ADHD Patients Found to Have Chemical Imbalance

New research shows the first definitive evidence that there is a chemical imbalance in the brains of those suffering from attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The study, conducted by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York State, has found that ADHD sufferers have deficiencies in the way the brain deals with dopamine, an amino acid involved in regulation of movement, thought, and behavior.

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Children of a Deployed Parent at High Risk for Psychological Problems

A new study by military doctors and researchers finds that a third of military children who have a parent deployed in a war zone are at high risk for psychological problems. The study surveyed military spouses of deployed Army soldiers with children aged 5 to 12, according to CNN.com.

Results found that stress levels were high for children and spouses of deployed troops but also that support networks from military to religious helped mitigate the problems. The number of children found to be high-risk is more than 2½ times the national level and higher than historical military samples.

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Study Identifies Link between Gene and Behavioral Problems in Disabled Adults

Adults who struggle with developmental and intellectual disabilities may often exhibit behavioral problems. As this can be an issue for loved ones or caregivers, it is important to understand the cause and identify possible treatments.

Science Daily recently published a release that examined a study of a common variation of the gene involved in regulating serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The findings from this study suggest a link between this gene and behavioral problems.

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Depression Screening Could Start as Early as Second Grade

In some reports, depression has been called the most “over diagnosed” disease in this country. In others, it is still considered to be a mental health issue largely undetermined in a number of individuals due to lack of symptoms or other contributing factors. Practitioners are trying to better implement depression screening, but exactly when to introduce the process can still be somewhat questionable.

Now, Science Daily has released a report examining new research that suggests screening could begin in children much earlier than previously thought. As depression is the most common mental health disorder in the United States, screening early and effectively is critical for an individual’s wellbeing.

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Scientists Suggest Current Testing to Predict Schizophrenia Inaccurate

Testing for schizophrenia and bipolar disease may be dangerously inaccurate, according to scientists. A recent Reuters report on Health News suggests that as many as 30,000 different gene variations could underlie these diseases, making the predictability of these diseases very difficult to determine.

A multinational group of researchers examined the DNA of 10,000 people with schizophrenia and 20,000 without, and found 30,000 common gene variations linked with the mental illness. This research also highlighted just how complex these diseases really are.

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Major Depression Contributes to Pain Symptoms

Pain is a complicated thing as symptoms cannot always be fully attributed to an organic origin for those suffering from depression. Dirk Frieser, psychologist at the Institute of Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, notes in a recent Science Daily report that women are more frequently affected by depression and by the so-called somatoform pain disorder.

Somatoform symptoms are those that cannot by fully explained in medical terms. Surprisingly, this is a widespread phenomenon. Frieser noted, “up to 80 percent of the symptoms reported in GP practices are somatoform. However, this does not mean that patients are simply ‘imagining’ that they have these symptoms.”

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Preventing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Beta Blockers

By Colin Gilbert

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that results from a person’s exposure to a terrifying event. Military combat, car accidents, or other near-death experiences are often at the root of the PTSD, which manifests itself in nightmares, cold detachment, or intense flashbacks.

Traditional forms of therapy have long been considered the best option for helping people cope with the disorder. Now, however, the medical community has found a surprising new ally in the battle against PTSD. Beta blockers, which are usually used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions, are helping some people stop traumatic memories before they start.

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The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

By Leslie Thompson

They’re members of your family. Best friends and confidants. They act as your alarm clock in the morning and a security guard at night. They’re your pets and then some. Ask any pet owner about the role their pet plays in their life and expect to pull up a chair and stay a while as they gush about their favorite four-legged critter. Simply stated, people love their pets. And for good reason. Studies have continually shown that people who own pets are happier, more productive, and overall healthier—both mentally and physically. It’s no surprise that a recent survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) shows that more than 57 percent of U.S. households own one or more animal. But how does owning a pet affect one’s health? You’d be surprised at how many ways!

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Depression, Substance Abuse, and Mental Illness in the Military

By Colin Gilbert

A 2007 CBS News story recounted the life of a soldier, Staff Sgt. Daniel Shannon, who had been injured in combat and subsequently suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Shannon was prone to violent outbursts, where he would find himself destroying furniture in fits of rage. Sadly, stories like his are common; as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have lingered on, rates of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, suicide, and PTSD have steadily climbed.

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New Research Identifies Greater Hope for Schizophrenia Patients

While schizophrenia can often be the butt of tasteless jokes, in reality it is a devastating disease for victims and their families. While there is no biochemical test that can identify this disorder, scientists believe that it is caused by the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors.

A recent Science Daily piece recently examined the work of researchers at UCLA who have identified additional genes that confirm that the immune system may play a role in the development of the disorder. These researchers may also have identified genetic anomalies that disrupt the cellular pathways involved in brain development, memory and cognition, which are all markers of schizophrenia.

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