A study of 2,600 Americans found that between 1-2% have a compulsive gambling problem, with rates higher among minorities and lower-income individuals. Problem drinkers are 23 times more likely to also have a gambling issue.
Recent studies show that methamphetamine acts on the same brain mechanisms as cocaine and alcohol, disrupting dopamine receptors and glucose metabolism. Researchers found damage to brain cells may recover after prolonged abstinence from the drug.
A new study finds that methamphetamine abusers have fewer dopamine receptors, leading to reduced motivation and drive. The study suggests that the drug's high dopamine release overactivates the brain's reward system, making it hard for addicts to resist.
Researchers found that 27% of special education students had tics, compared to 20% of regular students. Early recognition and treatment can improve performance and social development for affected children.
Researchers found four mental health factors beyond depression that predict suicidal behavior in individuals with panic disorder, including overall anxiety level and fear of losing one's mind. The study suggests that these additional factors contribute to the development of suicidal thoughts, even when depression is present.
Researchers found a set of neurons in the supplementary eye field that react when an individual realizes they made a mistake, shedding light on self-control and cognitive processes. This discovery has implications for understanding schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychopathic behavior.
A large-scale study has found lamotrigine to be safe and effective in preventing episodes of mood swings in patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. The study, published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, showed that 41% of patients who received lamotrigine remained stable without relapse for six months, compared to 26% on placebo.
A new national study in Canada aims to test different types and combinations of anti-depressants and fluorescent light therapy for patients with seasonal depression. Researchers hope to better understand this debilitating condition that affects over 600,000 Canadians each year, causing significant dysfunction and impairment.
Research suggests that compounds in chocolate, such as tetrahydro-beta-carbolines, may contribute to chocolate cravings. These compounds are also found in wine, beer, and liquor, but no connection has been established with compulsive drinking.
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.
Researchers found a five-fold increased risk of OCD in first-degree relatives of patients, supporting the hereditary nature of the condition. The study used diverse patient populations and blinded diagnosing researchers to minimize bias.
Yale University has received a $3 million grant from the Personality Disorder Research Foundation to study borderline personality disorder. The three-year grant aims to better understand the disorder, its causes, and effective treatments for patients.
Research from the University of Birmingham found little evidence of exercise addiction among women, unless they have an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia. The study showed no significant psychological problems among women who exercised excessively compared to non-exercisers.
Researchers discovered diverse types of inhibitory neurons that filter messages to neighbors, enabling precise control over brain activity. This design principle allows for complex and fine-grained inhibition, potentially leading to novel treatments for neurological disorders.
The center aims to understand how changes in the brain cause pathological anxiety states and seek clues from basic research that could lead to new treatments. It will conduct research with model species and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of human subjects to shed light on why particular treatments are effective.
Researchers found that alcohol sensitizes dopamine and serotonin neurons, leading to excitotoxicity and neuronal damage. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may protect against this excitotoxicity, suggesting a potential treatment for alcoholics undergoing withdrawal.
Researchers found that plasma exchange and IVIG relieve neuropsychiatric symptoms in children with tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with symptom improvements lasting up to a year. The study suggests these treatments may be effective for a subgroup of children with strep-triggered disorders, but not all cases.
Researchers have identified two brain chemicals, delta-FosB and GluR2, as major contributors to the addiction process. The study found that delta-FosB increases sensitivity to cocaine reward by activating genes involved in glutamate receptors, leading to compulsive behavior.
Research suggests Tourette's syndrome is not a simple motor disorder, but rather a condition affecting the brain's circuits that control planning and decision making. The study found that individuals with Tourette's can anticipate and adjust to their tics, indicating intentional movement.
A new compound, BP 897, has been shown to reduce compulsive drug-seeking behavior in cocaine-dependent rats. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment for addiction, targeting the root cause of craving and compulsive behavior.
Phobic disorder significantly affects individuals with chronic diseases, hindering ongoing medical care. A study reveals that nearly half of those without regular medical care have active psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that low doses of Tacrine hydrochloride reduced motor and vocal tics in adults with Tourette syndrome. The study also showed dose-related improvement in comorbid symptoms such as attentional difficulties, hyperactivity, and obsessive thinking.
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.
A cross-cultural study of over 200 children with specific language impairment found that their native language affects the number and types of problems they face. The study suggests that creative use errors and grammatical principles are key to understanding the disorder, which prevents millions of children from keeping up in the class...
Researchers mapped brain regions affected by cocaine and found that addiction is linked to the right side of the brain. The study used a powerful brain-imaging technique to map frontal-lobe regions associated with cocaine's effects in 20 cocaine addicts.
A study of 3359 twin pairs found that genes play a significant role in two behaviors contributing to compulsive gambling, with familial factors explaining 62% of the behavior. The researchers estimate that about half of these behaviors are genetically mediated, highlighting the importance of inherited factors in vulnerability to gambling.
A recent study of nearly 400 South Carolina women reveals that serious crime victims are at a high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other emotional disorders. The effects were strongest for rape and life-threatening crimes, with robbery and burglary not linked to an increased risk.
The Massachusetts General Hospital is leading a five-year, $20 million research study to improve the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. The study aims to evaluate existing treatment protocols and test new medications for the condition.
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.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new psychoeducation program that helps families deal with children diagnosed with depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. The program has shown early signs of improvement in parents' understanding of their child's mood disorder and family interactions.
Researchers have found a possible genetic cause of bipolar affective disorder, linking it to the serotonin transporter gene. The study suggests that variations in this gene may lead to unstable moods and increased susceptibility to the illness.
A study by psychiatrists at the University of Washington Medical Center found that unmarried patients were more likely to evoke strong reactions from physicians, with multiple unexplainable physical symptoms and a history of trauma being key indicators.
Researchers found a significant link between maternal cigarette smoking and conduct disorder in boys, with 80% of sons of smokers developing the condition. The study suggests that nicotine may disrupt fetal brain development, highlighting the importance of preventing such disorders.
The new guidelines rank treatment options using data from 69 experts, recommending cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the primary first-line treatment. The guidelines also suggest starting medication before adding CBT for severe patients, and recommend a trial of clomipramine after failed SSRI trials.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that a typical college eating disorder prevention program was ineffective in preventing disordered behavior, and may even have triggered it. The program, which aimed to address both primary and secondary prevention, failed to motivate high-risk students to seek help and may have o...
A study from Rockefeller University found that a specific altered gene, COMT, may increase the risk of OCD in men. The researchers discovered that this gene affects the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to a biochemical imbalance that contributes to the development of OCD.
Researchers have developed a genetic test that can identify children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tic disorders associated with strep throat infections. The blood test detects the D8/17 genetic marker in 85% of children with strep-associated OCD and tics, and 89% of those with Sydenham's chorea.
Cornell researchers have developed a new technique to measure serotonin concentration in live cells, using pulsed lasers for excitation. This method allows for the visualization of serotonin secretory granules in real-time without damaging the cell or requiring external fluorescent markers.
Researchers have created a mouse model that mimics Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCHL), a disorder causing high cholesterol and triglycerides, leading to premature heart disease. The study suggests APOC3 genetic variations underlie the disease, offering new hope for drug development.
Researchers found that identical twins with differing tic severities had higher binding to D2 dopamine receptors in the caudate nucleus. This finding suggests that environmental influences modify Tourette Syndrome expression, contrary to previous studies suggesting a fixed genetic component.