Later Life Depression, Stress and Wellness Research Program News Archive
Mindful Exercises and Meditation: Neurobiological EffectsDr. 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. (13 May 13) http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=1680433 |
The Use of Natural Products and Supplements in Late-Life Mood and Cognitive DisordersNatural 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. (27 Feb 13) http://focus.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=1568741 |
Late-Life Mood DisordersThis 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. (27 Feb 13) http://www.amazon.com/Late-Life-Mood-Disorders-Helen-Lavretsky/dp/0199796815/ref... |
KABC Reports the Benefits of Kirtan Kriya Meditation for CaregiversDr. 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. (27 Jul 12) http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=8750843 |
ScienceDaily Features that Yoga Reduces StressDr. 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-.... (26 Jul 12) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120724144538.htm |
