http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/disorders_and_syndromes/ Read the latest research on psychological conditions, neuroscience and diseases of the brain. Symptoms and treatment options. en-us Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:05:01 EDT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/disorders_and_syndromes/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215626.htm A new study found that trained sexologists could infer a woman's history of vaginal orgasm by observing the way she walks. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903204225.htm Researchers have investigated how proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease interact to form unique complexes. Their findings explain why Alzheimer's patients might develop Parkinson's, and vice versa. The new and unique molecular structures they discovered can now be used to model and develop new drugs for these devastating neurological diseases. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903204225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134311.htm Research engineers and sleep medicine specialists from two Michigan universities have joined technical and clinical hands to put innovative technologies to work in the sleep lab. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134311.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075218.htm Lingering depression is a serious and common problem in bipolar disorder, and does not resolve well with existing treatments. Because individuals with both depression and bipolar disorder experience a glutathione deficiency, an antioxidant that protects cells from toxins, researchers sought to evaluate whether N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an over-the-counter supplement that increases brain glutathione, might help alleviate depressive symptoms. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902221739.htm What is it that distinguishes humans from other mammals? The answer to this question lies in the neocortex -- the part of the brain responsible for sensory perceptions, conscious thought and language. Humans have a considerably larger neocortex than other mammals, making it an ideal subject for the research of higher cognition. Scientists now reveal new insights into the mysteries of neocortex organization and function. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902221739.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904115125.htm A series of experiments suggest that society's emphasis on action over inaction may lead to unforeseen consequences. The findings could help understand how common words used in everyday life may influence conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904115125.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904102800.htm An unsatisfying drug for anxiety reveals to scientists a promising novel anti-cancer drug target. Cancer cells have multiple ways to avoid apoptosis, programmed cell death the means by which organisms deal with defective cells. One defense is to produce quantities of phosphatic acid, a phospholipid constituent of cellular membranes. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904102800.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904115119.htm Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus can contribute to mild neurodegeneration with features common with Alzheimer's disease -- the first study to show that obesity can cause neurodegeneration. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904115119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904102753.htm Specific brain regions show increased activity during hallucinations. Researchers introduce a new experimental approach to studying hallucinations as they occur. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904102753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904145218.htm In a case-control study, the presence of measles virus RNA was no more likely in children with autism and GI disturbances than in children with only GI disturbances. Furthermore, GI symptom and autism onset were unrelated to MMR vaccine timing. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904145218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902143234.htm Scientists have identified a way in which the brain's ability to process information diminishes with age, and shown that this break down contributes to the decreased ability to form memories that is associated with normal aging. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902143234.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902095113.htm If there's one thing that everyone knows about newborn babies, it's that they don't sleep through the night, and neither do their parents. But in fact, those first six months of life are crucial to developing the regular sleeping and waking patterns, known as circadian rhythms, that a child will need for a healthy future. Some children may start life with the sleep odds stacked against them, though, say sleep experts who study the issue. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902095113.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902171155.htm Scientists have discovered that a gene controlling whether blood vessels differentiate into arteries or veins during embryonic development is linked to a vascular disorder in the brain that causes stroke. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902171155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080905215945.htm Type 2 diabetes is caused by an inability of the beta-cells in the pancreas to produce enough of the hormone insulin to meet the body's needs. Central to this is a loss of beta-cell function and mass as a result of insulin resistance (the inability of cells in the body to respond appropriately to insulin). Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080905215945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172407.htm Researchers in the United States and Sweden used an engineered virus to deliver a protein that glows green when exposed to blue light (green fluorescent protein) into newborn cells of the striatum in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903204227.htm A new study has found that mothers who delivered vaginally compared to caesarean section delivery were significantly more responsive to the cry of their own baby, identified through MRI brain scans two to four weeks after delivery. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903204227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134211.htm Hearing loss due to cochlear damage may be repaired by transplanting human umbilical cord hematopoietic stem cells. This study, using animal models of chemical and auditory cochlear damage, found that when transplanted stem cells migrated to the damaged area, "surprisingly few" transplanted cells were necessary to help repair sensory hair cells and neurons. Researchers say transplanting umbilical cord stem cells provides hope for the repair of human hearing impairments rising from cochlear damage. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075211.htm Loss of sleep, even for a few short hours during the night, can prompt one’s immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs. Losing sleep for even part of one night can trigger the key cellular pathway that produces tissue-damaging inflammation according to new research. The findings suggest a good night’s sleep can ease the risk of both heart disease and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205721.htm Brain scans taken at different times of year suggest that the actions of the serotonin transporter -- involved in regulating the mood-altering neurotransmitter serotonin -- vary by season, according to a new report. These fluctuations may potentially explain seasonal affective disorder and related mood changes. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172156.htm In an effort to better understand how chronic stress affects the human body, researchers have created an animal model that shows how chronic stress affects behavior, physiology and reproduction. Developing the animal model better positions the researchers to understand the neurohormonal causes of such stress and the body reaction in order to develop more effective treatment options for humans. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172156.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205719.htm Older age among fathers may be associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder in their offspring, according to a new report. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902112259.htm Scientists reviewed the latest findings about the effect of antihypertensive treatment on cognitive function and dementia at a recent conference. As a risk factor for stroke, ischemic brain lesions and silent brain infarcts, general atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular morbidity, hypertension may also be a risk factor for dementia related to cerebrovascular disease. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902112259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902104856.htm In today's fast-paced world, multitasking has become an increasingly necessary part of our daily routine. Unfortunately, multitasking also is notoriously inefficient. However, a new brain imaging study led by a cognitive neuroscientist finds that there are optimal times when we are better suited to multitask. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902104856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215617.htm Better guidance is urgently needed for doctors in child protection cases to prevent them from being deterred from acting to protect children, says an editorial online. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904215617.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904082740.htm A new study found obese people with asthma are 4.6 times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than non-obese people with asthma. The study surveyed 1,113 asthmatics and is the first study to control for risk factors that explain the obesity-asthma association: smoking, oral or inhaled corticosteroid medication use, gastroesophageal reflux disorder and demographics. The study found obese people had a harder time controlling asthma day-to-day compared to non-obese people with asthma. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080904082740.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902171054.htm After 10 years of steady decline, researchers say a recent spike in the teen suicide rate is not a fluke and new prevention strategies need to be developed. The teen suicide rate jumped 18 percent from 2003-2004. That's the largest one year change in 15 years. Now, the most recent stats available (2004-2005) show the numbers are still significantly higher, and experts are concerned this could be a new trend. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902171054.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902171151.htm Deep brain stimulation, a surgical technique often viewed as a last resort for people with Parkinson's disease, halts the progression of dopamine-cell loss in animal models, according to preliminary research. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902171151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205723.htm Low-birth-weight children appear to be at higher risk for psychiatric disturbances from childhood through high school than normal-birth-weight children, according to a new report. In addition, low-birth-weight children from urban communities may be more likely to have attention problems than suburban low-birth-weight children. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902221741.htm After being interrupted by a word-recognition task, experienced meditators' brains returned faster to their pre-interruption condition. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine changes in blood flow in the brain when people meditating were interrupted by stimuli designed to mimic the appearance of spontaneous thoughts. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902221741.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205626.htm Scientists have presented the compelling neurobiological story of discovering the first autism genes. The role of gene mutations, their association with synapse abnormalities, and -- surprisingly -- a connection between circadian rhythms and autism risk was discussed at a recent conference. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084845.htm A neuroimaging study has found that cognitive processes related to verbal fluency are compromised in people with insomnia despite the absence of a behavioral deficit. These specific brain function alterations can be reversed, however, through non-pharmacological treatment with sleep therapy. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205624.htm New research illuminates the benefits and risks of antipsychotic medication in children and its impact on individual well-being, social, educational and/or vocational functioning, and disease burden. Scientists have pointed out the challenges that clinicians encounter in treating children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders, and discuss the requirements for starting antipsychotic treatment in clinical practice. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902143236.htm Researchers have uncovered for the first time molecular circuitry associated with schizophrenia that links three previously known, yet unrelated proteins. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902143236.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084847.htm A study in the Sept. 1 issue of the journal Sleep is the first to objectively determine the prevalence of periodic limb movements during sleep in a population-based sample, finding a lower prevalence of PLMS in African-Americans and a higher rate of insomnia complaints in people with PLMS. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084847.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172140.htm Elderly people who take a cholesterol drug after a stroke or mini-stroke lower their risk of having another stroke just as much as younger people in the same situation, according to new research. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903172140.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084842.htm Objectively measured heavy snoring is an independent risk factor for early carotid atherosclerosis, which may progress to be associated with stroke. The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis, a leading cause of stroke, increases significantly with the severity of snoring. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080831114717.htm Scientist have presented the latest findings on how brain cells can be adversely affected by stress and depression. They have explained how the adult brain is generating new cells. These findings will impact the development of novel antidepressant drugs. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080831114717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220511.htm All drugs used to treat psychosis are linked to an increased risk of stroke, and dementia sufferers are at double the risk, according to a study published on bmj.com today. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084837.htm Daytime sleeping during a rehabilitation stay predicts less functional recovery for older adults, with effects lasting as long as three months. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901084837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902095110.htm A B-vitamin-deficient diet caused cognitive impairment and cerebral vascular changes without evidence of neurodegeneration in mice. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms that may underlie human age-related cognitive decline. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902095110.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080830192456.htm An illusion that tricks people into believing a rubber hand belongs to them isn't all in the mind, researchers have found. They have observed a physical response as well, a finding that offers insight into conditions which affect a patient's sense of self and body ownership, such as stroke, schizophrenia, autism, or eating disorders. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080830192456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220515.htm Scientists have created a biophysical methodology that may help to overcome hearing deficits, and potentially remedy even substantial hearing loss. The authors propose a method of retuning functioning regions of the ear to recognize frequencies originally associated with damaged areas. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902221737.htm The motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the second most common genetic disorder leading to death in childhood. There is currently no cure for SMA, but some clinicians and researchers consider stem cell transplantation as a potential therapeutic strategy. And now, work using a mouse model of SMA suggests that spinal cord neural stem cells might be a possible treatment for individuals with SMA. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902221737.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902074553.htm Scientists have discovered a simple and inexpensive way to predict the rapid loss of visual acuity, the ability to see detail, in “dry” AMD patients. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902074553.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080829104939.htm Women with depression may be much more likely than men to get relief from a commonly used, inexpensive antidepressant drug, a new national study finds. But many members of both sexes may find that it helps ease their depression symptoms. The persistence of a gender difference in response to the drug -- even after the researchers accounted for many complicating factors -- suggests that there's a real biological difference in the way the medication affects women. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080829104939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205732.htm More than half of orphaned youth age 12 to 24 who head households in rural Rwanda meet criteria for depression, according to a new report. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205725.htm Family-focused therapy, when combined with medication, appears effective in stabilizing symptoms of depression among teens with bipolar disorder, according to a new report. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901205725.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901090117.htm Depression and heart disease are the two leading disorders with the strongest contributions to the global burden of disease. Depression and heart disease are also intertwined. In recent years, much attention has been given to depression following heart attack and its effects on prognosis. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080901090117.htm