HealthDay (10/26, Norton) reported that youngsters who have sustained head injuries or concussions appear to “have a much higher-than-average rate of depression,” according to a study presented at the national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing data from “a 2007 nationally representative study covering nearly 82,000” youngsters and adolescents younger than age 18.

Medscape (10/28, McNamara) quotes the study’s lead author, who said, “Our take-home message is that knowledge of this association may help parents and” physicians “identify children at risk for depression and initiate therapy of this treatable” condition.

Kids, Teens With Concussions May Need Short Break From School. The New York Times (10/27, Hoffman) “Well” blog reported that yesterday at its annual conference as well as online in the journal Pediatrics, “the American Academy of Pediatrics issuedrecommendations (10/23) for ‘return to learn’ checklists to alert doctors, school administrators and parents to potential cognitive and academic challenges to students who have suffered concussions.”

The Time (10/27, Sifferlin) “Healthland” blog reported that even though kids “may appear to be physically normal after having a concussion, they may actually have trouble learning new information and retaining it.” Returning to school too quickly “may exacerbate these symptoms.” The guidelines recommend that children with particularly severe symptoms may need to stay home from school. Previous research has shown that it may take up to three weeks before a child is fully recovered from a concussion.

Related Links:

— “Kids With Head Injuries May Be Prone to Depression, “Amy Norton, HealthDay, October 25, 2013.

HealthDay (10/25, Dallas) reports that research published in Neurology suggests that individuals “who take certain commonly used blood pressure medications have a significantly lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease than” individuals who do not use the medications. Researchers looked at data on approximately 2,200 individuals aged between 75 and 96 years. The investigators found that “regular use” of “diuretics, ARBs and ACE inhibitors” reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Related Links:

— “Common Blood Pressure Drugs Tied to Lower Risk of Alzheimer’s: Study, “Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay, October 24, 2013.

Reuters (10/25, Raven) reports that research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that depression may not increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer. Investigators came to this conclusion after analyzing data from more than 14,000 individuals over a period of 15 years.

Related Links:

— “No link between depression and cancer risk: study, “Kathleen Raven, Reuters, October 24, 2013.

On Wednesday evening, Vice President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius both appeared at the inaugural gala of the Kennedy Forum Mental Health Summit held in Boston, Massachusetts. The forum, which includes a day-long conference today, commemorates the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s signing of the Community Mental Health Act, a law that funded mental health centers throughout the US.

The Boston Globe (10/24, Conaboy) reports that Vice President Biden “said Wednesday night that the United States is ‘on the cusp’ of major changes in how mental illness is diagnosed and treated.” In addition, Biden “called provisions of the Affordable Care Act that list treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders as essential health benefits that insurers must pay for.” Also lauding the ACA “as a boon for people suffering from mental illness” was HHS Secretary Sebelius.

Related Links:

— “US ‘on the cusp’ of mental health advances, Biden says, “Chelsea Conaboy, The Boston Globe, October 23, 2013.

USA Today (10/24, Kennedy) reports, “A key part of mental health policy – the final rule on mental health parity – has been delayed…because of the government shutdown this month, said” Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, president of the American Psychiatric Association. Officials with the Obama Administration “say the rule will be issued by the end of the year, and that it entered the final stage of review Monday.” Dr. Lieberman also called the Affordable Care Act “a ‘pivotal moment’ for mental health care…because it will help with homelessness and crime, which are both driven by mental illness.”

Related Links:

— “JFK’s vision for mental health care languishing?, “Kelly Kennedy, USA Today, October 23, 2013.