440 posts · 341,559 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.
440 posts
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- March 28, 2011
- 08:10 AM
- 1,250 views
Key Elements in Differentiating ADHD and Autism
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica}p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} ADHD and autism spectrum share several clinical features making the differential diagnosis challenging. Both disorders show impairment in executive control (planning and carrying out complex cognitive tasks) and problems with social function. Methods to distinguish the two ar........ Read more »
Bühler E, Bachmann C, Goyert H, Heinzel-Gutenbrunner M, & Kamp-Becker I. (2011) Differential Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by Means of Inhibitory Control and 'Theory of Mind'. Journal of autism and developmental disorders. PMID: 21373957
- March 23, 2011
- 08:49 AM
- 1,273 views
Cognitive Biomarkers in Eating Disorders
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I previously posted on a review of the neuropsychological domain of set-shifting as a possible biomarker for eating disorders. In that post, set shifting as measured by the Wisconsin Card Sort tests was impaired in those with an anorexia nervosa and continued impaired despite weight restoration. Additionally, sisters of those with an eating disorder, also showed some impairment on this measure even when they had no eating disorder problem. This supports a potential role for set........ Read more »
Rozenstein MH, Latzer Y, Stein D, & Eviatar Z. (2011) Neuropsychological psychopathology measures in women with eating disorders, their healthy sisters, and nonrelated healthy controls. Comprehensive psychiatry. PMID: 21397219
- March 22, 2011
- 04:05 PM
- 1,215 views
Emotional Processing Bias in Depression
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Clinicians and individuals with depression understand the tendency for depression to be associated with over-interpretation of negative cues in the environment. Depression seems to heighten perception of negative environmental cues including interpersonal (or social) cues. The cognitive behavioral model of depression emphasizes the cognitive triad—a negative bias (view) of the self, the environment and the future.Functional magnetic resonance imaging is providing a model to s........ Read more »
Victor TA, Furey ML, Fromm SJ, Ohman A, & Drevets WC. (2010) Relationship between amygdala responses to masked faces and mood state and treatment in major depressive disorder. Archives of general psychiatry, 67(11), 1128-38. PMID: 21041614
- March 17, 2011
- 04:09 PM
- 1,206 views
Exercise May Reduce Appetite But Increases Calorie Consumption
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The relationship between exercise, appetite and food intake is a complex relationship. Aerobic exercise has been touted as a way to reduce appetite potentially increasing weight loss. This effect has been termed the anorexia of exercise. The effect appears to be commonly found after exercising at greater than 60% of maximum oxygen consumption. This decreased appetite after exercise has been possibly due to the redistribution of blood flow from the gastrointestinal t........ Read more »
Laan DJ, Leidy HJ, Lim E, & Campbell WW. (2010) Effects and reproducibility of aerobic and resistance exercise on appetite and energy intake in young, physically active adults. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism , 35(6), 842-7. PMID: 21164556
- March 9, 2011
- 09:51 AM
- 1,178 views
Alzheimer's: Challenges in the Newly Diagnosed
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Alois AlzheimerMemory loss is a cardinal feature in the presentation and diagnosis of new patients with Alzheimer’s disease(AD). However, the accompanying neurological and psychiatric problems seen in this population can be significant challenges. Spalletta and colleagues have recently published a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence and types of problems families and clinicians face. Between 2003 and 2005, five Italian outpatient memory clinics studied a series of 1015 ........ Read more »
Spalletta G, Musicco M, Padovani A, Rozzini L, Perri R, Fadda L, Canonico V, Trequattrini A, Pettenati C, Caltagirone C.... (2010) Neuropsychiatric symptoms and syndromes in a large cohort of newly diagnosed, untreated patients with Alzheimer disease. The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(11), 1026-35. PMID: 20808086
Gauthier S, Juby A, Dalziel W, Réhel B, Schecter R, & EXPLORE investigators. (2010) Effects of rivastigmine on common symptomatology of Alzheimer's disease (EXPLORE). Current medical research and opinion, 26(5), 1149-60. PMID: 20230208
- March 8, 2011
- 02:23 PM
- 1,215 views
Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease: What We Know
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Beta Amyloid Deposits (Brown/Red) in Brain Tissue of AD Patient The understanding of the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease continues to progress. Berkis and colleagues at the University of Washington School of Medicine recently published an excellent summary of the state-of-the-art in this area. Of note, one of the authors of this manuscript is Dr. Debby Tsuang. Dr. Tsuang was a former student of mine when I was on the faculty at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.&nbs........; Read more »
Bekris LM, Yu CE, Bird TD, & Tsuang DW. (2010) Genetics of Alzheimer disease. Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology, 23(4), 213-27. PMID: 21045163
- March 4, 2011
- 09:37 AM
- 1,492 views
Fluoxetine (Prozac) Boosts Motor Recovery After Stroke
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Antidepressant drugs are being used for multiple non-depression indications including chronic pain, peripheral neuropathy, migraine prophylaxis, irritable bowel syndrome, hot flashes, premature ejaculation and insomnia (list not inclusive). I had previously posted results of research looking at the effect of antidepressants after stroke on cognitive recovery. This study from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry found that escitalopram was linked ........ Read more »
Chollet F, Tardy J, Albucher JF, Thalamas C, Berard E, Lamy C, Bejot Y, Deltour S, Jaillard A, Niclot P.... (2011) Fluoxetine for motor recovery after acute ischaemic stroke (FLAME): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet neurology, 10(2), 123-30. PMID: 21216670
- March 2, 2011
- 10:19 AM
- 1,666 views
Decoding the Faces of Depression: Anhedonia and Dopamine
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Diego Pizzagalli presented the March 2011 Warren Frontiers in Neuroscience Series lecture in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 1, 2011. Dr. Pizzagalli works at the Harvard Medical School affiliated Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research & Neuroimaging Center at McLean Hospital in Boston. He has been involved in research related to brain abnormalities in major depression as well as predictors of treatment response. I will highlight some of the key points from his lecture ........ Read more »
Pizzagalli DA. (2011) Frontocingulate dysfunction in depression: toward biomarkers of treatment response. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(1), 183-206. PMID: 20861828
Pizzagalli DA, Holmes AJ, Dillon DG, Goetz EL, Birk JL, Bogdan R, Dougherty DD, Iosifescu DV, Rauch SL, & Fava M. (2009) Reduced caudate and nucleus accumbens response to rewards in unmedicated individuals with major depressive disorder. The American journal of psychiatry, 166(6), 702-10. PMID: 19411368
Wacker J, Dillon DG, & Pizzagalli DA. (2009) The role of the nucleus accumbens and rostral anterior cingulate cortex in anhedonia: integration of resting EEG, fMRI, and volumetric techniques. NeuroImage, 46(1), 327-37. PMID: 19457367
- February 28, 2011
- 09:24 AM
- 1,153 views
Cognitive Decline and the Mediterranean Diet
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I have previous posted on some of the research related to beneficial effects of a Mediterranean style diet on health. In one post I summarized some of the quantities of food types in those judged to have a high rating for the diet.A recent study by Tangney and colleagues looked at the rate of cognitive decline in a prospective study of elderly adults in Chicago, Illinois. The study retrospectively judged the diet of participants for characteristics consistent with a Mediterranean die........ Read more »
Tangney CC, Kwasny MJ, Li H, Wilson RS, Evans DA, & Morris MC. (2011) Adherence to a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern and cognitive decline in a community population. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 93(3), 601-7. PMID: 21177796
- February 23, 2011
- 04:17 PM
- 1,869 views
Brain Circuit Tied to Gambling Risk in Parkinson Disease Identified
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Some of the drugs used to treat Parkinson disease (PD) increase the risk for pathological gambling. This can have a significant economic adverse effect on some individuals. I have previous posted on the use of amantadine in reducing pathological gambling in PD. Although some medications may reduce the risk of pathological gambling, there is a need to further understand the mechanism of drug-related gambling behavior.Cilia and colleagues from the University of Toronto as well as........ Read more »
Cilia R, Cho SS, van Eimeren T, Marotta G, Siri C, Ko JH, Pellecchia G, Pezzoli G, Antonini A, & Strafella AP. (2011) Pathological gambling in patients with Parkinson's disease is associated with fronto-striatal disconnection: A path modeling analysis. Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society. PMID: 21284039
- February 22, 2011
- 02:27 PM
- 1,396 views
Naps Boost Cognitive Performance in Seniors
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Insomnia is a common complaint among elderly individuals. With aging, there is a pattern of decreased number of total sleep time and reduced time in deep sleep. Deep sleep is considered restorative sleep, an important component of feeling rested and alert the following day.Sleep hygiene recommendations commonly warn against napping during the day time as it is felt to reduce the quantity and quality of sleep at night. However, many individuals report that napping during the day is helpful for........ Read more »
Campbell, S., Stanchina, M., Schlang, J., & Murphy, P. (2011) Effects of a Month-Long Napping Regimen in Older Individuals. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 59(2), 224-232. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03264.x
- February 20, 2011
- 11:46 PM
- 1,657 views
Did the Red Fox Predate the Dog as Man's Best Friend?
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Pets have longed played a role in human companionship. Wild animals were primarily a source of food (and danger) in early human development. Later in evolution, animals began to serve a more complex role. Domestication of a variety of animals served a more utilitarian role. For example, domestication of horses allowed for extended travel, improved efficiency of hunting and provided a strategic advantage in battle.The domestications of wild wolves has been felt to be........ Read more »
Maher, L., Stock, J., Finney, S., Heywood, J., Miracle, P., & Banning, E. (2011) A Unique Human-Fox Burial from a Pre-Natufian Cemetery in the Levant (Jordan). PLoS ONE, 6(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015815
- February 17, 2011
- 03:01 PM
- 1,208 views
Autism: Social Lives of Young Adults
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
One of the problems with understanding the natural history of autism is the lack of well-designed outcome studies in the disorder. Outcome studies tend to be expensive and grant agencies commonly do not fund studies longer than a few years. However, given the increased interest and funding in autism, I suspect there will be more research in this area.An example of how outcome studies help in understanding the natural history of autism is a study published ahead of print by the Journal........ Read more »
Liptak GS, Kennedy JA, & Dosa NP. (2011) Social Participation in a Nationally Representative Sample of Older Youth and Young Adults With Autism. Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP. PMID: 21285894
- February 16, 2011
- 05:35 PM
- 1,405 views
Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease: Expert Opinion
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Parkinson disease is a chronic progressive disease with significant impairment and distress. A host of pharmacological options are available. Unfortunately, drug treatment often is only partially successful in reducing symptoms and can produce problematic adverse events. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for those with severe Parkinson disease. DBS involves a neurosurgical procedure that places an electrode or electrodes into the brain w........ Read more »
Bronstein, J., Tagliati, M., Alterman, R., Lozano, A., Volkmann, J., Stefani, A., Horak, F., Okun, M., Foote, K., Krack, P.... (2010) Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease: An Expert Consensus and Review of Key Issues. Archives of Neurology, 68(2), 165-165. DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2010.260
- February 15, 2011
- 04:58 PM
- 1,144 views
Cannabis Use and Psychosis (Part 2)
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I reviewed a research study last fall examining a Dutch study of cannabis use and psychotic symptoms. That post is linked here. In summary, the study suggested cannabis probably does not produce psychotic symptoms in the majority of users. However, if you have a family member with a psychotic disorder (suggesting you may have a genetic risk for psychosis) you may be more likely to experience psychotic symptoms (i.e. hallucinations/delusions) with cannabis use. This risk m........ Read more »
, ., Kahn, R., Linszen, D., van Os, J., Wiersma, D., Bruggeman, R., Cahn, W., de Haan, L., Krabbendam, L., & Myin-Germeys, I. (2010) Evidence That Familial Liability for Psychosis Is Expressed as Differential Sensitivity to Cannabis: An Analysis of Patient-Sibling and Sibling-Control Pairs. Archives of General Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.132
van Winkel, R., , ., Kahn, R., Linszen, D., van Os, J., Wiersma, D., Bruggeman, R., Cahn, W., de Haan, L., Krabbendam, L.... (2010) Family-Based Analysis of Genetic Variation Underlying Psychosis-Inducing Effects of Cannabis: Sibling Analysis and Proband Follow-up. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(2), 148-157. DOI: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.152
- February 10, 2011
- 11:59 AM
- 1,232 views
Functional Brain Imaging in the Mouse
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Functional magnetic brain imaging (fMRI) provides a new tool for understanding the brain in humans. It is already been helpful in understanding connectivity and focal brain region functions across a variety of domains, i.e. vision, hearing, motor function, somatic sensation and emotional processing. However, functional brain imaging in the mouse model has trailed structural brain imaging development. So why would fMRI be a potentially useful research tool in mice? There are several reasons......... Read more »
White, B., Bauer, A., Snyder, A., Schlaggar, B., Lee, J., & Culver, J. (2011) Imaging of Functional Connectivity in the Mouse Brain. PLoS ONE, 6(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016322
- February 9, 2011
- 08:53 AM
- 1,354 views
Old and Dizzy: The Profile of Dizziness After 65
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Dizziness is a common symptom that increases in frequency with age. Patients, family members and primary care physicians encounter this symptom. Dizziness as a symptom is endorsed by up to 30% in older populations surveys. A recent primary care study looked at a large series of adults 65 and older presenting to their physicians. This study was conducted in 45 group practices in the Netherlands is published in the readily accessed PLOS One. The authors had........ Read more »
Dros J, Maarsingh OR, van der Horst HE, Bindels PJ, Ter Riet G, & van Weert HC. (2010) Tests used to evaluate dizziness in primary care. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal , 182(13). PMID: 20643840
- February 6, 2011
- 08:09 PM
- 821 views
Childhood ADHD and Food "Sensitivity"
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
I admit that I am a skeptic about the effect of diet on ADHD and most mental disorders. No one can argue that a healthy diet should not be routinely advised for all individuals with or without an emotional disorder. However, I am open to looking at research studies and data--I'm willing to change my opinion if the research supports such a change.A group of Dutch researchers recently published a study of diet and ADHD symptoms in a small sample of children with ADHD be........ Read more »
Pelsser, L., Frankena, K., Toorman, J., Savelkoul, H., Dubois, A., Pereira, R., Haagen, T., Rommelse, N., & Buitelaar, J. (2011) Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (INCA study): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 377(9764), 494-503. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62227-1
- February 3, 2011
- 09:30 AM
- 975 views
Economic Effect of Depression-Related Early Retirement
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
The economic effects of depression and other mental disorders receive limited research attention. One pathway for depression to influence economic status is through early retirement as well as lower rates of employment during the working years. The effects of early retirement are the focus of a recent Australian study by Schofield et al published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.This study examined adults between the ages of 45 and 64 participating a large survey of the economic impact........ Read more »
Schofield DJ, Shrestha RN, Percival R, Kelly SJ, Passey ME, & Callander EJ. (2011) Quantifying the effect of early retirement on the wealth of individuals with depression or other mental illness. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 123-8. PMID: 21282782
- February 2, 2011
- 02:56 PM
- 1,066 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
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