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Teen brain may be primed for addiction

"Adolescence is a time when the symptoms of most mental illnesses-such as schizophrenia and bipolar and eating disorders-are first manifested, so we believe that this is a critical period for preventing these illnesses," says neuroscientist Bita Moghaddam.

U. PITTSBURGH (US) - Jan 18 2012 The teenage brain may be particularly wired to develop disorders like addiction and depression, a new study shows. Researchers compared the brain activity of adolescent and adult rats involved in a task in which they anticipated a reward. The researchers found increased brain cell activity in the adolescent rats' brains in an unusual area: the dorsal striatum (DS)-a site commonly associated with habit formation, decision-making, and motivated learning. The adult rats' DS areas, on the other hand, did not become activated by an anticipated reward. "The brain region traditionally associated with reward and motivation, called the nucleus accumbens, was activated similarly in adults and adolescents," says Bita Moghaddam, professor of neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. "But the unique sensitivity of adolescent DS to reward anticipation indicates that, in this age group, reward can tap directly into a brain region that is critical for learning and habit formation." Read the Article  Review the Study Abstract

Ovidio Bermudez MD

The Willing and Able: Understanding the Adolescent Brain in the Treatment of Eating Disorders

iaedp Symposium 2012:  Wednesday, March 21, 2012: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

This presentation is an in depth overview of the development of the brain through the childhood and adolescent phases, with specific focus on how this applies to the treatment of eating disorders and its implications for how we address the specific needs of children and adolescents in a developmentally sound fashion. The development of the brain will be examined including proliferation and pruning, sequential maturation, and hormonal and environment influences on brain development. The presentation will conclude with practical techniques and developmentally sensitive approaches to working with the eating disorder patient population at this critical phase of brain development.  Presenting this preconference, Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, CEDS, Board Certified in Pediatrics/ Adolescent Medicine is the Medical Director of Child & Adolescent Services at Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado. With academic appointments as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry /Pediatrics at University Of Oklahoma College Of Medicine, he co-founded both the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee & the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association and is a founding member of Houston Eating Disorders Specialists. A Fellow of AED, the Society for Adolescent Medicine & the American Academy of Pediatrics, he is Past Chairman of NEDA's Board of Directors and Co-Chairs AED's Hispano-Latino-American Chapter. Read More

Joel Robertson, PharmD

Brain Chemistry and Body Image - A View from the Inside Out

iaedp Symposium 2012:  Saturday, March 24, 2012: 9:00 AM-10:30 AM

 Eating disorders are multifactoral in origin. Regardless of the disorder, self-perception, body image and self-esteem are central issues for those with an eating disorder. Brain chemistry is an important factor in self-perception. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin can have a powerful effect on how individuals view themselves and the world around them. Brain chemistry imbalances can affect self-image directly, and disordered thinking can have a powerful effect affect on brain chemistry. Identification and correction of brain chemistry imbalances are important pieces of an effective treatment plan. Once brain chemistry imbalances have been corrected self-perception, body image and self-esteem issues can be dealt with more effectively. This session will explore the issues surrounding brain chemistry and its affect on body image, as well as the effects of eating disorders on brain chemistry. The session will also feature basic tips for identifying brain chemistry imbalances and methods to assist individuals in overcoming imbalances when they occur. Joel C. Robertson, PharmD is Founder and CEO of Robertson Wellness. He is a leader in brain chemistry and human behavior, an internationally recognized clinician, best-selling author, lecturer, and consultant. In the past 25 years, over 14,000 individuals have been assessed and treated using his proprietary, scientifically-based tools. His online Brain Chemistry programs have been specifically developed to help individuals overcome the personal inhibitors that compromise overall health, wellness, and performance. He has been a featured speaker at numerous professional conferences.  Read More

Report Reveals: Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years

NEW YORK | Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:23pm EST

(Reuters Health) - The number of kids and adults in the United States who are obese has held steady over the last few years, two reports out Tuesday suggest. Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Read More

What's New in the Treatment of Overeating and Obesity?

iaedp Symposium 2012 Friday, March 23, 2012: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM

Successful translational research does not only involve moving a discovery from bench to bedside, but rather consists of free-flowing movement along a continuum of bedside to bench and bench to bedside. The lab experts often look to clinicians for treatment challenges or insights and the clinicians look to the lab experts for an understanding of what they have seen. This is especially true in the field of addiction. In the 1970s, I began looking for the mechanisms of drug reinforcement and withdrawal. I observed humans in withdrawal who had anorexia and those in prolonged and successful abstinence who had hyperphagia. During this time It became apparent that opiate addicts when involved in the cycle of drug use, withdrawal, craving and back to use - lost all interest in food. This was true also in cocaine and amphetamine addicts. In the US cocaine users often forgot to eat. Amphetamine addicts did not eat very much or even feel the need to eat. Ecstasy users also forgot to eat or even drink water. Through observation and experience, drugs of abuse and the drive for food appeared to be quite related. In fact, drugs and food appeared to compete with the drug predominating. Food can become an object of desire and act inmost respects as a drug of abuse. Hoebel reported on phentermine, phen-fen, and stimulant related appetite change and weight loss for decades. All drugs of abuse appear to release dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and when used chronically will produce a down regulation of the dopamine pathways. Hoebel and colleagues produced similar findings for sugar binging in rats. The development of PET studies have allowed us to visualize the D2 changes in cocaine, opioid or alcohol addicts and compare them with those of the morbidly obese. The Gold lab is investigating working models for pathological attachment to eating and food addiction. New pharmacological treatments which interfere with food reinforcement may be the next step.   Mark S. Gold, M.D. is Chairman of Psychiatry, a distinguished Professor,and Eminent Scholar. He is an editor, author, teacher, pioneer, researcher and inventor, working for over 40 years to create models for understanding the effects of drugs on brain and behavior. His models have led to the discovery of new addiction treatments and also yielded new approaches to the treatment of addictions. Dr. Gold's seminal work on cocaine is considered classic translational science. Over the past decade he has pioneered hedonic overeating as an addiction and developed animal and imaging models to develop new treatments for overeating and obesity.  Read More

Symposium 2012 is a value proposition for your professional development dollars!

• Up to 26.5 continuing education units with basic symposium registration fees  details
• Earn up to 31.5 continuing education units if you attend preconference sessions
• Choose from 40 Breakout Workshop Sessions
• Faculty of 80 thought leaders in the field

Attend Five Keynote Sessions on significant treatment topics

Jean Kilbourne, Joyce Hawkes, Corrine Gerwe, Joel Robertson, Mark Gold

Jean Kilbourne, EdD (Continuing the Legacy Banquet Keynote, Thurs, 7pm)

So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood

Joyce Hawkes, PhD  (Friday, 9am)

Cell-Level Resonance: Healing Where Body and Consciousness Connect

Mark Gold, MD  (Friday, 4:30 pm)

What's New in the Treatment of Overeating and Obesity?

Joel Robertson, PharmD  (Saturday, 9 am)

Brain Chemistry and Body Image - A View from the Inside Out

Corrine Gerwe, PhD, LCAS, CAS (Saturday - 4:30 pm)

The Gerwe Orchestration Method (G-OM): A Psychodynamic Approach to the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Many food events, musical theater, yoga and receptions included in registration

• Networking breakfasts Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun
• Continuing the Legacy Banquet and Grand Opening Reception Thursday
• Luncheons Thurs (networking), Fri, and Sat
• Friday Special Luncheon Program: 2012 International Forum: Food for Thought - The Relevance of Cultural Issues in Treating Eating Disorders with Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, CEDS, Divya Kakaiya, PhD, CEDS, Eva María Trujillo, MD, CEDS, FAED, Caryl CAB. James, PhD, Anita Johnston, PhD, CEDS, and Suzanne Ricklin, LCSW-C, BCD, CEDS
• Saturday Luncheon Program: Falling Through the Looking Glass: Three Perspectives on Creative Solutions along the Recovery Journey with Jenni Schaefer, BS, Robyn Hussa, MFA, RYT and Doris Smeltzer, MA
• Friday night reception
• Friday Evening Event: NOR*MAL the musical (CE's not provided)
• Saturday night Chapter and Imagine Me Dessert Reception and Program
• Afternoon beverage breaks Friday and Saturday 
• Complimentary yoga classes led by Elisa Mott, NCC,CYT. (Sponsored by The Renfrew Center Foundation. There is no charge for the classes but you must have a ticket to attend. Tickets will be available at The Renfrew Center Exhibit Booth.)
• Friday, 2:45pm - 3:30pm
• Saturday, 11:00am - 11:45am 

Four preconference sessions that offer an extended learning experience (3 hour workshops. Extra fees required: each workshop costs $95.  These sessions do not require a full conference registration.)

The Willing and Able: Understanding the Adolescent Brain in the Treatment of Eating Disorders  Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, CEDS

Working with Eating Disordered Individuals in the Context of Couples Therapy
 Kathryn R. Juzwin, PsyD, John L. Levitt, PhD and Annmarie Belmonte, PsyD

Wed, Mar 21, 1 pm- 4pm

Finding Hope for Recovery: Pandora's Box Re-visited
 Anita Johnston, PhD, CEDS

Mental Health Parity: What does it Really Mean?
 Lisa S. Kantor, J.D.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Experience the intimate charm and elegance found only beyond Charleston's private garden gates and historic thresholds during Historic Charleston Foundation's 65th Annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens. (March 22 - April 21, 2012)  Set amid the historic ambience of the city's Old & Historic District, this series of award-winning tours showcases Charleston's distinctive architecture, history, gardens and culture. These tours provide a rare opportunity for guests to go inside the private houses and gardens of some of America's most beautiful historic residences, dating to the 18th century.

Visit Charleston to see why it has been renowned for three centuries as "a city set in a garden." The Festival is set during the peak of the city's blooming season. Tours feature seven to 10 properties each day in one of 11 neighborhoods, dating from the American colonial period, through the antebellum and Victorian eras, to early 20th century. Beautiful architecture and lush gardens are woven throughout the historic neighborhoods of Charleston, which has consistently been named among the 10 most courteous and friendly cities in America.

Tours and events vary daily to allow you to enjoy the diversity of this unique port city which traces its origins to 1670.  

•  Online Schedule with links to program descriptions and speaker bios here
•  Charleston Marriot Hotel
• special conference rate of $159 for symposium participants. Be sure and make your reservations early. Rooms at this price are limited. Be sure and mention that you are with iaedp (rates subject to all applicable taxes). A reservation link is available here or call 1 800-228-9290
•  Online Registration here

•  Download Brochure with Registration Form here

•  Continuing Education Information here 

   
  This conference was created and designed by eating disorders professionals to meet the needs of eating disorders professionals! 
   Register now!
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Special Thanks to our Symposium 2012 Sponsors

 iaedp Presidents Council                  

 Eating Recovery Center

 Melrose Institute at Park Nicollet        

 Pine Grove Women's Center               

 Remuda Ranch Programs                    

 Rosewood Centers                            

 The Ranch                                       

 Timberline Knolls                              

 Conference CoSponsors

Center for Change

 Focus Healthcare of Tennessee

 Laureate Eating Disorders Program

 Selah House

 The Renfrew Centers

 CE Learning

 Mary Bellofatto Consulting