PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 17-Dec-2013 Contact: Fiona Godwin medicinepress@plos.org Public Library of Science Many children with intellectual disability or lower functioning autism spectrum disorders, particularly those in low and middle income countries, do not receive psychosocial treatment interventions for their condition. If non-specialists were able to deliver such care, more children may be able to receive treatment. In this week's PLOS Medicine, Brian Reichow (Yale Child Study Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, US) and colleagues from the World Health Organization conducted a systematic review of studies of non-specialist psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents with intellectual disability or lower functioning autism spectrum disorders. In a search of several international databases for studies published through June 2013, the authors found 34 articles describing 29 studies (including 15 randomized controlled trials) involving 1,305 participants that met their inclusion criteria. The studies evaluated behavior analytic techniques, cognitive rehabilitation, training, and support, and parent training interventions. The authors found that for behavior analytic interventions, the best outcomes were shown for developmental and daily skills; cognitive rehabilitation, training, and support were found to be most effective for improving developmental outcomes; and parent training interventions to be most effective for improving developmental, behavioral, and family outcomes. … Continue reading →

Stroke Symptoms and Signs Each year about 500,000 people in the United States suffer a first stroke, and a further 200,000 people have a recurrent stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and also is a major cause of disability and loss of independence and quality of life. Up to 40% of strokes are fatal, but the risks of death from a stroke and the degree of disability can both be significantly reduced by prompt treatment. Strokes result from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. The oxygen-deprived brain cells die and result in various neurological impairments, depending on the area of the brain that is involved. A stroke is also referred to as a cerebrovascular accident or CVA. The blood supply to the brain can be interrupted both by a blockage in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain, or a rupture of a blood vessel within the brain. Stroke caused by blockage of an artery is called ischemic stroke, while stroke caused by rupture of an artery is called a hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is much more common than hemorrhagic stroke. Read more here: Stroke Signs, Treatment, Recovery, … Continue reading →

What Is It? Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited (genetic) disorder that causes certain nerve cells to deteriorate over time. In many cases, this disorder also affects the heart, certain bones and cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The illness typically begins with difficulty walking. People with Friedreich's ataxia develop clumsy, shaky movements of the legs (called gait ataxia) during childhood or early adolescence. In rare cases, symptoms appear in infants and in middle-aged adults. As the disease gets worse, people may develop bony deformities of the spine and feet, loss of sensation in the limbs, speech problems, abnormal eye movements, heart disease and diabetes. Scientists believe that many symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia are related to abnormally low levels of frataxin, a protein that helps to protect cells from "free radicals," which are toxic (poisonous) byproducts of the cells' energy production. In a person with Friedreich's ataxia, a segment of the genetic code on chromosome number 9 can have as many as 1,000 repetitions, instead of the normal range of 7 to 22. These repetitions produce an error that leads to a decreased production of frataxin. As free radicals accumulate within cells, and more and more cells are destroyed or … Continue reading →

EDMOND, Oklahoma - Last month, we told you about an Edmond man who suffers from a rare disorder known as Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT), which affects just 500 people around the world. On Black Friday, Jeff Kummer decided he wanted to ride' a marathon on his recumbent exercise bike non-stop to raise money for the A-T Children's Project. 11/17/2013 Related Story: Edmond Man With Rare Disease To 'Ride' Marathon On Black Friday He more than met his goal, both financially and physically. "During the actual ride, as I approached mile 25, I felt really strong," Jeff said in a letter to his friends and family. "I passed 26.2 miles in two hours and 46 minutes." Feeling so good, Jeff said he kept on pedaling, eventually going another half marathon (13.1 miles). He didn't stop there. He rounded off his ride at 40 miles non-stop and completed it in four hours and 26 minutes. Jeff's fundraising goal was $10,000 dollars, but like his ride, the numbers kept rising and in the end he raised more than $23,000 for the A-T Children's Project to be used for more research in hopes of finding a treatment and cure for A-T. "I want to thank … Continue reading →