 |
|
Attacks against medical researchers: Time to take a stand
April 10, 2008Biological Psychiatry, in its upcoming April 15th issue, is publishing a critically important commentary written by its Editors, members of its Editorial Committee, and its Editorial Board. This commentary is an urgent public statement, highlighting the increasing problem of terrorist acts, by individuals affiliated with groups such as the Animal Liberation Front, against investigators conducting research in non-human primates in the United States. Collectively, the 87 authors wish to not only declare their stance against these terrible acts, but also to emphasize the unique and vital role that non-human primate research plays in furthering our understanding of the neurobiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Primate mental health researchers are working diligently to alleviate human suffering, while carefully following stringent protocols designed to fully and ethically protect and care for these animals. At the same time, these so-called 'activists' are willingly harming humans in their misguided attempts to prevent animal research.
Attacks on these scientists are growing in number and intensity, with recent events having occurred at private residences and even against researchers' family members, beyond the relative protection of university or institutional campuses. The authors of this Biological Psychiatry commentary unequivocally state their support for their colleagues in neuroscience research, and bring this issue into the forefront of public awareness.
Dr. John Krystal, corresponding author of this commentary and Editor of Biological Psychiatry, remarks: "We felt that it was important to respond publicly to the attacks that have been directed at scientists, their families, and their neighbors because to be silent in the face of the attacks is to condone them. We condemn these misguided attacks. We all rely on these medical scientists to produce new treatments for medical illnesses." He adds, "We believe that strong public action is needed to end these attacks on medical researchers. We also applaud the effort taken on the part of universities like UCLA [The University of California, Los Angeles] to protect scientists and their work."
Elsevier
Dr. John Krystal, corresponding author of this commentary and Editor of Biological Psychiatry, remarks: "We felt that it was important to respond publicly to the attacks that have been directed at scientists, their families, and their neighbors because to be silent in the face of the attacks is to condone them. We condemn these misguided attacks. We all rely on these medical scientists to produce new treatments for medical illnesses." He adds, "We believe that strong public action is needed to end these attacks on medical researchers. We also applaud the effort taken on the part of universities like UCLA [The University of California, Los Angeles] to protect scientists and their work."
Elsevier
Biological Psychiatry News and Current Biological Psychiatry Events RSSLoss of sleep, even for a single night, increases inflammation in the body
Loss of sleep, even for a few short hours during the night, can prompt one's immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs.
New study finds that add-on therapy improves depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder
Lingering depression is a serious and common problem in bipolar disorder, and does not resolve well with existing treatments.
Genetic predisposition may play a role in anxiety disorders
Finnish scientists have identified genes that may predispose to anxiety disorders. Research conducted under the supervision of Academy Research Fellow Iiris Hovatta have focused on genes that influence human behaviour, and some of the studied genes show a statistical association with specific anxiety disorders.
Potential new targets for antidepressant medications
The news about antidepressant medications over the past several years has been mixed. The bad news from large multicenter studies such as STAR*D is that current antidepressant medications are effective, but not as effective as one might hope. Thus, there is a significant need for new treatment mechanisms for depression.
Chronic stress alters our genetic immune response
Most people would agree that stress increases your risk for illness and this is particularly true for severe long-term stresses, such as caring for a family member with a chronic medical illness.
A hormone that enhances one's memory of happy faces
Oxytocin was originally studied as the "milk let-down factor," i.e., a hormone that was necessary for breast-feeding. However, there is increasing evidence that this hormone also plays an important role in social bonding and maternal behaviors.
Study Shows Promising Results in Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression
New data from a study of patients with treatment-resistant depression who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subcallosal cingulate region (SCG or Cg25) of the brain shows that this intervention is generally safe and provides significant improvement in patients as early as one month after treatment. The patients also experienced continued and sustained improvement over time.
D-cycloserine may improve behavioral therapy treatment for anxiety
Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but in some, it can develop into a disabling disorder of excessive and irrational fears, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Effective treatments are available and can involve either behavioral therapy or medications.
New study replicates association between genetic variation and antidepressant treatment response
Pharmacogenetics, the study of genetic variation that influences an individual's response to drugs, is an important and growing focus in all of medical research, including psychiatry.
Does a gene variant make women more prone to alcoholism?
A particular gene variant might make women more susceptible to alcoholism. At least, a study carried out by the Universities of Bonn and Sweden's Karolinska Institute makes this a plausible conclusion.
More Biological Psychiatry News Articles
 | Biological Psychology (with CD-ROM) by James W. Kalat Dr. James W. Kalat's BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY is the best selling text in the market because of its extremely high level of scholarship, clear and occasionally humorous writing style, and precise examples integrated throughout the text. Throughout all nine editions, the goal has been to make biological psychology accessible to psychology students, not just to biology majors and pre-meds. The goal... |
 | Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey This clear and valuable book dispels a variety of myths about attention deficit disorder (ADD). Since both authors have ADD themselves, and both are successful medical professionals, perhaps there's no surprise that the two myths they attack most persistently are: (a) that ADD is an issue only for children; and (b) that ADD corresponds simply to limited intelligence or limited self-discipline.... |
 | Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice (4th Edition) by Glen O. Gabbard This new edition of the classic psychodynamic psychiatry text, Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, continues its tradition as the most readable, scholarly, and practical introduction to psychodynamic theory and practice available. Kept within arm's reach of all mental health professionals, this invaluable & ldquo;one-stop& rdquo; reference will prepare you to teach students and treat... |
 | Biological Psychology (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) by James W. Kalat This #1 best-seller has successfully introduced thousands of students to the intricate relationship between biology and psychology. This Eighth Edition redefines the high standard set by previous editions. It offers the best balance of rigor and accessibility, the most current research, and the most thorough technology integration available for your course--all presented within a unique modular... |
 | Discovering Biological Psychology by Laura Freberg Discovering Biological Psychology is a text for the beginning undergraduate course in biological, or physiological, psychology. The book provides a foundational understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system and its relationship to both typical and disordered human behavior.Written by an author with more than 25 years of teaching experience at schools ranging from community... |
 | Evolutionary Psychology (2nd Edition) by Steven J. C. Gaulin, Donald H. McBurney The second edition of Evolutionary Psychology is the only book on the market that shows the relevance of evolutionary thinking to the entire range of psychological phenomena, and it does so at a level appropriate for readers new to the field. Each chapter deals with a particular topic by illustrating how an evolutionary approach illuminates behavior as a response to problems faced by humans in... |
 | Study Guide for Kalat's Biological Psychology, 9th by Elaine M. Hull Written by Elaine M. Hall of Florida State University, this guide consists of chapter introductions, learning objectives, key terms and concepts, short-answer questions, and approximately 30 multiple-choice test items for each chapter. Many chapters include informational diagrams, and crossword puzzles to test key terms and... |
 | Biological Psychology by Stephen B. Klein, B. Michael Thorne This clearly and concisely written book provides a general introduction to the interaction of biological systems and behavior. The author assumes the reader has little or no neuroscience background and includes carefully chosen learning aids which allow the reader to make the connection between his own experiences and what physiology determines them. For anyone needing a solid introduction to... |
 | Shadow Syndromes: The Mild Forms of Major Mental Disorders That Sabotage Us by John J. Ratey Freud once said that nobody is "normal," and after reading Shadow Syndromes, you may well be convinced of that. While more than 50 million Americans suffer from full-fledged mental illnesses such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, millions more suffer from milder forms--yet they likely don't realize it. From chronic sadness to low self-esteem to shopping addiction to intermittent... |
 | Dimensions In Human Sexuality by Curtis O. Byer, Louis W Shainberg, Grace Galliano, Sharon P. Shriver, Pam Shriver The sixth edition of Dimensions of Human Sexuality reflects the latest research in human sexuality, with its organization and coverage streamlined to meet the needs of today’s sexuality courses. In addition to a revised organization, the new edition features new end-of-chapter pedagogy geared to foster students’ critical thinking skills, and coverage of sexual orientation has been... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |