A review of data concerning over 200,000 new mothers found that those with asthma were 58% more likely to develop postpartum depression within one year of the birth of their child. The researchers conclude, “A close monitoring of signs of depression for pregnant women with asthma is indicated, allowing prompt and efficient interventions if needed.”…

Investigators analyzed data concerning nearly 42,500 doctors from around the world and found that physicians who were overworked or overstressed were 1.9 times more likely to have a patient safety incident, such as a medication error or a miscommunication about treatment that placed the patient at risk. Furthermore, these doctors were 2.3 times more likely…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is a leading cause of death in the United States. Among a group of 556 COPD patients, researchers found that more than half (57.2%) suffered from depression, which previous research has associated with both reduced quality of life and…

New United States government guidelines recommend that after sustaining a concussion, children should refrain from physical and mental activities for the first three days, including school and sports, and then gradually resume their normal routine. Researchers Dr. Matthew Breiding notes, “Some children and teens think concussions aren’t serious or worry that if they report a…

Among a group of 130,978 United Kingdom residents, researchers found that those living in areas with higher levels of air pollution had up to a 40% increased risk for developing dementia over the following decade. BMJ Open, September 2018

Using data from 35 studies published between 2000 and 2017, researchers estimate that nearly one in four (23.7%) adults with autism spectrum disorder currently have depression while 27% suffer from an anxiety disorder. Psychological Medicine, September 2018

Researchers have uncovered an association between a greater hip-to-waist ratio and worse performance on cognitive assessments after age 60. Given the high incidence of obesity in the aging population and the economic and social burden of cognitive dysfunction, the findings suggest that reducing obesity could offer a cost-effective public health strategy for the prevention of…

Among a group of 738 seniors with normal cognitive health, researchers observed that participants with a history of diabetes performed worse on assessments of their executive function, language/semantic categorization, and overall cognition skills. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, July 2018

Individuals with severe depression may have low blood levels of an amino acid involved in brain function called acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC). In this study, researchers found that participants with depression have lower serum levels of LAC than those without a history of depression and that patients with more severe depression had even lower LAC levels. The…

Several studies have linked heading soccer balls with an increased risk for brain injury and new research suggests that the danger is even greater for female athletes. In the study, researchers compared brain scans of 49 female and 49 male amateur soccer players who reported a similar number of headings over the previous year (about…