PsychBriefs: May 5-May 11, 2007

Our weekly wrap-up of news, interesting research, and noteworthy happenings in the worlds of psychiatry, psychology, and social work.

Questions About Temptation Give 'License To Sin'
Asking college kids how often they think they'll skip class next week leads to a jump in absentees, shows new research on consumer behavior. Simply reporting how likely they are to give in to temptation may be all people need for a "license to sin," suggesting a likely strategy for marketers. Creating a plan to avoid the temptation and rewarding one's self for doing so proved to strengthen resolve, however.
[ARTICLE] [ABSTRACT] [FULL TEXT]

How Gas Prices Affect Employee Mental Health
It's no secret rising gas prices have worker's wallets hurting, but a new survey of 1000 employees shows costs have also affected stress levels and attitudes about work. The worse they were hit by gas-related spending, the more likely workers were to report stress on and off the job, along with additional family problems, negative views about work and the company and a lower commitment to getting work done. Financial worry and the perception of never getting ahead are said to be to blame for these feelings.
[ARTICLE]

Myelin-Alzheimer's Connection Uncovered
UCLA professor George Bartzokis has found evidence to support his earlier hypotheses that the decline of myelin in the brain is implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Suggesting that the breakdown of myelin, which breaks down in the reverse order it was built up in the brain during the first 50 years or so of life, releases iron which in turn promote the growth of plaques and "toxic amyloid oligomers" which cause further myelin breakdown, he examined images of amyloid deposits in living Alzheimer's patients and a 1901 journal article mapping areas of the brain where late-stage myelination occurs. The areas were identical.
[ARTICLE]

Genome Study Shows Roots of Bipolar Disorder
Comparing the DNA of 413 adults with bipolar disorder and 563 non-affected adults, a new study has found that several genetic combinations contribute to the development of the disorder, though none alone causes it. Researchers suggest targeting the enzyme produced by one of these variations will create more effective medications to treat the disorder.
[ARTICLE] [ABSTRACT]