Deep brain stimulation may hold promise for mild Alzheimer's Disease

A study on a handful of people with suspected mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggests that a device that sends continuous electrical impulses to specific "memory" regions of the brain appears to increase neuronal activity. Results of the study using deep brain stimulation, a therapy already used in some patients with Parkinson's disease and depression, may offer hope for at least some with AD, an intractable disease with no cure. 9 May 2012 15:43

Training parents is good medicine for children with autism behavior problems

[Karen N. Peart] Children with autism spectrum disorders who also have serious behavioral problems responded better to medication combined with training for their parents than to treatment with medication alone, Yale researchers and their colleagues report in the February issue of Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 28 Feb 2012 13:30

'Billions lost' to workplace stress in SA

As much as R3 billion a year is being lost to workplace stress in SA, Vicky Eriksson of the human resources effectiveness group, The People Element, says. 30 Jan 2012 17:59

Even in the healthy, stress causes brain to shrink, Yale study shows

[Bill Hathaway] Experiencing stressful life events, such as a divorce or job loss, can reduce gray matter in critical regions of the brain that regulate emotion and important physiological functions - even in healthy individuals, Yale researchers report in a study published online the week of 9 January in the journal Biological Psychiatry. 9 Jan 2012 16:13

Coping with the monumental stresses that matric results can bring

Society places emphasis on matric results as a gauge of intellectual competence and discipline, and while many believe that the pressures of matric ends with the final exam, the announcement of matric results is a powerful, and potentially dangerous stress for many school leavers. 20 Dec 2011 13:54

Past abuse leads to loss of grey matter in brains of adolescents

[Bill Hathaway] Adolescents who were abused and neglected have less grey matter in some areas of the brain than young people who have not been maltreated, a new Yale School of Medicine study shows. 8 Dec 2011 15:53

Holiday stress affects 80% of South Africans

Eight in 10 South Africans admit to being 'stressed out' by the holidays, according to a just-released national year-end survey by a leading pharmaceutical company. 6 Dec 2011 16:35

Study to look at nerve cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Bristol have been awarded a grant that by using state-of-the-art stem cell technology will enable them to analysis nerve cells produced from skin biopsies of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). 23 Nov 2011 16:40

Autistic brains are heavier, with more neurons

WASHINGTON, USA: A post-mortem analysis of half a dozen autistic boys showed that their brains were heavier and contained many more neurons than counterparts without the disorder, US researchers said Tuesday. 9 Nov 2011 15:54

Your phone as friend: monitoring mental health from your pocket

ITHACA, NY, USA: Your smartphone knows where you go and how fast, while its microphone hears your voice. Soon, your phone may measure your stress... and help you to deal with it. 1 Nov 2011 12:05

College of Applied Psychology opens Gauteng campus

The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) has opened a new Gauteng campus for the first time operating from October this year in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Through the launch of this new campus, SACAP aims to boost counselling, coaching and facilitation skills within Gauteng and as such begin to play an instrumental role in positively impacting society in the region. 18 Oct 2011 16:32

Mental healthcare under the spotlight

Mental healthcare received some important attention with World Mental Health Day commemorated on Monday, 10 October 2011. The theme this year was "Chronic illness and coping with depression", an area where the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) members play a vital role. 11 Oct 2011 09:22

If you're happy and you know it: Researchers trail Twitter to track world's mood swings

ITHACA, NY, USA: Using Twitter to monitor the attitudes of 2.4 million people in 84 countries, Cornell University researchers found that people all over the world awaken in a good mood - but globally that cheer soon deteriorates once the workday progresses. 6 Oct 2011 09:41

New research sheds light on teenage friendship networks

Making friends is a key part of school life, often shaping our futures and helping us develop as individuals. With youngsters across the country returning to school this week, new research has identified the factors which influence these relationships, with academic achievement, mother's education and personality found to be essential in the friendship formation process. 7 Sep 2011 14:09