November
Dr. Benjamin Warf Among Winners of 2012 ‘Genius’ Grants
Call in the backup
October
Massachusetts schools report thousands of head injuries in sports
Anger management video game monitors child’s heart rate
The Effects of Poverty on the Brain
Extra sleep may improve kids' conduct
Study focuses on explosive disorder in teens
Mandolinist, neurosurgeon among winners of 2012 “Genius” grants
The Story of a Lonely Brain
September
Scientists begin to unravel long-term effects of early adversity
Fall sports injuries: Preventing concussions
Social Interaction in Early Life Affects Wiring to the Frontal Lobes
August
Surgery no longer a last resort in treating epilepsy
July
How to Diagnose Spells That Mimic Epilepsy
Brockton High graduate invited to White House for science award
Body rhythms help diagnose disease
Unlocking the brain's neurodevelopment
Intermittent explosive disorder rampant in young (Video)
Gene mutations lead to enlarged brain, cancer, autism and epilepsy
Babies and memory
Brain scan detects autism earlier
June
Immune cells gobble up health but idle brain cells
Immune cells sculpt & prune brain
Boston Children’s ranked #1 by US News
Diurnal and nocturnal patterns for seizures
ADHD or sleep disorder?
Violence at home linked to low child IQ
Concussion crisis hits female athletes
Brain activity patterns identify autism, even at 2
Brainwaves in autistic children similar
Serotonin linked to SIDS
Most prescribed for teens: ADHD meds
“Autism's brain activity captured in diagnostic test”
Brain activity showing autism, captured in test
Sleeping Angels
May
Watch-Like Sensor as Effective EEG in Measuring Seizure Severity
Parents’ Depression Linked to Problems in Children
It's Children's Mental Health Awareness Week--how aware are you?
Girl named Grace a gift to family, science
Abington to host clinic for concussion testing
Seau’s death convinced ex-Patriot Ted Johnson to speak out about concussions
Blind mice regain sight after scientists persuade their optic nerves to grow
Many babies with development delays may go untreated
How Immune Cells Change Wiring of Developing Mouse Brain
Brain cells prune circuits in the brain by eating away excess synapses
Ted Johnson Opens Up on NFL Concussions, Roger Goodell, Junior Seau at Harvard Medical Conference (Video)
The consensus on concussions
Microglia: The constant gardeners
April
Bald 'cancer Barbie' doll to debut in 2013
Study: maltreatment leads to lower IQ in kids
Emotional trauma may hurt toddlers' later learning
More students, complex needs, higher costs in special education
Autism science is moving 'stunningly fast'
Maltreatment or witnessing family violence can lower a child's IQ
Autism's puzzle is coming together
'Bully' film highlights secrecy of bullying: 5 steps to combat it
Study of the day: Domestic violence may stunt babies' intellectual growth
'Catastrophic' Head Injuries to High School Football Players Rising
Study of the day: Domestic violence may stunt babies' intellectual growth
Treating epileptic seizures in kids by the clock
Affectiva wrist sensor helps epilepsy patients
Dr. Benjamin Warf Among Winners of 2012 ‘Genius’ Grants
November 28, 2012
AANS Neurosurgeon reports in its “Who’s Making Headlines” section that Ben Warf, MD is a 2012 MacArthur grant award winner
Call in the backup
November 19, 2012
Nature Medicine reports on new drug treatments for spinal muscular atrophy, the most common killer of infants. Boston Children’s Basil Darras, MD, and the family of a Boston Children’s patient enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial of a new treatment from Isis Pharmaceuticals, are interviewed.
Massachusetts schools report thousands of head injuries in sports
October 31, 2012
The Boston Globe reports that according to the results of a first-of-its-kind survey completed by 164 schools, nearly 3,000 Massachusetts students suffered a concussion or other head injury while playing sports during the last school year. Boston Children’s Michael O’Brien, MD, is interviewed.
Anger management video game monitors child’s heart rate
October 25, 2012
BBC News reports on a video game designed by Boston Children’s Jason Kahn, PhD, and Joseph Gonzalez-Heydrich, MD, that helps children with serious anger management problems hones their ability to regulate their emotions.
The Effects of Poverty on the Brain
October 22, 2012
Psychology Today reports on research from Boston Children’s Margaret Sheridan, PhD, and Charles Nelson, PhD, about the effects poverty has on the brain and suggests that severe psychological and physical neglect produces measurable changes in children’s brains.
Extra sleep may improve kids' conduct
October 17, 2012
Reuters reports that letting kids sleep a little longer may help improve their behavior and make them less restless in school, according to a new study. Boston Children’s Umakanth Khatwa, MD, notes that what was surprising was how little sleep extension could affect functioning on a day-to-day basis.
Study focuses on explosive disorder in teens
October 9, 2012
New England Psychologist reports on research that found nearly two-thirds of adolescents admitted to having anger attacks that involved destroying property or threatening or engaging in violence and one-in-12 of those adolescents meet criteria for Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED). Boston Children’s Katie McLaughlin, PhD, is interviewed about the study.
Mandolinist, neurosurgeon among winners of 2012 “Genius” grants
October 4, 2012
Reuters reports that Boston Children’s Benjamin Warf, MD, received the renowned "genius grant" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The $500,000 no-strings-attached award honors exceptionally creative people who promise to continue their creative work in the future. The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, MacArthur Foundation, Daily Hampshire Gazette and WBUR’s “Radio Boston” report on the award.
The Story of a Lonely Brain
October 4, 2012
Scientific American reports on recent research from Boston Children’s Gabriel Corfas, PhD, that details the various levels of damage that can be done to children’s brains when they are subject to trauma, neglect and social isolation.
Scientists begin to unravel long-term effects of early adversity
September 24, 2012
The Boston Globe (subscription required) reports that research from Boston Children’s Gabriel Corfas, PhD, and his team found that mice raised in isolation not only behave differently, but they have thinner insulation around brain cells in a key region of the brain.
Fall sports injuries: Preventing concussions
September 21, 2012
Fox 25 Boston interviews Boston Children’s William Meehan, MD, live in studio to talk about fall sports injury prevention.The Braintree Patch shares the fall sports injury prevention tips.
Social Interaction in Early Life Affects Wiring to the Frontal Lobes
September 14, 2012
The Huffington Postreports on research led by Boston Children’s Gabriel Corfas, PhD, that finds changes in the brains of mice that were isolated at a young age may help explain the profound behavioral problems of severely neglected children. The mouse experiments suggest that neglect during a specific developmental window irreversibly stunts brain development. CBSNews, American Association for the Advancement of Science, ScienceNews, Wired.com,and Live Science also report on the study.
Surgery no longer a last resort in treating epilepsy
August 6, 2012
Two Boston Children’s patients who have undergone brain surgery to treat their epilepsy and Blaise Bourgeois, MD, Joseph Madsen, MD, and Tobias Loddenkemper, MD, are included in the story. The Boston Globe’s “G” section (subscription required).
How to Diagnose Spells That Mimic Epilepsy
July 31, 2012
Blaise Bourgeois, MD, writes a piece that focuses on the best way to diagnose spells that might mimic epilepsy. Pediatric News.
Brockton High graduate invited to White House for science award
July 30, 2012
Beth Stevens, PhD, met President Barack Obama at the White House after being named one of 96 researchers to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the federal government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research career. In a separate piece, the newspaper notes the pride of Brockton High School in Stevens’ accomplishments, and how the school has the potential to steer talented students toward science careers. The Brockton Enterprise.
Gene mutations lead to enlarged brain, cancer, autism and epilepsy
July 2, 2012
Neuroscience News reports on research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Matthew Warman, MD, Orthopedic Center and colleagues that identifies the genetic basis for CLOVES syndrome, a rare congenital malformation and overgrowth disorder.
Babies and memory
July 2, 2012
NECN’s morning show interviews Boston Children’s Hospital’s Charles Nelson, PhD, department of Developmental Medicine about his research on babies’ memories. Even before age 2, a traumatic early memory could impact a child’s future behavior even without memory of the event.
Brain scan detects autism earlier
July 2, 2012
WJLA TV (ABC local, D.C. and Maryland) reports on research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Frank H. Duffy, MD, department of Neurology and Heidelise Als, PhD, department of Psychiatry, that used electroencephalography (EEG) to identify autism, even at age 2.
Intermittent explosive disorder rampant in young (Video)
July 3, 2012
Examiner.com reports on research in Archives of General Psychiatry from clinicians including Boston Children’s Hospital’s Katie McLaughlin, PhD, division of General Pediatrics, department of Psychiatry, that finds almost 66 percent of U.S. adolescents have experienced at least one attack of uncontrollable anger.
Body rhythms help diagnose disease
July 5, 2012
The Wall Street Journal reports that scientists are looking to how the body reacts to stimuli to develop new ways of diagnosing and treating disease. The article includes research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Frank H. Duffy, MD, department of Neurology and Heidelise Als, PhD, department of Psychiatry, that used electroencephalography (EEG) to identify autism in children as young as 2.
Unlocking the brain's neurodevelopment
July 5, 2012
Nature reports that Boston Children’s Hospital’s Takao Hensch, PhD, department of Neurology/program in Neurobiology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and others are beginning to understand the biology of critical periods in the brain’s development when neural circuits are affected by experience.
Immune cells gobble up health but idle brain cells
June 1, 2012
New Scientist reports on a study room Children’s Beth Stevens, PhD, and Dori Schafer, PhD, that explains how immune cells in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during development.
Immune cells sculpt & prune brain
June 4, 2012
The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative reports on a study from Boston Children’s Beth Stevens, PhD, and Dori Schafer, PhD, that explains how immune cells target and remove unused cell connections.
Boston Children’s ranked #1 by US News
June 5, 2012
The Boston Globe reports that U.S.News & World Report released its “Best Children's Hospitals 2012-13” rankings. Boston Children’s Hospital gets first in Honor Roll.
Diurnal and nocturnal patterns for seizures
June 15, 2012
The American Academy of Neurology’s “Neurology Today” features Boston Children’s Tobias Loddenkemper, MD, department of Neurology, who received the 2012 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award for his work in connecting diurnal rhythms to seizure patterns.
ADHD or sleep disorder?
June 20, 2012
U.S.News & World Report (via Yahoo News) discusses ADHD, sleep and kids and speaks with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Dennis Rosen, MD, Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders, about the similar effects of ADHD meds and sleep issues.
Violence at home linked to low child IQ
June 22, 2012
NIH Record reports on research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Michelle Bosquet Enlow, PhD, department of Psychiatry, that finds emotional trauma such as witnessing domestic violence or being abused early in life may inhibit intellectual development.
Concussion crisis hits female athletes
June 25, 2012
WBUR’s “It’s only a game” reports on the growing number of concussions in young female athletes. William Meehan, MD, departments of Emergency Medicine, Medicine, Sports Medicine, is interviewed on the topic at Boston Children’s Hospital’s Sports-related Conference on Concussion and Spine Injury.
Brain activity patterns identify autism, even at 2
June 26, 2012
Time’s “HealthLand” blog reports on research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Frank H. Duffy, MD, department of Neurology and Heidelise Als, PhD, that used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity in children as young as 2 and found 33 patterns that could identify autism. HealthDay News, ABCNews.com, BBC News, The Daily Mail, and ScienceDaily also report.
Brainwaves in autistic children similar
June 27, 2012
WBUR’s “CommonHealth” blog reportson research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Frank H. Duffy, MD, department of Neurology and Heidelise Als, PhD, department of Psychiatry that used electroencephalography (EEG) to identify autism in children as young as 2. CBSNews.com, Fox News, Medical Xpress, London Free Press, Toronto Sun, Boston Magazine, InvestorPlace.com, WebMD, Medical News Today, and HealthcareToday.com also report.
Serotonin linked to SIDS
June 27, 2012
The Sun Sentinel reports on research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Hannah Kinney, MD, department of Pathology, that compared the brainstems of 41 babies who had died of SIDS. In 35 of the 41 babies, serotonin levels were 26 percent lower and tryptophan levels were 22 percent lower.
Most prescribed for teens: ADHD meds
June 28, 2012
In her Boston.com “MD Mama” blog, Boston Children’s Hospital’s Claire McCarthy, MD, departments of General Pediatrics, Medicine, discusses study in Pediatrics showing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the top-prescribed drug for teens.
“Autism's brain activity captured in diagnostic test”
The New Scientist
June 28, 2012
Frank Duffy, MD was interviewed.
Also reported by: United Press International (UPI), Health.com, iScienceTimes.com, TopNews New Zealand. E! Science News. PsychCentral.com, , Examiner.com, HealthcareGlobal.com, SmartPlanet.com, EMaxHealth.com, MedicalDaily.com, BusinessStandard.com ,The Tenessean, Daily Star Online
Circulation: 660,570
Brain activity showing autism, captured in test
June 29, 2012
The New Scientist reports on research from Boston Children’s Hospital’s Frank H. Duffy, MD, Department of Neurology and Heidelise Als, PhD, department of Psychiatry that used electroencephalography (EEG) to identify autism in children as young as age 2. Health.com, iScienceTimes.com, TopNews New Zealand, E! Science News. PsychCentral.com, United Press International (UPI), Examiner.com, HealthcareGlobal.com, SmartPlanet.com, EMaxHealth.com, MedicalDaily.com, BusinessStandard.com, The Tenessean, London Free Press Toronto Sun and Daily Star Online also report.
Sleeping Angels
June 29, 2012
Psychology Today reports on an article by Boston Children’s Hospital’s Dennis Rosen, MD, Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders, about how children’s sleep affects their health and well-being.
Watch-Like Sensor as Effective EEG in Measuring Seizure Severity
May 1, 2012
medGadget.com reports on research for less invasive, less tedious ways to analyze epileptic seizures, while Children’s Joseph Madsen, MD, Director of Epilepsy Surgery Program allowed MIT researchers test new sensors on patients with severe epilepsy.
Parents’ Depression Linked to Problems in Children
May 7, 2012
The New York Times “18 and Under” blog says a parent’s depression is often linked to problems with children, while Children’s William Beardslee, MD, says often people who are depressed don’t seek care, affecting kids.
It's Children's Mental Health Awareness Week--how aware are you?
May 7, 2012
In her Boston.com “MD Mama” blog, Children’s Claire McCarthy, MD, comments on National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week and covers mental health in children.
Girl named Grace a gift to family, science
May 13, 2012
The Boston Globe reports on Children’s patient Grace Gilmore Lennon who was born with microcephaly (abnormal brain development & head size) with a video featuring Children’s Christopher Walsh MD, MPH, and Edward Gilmore, MD, PhD.
Abington to host clinic for concussion testing
May 15, 2012
The Brockton Enterprise reports that nurse Jeannine Donato is offering baseline concussion testing on Friday at the Abington Senior Center from 4-8 p.m. (age 10+) and William Meehan, MD, says without testing many concussed athletes go symptom-free.
Seau’s death convinced ex-Patriot Ted Johnson to speak out about concussions
May 18, 2012
The Washington Post reports on ex-NFL player Ted Johnson at Boston Children’s 9th Sports-Related Conference on Concussion and Spine Injury last week, while The Boston Globe, The Patriot Ledger, The Providence Journal, MassLive.com, PatriotsInsider.com, ESPN.com,The Boston Herald also report.
Blind mice regain sight after scientists persuade their optic nerves to grow
May 19, 2012
Discover Magazine reports that Children’s Larry Benowitz, PhD, found a three-pronged intervention that not only got optic nerve fibers to grow, but also restored some basic elements of vision in live mice while Medscape, HealthCanal.com, and International Business Times also report.
Many babies with development delays may go untreated
May 22, 2012
Reuters reports on infants who score well below average in developmental skills don’t get referred to intervention services, while Children’s Joanne Cox, MD, notes that early intervention services can impact kids who are at risk.
How Immune Cells Change Wiring of Developing Mouse Brain
May 23, 2012
ScienceDaily reports on research from Children’s Beth Stevens, PhD, and Dori Schafer, PhD, that explains how brain activity influences brain development and the importance of the immune system while MedicalXpress.com, ScienceCodex and HealthCanal.com also report.
Brain cells prune circuits in the brain by eating away excess synapses
May 24, 2012
NewsMedicalNet reports on a study from Children’s Beth Stevens, PhD, and Dori Schafer, PhD, that explains how immune cells in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during development.
Ted Johnson Opens Up on NFL Concussions, Roger Goodell, Junior Seau at Harvard Medical Conference (Video)
May 24, 2012
NESN reports on the 9th Annual Sports-Related Conference on Concussion and Spine Injury where Children’s Mark Proctor, MD, speaks about the importance of educating the sports community about concussions.
The consensus on concussions
May 28, 2012
The Metro Boston talks to Children’s William Meehan, MD, about concussions, symptoms and what to do if a parent or coach suspects a concussion during a game.
Microglia: The constant gardeners
May 31, 2012
Nature reports on a study from Boston Children’s Beth Stevens, PhD, and Dori Schafer, PhD, that explains how immune cells in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during development.
Bald 'cancer Barbie' doll to debut in 2013
April 4, 2012
Yahoo! News reports that the Barbie franchise will release a bald doll next year supporting children in cancer treatment and Cor Liptak, PhD, of Dana-Farber/Children's says it’s a way for these kids to express their emotions.
Study: maltreatment leads to lower IQ in kids
April 5, 2012
Fox 9 News in Minnesota reports on research from Children’s Michelle Bosquet Enlow, PhD, saying children exposed to interpersonal trauma at 2, 5 & 8 years of age have lower IQ-related scores while Examiner.com also reports.
Emotional trauma may hurt toddlers' later learning
April 9, 2012
HealthDay News reports on research from Children’s Michelle Bosquet Enlow, PhD, saying emotional trauma such as seeing domestic violence or being abused may inhibit children's intellectual development, while U.S.News & World Report also reports.
More students, complex needs, higher costs in special education
April 9, 2012
The MetroWest Daily News reports that an increase of complex disabilities are rising the cost of educating special needs children, and the article references a 2001 paper from Children’s David Urion, MD, that ties costs to needs not to school policy.
Autism science is moving 'stunningly fast'
April 10, 2012
USA Today reports that researchers are delving deeper into autism as Children's Sarah Spence, MD, PhD, notes that doctors are looking at the "wiring" between brain regions and the spaces between cells, where chemical messages are sent. √
Maltreatment or witnessing family violence can lower a child's IQ
April 10, 2012
MD News reports on research from Children’s Michelle Bosquet Enlow, PhD, saying emotional trauma like seeing domestic violence or being abused may inhibit children's intellectual development, while Press TV, Dunia Magazine and The Sacramento Bee also report.
Autism's puzzle is coming together
April 11, 2012
Wellness.com shares USA Today’s article that researchers are delving deeper into autism as Children's Sarah Spence, MD, PhD, notes that doctors are looking at the "wiring" between brain regions and the spaces between cells, where chemical messages are sent.
'Bully' film highlights secrecy of bullying: 5 steps to combat it
April 17, 2012
The Boston Globe’s “Daily dose” blog reports that bullying is still an issue and is featured in the film 'Bully' while Children's Peter Raffalli, MD, comments on bullying, gives insight and suggests what to say to kids.
Study of the day: Domestic violence may stunt babies' intellectual growth
April 20, 2012
The Atlantic reports on research from Children’s Michelle Bosquet Enlow, PhD, saying emotional trauma such as seeing domestic violence or being abused may inhibit children's intellectual development, while MSNBC also reports.
'Catastrophic' Head Injuries to High School Football Players Rising
April 20, 2012
US News & World Report reports high school and youth football players had 14 brain injuries with long-lasting damage in 2001, the highest in more than 25 years while Children's William Meehan, MD, said a closer look at the raw data is needed.
Study of the day: Domestic violence may stunt babies' intellectual growth
April 20, 2012
The Atlantic reports on research from Children’s Michelle Bosquet Enlow, PhD, saying emotional trauma such as seeing domestic violence or being abused may inhibit children's intellectual development, while MSNBC also reports.
Treating epileptic seizures in kids by the clock
April 24, 2012
The Wall Street Journal reports that Children’s Tobias Loddenkemper, MD, is trying to make epilepsy medication more effective on difficult child cases by adjusting dosages based on seizure times.
Affectiva wrist sensor helps epilepsy patients
April 30, 2012
MassHighTech.com reports a low-profile wrist sensor designed by MIT Media Lab and Children's Hospital may help neurologists collect data on patients with epilepsy and tell them when they need medical care.
