ADHD linked to social and economic status

ADHD linked to social and economic disadvantage — Scientists have found evidence of a link between social and economic status and childhood attention deficit disorder in the UK – Scientists have found evidence of a link between social and economic status and childhood attention deficit disorder (ADHD) in the UK. A team led by the University of Exeter Medical School analysed data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a database of more than 19,500 UK children born between 2000 and 2002.

Mind wandering may lead to insomnia

Brain imaging study reveals the wandering mind behind insomnia — Study is the first to find functional MRI differences in working memory in people with primary insomnia – A new brain imaging study may help explain why people with insomnia often complain that they struggle to concentrate during the day even when objective evidence of a cognitive problem is lacking.

1 in 3 children with food allergies experience bullying

Mount Sinai survey shows that nearly 1 in 3 children with food allergies experience bullying – Nearly a third of children diagnosed with food allergies who participated in a recent study are bullied. Almost eight percent of children in the U.S. are allergic to foods such as peanuts, tree-nuts, milk, eggs, and shellfish.

Omega 3 supplements may slow aging effects

Omega-3 supplements may slow a biological effect of aging – Taking enough omega-3 fatty acid supplements to change the balance of oils in the diet could slow a key biological process linked to aging, new research suggests.

Obesity may lead to impaired brain function

Obesity and metabolic syndrome associated with impaired brain function in adolescents – Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cognitive and brain impairments in adolescents and calls for pediatricians to take this into account when considering the early treatment of childhood obesity. As childhood obesity has increased in the U.S., so has the prevalence of metabolic syndrome ? a constellation of three or more of five defined health problems, including abdominal obesity, low HDL (good cholesterol), high triglycerides, high blood pressure and pre-diabetic insulin resistance.

Temper tantrum an early sign of mental health problem

When to worry about kids’ temper tantrums — Distinguishing between preschoolers’ typical misbehavior and early signs of mental health problems – Temper tantrums in young children can be an early signal of mental health problems, but how does a parent or pediatrician know when disruptive behavior is typical or a sign of a serious problem?

Heart failure depression symptoms reduced by exercise

Exercise boosts mental and physical health of heart failure patients — Exercise results in modest reduction in depressive symptoms for patients with chronic heart failure – Moderate exercise helps ease depression in patients with chronic heart failure, and is also associated with a small but significant reduction in deaths and hospitalizations.

Autism detected by computer analysis of EEG

Computer analysis of EEG patterns suggests a potential diagnostic test for autism — Largest, most unbiased analysis to date finds distinguishing EEG features – Widely available EEG testing can distinguish children with autism from neurotypical children as early as age 2, finds a study from Boston Children’s Hospital. The study investigated EEGs as a potential diagnostic tool for autism, and offers hope for an earlier, more definitive test.

New study to find role of stress in development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Stress link to Alzheimer’s goes under the spotlight — A new ?1.5 million study to find role of stress in development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease – Chronic stress is being investigated in a new Alzheimer’s Society funded research project as a risk factor for developing dementia. It is part of a ?1.5 million package of six grants being given by the charity fighting to find a cause, cure and way to prevent the disease.

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