Major Illness Increases Venous Thrombosis Risk

People with major illnesses, including liver or kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke, or arterial thrombosis, have an increased risk of venous thrombosis that dramatically increases during periods of immobilization or in the presence of thrombophilia.

Altered Neural Activation in Children Exposed to Fetal Alcohol

There is evidence of impaired behavioral and neural processing of sequential information in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Sedentary Behavior Worsens Decline in Cerebral Palsy

Adults with cerebral palsy may be able to reduce declines in muscle strength, improve function, and reduce cardiovascular and metabolic disease by avoiding sedentary behavior and engaging in physical activity.

Playing Videos Reduces Anxiety Before Pediatric Surgery

Children who watch a video clip of their choice during induction of inhaled anesthesia are less anxious than children who receive traditional distraction methods.

Exercise Cuts Cognitive Deficit Risk for At-Risk Seniors

For older people with white matter changes living independently, physical activity lowers the risk of cognitive impairment.

Combo Therapy Can Be First-Line Approach in Manic Episodes

Combination therapy is an acceptable first-line approach for manic episodes in terms of efficacy and prevention of relapse, with an acceptable safety profile.

Safety Concerns with Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy

A new study published in the journal Human Reproduction is challenging prior practice that it is safe for pregnant women who suffer from depression to take antidepressants.

Phase 3 Trial Updates of Lemtrada for Multiple Sclerosis

Genzyme, a Sanofi company, announced updated results from the Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) Phase 3 CARE-MS I and CARE-MS II pivotal studies in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

Two sNDAs Accepted for Latuda for Bipolar Disorder

Sunovion announced that the FDA has accepted two supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDAs) for the use of Latuda (lurasidone HCl) as 1) monotherapy and 2) adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate, both to treat adult patients with depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression).

Genetic Marker Associated With Smoking Linked to ADHD

A genetic marker previously identified as associated with smoking may also be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Early Behavioral Intervention 'Normalizes' Brain Pattern in ASD

For young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early behavioral intervention is associated with normalized brain activity patterns, which correlate with improvements in social behavior

Children With Autism Have Normal Development at 6 Months

The development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is similar to children without the disorder at 6 months of age, suggesting that ASD has a pre-clinical phase of varying duration when detection may be difficult.

ApoE ε3 Is Most Common ApoE Among Oldest Old

Most nonagenarians carry the ApoE ε3 genotype and few carry the ApoE ε4 genotype, with no association noted between the ApoE ε4 allele and quality of life (QOL).

High Reliability for Hypersexual Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Proposed criteria for hypersexual disorder (HD) show high reliability and validity.

Timing of Hormone Therapy Use Impacts Alzheimer's Risk

Use of hormone therapy (HT) within five years of menopause is associated with a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Poor Physical Performance Linked to Dementia in Over-90s

Poor physical performance is associated with increased odds of dementia among the oldest old.

Exercise Cuts Atrophy, White Matter Lesion Load in Elderly

In older adults, physical activity is associated with less brain atrophy and white matter lesion (WML) load.

Risk of Suicide Ideation Up for Recently Victimized Teens

Adolescents exposed to recent victimization have an increased risk for suicide ideation, with a higher risk for those exposed to polyvictimization.

Single Bout of Exercise Benefits Children With ADHD

A single bout of moderate intensity aerobic exercise may improve neurocognitive function and inhibitory control for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

AAP: Many School Football Players Ignore Concussion Signs

A considerable number of varsity high school football players continue not to seek medical attention for concussion-like symptoms due to concerns of being excluded from play, and most are not concerned about the long-term effects of concussions.

Extradural Motor Cortex Stimulation Safe in Parkinson's

Extradural motor cortex stimulation seems safe and moderately improves symptoms in Parkinson's patients one year after implantation.

Fycompa Approved for Partial-Onset Seizures

Eisai announced that the FDA has approved Fycompa (perampanel tablets) as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures in patients with epilepsy >12 years old.

Oxtellar XR Approved for Adjunctive Therapy in Partial Seizures

Supernus Pharmaceuticals received approval from the FDA for Oxtellar XR (oxcarbazepine extended-release tablets) for use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults and in children 6-17 years of age.

CHEST: Novel Stress Reduction Method Can Improve Sleep

A simple stress reduction technique, the 10-minute "Tension Tamer," can significantly reduce stress and improve sleep quality and fatigue.

Children With Autism Lack Language to Explain Behavior

Unlike typically developing children, children with autism do not use language areas of the brain to identify socially inappropriate behavior.

Stroke Risk Up With Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use

Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral and intracranial hemorrhage.

Post-Bleed Hydrocephalus Risk Up in Low-Income Preemies

Preterm neonates born to low-income parents have a disproportionately high risk of developing posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) that requires multiple surgeries and extensive follow-up.

Criteria Variable for Concussion Diagnosis in College Athletes

For college athletes, diagnosed concussions are associated with a specific contact event about two-thirds of the time, and diagnosis is often based on self-reported symptoms after a variable delay.

β-Amyloid Load Linked to Decline in Memory for Elderly

Elevated cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) load is associated with greater decline in episodic and working memory for healthy and cognitively normal older adults over an 18-month period, with a larger effect than that seen for the APOE ε4 allele.

Zonisamide 400mg Enhances Weight Loss for Obese

The antiepileptic drug zonisamide, at a dosage of 400mg per day, is associated with enhanced weight loss for obese patients when combined with diet and lifestyle counseling, but the incidence of adverse events is high.

Psychopathological Sequelae of ADHD Extend to Adulthood

For children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) without conduct disorders, the psychopathological consequences extend into adulthood, although most of these consequences begin in adolescence.

Even Modest Sleep Increase Improves Child Behavior

For children aged 7-11 years, a moderate increase in sleep correlates with improvement in emotional regulation and alertness, while the opposite effects are observed with sleep restriction.

Phase 3 Study Update of BG-12 for Multiple Sclerosis

Biogen Idec announced new data from Phase 3 studies evaluating oral BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate), which provide further evidence supporting its clinical and radiological effects in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Decline in Pulmonary Function Leads to Cognitive Decline

For older adults, decreases in pulmonary function lead to subsequent declines in cognitive function.

Impact of Negative News on Stress Reactivity Explored

Negative news appears to have an impact on stress reactivity and memory in women, more so than in men.

Cannabis Relieves Muscle Stiffness in Multiple Sclerosis

Cannabis extract (CE) is effective at treating muscle stiffness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Relocation Offers Mental Health Benefit for Some Teen Girls

Adolescent boys and boys and girls with health-related vulnerabilities who move from high-poverty public housing arrangements to low-poverty private apartments do not experience mental health benefits, although some girls without health vulnerabilities do benefit.

Low-Dose Aspirin Use Shows Neuroprotective Effect in Women

Daily low-dose aspirin treatment may reduce global cognitive decline in older women at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Forfivo XL Tablets Available for Major Depressive Disorder

Edgemont Pharmaceuticals announced that Forfivo XL (bupropion HCl extended-release tablets) is now available nationwide for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Prenatal Psychotropic Meds Affect Infant Language

Maternal mood and exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) in pregnancy affect development of the infant speech perception system.

ADHD Risk Increased With Maternal Mercury Exposure

The risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is higher with low-level prenatal mercury exposure, but lower with maternal fish consumption during pregnancy.

Nearly Half of Children With Autism Wander

Nearly half of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) wander away, with considerable numbers of them facing physical danger.

Deployment Affects Mental Health of Relief Workers

Humanitarian relief workers have increased levels of anxiety and depression after being deployed.

Delayed Auditory Processing Found in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Preschool children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) display delays in auditory processing, which may serve as a useful neural marker of information processing difficulties.

FDA Update: Budeprion XL 300mg Not Therapeutically Equivalent to Wellbutrin XL 300mg

The FDA has reviewed new data that indicate Budeprion XL 300mg (bupropion HCl extended-release tablets; Impax Laboratories), marketed by Teva, is not therapeutically equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline's Wellbutrin XL 300mg.

Fertility Treatment Linked to Multiple Sclerosis Worsening

Fertility treatment is associated with a higher risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations, which is linked to the increase in reproductive hormones affecting immune function.

Measures of Retinal Thickness Reflect CNS Pathology in MS

In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) without a history of optic neuritis, retinal measures reflect global central nervous system pathology.

Insomnia Linked to Costly Workplace Accidents, Errors

Insomnia-related workplace accidents and errors are more costly and more frequent than accidents and errors caused by other chronic conditions.

Many Juvenile Detainees Have Psychiatric Disorders Later On

As many as half of the children and adolescents who are in juvenile detention have psychiatric disorders five years after release.

NDA Submitted for Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder

Takeda and Lundbeck jointly announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for the investigational agent vortioxetine (Lu AA21004) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adult patients.

Melatonin Effective for Sleep in Patients Taking β-Blockers

Patients taking β-blockers for hypertension, which can disturb sleep, have improved sleep quality with melatonin treatment.

Quillivant XR Approved for Treatment of ADHD

NextWave Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA has approved Quillivant XR (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release oral suspension) for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Quillivant XR is the first once-daily extended-release liquid methylphenidate available for patients.

Male DNA Common in Women's Brains

Over 60 percent of women have male DNA in their brains, possibly from a prior pregnancy with a male fetus, which is associated with a lower prevalence of Alzheimer's disease.

Benzodiazepine Use Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia

New use of benzodiazepines correlates with an increase in the risk of dementia.

In Treated MS, Early Disease Activity Predicts Poor Outcome

After 15 years of follow-up, patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who display disease activity despite treatment with interferon (IFN)β-1a tend to have unfavorable long-term outcomes.

Infant Regulatory Problems Predict Somatic Symptoms

Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) in childhood may be predicted by feeding, sleeping, or tactile reactivity problems in the first 10 months of life,

Complementary Medicine Superior to Usual PTSD Therapy

A complementary medicine intervention of healing touch with guided imagery (HT+GI) reduces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms in returning combat-exposed active duty military personnel.

Much of Intellectual Disability Not Genetically Inherited

A considerable proportion of severe intellectual disability results from de-novo genetic variants, suggesting that only a small proportion of cases are likely to be inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion.

Transcription Profile Distinguishes Subgroups in MS

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be differentiated according to their transcription profile

NDA Submitted for Levomilnacipran for Major Depressive Disorder

Forest Laboratories and Pierre Fabre announced that Forest has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for levomilnacipran for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.

Stress-Weight Link in Black and White Teen Girls Studied

Increased stress is tied to weight gain in teenage girls, particularly black girls.

Interrelated Anxiety, GI, and Sensory Issues Common in ASD

For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a possibly interrelated phenomenon of co-existing anxiety, sensory over-responsivity, and gastrointestinal (GI) problems is common

Sporadic Jakob-Creutzfeldt Disease Often Misdiagnosed

Patients with sporadic Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease (sCJD) are often misdiagnosed, with only 18 percent correctly diagnosed at their first assessment.

Leadership Inversely Associated With Stress Levels

Leaders have lower levels of cortisol and lower reports of anxiety, with a dose-response association seen for levels of leadership, which seems to be mediated by a sense of control.

Deaths Due to Poisoning, Suicide, Falls Up in Last Decade

Deaths due to suicide, falls, and unintentional poisoning increased over the last decade, while motor vehicle accident deaths declined by 25%

Limited Evidence on Medication Use for Youth With Autism

There is a lack of evidence supporting the use of medications in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Simple Tool Helps Psychiatry Residents ID Risk of Violence

A simple, structured risk assessment tool, the Historical, Clinical, Risk Management-20 clinical subscale (HCR-20-C), could help psychiatric residents more accurately evaluate the risk for violence among patients.

AHA: Poor Sleep Quality Linked to Resistant Hypertension

Poor sleep duration is independently associated with a doubling of the risk of resistant hypertension (RH), but the association may be mediated by depressive symptoms.

Stress-Reducing Effect of Acute Exercise Persists

The anxiety-lowering effect of exercise seems to persist even after exposure to emotional stimuli.

Emotional Neglect in Childhood Ups Stroke Risk in Adults

Emotional neglect as a child may be tied to a higher risk of stroke as an adult

Phase 3 Study Updates of BG-12 for Multiple Sclerosis

Biogen Idec announced detailed results from its two pivotal clinical trials evaluating oral BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

CSF Assay Moderately Accurate for Diagnosing Sporadic CJD

For individuals with suspected sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3 protein assay is a useful diagnostic test.

SAFETY ALERT: Possible Heart Failure Risk with Mirapex

The FDA notified healthcare professionals about a possible increased risk of heart failure with Mirapex (pramipexole tablets; Boehringer Ingelheim).

Premature Death Rate Higher in People Who Self-Harm

People who self-harm have over three-fold higher rates of premature death, from both natural and external causes.

L-Carnitine Does Not Reduce Cancer-Related Fatigue

Patients with invasive malignancies who take L-carnitine supplements do not experience a reduction in fatigue, pain, or depression.

Health Ambiguity Linked to Depression in Stroke Survivors

Health ambiguity, or uncertainty about the outcome of illness, is significantly associated with depression in survivors of first stroke, and this association is stronger for men than women.

Considerable Out-of-Pocket Costs in Last Few Years of Life

Out-of-pocket health care expenditures can put a significant financial burden on elderly Medicare beneficiaries in their last five years of life.

Risk of Car Accidents Up With Antidepressant Use

There is an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) for patients taking antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or Z-drugs.

Antipsychotic Use Up Among U.S. Medicaid-Enrolled Youth

There has been a substantial increase in antipsychotic use among Medicaid-enrolled children in recent years, with the increase partially driven by youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those with multiple diagnoses.

Impact of Exposure to Road Traffic Noise Quantified

Noise-impact indicators, such as the percentage of the population who are highly annoyed and who have high levels of sleep disturbance, can be valuable metrics in comparing noise equity among urban communities.

Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease Ups Maternal Depression

Mothers who receive a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) commonly report posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.

Aubagio Approved for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Genzyme announced that the FDA has approved Aubagio (teriflunomide tablets), a new once-daily, oral treatment indicated for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Less Alzheimer's Pathology With Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Use

In autopsy findings, patients treated with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) show less Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathology.

sNDA Accepted for Vyvanse for Maintenance Treatment of ADHD in Children and Adolescents

Shire announced that the FDA has accepted the filing for review of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) Capsules (CII), seeking approval as a maintenance treatment in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Acupuncture Activates Neural Responses in Parkinson's

Patients with Parkinson's disease may benefit from acupuncture treatment on acupoint GB34, with improved neural response noted after acupuncture stimulation.

PTSD Seen in Nearly 20 Percent of Young Children With Cancer

Nearly 20% of infants and preschoolers with cancer suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Gestational Diabetes, Poverty Link to ADHD Strengthened

The previously reported association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been confirmed in a large German cohort.

No Long-Term Effects Seen for Letting Infants Cry Before Sleep

Infant sleep training techniques employed to reduce the short- to medium-term burden of infant sleep problems do not have lasting effects.

Mother's Depression During Infancy Affects Child's Growth

Maternal depression at nine months postpartum may negatively affect physical growth in early childhood.

Describing Fear May Regulate Emotional Aspects of Fear

Verbalizing fear may play a role in regulating the emotional aspects of fear.

Phase 3 Trial Update of Suvorexant for Insomnia

Merck announced new data for suvorexant, an investigational medicine in development for the treatment of insomnia.

Disengaged Preschoolers at Academic Risk

Preschoolers classified as extremely socially and academically disengaged have the lowest academic skills, compared with their peers.

Simple Eye Tracking Can Identify Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be detected with high accuracy by tracking eye movements while watching television.

Nearly Half of Teens With Autism Are Victims of Bullying

Nearly half of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are victims of bullying.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract Does Not Cut Progression to Alzheimer's

For elderly adults with memory complaints, use of standardized ginkgo biloba extract is no better than placebo for reducing the incidence of Alzheimer's disease.

SNDAs Submitted for Latuda for Bipolar Disorder

Sunovion announced that it has submitted two supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDAs) to the FDA seeking approval for the use of Latuda (lurasidone HCl) as 1) monotherapy and 2) adjunctive therapy to lithium or valproate, both to treat adult patients with depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression).

Alzheimer's, ALS Death Rates Up for Football Players

Neurodegenerative mortality is about three times higher among retired National Football League players, with Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mortality even higher, compared to the general U.S. population.

Reciprocal Increased Risk of Parkinson's, Prostate Cancer

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer and melanoma, which extends to their third-degree relatives, and there is evidence of a reciprocal risk.

Combat Stress Affects Soldiers' Cognitive Function

Combat stress has adverse effects on the mesofrontal circuit of the brain that are partially reversible.

MAOA Gene Expression Linked to Happiness in Women

Women with low expression of a gene involved in breaking down neurotransmitters report greater happiness.