340 posts · 240,108 views
I am a physician interested in clinical neuroscience research. I will use this blog to post more detailed analysis of recent studies in addition to my @WRY999 Twitter scientific reading log. I will also post some of my wildlife/sports photography. Aim to educate and amuse. Not selling anything.
William Yates, M.D.
340 posts
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- August 30, 2010
- 11:32 AM
- 933 views
Neuroscience of Murder and Aggression: Pharmacotherapy
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Davis Love--2010 PGA ChampionshipThis is the final post in the series titled: Neuroscience of Murder and Aggression. The other four posts can be found in the links below:Overview and TED video of Dr. FallonEpidemiologyGeneticsBrain ImagingThe treatment of antisocial personality disorder, aggressive behavior and violence receives a limited amount of research attention. Despite the public health implications of this problem, the therapeutic treatment options are limited. Clinicians are........ Read more »
Gibbon S, Duggan C, Stoffers J, Huband N, Völlm BA, Ferriter M, & Lieb K. (2010) Psychological interventions for antisocial personality disorder. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 20556783
Khalifa N, Duggan C, Stoffers J, Huband N, Völlm BA, Ferriter M, & Lieb K. (2010) Pharmacological interventions for antisocial personality disorder. Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 20687091
Pappadopulos E, Woolston S, Chait A, Perkins M, Connor DF, & Jensen PS. (2006) Pharmacotherapy of aggression in children and adolescents: efficacy and effect size. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , 15(1), 27-39. PMID: 18392193
Blader JC, Schooler NR, Jensen PS, Pliszka SR, & Kafantaris V. (2009) Adjunctive divalproex versus placebo for children with ADHD and aggression refractory to stimulant monotherapy. The American journal of psychiatry, 166(12), 1392-401. PMID: 19884222
- December 9, 2010
- 05:34 PM
- 913 views
ADHD and High School Academics
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Assessing the impact of a diagnosis of ADHD on school performance is a research challenge. Many children and adolescents have a concurrent psychiatric disorder that can also impair learning. Concurrent mental disorders found at higher rates for children with ADHD include (but are not limited to):Oppositional defiant disorderConduct disorderAnxiety disorderAutism spectrum disorderReading disorder or other learning disorderSo when designing research experiments to examine the academic ........ Read more »
Kent KM, Pelham WE Jr, Molina BS, Sibley MH, Waschbusch DA, Yu J, Gnagy EM, Biswas A, Babinski DE, & Karch KM. (2010) The Academic Experience of Male High School Students with ADHD. Journal of abnormal child psychology. PMID: 21103923
- September 14, 2011
- 04:22 PM
- 904 views
Real-Time fMRI Psychotherapy
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Old World Psychotherapy: Sofa of Sigmund FreudThere has been a series of interesting research studies examining the effect of psychotherapy on brain structure and function. These studies have typically shown that effective psychotherapy results in reduction of brain deficits or abnormalities associated with a specific neuropsychiatric disorder.Now a study published in Plos One summarizes the results of study examining the use of real-time fMRI to provide neurofeedback during an amygdala ac........ Read more »
Zotev, V., Krueger, F., Phillips, R., Alvarez, R., Simmons, W., Bellgowan, P., Drevets, W., & Bodurka, J. (2011) Self-Regulation of Amygdala Activation Using Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback. PLoS ONE, 6(9). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024522
- January 24, 2011
- 12:07 PM
- 903 views
Escitalopram for Hot Flashes
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Hot flashes commonly occur in the course of menopause in healthy women. Some women find their hot flashes to be very uncomfortable and distressing. Hormone replacement can reduce the symptom severity of hot flashes, but recent research has underscored the potential risks associated with hormone replacement. Therefore, there is increased interest in finding safer alternatives.Freeman and colleagues recently published a randomized controlled trial of the selective serotonin reupt........ Read more »
Freeman EW, Guthrie KA, Caan B, Sternfeld B, Cohen LS, Joffe H, Carpenter JS, Anderson GL, Larson JC, Ensrud KE.... (2011) Efficacy of escitalopram for hot flashes in healthy menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, 305(3), 267-74. PMID: 21245182
Geller SE, Shulman LP, van Breemen RB, Banuvar S, Zhou Y, Epstein G, Hedayat S, Nikolic D, Krause EC, Piersen CE.... (2009) Safety and efficacy of black cohosh and red clover for the management of vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 16(6), 1156-66. PMID: 19609225
- January 7, 2011
- 12:49 PM
- 897 views
No Crying in Baseball (and John Boehner)
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The short YouTube clip from the movie A League of Their Own illustrates a common (but exaggerated) response to outbursts of tears in inappropriate situations. Tom Hanks is managing a womens replacement baseball during World War II. He becomes upset when one player starts to cry and shouts out a memorable line: "There's no crying in baseball". The tearful display of emotions of the new Speaker of the House John Boehner has prompted discussion of the appropriateness and meaning o........ Read more »
Parvizi J, Arciniegas DB, Bernardini GL, Hoffmann MW, Mohr JP, Rapoport MJ, Schmahmann JD, Silver JM, & Tuhrim S. (2006) Diagnosis and management of pathological laughter and crying. Mayo Clinic proceedings. Mayo Clinic, 81(11), 1482-6. PMID: 17120404
Pioro EP, Brooks BR, Cummings J, Schiffer R, Thisted RA, Wynn D, Hepner A, Kaye R, & Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy Results Trial of AVP-923 in PBA Investigators. (2010) Dextromethorphan plus ultra low-dose quinidine reduces pseudobulbar affect. Annals of neurology, 68(5), 693-702. PMID: 20839238
- July 21, 2010
- 11:23 AM
- 896 views
Dog Walking and Human Physical Activity Levels
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Increasing physical activity levels is one of the biggest public health challenges. Various environmental manipulations may provide pathways towards increasing the level of physical activity in children and adults.Several research studies support dog ownership as a correlate of increased physical activity levels. Coleman and colleagues examined the role of physical activity and weight status in households with and without dogs. Using the Neighborhood Quality of Life Survey, 32 neighborhoods in........ Read more »
Coleman KJ, Rosenberg DE, Conway TL, Sallis JF, Saelens BE, Frank LD, & Cain K. (2008) Physical activity, weight status, and neighborhood characteristics of dog walkers. Preventive medicine, 47(3), 309-12. PMID: 18572234
- August 25, 2010
- 01:49 PM
- 896 views
Neuroscience of Murder and Aggression: Genetics
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
This is the third in a five-part series examining neuroscience aspects of homicide and aggressive behavior. The first post examined some of the general issues in this topic and the second focused on epidemiology. In this post I will summarize some of the genetic research. Part four will look at neuroimaging research and part five will summarize psychopharmacologic strategies.A series of twin and adoption studies support the role for significant genetic contributions to antisoci........ Read more »
Gunter TD, Vaughn MG, & Philibert RA. (2010) Behavioral genetics in antisocial spectrum disorders and psychopathy: a review of the recent literature. Behavioral sciences , 28(2), 148-73. PMID: 20422643
Kendler KS, Aggen SH, Czajkowski N, Røysamb E, Tambs K, Torgersen S, Neale MC, & Reichborn-Kjennerud T. (2008) The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for DSM-IV personality disorders: a multivariate twin study. Archives of general psychiatry, 65(12), 1438-46. PMID: 19047531
Ferguson CJ. (2010) Genetic contributions to antisocial personality and behavior: a meta-analytic review from an evolutionary perspective. The Journal of social psychology, 150(2), 160-80. PMID: 20397592
Forzano F, Borry P, Cambon-Thomsen A, Hodgson SV, Tibben A, de Vries P, van El C, & Cornel M. (2010) Italian appeal court: a genetic predisposition to commit murder?. European journal of human genetics : EJHG, 18(5), 519-21. PMID: 20216573
- August 18, 2010
- 01:13 PM
- 895 views
Melatonin and Sleep Disorders in Children
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I previously posted a study that found melatonin to be an effective treatment for insomnia among children with autism. This post has been accessed via Google search more than any other Brain Posts. It is apparent that many people are interested in the potential role of melatonin in treating sleep problems in children.There have been several research and clinical guideline manuscripts that address this issue. A review of sleep disorders in children was published in Clinical Evid........ Read more »
Montgomery P, & Dunne D. (2007) Sleep disorders in children. Clinical evidence. PMID: 19450298
Owens JA, Rosen CL, & Mindell JA. (2003) Medication use in the treatment of pediatric insomnia: results of a survey of community-based pediatricians. Pediatrics, 111(5 Pt 1). PMID: 12728122
Owens JA, Rosen CL, Mindell JA, & Kirchner HL. (2010) Use of pharmacotherapy for insomnia in child psychiatry practice: A national survey. Sleep medicine, 11(7), 692-700. PMID: 20621556
van Geijlswijk IM, van der Heijden KB, Egberts AC, Korzilius HP, & Smits MG. (2010) Dose finding of melatonin for chronic idiopathic childhood sleep onset insomnia: an RCT. Psychopharmacology. PMID: 20668840
- October 12, 2010
- 01:17 PM
- 894 views
Family Therapy for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
There is very limited research to guideline clinicians, patients and their family members in choosing the best treatments for anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. So when a well-designed and informative study is published it is noteworthy and important to review. James Lock and colleagues summarized their findings from a randomized trial of family therapy versus individual therapy in a randomized controlled trial for adolescents with anorexia nervosa in the October 2010........ Read more »
Lock J, Le Grange D, Agras WS, Moye A, Bryson SW, & Jo B. (2010) Randomized clinical trial comparing family-based treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Archives of general psychiatry, 67(10), 1025-32. PMID: 20921118
- August 1, 2010
- 06:04 PM
- 889 views
Man as "Monkeys Wearing Pants": Why Humans Make Poor Money Choices
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I don't read many economic blogs but one I do follow is Barry Rithholtz's The Big Picture. Barry acknowledges the limitations of human decision making and knowledge. His economic approach is a refreshing humbleness. He has stated that we need to remember that man is not far removed from our primate ancestors---we are basically "monkeys wearing pants". Understanding this, his investment approach is to know that all decisions may be influenced by bias of our monkey-based b........ Read more »
Santos LR, & Hughes KD. (2009) Economic cognition in humans and animals: the search for core mechanisms. Current opinion in neurobiology, 19(1), 63-6. PMID: 19541475
- October 20, 2010
- 01:26 PM
- 885 views
Google As a Medical Diagnostic Tool
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
My Google Reader accidentally picked up an intriguing abstract that examined a research study of resources that medical students use in solving diagnostic cases. The abstract was picked up because it contained the word “exercise” that is one of my PubMed filter queries. Although we often think that most diagnostic decision-making occurs from learned information stored in physician’s brains, information resources can be very helpful. What information resources are medical ........ Read more »
Graber ML, Tompkins D, & Holland JJ. (2009) Resources medical students use to derive a differential diagnosis. Medical teacher, 31(6), 522-7. PMID: 19811168
Bouwman MG, Teunissen QG, Wijburg FA, & Linthorst GE. (2010) 'Doctor Google' ending the diagnostic odyssey in lysosomal storage disorders: parents using internet search engines as an efficient diagnostic strategy in rare diseases. Archives of disease in childhood, 95(8), 642-4. PMID: 20418338
- February 2, 2011
- 02:56 PM
- 877 views
Is the M3 Receptor a Target for Obesity Drug Development?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Acetylcholine (ACH) is a key neurotransmitter involved in modulating a variety of central and peripheral nervous systems. ACH acts on two types of receptors-nicotinic receptors and muscarinic receptors. There are at least 5 submits of the muscarinic receptor (M1 through M5). Each receptor appears to have specific functions.Knockout mice (mice with absence of a specific gene) can provide some insight into the function of individual neurotransmitter receptors. But translati........ Read more »
Pomper JK, Wilhelm H, Tayebati SK, Asmus F, Schüle R, Sievert KD, Haensch CA, Melms A, & Haarmeier T. (2011) A novel clinical syndrome revealing a deficiency of the muscarinic M3 receptor. Neurology, 76(5), 451-5. PMID: 21282591
- January 13, 2011
- 03:54 PM
- 875 views
Is Erythropoetin (EPO) a Candidate Drug for Depression?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Erythropoetin (EPO) is a naturally produced hormone that controls erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). It’s been commercially available in the U.S. since 1989 and is used commonly used to combat anemia associated with chemotherapy treatment in cancer. In addition to its effect on red blood cells, EPO appears to play a key role in the brain response to neuronal injury and some role in the healing of wounds.EPO is infamous because of its use by cyclists and other athletes for ........ Read more »
Miskowiak KW, Favaron E, Hafizi S, Inkster B, Goodwin GM, Cowen PJ, & Harmer CJ. (2009) Effects of erythropoietin on emotional processing biases in patients with major depression: an exploratory fMRI study. Psychopharmacology, 207(1), 133-42. PMID: 19705104
Miskowiak KW, Favaron E, Hafizi S, Inkster B, Goodwin GM, Cowen PJ, & Harmer CJ. (2010) Erythropoietin modulates neural and cognitive processing of emotional information in biomarker models of antidepressant drug action in depressed patients. Psychopharmacology, 210(3), 419-28. PMID: 20401747
Miskowiak KW, Vinberg M, Harmer CJ, Ehrenreich H, Knudsen GM, Macoveanu J, Hansen AR, Paulson OB, Siebner HR, & Kessing LV. (2010) Effects of erythropoietin on depressive symptoms and neurocognitive deficits in depression and bipolar disorder. Trials, 97. PMID: 20942940
- June 9, 2011
- 09:32 AM
- 866 views
Smokers Display Abnormal Amygdala Responses to Fear
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Mechanisms underlying the risk for developing and maintaining an addiction continue to be poorly understood. Nicotine dependence appears to share many of the characteristics of other drugs of addiction. Heavy smokers are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. They are also more likely to have a parent with an alcohol or drug abuse diagnosis. Understanding the mechanisms of nicotine dependence may provide insight into other drugs of abuse.A study from Oezuer Onur fr........ Read more »
Onur OA, Patin A, Mihov Y, Buecher B, Stoffel-Wagner B, Schlaepfer TE, Walter H, Maier W, & Hurlemann R. (2011) Overnight deprivation from smoking disrupts amygdala responses to fear. Human brain mapping. PMID: 21618661
- August 23, 2011
- 09:33 AM
- 866 views
Migraine and Depression: Common Genetics
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
There have been several studies showing the increased rates of depression in those with migraine and increased rates of migraine in those with depression. Drugs that target the neurotransmitter serotonin form the key strategy for the treatment of both disorders.Now a twin study using the University of Washington Twin Registry supports the roll of common genetic factors in these two disorders.Twin studies form a key method to examine both the genetic and environmental contributions to risks........ Read more »
Schur EA, Noonan C, Buchwald D, Goldberg J, & Afari N. (2009) A twin study of depression and migraine: evidence for a shared genetic vulnerability. Headache, 49(10), 1493-502. PMID: 19438739
- December 15, 2010
- 05:34 PM
- 858 views
Mental Disorders: Diseases or Behavioral Conditions?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Clinical neuroscience conditions represent a heterogeneous group of conditions with varying contributions from genetic and environmental influences. It has been common to view some of these conditions under the disease model presumed to represent a specific pathophysiology, tissue pathology (i.e. Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease). Other conditions have been classified as representing primarily a disorder of behavior (i.e. anorexia nevosa, substance use disorders).The dis........ Read more »
Bienvenu OJ, Davydow DS, & Kendler KS. (2011) Psychiatric 'diseases' versus behavioral disorders and degree of genetic influence. Psychological medicine, 41(1), 33-40. PMID: 20459884
- July 7, 2010
- 05:07 PM
- 853 views
Depression as a Risk Factor for Dementia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Two studies published this week in the journal Neurology add strength to the association between depression and dementia. One study came from the classic Framingham Heart Study database and the second used the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Both studies used depression symptoms as a proxy for the diagnosis of depression. There are some problems with this approach, but is seen a one valid research strategy. I thought I would summarize the two studies with Framingham listed first and (........ Read more »
Dotson VM, Beydoun MA, & Zonderman AB. (2010) Recurrent depressive symptoms and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Neurology, 75(1), 27-34. PMID: 20603482
- June 6, 2010
- 09:26 PM
- 852 views
Best Drugs for Alcohol Withdrawal
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Alcohol withdrawal is a physically and psychologically painful experience. Some patients with alcohol dependence have physiological tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Some will experience withdrawal seizures and death during withdrawal can occur.Treatment of alcohol withdrawal typically involves medication to reduce the effects of detoxification. Benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam) or Ativan (lorazepam) typically are effective and routinely used. H........ Read more »
Martinotti G, di Nicola M, Frustaci A, Romanelli R, Tedeschi D, Guglielmo R, Guerriero L, Bruschi A, De Filippis R, Pozzi G.... (2010) Pregabalin, tiapride and lorazepam in alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a multi-centre, randomized, single-blind comparison trial. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 105(2), 288-99. PMID: 20078487
- September 12, 2011
- 11:07 AM
- 850 views
Is Insomnia a Risk Factor for Suicide?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Sleep is known to be important for physical as well as emotional well-being. Mood and anxiety disorders commonly present with a variety of sleep problems including initial, middle and early morning insomnia. Although the association of mood disorders and anxiety disorders in suicide is established, the independent contribution of insomnia to suicide risk is less well studied.Bjorngaard and colleagues recently published a results of a Norwegian study on this issue in the Journal Sleep........ Read more »
Bjørngaard JH, Bjerkeset O, Romundstad P, & Gunnell D. (2011) Sleeping Problems and Suicide in 75,000 Norwegian Adults: A 20 Year Follow-up of the HUNT I Study. Sleep, 34(9), 1155-9. PMID: 21886352
- November 3, 2010
- 05:32 PM
- 848 views
REM Sleep Deficiency in Autism
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Pediatric Patient Prepared for Sleep StudyParents with children who have autism commonly report significant sleep problems. Clinicians commonly encounter complaints by parents about the child’s sleep problem and consider behavioral or pharmacologic interventions. Now a study informs parents and clinicians about the type of sleep abnormalities found in children with autism.Buckley et al conducted sleep studies using polysomnography in a series of children with the diagnosis of autis........ Read more »
Buckley AW, Rodriguez AJ, Jennison K, Buckley J, Thurm A, Sato S, & Swedo S. (2010) Rapid eye movement sleep percentage in children with autism compared with children with developmental delay and typical development. Archives of pediatrics , 164(11), 1032-7. PMID: 21041596
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