Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health – författare

Health and Behavior reviews our improved understanding of the complex interplay among biological, psychological, and social influences and explores findings suggested by recent research—including interventions at multiple levels that we can employ to improve human health.

The book covers three main areas:

To maintain their own health and the health of their families and communities, consumers rely heavily on the health information that is available to them. This information is at the core of the partnerships that patients and their families forge with today''s complex modern health systems. This information may be provided in a variety of forms — ranging from a discussion between a patient and a health care provider to a health promotion advertisement, a consent form, or one of many other forms of health communication common in our society. Yet millions of Americans cannot understand or act upon this information. To address this problem, the field of health literacy brings together research and practice from diverse fields including education, health services, and social and cultural sciences, and the many organizations whose actions can improve or impede health literacy.

Health Literacy: Prescription to End Confusion examines the body of knowledge that applies to the field of health literacy, and recommends actions to promote a health literate society. By examining the extent of limited health literacy and the ways to improve it, we can improve the health of individuals and populations.

Spinal Cord Injury examines the future directions for research with thegoal to accelerate the development of cures for spinal cord injuries. Whilemany of the recommendations are framed within the context of the specificneeds articulated by the New York Spinal Cord Injury Research Board,the Institute of Medicine''s panel of experts looked very broadly at researchpriorities relating to future directions for the field in general and make recommendationsto strengthen and coordinate the existing infrastructure.Funders at federal and state agencies, academic organizations, pharmaceuticaland device companies, and non-profit organizations will all find thisbook to be an essential resource as they examine their opportunities.

In the report, the committee concluded that there is inadequate information available to sufficiently describe behavioral and social science curriculum content, teaching techniques, and assessment methodologies in U.S. medical schools and recommends development of a new national behavioral and social science database. The committee also recommended that the National Board of Medical Examiners ensure that the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination adequately cover the behavioral and social science subject matter recommended in this report.

New and improved therapies to treat and protect against drug dependence andabuse are urgently needed. In the United States alone about 50 million people regularlysmoke tobacco and another 5 million are addicted to other drugs. In a givenyear, millions of these individuals attempt—with or without medical assistance—toquit using drugs, though relapse remains the norm. Furthermore, each year severalmillion teenagers start smoking and nearly as many take illicit drugs for the firsttime. Research is advancing on promising new means of treating drug addictionusing immunotherapies and sustained-release (depot) medications. The aim of thisresearch is to develop medications that can block or significantly attenuate the psychoactiveeffects of such drugs as cocaine, nicotine, heroin, phencyclidine, andmethamphetamine for weeks or months at a time. This represents a fundamentallynew therapeutic approach that shows promise for treating drug addiction problemsthat were difficult to treat in the past. Despite their potential benefits, however, severalcharacteristics of these new methods pose distinct behavioral, ethical, legal, andsocial challenges that require careful scrutiny. Such issues can be considered uniqueaspects of safety and efficacy that are fundamentally related to the distinct natureand properties of these new types of medications.

The Oklahoma City bombing, intentional crashing of airliners on September 11,2001, and anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 have made Americans acutely awareof the impacts of terrorism. These events and continued threats of terrorism haveraised questions about the impact on the psychological health of the nation andhow well the public health infrastructure is able to meet the psychological needsthat will likely result. Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism highlightssome of the critical issues in responding to the psychological needs that resultfrom terrorism and provides possible options for intervention. The committee offersan example for a public health strategy that may serve as a base from which plansto prevent and respond to the psychological consequences of a variety of terrorismevents can be formulated. The report includes recommendations for the trainingand education of service providers, ensuring appropriate guidelines for the protectionof service providers, and developing public health surveillance for preevent,event, and postevent factors related to psychological consequences.

To explore whether soccer playing puts youths at risk for lasting brain damage, the Institute of Medicine brought together experts in head injury, sports medicine, pediatrics, and bioengineering. In a workshop entitled "Youth Soccer: Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Sports," that was held in Washington D.C. on October 12, 2001, these experts presented the scientific evidence for long-term consequences of head injury from youth sports, especially soccer, possible approaches to reduce the risks, and policy issues raised by the subject. Some of the findings presented by the speakers raised concerns, such as the high concussion rate of high school soccer players, the frequent persistence of impaired brain functions even after other symptoms of a concussion disappear, and the need for a better understanding of when it is safe for players to resume playing after they have had a concussion. But other findings were reassuring, such as studies that suggest that with the type of soccer balls used in the United States, heading is not likely to cause brain injury in youths, nor is playing soccer likely to cause permanent brain damage.

This is a summary of the reports from these experts in the field, and the lively discussions that followed them. Topics covered include: causes of head injuries in soccer; how to detect a concussion; the biology of concussion; studies of soccer and football players; the role of protective headgear; and policy implications, such as how to decide when a concussed player should be allowed to return to the playing field.

Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine provides a deeper exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of undifferentiated human cells. In terms accessible to lay readers, the book summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells and discusses how to go about the transition from mouse studies to research that has therapeutic implications for people.

Perhaps most important, Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells. This timely book compares the impact of public and private research funding and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight.

Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the book offers authoritative recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal government in this field of research, and other fundamental issues.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease of the nervous system, affecting about 1 million people worldwide. Even though it has been known for over a hundred years, no cause or cure has yet been discovered—but now there is hope. New therapies have been shown to slow the disease progress in some patients, and the pace of discoveries about the cellular machinery of the brain and spinal cord has accelerated.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of multiple sclerosis today, as researchers seek to understand its processes, develop therapies that will slow or halt the disease and perhaps repair damage, offer relief for specific symptoms, and improve the abilities of MS patients to function in their daily lives.

The panel reviews existing knowledge and identifies key research questions, focusing on:

The committee also discusses ways to build and financially support the MS research enterprise, including a look at challenges inherent in designing clinical trials. This book will be important to MS researchers, research funders, health care advocates for MS research and treatment, and interested patients and their families.

Thoughts of suicide can be abundant and frequent for some. These thoughts easily disrupt the lives of not only the suicidal person but the world around said person. It may, however, be possible to tell someone is suicidal before it''s too late. Participants of committee on the Pathophysiology and Prevention of Adult and Adolescent Suicide of the Institute of Medicine''s held two workshops, Risk Factors for Suicide, March 14, 2001 and Suicide Prevention and Intervention, May 14, 2001, to discuss the topic of suicide. The two workshops were designed to allow invited presenters to share with the committee and other workshop participants their particular expertise in suicide, and to discuss and examine the existing knowledge base.

Risk Factors for Suicide: Summary of a Workshop summarizes the first workshop whose participants were selected to represent the areas of epidemiology and measurement, socio-cultural factors, biologic factors, developmental factors and trauma, and psychologic factors. They were asked to present current and relevant knowledge in each of their expertise areas.

Multiple Sclerosis: Current Status and Strategies for the Future identifies promising areas of multiple sclerosis (MS) research based on a strategic analysis of the current state of knowledge. The report was written by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on MS Research Strategies, and on April 2001, the Committee held a workshop to advance research recommended by the report. The specific goals of the workshop were to disseminate information about the report, foster collaboration, and serve as a launch pad for implementation of the report''s recommendations.Summary of a Workshop on Research in Multiple Sclerosis, April5-6,2001 presents the reports from each breakout group and summarizes the plenary session discussion. This workshop summary contains particular viewpoints attributed to individual participants or to groups of participants (including breakout groups), but does not contain statements about what "the workshop" or "all its participants" concluded.

For many, thoughts of suicide are abundant and frequent. There exists a fear of death but an even greater fear of life due to the latter''s hardships. Participants of the committee on the Pathophysiology and Prevention of Adult and Adolescent Suicide of the Institute of Medicine''s workshop on suicide prevention; however, believe that there is potential for better suicide prevention. Two workshops were convened by the committee: Risk Factors for Suicide, March 14, 2001 and Suicide Prevention and Intervention, May 14, 2001. The two workshops were designed to allow invited presenters to share with the committee and other workshop participants their particular expertise in suicide, and to discuss and examine the existing knowledge base.

Participants of the second workshop were selected to represent many areas including: design and analysis of prevention programs, suicide contagion, and firearm availability and suicide. The committee wanted to assess the science base of suicide etiology, evaluate the current status of suicide prevention, and examine current strategies for the study of suicide. Suicide Prevention and Intervention: Summary of a Workshop summarizes the major themes that arose during the workshop. It also includes the workshop agenda and a list of speakers that were present.

To explore whether soccer playing puts youths at risk for lasting brain damage, the Institute of Medicine brought together experts in head injury, sports medicine, pediatrics, and bioengineering. In a workshop entitled "Youth Soccer: Neuropsychological Consequences of Head Impact in Sports," that was held in Washington D.C. on October 12, 2001, these experts presented the scientific evidence for long-term consequences of head injury from youth sports, especially soccer, possible approaches to reduce the risks, and policy issues raised by the subject. Some of the findings presented by the speakers raised concerns, such as the high concussion rate of high school soccer players, the frequent persistence of impaired brain functions even after other symptoms of a concussion disappear, and the need for a better understanding of when it is safe for players to resume playing after they have had a concussion. But other findings were reassuring, such as studies that suggest that with the type of soccer balls used in the United States, heading is not likely to cause brain injury in youths, nor is playing soccer likely to cause permanent brain damage.

This is a summary of the reports from these experts in the field, and the lively discussions that followed them. Topics covered include: causes of head injuries in soccer; how to detect a concussion; the biology of concussion; studies of soccer and football players; the role of protective headgear; and policy implications, such as how to decide when a concussed player should be allowed to return to the playing field.

Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine provides a deeper exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of undifferentiated human cells. In terms accessible to lay readers, the book summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells and discusses how to go about the transition from mouse studies to research that has therapeutic implications for people.

Perhaps most important, Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells. This timely book compares the impact of public and private research funding and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight.

Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the book offers authoritative recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal government in this field of research, and other fundamental issues.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease of the nervous system, affecting about 1 million people worldwide. Even though it has been known for over a hundred years, no cause or cure has yet been discovered—but now there is hope. New therapies have been shown to slow the disease progress in some patients, and the pace of discoveries about the cellular machinery of the brain and spinal cord has accelerated.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of multiple sclerosis today, as researchers seek to understand its processes, develop therapies that will slow or halt the disease and perhaps repair damage, offer relief for specific symptoms, and improve the abilities of MS patients to function in their daily lives.

The panel reviews existing knowledge and identifies key research questions, focusing on:

The committee also discusses ways to build and financially support the MS research enterprise, including a look at challenges inherent in designing clinical trials. This book will be important to MS researchers, research funders, health care advocates for MS research and treatment, and interested patients and their families.

Health and Behavior reviews our improved understanding of the complex interplay among biological, psychological, and social influences and explores findings suggested by recent research—including interventions at multiple levels that we can employ to improve human health.

The book covers three main areas:

The Oklahoma City bombing, intentional crashing of airliners on September 11,2001, and anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 have made Americans acutely awareof the impacts of terrorism. These events and continued threats of terrorism haveraised questions about the impact on the psychological health of the nation andhow well the public health infrastructure is able to meet the psychological needsthat will likely result. Preparing for the Psychological Consequences of Terrorism highlightssome of the critical issues in responding to the psychological needs that resultfrom terrorism and provides possible options for intervention. The committee offersan example for a public health strategy that may serve as a base from which plansto prevent and respond to the psychological consequences of a variety of terrorismevents can be formulated. The report includes recommendations for the trainingand education of service providers, ensuring appropriate guidelines for the protectionof service providers, and developing public health surveillance for preevent,event, and postevent factors related to psychological consequences.

The number of psychiatric researchers does not seem to be keeping pace with theneeds and opportunities that exist in brain and behavioral medicine. An Institute ofMedicine committee conducted a broad review of the state of patient-orientedresearch training in the context of the psychiatry residency and considered theobstacles to such training and strategies for overcoming those obstacles. Carefulconsideration was given to the demands of clinical training. The committee concludedthat barriers to research training span three categories: regulatory, institutional,and personal factors. Recommendations to address these issues are presented in thecommittee''s report, including calling for research literacy requirements and researchtraining curricula tailored to psychiatry residency programs of various sizes. The rolesof senior investigators and departmental leadership are emphasized in the report, asis the importance of longitudinal training (e.g., from medical school through residencyand fellowship). As there appears to be great interest among numerous stakeholdersand a need for better tracking data, an overarching recommendation callsfor the establishment of a national body to coordinate and evaluate the progress ofresearch training in psychiatry.

In the report, the committee concluded that there is inadequate information available to sufficiently describe behavioral and social science curriculum content, teaching techniques, and assessment methodologies in U.S. medical schools and recommends development of a new national behavioral and social science database. The committee also recommended that the National Board of Medical Examiners ensure that the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination adequately cover the behavioral and social science subject matter recommended in this report.

Spinal Cord Injury examines the future directions for research with thegoal to accelerate the development of cures for spinal cord injuries. Whilemany of the recommendations are framed within the context of the specificneeds articulated by the New York Spinal Cord Injury Research Board,the Institute of Medicine''s panel of experts looked very broadly at researchpriorities relating to future directions for the field in general and make recommendationsto strengthen and coordinate the existing infrastructure.Funders at federal and state agencies, academic organizations, pharmaceuticaland device companies, and non-profit organizations will all find thisbook to be an essential resource as they examine their opportunities.

Thoughts of suicide can be abundant and frequent for some. These thoughts easily disrupt the lives of not only the suicidal person but the world around said person. It may, however, be possible to tell someone is suicidal before it''s too late. Participants of committee on the Pathophysiology and Prevention of Adult and Adolescent Suicide of the Institute of Medicine''s held two workshops, Risk Factors for Suicide, March 14, 2001 and Suicide Prevention and Intervention, May 14, 2001, to discuss the topic of suicide. The two workshops were designed to allow invited presenters to share with the committee and other workshop participants their particular expertise in suicide, and to discuss and examine the existing knowledge base.

Risk Factors for Suicide: Summary of a Workshop summarizes the first workshop whose participants were selected to represent the areas of epidemiology and measurement, socio-cultural factors, biologic factors, developmental factors and trauma, and psychologic factors. They were asked to present current and relevant knowledge in each of their expertise areas.