Public release date: 11-Jun-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Press Office newsmedia@mssm.edu 212-241-9200 The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine In the first prospective study of its kind, Seaver Autism Center researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provide new evidence of the severity of intellectual, motor, and speech impairments in a subtype of autism called Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS). The data are published online in the June 11 issue of the journal Molecular Autism. Mutation or deletion of a gene known as SHANK3 is one of the more common single-gene causes of autism spectrum disorders and is critical to the development of PMS, a severe type of autism. To date, clinicians have relied on case studies and retrospective reviews of medical records to understand the features of this disorder and how the clinical presentation relates to the extent of the genetic changes in the SHANK3 region. In the first systematic and comprehensive prospective trial, researchers led by Alex Kolevzon, MD, Clinical Director of the Seaver Autism Center, under the direction of Joseph Buxbaum, PhD, Director of the Seaver Autism Center, enrolled 32 participants with SHANK3 deletions to comprehensively assess their clinical symptoms … Continue reading →

(via The Evening Sun) Steve Brown left the room and came back with a stack of papers too thick to be bound by a normal staple. His wife, Angela, playfully rolled her eyes and begged Steve to put the book away. Nobody wants to read that thing, she teased. But Steve remained persistent as he read the title aloud - Understanding the Office of Developmental Programs in Pennsylvania Mental Retardation and Autism Services. He let out an exasperated sigh and furrowed his brow as he flipped through its pages. From the look on his face, it was clear that "understanding" was a bit too hopeful. The parents of three autistic children, the Browns have been fully immersed in the world of autism for more than a decade. It was about 10 years ago when their twin sons, Josh and Chris, were first diagnosed with the disorder. Their younger son, Andrew, has also since been diagnosed. "Acceptance isn't something ever received," Angela said. As their kids get older and older, she added, they will have to come to terms with their diagnoses over and over again. But by any standards, the Browns have adapted well. Flipping through the pages of a … Continue reading →

Washington, June 11 (ANI): Quitting smoke, limiting alcohol, eating more fruits and vegetables, and keeping your weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar in check, can lower your likelihood of stroke. Still, there are eight lesser-known ways to protect yourself, based on research, ABC News reported. Walk 20 minutes a day. We know-you work, you have kids, errands to run, dinner to make, and an episode of Real Housewives to watch, but make the time. Even if you break it up into two 10-minute sessions, it's worth it. Walking a total of 2 hours a week can cut your stroke risk by 30 percent, according to a large study of nearly 40,000 women, conducted over a 12-year period. Walk briskly (so you can talk but not sing) and your chances are reduced by almost 40 percent. Know the difference between sad and depressed. The latter makes you 29 percent more likely to suffer from stroke, says a new study of more than 80,000 women. Depressed women tend to smoke more, weigh more and exercise less; plus, they're more likely to have uncontrolled medical issues, like high blood pressure and diabetes, which can also increase stroke risk. Recognize depression symptoms and you … Continue reading →

Algeria's president had a full stroke, not a mini-stroke as originally reported, but he is recovering with the help of physical therapy, his office says. Previously, the government had said that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, had a transient ischemic attack, a so-called mini-stroke. But the latest statement says it was a "cerebrovascular accident," or a full stroke. Bouteflika has not been seen in public since the April 27 stroke, and he was flown to France for treatment at the military hospital of Val-de-Grace. On June 2, he was moved to another French hospital for therapy. Algeria's evening news also reported on Tuesday that Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and the army chief of staff, General Gaid Salah, visited Bouteflika and briefed him on the situation in his country. The report said Bouteflika was in good condition and gave orders to ensure markets have adequate food supplies ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan set to begin in July. The television report did not include any images of the president. A mini-stroke is a brief constriction of a cerebral artery and results in a short period of disorientation that can be quickly recovered from. Full strokes, however, require a longer period of … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Americas biopharmaceutical research companies are developing 215 medicines for two of the leading causes of death of Americans heart disease and stroke, according to a new report and overview released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Every 39 seconds an American dies from cardiovascular disease, and more than 83 million Americans have at least one type of the disease, the American Heart Association (AHA) reports. However, death rates from heart disease and stroke are falling, thanks in large part to new medicines. Advances in medicine have helped cut deaths from heart disease by one third between 2001 and 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Factors contributing to the ongoing decline are better control of risk factors, early detection, and better treatment and care, including new medicines and expanded use of existing treatments, the CDC said. Safe and effective medicines that control blood pressure and lower cholesterol have helped to significantly reduce deaths from heart disease, said PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani. The cardiovascular therapies in the pipeline reflect the commitment of Americas biopharmaceutical research companies to build on the progress made to date and help patients lead … Continue reading →