HealthWeek (PBS) - 1999-10-07 (partial)
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Read a transcript preview of “HealthWeek (PBS) - 1999-10-07 (partial)” from malgent, uploaded on 2026-01-04.
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Language: English (original, YouTube automatic captions)
[0:00] which allow nerve cells in the brain to
[0:02] communicate. Imaging devices let
[0:04] researchers see whether specific
[0:06] medications and other treatments are
[0:08] working.
[0:09] >> We're looking at areas of decreased
[0:11] activity in a
[0:13] ill patient with before treatment. Then
[0:16] we're looking here after treatment that
[0:18] we see her brain has kind of normalized
[0:20] its level of activity.
[0:22] >> Right now, the PET scan is used mainly
[0:24] for research, but someday it and other
[0:27] imaging devices may put our brains on
[0:29] display for doctors everywhere.
[0:31] High-tech tools to improve the diagnosis
[0:34] and treatment of an age-old affliction.
[0:39] >> [music]
[0:41] >> I'm Dr. Bruce Dan. While most research
[0:44] into the biological roots of depression
[0:46] looks at middle-aged adults, depression
[0:48] strikes people of all ages, even
[0:50] teenagers and children.
[0:52] It's estimated that about 5% of children
[0:55] and adolescents suffer from depression.
[0:57] And a recent study in the journal
[0:59] Pediatrics underscores just how subtle
[1:02] the warning signs may be.
[1:04] In their study of more than 350 third-
[1:06] and fifth-graders, Finnish researchers
[1:09] found youngsters who often complained of
[1:11] widespread pain in their muscles and
[1:12] bones were far more likely to be
[1:15] depressed than those who didn't.
[1:17] But the most common red flags are
[1:19] behavior changes. A depressed child may
[1:21] act sad, lose interest in favorite
[1:24] activities, or dramatically alter his
[1:26] sleeping or eating patterns.
[1:28] For teens, depression often surfaces in
[1:30] the form of poor grades, smoking, or
[1:33] alcohol abuse.
[1:34] Finally, if a young person begins
[1:36] talking about suicide, you