Preschoolers who regularly overeat are likely swallowing their emotions as well, a new study says. Girls who overeat as preschoolers are more likely to develop anxiety, impulsivity and hyperactivity when they grow into teenagers, researchers reported in the journal BMC Pediatrics. The results indicate that children’s eating patterns could be early signs of mental health…  read on >  read on >

An approved pill for Alzheimer’s disease might help boost social functioning in some children and teens with autism spectrum disorder, a new small-scale clinical trial has found. Memantine improved these kids’ social behaviors 56%, compared to a 21% improvement among kids taking a placebo, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. “Participants who responded to memantine…  read on >  read on >

Menopause does not increase symptoms and disability among women with multiple sclerosis, a major new study has concluded. Some experts had been concerned that fluctuating hormone levels associated with menopause might affect severity of the neurodegenerative disease, researchers said. MS disability notably increases around age 50, which coincides with the age many women experience menopause,…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing the safety of mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions for 25 years, amid a push from conservative state attorneys general and anti-abortion groups.  The announcement was made in a letter from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, according to CBS News. The…  read on >  read on >

In-home firearm homicides of children and teenagers have more than doubled since 2010, according to a new study. Nearly a quarter of children and teenagers killed by guns died in their own homes between 2020 and 2021, including two-thirds of child victims 12 and under, according to findings published Sept. 26 in JAMA Surgery. These…  read on >  read on >

The maker of Tylenol is pushing back against resurfaced claims that its popular pain reliever is unsafe for pregnant women. Kenvue, the parent company of Tylenol, issued a statement Thursday after an old and now-deleted 2017 social media post resurfaced suggesting it did not recommend “any of our products while pregnant.”  The company now says…  read on >  read on >

An experimental pill can significantly reduce hot flashes and night sweats for women after menopause, a new clinical trial has determined. Elinzanetant produced a nearly 74% reduction in the frequency and severity of these menopause symptoms within three months, researchers reported recently in JAMA Internal Medicine. Further, this relief lasted for a year, the trial…  read on >  read on >

Skin-to-skin contact might help kick-start brain development in preterm babies, a new study says. Preemies born before 32 weeks showed stronger development in brain regions tied to emotion and stress regulation if they received more skin-to-skin contact, researchers reported Sept. 24 in the journal Neurology. “Skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants has been shown to have…  read on >  read on >