Heavy use of the veterinary anesthetic turned club drug could have serious consequences. 

People who use the club drug Special K or Vitamin K (ketamine) might be at higher risk for serious bladder problems in the future. In most cases, the symptoms go away after the drug is stopped, but not always.

Ketamine also leads to problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.

Ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic in veterinary medicine, gives its users hallucinations, an “out of body” feeling, and feelings of euphoria or a dream-like state. It is swallowed, injected, or snorted. Ketamine also leads to problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.

A new study followed over 1,200 people who had used ketamine in the last year. Of the users, 17 percent were addicted to it, and 26 percent of users had experienced urinary problems, including pain in the lower abdomen, burning or stinging during urination, bloody urine, and incontinence (urine leakage).

The severity of urinary symptoms was connected to how often and the size of the dose of ketamine the participants used.

Half the participants reported that their symptoms improved after they stopped using the drug. a small minority (4%) said they continued to have symptoms after they ceased use.

Ketamine is known to cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes, as well as thickening of the bladder wall and kidney problems. but the exact mechanisms by which ketamine actually causes these changes in the urinary tract are not well understood.

The authors urge doctors and the public to be aware of the serious problems that can occur with prolonged ketamine use, in particular to “avoid progression to severe and irreversible urological pathologies.” In other words, the damage that is occurring to users’ urinary tracts could be permanent after a certain amount of use. if you or a loved one is using ketamine (or any other drug), getting help to stop it as early as possible is critical. For help with drug abuse, please visit the SAMHSA.gov website.

The study was carried out by a team at the Bristol Urological Institute in Bristol, UK, and published in the journal BJU International.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

Heart attacks and strokes wreak havoc throughout Europe but often travel incognito. a majority of people in nine European countries recognize few or no warning signs of these potentially deadly conditions, a new study finds.

About half of Europeans don’t realize that it’s best to call an ambulance when someone displays stroke symptoms, say psychologist Jutta Mata of the University of Basel in Switzerland and her colleagues. People with high blood pressure or who are obese — two key risk factors for heart attack and stroke — knew no more about warning signs or how to respond to strokes than anyone else, the researchers will report in Health Expectations.

“Across all nine countries, people knew surprisingly little about heart attack and stroke symptoms and how to react to them,” Mata says.

The findings come from a sample of 10,228 inhabitants of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Participants’ ages ranged from 14 to 98.

Mata’s team analyzed health data collected as part of a massive European consumer survey conducted in late 2006.

Among six established warning signs of a heart attack, chest pain was the only symptom recognized by most people — 80 percent. Almost half the participants linked shortness of breath and arm or shoulder pain to heart attacks. that figure fell to 21 percent for anxiety and for intense nausea and dizziness, and dropped to 7.5 percent for stomach pain.

Among 14 warning signs of a stroke, volunteers most often recognized slurred speech, paralysis and a lopsided face. but no symptom was recognized by more than 44 percent of Europeans. Nineteen percent didn’t know any stroke symptoms.

Italians, Spaniards, Poles and Russians recognized the fewest heart attack and stroke symptoms.

These findings highlight a disturbing lack of health knowledge among Europeans, but it’s unclear whether educational efforts would work best via physician discussions, public-service messages or other strategies, Mata says.

A random telephone survey of 76,864 U.S. citizens in 2007, led by epidemiologist Jing Fang of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, found that most participants reported knowing at least one of five symptoms of each condition. but fewer than 20 percent of people recognized all relevant symptoms, knew that decoy symptoms mentioned by interviewers didn’t apply and said that they would call 911 if someone had a heart attack or stroke.

In that study, volunteers were asked to say “yes” or “no” to six possible signs of heart attacks and strokes, five of which were actual symptoms. a tendency to say “yes” to please the interviewer or as a default strategy may have made it seem like participants knew more than they actually did, Fang says.

Questions also remain about the accuracy of the European findings, asserts internist Lisa Schwartz of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice in Lebanon, N.H.

Interviewers contacted set numbers of people in different economic and social groups within each country, a method that may not yield a truly representative sample, Schwartz says. Results for young women, for instance, would vary greatly if they were predominantly contacted at an STD clinic, a shopping mall or an SAT course. Found in: Body & Brain and Psychology

Arlowen Kuchera has suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade, but early signs of the disease started 15 years ago with moments of confusion.

“it was devastating in the beginning,” her daughter, Kay Etter, told the Log.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. There is no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to end Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funding for Alzheimer care, support and research. the walk is held annually in more than 600 communities, including the Destin area.

The Walk to end Alzheimer’s is important because, “it makes people aware of this devastating disease,” Etter said.

This Saturday participants of all ages will meet at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to join the march toward ending the disease. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. for more information visit alz.org/walk or call 800-272-3900.

Kuchera was an Army wife. Before the disease took over, “she was stubborn and could do anything,” Etter said. “ She worked, sewed, cooked and entertained.”

But after her husband passed away, things began to change. Etter decided to move her mother from her longtime home in San Antonio, Texas, to Athens, Ga.

“She was leaving everything she knew,” Etter said. On the drive to her new home, “we stopped at a convenience store to get some water, and while I was waiting in line she decided to go wait for me outside.”

When Etter came out of the store, her mother was nowhere to be found. She looked under cars and in the field.

“I looked down the road, and I saw this nice Cadillac like my father used to drive — same color and everything,” she said. “She was sitting inside it and had locked herself in.”

Etter begged her mother to get out of the car, but Kuchera just shook her head. it wasn’t until the owner of the Cadillac came out that she was able to reach her mom.

At that point no diagnosis had been made, but “that was a sign right there that something was wrong,” she said.

A few months later, Kuchera was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and lymphoma at the same time. She’s been through radiation and cancer treatment, but Etter says the memory loss has taken its toll on her.

Her mother was staying at a facility in Georgia, but after several falls and broken bones, Etter decided she needed some “extra TLC.” They decided to move to Sandestin in July. her mother is now a resident of Crystal Bay Memory Care.

“She’s as happy as she can be, but she’s tired and worn out,” she said. “She’s an angel in waiting. She’s in a good place and ready to meet dad again.”

While Alzheimer’s is hard on the people who live with the disease, Etter says it’s also tough for the caregivers.

“it affects our lives, our travel, our marriages — everything you do,” she said. “They don’t really remember, but caregivers remember everyday.”

by S. C.

Selenium This mineral influences your immune system mainly by its antioxidant function. it protects your body from the excess oxidative stress created by bacteria, viruses, or pathogens. Deficiency of selenium reduces the antibody response and causes impaired immunity. in a double-blind study conducted in the UK, 22 adults with low selenium levels were given 50 or 100 micrograms (mcg) of selenium or placebo daily for 15 weeks. This was followed by a polio vaccine six weeks later with an intravenous dose of selenium. Selenium supplements helped enhance the immune respond in participants? cells and helped the body more quickly produce T cells and T helper cells (important immune cells that fight invaders). another randomized, placebo-controlled study gave a high selenium yeast supplement (200 mcg a day) or placebo to in 450 HIV-positive adults. Results showed that the mineral suppressed the progression of HIV virus. in this amazing way, selenium may be a simple and inexpensive complementary treatment for AIDS. Zinc This essential mineral helps produce cells, including those used in the immune system. the immune system depends on an adequate amount of zinc in the body. in zinc deficiency, the overall immune system is impaired. This leads to a higher incidence of infectious diseases. Zinc supplements have been shown to reduce the incidence of diarrhea by 18% and pneumonia by 41%. there are many other diseases for which zinc have shown a protective effect, including chronic hepatitis C, leprosy, tuberculosis, and acute lower respiratory infection. the effects on the common cold and malaria are inconclusive. Zinc supplements were ineffective in boosting most vaccines and in alleviating symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis.

by S. C. 23 July 2011 Teatro Naturale International n. 7 Year 3 © REPRODUCTION RESERVED

the next presentation was from Ms Nyima Camara from Hands on care, Brikama.the topic is Sexually Transmitted Infections. she asked them to list the STIs. (Sexually Transmitted Infections) they are familiar with. They name Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV.Nyima explained that women because of their biological nature as receptors are mostly infected. she said in gonorrhea, men because of their biological nature get signs and symptoms immediately whereas the women take longer to get signs and symptoms. Nyima explained that in polygamous relationships the virus spread faster. she asked participants to speak out and seek for help if they notice any abnormality in their genitals.she said the newborn children with pussy eyes, scalded skins and patches are signs of STIs from the mother. Nyima asked about the signs of HIV. ?There are no signs or symptoms. you cannot tell by looking. It is the final stage of AIDs when the person cannot do any thing and is at the stage of death, when she/he needs our care and love and can no longer infect us when society name and stigmatize them.? Nyima explained. she said her organisation checks on people, counsel at its clinics and/in outreach programmes and gives anti-retroviral drugs. Nyima lamented that males are reluctant to come to hospital that they have to be coaxed and cajoled to do so. she said in their clinics they give priority to men as a means of encouragement. she said women should know their Status as a Right to Health and also to know the Health Status of their Partners. Nyima said in the mode of transfusion 35% is sexual and the rest through blood transfusion, using contaminated instruments, through vaginal, anal and oral avenues. she said the HIV virus does not live outside in the environment. Nyima urged couples to go for premarital testing to know their status if negative they remain negative forever, if positive, they go for counselling and plan their lives together. she said as Health Workers they signed an element of confidentiality as required by law but as couples both partners have a right to know. she said women should exercise their Right to self Protection. Nyima said the Global Fund enables, Traditional Birth Attendants, Corpse Dressers who can be infected by liquids coming out during delivery and from corpses, who need gloves and masks for protection, she said a TBA as old as 90 years got infected. Nyima spelt out the ABCD Protection Techniques A- Abstinence until you are ready economically, physically and emotionally to shoulder responsibility of a child. B ? be faithful to your partner(s) as in polygamy, to stay negative for ever, if positive to plan your lives together.C- use condom when you are not sure of partner(s).D- Do you know your status? Nyima said if STIs are not treated, they can lead to severe complications such as urethral restriction, barrenness, mental illness, premature birth, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, blindness and still birth. Nyima said they have clinics in Brikama Hands on care and Banjul polyclinic. the next topic was deliberated by Mr. Juma Jallow Nurse/ midwife. his topic is Safe Sexual and Reproductive Life for Visually Impaired People.He lamented on the poor service at Government Health Centres. the attitudes of female nurses are not acceptable to the female patients who complained of neglect and arrogance and they do have a right to go to a health centre of their choice. Juma said the Private Health Centre Nurses are more polite than Government Nurses. He said the former works on business, while the late works for complacent and ?maslaha? basis ?lassez affaire?. He said Health Centers should work on Birth Preparedness plan and patients? rights should be respected. He lamented the poor salaries and high rate of attrition in government service and urged government to invest in Health Service Sector. . Juma said Government Health Centres give quantity while Private Health Centres give quality services according to him but some patients thought differently. He said Government Health Centres are facing a lot of challenges. He asked parents to help discipline their girl children especially those working in essential services. He said male delivery practice was introduced in 1981 amidst the protest of some Muslim Clerics that it is against the ethics of Islam but he said when they conducted a survey in some affected areas female patients said they are more comfortable with male nurses then female nurses. (As Gender Activists we are concern and there is urgent need to sensitize females working in essential services that matters most to women. my experience up country is different though because women are complaining that they are ashamed to be delivered by their sons. They are asking for their daughters to deliver them. but those daughters need gender sensitization to be abled to deliver effectively and efficiently. Amie?s comment.)When asked about a Health Disability Policy. He was not sure of the Global, overall Policy but said it is mentioned in the Sectoral Units.He urges GOVI to advocate for a Stake Holders Meeting with the Ministry of Health to raise their concerns.He said the Health Policy is about to be Mid-Term Reviewed and GOVI should ensure it captures their concerns. Participants lamented that Security Forces are harassing them off the streets and taking them to court when they are not given any alternative means of survival. They lamented that the buildings have no ramps, that they are discriminated against in officialdom especially in hospitals and other service providers outlets, they lamented that government has not yet ratify the UN Convention on Disability, no Policy to back Disability and the need for a Sign Language to be introduced in Officialdom. Also that the communities and the homes are still discriminating against them. Oustas Muhammad Loum form Sheikh Mass Kah Academy, spoke on FGM/C. He said Islam?s position is that doing it or not doing it does not make you less religious. That it is a cultural practice which precedes both Christianity and Islam. That Islam abhors any practice that is harmful to human beings. Ms Ndey Secka spoke on Violence against Visually Impaired People. she reemphasized all the above complaints and said the Visually Impaired People need information, education to know their rights to fight for Social Justice and Social Inclusion. Ms Amie Sillah reechoed the same that the Visually Impaired People need Social, Economic, Political, and Cultural Rights as all of us and aspire to live a life of liberty, dignity and prosperity. That any one of us can suffer from one form of Disability in a lifetime through illness or accident.Resolution the participants called for Social Justice and Social Inclusion for them to realize their economic, social, political and cultural rights in order to live a life of dignity, liberty and prosperity. Muhammad Cora closed the workshop.

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News EditorReviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 28, 2011

A new research effort studies a non-pharmacological approach to improving the quality of life for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease: storytelling.

University of Missouri scientists found that participation in TimeSlips, a drug-free, creative storytelling intervention, improves communication skills and positive affect in persons with dementia.

The discovery is important as nearly 16 million Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Symptoms include mood and behavior changes, disorientation, memory loss and difficulty walking and speaking. The effects of anti-dementia drugs on patients’ emotions and behaviors have been inconsistent.

TimeSlips is a nationally recognized storytelling program for people with dementia that encourages participants to use their imaginations to create short stories as a group.

Rather than relying on factual recall, participants respond verbally to humorous images presented by facilitators who record the responses and read narratives to further develop or end the stories.

“TimeSlips provides rich, engaging opportunities for persons with dementia to interact with others while exercising their individual strengths,” said Lorraine Phillips, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Sinclair School of Nursing.

“It encourages participants to be actively involved and to experience moments of recognition, creation and celebration. Meaningful activities, such as TimeSlips, promote positive social environments that are central to person-centered care.”

The storytelling program is an easy and affordable activity for long-term care facilities to implement and allows caregivers to interact with multiple residents at a time, Phillips said.

“TimeSlips offers a stimulating alternative to typical activities in long-term care facilities,” she said. “It is an effective and simple option for care providers, especially those who lack resources or skills required for art, music or other creative interventions.”

In the study, Phillips and her colleagues delivered the TimeSlips intervention in one-hour sessions, held twice weekly for six consecutive weeks. The results included increased expressions of pleasure and initiation of social communication.

Improvements in participants’ affect lasted several weeks following the final session. The intervention is acceptable for people with mild to moderate dementia, Phillips said.

The study was published in Nursing Research.

Source: University of Missouri

But while the multi-component intervention, which was administered through primary care settings, also helped participants reduce the risks their drinking posed when combined with medications, psychiatric or medical conditions, and other comorbidities common to older adults, the reduction was not much greater than that seen among other older adults who were provided with only general information on healthy behaviors.

At-risk drinking among older adults could potentially result in injury or even death.

Data from the study are published in the January issue of the journal Addiction.

“We have an aging population and more than half drink alcohol,” said lead investigator Dr. Alison Moore, a professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Older adults have additional risks compared with younger adults because of age-related physiological changes that increase the effect of a given dose of alcohol and because of the increase in medical and psychiatric conditions and the use of medications that may interact negatively with alcohol.

“We wanted to test an intervention to reduce alcohol-related risks in primary care, where most older adults receive care,” she said.

The findings were based on the Healthy Living as you Age study, a randomized clinical trial that tested a screening and multi-component intervention among older at-risk drinkers in primary care settings. the study included 631 adults aged 55 and older recruited between October 2004 and April 2007 from three primary care sites in Southern California.

Participants in the yearlong study were identified as being at-risk by the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool, which utilizes information on alcohol use, medications that can interact negatively with alcohol (such as those for ulcers, pain and sleeping) and medical and psychiatric conditions, and symptoms that could be caused or worsened by alcohol (such as hypertension, depression, abdominal pain and memory problems).

The study subjects were randomly assigned during a primary care office visit to either receive a booklet on general healthy behaviors for older adults, which including recommended drinking limits, or the intervention, which included a personalized report of their alcohol-related risks, a drinking diary to help them keep track of their consumption, a booklet on aging and drinking, and advice from a primary health care provider and telephone counseling from a health educator at two, four and eight weeks after the start of the study.

Participants in both groups consumed about 15 alcoholic drinks each week at the beginning of the study. All were identified as at-risk drinkers, and most were identified as at-risk for multiple reasons, including drinking while taking medications (73 percent), symptoms (60 percent), medical or psychiatric conditions (50 percent) or simply their amount of drinking (47 percent). 

At the three-month point, individuals in the intervention group had lowered their alcohol consumption to an average of nine drinks a week; those in the control arm had reduced their consumption to 11. these numbers remained roughly the same at the one-year point, a statistically significant difference between the groups.

At three months, only 40 percent of the intervention group and 61 percent of the control group were still at-risk drinkers, a statistically significant difference. at one year, however, the difference between the groups narrowed: 54 percent of the intervention arm was at-risk, compared with 60 percent of the control group, and the difference then was not statistically significant.

“One of the important messages here is that, for both groups, the amount of drinking declined by 30 to 40 percent and the proportions of those at-risk declined by 50 to 60 percent at three months and generally persisted at 12 months,” Moore said.  “Also older at-risk drinkers typically have multiple risks; most because of combined use of alcohol and medications or medical and psychiatric conditions. It may be that simply giving information on recommended drinking limits for older adults is enough to cause large reductions in at-risk drinking and amount of drinking.” 

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Mental Health, the John a. Hartford Foundation, and a Special Fellowship in Advanced Geriatrics from the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System funded this study.

FRIDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDay News) — Increasing one's physical activity routine can help improve symptoms among irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, Swedish researchers report.

Vigorous activity can also help keep IBS symptoms from worsening among such patients, the researchers said.

The authors noted that IBS is a disease that affects between 10 percent to 15 percent of people around the world, and is typically characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

The current observations stem from a small study of 102 IBS patients between the ages of 18 and 65.

Over a three-month period, half of the participants maintained their normal lifestyle, while the other half was randomly assigned to increase their physical activity, with a suggested goal of moderate to vigorous activity three to five times per week for 20 to 30 minutes a session. Both groups received telephone support from a physiotherapist.

At the study onset and at the end of the three-month period, the participants ranked their IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain, stool difficulties and overall quality of life.

While the group that maintained their normal routine experienced an average 5-point drop in symptoms, those who increased their activity experienced much more dramatic symptom relief (an average 51-point decrease), the researchers noted.

What's more, during the study period only 8 percent of the active group went on to develop worsening symptoms, as compared with nearly one-quarter of the maintenance group.

The Swedish team, led by registered physiotherapist Elisabet Johannesson from the University of Gothenburg, reports their findings online and in an upcoming print issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

More information

For more on irritable bowel syndrome, visit the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

CHICAGO, February 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Edwin McClure, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate student, and one of the participants in clinical trials involving adult stem cells, says that he is completely cured of the multiple sclerosis symptoms that began to afflict him in high school.

"It’s a blessing," the young student told Bloomburg News. "My disease has been halted."

A team of researchers at Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, including Dr. Richard Burt, the team leader and the hospital’s Division Chief of Immunotherapy, developed the treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) using stem cells taken from the patient’s own bone marrow. (See: lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09020202.html)

"for the first time ever in the history of treating MS we have reversed disability," Dr. Burt said of the results of clinical trials using adult stem cells.

"All therapies to date … have focused on slowing the progression of disease," he said. But with the new treatment, he said, "this is the first time we have turned the tide on this disease."

McClure first showed symptoms of MS in 2000 when he was a senior in high school. "I couldn’t deal with heat. I had really bad balance," he said. he also said that his vision began to be seriously distorted.

"it threw me for a loop," McClure said. "this is a disease that typically hits 40-year-old white women and I’m like, ‘I’m an 18-year-old black male.’ somebody didn’t get the memo."

Hearing about the Northwestern University clinical trial from Dr. Katarina Bilikova, McClure flew to Evanston, Ill., to participate.

During the course of the treatment, which researchers described as a "re-setting" of the body’s immune system, doctors took out McClure’s own stem cells from his bone marrow. he then was given a course of chemotherapy to destroy all existing immune cells in his body. The stem cells were then re-injected and developed into "naëve" immune cells that regenerated his immune system.

Three years after undergoing the procedure, McClure said his symptoms have disappeared.

"it opened up the fence that MS had me locked into," Edwin said in a Fox News report. He added that he and his mother Bernice also attribute the success of the treatment to their faith.

"Without having God in our lives, I don’t think any one of us would have made it through," Bernice McClure said.

Read previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage and related articles:

New Adult Stem Cell Treatment "Turns the Tide" on MS Symptomslifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09020202.html

Amid Media Excitement, Embryonic Stem Cell Trial Far Behind Adult Stem Cells, says Expertlifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012605.html

Adult Stem Cell Therapy may Treat AIDSlifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012006.html

The investigators are trying to learn the most effective way to treat an adolescent's eating disorder and how best to involve the parents or caregivers in this process.

Typically, parents and their child are seen together in therapy. However, this can sometimes be difficult for both the parents and the adolescent. both parents and adolescents have different concerns and are struggling with different aspects of the eating disorder. Therefore, the treatment in this study involves the parents in treatment, but does not have therapy sessions with the parents and child together.

the purpose of this study is to develop this investigational type of treatment (separated family treatment), and see what works best for adolescents and their families.

Participants meet with a therapist for 20 sessions over the course of 24 weeks. for the first 16 weeks families separate therapy sessions weekly. for the last 8 weeks families meet with the therapist bi-weekly. these bi-weekly sessions are conjoint – that is, adolescents and parents will meet with the therapist together. this is to help parents and adolescents come together as a family to continue to aid the adolescent in the treatment of his/her eating disorder.

the investigators hypothesize that adolescents who receive ASFT will demonstrate improvement in eating disorder symptoms and body-mass index, that caregivers who participate in ASFT will demonstrate decreased distress and caregiver burden, that increases in psychological acceptance will be seen for both adolescents and caregivers post-treatment, and that treatment will be viewed as both credible and acceptable to both caregiver and adolescent

Clinical Trial Conditions: Anorexia Nervosa, Subthreshold Anorexia Nervosa, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise specified, Primary Restriction

Treatments in this Clinical Trial : Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Parent Skills Training

Clinical Trial Phase: Phase 2

Eligible Clinical Trial Participant Age : between 12 years to 18 years

Can Healthy Volunteers Participate: No

Clinical Trial Lead Sponsor: Duke University

Detailed Clinical Trial Description: the investigators are trying to learn the most effective way to treat an adolescent's eating disorder and how best to involve the parents or caregivers in this process.

Typically, parents and their child are seen together in therapy. However, this can sometimes be difficult for both the parents and the adolescent. both parents and adolescents have different concerns and are struggling with different aspects of the eating disorder. Therefore, the treatment in this study involves the parents in treatment, but does not have therapy sessions with the parents and child together.

the purpose of this study is to develop this investigational type of treatment (separated family treatment), and see what works best for adolescents and their families.

Participants meet with a therapist for 20 sessions over the course of 24 weeks. for the first 16 weeks families separate therapy sessions weekly. for the last 8 weeks families meet with the therapist bi-weekly. these bi-weekly sessions are conjoint – that is, adolescents and parents will meet with the therapist together. this is to help parents and adolescents come together as a family to continue to aid the adolescent in the treatment of his/her eating disorder.

the investigators hypothesize that adolescents who receive ASFT will demonstrate improvement in eating disorder symptoms and body-mass index, that caregivers who participate in ASFT will demonstrate decreased distress and caregiver burden, that increases in psychological acceptance will be seen for both adolescents and caregivers post-treatment, and that treatment will be viewed as both credible and acceptable to both caregiver and adolescent

The clinical trial information was obtained from clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01274416

1. Ity Training to Improve Motor Behavior in Toddlers With or at Risk for Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study
2. Second-Generation Antipsychotic Treatment Indication Effectiveness And Tolerability in Youth (Satiety) Study
3. Afatinib in HER2-treatment Failures
4. Study of Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use
5. A Safety Study of Xolair (Omalizumab) in Patients With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) Who Remain Symptomatic despite Treatment With H1 Antihistamines H2 Blockers and/or Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists