Research at Umeå University reveals that low cortisol levels increase the risk of depression in people with bipolar disorder. The study found that both high and low cortisol levels impaired mental health, with those having low cortisol levels experiencing a chronic state of the disorder.
A study published in Science Signaling reveals that calcium channels in resting neurons activate the breakdown of Sp4, a transcription factor regulating gene expression. The research suggests that misregulation of Sp4 may contribute to the development of bipolar disorder.
Scientists found a strong association between REM sleep disturbance and the development of progressive brain diseases like Parkinson's and dementia. Longitudinal imaging data showed decreased dopamine transporter density in patients with REM sleep disorder, which marked the first hints of Parkinson's disease.
A smartphone app has shown promise in detecting early signs of mood changes in people with bipolar disorder through voice analysis during everyday phone conversations. The app, called PRIORI, analyzes broad features and properties of speech to identify potential mood swings.
Researchers uncover the growing concern of animal hoarding in Europe, characterized by poor animal care and neglect, with implications for mental health and public well-being. The study highlights the need for standardized intervention protocols and collaboration between sectors to address this issue.
Researchers identify CLP1 as a cause of a rare neurological disorder affecting brain development and peripheral nerves, leading to cell death in neural progenitor cells. The study reveals a new mechanism involving tRNA biogenesis, which explains the disorder's symptoms.
A novel screening process for early identification of infants at risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental learning delay (DLD) has been developed. The study uses biomarkers such as abrupt head circumference acceleration and absence of head tilt reflex to identify infants at risk by 9 months.
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.
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 found that children with autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are 7.59 times and 6.64 times more likely to express gender variance than their peers without these conditions. Participants with gender variance also experienced elevated anxiety and depression symptoms, but to a lesser extent among...
Researchers identified two new gene regions associated with bipolar disorder and confirmed three existing ones through a massive international collaboration. The study analyzed genetic data from over 9,400 patients and found that these genes work together with environmental factors to contribute to the disease.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified two new gene regions linked to bipolar disorder, bringing hope for new treatments. The research, involving over 24,000 patients and healthy individuals, sheds light on the genetic factors contributing to the complex condition.
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.
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.
Patients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) reported significant improvements in symptoms and disability after receiving cognitive behavioral therapy. The study, published in Behavior Therapy, suggests that CBT is an effective treatment modality for BDD, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments.
A study of 230 bipolar I disorder patients found that nearly a third were taking four or more psychiatric medications, with an average of six different drugs. Women were significantly more likely to experience complex polypharmacy, taking 68% of these high medication burden cases.
Two studies analyzed exomes of people with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, identifying patterns that suggest the disorder arises from combined effects of many genes. Genetic alterations tend to cluster in networks related to synaptic function, including calcium ion channels and cytoskeletal proteins.
Dr. Kushner earned the award for his study on hybrid cognitive behavioral therapy versus relaxation training for co-occurring anxiety and alcohol disorder, which showed significant better alcohol outcomes four months after treatment.
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.
People with IED have elevated levels of systemic inflammation markers in their blood, which correlates with aggression and impulsivity. Anti-inflammatories like Celebrex may help reduce aggression in those with the condition.
A study by USC scientists found that air pollution exposure amplifies the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder in children who carry a genetic variant associated with the disorder. The research, published in Epidemiology, suggests that gene-environment interactions play a significant role in autism risk.
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 Finnish study found that women with eating disorders have lower pregnancy rates and increased risk of miscarriage compared to their peers. The likelihood of abortion was more than double for bulimics and nearly half of pregnancies ended in miscarriage among women with binge-eating disorder.
Research suggests brain activity and hormone fluctuations play crucial roles in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women with PMDD exhibit hyper-responsive amygdala activation in response to emotional stimuli, particularly low progesterone levels. The study aims to develop new treatment strategies for affected women.
A study led by researchers at Mount Sinai found that individuals with autism were more likely to have gene deletions than those without the disorder, which may contribute to miswiring of brain neurons. The study suggests that these deletions could impact genetic testing and have clinical significance.
A study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that approximately one-third of teens with bipolar disorder developed substance abuse. Risk factors identified included experimentation with alcohol, cannabis use, and certain mental health conditions.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests a strong association between prenatal tobacco exposure and an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder (BD) in adult children. The study, which analyzed data from the Child Health and Development Study, found that maternal smoking during pregnancy was associat...
Researchers at Drexel University are developing a smartphone app to track individuals' patterns of eating and binge-eating behavior, alerting them at risk. A new evidence-based approach to small-group behavioral therapy also aims to equip patients with psychological tools to adhere to standard treatments.
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 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.
A genetic mutation in coagulation factor 5 is identified as the cause of a severe hereditary bleeding disorder in East Texas. The mutation leads to the production of a truncated form of FV, which forms a complex with tissue factor pathway inhibitor-α that inhibits coagulation pathways.
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.
Research reveals delayed brain development in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) compared to those without the disorder. Children with FASD show greatest gains in reading ability among other cognitive measures as their brains develop.
Researchers found that bipolar patients who binge eat are more likely to experience mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. In contrast, obese bipolar patients without binge eating were more prone to serious physical problems like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
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.
A study of 191 patients found that ADHD-related impulsivity worsens the prognosis for adults with eating disorders, particularly those with bulimia and binge-eating disorders. The research also identified age and low self-direction as risk factors for developing an eating disorder.
A Swedish study of over 2.5 million children found a small, statistically significant increased risk of mental retardation after in vitro fertilization (IVF), but no association with autistic disorder. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of IVF.
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 SAD participants have misconceptions about sleep habits similar to those of insomniacs, leading to incorrect reports of sleep duration. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder by addressing unhelpful beliefs about sleep.
A pioneering study demonstrates the benefit of MRI in identifying mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. The advanced imaging technique was able to correctly distinguish patients from healthy individuals with a high degree of accuracy, promising a new approach to diagnosis.
A new study published in Journal of Psychiatric Practice reports a hybrid categorical-dimensional diagnostic model proposed for DSM-5 aligns well with the current approach to personality disorder diagnoses. The findings support the adoption of this alternative model, which combines core dimensions of personality disorder with various m...
The Lancet Series on bipolar disorder offers a comprehensive overview of the condition, including its genetic basis, diagnostic challenges, and treatment limitations. The series highlights the need for more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatments, with neuroimaging research potentially transforming bipolar diagnosis.
A study published in JAMA found that maternal use of valproate during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder and childhood autism in offspring. The absolute risk is estimated at 4.42% for autism spectrum disorder and 2.50% for childhood autism.
A Mayo Clinic study found that men with dementia with Lewy bodies are five times more likely to have rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, which can appear decades before a diagnosis. The study suggests that screening for this sleep disorder could improve diagnosis and treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies.
A new somatic symptom disorder in DSM-5 risks mislabeling many people as mentally ill due to a lack of specificity and high false-positive rate. The condition will classify excessive responses to distressing symptoms, potentially leading to inappropriate medical decision-making.
A study found that family-focused treatment improved mood symptoms in children and adolescents at risk for bipolar disorder, with significant benefits for those from high expressed emotion families. The treatment showed promise in stabilizing symptoms and improving long-term outcomes.
A study found that mental health parity reduced total and out-of-pocket spending for patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder. Despite no significant change in service utilization, individuals with more severe illnesses experienced lower expenses due to the policy.
Research finds heightened activity in brain circuits for negative emotions and reduced activation of emotion-suppressing circuits in borderline personality disorder, with reduced frontal brain activity unique to the condition. The study suggests improved emotion regulation skills may be normalized after successful treatment.
Researchers used brain imaging technology to identify young people at risk of bipolar disorder, showing clear differences in brain activity when compared to controls. Young people with a genetic risk of bipolar displayed reduced brain responses to emotive faces, particularly fearful faces.
Patients with depressive disorders and borderline personality disorder have significantly higher unemployment rates than those without the condition. Persistent unemployment poses a significant public health burden, with 13.4% of patients missing up to two years or more from work.
Research identified UBE3B as the gene responsible for a rare developmental disorder in children, causing brain abnormalities and reduced growth. The study used a combination of DNA sequencing and mouse models to confirm the link between the gene mutation and the disorder.
Researchers found that the order of symptoms matters more for clinicians' descriptions of disorders that are different than those that overlap. This contradicts the assumption that order doesn't matter in psychiatric diagnoses. The study's findings have implications for bringing classification and clinical practice closer together.
Children with developmental coordination disorder can improve their fine motor skills through a unique virtual reality training program. The study, published in the Journal of Child Neurology, used a three-dimensional virtual reality device to help children with DCD overcome their motor skill impairments.
Rhode Island Hospital researcher Kristy L. Dalrymple explores the variances between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and normal shyness, discussing differing opinions on diagnosis and treatment. SAD affects up to 30% of those seeking mental health treatment, with significant economic costs and impact on daily life.
A UCLA-led team of experts found the proposed criteria to be reliable and valid in helping mental health professionals diagnose hypersexual disorder. The study accurately classified 88% of patients as having the disorder, with significant consequences including job loss, relationship end, and emotional distress.
A large genetic replication study found compelling evidence that the chromosome 3p21.1 locus contains a common genetic risk for bipolar disorder, specifically the PBRM1 gene. This replication distinguishes the heritable risk for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, contrasting with previous studies.
Researchers have identified genetic variations in genes associated with bipolar disorder I and II, providing new insights into the complex biochemical pathway involved. The study found associations between variants in PDE10A, DISC1, and GNAS genes and an increased risk of developing the mental illness.