Monthly Archive for February, 2009
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Links
The exact causes of many psychiatric illnesses are not known, and few risk factors exist for many of them. Scientists have long been trying to decipher the genetic from environmental factors that influence the development of psychiatric illnesses. Many studies have reported that certain mental illnesses run in families, but are there common genetic causes, or are they distinct pathologies? Now, a new study in The Lancet may shed some light on the genetic link between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Gender Affects Treatment Delays for Heart Disease
Many studies, as well as common medical sense, indicate that any delay in treatment for acute cardiac symptoms can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Complications of delaying treatment may cause cardiac dysrhythmias, congestive heart failure, infections in the lining of the heart, rupture of the heart structures, or death. Any delay in the recognition of symptoms, diagnosis of condition, or receipt of treatment increases the risk of these complications. Socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, and psychological factors all influence the timing of treatment, but a new study indicates that gender may be a leading factor in treatment delays for acute cardiac symptoms.
How Many Babies Is Too Many?
Like many of you, I have watched as the world has been captivated by the birth of the octuplets to Nadya Suleman. To say that this case has opened heated debates on the ethical and psychological issues related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) would be a gross understatement. What makes this case especially newsworthy is the fact that Ms. Suleman not only has a total of 14 children, all with the help of IVF, but is also single and unemployed.This is not the first octuplet birth to rock the medical community worldwide. In London 12 years ago the The Lancet produced an editorial on the story of Mandy Allwood. That case was also interesting for its many ethical questions: Ms. Allwood was secretly taking fertility drugs without medical supervision or informing her significant other.
The Memory of an Elephant
Are there days in your life that you would rather forget ever happened? Falling down the stairs in front or your entire class or an embarrassing fashion faux pas? By the same token, there are some occasions we wish could remain as fresh in our mind’s eye as the day they occurred -- whether it is a wedding day, the birth of a child or a graduation. Scientists have found 4 individuals who possess what is being referred to as “super-memory” -- the ability to recall in uncanny detail both private and world events that have taken place. Three of the individuals are male; the lone female was the first to be recognized.
Popular Posts
- The Love Drug
- Women After Sex
- Fatty Acids and Suicide Risk
- Mind Games - Science's Attempts at Thought Control
- Mental Health Disorders Prevalent Among Youth Worldwide
- Is Giftedness Nothing More than Good Genes?
- Risks of Personalized Medicine
- Behind the Masks - The Mysteries of Dissociative Identity Disorder
- The NeuroSocial Network
- Inside Your Brain on Holiday
Future Posts
Latest Posts
- Media Violence Leads to Real Violence
- Intelligence – Are You Holding Back Your Brain?
- Childhood Aggression Predicts Health Care Use Later in Life
- The Brain’s Border Patrol – Blood Brain Barrier
- Risks of Personalized Medicine
- BED-head and Obesity – Food for Thought
- Salvia Divinorum – DEA Control over Magic in the Mint
- Mighty Microglia – The Brain’s Immune Cells Key to Treating Brain Diseases
- Does Personality Play a Role in the Stress of Caregiving?
- Economic Burden of Poor Mental Health
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