A Baylor University researcher found that individuals with a secure attachment to God experience fewer symptoms of anxiety-related disorders. Those who pray but do not expect comfort or protection from God are more likely to show symptoms of anxiety.
A study of high school students found that teen insomnia is independently linked with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Eveningness chronotype – being more active in the evenings – is also an independent risk factor for insomnia and depression among teens.
Researchers found that naltrexone reduced symptoms of compulsive gambling and other behaviors in PD patients. The medication may help alleviate these issues due to dopamine agonist treatment, not necessarily a result of the disease itself.
A Tel Aviv University study found Israeli youths exposed to terrorism and conflict suffer higher levels of anxiety, phobia, and depression than their US counterparts. Girls are particularly vulnerable, with more severe psychiatric pathologies reported than boys.
Researchers have linked autistic behaviors in Fragile X syndrome to the MMP-9 enzyme, which can be targeted therapeutically. The study found that deleting MMP-9 favorably impacts behaviors associated with FXS, offering new hope for treating the disorder.
Researchers advocate for a new discipline combining benefits of neuroscience and psychology treatments to address mental disorders. The 'mental health science' approach aims to uncover mechanisms of existing psychological treatments and leverage neuroscience insights to create improved therapies.
A University of Cambridge study found that brain activity in people with compulsive sexual behavior is similar to that triggered by drugs in the brains of drug addicts. The ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate, and amygdala regions were more active in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior compared to healthy volunteers.
Research found that people with bipolar disorder have stronger brain activity in the 'pleasure centre', guiding them towards riskier decisions. In contrast, a healthy control group's prefrontal cortex guides safer choices. This study aims to design and monitor therapies for bipolar disorder using neuroscience.
Researchers found that impulsivity plays a crucial role in cocaine addiction, with highly impulsive rats taking longer to develop habits. The study identified specific phases of addiction where dopamine receptor blockers may be effective in treating compulsive cocaine use.
A new study suggests that bipolar children have unique brain activity patterns compared to adults, particularly in emotional face recognition and cognitive tasks. The research provides insight into potential targeted treatments for pediatric bipolar disorder.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that individuals with disorders of compulsivity share similar patterns of decision-making and brain structure. The researchers discovered lower grey matter volumes in brain regions involved in goal-tracking and rewards, leading to automatic habitual choices.
Researchers found that a revised version of the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire, shortened from 87 to 20 items, can also assess symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study's findings suggest that the questionnaire may be a useful tool for understanding mental health disorders beyond OCD.
A genome-wide association study has identified a genetic marker associated with OCD, which could lead to new drugs and treatments for the debilitating disorder. The findings suggest a link between OCD and learning and memory, as well as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
A new study from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center found that family-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial to young children between the ages of five and eight with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The treatment was more effective in reducing OCD symptoms and functional impairment compared to a relaxati...
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that deep brain stimulation increases striatal dopamine release in patients with OCD, potentially aiding their control over compulsive behaviors. The treatment's effectiveness may relate to its ability to compensate for underlying dopamine dysfunction.
A new study reveals a strong connection between domestic abuse and postpartum mental health problems, including depression, PTSD, stress, anxiety, OCD, and more. The research found that women who experienced abuse were more likely to suffer from mental health issues, with specific types of abuse linked to specific symptoms.
Two new studies published in Biological Psychiatry suggest that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be characterized by a tendency to form compulsive habits, rather than irrational beliefs. Researchers found that individuals with OCD displayed impairments in goal-directed decision making and avoidance habits.
A small study published in BMJ Open suggests that men with eating disorders are underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied. The perception that eating disorders are a women's problem delays men from seeking help, with some experiencing significant distress and suicidal thoughts.
A global study by Concordia University researchers found that 94 percent of people experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, and/or impulses. This commonality challenges traditional OCD diagnoses and treatment strategies, suggesting that cognitive and behavioral interventions may be more effective across cultures.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $4 million in NARSAD Grants to 40 mid-career scientists from around the world. The grants will fund basic research, new technologies, and next-generation therapies for schizophrenia, major affective disorders, and other serious mental illnesses.
Researchers found that acupuncture/electroacupuncture combined with Seroxat improves depressive symptoms and reduces obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptoms. The treatment produces a rapid onset of therapeutic effect.
Researchers derived stem cell lines from people with bipolar disorder to study brain cell development and behavior. The comparison revealed specific differences in gene expression, neuron development, and response to lithium, which may lead to new treatment options and personalized medicine.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder experience significant mental health problems, including self-harm, substance abuse, and complications during delivery. Researchers emphasize the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment to mitigate these risks.
A study by Bowling Green State University researchers suggests a correlation between excessive tanning and mental health symptoms such as OCD and BDD. The findings indicate that prevention messages may not be effective for those with these conditions, highlighting the need for further assessment and treatment.
Researchers at UCLA and international collaborators identify 50 brain and behavioral measures associated with bipolar disorder, including thickness of gray matter in key brain regions. The study's findings could be a major step toward identifying specific genes contributing to the illness.
A large-scale randomized control trial shows Schema Therapy to be significantly more effective than Clarification-Oriented Psychotherapy and treatment as usual in treating a range of personality disorders. The therapy resulted in higher recovery rates, greater declines in depression, and lower dropout rates.
Researchers have pinpointed areas of the brain that act as an 'arbitrator' between habitual and goal-directed systems. This mechanism ensures optimal control over behavior by weighing the reliability of predictions from each system.
A study by the University of Georgia found that people with impulsive personalities are more likely to experience food addiction, a compulsive pattern of eating similar to drug addiction. This is associated with obesity, highlighting the need for new treatments to address compulsive eating habits.
Researchers will analyze genomes of three breeds to identify genes responsible for OCD-like behaviors. The study aims to provide insights for earlier diagnoses and innovative therapeutics, potentially benefiting children with autism.
Researchers found that adolescent rats exposed to THC experienced molecular changes and increased motivation to self-administer heroin in their adulthood offspring, highlighting potential long-term effects of marijuana use on future generations.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals substantial discrepancies among mid-life and late-life adults in reporting past mental health disorders compared to physical disorders. The study found that lifetime estimates of mental disorders ascertained by retrospective versus cumulative evaluations were sign...
A new NIH study reveals that individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to engage in substance use, especially cigarette smoking. Protective factors typically associated with lower substance use rates do not exist in those with severe mental illness.
A recent meta-analysis suggests that antidepressants are not effective in treating bipolar disorder. The study found no significant difference in response rates or remission for patients using antidepressants compared to placebo.
A recent study found that random fluctuations in brain cell activity may influence our choices when faced with equal options. The research suggests that the orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in decision-making and that neuronal signals can be biased by random noise, leading to close calls.
Research by University of Illinois expert Aric Rindfleisch found that materialistic individuals experience higher levels of post-traumatic stress, compulsive buying, and impulsive purchasing after traumatic events. Materialism amplifies distress and impairs coping mechanisms.
Novel therapies for nicotine and heroin addiction show promise, while research reveals underlying brain mechanisms driving compulsive disorders like addiction and pathological gambling. Understanding these processes may lead to non-pharmaceutical interventions and new treatment approaches.
A study published in Neurosurgery found significant variations in hospitals' management of children with traumatic brain injury, particularly in ICP monitoring and craniectomy. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 children treated at 156 US hospitals and found that rates of these interventions varied significantly between hospitals.
Researchers found chronic PTSD patients have gray matter structural damage in the prefrontal lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe. Improved PTSD symptoms are associated with reduced but not recovered gray matter structural damage.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics has shed new light on the genetic causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS). The research team found that OCD heritability is concentrated in chromosome 15, while TS heritability is spread across multiple chromosomes. The study's findings have significant implicat...
Researchers tracked similarities in how human and rodent subjects adapted to errors in a simple time estimation task, finding that both species employed low-frequency brainwaves to synchronize neurons. This study suggests that rat models could be useful for studying psychiatric diseases.
A multidisciplinary team treats a patient with severe OCD using DBS, achieving significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life. Whole-genome sequencing reveals gene variants associated with neuropsychiatric illness, providing insights for personalized care.
Highly materialistic individuals exhibit higher levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and impulsive buying when faced with mortal threats, according to an international study. Materialism also fuels anxiety about mortality, leading to compulsive spending as a coping mechanism.
A recent 12-country study found that binge-eating disorder is associated with substantial lifelong impairments, including depression, anxiety disorders, and work disability. The study suggests that early detection and treatment of eating disorders during adolescence may help prevent subsequent mental and physical disorders.
A form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) called exposure and ritual prevention has been shown to augment antidepressant treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 80% of patients responding compared to 23% on antipsychotics. The therapy works by retraining the brain's habit-forming circuitry to unlearn compulsive rituals.
A large DNA-sequencing study of anorexia nervosa has linked the eating disorder to variants in a gene coding for an enzyme regulating cholesterol metabolism. This finding suggests that anorexia could be caused by disruption in normal cholesterol processing, affecting mood and eating behavior.
Tel Aviv University researchers used zoological methods to classify symptoms of OCD and schizophrenia in humans. The study found that schizo-OCD patients exhibited both OCD-like behavior and symptoms of schizophrenia, suggesting it's a combination of both disorders.
Researchers at MIT have identified a key brain circuit that controls anxiety levels, providing new insights into the development of effective treatments. The study found that manipulating this circuit can boost or reduce anxiety in mice, suggesting a promising avenue for future research.
A 60-year-old woman with hearing impairment experiences unusual music hallucinations that are familiar to her husband but not herself. The case raises intriguing questions about the nature of memory and forgetting.
A study led by Dr. Elizabeth Osuch found a correlation between the activation of the putamen region in the brain and bipolar disorder symptoms. The discovery may lead to a definitive biological marker for differentiating between major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, ultimately improving diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a group of 1,040 rescue workers who participated in the Wenchuan earthquake relief. The findings indicate that PTSD was diagnosed in 64% of the participants, primarily due to factors such as near-death experience, severe injury or mental trauma, and low social support.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics has discovered substantial overlap of genetic risk factors among bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. This finding may lead to the development of new therapeutic avenues for treating these conditions.
UC Davis researchers discover how cancer chemotherapy agent Topotecan acts on gene causing Angelman syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The study highlights the significance of epigenetics in understanding both rare and common neurodevelopmental disorders.
A new study by San Francisco State University researchers identifies specific behaviors that lead to compulsive buying, including poor credit management and emotional purchases. The study found that shopaholics are more likely to buy things to boost their mood or improve their life.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting neural pathways between the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens reduces compulsive drinking in rats. The study's findings suggest a potential link to FDA-approved medications targeting these pathways, which could accelerate the development of new treatments for human compulsive drinking.
A recent study found that patients with major depressive disorder exhibit abnormal activation of the occipital lobes when processing emotions, leading to cognitive dysfunction. This abnormality may be an initiating factor for depression onset, resulting in attention deficit disorder.
According to scientists, cat feces carry an infectious parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii that has linked to various diseases and even mental health issues. The accumulation of oocysts in soil, grass, and water may be a significant public health problem, prompting calls for better cat population control.
A study published in CMAJ found that 13.5% of Canadian Forces personnel who served in support of the Afghanistan mission between 2001-08 had a mental health disorder related to their deployment. The most common disorders were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, with PTSD being found in 8% of personnel.
Researchers found that brain circuits controlling obsessive-compulsive behavior are intertwined with those controlling food intake and body weight. The study suggests that minor disruptions in this system may lead to disorders like anorexia nervosa or OCD, as well as obesity, where individuals overconsume high-fat foods.
OCD researchers discovered a mechanism underlying compulsive behaviors in mice, suggesting potential treatments. The study's findings could lead to novel drug development and direct stimulation techniques, including deep brain stimulation.
Researchers used optogenetics to re-establish normal behavior in mice with obsessive-compulsive disorder-like symptoms. Light stimulation attenuated compulsive behavior, and the approach may help identify dysfunctional neuron circuits contributing to the disorder.