MDNews - Greater Boston

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++ +++++++++++++ +++++++++++++ +++++++++++++ +++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ThAT'SNews Early Huntington's Disease Symptoms PREVENTED R e s e a r C h e r s aT l u N d University in Sweden report they have found a way to prevent early emotional symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD) in BACHD mice by inactivating the mutated huntingtin protein in the hypothalamus. While previous research has focused on physical symptoms of HD — such as uncontrollable movement, which occurs later in disease progression — this study's success in hampering the emotional effects of HD suggest addressing the dysfunctional hypothalamus in patients with HD could have a significant effect on the disease's early development. The results also point to a possible connection Study Suggests Surgery for OCD Sufferers Is Safe R between other depressive conditions and similar protein mutations. The study's authors say further research of the hypothalamus' role in HD could lead to treatments that target specific nerve cells in the hypothalamus. ■ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Linked to Perinatal Mental Health Issues A researchers at University of Bristol and King's College London found that women who experience perinatal mental disorders — depression and anxiety disorders, among others — are more likely to have experienced domestic violence in the past. A systematic review and analysis of the results of 67 cross-sectional studies revealed women with antenatal and postnatal depression symptoms were three times more likely to have been the victims of domestic violence in the past year and five times more likely to have experienced domestic violence while pregnant. While this study does not prove domestic violence causes perinatal mental health disorders or that perinatal health disorders can predict future instances of domestic violence, it does indicate the importance of domestic violence screening in preventing and treating the health risks associated with domestic violence during maternity care. ■ reCeNT sTudy by have found that a form of neurological surgery used to treat obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) is a safe and successful form of treatment. OCD is a psychiatric illness that causes uncontrollable anxious thoughts and repeated behaviors, typically treated with medication and psychotherapy. However, traditional treatments do not work in up to 30 percent of patients. While psychosurgery has been an OCD treatment option for over 100 years, little research has been done on the long-term effects of modern psychosurgery. The study focused on 19 patients suffering from OCD that was unresponsive to typical treatments who underwent a bilateral capsulotomy between 1997 and 2009. Patients were evaluated presurgery and periodically after the surgery, with the final evaluation occurring an average of seven years postsurgery. Results showed that 47.3 percent of patients responded to the procedure. Three patients had fully recovered from their OCD, and an additional three patients experienced minimized symptoms. ■ esearChers iN CaNada A dv e r t i s e r s ' i n d e x ad name ......................................................... x A ......................................................... x ad namedv e r t i s e r s ' i n d ex ad name ......................................................... x Compass Medical ............................................17 ad name ......................................................... x doctors' Management service, inc.................................................. 18 ad name ......................................................... x signature healthcare .................. Back Cover ad name ......................................................... x southcoast Center ad name ......................................................... x for weight Loss ......... inside Front Cover ad name ......................................................... x mdNews.Com ■ MD News Greater Boston | 19

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