Headlines Articles
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GeneralVol. 89
The Integration of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience in the 21st Century - part 2
This is the second part of an article based on a speech by Prof Martin to the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology; the first was published in the last issue of Headlines. More -
Alzheimer'sVol. 89
Alzheimer's disease prevention: a reality check
Sometimes only a crisis produces real change, said the famous US economist Milton Friedman. This saying would be a suitable preface for both a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) Conference Statement on Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline and the latest report of the American Alzheimer's Association (AA). The first document highlights the crisis of evidence in dementia prevention and provides guidance on how to tackle this situation. The figures in the AA report bluntly remind us why that effort is crucial. More -
GeneralVol. 88
The Integration of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience in the 21st Century - part 1
Now we have entered the 21st century, it is appropriate to reflect on progress in our understanding of the brain and mind. Remarkable advances were made in the 20th century in understanding the genetic basis of many diseases affecting the brain and the special senses. New drugs have been developed and new theories have been espoused. It is increasingly difficult to distinguish scientifically between the disciplines of neurology and psychiatry.
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GeneralVol. 88
Friedreich's ataxia
Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system resulting in symptoms ranging from gait disturbance and speech problems to heart disease. More -
GeneralVol. 88
The management of pain – an introduction
Phantom limb pain and causalgia were two clinical pain syndromes that could not be explained in terms of specific nerve pathways. Amputees experienced phantom limbs: the distinct sensation that the missing arm or leg was still attached, often held in a distorted, painful, position. Causalgia, first described by the American physician, Silas Weir Mitchell, was even more puzzling. More -
GeneralVol. 88
Australian Course in Advanced Neuroscience
The Australian Course in Advanced Neuroscience (ACAN) is the pre-eminent course in the Asia-Pacific region for training the next generation of neuroscientists. It was established by Dr Alan Finkel, Course Chairman, Executive Publisher, Cosmos Magazine and Chancellor of Melbourne’s Monash University. Just 12 students are selected each from Australia and New Zealand – this year three New Zealanders were accepted.
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GeneralVol. 87
The Top 10 Medical Advances of the Decade
The first decade of the 21st Century brought a number of discoveries, mistakes, and medical advances that have influenced medicine from the patient's bedside to the medicine cabinet. In some cases these advances changed deep-seated beliefs in medicine; in others, they opened up possibilities beyond what doctors thought was possible years ago. More -
MigraineVol. 87
Migraine and Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Migraine Frequency Plays a Role
Women who have migraines with aura may be more likely to have a stroke or heart attack than women who don’t have the condition, and the association varies by migraine frequency. More -
GeneralVol. 87
Medical Myths – The Festive Season
In the pursuit of scientific truth, even widely held medical beliefs require examination or re-examination. Both physicians and non-physicians sometimes believe things about our bodies that just are not true. More -
GeneralVol. 87
How to read health news
If you’ve just read a health-related headline that has caused you to spit out your morning coffee (“Coffee causes cancer” usually does the trick), it’s always best to follow the Blitz (a widely criticized telco) slogan: “Keep Calm and Carry On”. On reading further, you’ll often find the headline has left out something important. More