Experimental helmet that reverses Alzheimer's disease symptoms headed for human trials by summer

Using a brain imaging technology called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have discovered that cocaine-related images trigger the emotional centers of the brains of patients addicted to drugs — even when the subjects are unaware they've seen anything. The study, published Jan. 30 in the journal PLoS One, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). more  

Alzheimer's disease: Tips for caregivers

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. Research has shown that caregivers themselves often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community. Read a guide published by the National Institutes of Health in today's issue of Vidyya. more

End of life: Helping with comfort and care

End of Life: Helping With Comfort and Care offers advice and information to help family members and others during the difficult time when a loved one is nearing death. Its goals include to help make the end of a person’s life more comfortable and address readers’ own emotional and practical needs. more  

Study shows variety of approaches help children overcome auditory processing and language problems

For children who struggle to learn language, the choice between various interventions may matter less than the intensity and format of the intervention, a new study sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) suggests. The study, led by Ronald B. Gillam, Ph.D., of Utah State University is online in the February 2008 Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. NIDCD is one of the National Institutes of Health. more

Achieving a US health care system 'second to none'  

All candidates running for office in 2008 should commit to an agenda to create a health care system for the United States that is second to none the American College of Physicians (ACP) said today in its annual report on The State of the Nation’s Health Care. In its report, ACP offers a five-point Candidate’s Pledge designed to gain candidate commitments to support a series of recommendations. more

Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? 

Last week, the UK health secretary declared that we are in a grip of an obesity epidemic, but does the evidence stack up? Researchers in this week’s BMJ debate the issue. more

FDA alerts health care providers to risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antiepileptic medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued new information to health care professionals to alert them about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (suicidality) in patients who take drugs called antiepileptics to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches, and other conditions. more

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