A new Lancet Psychiatry Commission report emphasizes the need for lifestyle interventions in mental health care, highlighting their effectiveness in improving symptoms and overall health. The report recommends increasing investment in lifestyle interventions, upskilling mental health staff, and enabling access to allied health professi...
A $5.5 million federal grant will support clinical trials to treat fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The project aims to develop accurate outcome measures for future trials, ensuring patients and caregivers have a say in what matters most.
Dr. Mirko Manchia's groundbreaking research identifies genetic markers predicting treatment response in bipolar patients, enabling precision medicine approaches to transform psychiatric care. He envisions a future where genetic testing becomes routine in psychiatric care.
Dr. Deanna L. Kelly has been named Director of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, building on her expertise in schizophrenia treatments and nutrition. She continues to advance personalized treatment options, including effective medications and innovative dietary interventions.
A 4-year-old intervention program has been shown to effectively treat depression in young children, with a majority of participants achieving remission. The treatment, called PCIT-ED, helps parents interact with their children differently in the emotional domain, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging found that individuals with remitted depression show increased habenula activity and reduced connectivity between the habenula and dopamine-producing regions, suggesting a heightened sensitivity to negative cues. This suggests that even after recove...
A novel study in Biological Psychiatry highlights the layered and complex interactions between clinical symptoms and neurobiological sources of variation in depression. The research found that multiple brain profiles may manifest as the same clinical symptoms, supporting the presence of both one-to-one and many-to-one heterogeneity.
A global roadmap aims to incorporate biological measurements in psychiatric diagnoses over the next 15-20 years, improving accurate treatment for patients. Current diagnostic methods rely on subjective responses and can be vague, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments.
A new meta-analysis found that symptom provocation before repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment may enhance clinical response for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and nicotine dependence. rTMS was nearly twice as effective when symptom provocation was used compared to when it wasn't.
Dr. Enrico Castillo, an assistant professor of psychiatry at UCLA, has been recognized as an emerging leader in health and medicine scholar by the National Academy of Medicine. He will collaborate with the organization's members over three years to address urgent health challenges.
A large study has found that cholesterol-lowering drugs do not have an antidepressive effect, contradicting previous small studies. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved 161 patients with depression and obesity, who received either statins or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Professor Benedetti's research explores the intersection of genetics, environmental factors, and treatment response in mood disorders. His work has led to breakthroughs in chronotherapeutics and immuno-psychiatry, revealing crucial insights into immune-inflammatory mechanisms and gene variants influencing brain function.
The new residency program will train 16 psychiatry residents to strengthen mental health resources in Imperial County, addressing a significant shortage of mental health professionals. The program is designed to provide high-quality behavioral health treatment, innovation, and research, with medical leadership from UC San Diego Health.
The June issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services feature new research on treating depression and psychosis, as well as studies exploring postpartum mental health risks. These studies highlight the importance of predicting postpartum depression and developing effective treatment models.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have mapped brain activity underlying emotional responses to mild unpleasant sensory experiences. Shared features between human and mouse brains may help understand driving forces behind neuropsychiatric disorders. The study's findings could unveil new insights into the mechanisms of emotional regulation.
A recent study published in Medicina found a significant increase in the number of young patients with anorexia nervosa in Japan following the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers analyzed large-scale clinical data and discovered that the incidence of this eating disorder rose sharply during this period.
Researchers have identified a mechanism involving potassium channels that could provide a new approach to treating depression. The study, led by Dr. James Murrough, found that ezogabine improved depression symptoms and anhedonia in patients, normalizing brain activity in key regions.
UCLA Health psychiatrists and researchers will discuss Los Angeles wildfire mental health impacts, perinatal and postpartum mental health, and athlete mental health. Experts will also cover the therapeutic potential of cannabis, mind-body interventions, and quality of care for individuals with disabilities.
The latest APA journal issues focus on improving depression care and mental health in disaster-affected communities. Research also explores school-based prevention efforts, with publications like the American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services featuring diverse treatment strategies.
Previous depression survivors exhibit reduced motivation for everyday tasks but become equally motivated with large and certain rewards. This research sheds light on subtle motivational deficits persisting in recovered depression, guiding targeted treatment for sustained recovery.
A study found that satisfying intimate relationships and general social support can reduce cognitive problems experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The research suggests that couples therapy could be a helpful option for partnered patients, while oxytocin levels decreased significantly during treatment.
Dr. Romina Mizrahi's PET-based neuroimaging sheds light on brain workings, integrating genetics, environment and imaging to understand psychiatric illness as a complex biological puzzle. She advocates for precision psychiatry paradigm with customized treatments based on molecular profiles, and calls for diversity in academic leadership.
A new international prize is launching to reward researchers bridging neuroscience and psychiatry, aiming to improve mental health diagnosis and treatment. The Synapsy Center at Université de Genève is offering a 50,000 CHF award for mid- to advanced-career contributions at the intersection of neuroscience and psychiatry.
A new University of Michigan study will test the best way to help people who smoke menthol cigarettes quit. The five-year study will work with 1,200 adults who smoke menthol cigarettes and compare Tobacco Quitline coaching with an incentive program involving daily breath monitoring.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry identified the Shisa7 gene as a key driver of heroin addiction. The research team used machine learning to analyze brain tissue from human opioid users and found that modulating this gene's expression influenced heroin-seeking behavior and cognitive flexibility.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found a significant link between maternal diet's glycemic index and risk for mental health disorders in offspring. The study suggests that nutrition during the third trimester may impact infant temperament and behavioral trajectories.
Dr. Consuelo Walss-Bass shares her groundbreaking research on schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of considering both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. She also discusses her work with induced pluripotent stem cells to develop personalized psychiatry and reduce stigma around mental health.
Dr. Nicholas Fabiano's research reveals exercise reduces suicide attempts but shows no connection to thoughts of suicide or deaths by suicide. His work proposes a paradigm shift in mental health treatment, suggesting exercise as a first-line treatment for depression.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that anxiety and apathy lead to different patterns in how people process uncertainty and make decisions. Participants made choices between exploring new options or sticking with familiar ones, revealing distinct computational mechanisms underlying these behaviors.
The March issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services bring together new developments in treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. These journal publications highlight the latest advancements in digital mental health innovations.
Researchers found female physicians had a 53% higher suicide risk compared to females in the general population, highlighting the need for comprehensive suicide prevention strategies. The study suggests that factors such as under-recognition, inequitable pay, and work-life imbalance may contribute to this increased risk.
A new study reveals that most well-known national suicide prevention organizations do not have easily accessible resources targeting older adults, who are at the highest risk of suicide. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted campaigns and tailored prevention programs that address the unique healthcare needs of older adults.
Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
The APA Annual Meeting will take place in Los Angeles from May 17-21, featuring over 450 educational sessions and 1,000 poster sessions on topics such as lifestyle for positive mental and physical health. Media attendees will have access to exclusive interviews with experts and embargoed research studies.
Researchers discovered that depressed people tend to prefer carbohydrate-rich foods, even when they have a lower appetite. The study suggests that carbohydrate cravings are more related to the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms.
Dr. Kerry Ressler's research bridges the gap between molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry to understand PTSD's genetic architecture. Recent breakthroughs have identified over 100 significant genetic loci, representing a major step toward translating scientific discoveries into effective treatments.
The latest issues of APA journals bring together research on addictions, including substances and behaviors. The February issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry highlights research on addictions, while Psychiatric Services features articles on various mental health topics.
Two studies suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can improve mental health outcomes for patients with cancer and alcohol use disorder, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts, while also promoting lasting personality changes.
The January issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry explores the use of psychedelic medications in psychiatry, addressing basic pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and public health considerations. The series of articles aims to provide sufficient evidence for therapeutic strategies utilizing psychedelic drugs.
A recent study found a substantial increase in psychotherapy use among US adults with mild to moderate distress since 2018. However, the benefits of this growth have not been equally distributed, with privately insured individuals and those with higher family incomes experiencing greater gains.
The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services journals feature research on the amygdala, PTSD, and discrimination in their December issues. The studies highlight the interconnections between these topics and explore their implications for diagnosis and treatment.
Professor Lavretsky's pioneering work integrates conventional psychiatric treatments with mind-body interventions, developing novel therapeutic combinations for treatment-resistant depression and cognitive disorders. Her research has transformed approaches to mental health and aging, emphasizing whole person health and prevention.
Researchers found that individuals with depression who engage in reflexive emotion regulation experience increased suicidal thoughts during daily stressful events. In contrast, adaptive responses to stress were observed when participants used reappraisal strategy.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered a potential biomarker for psychosis diagnosis by analyzing brain connectivity patterns. The 'somato-visual' biomarker shows promise in predicting psychosis onset and stratifying patients into clinically meaningful subgroups.
A new study found that cannabis use worsens reduced brain connectivity in individuals at high risk of psychosis. This deficit is associated with symptoms like social withdrawal and lack of motivation, which are difficult to treat with current medications.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found a significant association between genetic predisposition and sexual trauma with increased risk for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The research highlights the importance of considering social and environmental factors in human genetics studies.
A new study found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and effective treatment for depression when administered at home. Researchers reported significant improvements in depression severity and remission rates compared to a placebo control group.
Researchers have identified liver X receptor beta as a promising target for treating depression and anxiety, with key findings including LXRβ's role in regulating neurotransmission and neurogenesis. This breakthrough could lead to novel therapies for treatment-resistant depression and personalized medicine approaches in psychiatry.
The September issues of APA journals focus on depression risk factors and treatments, as well as noninvasive brain stimulation therapies. The American Journal of Psychiatry explores the promise of these therapies in treating depression.
A new study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that probiotics can improve the immune system and behavior of both mothers and their offspring during pregnancy. Probiotics may also help counteract negative effects of prenatal stress, such as changes in brain inflammation and amino acid metabolism.
Research from King's College London suggests that childhood maltreatment, particularly neglect, is associated with significant cognitive deficits. The study, published in Lancet Psychiatry, used court-documented records and adult recall to test the relative associations of maltreatment with cognitive abilities.
The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals feature new research on PTSD, phobias, and psychiatric vulnerabilities. A special issue on eating disorders is also highlighted in the August issue of Psychiatric Services.
A machine learning algorithm was trained to predict individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND) by analyzing their brain structure. The algorithm achieved significant above-chance accuracy in classifying FND participants against healthy controls and psychiatric samples, highlighting the importance of considering both brain ...
A UNIGE team studied a cohort of patients with a 22q11.2DS microdeletion and found unique «coupling» between structure and activity of their brain regions, leading to either over- or under-coupling. This specificity paves the way for identifying reliable risk markers.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that mental health apps can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in individuals waiting for their initial psychiatric appointment. The study, which involved over 2,000 patients, showed improvement in all groups, regardless of the app used.
Academic psychiatry departments and private telehealth companies can mutually benefit from strategic collaboration, according to a new article. By partnering with telehealth companies, academic institutions can focus on specialized care, education, and research.
A new study analyzed clozapine prescription patterns in patients with first-episode psychosis, finding that approximately 20-30% do not respond to conventional treatments. The use of clozapine can significantly reduce psychotic symptoms and improve quality of life for these patients.
Research from The Hospital for Sick Children found that certain subgroups of adolescents with depression have an even higher risk of developing CVD. The study identified four distinct groups of adolescents with depression, two of which demonstrated higher CVD risk, including a subgroup with dyslipidemia despite being healthy.
Researchers have found that pregnant women with opioid use disorder who continue taking their ADHD medications are more likely to adhere to treatment and experience fewer overdoses. Patients who stop taking ADHD medications, on the other hand, are at a higher risk of overdose and emergency room visits.
A 15-year analysis of national data on suicides and homicides shows that nocturnal wakefulness significantly increases the risk for both. Disrupted sleep impairs rational thought and drives impulsive behaviors in vulnerable individuals.