348 posts · 248,652 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.
348 posts
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- July 9, 2012
- 10:31 AM
- 423 views
Best Diets for Weight Loss Maintenance
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Weight-loss maintenance presents a significant clinical challenge in the treatment of obesity. Up to 95% of individuals losing a significant amount of weight will be unable to maintain weight loss after one to two years of follow up.Changes in resting energy metabolism with weight loss appear to promote weight regain following weight loss. The body adapts to weight loss by ratcheting down daily resting energy (calorie) levels. The result is a lower daily caloric intake required........ Read more »
Ebbeling CB, Swain JF, Feldman HA, Wong WW, Hachey DL, Garcia-Lago E, & Ludwig DS. (2012) Effects of dietary composition on energy expenditure during weight-loss maintenance. JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association, 307(24), 2627-34. PMID: 22735432
- May 25, 2012
- 11:51 AM
- 416 views
Brain Connectivity Alterations in OCD
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts interfering with everyday activities. The prevalence of OCD is estimated to be between 1 to 2 percent of the population. Despite several approved drug treatments and the availability of behavioral therapy, many individuals with OCD find their symptoms resistant to treatment. A better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of OCD is needed for the development of more effective treat........ Read more »
Stern, E., Fitzgerald, K., Welsh, R., Abelson, J., & Taylor, S. (2012) Resting-State Functional Connectivity between Fronto-Parietal and Default Mode Networks in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. PLoS ONE, 7(5). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036356
- May 22, 2012
- 12:27 PM
- 414 views
Exercise in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Regular exercise appears to moderate the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms. However there are few studies that examine the effectiveness of community-based exercise intervention programs for anxiety and depression.One of the largest research studies of this type was recently published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. This study from Wales examined the effect of an exercise program intervention in a group of inactive community subjects with coronary heart........ Read more »
Murphy, S., Edwards, R., Williams, N., Raisanen, L., Moore, G., Linck, P., Hounsome, N., Din, N., & Moore, L. (2012) An evaluation of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the National Exercise Referral Scheme in Wales, UK: a randomised controlled trial of a public health policy initiative. Journal of Epidemiology . DOI: 10.1136/jech-2011-200689
- April 30, 2012
- 12:08 PM
- 413 views
Ten Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. The risk for Alzheimer's is most strongly linked to advancing age. As heart disease and cancer treatment improves, more individuals are reaching the age of risk for AD. Prevention is an important topic in AD as effective treatments are yet to be discovered. Although several AD drugs are available, these agents appear only to slow progression rather than reverse or cure the disord........ Read more »
Barnes DE, & Yaffe K. (2011) The projected effect of risk factor reduction on Alzheimer's disease prevalence. Lancet neurology, 10(9), 819-28. PMID: 21775213
- July 18, 2012
- 10:11 AM
- 406 views
Drug Combo Qsymia Approved for Obesity
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the combination drug Qsymia for the treatment of obesity. Qsymia contains the drugs phentermine and topiramate and comes in two dose combinations phentermine 7.5 mg/topiramate 46 mg and a double-strength combination of phentermine 15.0mg/topiramate 92 mg.I have previously reviewed a 56 week clinical trial of this drug combination. This study found an average weight loss of 17.8 pounds for the lower dose combination and an avera........ Read more »
Garvey WT, Ryan DH, Look M, Gadde KM, Allison DB, Peterson CA, Schwiers M, Day WW, & Bowden CH. (2012) Two-year sustained weight loss and metabolic benefits with controlled-release phentermine/topiramate in obese and overweight adults (SEQUEL): a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 extension study. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 95(2), 297-308. PMID: 22158731
- April 24, 2012
- 12:34 PM
- 405 views
Alzheimer's and Brain Imaging: Part I
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Brain imaging research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is advancing rapidly. Well written reviews of key current research findings and future directions are sometimes difficult to find. A recent review published in Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine fills this gap with a summary of this topic. I will provide some commentary and key elements of their review.The imaging research related to AD can be separated into four areas: structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), func........ Read more »
Johnson KA, Fox NC, Sperling RA, & Klunk WE. (2012) Brain imaging in Alzheimer disease. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 2(4). PMID: 22474610
- February 24, 2012
- 11:34 AM
- 399 views
Genetic Variants and Risk of ADHD
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The search for specific genes contributing to the risk for attention deficit-hyperactivity has failed to demonstrate a consistent result. Genetic factors do appear to be important given the results of family, adoption and twin studies. The failure to find specific gene effects suggest the genetic contribution to ADHD risk is more complex and will require larger samples and more complex genetic research designs.Stergiakouli and colleagues recently published a novel study examining the........ Read more »
Stergiakouli, E. (2012) Investigating the Contribution of Common Genetic Variants to the Risk and Pathogenesis of ADHD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(2), 186. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.11040551
- August 21, 2012
- 12:06 PM
- 398 views
Imaging the Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Commonly available clinical brain imaging techniques do not provide reliable or valid information in mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This has led to increased research on evolving imaging techniques.Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) hold promise as a potential future clinical brain imaging. DTI can assess microstructure changes in brain white matter. Aoki and colleagues from Japan recently summarized the current knowledge of DTI in mild traumatic brain injury.This review used ........ Read more »
Aoki Y, Inokuchi R, Gunshin M, Yahagi N, & Suwa H. (2012) Diffusion tensor imaging studies of mild traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 83(9), 870-6. PMID: 22797288
- September 17, 2012
- 10:57 AM
- 398 views
Genetics of Pathological Gambling
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Genetic and environmental effects contribute to the risk for drug addiction as well as non-drug behavioral addictions such as pathological gambling.Agrawal recently published a comprehensive review of the genetics of addiction. This review took a translational approach attempting to view the current state of research from a clinical perspective.For the purpose of today's post, I will focus on what is known about the genetics of pathological gambling. This will be the first in a serie........ Read more »
Agrawal A, Verweij KJ, Gillespie NA, Heath AC, Lessov-Schlaggar CN, Martin NG, Nelson EC, Slutske WS, Whitfield JB, & Lynskey MT. (2012) The genetics of addiction-a translational perspective. Translational psychiatry. PMID: 22806211
- May 15, 2012
- 12:16 PM
- 390 views
Doxepin For Chronic Primary Insomnia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I have previously posted a summary and commentary on the use of low-dose doxepin in the treatment of insomnia. The first post summarized the results of two studies supporting the safety and efficacy of this compound including it's efficacy in elderly individuals.In a second post a randomized placebo controlled trial demonstrated safety and efficacy in a group of elderly subjects over a 12-week period.Another study of the efficacy and safety of doxepin has been recently published. &nbs........ Read more »
Krystal, A., Lankford, A., Durrence, H., Ludington, E., Jochelson, P., Rogowski, R., & Roth, T. (2011) Efficacy and Safety of Doxepin 3 and 6 mg in a 35-day Sleep Laboratory Trial in Adults with Chronic Primary Insomnia. SLEEP. DOI: 10.5665/SLEEP.1294
- August 27, 2012
- 10:46 AM
- 389 views
Sleep and Parkinson's Disease
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The neurotransmitter deficiency in Parkinson's disease interacts with important sleep mechanisms. Patients with Parkinson's disease report increased rates of a variety of sleep problems. REM sleep behavior disorder is a disorder commonly linked to Parkinson's disease as well as Lewy body dementia. I have previously posted commentary on a study describing the value of using REM sleep behavior disorder is the differential diagnosis of dementia here.A new study has further examine........ Read more »
Svensson E, Beiske AG, Loge JH, Beiske KK, & Sivertsen B. (2012) Sleep problems in Parkinson¿s disease: a community-based study in Norway. BMC neurology, 12(1), 71. PMID: 22883600
- March 21, 2012
- 04:06 PM
- 387 views
Risk Factors for Pathological Gambling
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The risk for developing pathological gambling appears to vary among individuals in the population. Risk factors that have been identified include male gender, a substance use disorder including alcohol, drug or nicotine dependence, and a proneness to other impulsive behaviors. Individuals who seek novelty and exposure to risk appear to be more likely to get into pathological gambling behaviors.There may also be some protective factors in risk for pathological gambling. Strong b........ Read more »
Wang, S., Krajbich, I., Adolphs, R., & Tsuchiya, N. (2012) The Role of Risk Aversion in Non-Conscious Decision Making. Frontiers in Psychology. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00050
- February 27, 2012
- 08:23 AM
- 382 views
Risk Factors for Accidental Overdose Death
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The recent accidental overdose deaths of Whitney Houston and other celebrities highlights the growing problem of prescription drug abuse. I have previous highlighted some recent important clinical research studies in prescription drug abuse including:The Epidemiology of Prescription Opioid AbusePathways to Prescription Opioid OverdosePrescription Opioid Overdose ToxicologyNow there is a recent study that examines some of the risk factors for accidental overdose death. This study by B........ Read more »
Bohnert, A., Ilgen, M., Ignacio, R., McCarthy, J., Valenstein, M., & Blow, F. (2011) Risk of Death From Accidental Overdose Associated With Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10101476
- June 12, 2012
- 10:56 AM
- 382 views
Tinnitus Severity and Depression
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Tinnitus or persistent ringing in the ear is a common clinical neuroscience disorder. The prevalence of tinnitus in the general population approaches 25% with up to 8 to 10% reporting tinnitus severe enough to produce distress or impairment in daily activities.Individuals with severe tinnitus report higher levels of depression symptoms compared to those without tinnitus. It is unclear whether tinnitus precedes depression or vice versa. A better understanding of the relationship........ Read more »
Hébert, S., Canlon, B., Hasson, D., Magnusson Hanson, L., Westerlund, H., & Theorell, T. (2012) Tinnitus Severity Is Reduced with Reduction of Depressive Mood – a Prospective Population Study in Sweden. PLoS ONE, 7(5). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037733
- February 12, 2012
- 01:21 PM
- 381 views
Cell Phone Use and Risk of Brain Cancer
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
In my last post I examined the epidemiology of brain tumors using a summary of the latest data from the United States. The summary noted the slight decline in the number of malignant brain cancers over the last twenty years.One area of concern that is receiving increased attention is the potential for cell phone risk to raise the risk of brain cancers.Obviously if cell phone use was a very large effect one might have expected an increase in the rates of brain tumors and cancer over th........ Read more »
Frei, P., Poulsen, A., Johansen, C., Olsen, J., Steding-Jessen, M., & Schuz, J. (2011) Use of mobile phones and risk of brain tumours: update of Danish cohort study. BMJ, 343(oct19 4). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d6387
- September 26, 2012
- 10:49 AM
- 379 views
Brain Hippocampus Volume in Insomnia/Narcolepsy
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Neurogenesis, or the formation or growth of new neurons occurs in relatively few brain regions. One region where neurogenesis occurs is the brain hippocampus--specifically in the region of the hippocampus known as the CA3/dentate gyrus.Neurogenesis in the hippocampus is important because of the key role this region plays in memory. Since memory is an ongoing process, the ability of this region to grow neurons is needed throughout life.However, the hippocampus appears to be vulnerable........ Read more »
Neylan TC, Mueller SG, Wang Z, Metzler TJ, Lenoci M, Truran D, Marmar CR, Weiner MW, & Schuff N. (2010) Insomnia severity is associated with a decreased volume of the CA3/dentate gyrus hippocampal subfield. Biological psychiatry, 68(5), 494-6. PMID: 20598672
Joo EY, Kim SH, Kim ST, & Hong SB. (2012) Hippocampal volume and memory in narcoleptics with cataplexy. Sleep medicine, 13(4), 396-401. PMID: 22361297
- May 16, 2012
- 12:37 PM
- 375 views
Jet Lag and Shift Work Sleep Disorder
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Transcontinental air travel and shifting work cycles present two of the most common challenges to circadian rhythm and sleep adjustment. For individuals who travel frequently or have many shifts in their work schedule, adjusting sleep patterns effectively can increase alertness and work performance.Kolla and Auger from the Mayo Clinic recently published an excellent review of the current knowledge of jet lag and shift work disorders. Here are some of the key findings and recommendat........ Read more »
KOLLA, B., & AUGER, R. (2011) Jet lag and shift work sleep disorders: How to help reset the internal clock. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 78(10), 675-684. DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.78a.10083
- May 17, 2012
- 11:33 AM
- 373 views
Modafinil for Shift Work Sleep Disorder
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
In a recent post, I reviewed a summary of the research status of jet lag and shift work sleep disorder. Shift work sleep disorder may affect up to 20% of U.S. workers and few FDA-approved medications target this problem.Modafinil and its derivative armodafinil are two stimulant compounds that have FDA approval for shift work sleep disorders. These compounds are also approved for the treatment of narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea.A recent study from India compares the efficacy o........ Read more »
Tembe, D., Dhavale, A., Desai, H., Mane, D., Raut, S., Dhingra, G., Sardesai, U., Saoji, S., Rohra, M., Shinde, V.... (2011) Armodafinil versus Modafinil in Patients of Excessive Sleepiness Associated with Shift Work Sleep Disorder: A Randomized Double Blind Multicentric Clinical Trial. Neurology Research International, 1-6. DOI: 10.1155/2011/514351
- July 16, 2012
- 11:38 AM
- 373 views
Autism Brain Deficits in Social Judgment
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Children and adults with autism show deficits in the ability to make correct judgment of social situations. Judging social settings accurately requires the integrating both verbal and non-verbal cues. Although children with autism appear to be able to accurately judge verbal and non-verbal cues, they show deficits in integrating both types of information in making a global judgement of social situations.An important research question is: Where are the brain structures and circ........ Read more »
Watanabe T, Yahata N, Abe O, Kuwabara H, Inoue H, Takano Y, Iwashiro N, Natsubori T, Aoki Y, Takao H.... (2012) Diminished Medial Prefrontal Activity behind Autistic Social Judgments of Incongruent Information. PloS one, 7(6). PMID: 22745788
- August 30, 2012
- 11:15 AM
- 372 views
Brain Imaging in PTSD: Part III
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Two previous posts examined structural brain imaging and functional connectivity in the anxiety disorder post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For the final post in this series, I will summarize the findings of of quantitative meta-analysis of fMRI and PET in PTSD.Jasmeet P. Hayes and colleagues from the VA Boston Healthcare System reviewed 79 functional neuroimaging studies published before February of 2011. This review included over 300 PTSD subjects and controls. Data from........ Read more »
Hayes JP, Hayes SM, & Mikedis AM. (2012) Quantitative meta-analysis of neural activity in posttraumatic stress disorder. Biology of mood , 2(1), 9. PMID: 22738125
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