Body Dysmorphia

Scientists at the University of California in Los Angeles have revealed that people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder have abnormal network wiring patterns across their entire brain including abnormal connections between regions of the brain which process visual and emotional stimulation.

Those suffering with BDD perceive themselves to be disfigured, ugly or fat, even though they look normal to those around them. Dr Jamie Feusner and his team studied performed brain scans on 30 adults; 14 with BDD and 16 without. Feusner said: “We found a strong [link] between low efficiency of connections across the whole brain and the severity of body dysmorphic disorder. The less efficient the patient’s brain connections, the worse the symptoms, particularly for compulsive behaviours, such as checking mirrors.”

Hands Give Memory Boost

If you have trouble with your memory, new research could have the answer.

Image courtesy of mnsc / flickr

According to a recent study, simply balling up your right hand and squeezing it tightly makes it easier to remember lists. When you want to retrieve this information later, you have to clench your left hand. These movements are thought to activate the brain regions which store and recall memories. The research was carried out in America and lead researcher, Dr Ruth Propper, said: “The findings suggest that simple body movements – by temporarily changing the way the brain functions – can improve memory.”

Oily Fish Increases Life Expectancy

A study of 2700 Americans of retirement age has found that eating oily fish could raise your life expectancy by more than two years.

The research followed the participants for 16 years and scientists found that those who had higher levels of fatty acids in their blood lived longer.  The findings were published in Annals of Internal Medicine by Harvard and the University of Washington.  Those with high levels of omega-3 acids found in fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring were found to have lower levels of heart disease and lived on average 2.2 years longer.  The overall risk of death during the course of the study was reduced by up to 27 per cent.

Aspirin and Breast Cancer

A study has revealed how a daily dose of aspirin could slow down the spread of breast cancer.

Image courtesy of Alex Brown / flickr

Laboratory tests on mice found that the painkiller limits the creation of cells which fuel the disease and reduces tumour growth.  The researchers at University of Kansas also found that aspirin boosted the effect of tamoxifen, a widely used treatment for the more common form of breast cancer.  Aspirin has already been linked to a lower risk of heart attack or stroke in women.

Commenting on the latest research, Hazel Nunn, head of health information at Cancer Research, said: “While interesting, this research was done in cells in the lab and in animals.  The evidence is not clear as to whether aspirin could cut the risk of breast cancer in humans.  We need more research to fully understand how aspirin might help prevent breast cancer, as well as into how to reduce the risk of side-effects which can be very serious.”  Aspirin is also known for its side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, which can outweigh the advantages among healthy people.

Trainee Nurses to be Health Care Assistants

David Cameron has defended his plans to make trainee nurses spend a year as a health care assistants, assisting with patients’ day-to-day needs, rather than giving medical care.

Image courtesy of Vlastimil / Wikimedia Commons

The plans have been revealed in the aftermath of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust scandal where around 1000 patients died.  Ministers believe that by showing students the basics of nursing it will improve their overall training.  The Royal College of Nursing however is unimpressed and has commented that the plans are a “stupid idea” and will “take nursing back a hundred years”.  Mr Cameron, speaking in Derby today, said: “We have said in the light of that report that nurses should spend some time when they are training as health care assistants in the hospital really making sure that they are focused on caring and the quality and some of the quite mundane tasks that are absolutely vital to get right in hospital.  And that is going to be controversial but in the end the sort of health service we want is not just about making sure we have got the facts and the figures and the money and everything else spent well, it’s the level of care as well.”