Monthly Archives: June 2012

Treating Orthostatic Hypotension Improves Function In Parkinson's Disease Patients, According To Braintree …

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BOSTON, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --A new study analyzing patient data from Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in Braintree, Massachusetts, found that blood pressure fluctuations can worsen symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Conversely, after treating Parkinson's disease patients who experienced blood pressure drops when changing from a sitting to standing position, improvements were noted in cognitive function, balance and walking, according to the researchers at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital.

Information from the study will be presented today at the Movement Disorder Society's 16th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders in Dublin, Ireland. The corresponding abstract, "Treating Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients with Parkinson's and Atypical Parkinsonism Improves Function," will be published as an electronic supplement to The Movement Disorders Journal online edition at http://www.movementdisorders.org.

"This new research sheds light for better Parkinson's disease treatment, as blood pressure can be affected by the disease and problems often worsen over time," said Dr. Anna DePold Hohler, Medical Director of the Movement Disorders Program at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital and Associate Professor of Neurology at Boston University Medical Center, who participated in the study. "The good news for Parkinson's disease patients is that implementing simple interventions, monitored by a physician, can significantly improve functionality."

In the United States, 1.5 million people suffer from this complex neurodegenerative disorder. For this population, blood pressure drops may occur due to a decrease in the neurotransmitter norepinepherine and as a result of medications used to treat motor symptoms.

Depending on the patient, treatment strategies might include increasing water or salt intake, use of compression stockings, and slow position changes. Specific medications may also be warranted in patients at risk for fainting.

These findings update previous work conducted at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital recently published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, 2011.

The Movement Disorders Program at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, a world-class rehabilitative care provider, allows patients to have physical, occupational and speech therapy along with medication adjustments, blood pressure adjustments, and deep brain stimulation adjustments as needed. As a result, improvements in patients are significant and a large number of individuals can be optimized to return home.

Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital is located at 250 Pond Street in Braintree, Massachusetts. For more information visit http://www.braintreerehabhospital.com, or call (781) 348-2500.

Media contact: CM Communications Lori Moretti or Meg Fitzgerald mfitzgerald@cmcommunications.com 617-536-3400

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Treating Orthostatic Hypotension Improves Function In Parkinson's Disease Patients, According To Braintree ...

Michelle Renee: Multiple Sclerosis: What Jack Osbourne and My Daughter Have in Common

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I didn't know anything about multiple sclerosis (MS) 6.5 months ago. On Dec. 8, 2011 I got a crash course when my 18-year-old daughter had a severe sudden onset that paralyzed her on her left side, and left her blind in her left eye and unable to speak or swallow.

In hindsight, the headaches she was experiencing two days leading up to the catastrophic onset we thought were due to all the studying she was doing for her ACT test were MS-related. The tingling in her fingers that we thought was over-texting syndrome was most likely the first sign of her MS, and happened two weeks before she collapsed.

She dragged herself into my work and I knew instantly something was terribly wrong. She had been tired that day. She went home from school to nap. She missed her cheerleading training that was so important for her upcoming college tryouts. Her left leg was limp, her eyes pleading for help before she even spoke a word. "Mom, I am so scared. I can't feel my leg or my arm. It feels like it isn't attached to my body." She couldn't make it back to the car. Lifting my 18-year-old high school senior into the front seat of my SUV, my head was saying maybe it was just a pinched nerve. But my heart was aching with a knowing that it was far more serious than that.

We rushed to the emergency room. Her inability to move any part of her left side was becoming worse by the minute. By 9 p.m., she couldn't move a finger or a toe, the left side of her face was sagging, and her words were becoming muted. The stroke test was negative. The CT scan warranted an MRI. I was pacing and told the nurse I had a really bad gut feeling. At 10:36 p.m., the ER doctor came into the room that was only separated from the person next to us by a thin cotton curtain. He sat down across from me as I sat bumped right up against the gurney holding Breea's hand. She was medicated by that time and not conscious. "We have found some abnormalities on her brain. She won't be leaving the hospital, Ms. Renee. The neurologist is on his way."

The word "abnormalities" just kept echoing -- his mouth was moving but I felt like I was in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, playing the devastated parent that just got horrific news. But it wasn't a script. It was really happening. The nurse looked at with the "I am so sorry" look and I wanted to throw up, scream, grab my daughter and squeeze so tight that whatever was in her brain making her this way would somehow be gone. I grabbed my phone and called my best friend, my family, and my boss. Life as we knew it faded away in front of my eyes on a gurney in the ER.

After a battery of tests, including a brutal spinal tap, Dr. Jay Rosenberg delivered the diagnosis while we were in ICU. She had lost her ability to feel her bladder or bowels, she could not swallow or talk, and any sudden movement made her heart rate skyrocket. They had to keep her sedated and given any sort of nutrients via an IV. The diagnosis: Severe sudden onset of tumefactive multiple sclerosis, the rarest form of this mystery disease.

Over the next six months, there would be insurance issues that made getting physical therapy impossible. I became her physical therapist and occupational therapist. We used toys and gadgets, cheap supplies from Target, and anything we could find out in nature. Carving her name in the sand with a stick became a great way to learn how to hold something in her left hand again. A child's bubble wand became a very handy tool for all sorts of arm exercises, and tiny cones set up as an obstacle course so she could learn to crawl first made therapy everyday more fun than work. We never went home because there were stairs. The MS Society helped us get into a one-story apartment that was perfect for our new lifestyle, and our friends and Breea's school threw us fundraisers to help us stay afloat since we were getting nowhere with disability or in home support services.

Through it all, Breea kept not only her sense of humor but her drive to succeed, walk again, graduate and go to college just as she had planned before MS. "Feeling sorry for myself won't heal my lesions. Focusing on my dreams and having a positive attitude will give me the strength I need to live a normal life again." I love this kid.

On Friday, June 1, 2012, in her purple leg brace with butterflies on it, she walked with the class of 2012 and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. She is attending NAU in the fall, and has chosen nursing as her major. We know more than we ever thought possible about a disease that is such a mystery not only to us but to the medical community as well. We know there is no cure. We know that they are making advances in developing medications and treatments to slow the progression of this autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin in the brain and spinal cord. We know that 2.5 million people around the world have MS and that 200 more cases are reported each week. One of those new cases is Jack Osbourne.

I hope he chooses to use his celebrity to educate others about this disease. Even though his onset seems to be what is more typical in terms of symptoms and severity, probably relapsing-remitting or primary progressive in nature, it doesn't really matter. Suddenly the world became smaller in a way. Suddenly my daughter, and now Jack Osbourne, is part of the family of people battling MS, the disease that someone told me recently feels like an axe over your head that you never know if or when it will fall.

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Michelle Renee: Multiple Sclerosis: What Jack Osbourne and My Daughter Have in Common

Jack Osbourne Discloses His Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis; GreenBeanBuddy Shares Basic Information About the Disease

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Dallas, TX (PRWEB) June 22, 2012

Jack Osbourne revealed earlier this week that he has Multiple Sclerosis, reported mtv.com. According to the report, the youngest son of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and 'America's Got Talent' judge Sharon Osbourne, was diagnosed with MS just weeks after his daughter's birth in April. And to help spread awareness about the disease, GreenBeanBuddy.com shared basic information about it.

Based on the report, the 26-year old Osbourne was angry and frustrated when he was given the diagnosis. It added that his mother, Sharon Osbourne, shared with Hello magazine how she's wondering she may have contributed to Jack's illness.

However, in a separate post from mtv.com, it was said that both Ozzy and Sharon are confident that their son will overcome the said disease. Ozzy even advised his kid to get a second opinion and undergo further testing to be certain, added the report.

Here's an excerpt of the post Multiple Sclerosis, Basic Facts About the Disease That Caught Jack Osbourne by GreenBeanBuddy.com.

Angry and frustrated those were the reactions of Jack Osbourne when he was diagnosed of Multiple Sclerosis just weeks after his daughter's birth. However, his parents, rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and America's Got Talent judge Sharon Osbourne, were confident that the 26-year-old will beat the disease. But what is Multiple Sceloris and how can it be treated?

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is basically an unpredictable autoimmune disease. It attacks the central nervous system by inflaming the brain and the spinal cord and with that it losses the myelin sheath around the nerves. That leads to symptoms as loss of vision, numbness, tingling, excessive fatigue and weakness.

Read more about Jack Osbourned Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at: http://www.greenbeanbuddy.com/2114/multiple-sclerosis-basic-info-disease-caught-jack-osbourne/

As related by entertainment and health news website GreenBeanBuddy.com, Multiple Sclerosis or MS is an incurable autoimmune disease. It added that the cause or causes of it are still unclear and that is one of the reasons why no cure for it has yet been discovered.

Nonetheless, there is now an array of treatments to slow down the disease's progress, shared the website. And given that Jack Osbourne got the means to get the right doctors and treatments, the site commented that he got a big chance of living a fulfilling despite having the disease.

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Jack Osbourne Discloses His Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis; GreenBeanBuddy Shares Basic Information About the Disease

Multiple sclerosis patients have lower risk of cancer: UBC-VCH research

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Public release date: 21-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Melissa Ashman mashman@brain.ubc.ca 604-827-3396 University of British Columbia

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients appear to have a lower cancer risk, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health.

The study, published in the current issue of the journal Brain, is the first to investigate overall cancer risk in MS patients in North America.

"Because the immune system plays important roles in both cancer and MS, we wanted to know whether the risk of cancer is different for people with MS," says Elaine Kingwell, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and Brain Research Centre at UBC and VCH Research Institute. "Not only did MS patients have a lower overall cancer risk, the risk for colorectal cancer in particular was significantly lower."

The researchers compared the diagnoses of cancer in MS patients in British Columbia with those of the general population. While they found that MS patients have a lower risk in general for cancer and in particular for colorectal cancer they found that the risks for brain cancer and bladder cancer were slightly elevated (albeit not significantly). In patients with relapsing-onset MS, the risk for non-melanoma skin cancer was significantly greater.

Further studies will be needed to understand the reasons for this reduced overall cancer risk.

An unexpected finding was that for those who did develop cancer, tumour size tended to be larger at time of diagnosis. More work is needed to determine why some tumours might be caught later in people with MS.

"Because the symptoms of MS can be broad and include feelings of fatigue, it's possible the symptoms of cancer are being masked or overlooked," says Helen Tremlett, the study's senior author and an associate professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine. She adds that, regardless of the findings, MS patients and their physicians are encouraged to follow cancer screening guidelines. Her team is planning a follow up study to determine whether death rates due to cancer are altered in MS patients.

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Multiple sclerosis patients have lower risk of cancer: UBC-VCH research

Priority Health: Multiple sclerosis

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Jude wants to know the latest on MS or Multiple sclerosis. This is very timely since just this week, Jack Osborne was diagnosed with MS at age 26.

The interesting part about someone famous with a medical condition is the fact that it raises awareness of the condition. MS is one of those conditions that you think is not very common in the very young, but in reality, MS affects all age levels. The interesting abnormality with Jack Osborne having the diagnosis is the fact that he is a male. Usually, females are affected more than males.

Multiple sclerosis is the damage of nerve cells by an unknown trigger. The immune system targets the cells as potential "invaders", and attempts to destroy them. Since the body is attacking itself, this is considered an autoimmune problem. MS can be literally called "multiple scars". Since the nerves are like wires in electricity, if you damage the wires, the current does not get to the end organ appropriately. There are also some symptoms or short circuits noticed. The most common symptom is numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation or strength.

Statistics of MS:

400,000 Americans have MS

2.5 million worldwide - not a mandatory report, so it is thought to be under reported.

Women are 2x more affected than men

Caucasians are affected more than any other ethnic group, but all groups can be affected MS is not a fatal disease, but it is chronic MS is not a contagious disease

No age is spared - youngest to be diagnosed 2 years-old, oldest 75 years-old

No cure - yet

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Priority Health: Multiple sclerosis

One in three dementia cases misdiagnosed

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ALMOST a third of dementia diagnoses in Australia are incorrect, a medical expert says.

A federal inquiry into early diagnosis and intervention for dementia has heard that 30 per cent of patients diagnosed with dementia are later found to be suffering from other conditions.

Dr Robert Prouse, from the Royal Australian College of Physicians, says other conditions such as depression can mimic the symptoms of dementia.

"There's a whole range of things that can present as cognitive decline that need to be tested along the way and that's where specialists come into it," Dr Prouse told the inquiry in Sydney on Friday.

"It's probably common enough to say a third of patients improve, lose their depression and have a new outlook on life."

"We've had a number of people who have had significant cognitive decline," Dr Prouse said.

"By treating their sleep apnoea and improving nocturnal oxygenation, they've come back to normal."

The inquiry by the House of Representatives Health and Ageing Committee is examining whether dementia should be made a National Health Priority Area due to its growing prevalence in communities.

Dementia in Australia is expected to triple by 2050.

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One in three dementia cases misdiagnosed

Four Children of Retired Policeman Paralyzed

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(VIVAnews/Robbi)

VIVAnews Four out of five children of a retired police officer First Sub-Lieutenant (Ret.) Sahirun and Warsini are paralyzed. It all began in 2005 when the father who had no money was forced to take his family to an old pig den.

Suddenly, his children become paralyzed, one by one. They are Musiaroh (36), Amin Muntoha (35), Musinah (27), and Riyatin (25). Meanwhile Kiswanto (30) who lived with other people was not affected.

Based on previous medical examination, the disability was caused by a genetic disorder.

A neurosurgeon of Margono Sukaryo Hospital in Purwokerto, dr Untung Gunarso, said the four people had been admitted to the hospital.

Based on the diagnosis, they suffer from muscle atrophy, he told VIVAnews, on Thursday.

The four siblings were then taken to Kariadi Hospital in Semarang. They even had their blood samples sent to Europe to be studied in a laboratory. It is concluded that the four siblings have a genetic disorder or Friedreich's ataxia syndrome.

This type of illness usually attacks 15-year-old adolescents, and may worsen when the patient reaches the age of 22.

So, in relation with the allegation of a virus attack caused by their former residence with their parents in an old pig den, its still uncertain yet, he said.

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Four Children of Retired Policeman Paralyzed

BalanceWear® Creator, Cindy Gibson-Horn, Named Finalist in San Francisco Business Times Health Care Heroes Awards

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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The very nature of a health care professional is already rendered heroic by the community and patients they serve. The San Francisco Business Times wants to make sure the true heroes in the health care profession dont go unnoticed by publishing their annual list of finalists for their Health Care Heroes Awards. This year, physical therapist, Cindy Gibson-Horn, creator of BalanceWear, has been named to the list. Gibson-Horns discovery nearly a decade ago of Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) led to the creation of BalanceWear, a semi-custom made orthotic that has helped dramatically improve stability in patients with MS, Parkinsons disease, stroke, TBI, ataxia and other Sensory Based Motor Disorders (SBMD).

Steve Cookston, CEO of Motion Therapeutics, the company that manufactures and markets BalanceWear, has worked with Gibson-Horn the past several years to bring the BalanceWear product line to fruition and credits Gibson-Horns passion for her patients well-being as a major reason for the products success.

Cindy is committed to giving her patients freedom, says Cookston. Balance and mobility are keys to independence as well as being vital to rehabilitation. Having worked with many medical devices and products, BalanceWear is the most inspiring, often taking a patient from being dependent on others to complete liberation.

If someone had told me they were going all the way to California from the east coast to see if a vest would help with balance, I probably would have told them they were crazy. But I saw and now I believe! BalanceWear has been a miracle for my mother and our family. Even though she will be 79 on June 25, we have our mother back the way she wants to be and the way we want her to be, said Kevin Eck.

I have MS and have used the BalanceWear vest for the last four months. It has made a tremendous difference in my life as I can now walk without my cane. I am walking more than I had using my cane and so am increasing strength and decreasing my possibility for Osteoporosis. I am going places I havent in a long time and my mood has improved, said Lisa Cohen.

I have used BalanceWear on at least ten individuals with ages ranging from 2 years old to 32 years old. I find that there are immediate positive changes in my patients ability to improve static and dynamic balance, improve functional mobility, such as walking up and down stairs without holding onto the railing; the ability to take independent steps without use of an assistive device or help; the ability to run in a straight line with reciprocal arm swing; and the ability to go from sit to stand without losing their balance, said Elaine Westlake, MA, PT.

Physical Therapist, Cynthia Gibson-Horn, discovered that strategically placed small amounts of weight could counter-balance directional losses and dramatically improve stability in patients with MS, Parkinsons disease, stroke, TBI, ataxia and other Sensory Based Motor Disorders (SBMD) during clinical applications. This discovery led to the development of the patented BBTW method and BalanceWear, which has now helped hundreds of patients.

Recently, a National Institutes of Health Recovery Grant of just under $400,000 was awarded to Samuel Merritt University (SMU) Physical Therapy Professor Dr. Gail Widener, PT, and Dr. Diane Allen at San Francisco State University to continue research into Balance-Based Torso Weighting (BBTW) and its effects on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) mobility challenges. The first phase of the study validates previous research funded by the National MS Society. The research is currently in its second phase and has led to documented evidence of the efficacy of prior clinical observations.

The San Francisco Business Times award brings attention to the health care profession and the numerous advances for patients that are suffering with debilitating illnesses, says Gibson-Horn. I am so honored to be among the finalists, but I see heroes in my patients who wake up every day with balance and walking challenges that I can only witness. Perhaps it sounds clich, but this honor is shared between me and my patients. Were in the healing process together.

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BalanceWear® Creator, Cindy Gibson-Horn, Named Finalist in San Francisco Business Times Health Care Heroes Awards

A boy’s struggle with Freidreich’s ataxia

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Lucas Appleton, 9, is struggling with the challenges of Freidreichs ataxia. A fundraising barbecue and dance concert will be held Sunday. //Phil Klein/Contributor

By anyones account, Lucas Appleton of Grover Beach is a spunky, active, 9-year-old boy. He revels in building with Lego bricks, playing with big brother William and watching SpongeBob.

Hes a charmer, thats for sure, said his mother, Casandra Appleton.

In the years to come, hell need all the spunk and charm he can muster as he struggles with the challenges of Freidreichs ataxia, or FA, a rare, crippling form of muscular dystrophy thats robbing Lucas of his mobility. Approximately 13,000 individuals have been diagnosed with FA in the United States, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Hes gone from being a very active, agile little kid to one who stumbled often to using a walker most of the time, or a wheelchair for long days, said Linda McClure, his godmother.

While there is no cure for the disease, friends and family members believe there are services that could help Lucas preserve his independence, and theyre willing to put themselves out there to help raise funds for him.

McClure, owner of American Property Services, in conjunction with Mongos Restaurant and Sports Bar, 359 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, will hold a fundraising barbecue and dance concert from 10:30 a.m. until closing Sunday.

Big brother William Appleton will sing Amazing Grace, Anthony Salas and his band, Naughty Ruby, will perform, and Mongos will provide the DJ service and the band Smokin Gunz for late afternoon and evening entertainment. More bands are encouraged to donate their services to this event as well.

There is no cover charge for the event. Instead, funds raised from the sale of food, alcohol and raffle tickets will benefit Lucas. Only 200 tickets, at $100 each, will be sold. Prizes include a flat-screen TV, massages, a beer keg refrigerator and, for the last ticket drawn, $5,000 in cash.

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A boy’s struggle with Freidreich’s ataxia

Families of kids with autism appreciate added state funding

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri is making a move to increase access to services for more children with autism. On Thursday, Gov.Jay Nixon ceremonially signed a bill that had support from both Republicans and Democrats in the Missouri Legislature this year. Even in a tight budget year, Nixon says helping Missouri families deal with autism is a priority.

Nixon signed the legislation at the Burrell Autism Center. It directs an additional $750,000 towards autism services.

We are in this for the long haul. As science moves forward and a greater number of those on the spectrum come to light, we are going to need to continue to evolve both in the care and treatment and the resources we provide for that, Nixon told reporters.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health provides autism services to 2,500 families. The services help with skill development and give training for families. The appropriations bill, HB2010, signed by Nixon extends services to about 375 more children in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

That includes families like the Opfers.

I think we noticed from the beginning something was different. We had a lot of sensory issues. We did not know what a sensory processing disorder was, said Dana Opfer.

Their son Ian, has autism.

It's important for parents to know that there is funding available for resources that are not covered by insurance,

This additional funding will shorten the waiting line for families seeking help.

Putting these additional dollars in will help families deal with the challenges of autism, the governor said.

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Families of kids with autism appreciate added state funding

‘95 percent boy, 5 percent autism’

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SHELBY Dustin Parris adjusts the camouflage baseball cap perched on the side of his head it must be cocked to the side just the way he likes it.

The 6-year-olds cheeks and arms are coated with white lotion. It helps soothe the poison oak rash he got one day while exploring outdoors. He loves tractors, lawnmowers and swimming in the pool.

When hes outside, hes content.

Hes so fast, so smart, Suzan Parris said of her son. No fear.

When Dustin hears his mother talking about her smart, strong boy, he smiles. A few new teeth peek through his gums.

Suddenly, the smile disappears. Dustin is frustrated. He wants his mothers undivided attention always.

Dustin raises his fist to his temple. He beats himself in the head. He brings his forearm to his mouth, squeezes his eyes shut and bites his skin.

Meltdowns

Whack. Whack. Whack.

Dustin continues to pound the side of his head. Suzan looks firmly into her sons eyes and grabs his arms so he cant continue the beating.

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‘95 percent boy, 5 percent autism’

Autism camp teaching kids social skills through cake and presents

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Autism camp teaching kids social skills through cake and presents

By Peter Rosen

June 21st, 2012 @ 6:34pm

SALT LAKE CITY Ava, 9, and Steven, 13, went to a birthday party this week at Sugarhouse Park. But it was nobody's birthday.

It was an "unbirthday party," Ava explained. "A birthday party for no reason."

There was, actually, a very good explanation.It was part of the University Neuropsychiatric Institute's Kidstar Summer Camp for kids with autism.

The camp pairs children with high-functioning autism, like Steven, with "neurotypical" children, like Ava. The program tries to give children a fun summer camp experience while teaching them social skills.

"Children on the autism spectrum have a hard time making friends," said Kidstar director Karina Rasmussen. "They have difficulty reading social cues, facial expressions, and understanding what to do in certain social situations."

Their day begins at the institute with a lesson from the "Superheroes: Social Skills" program developed by University of Utah researchers.

Using comic books, videos, games and "power cards," campers learn how, step by step, to follow directions, to maintain eye contact, and other skills that many other kids pick up naturally. Then they practice those skills throughout the day and watch the children without autism, like Ava, model that behavior.

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Autism camp teaching kids social skills through cake and presents

Nixon promotes autism funding

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JEFFERSON CITY Gov. Jay Nixon approved part of the state budget in Springfield today and touted the increased funding it gives to autism programs for children.

The boost will extend autism services to an additional 375 children through Missouris five Regional Autism Projects. The programs, which aid the skill development of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and provide training and support for families, currently serve about 2,500 families across the state.

For more than two decades, thousands of families have been connected with programs and services in their area through our five Regional Autism Projects, but there are still families across Missouri who need help accessing autism services, said Nixon, a Democrat. Thats why, even in a tight budget year, weve worked together to invest an additional $750,000 in these programs to serve an additional 375 children. This funding is another step in our ongoing commitment to making sure that children with autism and their families have access to services they need and deserve.

Nixon signed the Department of Mental Health budget bill that contains the funding increase during a ceremony this afternoon at the Burrell Autism Center, but some Republicans say he is taking credit for their work.

The autism programs' boost was not included in Nixon's spending proposal, but the GOP-led Legislature added it into the final $24 billion budget plan.

This funding increase is vitally important to families all across the state, but it was never a priority for Jay Nixon, said House Budget Committee Chair Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City. It is the height of arrogance for Jay Nixon to waste taxpayer money and hold a press conference to take credit for something that he never even wanted.

Elizabeth Crisp covers Missouri politics.

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Autism Awareness: Scanning Siblings’ Brains

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BACKGROUND: Autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Autism can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination, and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some with certain types of autism excel in visual skills, music, math and art. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 88 children in the United States has autism. This is a 10-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Studies also show that autism is three- to four-times more common in boys. About 1 out of 54 boys and about 1 out of 252 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States. This is more children than are affected by diabetes, AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy or Downs syndrome combined. Government statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years.

(SOURCE: Autismspeaks.org)

DIAGNOSING AUTISM: Research now suggests that children as young as 1 year of age can show signs of autism. Its important to diagnose autism as soon as possible because early intervention may be a childs best hope. Some red flags that may suggest a child should be screened include:

(SOURCE: Autismspeaks.org)

IMAGING STUDY: A new study, led by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found significant differences in brain development starting at 6 months of age in high-risk infants who later develop autism. The study suggests that autism does not appear suddenly in young children, but instead, develops over time during infancy. Researchers studied 92 infants who had older siblings with autism and were therefore considered to be at high-risk themselves. All participants had diffusion tensor imaging -- which is a type of MRI -- at 6 months and behavioral assessments at 24 months. Most also had additional brain imaging scans at either or both 12 and 24 months. At 24 months, 30 percent of the infants met the criteria for autism spectrum disorders while 70 percent did not. The two groups differed in white matter fiber tract development -- pathways that connect brain regions -- as measured by fractional anisotropy. This measures white matter organization and development based on the movement of water molecules through brain tissue. The researchers studied 15 separate fiber tracts. They found significant differences in FA trajectories in 12 out of the 15 tracts between infants who did develop autism versus those who did not. Infants who later developed autism had elevated fractional anisotropy at 6 months but then experienced slower change over time. By 24 months, infants with autism had lower FA values than those without autism.

(SOURCE: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill press release)

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Autism Awareness: Scanning Siblings’ Brains

Autism diagnosis seven-year wait

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22 June 2012 Last updated at 05:02 ET

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Lisa Phillips from Pembrokeshire set up a support group on Facebook for parents waiting years for their child to be diagnosed

Some parents in Wales are having to wait longer than seven years to have their children diagnosed with autism, BBC Wales has learned.

A leading charity says almost half wait more than three years for diagnosis, compared to one-third in England.

The Welsh government says work is under way to improve the diagnosis of children and adults.

It commissioned a report which found a "lack of consistency of services (postcode lottery)".

If Pembrokeshire is world-leading then I dread to think what the rest of the world must be like, because we are floundering

The report, commissioned 18 months ago, sought the views of clinicians.

It also found a lack of understanding by senior management of the time and resources needed for diagnosis and "a lack of ring-fenced resources for ASD (autism spectrum disorder), lack of commissioning and waiting lists".

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Autism diagnosis seven-year wait

Autism Speaks provides strategies to help a child with autism shows difficult behaviors

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Public release date: 21-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jane E. Rubinstein jrubinstein@rubenstein.com 212-843-8287 Autism Speaks

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 21, 2012) Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, today released An Introduction to Behavioral Health Treatments, Applied Behavior Analysis and Toilet Training parent's guides. These latest tool kits, all developed as part of the work of the Autism Treatment Network through its participation as the HRSA-funded Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), are available for free download on Autism Speaks Tool Kits webpage.

Behavioral challenges are a common problem for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many children with ASD have challenges managing certain behaviors such as aggression or not following directions in addition to experiencing limitations in communication or social skills.

The experts of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) and the AIR-P have addressed how parents and families can help improve their child's behavior with The Introduction to Behavioral Health Treatment which provides an overview of in-home strategies as well as tips to teach and increase desirable behaviors and decrease behavior problems. This tool kit also provides an overview of professional behavioral treatments families can seek out from qualified professionals.

The accompanying Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) tool kit, also released today, is an informational guide designed to provide parents with a better understanding of ABA, how their child can benefit, and where and how they can find ABA services. The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association both state that evidence-based ABA is a "best practice" in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

Behavioral treatments for children with ASD require a high degree of repetition and reinforcement in both home and therapeutic settings. Parents are provided concrete tips on reinforcing positive behaviors, opportunities to recognize and reward appropriate behavior and guidance on implementing strategies such as time outs. These tool kits give parents proven strategies to manage the ABCs of their child's behavior, including what (A) antecedes or comes before the adverse behavior, (B) what the behavior is that you'd like to change, and (C) consequences of that behavior.

With supports from ATN/AIR-P experts, parents can become effective partners in helping their children to learn skills to replace problem behaviors, increase their positive behaviors and maintain them over time, and generalize or transfer positive behaviors from one situation to another as they improve their cognitive, academic, social and self-help skills

Toilet training can be challenging for any parent, however for many children with ASD, toileting skills can be further complicated by physical or medical difficulties associated with toileting. Children with ASD may lack the language skills to understand or communicate, may lack gross or fine motor skills required to facilitate toileting from undressing to navigating a toilet, and may not be aware of typical body cues to recognize when they need to use the toilet, among other possible issues. Toilet Training: A Parent's Guide, provides tools on how to best integrate routines, rewards and the use of visual schedules.

"If your child with ASD presents with challenging behaviors, or has difficulty acquiring new skills know that you are not alone," said Autism Speaks Vice President of Clinical Programs Clara Lajonchere, Ph.D. "The goal of these latest behavioral tool kits is to empower families with effective strategies to create more positive behaviors and increase a child's ability to better participate in their therapeutic programs and family life. Consistent behaviors can significantly improve quality of life for both the child with autism and their families and improve quality of life for everyone."

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Autism Speaks provides strategies to help a child with autism shows difficult behaviors

Autism Speaks awards nearly $2.9 million to fund autism research

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Public release date: 21-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jane E. Rubinstein jrubinstein@rubenstein.com 212-843-8287 Autism Speaks

New York, N.Y. (June 21, 2012) Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, today announced the award of new research grants totaling nearly $2.9 million in funding to support autism research. "Suzanne and I are extraordinarily proud of Autism Speaks, not only for funding research projects which have tremendous potential to open new avenues to understanding autism," said Autism Speaks Co-founder Bob Wright, "but in supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows who are the next generation of leaders in autism research."

The projects approved include a Suzanne and Bob Wright Trailblazer Award, ten Weatherstone Predoctoral Fellowships and nine Postdoctoral Fellowships in Translational Research. In addition, five targeted research studies which support research across a range of high-priority areas were funded. These include environmental risk factors, understanding the impact of DSM-5 on autism diagnosis, the development of medicines, new behavioral treatments across the lifespan, improved access to early intervention in minority communities and a deeper understanding of autism biology.

"We are extremely gratified by the high quality of these research projects. These projects focus on issues that directly affect the lives of individuals with autism, such as the development of new treatments, the impact of the new diagnostic criteria for autism, and understanding the causes of autism," says Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Geri Dawson, Ph.D. "and the fellowships are so important for bringing new talent into the field."

The new Trailblazer project was awarded to Raymond Palmer, Ph.D., an expert in preventive medicine and epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center to investigate the use of baby teeth to track exposure to chemicals during the prenatal and postnatal period that may affect autism risk. "The lack of methods to determine environmental exposures during critical periods of early development has long challenged research into environmental risk factors for autism," Dr. Dawson says of the study's importance. Dr. Palmer pioneered the use of lost baby teeth to detect prenatal and early childhood exposure pesticides, drugs and other environmental chemicals in typically developing children. After further validating the method, the goal will be to compare baby teeth from children with autism to those from a control group unaffected by the disorder.

Targeted research projects, reviewed by outside experts and the Autism Speaks Scientific Review Panel address timely autism research studies.

David Mandell, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, will develop and evaluate the effects of a population-based program to improve early diagnosis and referral for autism services in an underserved minority community.

Two projects will use animal models that promise to advance the development of autism medicines. Joseph Buxbaum, Ph.D., of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, will use rat models to identify brain pathways common to several forms of autism. Richard Paylor, Ph.D., of Baylor College of Medicine, will complete his classification of autism-like behaviors in genetically engineered rat models of autism.

At the University of South Carolina, Laura Carpenter, Ph.D. will conduct a study that promises to provide clearer information on the effect of proposed changes to the definition of ASD in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5). She will also assess how these changes will affect the estimated prevalence of autism using two different population-screening methods.

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Autism Speaks awards nearly $2.9 million to fund autism research

Stem cell therapy in Hawaii going to the dogs

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HAWAII KAI (HawaiiNewsNow) -

Cutting-edge technology is helping Hawaii's pets live better lives for months, even years. We were there as a beloved dog named Kumba received one of the first-ever, in-clinic stem cell therapy surgeries in the islands.

13 year old Kumba doesn't know he's a guinea pig. The Rottweiler-Lab mix is one of the first in Hawaii to undergo the stem cell procedure at Surf Paws in Hawaii Kai.

Kumba suffers severe arthritis in his hips and knees, doesn't eat much, and is even a bit depressed. "It's an effort for him to get up off the floor, and when he gets up and crosses the room, you can see the stiffness," says his owner, Rumi Hospodar.

Kumba's kids learn some of details of his surgery. Then, he's moved to a table and nods off from anesthesia. Once he's prepped, the procedure begins. The vet removes about two tablespoons of fat tissue from Kumba's shoulder. From there, the stem cells are separated from the fat and activated. Then, they're injected back into the affected areas.

The entire process takes four hours, but the dog is actually only under for about 20 minutes. Surf Paws used to send the tissue to the mainland for processing, but with technology from Medi-Vet America, they can do it all here.

"The patient had to be, you know, go home and come back a few days later and the timing was a little bit difficult. Now, everything is same day," says Surf Paws veterinarian Dr. Cristina Miliaresis.

Cost depends on the size of animal but can run up to $2,800. It's mainly done on dogs, cats, and horses who suffer osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, ligament and cartilage damage, and other degenerative diseases. Their quality of life can improve within a couple of weeks.

Dr. Miliaresis says, "Some people might say, 'Oh, the dog's 13. Why are you doing this for a 13 year old dog? But even 6 months, pain-free, after a very, it's not simple, but it's a pretty straightforward procedure, to me (would be) just amazing."

The techs move all 97 pounds of Kumba to post-op - while his anxious owner looks on.

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Stem cell therapy in Hawaii going to the dogs

Rensselaer and New York State Launch New Stem Cell Research Center

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Newswise Troy, N.Y. Ground-breaking research to advance the application of stem cells to address critical injuries and diseases will be taking place at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in a new center funded by New York state and opened today (June 22, 2012).

The Rensselaer Center for Stem Cell Research was launched officially by Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson, New York State Department of Health Commissioner Nirav Shah, and Jonathan Dordick, director of the Rensselaer Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) and the Howard P. Isermann 42 Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering. They were joined at the ribbon cutting by Glenn Monastersky, CBIS operations director and biomedical engineering professor of practice. Monastersky is also principal investigator under the $2.45 million grant awarded to fund the new center, from the New York State Stem Cell Science Program (NYSTEM).

The opening of the Rensselaer Center for Stem Cell Research marks a milestone on the path toward this important area of exploration, which promises so much in terms of alleviating disease and improving health, said Jackson. At the center we will work at the frontiers of this promising discipline in collaboration with New York state and investigators from across the region.

This research complements stem cell research, sponsored by New York and the National Institutes of Health, that is already in progress at Rensselaer, Jackson added. Due to our commitment to biotechnology that began over 10 years ago under The Rensselaer Plan, we are able to link engineering with the life and physical sciences in ways that allow us to explore new possibilities. We are grateful to Dr. Shah and the state of New York for their leadership in this important research area, and for providing the funding to launch this center.

Governor Cuomo recognizes that stem cell research is a vital and growing industry that helps create jobs here in the Capital Region and around the state, said Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., New York State Commissioner of Health. Targeting our investment in results-oriented research enterprises like this center will lead to medical advances as well as expand our economy and make New York the place to be for 21st century health and science research.

According to Dordick, the new center continues to place CBIS and the research conducted there on the leading edge of efforts to harness advances in biotechnology to address 21st century health challenges.

Ranging from our work on the blood anti-coagulant drug heparin to solutions to fighting some of todays super bugs to important advances in understanding Alzheimers disease, we are focusing our efforts on scientific advances that will ultimately open the doors to new cures for traumatic injuries or treatments for long-term conditions and diseases, Dordick said. Now, working with our partners at New York state and other researchers in the region, we will expand our work on stem cells to help the medical and scientific research communities advance efforts to better understand those cells and how they can be used in medicine.

Research on stem cells offers promise in an array of health areas, ranging from trying to regenerate damaged nerve cells following spinal cord injuries to offering potential cures for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Type 1 diabetes. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stem cells are important because unlike other cells in the human body they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. In addition, because stem cells are unspecialized meaning that they are not associated with any tissue-specific functions early research has shown that under the right circumstances these cells can give rise to cells associated with specific functions, under a process called differentiation. Today, according to NIH, scientists are just beginning to understand the so-called triggers that can start stem cell differentiation into, for example, nerve, muscle, or bone cells.

The new state-of-the-art center is housed on the ground floor of the Rensselaer biotechnology center. In addition to advanced cell biology research equipment, new lab equipment acquired with funding from New York state includes an Olympus VivaView microscopy/incubation system and a Thermo Fisher Arrayscan cell-imaging system that utilizes advanced optics and analytical software to guide the analysis of stem cell development.

The Rensselaer Center for Stem Cell Research and its associated scientific staff, will enable collaborations with several New York partners including the New York Neural Stem Cell Institute, Albany Medical College, the University at Albany, the University of Rochester Medical School, and the Trudeau Institute. The main focus of the center is the basic science critical to development of stem cell-based therapies for human diseases and traumatic injuries.

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Rensselaer and New York State Launch New Stem Cell Research Center

Notre Dame establishes professorships in adult stem cell research

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Public release date: 22-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: William Gilroy gilroy.6@nd.edu 574-631-4127 University of Notre Dame

Alumnus Michael Gallagher and his wife, Elizabeth, have made a $5 million gift to establish the Elizabeth and Michael Gallagher Family Professorships in Adult Stem Cell Research at the University of Notre Dame.

Their gift, which will fund three new endowed professorships in adult and all forms of non-embryonic stem cell research, will strengthen Notre Dame's leadership in the field of stem cell research and enhance the University's effective dialogue between the biomedical research community and the Catholic Church on matters related to the use and application of stem cells and regenerative medicine.

"As a Catholic university, Notre Dame carries a mantle of responsibility to use our scholarship and resources to help alleviate human suffering, and, in this area of research in particular, to do so with deep respect for the sanctity of all human life," said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., the University's president. "These new professorships will enable us to effectively build upon an already strong foundation in this critically important field. We are tremendously grateful to the Gallaghers for making this possible with their transformative gift."

Despite years of research, there are no known cures for a large number of degenerative diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration and spinal cord injuries. Stem cell research has the potential to contribute to the discovery of new and successful treatments for these and other diseases because it holds the unique promise of regenerating damaged cells and tissues, fully restoring tissues and organs to their normal function.

Although this vital area of research could accelerate the ability to alleviate much human suffering, it has generated extensive ethical debate with the use of embryonic versus non-embryonic stem cells. The Catholic Church affirms the dignity of all human life at every stage and vigorously opposes the destruction of human embryos for the harvesting of stem cells. At the same time, the Church strongly endorses the use of adult and non-embryonic stem cell research as a potential therapy for individuals suffering from these debilitating diseases. Research has demonstrated that adult stem cells, including all forms of non-embryonic stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells, can be harvested and programmed to achieve pluripotency the same characteristic that enables embryonic stem cells to differentiate into any type of cell.

An urgent need exists to increase the number of faculty experts performing adult stem cell research at Notre Dame. Doing so will expand upon the strong foundation the College of Science holds in these areas and will help create an environment for excellence in which faculty and students can learn, grow, collaborate and ultimately affect human health.

"We are overwhelmed with gratitude at the generous gift from Mike and Liz Gallagher," said Gregory P. Crawford, dean of the College of Science. "The impact of this gift is truly beyond measure. It will play a crucial role in attracting three more of the best faculty in the field of adult stem cell research to Notre Dame. Furthermore, this gift will equip our existing talented group of adult stem cell researchers at Notre Dame to take the next great leap toward ultimately forming a premier center in adult stem cell research."

Michael Gallagher is a 1991 graduate of Notre Dame, and his wife, Elizabeth, is a 1992 graduate of Saint Mary's College. They have two sons, Brock and Jack, and currently live near Denver.

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Notre Dame establishes professorships in adult stem cell research