News - Liberal Democrat Disability Association

Fear centre 'shrinks' in autism

A part of the brain associated with emotional learning and fear shrinks in people with autism, research suggests. Teenagers and young men with autism in the study who had the most severe social impairment were found to have smaller than normal amygdalae. The researchers from the University of Wisconsin suggested the amygdalae may shrink due to chronic stress caused by social fear in childhood. The study was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

19 Mar 2007

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Hospital appeal over disabled boy

Swansea NHS Trust will try to appeal against a High Court judgement in which full compensation was guaranteed to a disabled boy. The High Court in London ruled that Jac Richards, 10, from Llanelli, would have escaped injury had he been delivered by caesarean 10 minutes earlier.

16 Mar 2007

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Disabled woman's car theft arrest

A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with an incident during which a car was stolen from a disabled woman in Edinburgh.

16 Mar 2007

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Vehicle stolen from disabled OAP

Two teenagers who stole a car from a disabled pensioner in Edinburgh are being sought by police. The 77-year-old woman had called out a mechanic after her a gold Toyota Yaris had failed to start when the incident happed in East Parkside on Tuesday. He arrived at 1815 GMT and began working on the car. Once the mechanic fixed the car and with the engine still running he went to fetch the owner. She then spotted two youngsters jumping into it and driving off.

16 Mar 2007

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Social care hit by NHS deficits

Social care for vulnerable people is being squeezed as a result of NHS deficits, according to the Local Government Association. The LGA says costs are being shunted to social services departments as the NHS in England aims to balance its books. A survey of 95 councils which run social services found two thirds say NHS debts are affecting them. The Department of Health said the NHS and local authorities had to work together for patients' benefit.

16 Mar 2007

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Zinc could be key to eye disease

The mineral zinc may play a role in the development of a common cause of blindness, research suggests. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among elderly people in the developed world. Researchers found high zinc levels in deposits in the eye which are a marker for AMD development. The study, published in Experimental Eye Research and led by London's Institute of Ophthalmology, could help the development of new treatments.

16 Mar 2007

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