Category Archives: Neurology

October 4, 2012

Connie K. Ho for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Researchers from the American Academy of Neurology recently found that a mothers high blood pressure during pregnancy could impact a childs cognitive skills long into adulthood.

The findings of the study were recently published in the online version of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

High blood pressure and related conditions such as preeclampsia complicate about 10 percent of all pregnancies and can affect a babys environment in the womb, explained the studys author Katri Riknen, a professor at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Our study suggests that even declines in thinking abilities in old age could have originated during the prenatal period when the majority of the development of brain structure and function occurs.

In the study, the researchers examined medical records from the mothers of 398 men who were born between 1934 and 1944. Along with identifying the mothers blood pressure, the scientists tested the mens thinking abilities at age 20 and again at around 69 years of age. They also compiled data on the participants language and math skills as well as visual and spatial relationships.

The team of investigators discovered that the men whose mothers had high blood pressure scored about 4.36 points lower on the tests than the men whose mothers did not have high blood pressure. At both ages 20 and age 69 these men score lower than their counterparts. Their scores also tended to decline more quickly over time than the men whose mothers did not have high blood pressure.

Maternal hypertensive disorders in pregnancy predict lower cognitive ability and greater cognitive decline up to old age, noted the researchers in an article by the Daily Mail. A propensity to lower cognitive ability and decline up to old age may have prenatal origins.

Furthermore, the researchers studied whether premature birth would impact the findings and found that early birth did not affect the score in the same way. Additionally, the fathers occupation did not appear to influence the participants scores, and the scores did not change for participants whose fathers worked as manual laborers or office workers.

Originally posted here:
High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy May Curb Child’s IQ

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9f9zgp/neurobiology_of) has announced the addition of Elsevier Science and Technology's new book "Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Vol 106. Handbook of Clinical Neurology (Series Editors: Aminoff, Boller and Swaab). Vol. 106" to their offering.

This new volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology presents a comprehensive review of the fundamental science and clinical treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Advances in neuroscience have allowed for dramatic advances in the understanding of psychiatric disorders and treatment. Brain disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia, are the leading cause of disability worldwide. It is estimated that over 25% of the adult population in North America are diagnosed yearly with at least one mental disorder and similar results hold for Europe. Now that neurology and psychiatry agree that all mental disorders are in fact, "brain diseases," this volume provides a foundational introduction to the science defining these disorders and details best practices for psychiatric treatment.

- Provides a comprehensive review of the scientific foundations of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric treatment

- Includes detailed results from genetics, molecular biology, brain imaging, and neuropathological, immunological, epidemiological, metabolic, therapeutic and historical aspects of the major psychiatric disorders

- A "must have" reference and resource for neuroscientists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists as well as all research scientists investigating disorders of the brain

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9f9zgp/neurobiology_of

Source: Elsevier Science and Technology

The rest is here:
Research and Markets: Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Vol 106. Handbook of Clinical Neurology (Series Editors ...

ScienceDaily (Oct. 3, 2012) New research suggests that a mother's high blood pressure during pregnancy may have an effect on her child's thinking skills all the way into old age. The study is published in the October 3, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

"High blood pressure and related conditions such as preeclampsia complicate about 10 percent of all pregnancies and can affect a baby's environment in the womb," said study author Katri Riknen, PhD, with the University of Helsinki in Finland. "Our study suggests that even declines in thinking abilities in old age could have originated during the prenatal period when the majority of the development of brain structure and function occurs."

Researchers looked at medical records for the mother's blood pressure in pregnancy for 398 men who were born between 1934 and 1944. The men's thinking abilities were tested at age 20 and then again at an average age of 69. Tests measured language skills, math reasoning and visual and spatial relationships.

The study found that men whose mothers had high blood pressure while pregnant scored 4.36 points lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 compared to men whose mothers did not have high blood pressure. The group also scored lower at the age of 20 and had a greater decline in their scores over the decades than those whose mothers did not have problems with blood pressure. The finding was strongest for math-related reasoning.

The researchers also looked at whether premature birth affected these findings and found no change. Whether the baby's father was a manual laborer or an office worker also did not change the results.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Academy of Neurology (AAN), via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Mom's high blood pressure in pregnancy could affect child's IQ into old age

Public release date: 3-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Rachel Seroka rseroka@aan.com 612-928-6129 American Academy of Neurology

MINNEAPOLIS New research suggests that a mother's high blood pressure during pregnancy may have an effect on her child's thinking skills all the way into old age. The study is published in the October 3, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

"High blood pressure and related conditions such as preeclampsia complicate about 10 percent of all pregnancies and can affect a baby's environment in the womb," said study author Katri Riknen, PhD, with the University of Helsinki in Finland. "Our study suggests that even declines in thinking abilities in old age could have originated during the prenatal period when the majority of the development of brain structure and function occurs."

Researchers looked at medical records for the mother's blood pressure in pregnancy for 398 men who were born between 1934 and 1944. The men's thinking abilities were tested at age 20 and then again at an average age of 69. Tests measured language skills, math reasoning and visual and spatial relationships.

The study found that men whose mothers had high blood pressure while pregnant scored 4.36 points lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 compared to men whose mothers did not have high blood pressure. The group also scored lower at the age of 20 and had a greater decline in their scores over the decades than those whose mothers did not have problems with blood pressure. The finding was strongest for math-related reasoning.

The researchers also looked at whether premature birth affected these findings and found no change. Whether the baby's father was a manual laborer or an office worker also did not change the results.

###

The study was supported by the Academy of Finland, European Science Foundation, University of Helsinki, the British Heart Foundation, the Finnish Foundation of Cardiovascular Research, the Finnish Diabetes Research Foundation, the Finnish Medical Society, Gulf Lkaresllskapet, the National Doctoral Program of Psychology, the Pivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, the Juho Vainio Foundation, the Yrj Jahnsson Foundation, the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, the Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation, the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, the Finnish Ministry of Education and the Finnish Foundation for Pediatric Research.

To learn more about cognition, visit http://www.aan.com/patients.

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Mom's high blood pressure in pregnancy could affect child's IQ in old age

Low levels of vitamin D could be responsible for more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms and an increased risk of death in the elderly, according to the findings of two new studies.

The new studies look into how low levels of vitamin D often referred to as the sunshine vitamin affect health and risk factors for disease.

Published in the Annals of Neurology and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism(JCEM) the research papers suggest that battling deficiencies in elderly populations and people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could help to improve health and quality of life.

MS hope

In the first study, published in Annals of Neurology, researchers from Johns Hopkins University, USA, reveal that low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased number of brain lesions and signs of a more active disease state in people with MS.

However the team, led by Dr Ellen Mowry, caution that more research is needed before across the board mega-doses of vitamin D are recommended for MS patients

"Even though lower levels of vitamin D are associated with more inflammation and lesions in the brain, there is no evidence that taking vitamin D supplements will prevent those symptoms," she says."If we are able to prove that through our currently-enrolling trial, it will change the way people with multiple sclerosis are treated."

The full study can be found by clicking here .

Elderly risk

The second study, published in JCEM, suggests that low levels of the sunshine vitamin in combination with high levels of parathyroid hormone are associated with increased mortality in African American and Caucasian older adults.

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Vitamin D deficiency increases risk in MS and the elderly: Study

TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Dr. Ken Snyder, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Radiology and Neurology at State University of NewYork at Buffalo, will discuss how his institution used the AquilionTM ONE from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. to diagnose stroke during a Lunch & Learn Symposium titled Acute Stroke Triage Using Whole Brain CT Perfusion. The presentation will take place Thursday, October 4, at noon ET, at the American Society of Head and Neck Radiologys (ASHNR) annual meeting, October 3 7, in Miami Beach, Fla.

Aquilion ONE acquires whole brain perfusion images, showing dynamic blood flow for better visualization and more accurate diagnoses, said Satrajit Mistra, senior director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba. The systems fast acquisition and whole-brain coverage enable clinicians to develop treatment plans quickly, which is critical in stroke situations.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including CT, MR, ultrasound, x-ray and vascular equipment, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. For more information, visit the TAMS website at http://www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and MRI systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation has been providing medical products for over 80 years. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 550 consolidated companies, with 202,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US$74 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.

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Improved Stroke Care with Aquilion ONE Presented at ASHNR