A new brain imaging study found that people with schizophrenia exhibit distinct brain changes at the earliest stages of the illness, potentially identifying warning signs and preventing development. The research suggests a role for brain imaging in pinpointing early signs and may lead to preventive psychiatry.
Research at the University of Michigan found a 30% higher concentration of signaling cells in people with bipolar disorder, which could explain and treat manic depression. The discovery highlights the disorder's genetic and biological roots, offering new avenues for understanding and treatment.
Research findings suggest that depression in children is linked to increased serotonin transporter availability, while dopamine levels are less significant. A family-based study also identifies a potential link between the DRD4 gene and ADHD, highlighting progress in understanding molecular basis of childhood mental illness.
Researchers have discovered a biological marker associated with depression in children, who produce less growth hormone than normal peers when given a specific hormone. This finding could give doctors an early warning system to treat children at risk for major depression before they develop the illness.
A recent study found that older women with high natural estrogen levels are less likely to suffer cognitive decline. The researchers measured free estrogen and loosely bound forms of the hormone, finding a 70% lower risk of cognitive decline in those with the highest levels.
A new study at the University of North Carolina finds that men infected with HIV who use denial strategies to cope with the disease threat progress more rapidly to AIDS. Higher average blood levels of cortisol are also associated with faster progression.
A new study suggests that bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets may be an effective treatment for HSDD in females, with significant increases in episodes of sexual arousal and interest. Researchers reported encouraging results, with nearly 40% of participants showing improvement in their sexual desire.
A new 25-minute test distinguishes between different types of schizophrenia by measuring people's response to a sudden loud noise. Early onset schizophrenia has more severe information processing deficits and is less responsive to current treatments.
Researchers discovered a new approach to treating schizophrenia by creating medications that only last intermittently in the brain, reducing prominent side effects. This breakthrough opens doors to significant changes in how schizophrenia is treated and could lead to more effective medications with better tolerability.
Researchers found that estrogen use reduced cognitive decline in women with e2 and e3 ApoE alleles, but not in those with e4 variants. Estrogen also showed protective effects on carotid wall thickening and atherosclerosis.
A study found that recently detoxified male alcoholics experience significant cognitive and motor deficits, particularly in gait and balance. These impairments can lead to an increased risk of falls and may be linked to the 'premature aging hypothesis,' where the brains of older alcoholics resemble those of non-drinkers.
A national study found that 85% of chronically depressed patients improved after three months of treatment combining antidepressant Serzone with Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP). The combination therapy was more effective than either medication or psychotherapy alone for treating chronic depression.
Researchers are conducting a nationwide study to identify genes that predispose individuals to major mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The study aims to develop better treatments and tailored medications for these disorders, which often run in families.
Researchers found that higher doses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were more effective in relieving depression, with 66.7% of patients experiencing relief compared to 38.9% on lower doses. However, the high-dose group also experienced temporary memory disturbances and longer recovery times.
Researchers found a significant association between the L/S and S/S alleles of the serotonin transporter gene promoter region and suicidal tendencies in individuals with unknown psychiatric diagnosis. The study suggests that genetic factors, such as the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, may contribute to autoaggressive behavior and violent suicide.
Studies found dementia patients had significantly longer hospital stays than those without the condition, translating to higher costs. Early detection of dementia is crucial in reducing treatment costs and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and CAMH have discovered a natural window for blocking dopamine receptors to treat schizophrenia without excessive side effects. This breakthrough allows for lower doses of antipsychotic medication, reducing negative symptoms and improving treatment outcomes.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression have lower levels of a certain brain protein, leading to less 'plastic' brains. Researchers hope to improve current therapeutics by targeting the cascade of events responsible for phosphorylating this protein.
Researchers found that tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline is more effective in treating post-stroke depression than selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The study, conducted at the University of Iowa, compared nortriptyline with fluoxetine and a placebo in 104 patients within six months of their strokes.
Research finds that fetal and birth complications, such as hypoxic-ischemia-related complications, significantly increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Additionally, trauma at labor and delivery may lead to brain structure anomalies associated with schizophrenia.
A four-year study found that consistently low salivary cortisol levels in boys aged 7-12 are associated with early onset and persistence of aggressive behavior. Boys with low cortisol levels exhibited three times the number of aggressive symptoms and were more likely to be singled out by their classmates.
The UCSF Department of Psychiatry is using a $7.9 million grant to study creative ways to treat complex, substance-abusing patients in community settings. The research will focus on four areas, including computer-based interventions for smokers and HIV-positive heroin addicts.
A nationwide clinical trial showed that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) improved the condition of 40% of patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, enabling them to return to work and normal activities. The treatment has been compared to electroconvulsive therapy and may have potential as an alternative for some patients.
The Ethel F. Donaghue Women's Health Investigator Program at Yale has awarded six faculty members grants to study novel approaches in women's health. Researchers will investigate gene therapy for ovarian cancer, dietary protein prevention of osteoporosis, and light therapy for depression during pregnancy.
A new study published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine found that depressed mood is significantly related to increased mortality risk among people with congestive heart failure. Patients with severe depression were four times more likely to die within two years than those without depression.
The five-year grant will fund five major research projects, including studies on animal models, brain imaging techniques, and clinical trials. The goal is to improve tobacco addiction treatment by understanding why current treatments fail and developing new behavioral and drug treatments.
The conference will focus on ibogaine's mechanism of action and clinical, cultural, and political issues surrounding its use. Leading experts in neuroscience, ethnography, and sociology will present on the compound's effects and potential applications.
Researchers have identified a region on rat chromosome 4 containing genes strongly affecting emotionality-related behavior, which only affects female rats. This discovery may provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying emotional disorders in women.
A new research method reveals that information can be stored on the surface of neurons with very high spatial density, similar to a CD-ROM. The method allows precise control over neurotransmitter release and discovered that modifications are highly restricted, enabling single synapses to store information separately.
Researchers genetically altered mice adrenoceptor 2C expression to study stress response. The results showed differential behavioral responses in treated vs. untreated mice, as well as changes in plasma corticosterone levels and brain dopamine/serotonin content. This study highlights the importance of single-gene mutations in respondin...
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will receive $24 million over six years from Novartis Pharma AG to discover new treatments for schizophrenia. The partnership aims to find ways to treat patients with 'negative' symptoms, which are limited in emotional expression and social functioning.
The American Psychiatric Association's 1999 Fall Components Meeting tackled significant psychiatric topics such as Psychiatric Aspects on Violence, Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters, and Addiction Psychiatry. The meeting brought together over 1,000 leading psychiatric experts to discuss these critical issues.
Research published in Molecular Psychiatry found St. John's Wort to have a better antidepressant effect than placebo and comparable effects to standard antidepressants. The herb's favorable side effect profile may contribute to its advantages over other medications.
A twin study found that genetic factors contribute more to women's depression, even in mild cases. The research suggests that genes, not family environment, are the primary cause of depression in women.
Researchers found that psychological stress increases cortisol levels, which can slow down the delivery of cytokines to wounds, leading to slower healing times. This study provides a new insight into how stress affects physiologic changes within the body and may have serious consequences for patients recovering from surgery.
New research from London's Institute of Psychiatry suggests that clozapine, an atypical drug for schizophrenia, can restore information processing abilities in patients. This restoration enables individuals to filter out background noise and focus on relevant information.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that high doses of cortisol, produced in response to stress, can significantly impair memory performance after several days. Memory impairment was seen only in those who received a high dose of cortisol and only after four days of treatment.
Researchers identify a genetic marker associated with panic disorder, linked to variations in cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor function. The study found that this variation could be a risk factor for panic attacks and may be useful in diagnosis and therapeutic approaches.
Dopamine receptor biology discovery may open new treatment avenues for conditions like schizophrenia and ADHD. The study shows a connection between dopamine, folate, and nerve cell membrane fluidity critical for normal cognition.
Researchers will test two forms of secretin on 51 children with autism, aged 3-12, to evaluate its effectiveness. The trial aims to uncover the genetic and neurobiological causes of autism and identify potential side effects.
A double-blind study at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology shows that magnetic stimulation of the brain can ease severe depression. The treatment, known as rTMS, was found to be effective in improving depression ratings by 50%, with half of patients requiring no further treatment.
A new study reveals two distinct subtypes of ADHD affecting boys and girls at similar rates, contradicting traditional assumptions about the disorder's impact on males. The research also identifies genetic factors as a key contributor to ADHD risk, with identical twins showing 80% concordance rate.
The new book Psychiatry and the Cinema explores how movie portrayals of psychiatrists have shaped public perceptions of mental health. By analyzing film representations of psychiatric treatment, the authors shed light on the intersection of entertainment and medicine.
Researchers identified preferential transmission of alleles at the Dopamine transporter gene (DAT1), Dopamine-b-hydroxylase (DBH), and Dopamine D5 receptor (DRD5) in affected children. The findings suggest a possible genetic contribution to the disorder, with stronger transmission of associated alleles in familial cases.
A genome scan identified regions on chromosomes 2, 4, 10, 16, 17 and 18 that may contain genes influencing nicotine dependence. The study used two independent samples, with limited replication in several regions suggesting further investigation is warranted.
A study found that adults with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia were more likely to experience early parental loss than healthy individuals. Early loss before age 9 had a stronger impact on psychopathology in adulthood.
Researchers followed 144 HMO patients with mononucleosis for six months, finding transient psychological distress common but few met psychiatric criteria. The study suggests postviral depression is rare, often caused by new stressful life events rather than viral effects.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill link severe premenstrual syndrome to childhood trauma, finding 50-60% of women with PMDD have histories of abuse. The study also reveals physiological abnormalities in the stress response system of women with PMDD.
Researchers found that women with recovered bulimia nervosa had increased serotonin levels and negative moods, obsessions with perfectionism, and anxiety. The study suggests that altered brain chemistry contributes to the development of bulimia nervosa and persists even after recovery.
David J. Kupfer, a renowned psychiatrist, received the Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health for his groundbreaking research on mental health treatment. His work has improved understanding of recurrent mood disorders, depression, and the relationship between biological rhythms, sleep, and depression.
A study published in the British Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children with severe allergies are more likely to experience behavior problems such as aggression, depression, and irritability. Genetics accounts for over 70% of the relationship between allergies and behaviors like depression and aggression.
A study of 100 patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) found that 56% would consider assisted suicide, with fears of future suffering a primary motivator. Patient attitudes were not influenced by disease duration, depression, or pain levels.
A new Johns Hopkins study suggests better ways of taking LAAM, a drug similar to methadone, by increasing dosage frequency and reducing side effects. The study found significant reductions in heroin use among participants, with over 80% staying with the treatment, and increased patient adherence due to its longer-acting benefits.
A study by Harold G. Koenig and colleagues found a significant connection between regular church attendance, Bible study, and lower blood pressure in older adults. The research, published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, suggests that practicing religion in traditional ways may have health benefits.
Researchers identified a strong association between a 12 bp mutation in a newly discovered X-chromosome gene and X-linked mental retardation. The mutation was found in 7 percent of all institutionalized mentally retarded males surveyed, as well as in higher frequency among those with Autism.
Researchers investigated whether a specific serotonin transporter gene polymorphism is associated with psychosis and hallucinations in schizophrenia. Patients with the ll genotype had significantly higher ratings for psychosis and increased intensity of hallucinations compared to those with other genotypes.
Research found an association between childhood-onset schizophrenia and large CAG/CTG repeats in male patients. The study confirms previous findings on adult-onset schizophrenia but notes a gender-specific link. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Researchers warn that antidepressants can lead to dental cavities and oral infections by reducing saliva production. Saliva is essential for cleaning teeth and remineralizing them. Dentists should be informed about the risks of antidepressant use to prevent these issues.
A new study from Penn State found that families with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to accept available treatment, whereas those with advanced-stage patients may choose to withhold care. The study also highlighted the need for family involvement in making treatment decisions.
A survey of 60,000 Pennsylvania students found a decrease in willingness to seek help from physicians, parents, teachers, and counselors for drug abuse treatment. Students' perception of the risks associated with drugs has decreased over time, but the actual problems persist.