Researchers know that the integrity of the brain's white matter is compromised in adult alcoholics, but it is unclear when during the course of drinking white matter abnormalities become apparent. A study of adolescent binge drinkers has found that even relatively infrequent exposure to large doses of alcohol during youth may compromise white matter fiber coherence.
Results will be published in the July issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.
"Because the brain is still developing during adolescence, there has been concern that it may be more vulnerable to the effects of neurotoxins, such as high doses of alcohol," said Susan F. Tapert, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego and director of Substance Abuse/Mental Illness in the VA San Diego Healthcare System. In fact, added the study's corresponding author, animal studies have suggested this is accurate.
"'White matter'" refers to brain areas that appear light in color due to being primarily lipids," added Duncan Clark, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "White matter is composed of bundles of myelinated axons connecting grey matter areas of the brain, and has been shown to continue to develop throughout adolescence. These systematic changes in white matter organization reflect not only maturation of interconnections but continued maturation of the brain as a whole."
"White matter, and its integrity, are essential to the efficient relay of information within the brain," said Tapert. "Indicators of white matter integrity are linked to performance on a range of cognitive tests, including measures of reading, copying complex figures, and speeded coding of information. Abnormalities in white matter health could relate to compromised ability to consider multiple sources of information when making decisions, and to emotional functioning."
Tapert and her colleagues used diffusion tensor imaging - an MRI technique sensitive to the random movement of water in cells of a target tissue - to examine fractional anisotropy, a measure of directional coherence of white matter tracts, among 28 teens. Of the 28, 14 (12 males, 2 females) had and 14 (12 males, 2 females) did not have histories of binge drinking. No participants had a history of an alcohol use disorder; drinkers were matched to non-drinkers on age, gender and education.
"This study showed that adolescents with histories of binge drinking episodes have lower coherence of white matter fibers, suggesting poorer white matter health, in a variety of brain regions," said Tapert. "Frankly, I was surprised we found this, because the drinkers did not meet criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence."
"These findings add to a growing literature indicating that adolescent alcohol involvement is associated with specific brain characteristics," said Clark. "One of the advantages of this study was that the adolescents with binge drinking did not have major mental disorders. Adolescents with alcohol-use disorders often have other problems. This suggests that the observed brain characteristics may be associated with alcohol involvement specifically rather than other complications."
"These findings, although cross-sectional, make me feel inclined to discourage adolescents from engaging in any binge drinking, that is, four or more drinks on an occasion for females, and five or more drinks on an occasion for males," said Tapert. "Drinking to the point of being drunk or experiencing hangover symptoms may be detrimental to the adolescent brain. However, long-term studies following adolescents over time are essential to clarify the extent to which alcohol causes these brain abnormalities."
Clark agreed: "These findings indicate that adolescents who engage in binge drinking show low levels of brain organization," he said. "This characteristic could be a risk factor for accelerated alcohol use or an effect of alcohol. We need to know more about how alcohol influences adolescent brain development, [given] that alcohol may disrupt brain development."
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) is the official journal of the Research Society on Alcoholism and the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism. Co-authors of the ACER paper, "Altered White Matter Integrity in Adolescent Binge Drinkers," were: Tim McQueeny of the University of Cincinnati; Brian C. Schweinsburg of the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University, and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Alecia D. Schweinsburg of the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University; Joanna Jacobus of the San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology; Sunita Bava of the University of California San Diego, La Jolla; and Lawrence R. Frank of the VA San Diego Healthcare System, and the University of California San Diego, La Jolla. The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Source:
Susan F. Tapert, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
Duncan Clark, M.D.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research
вторник, 31 мая 2011 г.
понедельник, 30 мая 2011 г.
Adolescent Drinking Adds To Risk Of Breast Disease, Breast Cancer
Girls and young women who drink alcohol increase their risk of benign (noncancerous) breast disease, says a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Harvard University. Benign breast disease increases the risk for developing breast cancer.
"Our study clearly showed that the risk of benign breast disease increased with the amount of alcohol consumed in this age group," says Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, associate director of prevention and control at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "The study is an indication that alcohol should be limited in adolescence and early adult years and further focuses our attention on these years as key to preventing breast cancer later in life."
The study was published in the May issue of Pediatrics (online April 12, 2010).
About 80 percent of breast lumps are benign. But these benign breast lesions can be a step in a pathway leading from normal breast tissue to invasive breast cancer, so the condition is an important marker of breast cancer risk, Colditz indicates.
The researchers studied girls aged 9 to 15 years at the study's start and followed them using health surveys from 1996 to 2007. A total of 6,899 participants reported on their alcohol consumption and whether they had ever been diagnosed with benign breast disease. The participants were part of the Growing Up Today Study of more than 9,000 girls from all 50 states who are daughters of participants in the Nurses' Health Study II, one of the largest and longest-running investigations of factors that influence women's health.
The study showed that the more alcohol consumed, the more likely the participants were to have benign breast disease. Girls and young women who drank six or seven days a week were 5.5 times more likely to have benign breast disease than those who didn't drink or who had less than one drink per week. Participants who reported drinking three to five days per week had three times the risk.
The participants who were diagnosed with benign breast disease on average drank more often, drank more on each occasion and had an average daily consumption that was two times that of those who did not have benign breast disease. They also had more episodes of binge drinking.
The study is unique because it asked about alcohol intake while participants were adolescents instead of asking them to recall many years later how often they drank.
"We know from many other studies of adult women that alcohol intake later in life increases breast cancer risk," Colditz says. "But many women begin drinking alcohol as adolescents right at the time in which breast tissue is going through stages of rapid proliferation. So we wanted to see if the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk was operative in this younger group."
The results of this study provide more evidence that steps can be taken to prevent breast cancer.
"There's growing evidence that physical activity can lower breast cancer risk," Colditz says. "We also know that diet and weight are important factors. Now it is clear that drinking habits throughout life affect breast cancer risk, as well."
Berkey CS, Willet WC, Frazier AL, Rosner B, Tamimi RM, Rockett HRH, Colditz GA. Prospective study of adolescent alcohol consumption and risk of benign breast disease in young women. Pediatrics. April 12, 2010 (advance online publication).
Funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health supported this research.
Source
Washington University in St. Louis
Siteman Cancer Center
"Our study clearly showed that the risk of benign breast disease increased with the amount of alcohol consumed in this age group," says Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, associate director of prevention and control at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "The study is an indication that alcohol should be limited in adolescence and early adult years and further focuses our attention on these years as key to preventing breast cancer later in life."
The study was published in the May issue of Pediatrics (online April 12, 2010).
About 80 percent of breast lumps are benign. But these benign breast lesions can be a step in a pathway leading from normal breast tissue to invasive breast cancer, so the condition is an important marker of breast cancer risk, Colditz indicates.
The researchers studied girls aged 9 to 15 years at the study's start and followed them using health surveys from 1996 to 2007. A total of 6,899 participants reported on their alcohol consumption and whether they had ever been diagnosed with benign breast disease. The participants were part of the Growing Up Today Study of more than 9,000 girls from all 50 states who are daughters of participants in the Nurses' Health Study II, one of the largest and longest-running investigations of factors that influence women's health.
The study showed that the more alcohol consumed, the more likely the participants were to have benign breast disease. Girls and young women who drank six or seven days a week were 5.5 times more likely to have benign breast disease than those who didn't drink or who had less than one drink per week. Participants who reported drinking three to five days per week had three times the risk.
The participants who were diagnosed with benign breast disease on average drank more often, drank more on each occasion and had an average daily consumption that was two times that of those who did not have benign breast disease. They also had more episodes of binge drinking.
The study is unique because it asked about alcohol intake while participants were adolescents instead of asking them to recall many years later how often they drank.
"We know from many other studies of adult women that alcohol intake later in life increases breast cancer risk," Colditz says. "But many women begin drinking alcohol as adolescents right at the time in which breast tissue is going through stages of rapid proliferation. So we wanted to see if the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk was operative in this younger group."
The results of this study provide more evidence that steps can be taken to prevent breast cancer.
"There's growing evidence that physical activity can lower breast cancer risk," Colditz says. "We also know that diet and weight are important factors. Now it is clear that drinking habits throughout life affect breast cancer risk, as well."
Berkey CS, Willet WC, Frazier AL, Rosner B, Tamimi RM, Rockett HRH, Colditz GA. Prospective study of adolescent alcohol consumption and risk of benign breast disease in young women. Pediatrics. April 12, 2010 (advance online publication).
Funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health supported this research.
Source
Washington University in St. Louis
Siteman Cancer Center
воскресенье, 29 мая 2011 г.
Brain Mechanism Linked To Relapse After Cocaine Withdrawal
Addictive drugs are known to induce changes in the brain's reward circuits that may underlie drug craving and relapse after long periods of abstinence. Now, new research, published by Cell Press in the September 9 issue of the journal Neuron, uncovers a specific neural mechanism that may be linked to persistent drug-seeking behavior and could help to guide strategies for development of new therapies for cocaine addiction.
Previous research has shown that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a brain region that is activated when cocaine users experience a craving for cocaine after being exposed to cocaine-associated cues. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which receives input from the VTA via circuits that use the "reward" neurotransmitter dopamine, has also been implicated in drug craving after cocaine withdrawal. Further, increases in the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been observed in the VTA and mPFC in rats after withdrawal from repeated cocaine exposure.
"BDNF plays a key role in modulating the structure and function of synapses, the sites of communication between neurons. Therefore, increased BDNF after cocaine withdrawal may drive synaptic changes that contribute to compulsive drug seeking behavior," explains senior author, Dr. Mu-ming Poo from the University of California, Berkeley. "It has been shown that increased BDNF in the VTA after cocaine withdrawal in rats promotes the drug-dependent motivational state. However, nothing is known about the potential BDNF effect on synaptic function and plasticity in mPFC neurons after cocaine withdrawal."
Dr. Poo and colleagues designed a study to examine how BDNF and the mPFC might contribute to relapse after cocaine addiction. The researchers found that the gradual increase in BDNF expression in the rat mPFC after terminating repeated cocaine exposure significantly enhanced the activity-induced potentiation of specific synapses. Dr. Poo's group went on to uncover the specific cellular mechanism linking increased BDNF with enhanced synaptic plasticity and demonstrated that interference with the key molecule in the BDNF signaling process reduced behavioral sensitivity after cocaine withdrawal in rats.
"In short, our results demonstrate that elevated BDNF expression after cocaine withdrawal sensitizes the excitatory synapses in the mPFC to undergo activity-induced persistent potentiation that may contribute to cue-induced drug cravings and drug-seeking behavior," concludes Dr. Poo. Although a clear correlation between rat and human behaviors of cocaine craving and relapse remains to be established, the cellular mechanism uncovered in this study does appear to have behavioral relevance and may represent a direct brain sensitization that is involved in triggering relapse.
The researchers include Hui Lu, Pei-lin Cheng, Byung Kook Lim, Nina Khoshnevisrad, and Mu-ming Poo, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
Source:
Cathleen Genova
Cell Press
Previous research has shown that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a brain region that is activated when cocaine users experience a craving for cocaine after being exposed to cocaine-associated cues. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which receives input from the VTA via circuits that use the "reward" neurotransmitter dopamine, has also been implicated in drug craving after cocaine withdrawal. Further, increases in the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been observed in the VTA and mPFC in rats after withdrawal from repeated cocaine exposure.
"BDNF plays a key role in modulating the structure and function of synapses, the sites of communication between neurons. Therefore, increased BDNF after cocaine withdrawal may drive synaptic changes that contribute to compulsive drug seeking behavior," explains senior author, Dr. Mu-ming Poo from the University of California, Berkeley. "It has been shown that increased BDNF in the VTA after cocaine withdrawal in rats promotes the drug-dependent motivational state. However, nothing is known about the potential BDNF effect on synaptic function and plasticity in mPFC neurons after cocaine withdrawal."
Dr. Poo and colleagues designed a study to examine how BDNF and the mPFC might contribute to relapse after cocaine addiction. The researchers found that the gradual increase in BDNF expression in the rat mPFC after terminating repeated cocaine exposure significantly enhanced the activity-induced potentiation of specific synapses. Dr. Poo's group went on to uncover the specific cellular mechanism linking increased BDNF with enhanced synaptic plasticity and demonstrated that interference with the key molecule in the BDNF signaling process reduced behavioral sensitivity after cocaine withdrawal in rats.
"In short, our results demonstrate that elevated BDNF expression after cocaine withdrawal sensitizes the excitatory synapses in the mPFC to undergo activity-induced persistent potentiation that may contribute to cue-induced drug cravings and drug-seeking behavior," concludes Dr. Poo. Although a clear correlation between rat and human behaviors of cocaine craving and relapse remains to be established, the cellular mechanism uncovered in this study does appear to have behavioral relevance and may represent a direct brain sensitization that is involved in triggering relapse.
The researchers include Hui Lu, Pei-lin Cheng, Byung Kook Lim, Nina Khoshnevisrad, and Mu-ming Poo, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.
Source:
Cathleen Genova
Cell Press
суббота, 28 мая 2011 г.
Factors That Increase Death In Stroke Patients Ages 15 To 49: Finnish Study
Heavy drinking, being 45 to 49 years old, type 1 diabetes or having a preceding infection are associated with more than twice the risk of death in stroke patients 15 to 49 years old, according to a Finnish study.
Furthermore, heart failure was associated with seven times the risk of death and active cancer malignancy with 16 times the risk of death in stroke patients.
The overall death rate is low in this age group, said Jukka Putaala, M.D., who led the study. Risk of death was 2.7 percent at one month, 4.7 percent at one year and 10.7 percent at five years with no difference based on gender.
Detecting these factors associated with higher risk of death is important because they can be modified by lifestyle changes, strictly controlled medication or medical procedures in most patients, Putaala said.
Note:
For more information on stroke, visit the American Stroke Association Web site: strokeassociation.
NR09 - 1082 (Stroke/Putaala)
Source:
Bridgette McNeill
American Heart Association
Furthermore, heart failure was associated with seven times the risk of death and active cancer malignancy with 16 times the risk of death in stroke patients.
The overall death rate is low in this age group, said Jukka Putaala, M.D., who led the study. Risk of death was 2.7 percent at one month, 4.7 percent at one year and 10.7 percent at five years with no difference based on gender.
Detecting these factors associated with higher risk of death is important because they can be modified by lifestyle changes, strictly controlled medication or medical procedures in most patients, Putaala said.
Note:
For more information on stroke, visit the American Stroke Association Web site: strokeassociation.
NR09 - 1082 (Stroke/Putaala)
Source:
Bridgette McNeill
American Heart Association
пятница, 27 мая 2011 г.
Moderate Wine Intake Associated With Higher Levels Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Considered As Protective Against Coronary Heart Disease
Moderate alcohol intake is associated with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells. This is the major finding of the European study IMMIDIET that will be published in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, an official publication of the American Society for Nutrition and is already available on line (ajcn ). The study suggests that wine does better than other alcoholic drinks. This effect could be ascribed to compounds other than alcohol itself, representing a key to understand the mechanism lying behind the heart protection observed in moderate wine drinkers.
The IMMIDIET study examined 1,604 citizens from three geographical areas: south-west London in England, Limburg in Belgium and Abruzzo in Italy. Thanks to a close cooperation with General Practitioners of these areas, all participants underwent a comprehensive medical examination, including a one year recall food frequency questionnaire to assess their dietary intake, alcohol consumption included.
Omega-3 fatty acids, mainly derived from fish, are considered as protective against coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death, thus their high blood concentration is definitely good for our health.
Now European researchers found that moderate alcohol drinking acts like a 'trigger', boosting the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in our body.
"Several studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption, including wine, is associated with protection against coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke - says Romina di Giuseppe, lead author of the study, from the Research Laboratories at Catholic University of Campobasso - Although the mechanisms are not completely defined, there was some evidence that alcohol intake might influence the metabolism of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, as omega-3. That is exactly what we found in our population study. People drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, one drink a day for women and two for men, had higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells independently of their fish intake".
However important these results appear to be, the best is yet to come. Researchers from Catholic University of Campobasso, in Italy, and from University of Grenoble, in France, turned their attention on the variety of alcoholic beverages consumed in order to see whether the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids detected might be ascribed to alcohol itself or to other substances.
"From our previous studies we know that association between wine drinking and increased concentration of omega-3 fatty acids have been observed - says Michel de Lorgeril, from the University of Grenoble, partner of the IMMIDIET project and co-leader of the study - Nevertheless, it was not possible to separate the effects of wine from those of beer or spirits. Our study of 3 populations with different dietary habits and different consumption of alcoholic beverages types allowed us to explore this aspect.".
"Analysis carried out on different alcoholic beverages - argues Licia Iacoviello coordinator of the IMMIDIET study at Catholic University of Campobasso - showed that the association between alcohol and omega-3 fatty acids was present in both wine drinkers and beer or spirits drinkers. However, the association was stronger between wine drinking and omega-3 fatty acids levels. This suggests that components of wine other than alcohol is associated with omega-3 fatty acids concentration. We may guess this effect can be ascribed to polyphenols".
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds contained in a different variety of food and beverages, such as wine. Due to their strong antioxidant activity, they are able to reduce oxidation processes caused by free radicals.
"We consider these data to be a major finding - de Lorgeril concludes - opening a new window in the field of cardiovascular prevention. Beyond the alcohol issue, our results raise crucial questions regarding the effects of polyphenols on lipids (both in blood and cell membranes) and possibly of lipids on polyphenols".
The IMMIDIET study
Funded by the European Union under Key Action 1: Food, Nutrition and Health QLK1-CT-2000-00100, IMMIDIET aims to acquire fundamental knowledge in the field of cardiovascular disease, especially regarding the interaction between genetics and lifestyle.
At the core of the study there is an important episode of Italian migration: Belgium, a country that became the new home for thousands of Italians, mostly from the Abruzzo region, who came to work in the mines. Many of those emigrants didn't come back to Italy but remained in their new country. Some of them married a Belgian partner. Their genes remained the same, of course, but how much "Italy" is still there in their diet? And how much did they transmit it to their spouses? Moreover, how many Italian emigrants assimilate dietary habits of the country in which they were guests? In this framework, the role of genetic factors and lifestyle can be assessed to explore new ways in prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
To carry on the research, married couples have been recruited in three European areas: South-East London in England, Limburg in Belgium and Abruzzo in Italy. In the first phase of the study the couples involved were formed by people from the same area, Italians married with Italians (in the Abruzzo region), Belgians married with Belgians (in the Limburg area) and English married with English (in the South-East part of London)".
The second phase of IMMIDIET recruited mixed Italian-Belgian couples to understand if, acquiring dietary habits from Abruzzo, the Belgian partner changed his own risk regarding heart diseases.
IMMIDIET PARTNERS
Scientific coordinator:
Licia Iacoviello
Laboratory of Genetic and Environmental Epidemiology, Research Laboratories, "John Paul II" Center for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso - Italy
Participants:
Jozef Arnout
Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven - Belgium
Frank Buntinx
Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven - Belgium
Francesco P. Cappuccio
Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick Medical School, Coventry - United Kingdom
Pieter C. Dagnelie
Department of Epidemiology, NUTRIM Subdivision of Nutritional Epidemiology, Maastricht University - The Netherlands
Michel de Lorgeril
Nutrition Vieillissement et Maladies Cardiovasculaires, UFR de Medecine, La Tronche, Grenoble - France
Vittorio Krogh
Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan - Italy
Alfonso Siani
Unit of Epidemiology and Population Genetics, Institute of Food Sciences CNR, Avellino - Italy
Source: Americo Bonanni
Catholic University
The IMMIDIET study examined 1,604 citizens from three geographical areas: south-west London in England, Limburg in Belgium and Abruzzo in Italy. Thanks to a close cooperation with General Practitioners of these areas, all participants underwent a comprehensive medical examination, including a one year recall food frequency questionnaire to assess their dietary intake, alcohol consumption included.
Omega-3 fatty acids, mainly derived from fish, are considered as protective against coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death, thus their high blood concentration is definitely good for our health.
Now European researchers found that moderate alcohol drinking acts like a 'trigger', boosting the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in our body.
"Several studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption, including wine, is associated with protection against coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke - says Romina di Giuseppe, lead author of the study, from the Research Laboratories at Catholic University of Campobasso - Although the mechanisms are not completely defined, there was some evidence that alcohol intake might influence the metabolism of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, as omega-3. That is exactly what we found in our population study. People drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, one drink a day for women and two for men, had higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells independently of their fish intake".
However important these results appear to be, the best is yet to come. Researchers from Catholic University of Campobasso, in Italy, and from University of Grenoble, in France, turned their attention on the variety of alcoholic beverages consumed in order to see whether the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids detected might be ascribed to alcohol itself or to other substances.
"From our previous studies we know that association between wine drinking and increased concentration of omega-3 fatty acids have been observed - says Michel de Lorgeril, from the University of Grenoble, partner of the IMMIDIET project and co-leader of the study - Nevertheless, it was not possible to separate the effects of wine from those of beer or spirits. Our study of 3 populations with different dietary habits and different consumption of alcoholic beverages types allowed us to explore this aspect.".
"Analysis carried out on different alcoholic beverages - argues Licia Iacoviello coordinator of the IMMIDIET study at Catholic University of Campobasso - showed that the association between alcohol and omega-3 fatty acids was present in both wine drinkers and beer or spirits drinkers. However, the association was stronger between wine drinking and omega-3 fatty acids levels. This suggests that components of wine other than alcohol is associated with omega-3 fatty acids concentration. We may guess this effect can be ascribed to polyphenols".
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds contained in a different variety of food and beverages, such as wine. Due to their strong antioxidant activity, they are able to reduce oxidation processes caused by free radicals.
"We consider these data to be a major finding - de Lorgeril concludes - opening a new window in the field of cardiovascular prevention. Beyond the alcohol issue, our results raise crucial questions regarding the effects of polyphenols on lipids (both in blood and cell membranes) and possibly of lipids on polyphenols".
The IMMIDIET study
Funded by the European Union under Key Action 1: Food, Nutrition and Health QLK1-CT-2000-00100, IMMIDIET aims to acquire fundamental knowledge in the field of cardiovascular disease, especially regarding the interaction between genetics and lifestyle.
At the core of the study there is an important episode of Italian migration: Belgium, a country that became the new home for thousands of Italians, mostly from the Abruzzo region, who came to work in the mines. Many of those emigrants didn't come back to Italy but remained in their new country. Some of them married a Belgian partner. Their genes remained the same, of course, but how much "Italy" is still there in their diet? And how much did they transmit it to their spouses? Moreover, how many Italian emigrants assimilate dietary habits of the country in which they were guests? In this framework, the role of genetic factors and lifestyle can be assessed to explore new ways in prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
To carry on the research, married couples have been recruited in three European areas: South-East London in England, Limburg in Belgium and Abruzzo in Italy. In the first phase of the study the couples involved were formed by people from the same area, Italians married with Italians (in the Abruzzo region), Belgians married with Belgians (in the Limburg area) and English married with English (in the South-East part of London)".
The second phase of IMMIDIET recruited mixed Italian-Belgian couples to understand if, acquiring dietary habits from Abruzzo, the Belgian partner changed his own risk regarding heart diseases.
IMMIDIET PARTNERS
Scientific coordinator:
Licia Iacoviello
Laboratory of Genetic and Environmental Epidemiology, Research Laboratories, "John Paul II" Center for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso - Italy
Participants:
Jozef Arnout
Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven - Belgium
Frank Buntinx
Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven - Belgium
Francesco P. Cappuccio
Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick Medical School, Coventry - United Kingdom
Pieter C. Dagnelie
Department of Epidemiology, NUTRIM Subdivision of Nutritional Epidemiology, Maastricht University - The Netherlands
Michel de Lorgeril
Nutrition Vieillissement et Maladies Cardiovasculaires, UFR de Medecine, La Tronche, Grenoble - France
Vittorio Krogh
Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan - Italy
Alfonso Siani
Unit of Epidemiology and Population Genetics, Institute of Food Sciences CNR, Avellino - Italy
Source: Americo Bonanni
Catholic University
четверг, 26 мая 2011 г.
Published Reports Inaccurate Concerning Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy
A national alcohol research group is concerned that the media's misinterpretation of a recent British research study could encourage pregnant women to be more at ease with temperate alcohol consumption.
Some media reports erroneously stated that the study by The University College London researchers revealed that light drinking by pregnant women could be beneficial to their babies. Other articles said light drinking during pregnancy would not affect the behavior or mental acuity of babies born to drinking mothers.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group, a subgroup of the Research Society on Alcoholism, says the conclusion of the study was not reported accurately. "Unfortunately, several media outlets misinterpreted this report to mean that drinking improved the children's outcome," the FASD Study Group said.
The published report looked at the drinking patterns of pregnant mothers of three-year-olds and assessed the behavior and cognitive skills of the children. The University College London researchers actually reported that the children born to women who drank lightly during pregnancy were not at increased risk compared with children of mothers who did not drink during pregnancy.
However, this result may be based on the higher socioeconomic status of the light drinking mothers and their children involved in this study. Higher socioeconomic status is well known to improve an infant's neurodevelopmental outcome. The study's authors, Dr. Yvonne Kelly at University College London and colleagues, suggested this explanation for their findings and the FASD Study Group agrees with that conclusion.
Many published reporters show that even moderate to light drinking can cause birth defects.
"Generally, the adverse effects of light drinking during pregnancy are subtle and may go undetected in children," said Feng Zhou, Ph.D., president of the FASD Study Group and a professor of anatomy, cell biology and neurobiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. "Other alcohol research studies of moderate drinking during pregnancy have shown an adverse impact on multiple aspects of development through adolescence and young adulthood even when other important environmental factors are taken into account."
Dr. Zhou said the news reporters have been carried in various European and American publications and on news web sites.
"The media reports are alarming for a number of reasons but it is particularly disturbing at this time of year when holiday parties may make alcohol consumption more accessible and appealing to pregnant women who have read the erroneous reports," he said.
The consensus of public health providers and alcohol researchers is that even light drinking can interfere with biological processes critical in the development of the fetal brain, said Dr. Zhou and other Study Group officers, Cynthia J.M. Kane, Ph.D., vice president and professor of neurobiology and developmental sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Susan Smith, Ph.D., secretary and treasurer, and professor of nutritional science at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
For additional information compiled by the Study Group on the research into the effects on the children of mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy, see rsoa/fas.html.
FASD Study Group
Some media reports erroneously stated that the study by The University College London researchers revealed that light drinking by pregnant women could be beneficial to their babies. Other articles said light drinking during pregnancy would not affect the behavior or mental acuity of babies born to drinking mothers.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group, a subgroup of the Research Society on Alcoholism, says the conclusion of the study was not reported accurately. "Unfortunately, several media outlets misinterpreted this report to mean that drinking improved the children's outcome," the FASD Study Group said.
The published report looked at the drinking patterns of pregnant mothers of three-year-olds and assessed the behavior and cognitive skills of the children. The University College London researchers actually reported that the children born to women who drank lightly during pregnancy were not at increased risk compared with children of mothers who did not drink during pregnancy.
However, this result may be based on the higher socioeconomic status of the light drinking mothers and their children involved in this study. Higher socioeconomic status is well known to improve an infant's neurodevelopmental outcome. The study's authors, Dr. Yvonne Kelly at University College London and colleagues, suggested this explanation for their findings and the FASD Study Group agrees with that conclusion.
Many published reporters show that even moderate to light drinking can cause birth defects.
"Generally, the adverse effects of light drinking during pregnancy are subtle and may go undetected in children," said Feng Zhou, Ph.D., president of the FASD Study Group and a professor of anatomy, cell biology and neurobiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. "Other alcohol research studies of moderate drinking during pregnancy have shown an adverse impact on multiple aspects of development through adolescence and young adulthood even when other important environmental factors are taken into account."
Dr. Zhou said the news reporters have been carried in various European and American publications and on news web sites.
"The media reports are alarming for a number of reasons but it is particularly disturbing at this time of year when holiday parties may make alcohol consumption more accessible and appealing to pregnant women who have read the erroneous reports," he said.
The consensus of public health providers and alcohol researchers is that even light drinking can interfere with biological processes critical in the development of the fetal brain, said Dr. Zhou and other Study Group officers, Cynthia J.M. Kane, Ph.D., vice president and professor of neurobiology and developmental sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Susan Smith, Ph.D., secretary and treasurer, and professor of nutritional science at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
For additional information compiled by the Study Group on the research into the effects on the children of mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy, see rsoa/fas.html.
FASD Study Group
среда, 25 мая 2011 г.
Soaps Portray Alcohol Consumption Through Rose-Tinted Glasses
On average, over a third (38%) of soap air time features alcohol, but the negative consequences of drinking to excess are rarely shown, according to new research launched today (8th December) by alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware.1 Despite 162 instances of characters drinking to excess2 over a six week monitoring period, only 1.5% of alcohol scenes portrayed hangovers and less than 1% combined showed alcohol-related sickness, crime, regret or anti-social behaviour.
With 42% of 11-17 year olds watching pre-watershed soaps3 and research showing actions without an obvious consequence are more likely to be copied,4 Drinkaware is concerned that soaps' under-representation of the adverse effects of drinking to excess may perpetuate a view among millions of under 18s that regular drinking doesn't have negative consequences. The alcohol awareness charity has requested meetings with broadcasters and developed recommendations to help soap producers better depict the risks associated with general alcohol misuse.
The Drinkaware study examined the representation of alcohol in the UK's top four soap operas - Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Consistent with real life, it finds that soap characters were most often depicted drinking alcohol as an aid to socialising or celebration, or to relieve stress. However harmful effects of excessive drinking were generally only associated with extreme storylines such as Shadrach Dingle's death from alcoholism in Emmerdale.
Other observations from the research include:
- Nearly one fifth of soap coverage (17%) features 'active' depictions of alcohol consumption, where a character is drinking, buying or accepting an alcoholic drink.
- Drinkaware research shows more than two fifths (43%) of adults would turn to a cup of tea to relax after a stressful day, while a third (34%) would have an alcoholic drink5 In soaps however, 15% of scenes featuring alcohol represent it as an aid to relaxation but only 9% of all scenes feature tea.
- 836 drinks (equivalent to more than 3000 units of alcohol) were consumed during the six week monitoring period, including 188 pints of beer, 286 glasses of wine and champagne and 84 servings of spirits.
- Emmerdale tops the tipple chart, with an average of eight drinks consumed per episode. A more restrained Hollyoaks cast consumed just four drinks per show. Coronation Street and Eastenders tie on an average consumption of 7 drinks per show.
Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:
"British soaps' current representation of the substantial role alcohol plays in peoples' lives isn't too far from reality, but with research showing people, and particularly children, make assumptions about acceptable real-life behaviour from their television viewing,6 it's important the negative effects of drinking too much aren't down-played. Weaving some consequences of drinking to excess into soaps won't require fundamental script or storyline changes- even a passing reference to a hangover will start to nudge reform of the on-screen drinking 'norm'.
"When viewers sit down to watch a soap they want to be entertained and certainly aren't expecting to see a public health campaign. But soaps are still a useful channel to get information to viewers. We need to avoid normalising the idea of consequence-free drinking to excess, especially among under 18s, so people of all ages can make informed decisions about their own drinking based on the facts.
"Challenging habits and social norms is central to reducing alcohol misuse and everyone can contribute to positive behaviour change, including soaps. When people see issues on screen they go looking for facts and advice, as shown by the increased number of visitors looking for information about alcohol poisoning on the Drinkaware website the day after Billy Jackson's death from alcohol poisoning in Eastenders.7 Drinkaware can support soaps by providing consumers with the real-life facts about alcohol and its effects on health and wellbeing either on programme websites or at drinkaware.co. "
Drinkaware recommendations for soap producers include:
- More representation of the range of possible negative effects associated with drinking to excess, for example, if a character consumes over the daily unit guidelines in one episode they could be seen to suffer a hangover, sickness or an accident.
- Storylines featuring characters who regularly exceed the unit guidelines should ideally incorporate consideration of the possible long term effects of drinking to excess, for example, fertility problems, depression, diabetes, heart disease, stroke or cancer.
- The prominence of food and soft drink alternatives in scenes featuring alcohol should be increased, for example, more hot drinks machines and meals in pubs- pubs in the UK now serve more meals than Britain's restaurants.8
- A longer term partnership with Drinkaware as a go-to organisation for pre-production audience insight, research and information, and after-show tips and advice for consumers.
Dr Harry Sumnall, Reader in Substance Use, Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University says:
"Health and media professionals face a real challenge in ensuring accurate representations of alcohol use do not interfere with the soaps' prime purpose, to entertain viewers. We know audiences don't like heavy handed health messages, but the value of soaps is in their reflection of real life; hangovers, accidents, embarrassing situations, and running out of money are real life consequences of letting alcohol use get out of hand.
"TV producers are in an enviable position, in that they can influence national conversations and opinions about particular issues. I think we are all in agreement that alcohol misuse is something that the public is concerned about, and although just working with media won't provide all the solutions, its one way that health professionals and charities can challenge some of the misperceptions about alcohol and its effects."
Notes
Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals.
1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Kantar Media Precis. Footage was collected between 26th July and 6th September 2010 and analysed for verbal and visual instances of alcohol.
2. Drinking to excess in this context is defined as an instance where a character drank more than the daily unit guidelines in one episode.
3. Kantar Media TGI 2010.
42.5% of 11-14 year olds regularly watch Coronation Street, Eastenders and Hollyoaks. Young people in this age range are not asked about Emmerdale.
41% of 15-17 year olds regularly watch Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
4. Bandura, A., 2001. Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Mediapsychology, 3, 265-299.
5. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2153 adults aged 18+ in GB from its online panel between 26th-29th June 2009. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
6. Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M. et al. Living with television: the dynamics of the cultivation process. In: Bryant J, Zillman D (eds). Perspectives on Media Effects. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1986, 17-40.
7. The character Billy Jackson died of alcohol poisoning in Eastenders on 11th October 2010. 25% increase is based on traffic 11th October (375 page views) versus traffic 12th October (469 page views).
8. Data provided by BBPA based on pubs serving over ??1 billion meals each year.
Source:
The Drinkaware Trust
With 42% of 11-17 year olds watching pre-watershed soaps3 and research showing actions without an obvious consequence are more likely to be copied,4 Drinkaware is concerned that soaps' under-representation of the adverse effects of drinking to excess may perpetuate a view among millions of under 18s that regular drinking doesn't have negative consequences. The alcohol awareness charity has requested meetings with broadcasters and developed recommendations to help soap producers better depict the risks associated with general alcohol misuse.
The Drinkaware study examined the representation of alcohol in the UK's top four soap operas - Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Consistent with real life, it finds that soap characters were most often depicted drinking alcohol as an aid to socialising or celebration, or to relieve stress. However harmful effects of excessive drinking were generally only associated with extreme storylines such as Shadrach Dingle's death from alcoholism in Emmerdale.
Other observations from the research include:
- Nearly one fifth of soap coverage (17%) features 'active' depictions of alcohol consumption, where a character is drinking, buying or accepting an alcoholic drink.
- Drinkaware research shows more than two fifths (43%) of adults would turn to a cup of tea to relax after a stressful day, while a third (34%) would have an alcoholic drink5 In soaps however, 15% of scenes featuring alcohol represent it as an aid to relaxation but only 9% of all scenes feature tea.
- 836 drinks (equivalent to more than 3000 units of alcohol) were consumed during the six week monitoring period, including 188 pints of beer, 286 glasses of wine and champagne and 84 servings of spirits.
- Emmerdale tops the tipple chart, with an average of eight drinks consumed per episode. A more restrained Hollyoaks cast consumed just four drinks per show. Coronation Street and Eastenders tie on an average consumption of 7 drinks per show.
Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:
"British soaps' current representation of the substantial role alcohol plays in peoples' lives isn't too far from reality, but with research showing people, and particularly children, make assumptions about acceptable real-life behaviour from their television viewing,6 it's important the negative effects of drinking too much aren't down-played. Weaving some consequences of drinking to excess into soaps won't require fundamental script or storyline changes- even a passing reference to a hangover will start to nudge reform of the on-screen drinking 'norm'.
"When viewers sit down to watch a soap they want to be entertained and certainly aren't expecting to see a public health campaign. But soaps are still a useful channel to get information to viewers. We need to avoid normalising the idea of consequence-free drinking to excess, especially among under 18s, so people of all ages can make informed decisions about their own drinking based on the facts.
"Challenging habits and social norms is central to reducing alcohol misuse and everyone can contribute to positive behaviour change, including soaps. When people see issues on screen they go looking for facts and advice, as shown by the increased number of visitors looking for information about alcohol poisoning on the Drinkaware website the day after Billy Jackson's death from alcohol poisoning in Eastenders.7 Drinkaware can support soaps by providing consumers with the real-life facts about alcohol and its effects on health and wellbeing either on programme websites or at drinkaware.co. "
Drinkaware recommendations for soap producers include:
- More representation of the range of possible negative effects associated with drinking to excess, for example, if a character consumes over the daily unit guidelines in one episode they could be seen to suffer a hangover, sickness or an accident.
- Storylines featuring characters who regularly exceed the unit guidelines should ideally incorporate consideration of the possible long term effects of drinking to excess, for example, fertility problems, depression, diabetes, heart disease, stroke or cancer.
- The prominence of food and soft drink alternatives in scenes featuring alcohol should be increased, for example, more hot drinks machines and meals in pubs- pubs in the UK now serve more meals than Britain's restaurants.8
- A longer term partnership with Drinkaware as a go-to organisation for pre-production audience insight, research and information, and after-show tips and advice for consumers.
Dr Harry Sumnall, Reader in Substance Use, Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University says:
"Health and media professionals face a real challenge in ensuring accurate representations of alcohol use do not interfere with the soaps' prime purpose, to entertain viewers. We know audiences don't like heavy handed health messages, but the value of soaps is in their reflection of real life; hangovers, accidents, embarrassing situations, and running out of money are real life consequences of letting alcohol use get out of hand.
"TV producers are in an enviable position, in that they can influence national conversations and opinions about particular issues. I think we are all in agreement that alcohol misuse is something that the public is concerned about, and although just working with media won't provide all the solutions, its one way that health professionals and charities can challenge some of the misperceptions about alcohol and its effects."
Notes
Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals.
1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Kantar Media Precis. Footage was collected between 26th July and 6th September 2010 and analysed for verbal and visual instances of alcohol.
2. Drinking to excess in this context is defined as an instance where a character drank more than the daily unit guidelines in one episode.
3. Kantar Media TGI 2010.
42.5% of 11-14 year olds regularly watch Coronation Street, Eastenders and Hollyoaks. Young people in this age range are not asked about Emmerdale.
41% of 15-17 year olds regularly watch Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
4. Bandura, A., 2001. Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Mediapsychology, 3, 265-299.
5. ICM interviewed a random sample of 2153 adults aged 18+ in GB from its online panel between 26th-29th June 2009. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
6. Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M. et al. Living with television: the dynamics of the cultivation process. In: Bryant J, Zillman D (eds). Perspectives on Media Effects. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1986, 17-40.
7. The character Billy Jackson died of alcohol poisoning in Eastenders on 11th October 2010. 25% increase is based on traffic 11th October (375 page views) versus traffic 12th October (469 page views).
8. Data provided by BBPA based on pubs serving over ??1 billion meals each year.
Source:
The Drinkaware Trust
вторник, 24 мая 2011 г.
UTHealth Named NIH Drug Addiction Research "Center Of Excellence"
By delivering an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to drug abuse and addiction research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) has been renewed as a "Center of Excellence" by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health.
The designation comes with a five-year, $11 million grant that will be used to further studies led by researchers and clinicians in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, part of UTHealth.
Research at UTHealth's Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction (CNRA) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort in behavioral laboratory, brain imaging and outpatient clinical trials, said F. Gerard Moeller, M.D., UTHealth professor of psychiatry and director of the CNRA.
"We are using novel medications, imaging methodologies and clinical trial designs that will provide a greater understanding of the behavioral neurobiology of cocaine dependence and translate this knowledge into effective pharmacotherapies for the disorder," Moeller said.
Major accomplishments of the NIDA-funded research at the CNRA over the last 10 years have included:
-- Research showing that drug addiction is a complex behavioral disorder, which includes impulsivity and impaired decision making as key elements of the disorder. Prior to research by UTHealth and others, addiction was seen as being only related to rewarding effects of the drugs, not taking into account cognitive aspects of the addicted individual.
-- Research showing that several medications can be helpful in reducing cocaine use, especially when combined with effective cognitive-behavioral (talk) therapies.
-- Research combining brain imaging with treatment showing that brain function in drug-addicted individuals differs from non-drug-addicted individuals and that these differences are related to behavioral problems that addicted individuals have, such as impulsivity, and that they are associated with treatment response.
-- Research in humans and rodents showing that chronic cocaine produces changes in white matter both on imaging and in brain pathology.
Source: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The designation comes with a five-year, $11 million grant that will be used to further studies led by researchers and clinicians in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, part of UTHealth.
Research at UTHealth's Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction (CNRA) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort in behavioral laboratory, brain imaging and outpatient clinical trials, said F. Gerard Moeller, M.D., UTHealth professor of psychiatry and director of the CNRA.
"We are using novel medications, imaging methodologies and clinical trial designs that will provide a greater understanding of the behavioral neurobiology of cocaine dependence and translate this knowledge into effective pharmacotherapies for the disorder," Moeller said.
Major accomplishments of the NIDA-funded research at the CNRA over the last 10 years have included:
-- Research showing that drug addiction is a complex behavioral disorder, which includes impulsivity and impaired decision making as key elements of the disorder. Prior to research by UTHealth and others, addiction was seen as being only related to rewarding effects of the drugs, not taking into account cognitive aspects of the addicted individual.
-- Research showing that several medications can be helpful in reducing cocaine use, especially when combined with effective cognitive-behavioral (talk) therapies.
-- Research combining brain imaging with treatment showing that brain function in drug-addicted individuals differs from non-drug-addicted individuals and that these differences are related to behavioral problems that addicted individuals have, such as impulsivity, and that they are associated with treatment response.
-- Research in humans and rodents showing that chronic cocaine produces changes in white matter both on imaging and in brain pathology.
Source: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
понедельник, 23 мая 2011 г.
Gay Leaders Working To Combat Crystal Meth Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men
Gay leaders nationwide "bluntly acknowledge that their communities have distinctive problems" with crystal methamphetamine use, including the drug's link to the spread of HIV/AIDS, and that they have "an unavoidable responsibility to combat" its use, the... AP/Las Vegas Sun reports. Crystal meth -- which can be snorted, smoked or injected -- is a popular "party drug" that breaks down inhibitions, raises energy levels and increase sexual activity, therefore raising the risk of HIV transmission, according to the AP/Sun. Awareness of crystal meth use "intensified" in February when New York City public health officials announced the detection of a highly drug-resistant strain of HIV in a New York City man, according to the AP/Sun (Crary, AP/Las Vegas Sun, 4/4). New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene officials said the strain possibly causes a rapid onset of AIDS and issued an alert to physicians, hospitals and medical providers, asking them to test all HIV-positive patients for evidence of the strain. The man was reported to have had frequent, unprotected anal intercourse with other men, often while using crystal meth (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 2/14).
Fighting Back
Crystal Meth Anonymous, a 12-step recovery program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous that began in New York in 1999, offers 24 meetings a week, sometimes drawing more than 100 people to a meeting, according to the AP/Sun. Other programs use a "harm-reduction" approach to counseling, in which users are cautioned about meth's risks and encouraged to avoid overdoses, take care of their health and engage in safer sex even when using the drug, the AP/Sun reports. Peter Staley, a former meth user who now is an HIV advocate, has circulated posters with the slogans, "Buy Crystal. Get HIV Free" and "Crystal Free and Sexy." Stanley also is targeting MSM Web sites. He said some sites still display personal ads hinting at "sex-and-meth" parties, even though others display health messages, according to the AP/Sun. West Hollywood, Calif., Mayor John Duran (D) said he has discussed anti-meth strategies with people in the "gay sex industry," including pornographic filmmakers and sex club operators, the AP/Sun reports. "We didn't come through the AIDS epidemic and the battles over gays in the military and gay marriage to end up here, a community filled with drug addicts," Duran said, adding, "We've fought too long and too hard to let this drug take us down" (AP/Las Vegas Sun, 4/4).
Clubs Train Workers on Crystal Meth Education
The Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday examined how Chicago-area bars and gay clubs are working with police and the Howard Brown Health Center to train bartenders about how to educate customers about the risks of crystal meth use (Donovan/Sweeney, Chicago Sun-Times, 4/4). The complete article is available online.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/hiv.. The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
воскресенье, 22 мая 2011 г.
Investigation Into Link Between Khat Use And Psychiatric Disorders
Researchers investigating the evidence for a potential causal link between khat use and mental illness - in the first ever systematic review of the topic - have called for improved research on the stimulant plant, and its possible association with psychiatric disorders.
In light of ongoing international concern about a contributory association between use of khat and ill mental health, Dr Nasir Warfa - lecturer in Transcultural Psychiatry at Queen Mary, University of London - has reviewed clinical case reports, alongside qualitative and quantitative articles on khat use and mental illness, dating back over 50 years. The work was undertaken in partnership with colleagues at the Institute of Psychiatry, University College London, and the University of Kent.
The findings, which appear online in the social science journal, Social Science and Medicine, show that whilst khat use appears to exacerbate existing psychological problems, there is not currently, any clear evidence which indicates that khat use is a catalyst for the development of mental illness.
Commonly used by around 10 million people in east Africa and countries in the Arabian peninsula, chewing khat for its stimulant properties has also become popular in the UK among immigrants of the Somali, Yemeni and Ethiopian communities. Whilst it is reported to have cultural functions, it is also increasingly reported to be associated with social and medical problems including anti-social behaviour, unemployment, psychoses, depression, and self-neglect.
Crucially, there is also a link between poverty and widespread misuse of khat. In east Africa, 60 per cent of the population live below the poverty line, yet sizeable numbers of khat users borrow money to obtain the drug, exacerbating poverty levels and eroding the quality of life of khat users and their communities. It is in this context, that researchers are planning to undertake a new study to examine khat as a cause of poverty and a failure of regeneration and economic prosperity.
Whilst anecdotal evidence does point towards there being a consequence of mental illness via excessive use of khat, particularly where there is a pre-existing mental illness or vulnerability to psychological distress, Dr Warfa and his team argue that "there are many other alternative hypotheses to a causal relationship between khat use and mental illness including the use of khat for self-medication". The researchers suggest that only by improving the quality of future research, and integrating social, medical and pharmacological studies, can a more incisive understanding of the psychological and social impact of khat on individuals and communities be gained.
Further, the researchers recommend that any future policy developments in the UK should feature health and social care which is culturally and socially appropriate. Dr Axel Klein, lecturer in the Study of Addictive Behaviour, University of Kent, also warns that potential legislators should consider the repercussions of criminalising large sections of the community - such as the evolution of new organised crime groups based on khat trafficking, and the perverse consequence of increased risk behaviour among khat users.
Dr Warfa said: "We need to revisit existing theories of addiction and substance use to include a new model to understand consumption of khat not only among migrant communities in the West but also in conflict and post conflict settings. This will take account of the cultural context, and the socio-economic and psychological implications of khat use. This would allow the formulation of appropriate and contextualised social policy and harm reduction strategies, particularly in the context of maximising impacts from campaigns against global poverty".
The review was carried out by Dr Nasir Warfa in collaboration with:
Professor Kamaldeep Bhui & Professor Stephen Stansfeld, Queen Mary, University of London
Professor Tom Craig, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London
Dr Axel Klein, University of Kent
Dr Gerard Leavey, University College London & St Ann's Hospital
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary is one of the leading colleges in the federal University of London, with over 11,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and an academic and support staff of around 2,600.
Queen Mary is a research focused higher education institution, with over 80 per cent of research staff working in departments where research is of international or national excellence (RAE 2001). It has a strong international reputation, with around 20 per cent of students coming from over 100 countries.
The College has 21 academic departments and institutes organised into three sectors: Science and Engineering; Humanities, Social Sciences and Laws; and the School of Medicine and Dentistry. It has an annual turnover of ??200 million, research income worth ??43 million, and it generates employment and output worth ??500 million to the UK economy each year.
Queen Mary's roots lie in four historic colleges: Queen Mary College, Westfield College, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and the London Hospital Medical College.
Contact: Alex Fernandes
Queen Mary, University of London
In light of ongoing international concern about a contributory association between use of khat and ill mental health, Dr Nasir Warfa - lecturer in Transcultural Psychiatry at Queen Mary, University of London - has reviewed clinical case reports, alongside qualitative and quantitative articles on khat use and mental illness, dating back over 50 years. The work was undertaken in partnership with colleagues at the Institute of Psychiatry, University College London, and the University of Kent.
The findings, which appear online in the social science journal, Social Science and Medicine, show that whilst khat use appears to exacerbate existing psychological problems, there is not currently, any clear evidence which indicates that khat use is a catalyst for the development of mental illness.
Commonly used by around 10 million people in east Africa and countries in the Arabian peninsula, chewing khat for its stimulant properties has also become popular in the UK among immigrants of the Somali, Yemeni and Ethiopian communities. Whilst it is reported to have cultural functions, it is also increasingly reported to be associated with social and medical problems including anti-social behaviour, unemployment, psychoses, depression, and self-neglect.
Crucially, there is also a link between poverty and widespread misuse of khat. In east Africa, 60 per cent of the population live below the poverty line, yet sizeable numbers of khat users borrow money to obtain the drug, exacerbating poverty levels and eroding the quality of life of khat users and their communities. It is in this context, that researchers are planning to undertake a new study to examine khat as a cause of poverty and a failure of regeneration and economic prosperity.
Whilst anecdotal evidence does point towards there being a consequence of mental illness via excessive use of khat, particularly where there is a pre-existing mental illness or vulnerability to psychological distress, Dr Warfa and his team argue that "there are many other alternative hypotheses to a causal relationship between khat use and mental illness including the use of khat for self-medication". The researchers suggest that only by improving the quality of future research, and integrating social, medical and pharmacological studies, can a more incisive understanding of the psychological and social impact of khat on individuals and communities be gained.
Further, the researchers recommend that any future policy developments in the UK should feature health and social care which is culturally and socially appropriate. Dr Axel Klein, lecturer in the Study of Addictive Behaviour, University of Kent, also warns that potential legislators should consider the repercussions of criminalising large sections of the community - such as the evolution of new organised crime groups based on khat trafficking, and the perverse consequence of increased risk behaviour among khat users.
Dr Warfa said: "We need to revisit existing theories of addiction and substance use to include a new model to understand consumption of khat not only among migrant communities in the West but also in conflict and post conflict settings. This will take account of the cultural context, and the socio-economic and psychological implications of khat use. This would allow the formulation of appropriate and contextualised social policy and harm reduction strategies, particularly in the context of maximising impacts from campaigns against global poverty".
The review was carried out by Dr Nasir Warfa in collaboration with:
Professor Kamaldeep Bhui & Professor Stephen Stansfeld, Queen Mary, University of London
Professor Tom Craig, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London
Dr Axel Klein, University of Kent
Dr Gerard Leavey, University College London & St Ann's Hospital
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary is one of the leading colleges in the federal University of London, with over 11,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, and an academic and support staff of around 2,600.
Queen Mary is a research focused higher education institution, with over 80 per cent of research staff working in departments where research is of international or national excellence (RAE 2001). It has a strong international reputation, with around 20 per cent of students coming from over 100 countries.
The College has 21 academic departments and institutes organised into three sectors: Science and Engineering; Humanities, Social Sciences and Laws; and the School of Medicine and Dentistry. It has an annual turnover of ??200 million, research income worth ??43 million, and it generates employment and output worth ??500 million to the UK economy each year.
Queen Mary's roots lie in four historic colleges: Queen Mary College, Westfield College, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and the London Hospital Medical College.
Contact: Alex Fernandes
Queen Mary, University of London
суббота, 21 мая 2011 г.
Long-Term Economic Losses Stem From Childhood Psychological Problems
A first-of-its-kind study examining the long-term economic consequences of childhood psychological disorders finds the conditions diminish people's ability to work and earn as adults, costing $2.1 trillion over the lifetimes of all affected Americans.
People who suffer from childhood conditions such as depression and substance abuse are less likely to be married, attain less education and see their income reduced by about 20 percent over their lifetimes, according to findings published online by the journal Social Science & Medicine.
"This study shows childhood psychological disorders can cause significant long-lasting harm and can have far-reaching impact on individuals over their lifetimes," said James P. Smith, the study's lead author and corporate chair of economics at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "Our findings illustrate what the enormous potential might be of identifying and treating these problems early in life."
Researchers examined information from a large study that has followed American families for more than 40 years and found evidence that the impact of childhood psychological problems have lasting impact across many measures of economic success. The study is unique because siblings from the same family were followed in the panel, allowing the researchers to compare one sibling with childhood psychological problems to a brother or sister who did not have such problems.
People who reported having psychological problems during childhood averaged $10,400 less income per year when compared to siblings who did not have similar problems. The lower income was partly a consequence of working an average of seven weeks fewer per year.
If about one in 20 adult Americans experienced these psychological problems during their childhood years (about the current prevalence), the total lifetime economic damages for all those affected would be $2.1 trillion. This estimate does not take into consideration the non-economic costs such has lower quality of life.
Researchers also found that people who reported childhood psychological problems were 11 percentage points less likely to marry than their siblings who did not suffer such problems. Even when people in the group do marry, the income earned by their spouse is lower than seen among other couples.
People who reported psychological problems during childhood on average reported about half a year less of schooling than those who did not report problems. The schooling differences were greater among those who reported drug or alcohol problems.
"Not all of the people who have psychological problems during childhood will carry these problems into adulthood," said Smith. "But they are 10 to 20 times more likely than others to have these shortfalls during adulthood. There clearly are large economic costs during adulthood caused by childhood psychological conditions."
The results in the study are drawn from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the largest ongoing study of American families. The study has periodically collected extensive economic and demographic information on a nationally representative sample of about 35,000 people from 5,000 American families over the past 40 years.
Participants in the project were surveyed in 2007 about their childhood psychological and medical history using a module designed by Smith. This survey asked whether study participants had any of 14 important physical illnesses before age 17 and whether they had suffered from depression, drug or alcohol abuse, or other psychological conditions when they were young.
Researchers were able to test whether their findings were caused by some type of unmeasured family or neighborhood impacts by examining the life course of siblings where one reported childhood psychological problems and another did not.
Smith and co-author Gillian C. Smith of Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis also adjusted their analysis to account for any problems that might have been caused by any childhood physical illnesses. Thus, these psychological problems were not the result of physical illnesses during the childhood years.
Six percent of the people in the study reported some psychological problem as a child -- consistent with the proportion found among the nation as a whole. About 4 percent reported having depression, 2 percent reported alcohol or drug abuse and another 2 percent reported other psychological problems. Some people reported having more than one of the conditions during childhood.
Researchers say the principal cause of the economic shortfalls during adulthood appears to be recurring psychological problems.
Among those with no psychological conditions during childhood, 5.4 percent report having an adult psychological problem. In contrast, 35.8 percent of those who reported a psychological condition during childhood also report an adult psychological condition -- a seven times higher risk. People who experienced depression as a child were those most likely to report an adult psychological problem.
The research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging and was conducted through the RAND Labor and Population program. The program examines issues involving U.S. labor markets, the demographics of families and children, social welfare policy, the social and economic functioning of the elderly, and economic and social change in developing countries.
Source:
Warren Robak
RAND Corporation
People who suffer from childhood conditions such as depression and substance abuse are less likely to be married, attain less education and see their income reduced by about 20 percent over their lifetimes, according to findings published online by the journal Social Science & Medicine.
"This study shows childhood psychological disorders can cause significant long-lasting harm and can have far-reaching impact on individuals over their lifetimes," said James P. Smith, the study's lead author and corporate chair of economics at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "Our findings illustrate what the enormous potential might be of identifying and treating these problems early in life."
Researchers examined information from a large study that has followed American families for more than 40 years and found evidence that the impact of childhood psychological problems have lasting impact across many measures of economic success. The study is unique because siblings from the same family were followed in the panel, allowing the researchers to compare one sibling with childhood psychological problems to a brother or sister who did not have such problems.
People who reported having psychological problems during childhood averaged $10,400 less income per year when compared to siblings who did not have similar problems. The lower income was partly a consequence of working an average of seven weeks fewer per year.
If about one in 20 adult Americans experienced these psychological problems during their childhood years (about the current prevalence), the total lifetime economic damages for all those affected would be $2.1 trillion. This estimate does not take into consideration the non-economic costs such has lower quality of life.
Researchers also found that people who reported childhood psychological problems were 11 percentage points less likely to marry than their siblings who did not suffer such problems. Even when people in the group do marry, the income earned by their spouse is lower than seen among other couples.
People who reported psychological problems during childhood on average reported about half a year less of schooling than those who did not report problems. The schooling differences were greater among those who reported drug or alcohol problems.
"Not all of the people who have psychological problems during childhood will carry these problems into adulthood," said Smith. "But they are 10 to 20 times more likely than others to have these shortfalls during adulthood. There clearly are large economic costs during adulthood caused by childhood psychological conditions."
The results in the study are drawn from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the largest ongoing study of American families. The study has periodically collected extensive economic and demographic information on a nationally representative sample of about 35,000 people from 5,000 American families over the past 40 years.
Participants in the project were surveyed in 2007 about their childhood psychological and medical history using a module designed by Smith. This survey asked whether study participants had any of 14 important physical illnesses before age 17 and whether they had suffered from depression, drug or alcohol abuse, or other psychological conditions when they were young.
Researchers were able to test whether their findings were caused by some type of unmeasured family or neighborhood impacts by examining the life course of siblings where one reported childhood psychological problems and another did not.
Smith and co-author Gillian C. Smith of Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis also adjusted their analysis to account for any problems that might have been caused by any childhood physical illnesses. Thus, these psychological problems were not the result of physical illnesses during the childhood years.
Six percent of the people in the study reported some psychological problem as a child -- consistent with the proportion found among the nation as a whole. About 4 percent reported having depression, 2 percent reported alcohol or drug abuse and another 2 percent reported other psychological problems. Some people reported having more than one of the conditions during childhood.
Researchers say the principal cause of the economic shortfalls during adulthood appears to be recurring psychological problems.
Among those with no psychological conditions during childhood, 5.4 percent report having an adult psychological problem. In contrast, 35.8 percent of those who reported a psychological condition during childhood also report an adult psychological condition -- a seven times higher risk. People who experienced depression as a child were those most likely to report an adult psychological problem.
The research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging and was conducted through the RAND Labor and Population program. The program examines issues involving U.S. labor markets, the demographics of families and children, social welfare policy, the social and economic functioning of the elderly, and economic and social change in developing countries.
Source:
Warren Robak
RAND Corporation
пятница, 20 мая 2011 г.
Research On Risky Decision-Making In Pre-Teens Funded By NSF Grant
Researchers at the University of Iowa have secured a $396,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study risky decision-making among pre-teens.
"We hope to identify characteristics of kids who become risk-takers, such as lack of attention to risk levels or unwillingness to factor in long-term consequences," said Irwin Levin, principal investigator for the project and a UI professor with joint appointments in psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and marketing in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. "If we can do that, future research could identify ways to proactively intervene and help those kids before they engage in risky behaviors like smoking or drinking, having unprotected sex, or disregarding traffic laws."
In the first phase of the study, funded by a $262,000 National Science Foundation grant, Levin tested children between the ages of 6 and 11 to gauge their ability to weigh risks. In a computer game, the subjects chose between two arrays of cups. Their options were to play it safe, selecting the cups guaranteed to contain one coin, or to take a chance, choosing the cups that sometimes had several coins and sometimes had none. The youngest children made the riskiest choices, while the older children varied their choices depending on the level of risk and whether the risk involved potential gains or potential losses.
Levin is conducting the second phase of the study with co-principal investigator Joshua Weller, who earned a doctorate in psychology from the UI in May and is now working for Decision Research in Eugene, Ore. The researchers plan to track changes in children's decision-making competence.
At age 10, children will complete surveys about the perceived risk of real-life scenarios, such as riding a bike without a helmet, being in the sun without sunscreen, riding in a vehicle without a seat belt, eating too much junk food, or playing violent video games. They will report the extent to which they engage in such risks, the extent to which they consider the behaviors risky, and how they think their peers would respond. The two-part survey will also include questions to assess each child's personality and grasp of probability. Parents will be surveyed on what they think their children are doing or would do in each scenario.
The same group will be surveyed again when the children reach age 13 or 14, this time including questions on some of the temptations they may be beginning to face, such as smoking, experimenting with drugs or alcohol, or sex.
Levin hopes to enroll 100 children and 100 parents in the study.
"We expect steady increases in decision-making competence over a three-year period, and we should be able to identify profiles of at-risk children and track how their decision-making deficits affect choices in their everyday lives," Levin said. "If we can define deficits in terms of some children not understanding the concept of risk very well, we can reach out to these potential risk-takers and help them better understand the possible consequences of some of these risks."
Story Source: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500
Source: Nicole Riehl
University of Iowa
"We hope to identify characteristics of kids who become risk-takers, such as lack of attention to risk levels or unwillingness to factor in long-term consequences," said Irwin Levin, principal investigator for the project and a UI professor with joint appointments in psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and marketing in the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. "If we can do that, future research could identify ways to proactively intervene and help those kids before they engage in risky behaviors like smoking or drinking, having unprotected sex, or disregarding traffic laws."
In the first phase of the study, funded by a $262,000 National Science Foundation grant, Levin tested children between the ages of 6 and 11 to gauge their ability to weigh risks. In a computer game, the subjects chose between two arrays of cups. Their options were to play it safe, selecting the cups guaranteed to contain one coin, or to take a chance, choosing the cups that sometimes had several coins and sometimes had none. The youngest children made the riskiest choices, while the older children varied their choices depending on the level of risk and whether the risk involved potential gains or potential losses.
Levin is conducting the second phase of the study with co-principal investigator Joshua Weller, who earned a doctorate in psychology from the UI in May and is now working for Decision Research in Eugene, Ore. The researchers plan to track changes in children's decision-making competence.
At age 10, children will complete surveys about the perceived risk of real-life scenarios, such as riding a bike without a helmet, being in the sun without sunscreen, riding in a vehicle without a seat belt, eating too much junk food, or playing violent video games. They will report the extent to which they engage in such risks, the extent to which they consider the behaviors risky, and how they think their peers would respond. The two-part survey will also include questions to assess each child's personality and grasp of probability. Parents will be surveyed on what they think their children are doing or would do in each scenario.
The same group will be surveyed again when the children reach age 13 or 14, this time including questions on some of the temptations they may be beginning to face, such as smoking, experimenting with drugs or alcohol, or sex.
Levin hopes to enroll 100 children and 100 parents in the study.
"We expect steady increases in decision-making competence over a three-year period, and we should be able to identify profiles of at-risk children and track how their decision-making deficits affect choices in their everyday lives," Levin said. "If we can define deficits in terms of some children not understanding the concept of risk very well, we can reach out to these potential risk-takers and help them better understand the possible consequences of some of these risks."
Story Source: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500
Source: Nicole Riehl
University of Iowa
четверг, 19 мая 2011 г.
Moderate Red Wine Drinking May Help Prevent Cataract
Tokyo (JCNN) - Leading Japanese beverage manufacturer Suntory has announced that it has confirmed a preventive effect of
moderate wine drinking against cataract in collaboration with Kanazawa Medical University and the University of Iceland.
As part of Reykjavik Eye Study, an international research project co-organized by Kanazawa Medical University, the National
Institute of Environmental Studies and the University of Iceland inaugurated in 1996, the joint research group has revealed
that moderate red wine drinking successfully reduces the development of cataract by half.
Entitled CATARACT AND ALCOHOL - Reykjavik Eye Study, detailed research results were jointly presented at the 12th Congress of
International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism held in Germany from September 29 to October 2.
Copyright © 2001-2004 JCNN. All rights reserved. A
division of Japan Corporate News Network KK.
moderate wine drinking against cataract in collaboration with Kanazawa Medical University and the University of Iceland.
As part of Reykjavik Eye Study, an international research project co-organized by Kanazawa Medical University, the National
Institute of Environmental Studies and the University of Iceland inaugurated in 1996, the joint research group has revealed
that moderate red wine drinking successfully reduces the development of cataract by half.
Entitled CATARACT AND ALCOHOL - Reykjavik Eye Study, detailed research results were jointly presented at the 12th Congress of
International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism held in Germany from September 29 to October 2.
Copyright © 2001-2004 JCNN. All rights reserved. A
division of Japan Corporate News Network KK.
среда, 18 мая 2011 г.
Researchers Improve Screening For Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Among Substance Users
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a major learning disability among both children and adults. ADHD is especially common among drug users and alcoholics and increases the severity of their addiction problems. ADHD is treatable, but diagnosing it among adult substance users has been difficult and expensive. Charles Cleland and his colleagues at National Development and Research Institutes in New York City found that a screening test originally developed for the general population the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) - also works well to identify ADHD symptoms among substance users. The CAARS is an effective, simple and inexpensive way to screen adult substance users for ADHD, so that they can be referred for confirmatory diagnosis and possible ADHD treatment.
Stephen Magura, the Principal Investigator of the study, remarks: Although more research is needed, our study shows that better screening of substance users for ADHD is possible, with the payoff that ADHD will be treated and recovery from addiction will be facilitated.
Cleland, Charles; Magura, Stephen; Foote, Jeffrey; Rosenblum, Andrew; Kosanke, Nicole. Factor structure of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) for substance users. Addictive Behaviors. 2006 Jul;31(7):1277-82.
This study was supported by Grant No. RO1 DA12209 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, S. Magura, Principal Investigator.
Contact: Betty Wagoner
National Development & Research Institutes
Stephen Magura, the Principal Investigator of the study, remarks: Although more research is needed, our study shows that better screening of substance users for ADHD is possible, with the payoff that ADHD will be treated and recovery from addiction will be facilitated.
Cleland, Charles; Magura, Stephen; Foote, Jeffrey; Rosenblum, Andrew; Kosanke, Nicole. Factor structure of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) for substance users. Addictive Behaviors. 2006 Jul;31(7):1277-82.
This study was supported by Grant No. RO1 DA12209 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, S. Magura, Principal Investigator.
Contact: Betty Wagoner
National Development & Research Institutes
вторник, 17 мая 2011 г.
Studies Geared To Improving HIV Care And Prevention Supported By Federal Stimulus Funds
UCSF HIV researchers have received two NIH grants of $1 million each to study the use of web-based, patient controlled personal health records to improve health and HIV prevention outcomes for HIV positive patients.
Both studies are funded through the federal stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
One study will look at using mobile phone text messages linked to a web-based personal health record to help HIV patients' adherence to pill-taking regimens.
"Patients participating in the study will not only be assisted with taking their HIV medications, but also with medications for conditions like diabetes and hypertension. At least half the patients we see in our clinic have at least one other chronic disease that requires medication to control. Our hypothesis is that using individualized text message reminders linked to personal health records will help patients better succeed in self-management of their multiple health challenges," said James S. Kahn, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the UCSF Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital.
Two methods will be used to assess adherence to medication regimens in this project. Self-report of pill taking is one. A biological marker, measurement of antiviral drug levels in hair, is the other method used. A member of the research team, UCSF assistant professor of medicine Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, has shown this method to be a better correlate of success in HIV viral suppression during treatment than other variables usually considered.
The other study will test the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based strategy that seeks to reduce drug and alcohol use and accompanying HIV risk behaviors and improve antiretroviral medication adherence by HIV positive patients.
The strategy is called SBIRT and consists of screening for drug and alcohol use, a brief intervention and referral to treatment. It has been shown to be effective in many populations in reducing drug and alcohol use but has never been used in a HIV primary care setting. With several studies showing a relationship between high HIV transmission risk behaviors and drug and alcohol use, effective administration of the SBIRT strategy could also reduce HIV transmission according to the project team.
The project will compare SBIRT delivered through a self-administered and web-based method using patients' electronic health records with SBIRT delivered through a provider-administered protocol during clinic appointments using an electronic health record system.
"We want to see if the SBIRT approach will work in this population and this setting to not only reduce drug and alcohol use but also succeed in reducing HIV transmission associated with substance use. We are hoping to find out whether patients are more open to responding to sensitive topics with a self-administered web-based approach than they are talking directly with their clinician," said Carol Dawson-Rose, PhD, MSN, RN, associate professor of nursing at the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies.
Both studies use HERO (Health Care Evaluation Record Organizer), a web-based electronic medical record system and research database developed by Kahn and T. Van Nunnery, a programmer/analyst at UCSF, and myHERO. Integrated with HERO, myHERO is a publicly-accessible personal health record enabling patients to access information online from their own medical record. This complete electronic health record system is secure, flexible, extensible, and is exportable to other clinical care venues.
Source: Jeff Sheehy
University of California - San Francisco
Both studies are funded through the federal stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
One study will look at using mobile phone text messages linked to a web-based personal health record to help HIV patients' adherence to pill-taking regimens.
"Patients participating in the study will not only be assisted with taking their HIV medications, but also with medications for conditions like diabetes and hypertension. At least half the patients we see in our clinic have at least one other chronic disease that requires medication to control. Our hypothesis is that using individualized text message reminders linked to personal health records will help patients better succeed in self-management of their multiple health challenges," said James S. Kahn, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the UCSF Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital.
Two methods will be used to assess adherence to medication regimens in this project. Self-report of pill taking is one. A biological marker, measurement of antiviral drug levels in hair, is the other method used. A member of the research team, UCSF assistant professor of medicine Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, has shown this method to be a better correlate of success in HIV viral suppression during treatment than other variables usually considered.
The other study will test the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based strategy that seeks to reduce drug and alcohol use and accompanying HIV risk behaviors and improve antiretroviral medication adherence by HIV positive patients.
The strategy is called SBIRT and consists of screening for drug and alcohol use, a brief intervention and referral to treatment. It has been shown to be effective in many populations in reducing drug and alcohol use but has never been used in a HIV primary care setting. With several studies showing a relationship between high HIV transmission risk behaviors and drug and alcohol use, effective administration of the SBIRT strategy could also reduce HIV transmission according to the project team.
The project will compare SBIRT delivered through a self-administered and web-based method using patients' electronic health records with SBIRT delivered through a provider-administered protocol during clinic appointments using an electronic health record system.
"We want to see if the SBIRT approach will work in this population and this setting to not only reduce drug and alcohol use but also succeed in reducing HIV transmission associated with substance use. We are hoping to find out whether patients are more open to responding to sensitive topics with a self-administered web-based approach than they are talking directly with their clinician," said Carol Dawson-Rose, PhD, MSN, RN, associate professor of nursing at the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies.
Both studies use HERO (Health Care Evaluation Record Organizer), a web-based electronic medical record system and research database developed by Kahn and T. Van Nunnery, a programmer/analyst at UCSF, and myHERO. Integrated with HERO, myHERO is a publicly-accessible personal health record enabling patients to access information online from their own medical record. This complete electronic health record system is secure, flexible, extensible, and is exportable to other clinical care venues.
Source: Jeff Sheehy
University of California - San Francisco
понедельник, 16 мая 2011 г.
News From The Journal Of Neuroscience
1. A New Striatal Microcircuit
Matthew A. Sullivan, Huanmian Chen, and Hitoshi Morikawa
Cholinergic neurons in the striatum generally fire tonically, but stop firing briefly when the animal receives a reward. The physiological mechanisms responsible for these pauses, which are thought to be important for associative learning, are not clear. This week, Sullivan et al. describe a novel striatal microcircuit that may contribute to pausing. Whole-cell recordings from cholinergic neurons in striatal slices revealed that all of these neurons receive polysynaptic inhibition that requires both GABAA receptors and ??2-subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), but not AMPA receptors, muscarinic AChRs, or D1 or D2 dopamine receptors. Action potentials produced in cholinergic neurons via intracellular stimulation occasionally produced polysynaptic IPSCs in the same and other cholinergic neurons, suggesting that cholinergic neurons are sparsely interconnected via GABAergic interneurons. Although repetitive stimulation of single cholinergic neurons depressed polysynaptic IPSCs, simultaneous, repetitive extracellular stimulation of many cholinergic fibers reliably elicited IPSCs that briefly disrupted tonic firing.
2. Regulation of Neuronal Polarity by Protein Kinase D
Dong-Min Yin, Yan-Hua Huang, Yan-Bing Zhu, and Yun Wang
The transition of a spherical neuroblast into a mature neuron - with a single axon and morphologically and molecularly distinct dendrites - requires polarized trafficking of axonal and dendritic proteins. Trafficking of protein-containing vesicles from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane is regulated in part by the protein kinase D (PKD) family. Yin et al. now report that two members of this family, PKD1 and PKD2, are both required for the development of neuronal polarity. In control hippocampal cultures, the Golgi was likely to be located near the base of the nascent axon, and post-Golgi vesicles moved mainly toward the axon. Blocking either PKD1 or PKD2 using inhibitors, siRNA, or dominant-negative mutants disrupted the polarized trafficking of vesicles and increased the number of axons per cell. Additional experiments suggested that PKD1 and PKD2 do not interact with the cytoskeleton and that they must be present in the Golgi to exert their effects on neuronal polarity.
3. Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of COMT
Francesco Papaleo, Jacqueline N. Crawley, Jian Song, Barbara K. Lipska, Jim Pickel, Daniel R. Weinberger, and Jingshan Chen
Many brain processes require an optimal level of dopamine, with too much or too little dopamine causing impairment. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) helps regulate dopamine levels, and polymorphisms in human COMT have been implicated in cognitive and emotional dysfunction. A widely studied human variation involves a methionine-to-valine substitution, which increases COMT activity and lowers dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Because human populations have high genetic and behavioral diversity, however, establishing a link between COMT alleles and specific phenotypes is difficult. Therefore, Papaleo et al. expressed the human COMT-Val allele in one line of mice and knocked out COMT expression in another. The mice exhibited all the behavioral traits predicted from human studies - impaired recognition and working memory and reduced pain sensitivity in COMT-Val-expressing mice, and increased startle, stress, and anxiety responses in knock-outs. These data provide compelling evidence for a causal link between COMT activity and these phenotypes.
4. Deep Brain Stimulation for Addiction
Fair M. Vassoler, Heath D. Schmidt, Mary E. Gerard, Katie R. Famous, Domenic A. Ciraulo, Conan Kornetsky, Clifford M. Knapp, and R. Chris Pierce
Cocaine addicts often relapse after detoxification, especially if presented with the drug or stimuli they associate with drug use, and no effective therapy to prevent relapse exists. Using a rat model of relapse, Vassoler et al. have found evidence that deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens shell might reduce relapse. Rats first were trained to press a lever to receive intravenous doses of cocaine. After 3 weeks, saline was administered instead of cocaine, and lever pressing decreased significantly (from ~130 to ~14 presses per 2 h session). Lever pressing was then reinstated by a single noncontingent injection of cocaine, with larger doses causing larger increases in lever pressing. Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens shell (but not dorsal striatum) greatly reduced the reinstatement of lever pressing. Although implantation of electrodes into the brain is an invasive procedure involving major urgery, these results suggest that deep brain stimulation might be warranted to treat severe, life-threatening cases of cocaine addiction.
Please click here for the current table of contents.
Source: Sara Harris
Society for Neuroscience
Matthew A. Sullivan, Huanmian Chen, and Hitoshi Morikawa
Cholinergic neurons in the striatum generally fire tonically, but stop firing briefly when the animal receives a reward. The physiological mechanisms responsible for these pauses, which are thought to be important for associative learning, are not clear. This week, Sullivan et al. describe a novel striatal microcircuit that may contribute to pausing. Whole-cell recordings from cholinergic neurons in striatal slices revealed that all of these neurons receive polysynaptic inhibition that requires both GABAA receptors and ??2-subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), but not AMPA receptors, muscarinic AChRs, or D1 or D2 dopamine receptors. Action potentials produced in cholinergic neurons via intracellular stimulation occasionally produced polysynaptic IPSCs in the same and other cholinergic neurons, suggesting that cholinergic neurons are sparsely interconnected via GABAergic interneurons. Although repetitive stimulation of single cholinergic neurons depressed polysynaptic IPSCs, simultaneous, repetitive extracellular stimulation of many cholinergic fibers reliably elicited IPSCs that briefly disrupted tonic firing.
2. Regulation of Neuronal Polarity by Protein Kinase D
Dong-Min Yin, Yan-Hua Huang, Yan-Bing Zhu, and Yun Wang
The transition of a spherical neuroblast into a mature neuron - with a single axon and morphologically and molecularly distinct dendrites - requires polarized trafficking of axonal and dendritic proteins. Trafficking of protein-containing vesicles from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane is regulated in part by the protein kinase D (PKD) family. Yin et al. now report that two members of this family, PKD1 and PKD2, are both required for the development of neuronal polarity. In control hippocampal cultures, the Golgi was likely to be located near the base of the nascent axon, and post-Golgi vesicles moved mainly toward the axon. Blocking either PKD1 or PKD2 using inhibitors, siRNA, or dominant-negative mutants disrupted the polarized trafficking of vesicles and increased the number of axons per cell. Additional experiments suggested that PKD1 and PKD2 do not interact with the cytoskeleton and that they must be present in the Golgi to exert their effects on neuronal polarity.
3. Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of COMT
Francesco Papaleo, Jacqueline N. Crawley, Jian Song, Barbara K. Lipska, Jim Pickel, Daniel R. Weinberger, and Jingshan Chen
Many brain processes require an optimal level of dopamine, with too much or too little dopamine causing impairment. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) helps regulate dopamine levels, and polymorphisms in human COMT have been implicated in cognitive and emotional dysfunction. A widely studied human variation involves a methionine-to-valine substitution, which increases COMT activity and lowers dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Because human populations have high genetic and behavioral diversity, however, establishing a link between COMT alleles and specific phenotypes is difficult. Therefore, Papaleo et al. expressed the human COMT-Val allele in one line of mice and knocked out COMT expression in another. The mice exhibited all the behavioral traits predicted from human studies - impaired recognition and working memory and reduced pain sensitivity in COMT-Val-expressing mice, and increased startle, stress, and anxiety responses in knock-outs. These data provide compelling evidence for a causal link between COMT activity and these phenotypes.
4. Deep Brain Stimulation for Addiction
Fair M. Vassoler, Heath D. Schmidt, Mary E. Gerard, Katie R. Famous, Domenic A. Ciraulo, Conan Kornetsky, Clifford M. Knapp, and R. Chris Pierce
Cocaine addicts often relapse after detoxification, especially if presented with the drug or stimuli they associate with drug use, and no effective therapy to prevent relapse exists. Using a rat model of relapse, Vassoler et al. have found evidence that deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens shell might reduce relapse. Rats first were trained to press a lever to receive intravenous doses of cocaine. After 3 weeks, saline was administered instead of cocaine, and lever pressing decreased significantly (from ~130 to ~14 presses per 2 h session). Lever pressing was then reinstated by a single noncontingent injection of cocaine, with larger doses causing larger increases in lever pressing. Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens shell (but not dorsal striatum) greatly reduced the reinstatement of lever pressing. Although implantation of electrodes into the brain is an invasive procedure involving major urgery, these results suggest that deep brain stimulation might be warranted to treat severe, life-threatening cases of cocaine addiction.
Please click here for the current table of contents.
Source: Sara Harris
Society for Neuroscience
воскресенье, 15 мая 2011 г.
Australia's AFL Players Found To Be At Risk Following World-First Drinking Study
What : Authors of a world-first study on the drinking habits of 582 professional AFL players have found that more than half of Australia's professional AFL players consume alcohol during the end-of-season period at levels that could put them at risk of long-term harm.
The overall picture of consumption is one of relative restraint during the pre-season and home-and-away periods, coupled with relatively high levels of consumption outside these periods.
The study, unique among professional sporting codes, was commissioned by the AFL and AFL Players Association, to help the AFL develop an effective approach to responsible alcohol policy and governance. It is published in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
When: Sunday 2 November 2008, 12 noon (Australian Eastern time)
Where: Hannan Room, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd Melbourne (Near the corner of Commercial and Punt Roads)
Who: Authors of the study:
Associate Professor Paul Dietze, Burnet Institute & Monash University
Rebecca Jenkinson, Burnet Institute's Centre for Population Health
Associate Professor John Fitzgerald, University of Melbourne. Associate Professor Fitzgerald is also a member of the AFL's Alcohol Policy Group.
Statistics & more information:
582 professional AFL players across Australia were anonymously surveyed on their drinking habits during four periods: pre-season, home-and-away (the playing season), end-of-season, and vacation.
While AFL players typically drank two per cent less than the general male population (15 per cent) during the season, 54 per cent reported drinking at risky/high risk levels for long-term harm in the end-of-season period.
Individual clubs have their own culture; therefore playing for a specific club can influence drinking behaviour to some extent.
Players who drank in public and received free drink cards were more likely to drink at risky levels.
Players reported a range of consequences of their drinking, 33 per cent saying it had affected their physical health, 32 per cent reporting an effect on finances, and 26 per cent admitting they had argued or fought while drinking.
Marriage and relationships, housework, friendships and study opportunities had also suffered to various extents because of drinking, players reported.
Source: Janine Sim-Jones
University of Melbourne
The overall picture of consumption is one of relative restraint during the pre-season and home-and-away periods, coupled with relatively high levels of consumption outside these periods.
The study, unique among professional sporting codes, was commissioned by the AFL and AFL Players Association, to help the AFL develop an effective approach to responsible alcohol policy and governance. It is published in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
When: Sunday 2 November 2008, 12 noon (Australian Eastern time)
Where: Hannan Room, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd Melbourne (Near the corner of Commercial and Punt Roads)
Who: Authors of the study:
Associate Professor Paul Dietze, Burnet Institute & Monash University
Rebecca Jenkinson, Burnet Institute's Centre for Population Health
Associate Professor John Fitzgerald, University of Melbourne. Associate Professor Fitzgerald is also a member of the AFL's Alcohol Policy Group.
Statistics & more information:
582 professional AFL players across Australia were anonymously surveyed on their drinking habits during four periods: pre-season, home-and-away (the playing season), end-of-season, and vacation.
While AFL players typically drank two per cent less than the general male population (15 per cent) during the season, 54 per cent reported drinking at risky/high risk levels for long-term harm in the end-of-season period.
Individual clubs have their own culture; therefore playing for a specific club can influence drinking behaviour to some extent.
Players who drank in public and received free drink cards were more likely to drink at risky levels.
Players reported a range of consequences of their drinking, 33 per cent saying it had affected their physical health, 32 per cent reporting an effect on finances, and 26 per cent admitting they had argued or fought while drinking.
Marriage and relationships, housework, friendships and study opportunities had also suffered to various extents because of drinking, players reported.
Source: Janine Sim-Jones
University of Melbourne
суббота, 14 мая 2011 г.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Help Seniors Keep Disabilities At Bay
It is well known that moderate drinking can have positive health benefits for instance, a couple of glasses of red wine a day can be good for the heart. But if you're a senior in good health, light to moderate consumption of alcohol may also help prevent the development of physical disability.
That's the conclusion of a new UCLA study, available in the online edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology, which found that light to moderate drinking among these seniors reduced their odds of developing physical problems that would prevent them from performing common tasks such as walking, dressing and grooming.
"If you start out in good health, alcohol consumption at light to moderate levels can be beneficial," said lead study author Dr. Arun Karlamangla, an associate professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "But if you don't start out healthy, alcohol will not give you a benefit."
The researchers based their study on data from three waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey's Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (1982 - 84, 1987 and 1992). The sample, which included 4,276 people split evenly between male and female, was about 92 percent white, with a mean age of 60.4 years.
Drinkers were classified as light to moderate if they consumed less than 15 drinks per week and less than five drinks per drinking day (less than four per day for women). Heavy drinkers were those who consumed 15 or more drinks per week or five or more per drinking day (four or more for women). Abstainers were those who drank fewer than 12 alcoholic beverages the previous year.
Having a physical disability means having trouble performing, or being unable to perform, routine tasks such as dressing and grooming, personal hygiene, arising, eating, walking, gripping, reaching, and doing daily errands and chores. Participants were asked if they experienced no difficulty, some difficulty, much difficulty or were unable to do these activities at all when alone and without the use of aids.
At the start of the survey, 32 percent of men and 51 percent of women abstained from drinking, 51 percent of men and 45 percent of women were light to moderate drinkers, and 17 percent of men and 4 percent women were heavy drinkers.
No one had any disabilities at the outset, but 7 percent died and 15 percent became disabled over five years.
The researchers found that light to moderate drinkers in good health had a lower risk for developing new disabilities, compared with both abstainers and heavy drinkers.
In unadjusted analyses, light to moderate drinkers had a 17.7 percent chance of becoming disabled or dying in five years, compared with 26.7 percent for abstainers and 21.4 percent for heavy drinkers. Among survivors, the risk for new disability was 12.5 percent for light to moderate drinkers, compared with 20 percent for abstainers and 15.6 percent for heavy drinkers.
However, after controlling for confounding variables such as age, smoking, exercise, heart attacks and strokes, the benefits of alcohol consumption were seen only in seniors who rated their health as good or better: There was a 3 to 8 percent reduction in the odds of developing disability with each additional drink per week in older men and women in good or better health who were not heavy drinkers, but there was no such benefit seen in those who rated their health as fair or poor.
"Light to moderate alcohol consumption appears to have disability prevention benefits only in men and women in relatively good health," the researchers wrote. "It is possible that those who report poor health have progressed too far on the pathway to disability to accrue benefits from alcohol consumption and that alcohol consumption may even be deleterious for them."
Other study authors were Catherine A. Sarkisian, Deborah M. Kado, Howard Dedes, Diana H. Liao, Sungjin Kim, David B. Reuben, Gail A. Greendale and Alison A. Moore, all of the David Geffen School of Medicine. Sarkisian is also affiliated with the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center of the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.
The study was supported by funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation/American Federation for Aging Research Medical Student Geriatrics Scholars Program; the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center of the National Institute on Aging.
UCLA is California's largest university, with an enrollment of nearly 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The UCLA College of Letters and Science and the university's 11 professional schools feature renowned faculty and offer more than 323 degree programs and majors. UCLA is a national and international leader in the breadth and quality of its academic, research, health care, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs. Four alumni and five faculty have been awarded the Nobel Prize.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
924 Westwood Blvd., Ste. 350
Los Angeles
CA 90095
United States
ucla
That's the conclusion of a new UCLA study, available in the online edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology, which found that light to moderate drinking among these seniors reduced their odds of developing physical problems that would prevent them from performing common tasks such as walking, dressing and grooming.
"If you start out in good health, alcohol consumption at light to moderate levels can be beneficial," said lead study author Dr. Arun Karlamangla, an associate professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "But if you don't start out healthy, alcohol will not give you a benefit."
The researchers based their study on data from three waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey's Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (1982 - 84, 1987 and 1992). The sample, which included 4,276 people split evenly between male and female, was about 92 percent white, with a mean age of 60.4 years.
Drinkers were classified as light to moderate if they consumed less than 15 drinks per week and less than five drinks per drinking day (less than four per day for women). Heavy drinkers were those who consumed 15 or more drinks per week or five or more per drinking day (four or more for women). Abstainers were those who drank fewer than 12 alcoholic beverages the previous year.
Having a physical disability means having trouble performing, or being unable to perform, routine tasks such as dressing and grooming, personal hygiene, arising, eating, walking, gripping, reaching, and doing daily errands and chores. Participants were asked if they experienced no difficulty, some difficulty, much difficulty or were unable to do these activities at all when alone and without the use of aids.
At the start of the survey, 32 percent of men and 51 percent of women abstained from drinking, 51 percent of men and 45 percent of women were light to moderate drinkers, and 17 percent of men and 4 percent women were heavy drinkers.
No one had any disabilities at the outset, but 7 percent died and 15 percent became disabled over five years.
The researchers found that light to moderate drinkers in good health had a lower risk for developing new disabilities, compared with both abstainers and heavy drinkers.
In unadjusted analyses, light to moderate drinkers had a 17.7 percent chance of becoming disabled or dying in five years, compared with 26.7 percent for abstainers and 21.4 percent for heavy drinkers. Among survivors, the risk for new disability was 12.5 percent for light to moderate drinkers, compared with 20 percent for abstainers and 15.6 percent for heavy drinkers.
However, after controlling for confounding variables such as age, smoking, exercise, heart attacks and strokes, the benefits of alcohol consumption were seen only in seniors who rated their health as good or better: There was a 3 to 8 percent reduction in the odds of developing disability with each additional drink per week in older men and women in good or better health who were not heavy drinkers, but there was no such benefit seen in those who rated their health as fair or poor.
"Light to moderate alcohol consumption appears to have disability prevention benefits only in men and women in relatively good health," the researchers wrote. "It is possible that those who report poor health have progressed too far on the pathway to disability to accrue benefits from alcohol consumption and that alcohol consumption may even be deleterious for them."
Other study authors were Catherine A. Sarkisian, Deborah M. Kado, Howard Dedes, Diana H. Liao, Sungjin Kim, David B. Reuben, Gail A. Greendale and Alison A. Moore, all of the David Geffen School of Medicine. Sarkisian is also affiliated with the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center of the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.
The study was supported by funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation/American Federation for Aging Research Medical Student Geriatrics Scholars Program; the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center of the National Institute on Aging.
UCLA is California's largest university, with an enrollment of nearly 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The UCLA College of Letters and Science and the university's 11 professional schools feature renowned faculty and offer more than 323 degree programs and majors. UCLA is a national and international leader in the breadth and quality of its academic, research, health care, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs. Four alumni and five faculty have been awarded the Nobel Prize.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
924 Westwood Blvd., Ste. 350
Los Angeles
CA 90095
United States
ucla
пятница, 13 мая 2011 г.
'Good' chemical, neurons in brain elevated among exercise addicts
But OHSU researcher says jump in BDNF, neurogenesis may not be beneficial
PORTLAND, Ore. (USA) - Exercise enthusiasts have more reasons to put on their running shoes in the morning, but an Oregon Health & Science University scientist says they shouldn't step up their work-outs just yet.
A study published today in the journal Neuroscience, journal of the International Brain Research Organization, confirmed that exercise increases the chemical BDNF - brain-derived neurotrophic factor - in the hippocampus, a curved, elongated ridge in the brain that controls learning and memory. BDNF is involved in protecting and producing neurons in the hippocampus.
'When you exercise, it's been shown you release BDNF,' said study co-author Justin Rhodes, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at OHSU's School of Medicine and at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Portland.
'BDNF helps support and strengthen synapses in the brain. We find that exercise increases these good things.'
Mice bred for 30 generations to display increased voluntary wheel running behavior - an 'exercise addiction' - showed higher amounts of BDNF than normal, sedentary mice. In fact, the BDNF concentration in the active mice increased by as much as 171 percent after seven nights of wheel running.
'These mice are more active than wild mice,' Rhodes said, referring to the mice as small and lean, and seemingly 'addicted' to exercise. 'Wheel running causes a huge amount of activity in the hippocampus. The more running, the more BDNF.'
In a study Rhodes also co-authored that extends these findings, to be published in the October edition of the American Psychological Association journal Behavioral Neuroscience, scientists demonstrated that not only do the mice display more of this 'good' BDNF chemical in the hippocampus, they grow more neurons there as well.
But those high levels of BDNF and neurogenesis don't necessarily mean an exercise addict learns at a faster rate, Rhodes said. According to the Behavioral Neuroscience study, the running addict, compared with the normal-running, control mice, perform 'terribly' when attempting to navigate around a maze.
'These studies are focusing on the effects of exercise itself on chemicals known to protect and strengthen synapses,' Rhodes explained. 'But too much of it is not necessarily a good thing.'
High runners tend to 'max out' in the production of the BDNF and neurogenesis, Rhodes said. And that topping-out effect may be what prevents learning.
A high-running mouse's inability to learn as well as a normal mouse could be due to less biological reasons, Rhodes points out. 'It is possible that they're so focused on running, they can't think of anything else,' he said.
Rhodes and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, the University of California at Riverside and The Salk Institute also emphasize that the functional significance of the exercise-induced increases in BDNF and neurogenesis is not known.
Rhodes suggests that when a high-running mouse exercises, stress is placed on its hippocampus and the development of new neurons becomes a protective response. No one has yet tested whether hyperactive wheel running exercise actually kills or damages neurons in the hippocampus, he said.
'The reason why these good things are happening is they may clean up some of the mess,' he said. 'Knowing that, you wouldn't expect high runners to get any benefit from it.'
One thing is clear: Exercise greatly activates the hippocampus. Rhodes and his colleagues have conducted research that also shows the intensity of exercise is linearly related to the number of neurons that are activated in a subregion of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus.
In addition, they have demonstrated that when mice are kept from their normal running routine, brain regions involved in craving for natural rewards such as food, sex and drugs of abuse become activated. It is allowing Rhodes to study the relationship between natural craving, like hunger, and drug craving due to a pathological addiction.
'The point is to characterize what makes drug craving different from natural craving at the level of the genes and neuronal substrates involved so that, eventually, a pharmaceutical therapy can be designed to target the pathology,' Rhodes said.
Contact: Jonathan Modie
Oregon Health & Science University
PORTLAND, Ore. (USA) - Exercise enthusiasts have more reasons to put on their running shoes in the morning, but an Oregon Health & Science University scientist says they shouldn't step up their work-outs just yet.
A study published today in the journal Neuroscience, journal of the International Brain Research Organization, confirmed that exercise increases the chemical BDNF - brain-derived neurotrophic factor - in the hippocampus, a curved, elongated ridge in the brain that controls learning and memory. BDNF is involved in protecting and producing neurons in the hippocampus.
'When you exercise, it's been shown you release BDNF,' said study co-author Justin Rhodes, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at OHSU's School of Medicine and at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Portland.
'BDNF helps support and strengthen synapses in the brain. We find that exercise increases these good things.'
Mice bred for 30 generations to display increased voluntary wheel running behavior - an 'exercise addiction' - showed higher amounts of BDNF than normal, sedentary mice. In fact, the BDNF concentration in the active mice increased by as much as 171 percent after seven nights of wheel running.
'These mice are more active than wild mice,' Rhodes said, referring to the mice as small and lean, and seemingly 'addicted' to exercise. 'Wheel running causes a huge amount of activity in the hippocampus. The more running, the more BDNF.'
In a study Rhodes also co-authored that extends these findings, to be published in the October edition of the American Psychological Association journal Behavioral Neuroscience, scientists demonstrated that not only do the mice display more of this 'good' BDNF chemical in the hippocampus, they grow more neurons there as well.
But those high levels of BDNF and neurogenesis don't necessarily mean an exercise addict learns at a faster rate, Rhodes said. According to the Behavioral Neuroscience study, the running addict, compared with the normal-running, control mice, perform 'terribly' when attempting to navigate around a maze.
'These studies are focusing on the effects of exercise itself on chemicals known to protect and strengthen synapses,' Rhodes explained. 'But too much of it is not necessarily a good thing.'
High runners tend to 'max out' in the production of the BDNF and neurogenesis, Rhodes said. And that topping-out effect may be what prevents learning.
A high-running mouse's inability to learn as well as a normal mouse could be due to less biological reasons, Rhodes points out. 'It is possible that they're so focused on running, they can't think of anything else,' he said.
Rhodes and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, the University of California at Riverside and The Salk Institute also emphasize that the functional significance of the exercise-induced increases in BDNF and neurogenesis is not known.
Rhodes suggests that when a high-running mouse exercises, stress is placed on its hippocampus and the development of new neurons becomes a protective response. No one has yet tested whether hyperactive wheel running exercise actually kills or damages neurons in the hippocampus, he said.
'The reason why these good things are happening is they may clean up some of the mess,' he said. 'Knowing that, you wouldn't expect high runners to get any benefit from it.'
One thing is clear: Exercise greatly activates the hippocampus. Rhodes and his colleagues have conducted research that also shows the intensity of exercise is linearly related to the number of neurons that are activated in a subregion of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus.
In addition, they have demonstrated that when mice are kept from their normal running routine, brain regions involved in craving for natural rewards such as food, sex and drugs of abuse become activated. It is allowing Rhodes to study the relationship between natural craving, like hunger, and drug craving due to a pathological addiction.
'The point is to characterize what makes drug craving different from natural craving at the level of the genes and neuronal substrates involved so that, eventually, a pharmaceutical therapy can be designed to target the pathology,' Rhodes said.
Contact: Jonathan Modie
Oregon Health & Science University
вторник, 10 мая 2011 г.
Drinkaware Responds To fpa Research Revealing Alcohol Influences Sexual Decision Making
Most Popular Articles For Alcohol
These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months:
Alcohol Is Most Harmful Drug, Followed By Heroin And Crack
01 Nov 2010
Alcohol is the most damaging drug to the drinker and others overall, heroin and crack are the second and third most harmful, Professor David Nutt and colleagues wrote in the medical journal The Lancet today...
Giving Up Smoking Linked To Greater Happiness And Elevated Mood
05 Dec 2010
Energy Drinks: Is It Time To Tighten Regulation?
02 Nov 2010
USA's Drunkest Cities Are Milwaukee, Fargo And San Francisco
31 Dec 2010
Lock Up The Liquor; Parents Giving Children Alcohol
19 Feb 2011
_uacct = "UA-849615-1";
urchinTracker();
These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months:
Alcohol Is Most Harmful Drug, Followed By Heroin And Crack
01 Nov 2010
Alcohol is the most damaging drug to the drinker and others overall, heroin and crack are the second and third most harmful, Professor David Nutt and colleagues wrote in the medical journal The Lancet today...
Giving Up Smoking Linked To Greater Happiness And Elevated Mood
05 Dec 2010
Energy Drinks: Is It Time To Tighten Regulation?
02 Nov 2010
USA's Drunkest Cities Are Milwaukee, Fargo And San Francisco
31 Dec 2010
Lock Up The Liquor; Parents Giving Children Alcohol
19 Feb 2011
_uacct = "UA-849615-1";
urchinTracker();
понедельник, 9 мая 2011 г.
It Can Be Dangerous To Drink
People who drink alcohol are up to four times more likely than non-drinkers to be hurt from physical injuries such as a fall or punch, new research shows.
The University of Queensland study found any alcohol consumption quadrupled the risk of injury for the first six hours after drinking alcohol and this risk remained at 2.5 times that of a non drinker for the next 24 hours.
Quantity and specific drinks such as beer or spirits did not increase injury risk but mixing drinks increased injury risk five-fold.
Binge drinkers were more at risk of being injured than regular drinkers.
And people who sustained serious injuries were more likely to have consumed beer and have been drinking in a licensed premises.
Dr Kerrianne Watt, who studied for her PhD with UQ's School of Population Health, said her results might seem obvious but there had been few studies about drinking and all injuries, not just those from car crashes.
And these previous studies had not taken into account other possible explanations for injury such as drug use and risk-taking behaviour.
Dr Watt's results came from interviewing about 500 people who were admitted into the Gold Coast Hospital Emergency Department between October 2000 and October 2001.
Patients, aged 16 years and above, were asked about their injuries which varied from head injuries, falls, assaults, cuts, piercings, choking, burns and near drownings.
They were asked how they were injured, where they were injured and the severity.
The most common injuries were falls, being hit by or against something and car and motorbike crashes.
The highest blood alcohol reading was .31%.
"Car crashes are important and we need to continue to care about those," Dr Watt said.
"But this research indicates that drinking alcohol increases all types of injury, not just car crashes.
"There are a whole variety of other alcohol-related injuries that we need to worry about and take notice of.
"We have been conditioned to think I'm drinking but not driving, I'm fine, I don't need to worry about anything, but that's not necessarily true."
Some venues have banned serving some drinks such as rum because of a perception that it makes drinkers aggressive.
"My findings suggest that it's not a property of the beverage that increases aggression and risk of injury, it's more a personality characteristic that is attracted to a certain type of alcohol," Dr Watt said.
"We have anecdotally seen that some beverages, for instance spirits, result in increased risk of injury.
"But we haven't known whether it's because people who drink spirits drink more alcohol, because they have a particular personality type or because they engage in more risky behaviour."
Dr Watt is the Clinical Research Coordinator at the Australian Centre for Pre-hospital Research with the Queensland Ambulance Service.
This year she is also managing a national study on pandemic influenza.
Contact: Miguel Holland
Research Australia
The University of Queensland study found any alcohol consumption quadrupled the risk of injury for the first six hours after drinking alcohol and this risk remained at 2.5 times that of a non drinker for the next 24 hours.
Quantity and specific drinks such as beer or spirits did not increase injury risk but mixing drinks increased injury risk five-fold.
Binge drinkers were more at risk of being injured than regular drinkers.
And people who sustained serious injuries were more likely to have consumed beer and have been drinking in a licensed premises.
Dr Kerrianne Watt, who studied for her PhD with UQ's School of Population Health, said her results might seem obvious but there had been few studies about drinking and all injuries, not just those from car crashes.
And these previous studies had not taken into account other possible explanations for injury such as drug use and risk-taking behaviour.
Dr Watt's results came from interviewing about 500 people who were admitted into the Gold Coast Hospital Emergency Department between October 2000 and October 2001.
Patients, aged 16 years and above, were asked about their injuries which varied from head injuries, falls, assaults, cuts, piercings, choking, burns and near drownings.
They were asked how they were injured, where they were injured and the severity.
The most common injuries were falls, being hit by or against something and car and motorbike crashes.
The highest blood alcohol reading was .31%.
"Car crashes are important and we need to continue to care about those," Dr Watt said.
"But this research indicates that drinking alcohol increases all types of injury, not just car crashes.
"There are a whole variety of other alcohol-related injuries that we need to worry about and take notice of.
"We have been conditioned to think I'm drinking but not driving, I'm fine, I don't need to worry about anything, but that's not necessarily true."
Some venues have banned serving some drinks such as rum because of a perception that it makes drinkers aggressive.
"My findings suggest that it's not a property of the beverage that increases aggression and risk of injury, it's more a personality characteristic that is attracted to a certain type of alcohol," Dr Watt said.
"We have anecdotally seen that some beverages, for instance spirits, result in increased risk of injury.
"But we haven't known whether it's because people who drink spirits drink more alcohol, because they have a particular personality type or because they engage in more risky behaviour."
Dr Watt is the Clinical Research Coordinator at the Australian Centre for Pre-hospital Research with the Queensland Ambulance Service.
This year she is also managing a national study on pandemic influenza.
Contact: Miguel Holland
Research Australia
воскресенье, 8 мая 2011 г.
Riding Under The Influence: New Study Shows More Than A Quarter Of High School Students In Atlantic Canada Have Accepted Rides With Drunk Drivers
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for Canadian teenagers, and according to recent statistics, alcohol is involved in 40% of these fatalities. A new study, partly funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), paints a stark portrait of how many teenagers may be risking their lives by accepting a ride with a drunk driver, and examines the risk factors associated with this type of behaviour.
The study, authored by Dr. Christiane Poulin and her research team at Dalhousie University, surveyed almost 13,000 teenagers in all four Atlantic provinces. (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.)
Adolescent passengers of drunk drivers: A multi-level exploration into the inequities of risk and safety, found that more than a quarter (27%) of all high school students who took part in the 2002 survey said they had taken a ride with a driver who??™d had too much to drink at least once in the past year - half of them on more than one occasion.
The study lists several factors affecting a high school student??™s likelihood of hitching a ride with a drunk driver, both at the individual and community levels. Among them:
Gender: females were more likely to ride with a drunk driver than males;
Place of residence: teens living in rural areas were more likely than those in urban areas;
Mother??™s education level: risk was higher when the mother??™s education level was lower.
Driver??™s license: teens who were not fully licensed were more likely to accept rides with drunk drivers;
High alcohol and/or cannabis use.
The study??™s authors conclude that many of the risk factors associated with riding with a drunk driver are beyond a teenager??™s control, and not all teenagers have the same options available to minimize their risks.
The full report has been published in the latest edition of the journal Addiction, and a link can be found on CIHI??™s website at cihi.ca
Contact:
Leona Hollingsworth
Canadian Institute For Health Information
495 Richmond Road
Ottawa, Ontario
For further information please go to:
Canadian Institute For Health Information
CIHI--Taking health information further
The study, authored by Dr. Christiane Poulin and her research team at Dalhousie University, surveyed almost 13,000 teenagers in all four Atlantic provinces. (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.)
Adolescent passengers of drunk drivers: A multi-level exploration into the inequities of risk and safety, found that more than a quarter (27%) of all high school students who took part in the 2002 survey said they had taken a ride with a driver who??™d had too much to drink at least once in the past year - half of them on more than one occasion.
The study lists several factors affecting a high school student??™s likelihood of hitching a ride with a drunk driver, both at the individual and community levels. Among them:
Gender: females were more likely to ride with a drunk driver than males;
Place of residence: teens living in rural areas were more likely than those in urban areas;
Mother??™s education level: risk was higher when the mother??™s education level was lower.
Driver??™s license: teens who were not fully licensed were more likely to accept rides with drunk drivers;
High alcohol and/or cannabis use.
The study??™s authors conclude that many of the risk factors associated with riding with a drunk driver are beyond a teenager??™s control, and not all teenagers have the same options available to minimize their risks.
The full report has been published in the latest edition of the journal Addiction, and a link can be found on CIHI??™s website at cihi.ca
Contact:
Leona Hollingsworth
Canadian Institute For Health Information
495 Richmond Road
Ottawa, Ontario
For further information please go to:
Canadian Institute For Health Information
CIHI--Taking health information further
суббота, 7 мая 2011 г.
The UK Government's New Drug Strategy: (or Spin?)
The governments 'new' drug strategy has caused a mixed reaction. Some mild some vehement; others have reacted with cautious enthusiasm, and a few with cynicism.
The majority who have commented have their own agenda's. The pro-druggists are professing that the 'rights' of users are being ignored and that drug related crime will soar. The 'hang em' and 'flog em' brigade will be disappointed that there is no provision for users to be taken out and shot at dawn.
This writer is appalled and baffled for the simple reason that in all sixty eight pages of the strategy there is no acknowledgement that both substance misuse and dependency are universally recognised as mental disorders. (1&2)
The inexplicable failure to acknowledge that fact is compounded by the lack of recommendations for treating it as such. There are a few references to users who have mental disorders which appear to be seeking to separate the two. Such a fundamental error, combined with the error of failing to acknowledge misuse and dependency as a mental disorder in its own right, together with failing to acknowledge that co-occurring mental disorders are common with substance misuse and dependency, thus producing the condition of comorbidity, results in the further failure of recognising that such conditions requires integrated treatment if recovery is to be achieved.
It has been clearly established that comorbidity of mental disorders and substance use disorders is widespread and often associated with poor treatment outcome, severe illness and high service use. (3) This presents a significant challenge with respect to the most appropriate identification, prevention and management strategies
In failing to meet that challenge, and subsequently failing to produce relevant strategies, the UK strategy, hailed by Downing Street as a 'comprehensive approach' is anything but comprehensive, it is therefore unlikely to be any more effective in its aims than its predecessor, although in fairness it would struggle to be worse.
There is a universal rule which indicates that fundamental errors lead to others, this latest offering from Whitehall is no exception. Indeed the errors and glaring omissions mentioned, have led to misleading statements, not the least of which are assertions claiming success of the previous strategy in a number of areas where it has failed miserably in achieving its declared objectives.(4)
One claim that is grossly misleading appears on page 6 of the new strategy:
"..use all emerging and all available evidence to make sure we are supporting the treatment that is most effective, targeted on the right users - with abstinence-based treatment for some, drug-replacement over time for others, and innovative treatments including injectable heroin and methadone where they have been proved to work and reduce crime".
Insofar as heroine treatment is concerned there is empirical evidence that it neither works nor reduces crime. The Cochrane review of worldwide trails came to the following conclusion "No definitive conclusions about the overall effectiveness of heroin prescription is possible". (5) There is the further failure to acknowledge that dependency, which in this case is more accurately described as addiction, is an irreversible condition, and that without abstinence the severity of the addiction will increase, that so call innovative heroin treatments simply serve to keep the dependent user locked into addiction.(6) Even more serious is the fact that it also increases the severity of addiction to the point where the free will of the addicted is eroded.(7)
Methadone treatment does not fare much better, however it has to be acknowledged that it does keep people in treatment longer and reduces heroin use. Notwithstanding that it is a highly addictive drug in its own right and it is generally conceded that the majority of those on such treatment continue to misuse other drugs, therefore it can be argued that it also keeps users locked into addiction.
So rather than using all the 'available evidence' as this so called strategy would have us believe, it is ignoring evidence from World Wide Authorities. Readers will form their own conclusions as to whether this document is flawed and, or misleading. In either event such wilful ignoring of evidence destroys much of its credibility.
If the disregard for evidence, and the inaccurate claims made, grave as they are, were an isolated incident in the 'new strategy' this writer might be regarded by some as being churlish, regrettably this is not the case. Much is made in the document of how the strategy will bring about 'social re-integration'. In doing so it claims that that the new strategy will help "drug misusers to overcome dependence and re-establish their lives".
How can a strategy which fails to recognise substance misuse and dependency for what it is, a mental disorder, which is both chronic and complex in nature, possibly hope to re-integrate into society those, which the state has not only failed to treat in accordance with universal evidence, but proposes treatment that will increase the severity of the condition?
References:
1 - International Classification of Mental and Behaviour Disorders: ICD-10: World Health Organisation: Geneva 1993.
2 - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM -1V:.American Psychiatric Association : 1994
3 - Maree Teesson and Lucy Burns: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre: Publications Production Unit (Public Affairs, Parliamentary and Access Branch) Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. Canberra
4 - The Disastrous Outcome Of The UK Drug And Treatment Strategy Article: 02 Jan 2008.medicalnewstoday
5 - Ferri M, Davoli M, Perucci CA. Heroin maintenance for chronic heroin dependents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003410 DOI10.1002/14651858.CD003410.pub2.
:
6 - Eric A Voth, chairman Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, Institute FL 33701, USA EVothstormontvail Ernst Aeschbach, doctor Private Practice of Psychiatry, Bettackerstrasse 7, CH-8152 Glattbrugg, Switzerland: BMJ 2004;328:229 (24 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7433.229.
7 - NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., Psychiatric News July 6, 2007
Volume 42, Number 13, page 16© 2007 American Psychiatric Association
© Peter O'Loughlin
The Eden Lodge Practice, BR3 3AT UK. February 2008.
The majority who have commented have their own agenda's. The pro-druggists are professing that the 'rights' of users are being ignored and that drug related crime will soar. The 'hang em' and 'flog em' brigade will be disappointed that there is no provision for users to be taken out and shot at dawn.
This writer is appalled and baffled for the simple reason that in all sixty eight pages of the strategy there is no acknowledgement that both substance misuse and dependency are universally recognised as mental disorders. (1&2)
The inexplicable failure to acknowledge that fact is compounded by the lack of recommendations for treating it as such. There are a few references to users who have mental disorders which appear to be seeking to separate the two. Such a fundamental error, combined with the error of failing to acknowledge misuse and dependency as a mental disorder in its own right, together with failing to acknowledge that co-occurring mental disorders are common with substance misuse and dependency, thus producing the condition of comorbidity, results in the further failure of recognising that such conditions requires integrated treatment if recovery is to be achieved.
It has been clearly established that comorbidity of mental disorders and substance use disorders is widespread and often associated with poor treatment outcome, severe illness and high service use. (3) This presents a significant challenge with respect to the most appropriate identification, prevention and management strategies
In failing to meet that challenge, and subsequently failing to produce relevant strategies, the UK strategy, hailed by Downing Street as a 'comprehensive approach' is anything but comprehensive, it is therefore unlikely to be any more effective in its aims than its predecessor, although in fairness it would struggle to be worse.
There is a universal rule which indicates that fundamental errors lead to others, this latest offering from Whitehall is no exception. Indeed the errors and glaring omissions mentioned, have led to misleading statements, not the least of which are assertions claiming success of the previous strategy in a number of areas where it has failed miserably in achieving its declared objectives.(4)
One claim that is grossly misleading appears on page 6 of the new strategy:
"..use all emerging and all available evidence to make sure we are supporting the treatment that is most effective, targeted on the right users - with abstinence-based treatment for some, drug-replacement over time for others, and innovative treatments including injectable heroin and methadone where they have been proved to work and reduce crime".
Insofar as heroine treatment is concerned there is empirical evidence that it neither works nor reduces crime. The Cochrane review of worldwide trails came to the following conclusion "No definitive conclusions about the overall effectiveness of heroin prescription is possible". (5) There is the further failure to acknowledge that dependency, which in this case is more accurately described as addiction, is an irreversible condition, and that without abstinence the severity of the addiction will increase, that so call innovative heroin treatments simply serve to keep the dependent user locked into addiction.(6) Even more serious is the fact that it also increases the severity of addiction to the point where the free will of the addicted is eroded.(7)
Methadone treatment does not fare much better, however it has to be acknowledged that it does keep people in treatment longer and reduces heroin use. Notwithstanding that it is a highly addictive drug in its own right and it is generally conceded that the majority of those on such treatment continue to misuse other drugs, therefore it can be argued that it also keeps users locked into addiction.
So rather than using all the 'available evidence' as this so called strategy would have us believe, it is ignoring evidence from World Wide Authorities. Readers will form their own conclusions as to whether this document is flawed and, or misleading. In either event such wilful ignoring of evidence destroys much of its credibility.
If the disregard for evidence, and the inaccurate claims made, grave as they are, were an isolated incident in the 'new strategy' this writer might be regarded by some as being churlish, regrettably this is not the case. Much is made in the document of how the strategy will bring about 'social re-integration'. In doing so it claims that that the new strategy will help "drug misusers to overcome dependence and re-establish their lives".
How can a strategy which fails to recognise substance misuse and dependency for what it is, a mental disorder, which is both chronic and complex in nature, possibly hope to re-integrate into society those, which the state has not only failed to treat in accordance with universal evidence, but proposes treatment that will increase the severity of the condition?
References:
1 - International Classification of Mental and Behaviour Disorders: ICD-10: World Health Organisation: Geneva 1993.
2 - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM -1V:.American Psychiatric Association : 1994
3 - Maree Teesson and Lucy Burns: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre: Publications Production Unit (Public Affairs, Parliamentary and Access Branch) Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. Canberra
4 - The Disastrous Outcome Of The UK Drug And Treatment Strategy Article: 02 Jan 2008.medicalnewstoday
5 - Ferri M, Davoli M, Perucci CA. Heroin maintenance for chronic heroin dependents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD003410 DOI10.1002/14651858.CD003410.pub2.
:
6 - Eric A Voth, chairman Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, Institute FL 33701, USA EVothstormontvail Ernst Aeschbach, doctor Private Practice of Psychiatry, Bettackerstrasse 7, CH-8152 Glattbrugg, Switzerland: BMJ 2004;328:229 (24 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7433.229.
7 - NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., Psychiatric News July 6, 2007
Volume 42, Number 13, page 16© 2007 American Psychiatric Association
© Peter O'Loughlin
The Eden Lodge Practice, BR3 3AT UK. February 2008.
пятница, 6 мая 2011 г.
Only 34% of US General Public Recognize Alcoholism as a Disease
Seventy-four percent of the general
public acknowledge that alcoholism impacts the daily lives of Americans, and
more than two out of five Americans say they have encouraged a loved one to
seek help for an alcohol problem. Yet, stigma persists, with 63 percent of
Americans believing alcoholism is a moral weakness versus a disease (34
percent). Additional results will be shared today from a new survey of 1,000
men and women, 300 general practitioners / internists, and 503 people in
recovery sponsored by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) as
part of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
A panel of nationally renowned experts will present today on topics
related to alcoholism including the biologic origins of the disease, public
health issues, and treatment pathways. The science briefing at 5:30 p.m.
EDT -- accessible via teleconference (1.800.611.1148) - includes:
* Dr. Alan Leshner, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the
Advancement of Science, Executive Publisher of Science and a member of
CADCA Board of Directors
* Dr. David Kessler, Dean, University of California San Francisco School
of Medicine, and former FDA commissioner
* Alan Rivlin, Senior Vice President, Peter D. Hart Research Associates
* Dr. Drew Pinsky, Medical Director, Department of Chemical Dependency
Services Las Encinas Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
During the briefing, Dr. Kessler will discuss the disease pathophysiology
of alcoholism, co-morbidity with other diseases, and alcoholism as a chronic
disease.
Of the general public surveyed, 83 percent said they would encourage a
loved one to take a physician-recommended medication to treat alcoholism.
However, general practitioners and internists lack awareness and experience
with the available medications according to the survey results. Dr. Pinsky
will review new and existing medications to treat alcoholism and the variety
of tools to diagnose and treat patients who suffer from the disease.
"Alcoholism is a chronic disease for which some people experience episodes
of relapse. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a
person's genes and by his or her behavior. In spite of years of scientific
evidence, misperceptions persist about alcoholism which may impede those
needing treatment from seeking help," said General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman
and CEO of CADCA. "CADCA's coalition network is committed to closing the
education gap that exists and driving solutions at the local level to combat
the disease of alcoholism."
About Alcoholism
* Nearly 19 million Americans, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, need
treatment for an "alcohol problem," but only 2.4 million have been
diagnosed with the disease, and just 139,000 receive medication to treat
it.
* One in four children lives with a parent who is dependent on, or abuses,
alcohol.
* Harmful and hazardous drinking is involved in about one-third of
suicides, one-half of homicides and one-third of child abuse cases.
* Consuming at least four alcoholic beverages a day significantly
increases the risk of developing any type of cancer.
* Alcoholism abuse and dependence costs the United States $185 billion
dollars in direct and indirect social costs per year, with more than 70
percent of the cost attributed to lost productivity.
About CADCA
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is the national
membership organization representing coalitions working to make America's
communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA's mission is to build and
strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical
assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and
marketing programs, conferences, and special events. For more information
about CADCA, visit cadca.
Technical note: Peter D. Hart Research Associates conducted three online
surveys from August 10 to August 26, 2005 among 1,000 members of the general
public (aged 20+), 300 general practitioners and internists (aged 25+), and
503 people in recovery (aged 25-50). The surveys were conducted to assess
perceptions about alcoholism as a public health issue, attitudes toward
alcoholics and those in recovery, and awareness of pathways to treatment.
Grant support for the science briefing and survey were provided by Forest
Laboratories, Inc.
About Forest Laboratories and Its Products
Forest Laboratories' growing line of products includes: Lexapro(R)
(escitalopram oxalate), an SSRI antidepressant indicated for the initial and
maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder and for generalized anxiety
disorder in adults; Namenda(R) (memantine HCl), an N-methyl-D-aspartate
(NMDA)-receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe
Alzheimer's disease; Celexa(R) (citalopram HBr), an antidepressant for adults;
Benicar(R) * (olmesartan medoxomil), an angiotensin receptor blocker indicated
for the treatment of hypertension; Benicar HCT(R) (olmesartan medoxomil-
hydrochlorothiazide), an angiotensin receptor blocker and diuretic combination
product indicated for the second-line treatment of hypertension; Campral(R)*
(acamprosate calcium), a glutamate receptor modulator, indicated for the
maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence who
are abstinent at treatment initiation in combination with psychosocial
support; and COMBUNOX(TM) (Oxycodone HCl and Ibuprofen) an opioid and NSAID
combination indicated for the short-term management of acute, moderate to
severe pain.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
cadca
View drug information on Benicar; Oxycodone and Aspirin.
public acknowledge that alcoholism impacts the daily lives of Americans, and
more than two out of five Americans say they have encouraged a loved one to
seek help for an alcohol problem. Yet, stigma persists, with 63 percent of
Americans believing alcoholism is a moral weakness versus a disease (34
percent). Additional results will be shared today from a new survey of 1,000
men and women, 300 general practitioners / internists, and 503 people in
recovery sponsored by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) as
part of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
A panel of nationally renowned experts will present today on topics
related to alcoholism including the biologic origins of the disease, public
health issues, and treatment pathways. The science briefing at 5:30 p.m.
EDT -- accessible via teleconference (1.800.611.1148) - includes:
* Dr. Alan Leshner, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the
Advancement of Science, Executive Publisher of Science and a member of
CADCA Board of Directors
* Dr. David Kessler, Dean, University of California San Francisco School
of Medicine, and former FDA commissioner
* Alan Rivlin, Senior Vice President, Peter D. Hart Research Associates
* Dr. Drew Pinsky, Medical Director, Department of Chemical Dependency
Services Las Encinas Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
During the briefing, Dr. Kessler will discuss the disease pathophysiology
of alcoholism, co-morbidity with other diseases, and alcoholism as a chronic
disease.
Of the general public surveyed, 83 percent said they would encourage a
loved one to take a physician-recommended medication to treat alcoholism.
However, general practitioners and internists lack awareness and experience
with the available medications according to the survey results. Dr. Pinsky
will review new and existing medications to treat alcoholism and the variety
of tools to diagnose and treat patients who suffer from the disease.
"Alcoholism is a chronic disease for which some people experience episodes
of relapse. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a
person's genes and by his or her behavior. In spite of years of scientific
evidence, misperceptions persist about alcoholism which may impede those
needing treatment from seeking help," said General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman
and CEO of CADCA. "CADCA's coalition network is committed to closing the
education gap that exists and driving solutions at the local level to combat
the disease of alcoholism."
About Alcoholism
* Nearly 19 million Americans, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, need
treatment for an "alcohol problem," but only 2.4 million have been
diagnosed with the disease, and just 139,000 receive medication to treat
it.
* One in four children lives with a parent who is dependent on, or abuses,
alcohol.
* Harmful and hazardous drinking is involved in about one-third of
suicides, one-half of homicides and one-third of child abuse cases.
* Consuming at least four alcoholic beverages a day significantly
increases the risk of developing any type of cancer.
* Alcoholism abuse and dependence costs the United States $185 billion
dollars in direct and indirect social costs per year, with more than 70
percent of the cost attributed to lost productivity.
About CADCA
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is the national
membership organization representing coalitions working to make America's
communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA's mission is to build and
strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical
assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and
marketing programs, conferences, and special events. For more information
about CADCA, visit cadca.
Technical note: Peter D. Hart Research Associates conducted three online
surveys from August 10 to August 26, 2005 among 1,000 members of the general
public (aged 20+), 300 general practitioners and internists (aged 25+), and
503 people in recovery (aged 25-50). The surveys were conducted to assess
perceptions about alcoholism as a public health issue, attitudes toward
alcoholics and those in recovery, and awareness of pathways to treatment.
Grant support for the science briefing and survey were provided by Forest
Laboratories, Inc.
About Forest Laboratories and Its Products
Forest Laboratories' growing line of products includes: Lexapro(R)
(escitalopram oxalate), an SSRI antidepressant indicated for the initial and
maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder and for generalized anxiety
disorder in adults; Namenda(R) (memantine HCl), an N-methyl-D-aspartate
(NMDA)-receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe
Alzheimer's disease; Celexa(R) (citalopram HBr), an antidepressant for adults;
Benicar(R) * (olmesartan medoxomil), an angiotensin receptor blocker indicated
for the treatment of hypertension; Benicar HCT(R) (olmesartan medoxomil-
hydrochlorothiazide), an angiotensin receptor blocker and diuretic combination
product indicated for the second-line treatment of hypertension; Campral(R)*
(acamprosate calcium), a glutamate receptor modulator, indicated for the
maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence who
are abstinent at treatment initiation in combination with psychosocial
support; and COMBUNOX(TM) (Oxycodone HCl and Ibuprofen) an opioid and NSAID
combination indicated for the short-term management of acute, moderate to
severe pain.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
cadca
View drug information on Benicar; Oxycodone and Aspirin.
четверг, 5 мая 2011 г.
Study Presented About Daily Activities Of Youth And Their Risk Of Being Violently Injured
Douglas J. Wiebe, PhD, assistant professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine presented portions of an ongoing study about the daily activities of youth and their risk of being violently injured.
Violent injury, the second leading cause of death among US youth, appears to be the end result of a web of factors including alcohol, weapons, and dangerous urban environments. Using new techniques, a team led by Dr. Wiebe is investigating how the nature and whereabouts of daily activities relate to the likelihood of violent injury among youth.
Injured youth are recruited during hospital treatment; uninjured controls are recruited from households across Philadelphia using random digit dialing. Laptop-based, portable mapping technology is used to interview each youth and construct a graphic, minute-by-minute record of how, when, where, and with whom youths spent time or moved about over the 24-hour time period leading up to their injury. Each youth also reports their activities, including use of alcohol and weapons at each point throughout the same day. Characteristics of streets, buildings, and neighborhood populations are then linked to each point in their daily activities.
"The ultimate goal is to inform communities of place-based risk factors and identify opportunities to make communities safer," says Wiebe. "Simply put, where youth go throughout their day influences the opportunities they have to get hurt. The goal is to identify the most high risk places." The hope is that this type of information can be used to better design and revitalize urban environments for safety.
Source:
Karen Kreeger
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Violent injury, the second leading cause of death among US youth, appears to be the end result of a web of factors including alcohol, weapons, and dangerous urban environments. Using new techniques, a team led by Dr. Wiebe is investigating how the nature and whereabouts of daily activities relate to the likelihood of violent injury among youth.
Injured youth are recruited during hospital treatment; uninjured controls are recruited from households across Philadelphia using random digit dialing. Laptop-based, portable mapping technology is used to interview each youth and construct a graphic, minute-by-minute record of how, when, where, and with whom youths spent time or moved about over the 24-hour time period leading up to their injury. Each youth also reports their activities, including use of alcohol and weapons at each point throughout the same day. Characteristics of streets, buildings, and neighborhood populations are then linked to each point in their daily activities.
"The ultimate goal is to inform communities of place-based risk factors and identify opportunities to make communities safer," says Wiebe. "Simply put, where youth go throughout their day influences the opportunities they have to get hurt. The goal is to identify the most high risk places." The hope is that this type of information can be used to better design and revitalize urban environments for safety.
Source:
Karen Kreeger
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
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