EurekAlert! - National Institutes of Health

Public Release: 20-Dec-2012

Child Development
Toddlers' language skills predict less anger by preschool
Toddlers with more developed language skills are better able to manage frustration and less likely to express anger by the time they're in preschool. That's the conclusion of a longitudinal study looking at 120 predominantly White children from families above poverty but below middle income from the time they were 18 months to 48 months.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Public Release: 16-Dec-2012

Nature Neuroscience
Even the smallest stroke can damage brain tissue and impair cognitive function
Blocking a single tiny blood vessel in the brain can harm neural tissue and even alter behavior, a new study in animals has shown. But these consequences can be mitigated by a drug already in use, suggesting treatment that could slow the progress of dementia associated with cumulative damage to miniscule blood vessels that feed brain cells.

NIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, American Heart Association

Public Release: 11-Dec-2012

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
Kinsey research: Postpartum women less stressed by threats unrelated to the baby
Following the birth of a child, new mothers may have an altered perception of stresses around them, showing less interest in threats unrelated to the baby. This change to the neuroendocrine circuitry could help the mothers adapt to the additional stress often accompanying newborns, say researchers from Indiana University's Kinsey Institute and the University of Zurich, in a study published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 7-Dec-2012

American Journal of Psychiatry
Paradox of aging: The older we get, the better we feel?
Aging has been viewed as a period of progressive decline in physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning, and is viewed by many as the "number one public health problem" facing Americans today. This negative view of aging contrasts with results of a comprehensive study of 1,006 older adults in San Diego by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Stanford University.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Center for Research Support, John A. Hartford Foundation

Public Release: 3-Dec-2012

Clinical Psychological Science
Research explores markers of depression from childhood to adulthood
Although several studies have followed the course of depression throughout the lifespan, the characteristics of depression at different developmental stages haven't been clearly identified. New research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, presents a unique longitudinal investigation of depression across four critical developmental periods from childhood to adulthood.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Public Release: 30-Nov-2012

NeuroImage
In schizophrenia patients, auditory cues sound bigger problems
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the VA San Diego Healthcare System have found that deficiencies in the neural processing of simple auditory tones can evolve into a cascade of dysfunctional information processing across wide swaths of the brain in patients with schizophrenia.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Mitsubishi Pharma Research

Public Release: 29-Nov-2012
New grant funds autism research at SDSU
San Diego State University psychology research professor Inna Fishman is embarking on a study to identify the differences in brain networks of children and adolescents with autism and those who are typically developing.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 26-Nov-2012

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Brief exercise immediately enhances memory, UCI study finds
A short burst of moderate exercise enhances the consolidation of memories in both healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment, scientists with UC Irvine's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory have discovered.

University of California Irvine's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 21-Nov-2012

Neuron
Brain waves encode rules for behavior
A new study from researchers at MIT and Boston University sheds light on how neural ensembles form thoughts and support the flexibility to change one's mind.

National Science Foundation, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 19-Nov-2012

Proceedings of the National Acadamy of Sciences
Experimental drug improves memory in mice with multiple sclerosis
Johns Hopkins researchers report the successful use of a form of MRI to identify what appears to be a key biochemical marker for cognitive impairment in the brains of people with multiple sclerosis. In follow-up experiments on mice with a rodent form of MS, researchers were able to use an experimental compound to manipulate that same marker and dramatically improve learning and memory.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Public Release: 18-Nov-2012

Nature
Skin cells reveal DNA's genetic mosaic
The prevailing wisdom has been that every cell in the body contains identical DNA. However, a new study of stem cells derived from the skin has found that genetic variations are widespread in the body's tissues, a finding with profound implications for genetic screening, according to Yale School of Medicine researchers.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Simons Foundation, State of Connecticut

Public Release: 15-Nov-2012

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Youth with autism gravitate toward STEM majors in college -- if they get there
It's a popularly held belief that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) gravitate toward STEM majors in college (science, technology, engineering mathematics). A new study, co-authored by Paul Shattuck, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, confirms that view yet finds that young adults with an ASD also have one of the lowest overall college enrollment rates.

National Science Foundation, Autism Speaks, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Institute of Education Sciences

Public Release: 14-Nov-2012
NIH awards Penn scientists $10 million over 5 years for innovative research on single cells
Two Penn researchers will be studying the role of how messenger RNA molecules vary in their function in individual cells with a five-year, $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Their award is supported by the NIH Common Fund and is part of three initiatives of the Single Cell Analysis Program Genomic Frontiers Institute.

NIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Biotechnology, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 13-Nov-2012

Oncogene
For brain tumors, origins matter
Since stem cells and progenitor cells are regulated by different growth factors, brain tumors arising from these cells might respond differently to different therapies. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute found that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induces stem cell growth, but inhibits neuronal progenitor growth. bFGF also blocks the growth of tumors that originate from progenitors. This study suggests bFGF-like molecules might be used to treat medulloblastoma -- but only tumors with the appropriate origins.

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Public Release: 13-Nov-2012

Brain, Behavior and Immunity
Being neurotic, and conscientious, a good combo for health
Under certain circumstances neuroticism can be good for your health, according to a University of Rochester Medical Center study showing that some self-described neurotics also tended to have the lowest levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a biomarker for inflammation and chronic disease.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Aging

Public Release: 13-Nov-2012

Translational Psychiatry
Glutamate neurotransmission system may be involved with depression risk
Researchers using a new approach to identifying genes associated with depression have found that variants in a group of genes involved in transmission of signals by the neurotransmitter glutamate appear to increase the risk of depression.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 12-Nov-2012

Developmental Cell
Cilia guide neuronal migration in developing brain
A new study demonstrates the dynamic role cilia play in guiding the migration of neurons in the embryonic brain. Cilia are tiny hair-like structures on the surfaces of cells, but here they are acting more like radio antennae. In developing mouse embryos, researchers were able to see cilia extending and retracting as neurons migrate. The cilia appear to be receiving signals needed for neurons to find their places.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

Public Release: 11-Nov-2012

Nature Neuroscience
Schizophrenia genetic networks identified; Connection to autism found
Although schizophrenia is highly genetic in origin, the genes involved in the disorder have been difficult to identify. In the past few years, researchers have implicated several genes, but it is unclear how they act to produce the disorder. A new study by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center identifies affected gene networks and provides insight into the molecular causes of the disease. The paper was published today in the online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

SFARI,MAGNet, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Columbia University/Lieber Center, NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NARSDAD

Public Release: 1-Nov-2012

Schizophrenia Bulletin
Study: Use of antipsychotic drugs improves life expectancy for individuals with schizophrenia
Results of a Johns Hopkins study suggest that individuals with schizophrenia are significantly more likely to live longer if they take their antipsychotic drugs on schedule, avoid extremely high doses and also regularly see a mental health professional.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 31-Oct-2012

New England Journal of Medicine
Regional analysis masks substantial local variation in health care spending
Reforming Medicare payments based on large geographic regions may be too bluntly targeted to promote the best use of health care resources, a new analysis from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health suggests. The analysis will be published in the Nov. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Institute of Medicine, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Public Release: 30-Oct-2012

Circulation: Heart Failure
Controlling depression is associated with improved health for heart-failure patients
Controlling depression in patients with heart failure can improve health status, social functioning and quality of life, according to a new study by psychiatrists and cardiologists at the UC Davis and Duke University schools of medicine.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 30-Oct-2012

Child Development
Distinct developmental patterns identified in children with autism during their first 3 years
In the largest prospective study to date of children with early and later manifestation of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) compared to children without ASD, researchers found two distinct patterns of language, social and motor development in the children with ASD.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Autism Speaks

Public Release: 30-Oct-2012

Child Development
Homelessness, high mobility threaten children's achievement
Children who are homeless or move frequently have chronically lower math and reading skills than other low-income students who don't move as much. That's the finding of a new longitudinal study on children's risk and resilience that looks at more than 26,000 students in the Minneapolis Public Schools. Researchers used administrative data (such as test scores, attendance, and eligibility for free and reduced-price meals), comparing students identified as homeless or highly mobile to other students.

University of Minnesota, NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, National Science Foundation, Institute of Education Sciences

Public Release: 30-Oct-2012

Child Development
At 6 months, development of children with autism like those without
The development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is much like that of children without ASD at 6 months of age, but differs afterwards. That's the main finding of the largest prospective, longitudinal study to date comparing children with early and later diagnosis of ASD with children without ASD. Researchers looked at 235 primarily White children with and without an older sibling with autism, testing them at regular intervals from ages 6 to 36 months.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Autism Speaks

Public Release: 29-Oct-2012

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Early autism intervention improves brain responses to social cues
An autism intervention program that emphasizes social interactions and is designed for children as young as 12 months has been found to improve cognitive skills and brain responses to faces, considered a building block for social skills. The researchers say that the study, which was completed at the University of Washington, is the first to demonstrate that an intensive behavioral intervention can change brain function in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders.

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Autism Speaks