Update: Why brain training needs to be better targeted, and more widely available
—
Time for SharpBrains’ August 2014 e-newsletter, featuring a wealth of insights, science and technology reports…and this brain teaser to exercise your mental rotation abilities. Enjoy!
New trends:
How to incorporate mindfulness into psychotherapy
Challenging the outdated “fixed brain” dogma, the cognitive training market keeps growing
Increased awareness and use of cognitive assessments seen as dementia-related priorities by RAND policy brief
Playing table tennis to enhance mental health
Beauty in and out: Brain training workshop @ Estée Lauder
New research:
Use of methylphenidate-based ADHD medic...
Source: SharpBrains - August 29, 2014 Category: Neurologists Authors: SharpBrains Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Education & Lifelong Learning Health & Wellness Technology Accenture Brain-Fitness Brain-Training Cognitive-Training Emotiv Gaiam Interaxon market Mental-Health mindfulness neuroplasticity Philips Psy Source Type: blogs
Study: Use of methylphenidate-based ADHD medication increases the risk of heart problems
ADHD medication enhances the risk of heart problems in children (Science Nordic):
“The risk of developing heart problems is twice as big for children taking medicine for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when compared to children not receiving the medicine…The study builds on data from 714,000 children born in 1990–1999…The study covered nearly all types of ADHD medicine. Methylphenidate-based medications account for 98 per cent of treatments. This group of medication is sold under the brands Concerta, Methylin, Ritalin, Equasym XL, Motiron and Medikinet…
To make sure that the measured difference wa...
Source: SharpBrains - August 20, 2014 Category: Neurologists Authors: SharpBrains Tags: Attention and ADD/ADHD Health & Wellness ADHD-diagnosis ADHD-medication cardiovascular Concerta Equasym XL heart problems Medikinet Methylin methylphenidate Motiron Ritalin Source Type: blogs
Hunting For the Marijuana-Dopamine Connection
Why do heavy pot smokers show a blunted reaction to stimulants?Most drugs of abuse increase dopamine transmission in the brain, and indeed, this is thought to be the basic neural mechanism underlying the rewarding effects of addictive drugs. But in the case of marijuana, the dopamine connection is not so clear-cut. Evidence has been found both for and against the notion of increases in dopamine signaling during marijuana intoxication. Marijuana has always been the odd duck in the pond, research-wise. Partly this is due to longstanding federal intransigence toward cannabis research, and partly it is because cannabis, chemic...
Source: Addiction Inbox - July 21, 2014 Category: Addiction Authors: Dirk Hanson Source Type: blogs
ADHD Study: Reducing the Need for High Medication Doses with Behavior Therapy
Medication treatment and behavior therapy are both considered effective treatments for ADHD; the combination of these treatments is generally regarded as an ideal approach for many children. However, in the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD (MTA Study), the largest ADHD treatment study ever conducted, the benefit of combined treatment relative to medication treatment alone — while significant for some outcome measures — was not especially robust. This has led some professionals to question whether behavior therapy is necessary when a child is being effectively treated with medication, i.e., will behavior therapy make ...
Source: SharpBrains - February 21, 2014 Category: Neurologists Authors: Dr. David Rabiner Tags: Attention and ADD/ADHD Cognitive Neuroscience behavior-therapy medication Source Type: blogs
Painful Erections: Another Reason To Worry About ADHD Pills
For parents who worry those ADHD pills may not be appropriate, here is another reason for concern – the FDA has just issued a notice saying methylphenidate products, which include Ritalin and Concerta, may cause prolonged and sometimes painful erections known as priapism. If there is any good news it would be this sort of thing is rare. Still, who wants to learn the hard way? Pardon the pun.
The FDA took this step after reviewing the drugs and has now updated labeling and patient Medication Guides. For those unaware, priapism can occur in males of any age and happens when blood in the penis becomes trapped, leading to ...
Source: Pharmalot - December 17, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: esilverman Source Type: blogs
Free Webinar: What is Group CBT for ADHD?
Group psychotherapy specializing in helping people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a relatively new treatment method that has been gathering a lot of very exciting data and attention lately, especially when budgets can be tight and one on one therapy isn’t always an option.
That’s why I’m pleased to announce a free webinar on Monday, Nov. 25 @ 7:00 pm ET, entitled CBT for ADHD: Manage Adult ADHD with Leading-Edge Group Therapy.
In this free webinar, therapist Alina Kislenko explores how a group approach can speed up the therapy process even if you’re already seeing an ADHD Coach. Pl...
Source: World of Psychology - November 18, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: John M. Grohol, Psy.D. Tags: ADHD and ADD Disorders General Psychotherapy Treatment Webinar Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Alina Kislenko Asperger Asperger’s Syndrome Group Therapy Guelph Methylphenidate Source Type: blogs
Who is right? US or EU?
ADHD Pill Faces High Hurdle in Europe as Stigma PersistsThe European debut of a pill to treat children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder faces a major hurdle: convincing people the condition exists.Shire Plc (SHP), the world’s biggest seller of ADHD drugs, has been rolling out the pill, Vyvanse, in eight countries while discussing the prevalence of the illness with doctors at psychiatry conferences around Europe. More than 90 percent of the Dublin-based company’s sales of ADHD drugs come from the U.S., where the illness is diagnosed about 25 times more frequently than in the U.K.While attitudes va...
Source: PharmaGossip - October 2, 2013 Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: insider Source Type: blogs
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow
If I'd been blogging it all along, cataloguing it day by discouraging day, I wonder if it would seem inevitable. I'm a little bit afraid, instead, that this comes out of the blue: Charlie's changing schools. After three years at the public elementary, this fall he'll go to what I self-consciously call Hippie Do As You Please School.
We've known since October of his kindergarten year that he needed lots of structure and support, and I'm grateful to say that he's gotten it: the 504 plan; the occupational therapy; the physical therapy; the daily social learning; the kindness and heroic forebearance...
Source: a little pregnant - August 15, 2013 Category: Infertility Authors: Julie Tags: Charles in charge GD MF ADHD Source Type: blogs
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow
If I'd been blogging it all along, cataloguing it day by discouraging day, I wonder if it would seem inevitable. I'm a little bit afraid, instead, that this comes out of the blue: Charlie's changing schools. After three years at the public elementary, this fall he'll go to what I self-consciously call Hippie Do As You Please School.We've known since October of his kindergarten year that he needed lots of structure and support, and I'm grateful to say that he's gotten it: the 504 plan; the occupational therapy; the physical therapy; the daily social learning; the kindness and heroic forebearance ...
Source: a little pregnant - August 15, 2013 Category: Child Development Authors: Julie Tags: Charles in charge GD MF ADHD Source Type: blogs
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow
If I'd been blogging it all along, cataloguing it day by discouraging day, I wonder if it would seem inevitable. I'm a little bit afraid, instead, that this comes out of the blue: Charlie's changing schools. After three years at the public elementary, this fall he'll go to what I self-consciously call Hippie Do As You Please School.
We've known since October of his kindergarten year that he needed lots of structure and support, and I'm grateful to say that he's gotten it: the 504 plan; the occupational therapy; the physical therapy; the daily social learning; the kindness and heroic forebearance...
Source: a little pregnant - August 15, 2013 Category: Child Development Authors: Julie Tags: Charles in charge GD MF ADHD Source Type: blogs
Breakthroughs in Bipolar Treatment
"We should continue to repurpose treatments and to recognise the role of serendipity" (Geddes & Miklowitz, 2013).That quote was from a recent review article in The Lancet, which did not hint at any impending pharmacological breakthroughs in the treatment of bipolar disorder. In other words, the future of bipolar treatment doesn't look much different from the present (at least in the immediate term). Bipolar disorder, an illness defined by the existence of manic or hypomanic highs, alternating with depressive lows, can be especially difficult to treat. And the mood episode known as a mixed state, where irritability, ex...
Source: The Neurocritic - August 2, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: The Neurocritic Source Type: blogs
The agony & the ecstasy of EBM in symptom management
So, I decided I might blog a little again. Probably the occasional Journal Club of the Cloud-type posts. Christian and fellow bloggers, thank you for all you do in keeping Pallimed thriving and relevant.
So, Eduardo Bruera & colleagues at MD Anderson have published the results of their long-awaited follow-up trial to their 2006 double-blinded, placebo controlled trial suggesting that methylphenidate (MP) is no better than placebo for cancer-related fatigue (CRF).
Original 2006 trial here
New 2013 trial here
Journal of Clinical Oncology editorial on the 2013 trial here (hat tip to this editorial for pointin...
Source: Pallimed: A Hospice and Palliative Medicine Blog - July 7, 2013 Category: Palliative Carer Workers Authors: Drew Rosielle MD Source Type: blogs
Guest blogger Dr. Manuel Mota-Castillo on the overdiagnosis of ADHD
We don't shy away from controversy here at Shrink Rap, and today, child psychiatrist Dr. Mota-Castillo joins us to discuss the idea that children with bipolar disorder are being misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder and then being inappropriately treated with stimulants, which may be causing them more harm than good. I've already written about my thoughts on the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder as a catch-all category, and if you'd like to revisit that, see my article on Rethinking Bipolarity in Clinical Psychiatry News. And now for our guest blogger:
* * ...
Source: Shrink Rap - June 28, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Dinah Source Type: blogs
Neurofeedback Therapy an Effective, Non-Drug Treatment for ADHD
Pills are not the only way to manage your child’s inappropriate or maladaptive behaviors.
Neurofeedback therapy is a safe, non-invasive, alternative option for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. In November 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics approved biofeedback and neurofeedback as a Level 1 or “best support” treatment option for children suffering from ADHD.
For parents looking for an effective, non-drug treatment of ADHD, neurofeedback is one worth serious consideration.
It is estimated that two million children in the United States are struggling ...
Source: World of Psychology - June 10, 2013 Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Kristi DeName Tags: ADHD and ADD Brain and Behavior Children and Teens Disorders General Research Technology Treatment Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Adhd Beta Waves Bi Source Type: blogs
