A Child's Natural Tendency To Be Empathic And Moral

Children between ages of seven and 12 appear to be naturally inclined to feel empathy for others in pain, according to researchers at the University of Chicago, who used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( fMRI ) scans to study responses in children.

The responses on scans were similar to those found in studies of adults. Researchers found that children, like adults, show responses to pain in same areas of their brains. The research also found additional aspects of the brain activated in children, when youngsters saw another person intentionally hurt by another individual.

" This study is first to examine in young children both the neural response to pain in others and impact of someone causing pain to someone else, " said Jean Decety, Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Chicago, who reported findings in article, " Who Caused the Pain? An fMRI Investigation of Empathy and Intentionality in Children, " published in the currrent issue of Neuropsychologia . Joining him as co-authors were University students Kalina Michalska and Yuko Aktsuki.

The programming for empathy is something that's " hard-wired " into brains of normal children, and not entirely product of parental guidance or other nurturing, said Decety. Understanding brain's role in responding to pain can help researchers understand how brain impairments influence anti-social behavior, such as bullying, he explained.

For their research, team showed 17 typically developed children, ages seven to 12, animated photos of people experiencing pain, either received accidentally or inflicted intentionally. The group included nine girls and eight boys.

While undergoing fMRI scans, children where shown animations using three photographs of two people whose right hands or right feet only were visible.

The photographs showed people in pain accidently caused, such as when a heavy bowl was dropped on their hands, and situations in which people were hurt, such as when a person stepped intentionally on someone's foot. They were also shown pictures without pain and animations in which people helped someone alleviate pain.

The scans showed that parts of brain activated when adults see pain were also triggered in children.

" Consistent with previous functional MRI studies of pain empathy with adults, perception of other people in pain in children was associated with increased hemodymamic activity in neural circuits involved in the processing of first-hand experience of pain, including insula, somatosensory cortex, anterior midcigulate cortex, periaqueductal gray and supplementary motor area, " Decety wrote.

However, when children saw animations of someone intentionally hurt, the regions of brain engaged in social interaction and moral reasoning ( temporo-parietal junction, the paracigulate, orital medial frontal cortices and amygdala ) also were activated.

The study, which was supported by the National Science Foundation, provides new insights for children between childrens' perceptions of right and wrong and how their brains process information, Decety said. " Although our study didn't tap into explicit moral judgment, perceiving an individual intentionally harming another person is likely to elicit awareness of moral wrongdoing in observer, " he wrote.

Subsequent interviews with children showed they were aware of wrong-doing in the animations in which someone was hurt. " Thirteen of children thought that the situations were unfair, and they asked about reason that could explain this behavior, " Decety said.

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Source: William Harms University of Chicago

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Temazepam: uses Temazepam is used for short-term treatment of patients with trouble sleeping ( insomnia ) . It's generally used for 7-10 days. It may help you fall asleep faster and decrease number of times we awaken during night. It may also help we sleep for a longer period of time. Temazepam belongs to a class of medications called sedative/hypnotics. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect.

Temazepam: how to use Read Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Temazepam and each time we get a refill. If we have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take Temazepam by mouth, with or without food, usually once nightly, 30 minutes before bedtime; or take as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Don't use Temazepam if we will need to be alert before getting a full night's sleep ( e. g. , overnight plane flight of less than 7 hours ) . Temporary memory loss may occur while use Temazepam.

Temazepam may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended period of time, or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if you suddenly stop Temazepam, withdrawal reactions may occur while use Temazepam. Such reactions can include unusual depressed/anxious mood, stomach/muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, or shakiness. Seizures may also occur. Report to your doctor immediately any such reactions. When stopping extended, regular treatment with Temazepam, gradually reducing dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Although it's very unlikely to occur, Temazepam can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior ( addiction/habit forming ) . Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Properly stop medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.

When used for an extended period, Temazepam mayn't work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

We may experience trouble sleeping first few nights after we stop taking Temazepam. This is called rebound insomnia and it is normal. It'll usually go away after 1-2 nights. If this effect continues, contact your doctor.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 7-10 days.

Temazepam: side effects Dizziness, loss of coordination, or blurred vision may occur. To minimize falls, remember to get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temazepam may make we sleepy during day. Tell your doctor if we have daytime drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Temazepam because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Temazepam don't have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Temazepam is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Temazepam: precautions Before taking Temazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines ( e. g. , lorazepam, diazepam ) ; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using Temazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Temazepam may make we dizzy or drowsy, or cause temporary blurred vision. Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase risk of Temazepam's side effects.

Caution is advised when using Temazepam in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to effects of drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness, loss of coordination, and confusion.

Temazepam mustn't be used during pregnancy. Other medications in this class have caused birth defects when used in first three months of pregnancy. Other medications in this class have also caused unusual drowsiness, feeding problems, and liver problems in newborns when used at or near the time of delivery, or withdrawal symptoms in newborns when used for a long time during pregnancy. If we are a woman of childbearing age, use an effective form of birth control while taking Temazepam. If you plan to become pregnant, stop taking Temazepam before doing so. If we become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

Temazepam passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Temazepam isn't recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Temazepam: interactions Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Don't start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Temazepam shouldn't be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur while use Temazepam:

If we are currently using medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Temazepam.

Before using Temazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if we also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as:

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients including alcohol. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Temazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Temazepam: overdose If overdose of Temazepam is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow breathing, slurred speech, or a deep sleep from which we can't be awakened.

Temazepam: notes Don't share Temazepam with others. It's against the law.

Temazepam has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , liver and kidney function tests, blood count ) may be performed periodically to check for side effects if we use Temazepam for an extended period of time. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you require treatment for more than 7-10 days, laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed to find cause of your sleep problem. Consult with your doctor for more details.

As you get older, your sleep pattern may naturally change and your sleep may be interrupted several times during night. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to improve your sleep without medication, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, avoiding daytime naps, and avoiding going to bed too early each night.

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