Mental health Archives

1 year well baby check up approach – catching signs of autism early

5-minute screen identifies subtle signs of autism in 1-year olds — NIH-funded study demonstrates feasibility and effectiveness of conducting systematic screening during well-baby check-ups – A novel strategy developed by autism researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, called “The One-Year Well-Baby Check Up Approach,” shows promise as a simple way for physicians to detect cases of Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD), language or developmental delays in babies at an early age.

Potential Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic test using spinal fluid

Work Underway on Potential Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Test Using Spinal Fluid – Researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on a potential diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease, based on biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid.

Infants with persistent crying likely to have behavior problems in childhood

Infants with persistent crying problems more likely to have behavior problems in childhood – Infants who have problems with persistent crying, sleeping and/or feeding – known as regulatory problems – are far more likely to become children with significant behavioural problems, reveals research published ahead of print in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Half of all children with autism wander and bolt from safe places

Interactive Autism Network releases findings on critical safety issue, launches new research survey on pregnancy – The Interactive Autism Network (IAN), reveals the preliminary results of the first major survey on wandering and elopement among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and announces the launch of a new research survey on the association between pregnancy factors and ASD.

Brain size predicts dementia in advance in Alzheimer’s disease

Differences in brain structure indicate risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease — Thinning of key cortical areas predicts dementia up to a decade in advance – Subtle differences in brain anatomy among older individuals with normal cognitive skills may be able to predict both the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the following decade and how quickly symptoms of dementia would develop.

Gene therapy clearing toxic proteins in brain may prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Boosting protein garbage disposal in brain cells protects mice from Alzheimer’s disease — Gene therapy shows that clearing toxic proteins inside brain cells prevents plaque formation outside neurons – Gene therapy that boosts the ability of brain cells to gobble up toxic proteins prevents development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice that are predestined to develop it, report researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center.

EEG can diagnose autism spectrum disorders in infants

Using EEGs to diagnose autism spectrum disorders in infants — Machine-learning system finds differences in brain connectivity – A computational physicist and a cognitive neuroscientist at Children’s Hospital Boston have come up with the beginnings of a noninvasive test to evaluate an infant’s autism risk.

Relatively few young adults with autism receive assistance after high school

Relatively Few Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders Receive Assistance After High School – Use of medical, mental health and case management services for young adults with an autism spectrum disorder appears to decline after high school, revealed by researchers.

Imaging can identify biomarker of alzheimer’s disease

Imaging Procedure Can Identify Biomarker Associated With Alzheimer Disease – Preliminary research suggests that use of a type of molecular imaging procedure may have the ability to detect the presence of beta-amyloid in the brains of individuals during life, a biomarker that is identified during autopsy to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.

A new way to test blood for Alzheimer’s disease

A blood test for Alzheimer’s disease? – Using a new technology that relies on thousands of synthetic molecules to fish for disease-specific antibodies, researchers have developed a potential method for detecting Alzheimer’s disease with a simple blood test.

Children with autism lack visual skills required for independence

Children with autism lack visual skills required for independence – The ability to find shoes in the bedroom, apples in a supermarket, or a favourite animal at the zoo is impaired among children with autism, according to new research from the University of Bristol. Contrary to previous studies, which show that children with autism often demonstrate outstanding visual search skills, this new research indicates that children with autism are unable to search effectively for objects in real-life situations ? a skill that is essential for achieving independence in adulthood.

Medicaid funded ADHD treatment for children is failing

UCLA researchers find that Medicaid-funded ADHD treatment for children is failing – Whatever its final incarnation, the recently enacted landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will expand Medicaid eligibility and is expected by 2013 to provide coverage, including mental health care, to an estimated 4.1 million children currently uninsured.