Parental concern: Detecting depression in children

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Dr. Curtis Cripe of NTL Group has always been a fierce advocate of mental health and wellness. A huge part of his research deals with the mental health issues that children experience. For this blog, Dr. Cripe reviews childhood depression, more specifically, how to detect it in children.

In case people are still wondering, science has proven that depression exists and is a real problem that needs to be addressed. For parents, it is imperative that they know whether or not their children experience this serious issue.

Below is a list of signs and symptoms to look out for, as shared by Dr. Curtis Cripe.

1. A break in routines

Deviation in patterns may be a cause for concern. Though they may not necessarily be red flags, a sudden change in what children do, for example – simply not finding joy in what used to be their favorite regular activity, maybe a sign that something is off in their minds.

2. Lack of appetite

The unwillingness to eat and nourish oneself isn’t just a sign of depression in adults; it also applies to children. Children are indeed the pickiest eaters out there, so it may be difficult for some parents to catch, but Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that when children don’t even touch their favorite dishes, it may be a cause for concern.

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3. Long-term negative behavior

When children experience failures in life, these incidents may have a profound albeit sometimes subtle effect on them. They may seem angry for long periods. If it takes more than a few weeks, parents should take action, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds.

Dr. Curtis Cripe has behind him a diverse multidisciplinary professional and academic background, having worked in aerospace, engineering, software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, and child neurodevelopment. Check out this blog for more insights on neurology and related fields.

An overview of the neurological disorder known as Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome refers to a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a combination of physical and mental tics. These tics typically manifest themselves between the ages of six and 18. Often the tics become less severe or disappear completely when a person suffering from the disorder reaches their late teens, but it can also worsen as the person becomes a full-fledged adult, explains behavioral medicine expert Dr. Curtis Cripe of the NTL Group.

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This syndrome is named after the French physician Georges de la Tourette, who described the symptoms among nine of his patients in 1884. While Tourette’s was once considered a rare disorder, newer studies estimate that one in every 162 children in the U.S. alone has it and that it’s more prevalent among boys. It’s important to note that most diagnosed patients link Tourette’s to other developmental, behavioral, or mental disorders.

The basic signs of Tourette’s are involuntary and repetitive sounds and body movements which, as stated earlier, are called tics. However, not all tics are necessarily Tourette’s, the differences often based on the duration of the tics. To be clear, Tourette’s consist of both motor and phonic tics, assessed to have been occurring for over a year. Another tic disorder is transient tic, which is considered benign and does not last for over 12 months. Chronic tic refers to either a single or multiple motor or vocal tic but not both.

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Neurologists have yet to learn what causes Tourette Syndrome exactly, but both genetic and environmental factors are seen to play a vital role in its development. Some experts posit that because it’s believed to be hereditary, those with family members that have it are more likely to get Tourette’s. However, it has also been diagnosed in people with no family history of tics. Neurological studies continue to be done to identify gene variations that enhance developmental risks related to the disorder, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds.

Dr. Curtis Cripeis the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the creation of neuroengineering programs which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous neurological disorders. Go to this page for more neurology-related reads.

A look at common neurological disorders and their prevalence

Today, advancements in neuroscience have led to the identification of hundreds of neurological conditions, disorders that vary in symptom and severity from person to person says neuroengineering professional Dr. Curtis Cripe.

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While certain conditions are more serious and rarer than others, they are all disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system— affecting the brain, cranial and peripheral nerves, spinal cord, automatic nervous system, muscles, and nerve roots. The most common ones are Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, epilepsy, migraine headache disorders, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, neuro infections, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and disorders related to head trauma or TBI.

It should be mentioned that a variety of infections can likewise affect the nervous system. These include viral ones like the West Nile, HIV, and Zika virus; bacterial ones like tuberculosis; parasitic infections like malaria; and fungal ones like Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. Also, neurological symptoms may be a result of an immune response or occur due to the infection itself.

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Today, hundreds of millions are affected by neurological disorders all over the world, Dr. Curtis Cripe adds. Recent studies show that over 50 million people have epilepsy; 47.5 million are suffering from dementia (with Alzheimer’s disease being the leading cause), and more than 6 million people die from stroke each year. Even migraine cases are growing, comprising over 10 percent of global neurological disorders.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. For related posts, visit this blog.

The causes and treatments of memory loss

Short-term memory or the onset of forgetfulness, even if simply occasional, can be significantly disruptive to daily lives. There are a variety of causes for loss of memory, and we’ve outlined them below:

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One common cause is both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. It could very possibly be that your sleeping pills, antihistamines, anti-depressants, pain medication after undergoing a surgery, or muscle relaxants are interfering with your memory. Secondly, there’s lack of sleep. If you’ve been overworked and simply getting too little sleep, the resulting fatigue could also affect the processing and retrieval of information in the brain.


Other major contributors to memory loss are bad nutrition or deficiency in nutrients and vitamins, stress and depression, heavy consumption of alcohol, smoking, drug use, and incurrence of a head injury. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to mitigate the condition. Eating healthier food and sleeping right are practical ways to keep memory loss at bay.

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For most people getting on in age, it’s advisable to socialize more regularly, as doing so pushes back depression and stress which are also known causes of memory loss. Staying mentally active, from doing crossword puzzles and volunteering for civic projects to learning to play a musical instrument or reading more books, is also an effective deterrent of memory loss.

Engaging in more physical activities is also a good way to retain a sharp memory. A sedentary life decreases blood flow throughout our body and brain. Jogging, brisk walking, and doing aerobics and meditation activities like yoga help greatly; a simple 10- to 15-minute walk in a day is a great regular habit to develop.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in developing brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. For more info on Dr. Curtis and the NTL Group, go to this website.

Why We Should Take a Bump On The Head Seriously

While we often take for granted minor head injuries sustained from accidents or sports, it’s best to go through the so-called “concussion protocol” when they happen. More than a simple bump on the head is a bruise, then possible nausea, blurred vision, headache, and dizziness.

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In any case, we shouldn’t wait for more complications to appear whenever we receive a hit or blow to the head. Even if the pain goes away within minutes, we should monitor the situation within 24 hours. This is especially true when the head injury is incurred by children. If the symptoms above don’t go away or become chronic, the recourse is to go to the hospital’s emergency minor injuries unit for a check-up.

Also, we might be too dismissive of the injury to notice that it’s already a serious one. Tell-tale signs of serious head injuries requiring immediate medical attention are difficulty in staying awake or being sleepy hours after, bruising and bleeding from one or both ears, sudden problems with reading and writing, poor vision, and slurred speech. In short, we don’t need to see blood or a person outright falling unconscious to know that a head injury is serious.

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Even if everything seems to be fine after bumping your head, you’ve to make sure that there’s no concussion. It’s still advisable to have someone watch over you or be within easy reach via phone or chat for the first 48 hours. Also, do not take sleeping pills, drink alcohol, nor drive a car. In general, avoid any stressful situations for at least a day.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. Drop by this website to know more about Dr. Cripe’s work and interests.

The Differences Between Short- And Long-Term Memory

The brain takes in and processes a plethora of thoughts and experiences every day, some of which only get stored for a few seconds or minutes, others assimilated for days, while some get etched in the brain for years or even entire lifetime. It is one’s capacity to recall these thoughts that is the basis for memory.

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Memory is, therefore, either short- or long-term. Remembering, for example, who called you up before you went to bed, or what you ate this morning before work, constitutes short-term memory. Experts sometimes call it active or primary memory. In general, short-term memories remain for a span of 30 seconds to several days.

Most short-term types will be eventually forgotten to make way for new ones unless one consciously takes the effort to recall them. When this is done, such memories get stored in the brain’s frontal lobe, the area that allows for long-term memories.

Long-term memory, therefore, refers to facts, experiences, and evens that happened weeks, months, or years back. The conscious decision or need to remember is often the reason for these memories, like recalling one’s Social Security number or ATM password, or when one wants to retain what they have studied for a test.

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However, sometimes what one may not intend to remember still gets stored as long-term memory. This is because an event has a very strong link to one’s sensory experience or a particular emotion, like the passing of a loved one or a first visit to another country.

Dr. Curtis Cripe’s professional career and academic background span a diverse range of disciplines, including aerospace engineering, software development, bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, psychology, and child neurodevelopment. For more on his work, visit this page.

Exploring Neurological Disorders In Babies: Signs And Symptoms

Babies have the amazing ability to develop incredibly fast, going from helpless tiny humans to fast walkers in no time. But there are plenty of factors why they can fall behind and experience a number of congenital neurological problems. Here are some common disorders of this kind among infants.

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Asphyxia or oxygen deprivation can take place when a baby is deprived of oxygen before, during, or after birth. On the other hand, as a common neurological problem in both babies and children, seizures can range in severity, depending on the underlying cause. Hemorrhages can occur in different parts of an infant’s brain, too, and can also range in severity depending on the size of the brain area affected by bleeding.

More severe neurological conditions can be evident at birth, such as an abnormally large forehead or abnormally shaped skull. Some signs of brain damage include an unusually small skull, abnormal facial features, seizures, stiffness, difficulty focusing vision, and inability to feed. Poor muscle coordination could occur, too – doctors note that this problem and jerking in infant limbs may signal epileptic activity if it persists.

If at delivery the signs of neurological issues are already evident, the doctor will start working with the parents to set up a treatment plan and make sure the baby gets all the needed care. Milder cases are more difficult to identify, but if the baby is already falling behind in the developmental curve, it may be a chance to talk about potential causes and what could be done.

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Dr. Curtis Cripe has a diverse background in neuroengineering, aerospace engineering, psychology, psychophysiology, software development and programming, addiction recovery, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. Read more about neurological diseases on this page.