Medscape (6/9, Johnson) reports that research suggests that “the heavy, long-term use of cannabis is associated with negative changes in parts of the brain not previously implicated, and is linked to deficits in learning and memory.” Investigators “used the highly specific carbon 11-labeled (+)-4-propyl-9-hydroxynaphthoxazine radiotracer — known as [¹¹C]PHNO — to image the impact of cannabis on the brain.” The researchers “showed that heavy chronic cannabis use is associated with lower dopamine release in the associative striatum and the sensory motor striatum, regions involved in cognition.” The findings were presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2015 Annual Meeting.

Related Links:

— Medscape (requires login and subscription)

The Los Angeles Times (6/9, Zarembo) reported new government research “shows that female military veterans commit suicide at nearly six times the rate of other women, a startling finding that experts say poses disturbing questions about the backgrounds and experiences of women who serve in the armed forces.” The research shows female veterans are committing suicide at a rate approaching that of male veterans.

Related Links:

— “Suicide rate of female military veterans is called ‘staggering’,” Alan Zerembo, Los Angeles Times, June 8, 2015.

Health Day (6/6, Dallas) reported that “well-intentioned parents of children with autism may think that special diets or supplements can help their child, but a” study published June 4 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics “suggests that often these efforts lead to problems.” The 368-child study revealed that such “regimens leave children still deficient in some nutrients, such as calcium,” yet can also cause youngsters “to take in excessive amounts of other nutrients, such as vitamin A, the researchers said.”

Related Links:

— “Special Diets, Supplements Not Always Helpful for Kids With Autism,” Mary Elizabeth Dallas, Health Day, June 5, 2015.

Reuters (6/8, Rapaport) reports that research indicates that more than 25 percent of kids in the US either see or are victims of weapon violence before they turn 18. The findings (6/3) were published online June 8 in Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “More than one in four U.S. kids exposed to weapon violence,” Lisa Rapaport, Reuters, June 8, 2015.

TIME (6/5, Sifferlin) reports, “Sexual violence against children is a global problem – and few receive supportive services exist for its victims,” according to research released June 5 by the CDC in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. That report, the results of which “come from Violence Against Children Surveys that were conducted between 2007 and 2013 among men and women ages 18 to 24 in Swaziland, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Haiti and Cambodia,” shows that “at least 25% of females and 10% of males report experiencing a form of sexual violence as a child.”

The NPR (6/5, Silver) “Goats and Soda” blog interviews report lead author Steven Sumner, MD, MSC-GH, a “medical epidemiologist at CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention,” who said, “To me, the most striking finding was how few children were getting help.” Dr. Sumner added, “Expanding services to children both in terms of prevention services and response services is badly needed.”

Related Links:

— “Sexual Violence Against Children Is a Worldwide Problem, Study Says,” Alexandra Sifferlin, Time, June 4, 2015.