Peri-menopausal and postmenopausal women who took the antidepressant medication escitalopram – brand name Lexapro® – experienced a reduction in the frequency and severity of hot flashes as compared to women who received placebo according to a new study led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The study was published in the January 19th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
“Our findings suggest that among healthy women who were not depressed or anxious, a 10 to 20 milligram dose of escitalopram – which is well below the dosage level for psychiatric use – provides a nonhormonal, off-label option that is effective and well-tolerated in the management of menopausal hot flashes,” said Ellen W. Freeman, PhD, Penn research professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and principal investigator of the national, multi-site study. [continue reading…]
Wellcome Trust scientists have shown for the first time that exactly how we see our environment depends on the size of the visual part of our brain.
We are all familiar with the idea that our thoughts and emotions differ from one person to another, but most people assume that how we perceive the visual world is usually very similar from person to person. However, the primary visual cortex – the area at the back of the brain responsible for processing what we see in the world around us – is known to differ in size by up to three times from one individual to the next. [continue reading…]
I love beautiful images and couldn’t miss this chance on this grey and dreary Sunday night to share these amazing photos that I came across by French Artist Rachel Lévy. Rachel photographs flowers that are past their prime: wilting, fading and revealing visible signs of decay. Captured in their last fleeting moments they are absolutely stunning. Curious? you can see more of Rachel exhibition here
Every parent knows that a tired kid is a cranky kid. Now, scientists are discovering that children with chronic sleep problems are at increased risk for developing a mental illness later in life.
Recent studies show that children who have persistent sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or not getting enough night-time shut-eye, are more likely later to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders and to abuse alcohol and drugs than kids without sleep problems. The findings add to previous research that has linked children’s sleep problems to a host of issues, including aggressive behavior, learning and memory problems and obesity. Curious? Continue reading
