Disability News Weekly Roundup Monday, Dec 2 – Friday Dec 6

Health:

Reuters—Mild depression tied to diabetes complications

Even mild bouts of depression may worsen the health complications that often go along with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. Canadian researchers followed more than 1,000 patients for five years and found those who experienced multiple episodes of low-level depression were nearly three times more likely than those without depression to have greater disability, such as reduced mobility, poor self-care and worse quality of life.

Science Daily—Disability, Distress in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Cut in Half Over Last 20 Years

New research reveals that patients with rheumatoid arthritis today have an easier time with daily living than patients diagnosed two decades ago. According to results of the study published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology, anxiety, depressed mood and physical disability have been cut in half over the last 20 years. Researchers believe a reduction in disease activity is partly responsible for this positive change.

Science Daily—Telemedicine Brings Parkinson’s Care to ‘Anyone, Anywhere’

A new study shows that a neurologist in an office thousands of miles away can deliver effective specialized care to people with Parkinson’s disease. For individuals with the condition — many of whom have never seen a specialist — these “virtual house calls” could allow them to live independently while effectively managing the symptoms of the disease.

Science Daily—Air Pollution, Genetics Combine to Increase Risk for Autism

Exposure to air pollution appears to increase the risk for autism among people who carry a genetic disposition for the neurodevelopmental disorder, according to newly published research led by scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).

Policy:

Politico— Sandy Hook spurs states’ mental health push

At least 37 states have increased spending on mental health in the year since Adam Lanza shot dead 20 children, six school employees and his mother in Newtown, Conn. It’s not just about money, either. States are experimenting with new — and sometimes controversial — ways to raise awareness about psychological distress, to make treatment more accessible for children and adults and to keep firearms away from those struggling with mental illness.

UN News Centre— Persons with disabilities must be able to reap benefits of development, UN officials stress

Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations is calling for global efforts to ensure that the more than one billion people worldwide who live with some form of disability can reap the benefits of development and fully participate in society.

The New York Times—City Agrees on Access to Taxis for Disabled

Ending years of acrimony, New York City has agreed to settle a major class-action lawsuit and adopt regulations requiring that half of the city’s more than 13,000 yellow cabs be accessible to people with disabilities within six years, a person involved in the negotiations said on Thursday night.

Science:

Science Daily— Tongue-Drive Wheelchair Works Better Than Sip-And-Puff System

“Tongue piercing put to medical use — who would have thought it? It is needed and it works!” For the first time, the research team showed that people with tetraplegia can maneuver a wheelchair better with the Tongue Drive System than with the sip-and-puff system. On average, the performance of 11 subjects with tetraplegia using the Tongue Drive System was three times faster than their performance with the sip-and-puff system, but with the same level of accuracy, even though more than half of the patients had years of daily experience with sip-and-puff technology.

Science Daily—Novel Rehabilitation Device Improves Motor Skills after Stroke

Using a novel stroke rehabilitation device that converts an individual’s thoughts to electrical impulses to move upper extremities, stroke patients reported improvements in their motor function and ability to perform activities of daily living. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Science Daily—Predict Alzheimer’s Disease Within Two Years of Screening

In their study, Sylvie Belleville and her team accurately predicted (at a rate of 90%) which of their research subjects with mild cognitive impairment would receive a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease within the following two years and which subjects would not develop this disease.

Sports:

Washington Post—5 former Chiefs sue team over head injuries

Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL.

Special Interest:

Slate—Helicopter parenting has caused my psychotherapy clients to crash land.

Amy (not her real name) sat in my office and wiped her streaming tears on her sleeve, refusing the scratchy tissues I’d offered. “I’m thinking about just applying for a Ph.D. program after I graduate because I have no idea what I want to do.” Amy had mild depression growing up, and it worsened during freshman year of college when she moved from her parents’ house to her dorm. … Her case is becoming the norm for twenty- to thirtysomethings I see in my office as a psychotherapist. I’ve had at least 100 college and grad students like Amy crying on my couch because breaching adulthood is too overwhelming. … Rates of depression are soaring among millennials in college.