By Peggy McCarthy, Conn. Health I-Team Writer A recent study that discovered a genetic link to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could ultimately lead to breakthroughs in treatment or prevention, but advances are at least a decade away because additional research is needed, according to the studys lead researcher. Ultimately, there could be significant implications for the military where PTSD prevalence is estimated to be at least twice that of the general population because of severe trauma associated with combat duty. Were onto something important, said Mark W. Miller, Ph.D, the researcher. Miller is a clinical research psychologist in Boston for the VAs National PTSD Center, and is an associate professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. But he said studies with more participants that replicate his findings are needed before talking about policy implications or screening or anything like that. Dr. Joel Gelernter, a Yale psychiatrist and chief of the VAs Molecular Genetics lab in West Haven, was not involved in this study, but does research on the genetics of PTSD. He said if the Boston study results are replicated in future research, it opens the possibility for much-needed, new drug development for treatment of PTSD. Drug … Continue reading →

A sequencing study of breast-cancer-tumor genomes suggests that cancers should be categorized by their genetic heritage, rather than where they reside in the body Visuals Unlimited, Inc./Anne Weston/Cancer Research UK / Getty Images In recent years, scientists have come to appreciate that breast cancer is a complex disease, triggered by myriad genetic and lifestyle factors. But the latest study of the genetics behind the disease, published in the journal Nature, shows that it may actually be slightly simpler than researchers had thought. As part of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), a government project that is aiming to sequence tumor genomes from dozens of different cancers to help scientists better understand tumor development and treatment, scientists sequenced 510 tumors from 507 patients with breast cancer. All told, they found 30,626 mutations in these cancer cells, but those aberrations fell into four main groups. In one subtype, basal-like tumors that account for 10% of all breast cancers, the researchers found that the mutations resembled those found in ovarian cancers, thus explaining the link between the two diseases: women at higher risk of developing breast cancer are also more vulnerable to getting ovarian cancer. (MORE: Cracking Cancers Code) In two related subtypes, luminal … Continue reading →

SAN FRANCISCOGenetic mapping of hundreds of breast cancer tumours confirmed there are four main subtypes and discovered that one closely resembles ovarian cancer, suggesting the two may be attacked with similar therapies. The study, in which the genomes of 825 breast tumours were sequenced, was the most comprehensive of its type involving the disease. It is part of a U.S. research project into the genetics of 20 types of cancers. Earlier this month, the group, called the Cancer Genome Atlas project, released a similar report on new DNA mutations affecting a type of lung malignancy. The breast cancer findings, published Sunday in the journal Nature, support the expanding medical view that cancers should be categorized by their genetic origins, rather than where theyre found on the body. The link found between breast and ovarian cancer gives scientists added leverage to compare treatments and outcomes across both tumours. There are certain mutations you can find across cancers in different organs, said Eric Topol, a professor at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif., who was not involved in the research. This is a real transition point, and we have to move toward more sequencing to give patients the best shot … Continue reading →

By Serena Gordon HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Sept. 24 (HealthDay News) -- More and more children are growing up with autism, and although many treatments and interventions are now available, clinical studies on the use of medications in teens and young adults are lacking, according to new research. "The majority of (older) individuals with autism spectrum disorders appear to be taking medications that we have very little evidence for," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, medical director of the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Vanderbilt Brain Institute in Nashville, Tenn. "In the absence of sufficient evidence, parents and people with autism should find a clinician who tells you what's known and unknown about the potential benefits and risks of any medication," he said. "It should be a shared decision-making process." Results of the study were published online on Sept. 24 in the journal Pediatrics. Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders that impair social development and communication. Autism spectrum disorders also may cause repetitive movements and even self-abusive behavior, such as head banging, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It is estimated that about one in 88 American children … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2012) Vanderbilt University researchers are reporting today that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism. Despite studies that show that many adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are being prescribed medications, there is almost no evidence to show whether these medications are helpful in this population, the researchers said. These findings are featured in the Sept. 24 issue of Pediatrics. "We need more research to be able to understand how to treat core symptoms of autism in this population, as well as common associated symptoms such as anxiety, compulsive behaviors and agitation," said Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator. "Individuals, families and clinicians currently have to make decisions together, often in a state of desperation, without clear guidance on what might make things better and what might make things worse, and too often, people with autism spectrum disorders end up on one or more medications without a clear sense of whether the medicine is helping." This research is part of a larger report on interventions for adolescents and young adults with autism that found there … Continue reading →

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NYU Langone Medical Center announced today the creation of a new groundbreaking collaboration in autism research. The Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) is a database of brain scans from more than 15 leading international research institutions and academic medical centers. ABIDE was designed to advance scientific understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by allowing researchers to share autism data within the broader scientific community. The collaboration is led by NYU Langone, coordinator of ABIDE and the single largest contributor of research to the consortium, and Kennedy Krieger Institute. This collaboration fills an unmet need among the autism research community. By providing access to an unprecedented large-scale dataset, ABIDE has the potential to move autism research forward andthus advance our understanding of a complex disorder, said Adriana Di Martino, MD, co-founder and coordinator of ABIDE and Leon Levy assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Medical Center. We are honored that some of the worlds leading institutions have contributed data and truly feel this initiative will help to change the face of autism research. This is only the beginning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one … Continue reading →

Public release date: 24-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Jennifer Wetzel jennifer.wetzel@vanderbilt.edu 615-322-4747 Vanderbilt University Medical Center Vanderbilt University researchers are reporting today that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of medical interventions in adolescents and young adults with autism. Despite studies that show that many adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are being prescribed medications, there is almost no evidence to show whether these medications are helpful in this population, the researchers said. These findings are featured in the Sept. 24 issue of Pediatrics. "We need more research to be able to understand how to treat core symptoms of autism in this population, as well as common associated symptoms such as anxiety, compulsive behaviors and agitation," said Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator. "Individuals, families and clinicians currently have to make decisions together, often in a state of desperation, without clear guidance on what might make things better and what might make things worse, and too often, people with autism spectrum disorders end up on one or more medications without a clear sense of whether the medicine is helping." This research is part of … Continue reading →

For the first time, the Spanish manufacturer Beta will be offering two-strokes in its off-road lineup in 2013. The RR 250 and 300cc Betas feature electric-start two-stroke motors that are manufactured and assembled by Beta and are fitted in specifically designed frames, only the swingarm, wheels, brakes and bodywork is shared with Beta's four-stroke range. Here's what Beta has to say about its new two-strokes: ENGINE Available in 250cc and 300cc displacements, their bore and stroke are 66.4 x 72mm and 72 x 72mm that represent the best compromise to get the perfect power delivery and a solid feel of the torque needed. Crankcases are made by die-casting, to obtain lightness and stiffness simultaneously. They are entirely machined in-house to ensure quality and accuracy. Magnesium covers minimize the total weight of the engine. Crankshaft in two pieces, with polyamide inserts for proper balance and to eliminate the harmful empty volume in the crankcase and allows the best balance between inertia and mass. Forged two-ring piston provides reduced rotating mass while also improving durability. See original here: Beta Announces Two-Stroke Off-Roaders … Continue reading →