Thursday, July 14, 2005

New Treatment for Severe Depression Found UPI story reprinted at MentalHelpNet - "German scientists say they've found a new therapy for severe depression that doesn't impair memory as does electro-shock treatment. Bonn University Clinic researchers say the less aggressive alternative is called transcranial magnetic stimulation. Although most depressed patients are helped by medication or psychotherapy, about five percent are not."  
  

NIH Inquiry Shows Widespread Ethical Lapses, Lawmaker Says LA Times story - "Results from an ongoing internal review of drug company consulting payments to scientists at the National Institutes of Health show the agency's ethical problems are serious and widespread, a House committee chairman said Wednesday. The review examined whether a sample of 81 NIH scientists had moonlighted for industry without getting required permission from the agency, whether they disclosed company payments on annual forms and whether they performed company services on government time. More than half, 44, were found by NIH officials to have violated the agency's then-existing policies or recommendations. Excerpts from the findings, provided in recent days by NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni to three members of Congress, were obtained by the Los Angeles Times." [Viewing Los Angeles Times stories requires registration, which is free].