http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/caregiving/ Make informed caregiving and home health care choices for your loved ones. Read the latest research for caregivers on caregiving. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/caregiving/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105347.htm Researchers have discovered a mechanism that controls the brain's ability to create lasting memories. In experiments on genetically manipulated mice, they were able to switch on and off the animals' ability to form lasting memories by adding a substance to their drinking water. The findings are of potential significance to the future treatment of Alzheimer's and stroke. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110105347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110210509.htm Depression occurs in as many as one-third of patients after a stroke, and women are at somewhat higher risk, according to a large new review of studies. Post-stroke depression is associated with greater disability, reduced quality of life and an increased risk of death. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110210509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173714.htm Individuals with weaker muscles appear to have a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and declines in cognitive function over time, according to a new report. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029211647.htm Simvastatin, a commonly used, cholesterol-lowering drug, may prevent Parkinson's disease from progressing further. Neurological researchers conducted a study examining the use of the FDA-approved medication in mice with Parkinson's disease and found that the drug successfully reverses the biochemical, cellular and anatomical changes caused by the disease. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029211647.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173712.htm Cumulative exposure to five common infection-causing pathogens may be associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to a new report. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171715.htm A new study shows that a long period of estrogen deprivation can lead to loss of sensitivity and protective effects in the brain and weaken areas normally resistant to stroke damage. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103171715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104101541.htm Researchers have found that yoga may be more effective than standard treatment for reducing chronic low back pain in minority populations. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104101541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210331.htm New research, using an existing and inexpensive drug could help thousands of stroke patients to recover their mobility at a faster rate. Medical researchers are investigating whether L-Dopa (commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease) could help in this new context. There is existing evidence to show that certain nerve pathways in the brain are important in learning movement skills. The drug works by enhancing the activity of these pathways and if taken at the same time as conventional physiotherapy, could increase the effect of current treatment. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028202812.htm Despite recent advances in anti-inflammatory therapy, many rheumatoid arthritis patients continue to suffer from pain. Researchers have found that inflammation is associated with heightened pain sensitivity at joint sites, whereas increased sleep problems are associated with heightened pain sensitivity at both joint and non-joint sites. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028202812.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164100.htm Unstable carotid artery plaques -- those in danger of rupturing and leading to a stroke -- contain more inflammation and significantly less omega-3 fatty acids than asymptomatic plaques, according to new research. This suggests that increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in carotid artery plaques could either prevent strokes or improve the safety of treatment. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001164100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090654.htm Migraine with aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache) is associated with a twofold increased risk of stroke, finds a new study. Further risk factors for stroke among patients with migraine are being a woman, being young, being a smoker and using estrogen-containing contraceptives. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161521.htm Research has shown that diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and the risk of memory loss in people who don't have Alzheimer's disease. But it hasn't been clear whether people with Alzheimer's disease and diabetes have more rapid memory loss than those who have Alzheimer's disease but no diabetes. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027161521.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152820.htm Birth control pills nearly double the risk of stroke, according to a new review article. For women who take the Pill and also smoke, have high blood pressure or have a history of migraine headaches, the stroke risk is even higher. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172055.htm Glutamate is to the brain like coffee is to our bodies. A cup of Joe in the morning can wake us, but overloading on caffeine causes the stimulant to work against us. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172333.htm Scientists have countered findings of previous clinical trials by showing that giving supplemental oxygen to animals during a stroke can reduce damage to brain tissue surrounding the clot. The timing of the delivery of 100 percent oxygen -- either by mask or in a hyperbaric chamber -- is critical to achieving the benefit, however. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172333.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172101.htm People with high levels of a protein called C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation in the blood, may be at higher risk for heart attack and death but not stroke, according to a new study. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019172101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144727.htm Physical therapists studying persons with multiple sclerosis found that excessive force often used for gripping can be eased by gently touching the hand or arm in use, raising the possibility of new therapy approaches. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144727.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091010120051.htm A large study found strong evidence that older people who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are at increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), although not for stroke. This result adds to mounting evidence that AMD and cardiovascular disease may share some risk factors--smoking, high blood pressure, inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein, genetic variants such as complement factor H--and disease mechanisms. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091010120051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084208.htm Children with functional abdominal pain who used audio recordings of guided imagery at home in addition to standard medical treatment were almost three times as likely to improve their pain problem, compared to children who received standard treatment alone. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012084208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007103032.htm A researcher has discovered that the amount of an enzyme present in neurons can affect the mechanism thought to cause cell death in Alzheimer's disease patients and may have applications for other diseases such as stroke and heart attack. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007103032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084143.htm Stroke rehabilitation technology which patients can operate in their own homes while playing computer games, is being developed by academics in the UK. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161856.htm Adults who develop shingles are about 30 percent more likely to have a stroke within a year than adults who don't have shingles. When the shingles infection involves the skin around the eye and the eye itself, the risk of stroke may increase more than four-fold. Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008161856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181214.htm Drivers with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease may be at higher risk of crashes on foggy days and other times of low visibility, according to new research. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181214.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005210006.htm The antibiotic minocycline may revolutionize the treatment of strokes. A new study describes the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the drug in animal models. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005210006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006155905.htm A Michigan hospital is embarking on a research study for advanced Parkinson's disease using a state-of-the-art treatment called gene transfer. The clinical trial will test whether gene transfer therapy is able to restore better mobility in Parkinson's patients who have lost responsiveness to drug therapy. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006155905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006122332.htm The American College of Preventive Medicine supports the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force that primary care providers should screen all adults for depression, and further recommends that all primary care providers should have systems in place to ensure the accurate diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The earliest and best opportunities to identify depression are in the clinics of primary care providers and all primary care practices should have such systems of care in place. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006122332.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930165030.htm People who suffer from debilitating neuropathic pain may get more relief and sleep better by combining two commonly-prescribed drugs. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930165030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930084604.htm The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a growing number of soldiers evacuated to the United States for comprehensive care for physical and psychological trauma. Given the number of physical injuries often experienced by soldiers, it is not surprising that chronic pain is a frequent problem among returning soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930084604.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001101502.htm Many patients urgently admitted to hospital with cerebral infarction state that they were under great stress over a prolonged period prior to suffering their stroke, is shown in a unique patient study. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001101502.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172342.htm One out of every eight strokes is preceded by a "warning stroke," which is a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke, according to new research. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172342.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924141742.htm Chronic sleep deprivation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease makes Alzheimer's brain plaques appear earlier and more often, researchers report. They also found that orexin, a protein that helps regulate the sleep cycle, appears to be directly involved in the increase. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924141742.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923195110.htm Whether from heaving, twisting, bending or bad lifting postures, it's well known that caring for the sick or elderly can lead to back pain. This often results in time off work or dropping out of caring professions altogether. New research suggests that the fear of getting back pain from care work is predictive of actually developing it. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923195110.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921143147.htm A large-scale, multi-center clinical trial is under way in the US and Canada to determine whether a vitamin-like substance called coenzyme Q10, in high doses, can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921143147.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917161733.htm Stroke in infants and children may be two to four times more common than previously reported. Most studies rely on diagnostic codes for billing data to assess stroke rates, but this study also considered records of head imaging -- which revealed additional strokes. Researchers say stroke in children is still rare and parents need not be alarmed. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917161733.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092749.htm Younger people with pain look similar in terms of their disability to people who are two to three decades older without pain, according to a new study. The results of the study uncovered that people with pain develop the functional limitations classically associated with aging at much earlier ages. Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153117.htm In a small "proof of principle" study, stroke researchers have found that a simple, one-minute eye movement exam performed at the bedside worked better than an MRI to distinguish new strokes from other less serious disorders in patients complaining of dizziness, nausea and spinning sensations. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153117.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917111509.htm Relatives and nurses find it hard to judge how much chronic pain nursing home residents experience, according to a five-year study. Researchers have highlighted the need for more education on assessing and treating chronic pain after they spoke to 174 residents, 171 nurses and 122 relatives. They would also like to see more alternative pain relief strategies used, like providing massage and encouraging greater mobility. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917111509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910103325.htm The quality of a person's social life could have an even greater impact than diet and exercise on their health and well-being. There is growing evidence that being a member of a social group can significantly reduce the risk of conditions like stroke, dementia and even the common cold. New research highlights the importance of belonging to a range of social groups, of hanging onto social groups, and of building new social groups in dealing with life changes. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910103325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122052.htm Ever wonder why former smokers miss lighting up most when they are in a bar or after a meal with friends? Researchers say nicotine, the addictive component in cigarettes, "tricks" the brain into creating memory associations between environmental cues and smoking behavior. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122052.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908023650.htm The belief that healthy older brains are substantially smaller than younger brains may stem from studies that did not screen out people whose undetected, slowly developing brain disease was killing off cells in key areas, according to new research. As a result, previous findings may have overestimated atrophy and underestimated normal size for the older brain. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908023650.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143604.htm The polyphenols found in red wine are thought to help prevent Alzheimer's disease, and new research has shown that some of those compounds in fact reach the brain. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143604.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901164044.htm Researchers have discovered that a single gene promotes development of essential tremor in some patients and Parkinson's disease in others. These are two common but distinct neurological disorders. Notably, patients with essential tremor shake when they move, and Parkinson's disease patients shake when they are at rest. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901164044.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821135013.htm A Japanese research group has found that after a cerebral stroke in one side of a mouse brain, another side of the brain rewires its neural circuits to recuperate from damaged neural function. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821135013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806170715.htm Depressed stroke patients who received medication and psychosocial therapy improved significantly in the short term and a year later, compared to those receiving medication alone. The psychosocial therapy focused on depression education, problem-solving and increasing pleasant experiences. Depression is common after stroke and can impede recovery. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806170715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180739.htm Measuring blood flow in the ankle may identify stroke survivors at risk of subsequent events. This test, the ankle brachial index, compares blood flow in the ankle to blood flow in the arm to detect poor circulation caused by fatty plaque buildup in the lower body, a condition known as peripheral artery disease. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180739.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180732.htm The blood thinner warfarin can prevent strokes in most individuals with abnormal heart rhythms, but the drug may have the opposite effect in kidney disease patients on dialysis, according to a new study. The results suggest that warfarin should be prescribed with caution in patients with kidney failure. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180811.htm Healthy middle-aged women with feelings of hopelessness appear to experience thickening of the neck arteries, which can be a precursor to stroke, according to new research. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827180811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073254.htm A new study may have uncovered the reason why beta-blockers are less effective at preventing stroke in older people with high blood pressure, when compared to other drugs for high blood pressure. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073254.htm