairs brain function, scientists report today. In an elaborate study of more than 150 men and women being treated for dependence on the weed, the researchers concluded that even many hours after the subjects' last joint, their memory proved defective, and so was their ability to concentrate, to solve problems involving numbers and words, and to resist distraction. An estimated 7 million Americans now smoke marijuana with at least some frequency, according to government figures. And ever since pot smoking aroused nationwide concern four decades ago, mental health specialists have debated whether, or how much, brain damage might result from heavy use. ©2002 San Francisco Chronicle

Keyword: Drug Abuse
Link ID: 1643 - Posted: 06.24.2010