Cognitive rehabilitation helps people with acquired brain injury

News-Medical.Net (Jan. 14, 2009) -- Cognitive rehabilitation after a serious brain injury or stroke can help the mind in much the same way that physical therapy helps the body, according to a new meta-analysis.

Because the data suggest that treatment may work best when tailored to age, injury, symptoms, and time since injury, the findings may help establish evidence-based treatment guidelines. A full report is in the January issue of Neuropsychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

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Gene Associated With Age-related Hearing Loss Identified

ScienceDaily (Dec. 3, 2008) — "Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, accounts for 30 percent of all hearing loss. So, why do some people lose their hearing as they get older but other people can still hear a pin drop?

"This is the first ever and largest genome-wide association study for age-related hearing loss," said Rick Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., lead author and House Ear Institute principal investigator and surgeon at the House Clinic.

The study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Affymetrix in Santa Clara, Calif., and the University of Antwerp, Belgium. It uncovered several genes, but one gene stands out and is believed to put people at risk for hearing loss as they age."

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Support the Post Acute Rehabilitation Funding

From: Brain Injury Alliance of SC

Hi everyone,
I would like to ask your support for the Post Acute Rehabilitation Funding within the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs(DDSN) Budget. For the last 2 years, DDSN has been appropriated $2.1 million in their budget to provide Post Acute Rehabilitation for those with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. This funding was for those who were uninsured and under-insured. SC Medicaid does not cover Rehabilitation. Now, due to budget cuts the funding has been zeroed out for the rest of this year. DDSN is requesting $3 mill. in their FY 2010 budget for the post acute rehab funding at the Ways and Means committee meeting this Thursday. The meeting is at 10:00 a.m., on Jan. 22, 2009, Room 108 in the Blatt Building, 1105 Pendleton Street (corner of Pendleton and Assembly St.), Columbia, SC 29201. During the first year of funding, 23 people were able to receive rehab., and this year 11 people received it, until the funding was cut Please contact your legislators to ask them to support DDSN’s funding request for the post acute rehab funding! Also, if you are available on Thursday, please come to the meeting.

If you have any questions, please give me a call. My contact info. is at the end of this email. Joyce Davis

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND MEDICAID Staff: Marc Aquino

Tracy R. Edge, Chairman H: (843)361-2827 W: (843)448-5123 B: 734-3013
William “Bill” Clyburn H: (803)649-6167 W: (803)725-7617 B: 734-3033
William A. Herbkersman H: (843) 757-5424 W: (843) 757-5464 B: 734-3063
G. Murrell Smith, Jr. H: (803) 773-6263 W: (803) 778-2471 B: 734-3042


Ways and MeansSubcommittee Assignments
Cooper, Daniel T. "Dan" , Chm.
Young, Annette D. , 1st V.C.
Rice, Rex F. , 2nd V.C.
Littlejohn, Lanny F. , 3rd V.C.
Kirsh, Herb , Secy./Treas.
Barfield, Liston D.
Battle, James A. "Jim" , Jr.
Bingham, Kenneth A. "Kenny"
Clyburn, William "Bill"
Cobb-Hunter, Gilda
Edge, Tracy R.
Herbkersman, William G. "Bill"
Kennedy, Kenneth
Limehouse, Harry B. "Chip" III
Loftis, Dwight A.
Lucas, James H. "Jay"
Merrill, James H.
Neal, Joseph H. "Joe"
Neilson, Denny Woodall
Ott, Harry L. , Jr.
Pitts, Michael A.
Simrill, J. Gary
Smith, G. Murrell , Jr.
Smith, J. Roland
White, W. Brian
Smith, Beverly C. , Chief of Staff, Dir. of Leg.
Powell, Allyn H. , Dir. of Budget and Finance
Heatwole, Emily E. , Budget Research Analyst
Ford-Jennings, Nicole Y. , Budget Research Analyst
Rogers, Timothy M. , Budget Research Analyst
Patrick, Paul , Budget Research Analyst
Grant, Rena A. , Budget Research Analyst
Aquino, Marcus D. , Budget Research Analyst
Owen, Katie , Budget Research Analyst
Jackson, Kimberly G. , Exec. Secy.
Bradley, Kaye , Chm. Exec Asst.

Joyce Davis, CBIS, CTRS, Director
Brain Injury Alliance of South Carolina
P.O. Box 21523
Columbia, SC 29221
Tel. (803)731-9823, (877)TBI-FACT (in-state)
Fax: (803)731-4804
www.biausa.org/SC

MARK the DATES:

2nd Annual "Run for Thought" presented by Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital
Saturday, March 14, 2009, Furman University, Greenville, SC

Statewide Brain Injury Conference "Life with Brain Injury"
May 14-15, 2009, Columbia Conference Center, Columbia, SC

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This transmittal may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this communication in error, please notify sender and delete immediately. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder: Gene Link?

Study Shows Family Connections for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia
By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

WebMD Health News (Jan. 15, 2009) — "The largest study ever to track bipolar disorder and schizophrenia within families offers evidence that the two psychiatric disorders share a common genetic cause.

For more than a century the psychiatric community has debated whether schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were two distinct disorders or were more connected.

Over the course of their illnesses, many patients experience similarities in certain symptoms characteristic of both, such as manic mood swings in bipolar disorder and psychosis in schizophrenia."

To view the entire article click on the title above

Postpartum depression: Studies show peer support, trained nurses can help

Yahoo! News Canada (Jan. 16, 2009) — "Postpartum depression affects about 13 per cent of women in the first year after childbirth, but two new studies - one in Canada, one in the United Kingdom - have found that early identification and intervention can help new mothers who are at risk.

The result was fewer depressive symptoms in the months that followed childbirth, according to results published Friday in BMJ Online. "

By Anne-Marie Tobin, The Canadian Press

To view the entire article click on the title above

Enabling The Blind To Find Their Way

ScienceDaily (Oct. 13, 2008) — “Eyes on the future” is the mantra of the ‘World Sight Day’ held this month to raise awareness of blindness and vision impairment. New technologies, developed by European researchers offering the visually impaired greater independence, live up to this vision.

Many of the most innovative systems have been created by a consortium of companies and research institutes working in the EU-funded ENABLED project. The project has led to 17 prototype devices and software platforms being developed to help the visually impaired, two of which have been patented."

To view the entire article click on the title above

Toward A Long-sought Saliva Test For Autism

ScienceDaily (Jan. 13, 2009) — "Researchers in Italy are reporting discovery of abnormal proteins in the saliva of autism patients that could eventually provide a clue for the molecular basis of this severe developmental disorder and could be used as a biomarker for a subgroup of patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Autism involves social withdrawal, impaired emotional responses and communication skills, and other symptoms. With no laboratory test available, scientists are searching for biomarkers such as abnormal proteins that appear in the body fluids of individuals with autism that may provide a way to accurately diagnose autism and track its response to potential treatments."

To view the entire article click on the title above

Midlife Coffee And Tea Drinking May Protect Against Late-life Dementia

ScienceDaily (Jan. 15, 2009) — Stockholm, Sweden -- Midlife coffee drinking can decrease the risk of dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life. This conclusion is made in a Finnish Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) Study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

This study has been conducted at the University of Kuopio, Finland in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and the National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. The study included participants from the survivors of population-based cohorts previously surveyed within the North Karelia Project and the FINMONICA study in 1972, 1977, 1982 or 1987 (midlife visit). After an average follow-up of 21 years, 1409 individuals (71%) aged 65 to 79 completed the re-examination in 1998. A total of 61 cases were identified as demented (48 with AD).

To view entire article, please click on the link above.

Genetic Determinants Of ADHD Examined

ScienceDaily (Jan. 13, 2009) — "A special issue of American Journal of Medical Genetics (AJMG): Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics presents a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in genetic research of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The issue covers major trends in the field of complex psychiatric genetics, underscoring how genetic studies of ADHD have evolved, and what approaches are needed to uncover its genetic origins.

ADHD is a complex condition with environmental and genetic causes. It is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that has an onset in childhood. It is one of the most common psychiatric diseases, affecting between 8-12 percent of children worldwide. The drugs used to treat ADHD are highly effective, making ADHD one of the most treatable psychiatric disorders."

To view the entire article click on the title above

Tiny Nanoparticle Capsules Deliver Medicines

ScienceDaily (Jan. 13, 2009) — A tiny particle syringe composed of polymer layers and nanoparticles may provide drug delivery that targets diseased cells without harming the rest of the body, according to a team of chemical engineers. This delivery system could be robust and flexible enough to deliver a variety of substances.

"People probably fear the effects of some treatments more than they fear the disease they treat," says Huda A. Jerri, graduate student, chemical engineering. "The drugs are poison. Treatment is a matter of dosage so that it kills the cancer and not the patient. Targeted treatment becomes very important."

To View the Entire Article, Please Click on the Title Above.

Portlight Strategies Assistive Technology/Durable Medical Equipment Re-Use Project

South Carolina Assistive Technology Program is supporting Portlight's outreach program as an opportunity to expand our community of people with disabilities (PWDs). This model affords a way to build bridges to effect empowerment of those who need it. Portlight's initiative will also include a ramp building and accessibility component.

If you have equipment to donate, or know of people with needs, please contact Portlight and they will connect you with coordinators in your area.
Also, if you or your church are interested in participating in our efforts, please let Portlight know. Their work is coordinated through our Charleston office...but our reach is statewide.

The web page for this initiative can be found at http://www.portlight.org/scatdmereuseproject.html.
You can read more about Portlight Strategies at http://www.portlight.org/,
Contact information:
Paul Timmons
(843)817-2651
presslord@aol.com

2009 College Scholarships for Students with Parents with Disabilities Announcement

All application materials must be completed and postmarked by Monday March 16, 2009.

Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with disabilities. These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass' new federal grant (New National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families< http://lookingglass.org/ncpd/index.php>). Please note that these are new awards and have different application procedures than in the past. There are two separate scholarship awards, and each has separate eligibility requirements:

1. High School Seniors. To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2009, planning to attend college in Fall 2009 and have at least one parent with a disability. Five separate $1000 awards will be given out in Fall 2009. Individuals may submit only one application per award period.

2. College Students. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a college or university, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 16, 2009, and have at least one parent with a disability. Five separate $1000 awards will be given out in Fall 2009. Individuals may submit only one application per award period.

Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letters of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability.

These Scholarships are also part of a research study on young adult children of parents with disabilities. As explained in the Consent Form in the Application, you may be willing to participate in an optional survey about young adult children of parents with disabilities. The additional information you submit on this survey will not affect your scholarship chances and will not be disclosed to anyone outside the project researchers; all identifying information will be removed. If you consent to participate in this optional survey, we will email you the survey after we have received your completed application.

Scholarships Coordinator
Through the Looking Glass

The National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families
2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 644-2666 (voice)
(800) 804-1616 (TDD/TTY)
FAX: (510) 848-4445

Website: http://www.lookingglass.org < http://www.lookingglass.org/>/ < http://www.lookingglass.org/>

Check Out the ADA Amendments Act of 2008!

Many of you are undoubtedly wondering about the implications of the new ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which becomes effective on January 1, 2009. While the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has not yet completed the regulations for the new legislation, JAN has developed a publication and resource page regarding what information is currently available about the Act.

The new publication is called JAN's Accommodation and Compliance Series: The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 ( http://www.jan.wvu.edu/bulletins/adaaa1.htm) and will be periodically updated as additional information is made public.

JAN's ADA Amendments Act of 2008 resources can be found at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/LINKS/adalinks.htm