Sunday, January 08, 2006

depression Suicide risk does not increase when adults start using antidepressants. Long-term, population-based study challenges FDA advisory The risk of serious suicide attempts or death by suicide generally decreases in the weeks after patients start taking antidepressant medication, according to a new study led by Group Health Cooperative researchers and published in the January issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry. The study also found that the risk of suicidal behavior after starting 10 newer antidepressant medications is less than the risk posed by older medications. [Science Blog -] 10:55:06 PM    comment

genetics Viral infection at birth linked to cerebral palsy. Exposure to certain viral infections shortly before and after birth (the perinatal period) is associated with cerebral palsy, finds a study published online by the BMJ today. These findings support the theory that infections during this period can trigger brain damage and the development of cerebral palsy. [Science Blog -] 10:53:26 PM    comment