Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, May 29 (HealthDay News) -- Early brain responses to words may help predict future abilities in children with autism, a new study suggests. "We showed that a simple measure of how the brain responds to a familiar word taken at 2 years of age was a strong predictor of children's language, social and cognitive abilities ... at 6 years of age," said study co-author Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer at the advocacy group Autism Speaks. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired communication, difficulty with social interactions and repetitive behaviors. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 88 U.S. children has some form of autism, which can range from mild to severe. "In this study, we were interested in understanding why some children with autism make rapid progress whereas others progress more slowly," Dawson said. "For example, many children with autism are able to develop spoken language, whereas about 20 percent to 30 percent remain minimally verbal or nonverbal. "Recent studies have shown that nonverbal children can be helped to develop spoken language if they are given special alternative devices -- such as an iPad or other speech-generating device … Continue reading →

A new pediatric developmental center is helping children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders improve their conditions. The Cardinal Glennon Childrens Medical Center opened the new Knights of Columbus Developmental Center facility on the medical center campus May 1. The more than 10,000-square-foot facility replaced the center previously run in the hospital. Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities that can hinder social and behavioral skills as well as sensory perception. The prevalence of children diagnosed with the disorder has risen from about one in 150 in 2000 to one in 88 in 2008. Dr. Rolanda Maxim said its not clear exactly why the rates have gone up. She believes it is partly because of higher prevalence but mostly because professionals, teachers and parents are now better able to detect the signs of mild autism. She said the new center has been important for patients because it feels more like a playroom than a hospital. The exam rooms are colorful with examination tables that resemble trains and cars, and observation rooms that include a mirrored window so patients can be studied without interference. Children can collect a toy prize on their way out, and theres also an on-site dog named Dr. … Continue reading →

Stroke treatment cost rises In other health news, one of the driving factors behind America's escalating health care costs is its aging population. By: FOX29LC … Continue reading →

Breakthrough stroke treatment Thu 30/05/2013: A new treatment for stroke patients, focusing on managing post-stroke blood pressure, is set to increase their chances of recovery See more a... By: ten … Continue reading →

LONDON, May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Stroke Organization will team with global medical technology leader Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX), to further raise awareness and take action in the worldwide fight against stroke. "The WSO aims to reduce the global burden of stroke through prevention, acute treatment and long-term care," said WSO president Prof. Stephen Davis. Joining forces with Boston Scientific and other leading companies involved in the stroke field, to address atrial fibrillation and other stroke-related conditions, directly helps us to achieve that mission." As the newest member of the World Stroke Campaign, Boston Scientific will join other sponsors to raise awareness about World Stroke Day to take place on October 29, 2013 and will support additional World Stroke Organization efforts to share key messages and important information about stroke prevention and treatments through campaign websites, pamphlets, posters, educational efforts and email messages. "Boston Scientific is dedicated to improving the health of patients around the world and supporting WSO in efforts to increase awareness of stroke is a natural extension of our mission," said Keith Dawkins, M.D., global chief medical officer, Boston Scientific. "We are committed to developing innovative technologies which may provide alternatives to the current standard … Continue reading →

In an ischemic stroke, a blockage in a blood vessel stops essential oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain. STORY HIGHLIGHTS (CNN) -- She was getting out of the car one autumn day in 2009, about to have lunch with a colleague, when Este Osofsky-McGonigle felt something pop in her neck. "It was something so strong I couldn't talk for a couple of minutes," recalls the New York school psychologist. But it passed, and she regained her speech. The rest of the day and night elapsed normally, but at 9:30 the next morning, as Osofsky-McGonigle finished up a meeting at work, her right arm went numb. She went into her office and tried to write a letter, "Dear So-and-So." But when she picked up the pen and tried to write the letter "D," the pen just slid across the paper. Este Osofsky-McGonigle and her son, Zachary, after her stroke. Osofsky-McGonigle tried again, but the same thing happened. "The 'D' went crazy," she said. Fortunately, Osofsky-McGonigle could still run -- and she did, running the whole length of the school building, seeking a friend who sent her to the school nurse. The nurse checked for a pulse in Osofsky-McGonigle's right arm, … Continue reading →

A couple held hands while waiting at crosswalk in York City's downtown square. Nancy, 58, wore a flowy orange blouse in the muggy Thursday afternoon. As the two crossed the street, she laughed and talked, energetically gesturing with her hands. But suddenly, she began to touch her head, looking disoriented and in pain. Something was wrong, and she knew it. Once she crossed the street, her legs gave out beneath her, and her husband caught her. He held her weight against him and led her to a nearby bench. Confused and scared, she dragged her right leg behind her. "Help me, Jim," she cried, slurring her speech. As he dialed 911, Nancy's right arm and the side of her mouth went limp, and she said she couldn't see. In minutes, paramedics arrived, took her vitals and loaded her onto a stretcher. On the street corner were signs that made the situation a bit lighter: "Stroke Drill In Progress." As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Nancy and Jim, actors with York Hospital's Medical Education Simulation Center, mimicked a situation that kills about 133,000 people annually. Brain attack: Essentially a brain attack, a stroke occurs when a portion of the brain … Continue reading →

Systemic thrombolysis with alteplase is the only approved medical treatment for patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Thrombectomy is also increasingly used to treat proximal occlusions of the cerebral arteries, but has not shown superiority over systemic thrombolysis with alteplase. Many patients with acute ischaemic stroke are pretreated with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, which can increase the bleeding risk of thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Pretreatment with aspirin monotherapy increases the bleeding risk of alteplase in both observational and randomised trials with no effect on clinical outcome, and the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage is increased with the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel. Antiplatelet drugs should not be given in the first 24 h after alteplase treatment. Data from pooled randomised trials and a large observational study show that thrombolysis can probably be done safely in patients given vitamin-K antagonists if the international normalised ratio is less than 17, although bleeding risk is slightly raised. Almost no data are available for the safety of alteplase in patients with atrial fibrillation who have been given novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) for stroke prevention. Some coagulation parameters could help to identify patients treated with NOAC who might be eligible for thrombolysis. Thrombectomy can be done in patients … Continue reading →

Published: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 4:24 a.m. WINTER HAVEN | Naomi Willey said she knows how vital it is to teach people how to recognize and prevent strokes. Coming up on the fourth anniversary of a massive stroke that left her hospitalized for more than six weeks, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period, she said Wednesday people don't pay enough attention to stroke symptoms. "A stroke can happen to anybody, any age or socio-economic status," she said. "When you have a stroke, you are just not prepared at all. I am a former athlete and the last person I thought would have a stroke." About 20 stroke survivors and caregivers will be walking at 9 a.m. Friday in Winter Haven's Central Park to raise awareness of stroke prevention and treatment. Members of Winter Haven Hospital's Stroke Support Group also are raising money to send to the National Stroke Foundation. Willey is supporting her fellow walkers when they meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Central Park fountain to hand out information on stroke and stroke prevention. "Strokes impact a gazillion people every day and there's not that much information available," she … Continue reading →