CBS News – Researchers are pointing out a possible link between certain types of antidepressants and birth defects. A new study in the British Medical Journal looks at women who take SSRI’s during early pregnancy. it finds the use of Prozac and Paxil may be associated with heart defects and irregular skull shapes. The study says the risk is low and that further studies are needed. SOURCE – BMJ/MedDay/CBS
Type 2 diabetes
People who suffer from long term type 2 diabetes may experience negative effects on the brain. Research in the Journal Neurology tested the cognitive skills of 40 patients. Over the course of a two year study, the disease affected blood flow to the brain, and patients scored lower on memory tests and thinking skills. SOURCE – Neurology/MedDay/CBS
Online programs
A new study takes a look at online programs known as symptom checkers. Millions of people use the software to self-diagnose their illnesses. Researchers at Harvard Medical School tested two dozen programs and got the correct diagnosis in just 34-percent of the cases. That’s roughly the same accuracy as telephone help-lines, and slightly better than a general internet search. SOURCE – BMJ/MedDay/CBS
