Articles tagged with Behavior Disorders
Researchers at Caltech found that altering gut bacteria can improve autism-like behaviors in mice, reducing GI problems and improving communication and social interactions. The probiotic treatment corrected a 'leaky' gut characteristic associated with autism.
Researchers found that gut bacteria changes are associated with autism-like behaviors in mice, which improved when treated with beneficial bacteria. The study suggests a potential therapeutic role for probiotics in treating gastrointestinal and behavioral symptoms of autism.
A novel approach to treating autism spectrum disorder teaches affected children to control their autonomic nervous system using computerized biofeedback and clinical hypnosis. The method recognizes symptoms as an effort to self-regulate inner turmoil, allowing children to feel better and be more socially engaging.
The Weatherstone Fellowship program supports the development of rising talent in autism research, providing critical resources for building early careers. The five 2013 recipients will work directly with mentors and collaborate with others to share knowledge and experiences.
Researchers at University of British Columbia successfully reduced behaviors associated with problem gambling in rats by blocking dopamine D4 receptors. The study found that rats treated with the drug exhibited reduced levels of behaviours like near-misses, offering new hope for treating gambling addiction.
Researchers found that methylphenidate and atomoxetine, two FDA-approved ADHD medications, increase brain activation when making fine temporal distinctions. This improvement in brain function is linked to improved behavior in children with ADHD.
A University of Missouri researcher has found that individuals genetically predisposed to anxiousness are less likely to volunteer and help others. Helping such individuals cope with their anxiety may increase their prosocial behavior, improving their overall health and well-being.
The concept of food addiction is being debated as a potential mental disorder, with some studies suggesting that certain obese individuals exhibit addictive-like behavior towards food. However, more evidence is needed to support inclusion in the DSM, and experts caution against over-diagnosing disorders.
Researchers at Drexel University are developing a smartphone app to track individuals' patterns of eating and binge-eating behavior, alerting them at risk. A new evidence-based approach to small-group behavioral therapy also aims to equip patients with psychological tools to adhere to standard treatments.
Research at UC Davis Center for Neuroscience found that maternal viral infection alters brain cell communication and increases risk of autism spectrum disorder. The study discovered a novel biological signaling pathway linking maternal immune activation to disease-linked behaviors.
A systematic questionnaire has been devised and evaluated to identify pre-school children with an increased risk of long-term post-traumatic disorders within a few days of an accident. The questionnaire recorded high accuracy, identifying 85% of children who would later develop PTSD.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that inner-ear dysfunction can cause neurological changes leading to hyperactivity in mice. The study implicated two brain proteins involved in a signaling pathway that controls movement, providing potential targets for medication.
Tel Aviv University researchers used zoological methods to classify symptoms of OCD and schizophrenia in humans. The study found that schizo-OCD patients exhibited both OCD-like behavior and symptoms of schizophrenia, suggesting it's a combination of both disorders.
Mental and substance use disorders were the leading cause of non-fatal illness worldwide in 2010, with depressive disorders accounting for 40% of the burden. The analysis also found that mental and substance use disorders were responsible for more deaths than HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, with opioids causing the greatest health burden.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study reveals that prescribing atypical antipsychotic medications to children with behavioral problems or mood disorders triples their risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a year. The risk persists even after medication discontinuation.
A Danish study of siblings found the recurrence risk for autism spectrum disorders varied from 4.5 percent to 10.5 percent depending on the birth years. The study suggests an almost seven-fold increase in ASDs risk if an older sibling had an ASD diagnosis, highlighting the role of genetics and maternal intrauterine environment.
A recent study has identified a third brain region, the orbital frontal cortex (OFC), critical for shifting between habitual and goal-directed actions. This discovery has important implications for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders where habit balance is disrupted.
A study of 191 patients found that ADHD-related impulsivity worsens the prognosis for adults with eating disorders, particularly those with bulimia and binge-eating disorders. The research also identified age and low self-direction as risk factors for developing an eating disorder.
A UCLA study shows that a four-week program teaching yoga-based breathing practices can significantly reduce impulsive behavior in adolescents, leading to improved emotional regulation and decision-making skills. The program was found to be effective in reducing impulsive acts such as drug abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and violence.
Researchers used fNIRS to study 3- and 4-year-old children's visual working memory, finding that neural activity in the right frontal cortex is linked to higher capacity, while 4-year-olds show increased use of the parietal cortex for spatial attention. The findings could help detect childhood disorders like ADHD and autism earlier.
Researchers at MIT found that blocking activity in the infralimbic cortex prevents rats from learning to run a maze on autopilot. The study suggests a new approach to treating disorders of repetitive behavior by targeting this brain region.
Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes and Salk Institute have developed a novel brain-tracing technique to map neurons in the basal ganglia, revealing clues about how specific brain regions connect. The findings suggest that different brain areas preferentially transmit signals to distinct types of neurons, guiding movement and decisi...
A Northwestern University study found that male offspring of rat mothers who were given alcohol during pregnancy exhibit social impairment and altered levels of autism-related genes. Low doses of thyroid hormone thyroxin reversed social impairments and expression of these genes, suggesting a potential treatment target for both disorders.
Researchers found that brain circuits controlling obsessive-compulsive behavior are intertwined with those controlling food intake and body weight. The study suggests that minor disruptions in this system may lead to disorders like anorexia nervosa or OCD, as well as obesity, where individuals overconsume high-fat foods.
OCD researchers discovered a mechanism underlying compulsive behaviors in mice, suggesting potential treatments. The study's findings could lead to novel drug development and direct stimulation techniques, including deep brain stimulation.
Researchers used optogenetics to re-establish normal behavior in mice with obsessive-compulsive disorder-like symptoms. Light stimulation attenuated compulsive behavior, and the approach may help identify dysfunctional neuron circuits contributing to the disorder.
Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the neural mechanisms of compulsive behavior by activating a specific brain circuit that controls compulsive behavior. By using optogenetics, they were able to block compulsive behavior in mice and demonstrate potential new approaches for treating diseases such as OCD.
A new study found that a spike in acetylcholine in the right prefrontal cortex activates response to signals, suggesting a potential brain mechanism for switching between behaviors. The findings have implications for treating disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found a significant link between high levels of sexual harassment and purging behaviors in men. Men who experience severe harassment are more likely to engage in compensatory behaviors such as inducing vomiting and taking laxatives.
Researchers found that patient age influences the onset of pathological gambling disorder and its clinical course. Younger patients are more likely to be impulsive, while older patients seek to modulate negative emotional states.
Researchers used optogenetics to study the interaction between two brain regions involved in emotional behavior. They found that stimulating one pathway increased anxiety-like behavior, while stimulating another pathway promoted reward-associated behaviors.
A new somatic symptom disorder in DSM-5 risks mislabeling many people as mentally ill due to a lack of specificity and high false-positive rate. The condition will classify excessive responses to distressing symptoms, potentially leading to inappropriate medical decision-making.
Researchers discover that unhealthy eating behaviors can worsen moods in women without prior mood changes, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between emotions and eating. The study's findings suggest that this connection may play a role in the development and maintenance of unhealthy eating habits.
The UK's premature mortality rates have worsened, particularly among men older than 55 years, due to increases in drug and alcohol use disorders. The country ranks lower than other nations in several health metrics, including ischaemic heart disease, COPD, and stroke.
A new study found that adult sleepwalking is associated with increased daytime sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and altered quality of life. The study involved 100 adult patients and a control group, revealing that 22.8% experienced nightly episodes and 43.5% weekly episodes.
Researchers will use a novel model and emerging technology to study astrocytes in autism spectrum disorders, providing a framework for future strategies. The grant supports Trapp's work on mechanisms of neurodegeneration and repair in multiple sclerosis and related conditions.
Nicole Calakos studies synaptic defects in the basal ganglia that underlie compulsive behavior, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Mice with overactive metabotropic glutamate receptors exhibit impaired synaptic plasticity, leading to obsessive-like behaviors.
A comprehensive analysis found children with autism are 5 times more likely to have feeding problems, including tantrums and severe food selectivity. The study also showed lower intake of calcium and protein, and a higher number of nutritional deficits among these children.
Researchers investigate patterns of dysgraphia in participants with primary progressive aphasia, comparing them to those with stroke-related dysgraphia. They also explore nonverbal semantic processing in individuals with semantic aphasia and dementia, shedding light on brain-behavior relationships.
Research at George Washington University reveals that genetic lesions associated with autism disrupt cellular mechanisms for interneuron development. LaMantia found that the Cxcr4 cytokine receptor plays a crucial role in regulating interneuron migration.
A study published in Nature reveals that normalizing excessive protein synthesis in the brain can partially remedy autistic-like behaviors in laboratory mice. The researchers found that reducing protein production reversed behaviors such as repetitive actions and improved social interaction.
The study reveals that musculoskeletal and mental behavioral disorders are the leading causes of disability worldwide. Lower back pain, depression, iron-deficiency anaemia, and neck pain were found to be among the top sequelae responsible for the greatest overall health loss in both 1990 and 2010.
DELSIA and Seaside Therapeutics aim to discover genetic and protein biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from treatment with arbaclofen, a potential treatment for core social impairment in autism. The partnership will help generate critical information to develop targeted treatments.
Researchers found that externalizing symptoms like aggression drove ED visits among children with ASD. Private insurance coverage was linked to a higher likelihood of psychiatric ED visits due to excluded autism coverage and restrictive reimbursement limits.
A study examines parental behaviors that create anxious children, revealing a link between parents' social anxiety and their offspring's angst. The research identifies specific behaviors, including lack of warmth and criticism, which can increase anxiety in children.
Researchers found moderate to insufficient evidence supporting various autism interventions, highlighting the need for well-designed studies. The expert panel recommends focusing on assessment and monitoring treatment outcomes, addressing needs of preverbal and nonverbal children, and identifying effective strategies for core deficits.
Researchers identify SRGAP3 protein as root cause of several childhood psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and hydrocephalus. The discovery opens new avenues for targeted treatments rather than symptom relief.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed new tools to better treat ADHD patients in early stages, including a method to enhance parental and teacher input for more effective treatment. The tools also show promise in diagnosing and treating children with both ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder.
Autism Speaks' new affiliate, DELSIA, will develop medicines, treatments, and products from scientific research, focusing on improving quality of life for those affected by autism. DELSIA's venture philanthropy model aims to translate lab breakthroughs into real-world solutions.
A UCLA-led team of experts found the proposed criteria to be reliable and valid in helping mental health professionals diagnose hypersexual disorder. The study accurately classified 88% of patients as having the disorder, with significant consequences including job loss, relationship end, and emotional distress.
A team of MIT neuroscientists has created a way to monitor brain-cell activity by detecting calcium ions, which could provide insights into the origins of autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The technique allows for pinpointing specific cell types involved in psychiatric diseases.
Pathological gamblers exhibit abnormally increased reward expectancy, leading to overoptimistic expectations of gambling outcomes. Brain activity studies reveal a higher activation in reward areas when expecting potential wins, contributing to the addictive mechanism.
A team of scientists will enroll 250 people living with HIV/AIDS in a clinical study to compare an intervention with a Holistic Health Recovery Program adapted for Alcohol Use Disorders, aiming to enhance patients' awareness and modify behaviors that promote HIV disease progression.
A study of children in Massachusetts found that low-level prenatal mercury exposure is associated with a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors. Conversely, fish consumption during pregnancy appears to be protective, particularly for impulsive/hyperactive behaviors.
A study found that nearly half of males and 30% of females had psychiatric disorders five years after detention, highlighting the long-term impact of juvenile incarceration on mental health. Substance use disorders were the most common, with males having a higher risk than females.
Researchers have created two innovative technologies to detect behavioral markers in children with autism. An eye-tracking system using gaze-tracking glasses and facial-analysis software can automatically measure eye contact, while a wearable system using accelerometers monitors problem behaviors. These tools aim to improve understandi...
Research by Carnegie Mellon University neuroscientists reveals that autistic adults exhibit poor response reliability in sensory systems, including vision, hearing, and touch. This fundamental neural characteristic may contribute to behavioral changes and social interactions difficulties in autism.
Researchers identified a link between a genetic variant in the MET receptor tyrosine kinase gene and changes in brain connectivity, particularly in social behavior. The 'C' variant was found to disrupt functional and structural connectivity of brain networks involved in social behavior in both healthy children and those with ASD, but h...
A new study found that brain scans can predict patients' responses to cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder. The researchers measured brain activity while patients looked at faces before treatment and found those with greater activity in high-level visual processing areas showed the most improvement after therapy.
Case studies published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation show Apple iPod Touch PDAs as effective vocational supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder. The device provides strategies to help individuals with ASD function more successfully in the workplace, including task reminders, lists, and video prompts.