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A new study shows that reduced gray matter in the brain could be responsible for behavioral problems in children, but researchers caution that there are still many unknown variables involved in this issue. The researchers determined that youth who have behavioral problems generally have less gray matter in their brain than those of the same age who do not have the behavioral problems. Behavioral problems in children include aggression, antisocial behaviors, severe anger management problems, and poor emotional control. The gray matter in the brain is used for information and signal processing, and less gray matter could mean less processing as a result. University of Birmingham in England researchers discovered that kids and teens who had these types of problems had reduced gray matter when compared to youths who were developing without behavioral issues.
The reduced gray matter associated with behavioral problems in children and teens tended to be displayed in areas of the brain that included the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the insula. These are areas of the brain associated with making decisions, empathy, reading the emotions and facial expressions of other people, and regulating emotions. According to lead study author Dr. Stephane De Brito “We know that severe behavioral problems in youths are not only predictive of antisocial and aggressive behavior in adulthood, but also substance misuse, mental health problems, and poor physical health. For that reason, behavioral problems are an essential target for prevention efforts and our study advances understanding of the brain regions associated with aggressive and antisocial behavior in youths.”
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Severe bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which can be devastating, and an innovative study performed in a partnership by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center has identified a number of inherited traits for circadian rhythms, or sleep and wake cycles, that could impact the severity and the symptoms experienced with bipolar disorder. Researchers identified specific chromosomes that are linked to these inherited traits, and that could mean better and more effective treatment methods for those who struggle with severe bipolar disorder. UT Southwestern Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Neuroscience chairman at the university Dr. Joseph Takahashi explained the study. “We were able to identify 13 sleep and activity measures, most of which are inherited, that correlated with whether an individual had bipolar disorder. In addition, we were able to trace some of these traits to a specific chromosome.”
Dr. Takahashi was not the only researcher who was excited at the discovery of the inherited traits for sleep and wake cycles in individuals with severe bipolar disorder. UCLA Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics director Dr. Nelson Freimer stated “This study represents a key step in identifying the genetic roots of this disorder and, in turn, providing targets for new approaches to preventing and treating bipolar disorder.” Individuals who have severe bipolar disorder may experience very severe and sudden mood shifts, and these people may be up one minute and profoundly depressed the next when rapid cycling is also a factor. Current treatments for bipolar disorder do not always work so new and more effective treatments are needed.
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Benzodiazepines are often one of the most common drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric problems and conditions, but this practice should be stopped because of the increased dementia risks that may be posed by these drugs. According to the latest research and evidence the use of benzodiazepines will increase the risk that the patient will experience dementia or even death because of the use of these drugs. Some of the drugs in this class include Klonopin, Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. The FDA approved benzodiazepines in the 1960s because these drugs were considered to be a safer option than the barbiturates that were used at the time. In spite of new protocols for psychiatric conditions a number of medical professionals still prescribe patients benzodiazepines in order to treat things like anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and even generalized anxiety.
North Texas University Health Science Center Director of Osteopathic Medical Education and board-certified psychiatrist Helene Alphonso, DO, discussed the research concerning benzodiazepines and dementia risks, saying “Current research is extremely clear and physicians need to partner with their patients to move them into therapies, like antidepressants, that are proven to be safer and more effective. Due to a shortage of mental health professionals in rural and underserved areas, we see primary care physicians using this class of drugs to give relief to their patients with psychiatric symptoms. While compassionate, it’s important to understand that a better long-term strategy is needed.” The research shows that taking benzodiazepines for 2-6 months increased dementia and Alzheimer’s risks by 34%, and taking these drugs for longer than 6 months increased the risks by an amazing 84%.
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The latest research shows that the number of people in the nursing profession who struggle with substance abuse could be as high as 10%-20%, while at the same time there is a shortage of qualified nurses and nursing students to fill the openings in this sector of the medical profession. According to the experts the key to addressing substance abuse in the nursing profession is to provide treatment and support to these individuals rather than applying punishment. This approach will help protect public safety while providing much needed treatment and services so that the individual can overcome their addiction.
The new research on substance abuse in the nursing profession was published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing researcher and lead paper author Todd Monroe, Ph.D., explained “Addiction among nurses has been recognized by professionals in the field for over a hundred years. While research consistently reports incidence rates of 10 to 15 per cent, some studies suggest that this could be as high as 20 per cent.” Monroe continued by saying “The fact that they work in a highly stressful environment with easy access to powerful drugs can expose them to an increased risk of substance misuse and abuse. They are expected to show compassion when caring for patients who are alcohol and/or drug dependent and they should extend the same compassion to colleagues struggling with chemical dependency, which is an illness. ATD programs appear to be the best way to protect patients and retain nurses at a time when the profession is facing serious shortages of experienced professionals.”
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The mental and physical health of children is always at risk when family breakups occur, but a new study shows that girls may be at higher risk of negative effects from the breakup than boys are. There are a number of long term negative consequences when children experience a family breakup and researchers from the University of Illinois have concluded that the fragmentation of the family typically affects girls more than boys. Research has shown that both genders can have mental and physical health problems as adults when their families fragmented during childhood. The new research shows the same thing except that it reveals that girls often have more severe issues with smoking, depression, and overall health outcomes as a result. The research study results can be found in the Review of Economics of the Household journal.
The new study findings on the impact that family breakups can have on the mental and physical health of girls, and children in general, could help identify additional support methods which could change the outcome. The study involved more than 7,500 teens between the age of 15 and 18 years old. University of Illinois economist Dr Andrea Beller explained “Girls’ health is more sensitive to family structure. Prior research shows that family breakups affect boys more than girls through cognitive, educational, and emotional channels. We find that, if you grow up in a non-traditional family structure — single parent or step-parent or a cohabiting relationship —girls are more likely than boys to be depressed and report worse overall health.”
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers believe that gender roles and violence may be linked after the latest research findings. The researchers wanted to understand masculinity, and the behavioral health outcomes and injuries that can occur when masculinity and gender roles are involved. The researchers determined that when men feel that they are not living up to the traditional masculine gender roles and norms then these individuals may be more prone to violent behaviors and outbursts. The research focus was on masculine discrepancy stress, which is stress that happens when a man feels that he is not meeting the traditional gender norms for males. These individuals often feel that they are not as masculine as the typical or average man and this causes stress, and they can be more prone to violence as a result of these feelings and perceptions.
According to statements by the study authors in the Injury Prevention journal “Gender role discrepancy and associated discrepancy stress, in particular, represent important injury risk factors and that prevention of discrepancy stress may prevent acts of violence with the greatest consequences and costs to the victim, offender, and society. Masculine socialization and acceptance of gender norms may induce distress in boys and men.” A link to substance abuse was not discovered however, and the study team explained this by saying “This may suggest that substance use/abuse behaviors are less salient methods of demonstrating traditional masculinity in contrast to behaviors related to sex and violence, perhaps due to the potentially private nature of the habit.”
