436 posts · 339,093 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.
436 posts
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- September 10, 2012
- 11:51 AM
- 408 views
Autism Diagnosis and Artificial Intelligence
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
An accurate diagnosis of autism early in child development leads to early intervention and improved outcome. Research into autism diagnostic approaches can provide clinicians with better tools to assist in diagnosis.Wall and colleagues recently published a study using artificial intelligence to develop a shortened interview to diagnose autism. They started with data from a group of children with autism who completed a comprehensive autism diagnostic instrument called the Autism Diagn........ Read more »
Wall DP, Dally R, Luyster R, Jung JY, & Deluca TF. (2012) Use of artificial intelligence to shorten the behavioral diagnosis of autism. PloS one, 7(8). PMID: 22952789
- September 6, 2012
- 11:42 AM
- 689 views
Cannabis Use and Risk of Depression
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
There are few prospective studies examining the use of cannabis and risk of later depression and other mental disorders. I have previously reviewed two studies that examined the association of cannabis use and later psychosis. One study found increased rates of psychosis in cannabis user with a family history of psychosis. A second study found later psychosis risk elevated with use of cannabis beginning in childhood or adolescence.There is now an additional study examinin........ Read more »
Manrique-Garcia E, Zammit S, Dalman C, Hemmingsson T, & Allebeck P. (2012) Cannabis use and depression: a longitudinal study of a national cohort of Swedish conscripts. BMC psychiatry, 12(1), 112. PMID: 22897939
- September 5, 2012
- 11:03 AM
- 527 views
Delirium as a Risk Factor for Dementia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Discovering and understanding the risk factors in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is an important research strategy. Risk factors provide clues into identifying high-risk populations and potential prevention interventions.The strongest known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is advanced age. Alzheimer's disease risk doubles every five years beginning at age 65 and by age 85 the rate approaches 50 percent of the population.Delirium is an acute neurological condition ch........ Read more »
Davis DH, Muniz Terrera G, Keage H, Rahkonen T, Oinas M, Matthews FE, Cunningham C, Polvikoski T, Sulkava R, Maclullich AM.... (2012) Delirium is a strong risk factor for dementia in the oldest-old: a population-based cohort study. Brain : a journal of neurology. PMID: 22879644
- September 4, 2012
- 03:27 PM
- 515 views
Behavior and Survival After Age 75
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Smoking cigarettes, low physical activity level and lack of social support are well-known factors associated with mortality in humans. One issue that is less clear is the effect of these and other behaviors on mortality in older populations.One might think that effect of healthy behaviors might diminish with age. For example, an individual who smoked throughout life but has now reached the age of 75 might be someone resistant to the adverse effects of smoking on mortality. In o........ Read more »
Rizzuto D, Orsini N, Qiu C, Wang HX, & Fratiglioni L. (2012) Lifestyle, social factors, and survival after age 75: population based study. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). PMID: 22936786
- August 30, 2012
- 11:15 AM
- 574 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
- August 29, 2012
- 10:49 AM
- 562 views
Brain Imaging in PTSD: Part II
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
In my last post I reviewed a recent structural brain imaging study in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study found evidence of thinning of the cerebral cortex in three regions of men 6 months after a mining accident exposure. The next two posts will look at some of the research in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography in PTSD.Functional connectivity studies in a variety of mental disorders show promise for a better understanding of ........ Read more »
Sripada RK, King AP, Garfinkel SN, Wang X, Sripada CS, Welsh RC, & Liberzon I. (2012) Altered resting-state amygdala functional connectivity in men with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of psychiatry , 37(4), 241-9. PMID: 22313617
- August 28, 2012
- 10:40 AM
- 907 views
Brain Imaging in PTSD: Part I
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
There have been a series of recent imaging studies in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subjects worthy of review. In the next three posts, I will summarize some of these findings.The first study will review a recent structural imaging study. The next two posts will examine a study of functional connectivity and a meta-analysis of fMRI and PET imaging studies.Liu and colleagues from China have published an interesting structural brain imaging study using an imaging technique know........ Read more »
Liu Y, Li YJ, Luo EP, Lu HB, & Yin H. (2012) Cortical thinning in patients with recent onset post-traumatic stress disorder after a single prolonged trauma exposure. PloS one, 7(6). PMID: 22720021
- August 27, 2012
- 10:46 AM
- 519 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
- August 23, 2012
- 11:26 AM
- 445 views
Trends In Epidemiology of Eating Disorders
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Monitoring changes in the incidence, prevalence and mortality rates in clinical neuroscience disorders represents an important role for research. Changes in rates of disorder over time may provide clues into diagnostic issues, key environmental factors and the effects of public health prevention interventions.Frederick Smink and colleagues from the Netherlands recently published a review of the epidemiology of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The review co........ Read more »
Smink FR, van Hoeken D, & Hoek HW. (2012) Epidemiology of eating disorders: incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Current psychiatry reports, 14(4), 406-14. PMID: 22644309
- August 21, 2012
- 12:06 PM
- 636 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
- August 16, 2012
- 11:03 AM
- 1,022 views
Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea in Hypertension
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Sleep apnea occurs at higher rates in those with hypertension compared to those without hypertension. Some of this elevated risk may be due sharing of obesity as a risk factor. The identification of sleep apnea in those with hypertension is clinically important. Sleep apnea may contribute to blood pressure elevation. Additionally, sleep apnea appears to independently contribute to risk for cardiovascular mortality. Some of this increased vascular risk may relate to the sy........ Read more »
Broström A, Sunnergren O, Årestedt K, Johansson P, Ulander M, Riegel B, & Svanborg E. (2012) Factors associated with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea in hypertensive primary care patients. Scandinavian journal of primary health care, 30(2), 107-13. PMID: 22643156
- August 15, 2012
- 11:23 AM
- 404 views
Research-based ADHD Treatment Options
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Research-based information on the treatment options available for ADHD in children and adults can be hard to find. This often leaves parents and other family members confused by the overwhelming volume of information. Many treatments have no or limited research data on safety and effectiveness.This makes high-quality research reviews important. Such a review has been published by the Agency for Healthcare Research. A group of top ADHD researchers reviewed 223 studies on t........ Read more »
John M. Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communications Science. (2005) Treatment Options for ADHD in Children and Teens: A Review of Research for Parents and Caregivers. Agency for Healthcare Research Quality. PMID: 22855973
- July 30, 2012
- 12:51 PM
- 658 views
Cannabis Dependence Risk Factors: Neuroticism
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Cannabis appears to have a lower risk of dependence in users than other drugs such as heroin, cocaine or nicotine. Despite this lower risk, some cannabis users do go on to develop typical substance dependence signs and symptoms like daily high-dose use and impairment in social and occupational function.Genetic factors appear to influence risk for a variety types of drug dependence. I will review some of the genetic studies of cannabis dependence in a future post. A recent study........ Read more »
Jutras-Aswad D, Jacobs MM, Yiannoulos G, Roussos P, Bitsios P, Nomura Y, Liu X, & Hurd YL. (2012) Cannabis-Dependence Risk Relates to Synergism between Neuroticism and Proenkephalin SNPs Associated with Amygdala Gene Expression: Case-Control Study. PloS one, 7(6). PMID: 22745721
- July 26, 2012
- 12:41 PM
- 620 views
The Future of Psychiatric Genetics
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Progress in understanding the genetic contributions to psychiatric disorders has been significant over the last five years. However, this progress lags compared to the progress made in other medical disorders. Some of this lag relates to the complex genetic heterogeneity in psychiatric illnesses. However, the current state of knowledge does provide optimism for the future of psychiatric genetics.Patrick Sullivan from the University of North Carolina along with colleagues from H........ Read more »
Sullivan PF, Daly MJ, & O'Donovan M. (2012) Genetic architectures of psychiatric disorders: the emerging picture and its implications. Nature reviews. Genetics, 13(8), 537-51. PMID: 22777127
- July 23, 2012
- 12:20 PM
- 448 views
Education and Premature Mortality Risk
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Advanced educational level is linked to risk of premature death from a variety of clinical neuroscience disorders. Stroke risk is increased significantly in low with a high school educational level compared to those with a college degree or more. Monitoring and understanding these types of discrepancies is an important aspect of public health.A recent study of education and premature mortality risk has been published in the journal Plos One. J Ma from the Surveillance Research ........ Read more »
Ma J, Xu Jiaquan, Anderson RN, Ahmedin J. (2012) Widening Educational Disparities in Premature Death Rates in Twenty Six States in the United States, 1993– 2007. Plos One. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041560
- July 18, 2012
- 10:11 AM
- 569 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
- July 17, 2012
- 11:37 AM
- 471 views
Sleep Problems Increased in Diabetes
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Diabetes affects an estimated 25.8 million individuals in the United States or approximately 8.3% of the total population. The risk of diabetes increases with age with a prevalence rate of 3.7% in the 20-44 year age group climbing to a prevalence rate of 26.9% of individuals 65 years of age or older.A recent study examined the prevalence of a variety of sleep problems in those with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Platinga and colleagues compared the rates of the followin........ Read more »
Plantinga L, Rao MN, & Schillinger D. (2012) Prevalence of self-reported sleep problems among people with diabetes in the United States, 2005-2008. Preventing chronic disease. PMID: 22440550
- July 16, 2012
- 11:38 AM
- 598 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
- July 13, 2012
- 12:05 PM
- 534 views
Biomarkers in Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Precuneus Region in Teal Color in Posterior BrainThe timing and sequence of brain changes in Alzheimer's disease are important factors for improving early diagnosis and treatment. Key research tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) provide methods to better understand the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.The research design needed to optimally understand the development of Alzheimer's disease would be a large prospective longitudinal stu........ Read more »
Bateman RJ, Xiong C, Benzinger TL, Fagan AM, Goate A, Fox NC, Marcus DS, Cairns NJ, Xie X, Blazey TM.... (2012) Clinical and Biomarker Changes in Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Disease. The New England journal of medicine. PMID: 22784036
- July 12, 2012
- 11:38 AM
- 820 views
Depression and Brain White Matter Hyperintensities
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI) provides a powerful tool for studying brain structure. One specific clinical and research advance in MRI has been the recognition and understanding of what has been named white matter hyperintensities (WMHI). These types of age-related brain changes were less well identified by earlier computerized tomography brain imaging techniques.I have previously posted a study that examined the clinical significance of brain WMHI. This research meta-........ Read more »
Soennesyn H, Oppedal K, Greve OJ, Fritze F, Auestad BH, Nore SP, Beyer MK, Aarsland D. (2012) White Matter Hyperintensities and the Course of Depressive Symptoms in Elderly People with Mild Dementia . Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord Extra. DOI: 10.1159/000335497
Bohlega S, Al Shubili A, Edris A, Alreshaid A, Alkhairallah T, AlSous MW, Farah S, & Abu-Amero KK. (2007) CADASIL in Arabs: clinical and genetic findings. BMC medical genetics, 67. PMID: 17996090
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