http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/behavior/ Brain and behavior. Read current research on behavioral problems, cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. en-us Tue, 13 May 2008 08:05:01 EDT Tue, 13 May 2008 08:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/behavior/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512115927.htm Those with at least a high school education spend more of their older years without cognitive loss -- including the effects of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia -- but die sooner after the loss becomes apparent, reveals a new study in the Journal of Aging and Health. Tue, 13 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512115927.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512163845.htm The anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen and celecoxib do not appear to improve cognitive function in older adults with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, and naproxen may have a slightly detrimental effect, according to a new article. Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512163845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509105348.htm Millions of American teens report experiencing weeks of hopelessness and loss of interest in normal daily activities and many of these depressed teens are using marijuana and other drugs, making their situation worse, according to a new White House report. Sat, 10 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509105348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105606.htm Black bears that become habituated to human food and garbage may not be learning these behaviors exclusively from their mothers, as widely assumed. Bears that steal human food sources are just as likely to form these habits on their own or pick them up from unrelated, "bad influence" bears, researchers have found. Sat, 10 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105606.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162858.htm Although most adopted American teens are psychologically healthy, adoptees appear to be at greater risk for emotional and behavioral problems than non-adoptees, according to a new report in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. They are also more likely to have contact with a mental health professional. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505162858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501154225.htm Drug abusers who used a computer-assisted training program in addition to receiving traditional counseling stayed abstinent significantly longer than those who received counseling alone, a Yale University study has found. Sun, 04 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501154225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430201645.htm The risks of developing Alzheimer's disease differ between the sexes, with stroke in men, and depression in women, critical factors, suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Fri, 02 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430201645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502171622.htm Aerobic exercise combined with cognitive behavioral therapy may improve physical function, reduce depressive symptoms and enhance quality of life in depressed heart failure patients. Unlike other studies related to exercise in heart failure patients, all participants in the study were clinically depressed. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080502171622.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501180305.htm It seems like there's an ever growing number of portrayals of mental health therapy sessions on network television. But all of these TV portrayals may actually make viewers less likely to seek psychological services themselves. Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501180305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423131608.htm The influence of genetics increases as young women transition from their first drink to alcohol dependence. Researchers found that although environment is most influential in determining when drinking begins, genes play a larger role in advancing to problem drinking and alcohol dependence. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423131608.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422202514.htm Sixty-five percent of American women between the ages of 25 and 45 report having disordered eating behaviors, according to the results of an online survey. An additional 10 percent of women report symptoms consistent with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, meaning that a total of 75 percent of American women surveyed endorse some unhealthy thoughts, feelings or behaviors related to food or their bodies. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422202514.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421072159.htm Scientists have found evidence to suggest an important role for vitamin D in brain development and function, and that supplementation for groups chronically low in vitamin D is warranted. Vitamin D is present in only a few foods (e.g., fatty fish), and is also added to fortified milk, but our supply typically comes mostly from exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421072159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416152000.htm When it comes to remembering things, new research shows men are more likely than women to have mild cognitive impairment, the transition stage before dementia. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416152000.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416152245.htm If you think your parents let your younger siblings get away with everything, you're probably right. A new study concludes that parents punish older children more harshly -- and they're wise to do so. A new mathematical model supports unequal treatment of children because more severe discipline of older children deters younger siblings from engaging in the activities for which they know their older siblings were penalized. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416152245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415111640.htm Elderly patients who use antipsychotic drugs have a 60 percent increased risk of developing pneumonia compared to non-users. This risk is highest in the first week following prescription and decreases gradually thereafter. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415111640.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414174912.htm A study that randomized 261 women aged 35 to 46 with self-reported low libido and low serum free testosterone levels to a group that received one of three different doses of a testosterone spray or placebo daily for 16 weeks found that all groups -- including those taking placebo -- reported increased frequency of sexually satisfying events. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414174912.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416140934.htm For people with chronic epilepsy, little is known about the impact of aging on the course of cognitive and brain health, the prevalence of clinical disorders of aging (mild cognitive impairment, dementia), or the disease burdens and risk factors associated with abnormal cognitive and brain aging. A new article presents data that suggest several reasons for concern. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416140934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409110023.htm New study offers a closer look at the association between childhood sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and sleep apnea, and behavioral problems like hyperactivity and anxiety. Children with sleep-disordered breathing who are also overweight, sleep for short periods of time, or have another sleep disorder like insomnia are more likely to have behavior issues. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409110023.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407160745.htm Children who sleep less may be more likely to report symptoms of anxiety, depression and aggression later in life, according to a new report. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407160745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408160631.htm Post traumatic stress disorder is commonly thought to effect victims of major trauma and those who witness violence, but a new study finds that it also can effect children who have lost a parent expectedly to diseases such as cancer. The finding has major implications for helping children cope with grief. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408160631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405165601.htm Scientists have shown that it is possible to repair an injured brain by creating a small number of new, specifically-targeted innervations, rather than a larger number of non-specific connections. Behavioral tests have demonstrated that such reinnervation can thus restore damaged cerebral functions. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080405165601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402211731.htm Mild cognitive impairment -- a state between the normal forgetfulness that comes with aging and the more pronounced thinking deficits of dementia -- often progresses to Alzheimer's disease, but some people remain stable and others recover. New technology is improving the ability to determine who might fall into each category. Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402211731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403183053.htm Self-reported alcohol-impaired (AI) driving has increased in the United States during the last decade. New findings show that most AI driving is due to binge drinkers rather than heavy or alcohol-dependent drinkers. Researchers say effective strategies must address both excessive drinking as well as impaired driving. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403183053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403104346.htm When scientists set out to learn about the differences in Chinese and American parenting behaviors at mealtime, they learned something important about the reliability of cross-cultural research. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080403104346.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080331223830.htm Results of a randomized trial show no benefit in cognitive or neuropsychiatric outcomes from continuing neuroleptic drugs in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Almost all older dementia patients will have some neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms can include agitation, aggression, and psychosis. Neuroleptics (sometimes called antipsychotics) are the class of drugs often used to manage or control neuropsychiatric problems, but there have been questions about their safety and appropriateness. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080331223830.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328112127.htm Many parents are convinced that the brains of their teenage offspring are different than those of children and adults. New data confirms that this is the case. A new article describes how brain changes in the adolescent brain impact cognition, emotion and behavior. Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328112127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328124554.htm Parents should not worry when their pre-schoolers talk to themselves; in fact, they should encourage it, says a new study. The study shows that children do better on motor tasks when they talk to themselves out loud than when they are silent. Researchers also looked for the first time at the ways that autistic children talk to themselves and the effectiveness it has on the way they do things. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328124554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083300.htm Children who bully were found to have conflict in relationships with their parents and friends, and also to associate with others who bully. Researchers looked at 871 students for seven years, beginning at age 10, and found that most children engage in bullying at some point. The research underscores that bullying is a "relationship problem" that calls for interventions targeting the aggressive behavior, social skills, and problem-solving skills, and also on bullying children's strained relationships. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083300.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083313.htm Antisocial behavior was previously thought to be unchangeable in the teenage years. New findings suggest that social decision making and behavior reciprocally influence each other throughout adolescence. The study of 522 boys and girls in 7th through 12th grades utilized parent questionnaires and self-report measures to examine teenagers' judgments and behavior. The relation between decision-making and aggressive behavior supports the need for interventions that change thinking in antisocial adolescents to prevent aggressive responses in behavior. Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083313.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080320132646.htm Researchers have unlocked new evidence that could help them get to the bottom of our most common phobias and their causes. Hundreds of thousands of people count snakes and spiders among their fears, and while scientists have previously assumed we possess an evolutionary predisposition to fear the unpopular animals, new research seem to indicate otherwise. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080320132646.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080321174211.htm Parents concerned about their teens' involvement in risky and criminal behavior have traditionally involved their kids in sports, church and community activities. Do those activities really help prevent risky behaviors in youth? And do the activities affect boys and girls differently? New research in Crime & Delinquency studies those questions, helping parents and youth workers design effective delinquency prevention plans. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080321174211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080320095045.htm Despite public health campaigns, a surprising number of women continue to use substances such as tobacco, marijuana and alcohol during pregnancy and their usage rebounds to pre-pregnancy levels within two years of having a baby. Dads, meanwhile, don't get the messages at all. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080320095045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319152426.htm Approximately 25 percent of breast cancer survivors experience mild to moderate memory, concentration and cognitive problems known as "chemobrain". A new study has documented the extent of changes to the brain's white matter in women who received chemotherapy for breast cancer. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319152426.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318124436.htm More than a third of people over age 70 have some form of memory loss according to a national study. While an estimated 3.4 million Americans have dementia, defined as a loss of the ability to function independently, the researchers estimate that another 5.4 million over age 70 have memory loss that disrupts their regular routine but is not severe enough to affect their ability to complete daily activities. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318124436.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312141248.htm Cocaine addicts often suffer a downward emotional spiral that is a key to their craving and chronic relapse. While researchers have developed animal models of the reward of cocaine, they have not been able to model this emotional impact, until now. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312141248.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080308090927.htm Workplace bullying, such as belittling comments, persistent criticism of work and withholding resources, appears to inflict more harm on employees than sexual harassment, according to researchers. Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080308090927.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304214434.htm Although children of alcoholics have a greater risk of developing alcohol-use disorders, not all children of alcoholics will develop alcohol-use disorders. A new study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activity of adolescent children of alcoholics. Findings indicate that different brain regions may contribute to whether children of alcoholcs will be resilient or vulnerable to the development of alcohol-use disorders. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304214434.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305144202.htm The combination of negative mother-daughter relationships and low blood levels of serotonin, an important brain chemical for mood stability, may be lethal for adolescent girls, leaving them vulnerable to engage in self-harming behaviors such as cutting themselves. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305144202.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305121015.htm Using a epidemiologic approach, researchers have discovered a key indicator for increased risk of mental retardation in the general population. Researchers found that low maternal education resulted in the highest risk of intellectual disability to offspring compared with other factors such as maternal illness, delivery complications, gestational age at birth, and even very low birth weight. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080305121015.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304152837.htm Researchers are one step closer to helping children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder improve their self-control. ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed chronic psychiatric conditions in today's school-aged children and is based on such behavioral criteria as mpulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention and learning disabilities. A new study looked at impulsivity in two strains of rat. The spontaneously hypertensive rat has been proposed as a rodent model of ADHD because the rats have behavioral characteristics similar to those seen in humans diagnosed with ADHD. In the study, the impulsivity of spontaneously hypertensive rats was compared to their parent strain without hypertension, Wistar-Kyoto rats, using a self-control choice task that was originally developed in humans. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304152837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303164504.htm Entrenched sedentary behavior such as watching television and playing computer video games has been the bane for years of parents of overweight children and physicians trying to help those children lose pounds. Researchers now have shown in a randomized trial that by using a device that automatically restricted video-viewing time, parents reduced their children's video time by an average of 17.5 hours a week and lowered their body-mass index significantly. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303164504.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228100717.htm The distinctive ability of mothers to identify the cries of their offspring is widely evident in nature, where it is critical to the survival of these offspring. Particular circuits in the brain, involving several regions in the cerebral cortex and limbic system, are distinctively activated when mothers distinguish the smiles and cries of their own infants from those of other infants. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228100717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229105843.htm The information that a child has been diagnosed with autism often throws parents into an emotional tailspin. Most people don't immediately consider the major financial struggles that follow. She suggests more outreach is needed to help families plan and cope with the profound financial life changes they may face. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229105843.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226162906.htm More than half of teenagers with the most debilitating forms of depression that do not respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) show improvement after switching to a different medication combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, researchers have found. Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226162906.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219203557.htm A new gene therapy approach that attracts and "trains" immune system cells to destroy deadly brain cancer cells also provides long-term immunity, produces no significant adverse effects and -- in the process of destroying the tumor -- promotes the return of normal brain function and behavioral skills, according to a new study. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219203557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220091419.htm One cognitive scientist takes issue with the truism, "The more information, the better." In his experiments, innovation was stifled in groups in which information was freely shared because once a good idea was offered about a difficult problem, the human tendency to glom onto it instead of exploring further took over. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220091419.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219203554.htm Researchers from Finland found that if stroke patients listened to music for a couple of hours a day, their verbal memory and focused attention recovered better and they had a more positive mood than patients who did not listen to anything or who listened to audio books. This is the first time such an effect has been shown in humans and the researchers believe it has important implications for clinical practice. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219203554.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215135707.htm Humans are social animals; we spend much of our time with others in groups. We are also wise. It is not our size, speed, or strength that distinguishes us from other mammals, but our intelligence. How might these two features -- being social and being smart -- go together? Researchers found that people who engaged in social interaction displayed higher levels of cognitive performance than the control group. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215135707.htm