Articles of interest in the News relating to the Semel Institute at UCLA

Mindful Exercises and Meditation: Neurobiological Effects

Natalie St. Cyr — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:12:16 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=1680433

Dr. Helen Lavretsky, professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute and director of the Late-Life Depression, Stress, and Wellness Research Program, authored an April 19 Psychiatric News article. The article highlights her recent research on mindful physical exercise for patients with psychiatric disorders. She comments on the postive effects that Kirtan Kriya meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, and meditation have with improving health-related quality of life and mental health based on neurobiological results.

Do you obsess over your appearance? Your brain might be wired abnormally

Courtney Sheen — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:49:51 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/distorted-self-image-caused-by-244511.aspx

Latest article from UCLA Newsroom talked about recent findings from the UCLA Body Dysmorphic Disorder Research Program. Dr. Jamie Feusner and his colleagues discovered individuals with BDD had abnormal connectivity across the entire brain. This suggests that these individuals may have imbalances in how they process "local" or detailed information. The researchers also discovered specific abnormal connections between areas involved in processing visual input and those involved in recognizing emotions. . For more information, please click on the link above.

The Use of Natural Products and Supplements in Late-Life Mood and Cognitive Disorders

Natalie St. Cyr — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:28:40 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://focus.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=1568741

Natural products and supplements are widely and increasingly used by the aging population for mood and cognitive symptoms. Evidence suggests that some supplements may be effective at treating a range of mood and cognitive symptoms. There is growing use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of mental disorders because they may be seen as “safer” than traditional drugs, and because patients with mental disorders frequently use complementary and alternative medicine. We review the existing limited evidence of the efficacy and safety of natural products and supplements that are being used for treatment of mental disorders. More rigorous studies in the area of holistic and integrative treatment and preventive approaches for late-life mood and cognitive disorders are urgently needed.

Late-Life Mood Disorders

Natalie St. Cyr — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:56:59 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Late-Life-Mood-Disorders-Helen-Lavretsky/dp/0199796815/ref...

This book contains a comprehensive review of the current research advances in late-life mood disorders. This detailed review reflects the new understanding of neurobiology and psychosocial origins of geriatric mood disorders in the first decade of the 21st Century and is provided by the international group of leading experts in the field. The review of the latest developments and "gold standards" of care or methodologies in geriatric mood disorders is complemented by the anticipated future directions of research and translation into clinical practice. Our volume targets a broad audience of clinical researchers and clinicians. The content of the book will increase clinicians' and researchers’ competency in recent research findings, and broaden their diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives and power of observation that will prepare them to deal with the challenges of finding appropriate effective treatments for older adults with mood disorders. The discussion of the data is presented in a textbook format and can be used for training of students of geriatric mental health. Individual chapters can be used as references on a particular topic for interested individuals, and obtained online. Clinicians and researchers who are dedicated to the treatment and study of mood disorders in older people might consider this volume an essential part of their library.

Late-life Mood Disorders Cover.jpg - 1.17 MB

The Balancing Brain

Robert Bilder — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:15:51 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-m-bilder-phd/brain-hemispheres_b_2405380.ht...

The most powerful approaches to self-improvement may aim to promote the dynamic balance of forces in the brain rather than the quieting of some to release others.

CART shares Autism Speaks resources: Support for families in the wake of Newtown CT Tragedy

System Admin — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:46:39 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/support-families-wake-newtown-tragedy

The hearts and prayers of all of us at Autism Speaks continue to go out to the families and town of Newtown, Connecticut in the wake of the heartbreaking events of last Friday. The devastation has been felt by people all around the world as we struggle to understand and deal with this horrible tragedy. We have put together resources to help members of the autism community - families, children, siblings, friends and schools – to better comprehend and cope with these widespread feelings of grief and loss.

Super Memory Can Be A Blessing or a Curse

Ashley Walker — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:54:10 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2012/10/02/14181983-super-memory-can-be-a-ble...

Dr. Gary Small commented on October 2, 2012 in an MSNBC.com article about individuals with extraordinarily strong memories.

Cell Phone Health: Your Favourite Phone May Be Harming Your Health

Ashley Walker — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:51:27 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/26/cell-phone-and-harmful-health-_n_1916290...

Dr. Gary Small, Parlow–Solomon Professor on Aging and director of the UCLA Longevity Center, commented Sept. 26 in a Huffington Post article about humans’ psychological dependence on cell phones.

Daily News Examines Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s

Ashley Walker — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:45:08 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_21667511/most-down-syndrome-are-affected-by-alzheime...

Dr. Gary Small, director of the UCLA Longevity Center was quoted in a story about the high incidence of Alzheimer's disease among adults with Down syndrome.

YouTube Web Series Spotlights Alzheimers and Dementia Care

Ashley Walker — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:33:06 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://uctv.tv/alzheimers/

YouTube aired the three-part series “Heartache & Hope: America’s Alzheimer’s Epidemic,” a look at the people suffering from the disease and their caregivers and the work of UCLA researchers who are combating it. The series on UCTV Prime, a university-run YouTube channel featuring original programming, also spotlighted the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program, an innovative new program offering comprehensive, coordinated care, as well as resources and support, to patients and their caregivers. The series included interviews with Dr. Liana Apostolova, an associate clinical professor of neurology; Gal Bitan, associate professor of neurology; Dr. Joshua Chodosh, associate professor of geriatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and director of the Veterans' Cognitive Assessment and Care Management Program at the VA Greater Los Angeles; Linda Ercoli, director of geriatric psychology in the UCLA Division of Geriatric Psychiatry; Leslie Chang Evertson, care manager for the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program; Joshua Grill, director of education for the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research; Dr. Mario Mendez, professor of neurology and psychiatry; Dr. David Reuben, director of the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program; Dr. John Ringman, associate professor of neurology; Dr. Gary Small, Parlow-Solomon Professor on Aging and director of the UCLA Longevity Center at the Semel Institute; Dr. Zaldy Tan, medical director of the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program; David Teplow, professor of neurology and interim director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research; Kathleen Tingus, assistant clinical professor of neurology, and Ellen Woo, assistant professor of neurology. Also featured are Patti Davis, daughter of President Ronald Reagan, who established a UCLA support group for caregivers, and television personality Leeza Gibbons, who lost her mother to Alzheimer’s.

Episode 1--Alzheimer’s Long and Costly Goodbye (Sept. 17)

An overview of the looming Alzheimer's epidemic and the fear and grief patients and their loved ones experience.

Episode 2—Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Clinical Trials (Sept. 24)

Assesses the progress UCLA researchers have made in understanding the disease and highlights some promising clinical trials and diagnosis techniques that could slow its progression

Episode 3—Alzheimer’s Patient and Caregiver Support (Oct. 1)

Spotlights new models for healthcare and caregiver support emphasizing early diagnosis and support networks for everyone touched by the disease.

UCLA CART researchers - UCLA gene research furthers understanding of autism

System Admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:11:08 +0000

Examiner Blog Looks At Gene Mutation Linked to Autism

Mirella Dapretto, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience, was featured in a Sept. 13 Examiner blog about her Autism research showing that a common gene mutation has been found to impact the network of connections between different areas of the brain involved in social behavior, such as recognizing the emotions shown on people’s faces, a common symptom of the disorder.

http://www.examiner.com/article/ucla-gene-research-furthers-understanding-of-autism

Regaining control- Advances in behavioral therapy for Tourette syndrome offer many children an alternative to medication. Sept 12.

System Admin — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:50:00 +0000

Full article...

Cramming Study Attracts Global Attention

System Admin — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:25:00 +0000

Andrew Fuligni, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute, and Cari Gillen O'Neel, a graduate student in psychology, were featured in coverage of their study showing that sacrificing sleep for extra study time, whether it’s cramming for a test or plowing through a pile of homework, is actually counterproductive and may lead to more academic problems, not less, on the following day.
Coverage included an Aug. 17 report by KABC-Channel 7;

Aug. 21 reports by NPR, Time.com, ABCNews.com, Huffington Post, Telegraph.com (UK), Examiner.com, Kurzweil.com, Scienceblog.com and ZMEscience.com;

Aug. 22 byHealthCanal.com, WHEC-Channel 10 (New York), KNBC-Channel 4. the Los Angeles Times, Toronto Globe & Mail, Asian News International, Education Week, Britain’s Daily Mail, KNBC-Channel 4, KTLA-Channel 5, Chicago's WFLD-TV, Tampa Bay's WFLA-TV, Minneapolis' KSTP-TV, Detroit's WJBK-TV and Seattle's KCPQ-TV.

Children of older fathers prone to certain disorders, study says

System Admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 22:19:58 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-older-fathers-genetic-mutations-20120...

DR. DANIEL GESCHWIND, UCLA's Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics and a professor of neurology and psychiatry, was quoted Aug. 23 by the Los Angeles Times, KTLA-Channel 5 and Petri Dish News; and Aug. 22 by Nature News and Examiner.com about why children born to older fathers may have higher rates of autism.

Clinician Handouts for FFT

David Miklowitz — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 04:21:33 +0000

FFT-EOY Handouts Aug 2012.pdf - 2.1 MB

KABC Reports the Benefits of Kirtan Kriya Meditation for Caregivers

Natalie St. Cyr — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:03:23 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=8750843

Dr. Helen Lavretsky, professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute and director of the Late-Life Depression, Stress, and Wellness Research Program, was featured in a July26 KABC—Channel 7 news segment. The story highlights her recent research on stressed caregivers showing the positive effect of a 12-minute session of an ancient practice of Kirtan Kriya Meditation had on the genetic expressions in chromosomes which can slow the body's inflammatory processes that cause disease.

ScienceDaily Features that Yoga Reduces Stress

Natalie St. Cyr — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:36:03 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120724144538.htm

Dr. Helen Lavretsky was quoted in ScienceDaily (July 24, 2012): "The goal of the study was to determine if meditation might alter the activity of inflammatory and antiviral proteins that shape immune cell gene expression," said Lavretsky. "Our analysis showed a reduced activity of those proteins linked directly to increased inflammation." Dr. Helen Lavretsky was also featured in UCLA Health: http://health.universityofcalifornia.edu/2012/07/24/yoga-reduces-stress-....

Sidney Poitier – An Icon Among Icons

Ashley Walker — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:20:21 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.entertainmenttoday.net/news/nevent/15129/2012/07/sidney-poitier-an-ic...

Music mogul Quincy Jones presented the ICON Award for Artistic Excellence to his long-time buddy Sidney Poitier. These two legends have been friends for over six decades, and considered themselves Brothers. In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field. In his 60 year career, he has starred in such socially conscience hits as The Defiant Ones, A Patch of Blue and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and was named among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time by the American Film Institute.

He has been honored by President Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Kennedy Center (to name a few) and recently was lauded by UCLA Longevity Center at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Others receiving the prestigious Icon Awards included Jane and Terry Semel (CEO of Windsor Media & former CEO of Yahoo & Warner Brothers). The Semels have endowed the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, which is engaged in the study of the brain and its disorders. Jane recently produced the highly successful Public Service Announcement that addressed health issues of today’s youth. She enlisted the help of Hollywood A-list actresses to narrate including Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez.

Peter Whybrow, M.D. and Shlomo Rechnitz and Steve Rechnitz were also honored for their generosity, commitment and myriad contributions to our community.

Special guests that evening included Morgan Freeman (who considers Poitier as his mentor) and Author and former ‘first daughter” Patti Davis, as fit and feisty as ever!.

Do you know that she recently posed nude in MORE Magazine at age 58?

Speaking of fit and feisty, Grammy Award winning singer Natalie Cole (who had Hepatitis C, and required a kidney transplant) looked and sounded fabulous as usual.

It was a special kind of evening, full of love, admiration and dedication to improving and enhancing the lives of us all through research and education.

Sidney Poitier an Icon Among Icons Receives Icon Award for Artistic Excellence

Ashley Walker — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:17:49 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2012/07/08/icon-award-for-artistic-excellence-pres...

Sidney Poitier an Icon Among Icons Receives Icon Award for Artistic Excellence

Young Researcher Tackles Link between Genes and Autism

System Admin — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2012/07/03/young-researcher-tackles-link-betwee...

June 2012. Joan Asarnow elected President of Division 53 of the American Psychological Association: Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

Benjamin Nelson — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:27:40 +0000

June 2012. Joan Asarnow elected President of Division 53 of the American Psychological Association: Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

For information about the division go to: http://www.apa.org/about/division/div53.aspx or https://www.clinicalchildpsychology.org/

Longevity Center Holds Awards

Ashley Walker — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:14:05 +0000

Teaching Autistic Teens to Cope

Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Psy. D. — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 22:50:04 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/uoc--tat061212.php

Unique UCLA program that teaches social skills proves effective over long term.

Teaching Autistic Teens to Cope

Elizabeth A. Laugeson, Psy. D. — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 22:49:33 +0000

Media Article Link:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/uoc--tat061212.php

Unique UCLA program that teaches social skills proves effective over long term.

For young children with autism, directing attention boosts language

System Admin — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:21:51 +0000

NIH-supported study confirms that pointing, gestures to focus attention improve later language

An intervention in which adults actively engaged the attention of preschool children with autism by pointing to toys and using other gestures to focus their attention results in a long term increase in language skills, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health.

At age 8, children with autism who received therapy centered on sharing attention and play when they were 3 or 4 years old had stronger vocabularies and more advanced language skills than did children who received standard therapy. All of the children in the study attended preschool for 30 hours each week.

“Some studies have indicated that such pre-verbal interactions provide the foundation for building later language skills,” said Alice Kau, Ph.D., of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the NIH institute that supported the study.“This study confirms that intensive therapy to engage the attention of young children with autism helps them acquire language faster and build lasting language skills.”

First author Connie Kasari, Ph.D., of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), conducted the research with colleagues Amanda Gulsrud, Ph.D., Stephanny Freeman, Ph.D., Tanya Paparella, Ph.D., and Gerhard Hellemann, Ph.D.

UCLA is one of 11 institutions that receive support from the NIH through the Autism Centers of Excellence Program.

The study findings appear in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

The 40 children who participated in the study were 8 and 9 years old. Five years earlier, they had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and received the intensive therapy program or standard intervention, as part of a separate study.

The researchers assessed the children's vocabulary, language, and other cognitive skills. They then compared the results of these assessments to those taken when the children were 3 and 4 years old. The earlier and later assessments also included measures of the child's ability to initiate interactions with adults, the variety of the child's play, and the quality of interactions with a parent.

The researchers found that children who started the attention-focusing therapy earlier had more advanced linguistic skills at age 8. Those who learned to point or direct an adult's attention to an object of interest at age 3 and 4 also developed more advanced language skills when they were 8. And children who showed greater flexibility in playing with objects at age 3 or 4 demonstrated better memory and other cognitive skills at age 8.

“Our findings show that therapy focused on such basic skills as pointing, sharing, and engaging in play can have considerable long-term effects as children with autism spectrum disorders grow and learn to express themselves with words,” said Dr. Kasari.

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute's website at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Article link: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jun2012/nichd-21.htm