UC seeking stroke survivors for memory improvement study May 14, 2014 The University of Canterbury is seeking people who have had strokes to take part in a study to help improve memory in stroke patients. Computer science and software engineering professor Tanja Mitrovic has received $830,000 of Marsden funding to develop computer-based treatment for stroke patients to improve their memory. ``We have developed training based on visualisation which will help stroke patients memorize future tasks better. There is a lot of research in rehabilitation of motor functions of stroke patients but there is very little research done to help restore peoples memory. ``We have developed a 3D virtual reality environment where stroke patients perform various actions similar to those in real-life, such as making a cup of coffee or a sandwich. ``The Government is interested in getting patients out of full-time care and into jobs, or at least to have more autonomy in their lives. We hope our work will make a real difference for those people recovering from a stroke. ``Memory failure can interfere with independent living, as it can result in someone forgetting to take medication, switch off a stove or miss a doctors appointment. ``The primary goal … Continue reading →

Don't ignore that funny turn - it could be deadly mini-stroke 5:00pm Tuesday 13th May 2014 in News SOUTHEND Hospital is at the forefront of a campaign to raise awareness of mini-strokes. Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, affect someone for a short time before disappearing, leaving the patient unscathed. They are often ignored by patients who believe they have just had a funny turn and even if a patient visits their GP, the symptoms are often dismissed as nothing to worry about. However, they are far from harmless events and can often lead to full-blown, potentially fatal strokes. The Stroke Association campaign, Not Just a Funny Turn, has been launched to change this attitude and Southend Hospitals TIA service features in a booklet for the campaign. The hospitals unique referral system, which sees patients receive the fastest assessment and treatment possible, is highlighted in the publication as a beacon of how to save lives and minimise the damage done by strokes. Unlike many areas, Southend offers 24-hour, seven days a week access to cutting-edge stroke treatment and rehabilition. The hospitals online referral system was launched in 2012. Continued here: Southend Hospital leading national campaign on dangers of potential killer … Continue reading →

Scientists have identified a genetic marker that may be associated with the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD affects an estimated 2 percent of the population and is one of the least understood mental illnesses. The condition is marked by thoughts and images that chronically intrude in the mind and by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety. The standard treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications and behavioral psychotherapy are about 60 to 70 percent effective, but they dont help all patients and only treat disease symptoms. Identifying a genetic marker for OCD could help scientists develop more effective therapies for the condition. Like most other medical and psychological conditions, we need to understand what causes conditions, so we can develop real and rational treatments for these conditions and/or prevention, lead study author Dr. Gerald Nestadt, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told FoxNews.com. Thats why its important to study or identify genetic causes, if there are any. In collaboration with seven universities, Nestadt and his colleagues conducted a genome-wide association study of 1,400 people with OCD. For their control group, researchers studied the genomes of … Continue reading →