Health | Oregon OPB | Jan. 11, 2013 midnight | Updated: Jan. 11, 2013 7:05 a.m. | Portland, Oregon Portland mom Anastasia Puha has her hands full. Not only does she have four little girls, but Mili, her four-year-old, is autistic. "(Her) speech didn't develop," she says. "Really sensitive to noise and light and texture and just pretty cranky, pretty cranky child." Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB Anastasia Puha with four-year-old Mili Puha says Mili has tantrums where she'll hit her head, scratch herself and bite.To reduce those tantrums, Mili has the relatively new treatment 'Applied Behavior Analysis' or ABA therapy. "One of the biggest things that I think she learned from ABA is, we can go to the store," she said. "Or we can walk into therapy together, before she would run away or throw herself down and you couldn't really pick her back up. And so she'll walk with me and that's just amazing. Ha ha ha." Applied Behavior Analysis is expensive - because it involves one-on-one attention. A 20-hour-a-week regimen can cost $50,000 a year. Jennifer Kessel is Mili's ABA therapist. She's has a BA in psychology and is employed by 'Building Bridges' -- a Portland company that … Continue reading →

Jan. 11, 2013 In a second randomized clinical trial, researchers at the Institute for Autism Research at Canisius College have found a comprehensive summer treatment (summer Max) to be highly effective for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs). Children with the disorders endure lifelong impairments involving social and social-communicative functioning and restricted and repetitive interests and behaviors. Despite their significant needs, few comprehensive programs have been developed and validated for children with HFASDs. Results of this randomized clinical trial found the comprehensive summer treatment to be effective in improving the social performance and clinical symptoms of children with HFASDs. According to Marcus L. Thomeer, PhD and Christopher Lopata, PsyD, the study's lead authors, the findings, which appeared in the journal, Psychology in the Schools (December 2012), supports and extends the findings of a previous randomized trial that initially demonstrated the efficacy of the manualized treatment. Following the 5-week program, children in the treatment group demonstrated significantly higher scores on child measures of non-literal language skills and knowledge of appropriate social behaviors, as well as significantly higher parent-ratings for targeted and broader social skills and significantly lower ratings of autism symptoms compared to children in the control group. Secondary staff … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/pq3frt/acute_ischemic) has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc's new report "Acute Ischemic Stroke (Event Driven)" to their offering. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the leading causes of death and neurological disability worldwide: in 2010, we estimate, 1.8 million ischemic strokes occurred in the seven major pharmaceutical markets. Fifteen years after its approval, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA; alteplase [Genentech's Activase, other brands]) remains the only pharmacological therapy approved for the acute treatment of ischemic stroke in all markets under study. However, because of strict inclusion criteria and safety concerns, the drug is administered to fewer than 5% of diagnosed patients. Given the staggering societal costs of stroke and the historical propensity for investigational drugs to fail in the pipeline, there remains a dire need and enormous opportunity for alternative treatmentsbe they thrombolytic, neuroprotective, or neurorestorative drugs or devicesthat can safely and more effectively treat a greater proportion of AIS patients. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary What are the key parameters of the acute ischemic stroke market? What factors are driving the market for acute ischemic stroke therapies? What factors are constraining the market for acute ischemic stroke therapies? What are the drug … Continue reading →

BBC presenter Andrew Marr is said to be "responding to medication and continuing to progress" following his hospitalisation after suffering what is believed to have been a stroke. The political correspondant, and host of The Andrew Marr Show, was taken to hospital after falling ill on Tuesday (Jan 8). Marr was well-known for his active lifestyle, especially his commitment to long-distance running, as such the news of his stroke has come as a surprise to many. Fortunately though, a spokesperson for the BBC confirmed earlier today that Marr is in fact on his way to recovery and is now conscious and engaging in conversation with his family, who are remaining at the 53-year-old's bedside while he recovers. The spokesperson said: "Andrew Marr is responding to medication and continuing to progress. He is conscious and eating. He and his family are touched by all the warm wishes and support flooding in." The BBC have also confirmed that, despite his absence, the radio and television shows fronted by Marr will continue to run as before. The Andrew Marr Show and his Radio 4 show, Start The Week, will be fronted by different guest presenters in his absence, with journalist Anne McElvoy to … Continue reading →