Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have conducted a study on rats, showing that small doses of psilocybin can increase resilience to stress and reduce compulsive behaviors. The study lends support to the benefits of microdosing as a therapeutic intervention.
A new study has found a significant association between cannabis use disorder and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events such as heart attacks and strokes. Adults with cannabis use disorder in Canada experienced a 60% higher risk of first-time cardiovascular disease events compared to those without the disorder.
The NY Genome Center will use patient-derived stem cells models combined with functional genomics and genome engineering to shed light on the biological processes underlying bipolar disorder. The study aims to address gaps in knowledge of genetic risk for bipolar disorder and advance treatment strategies.
A new study uses brain imaging to explore the neural underpinnings of uncertainty processing in OCD, finding that patients struggle with certainty and decision-making, particularly when outcomes are more certain. This understanding may offer new hope for developing therapies targeting uncertainty processing in OCD.
Research finds ADHD is a risk factor for major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, and suicide attempts. The study used Mendelian randomization to establish potential links between ADHD and these disorders.
A study of nearly 1,300 individuals diagnosed with six types of mental illness reveals diverse brain changes, with no more than 7% showing similar deviations in the same area. The research identifies potential treatment targets for individualized therapy.
Neuroscientists at Penn Medicine identified a brain mechanism that enables focus despite visual distractions. By analyzing neuron activity in animal models, they discovered 'beta bursts' in the lateral prefrontal cortex, which suppress distracting stimuli and direct attention towards tasks.
Researchers found a disrupted balance between glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters in the brains of people with OCD, which may lead to new treatment strategies. The study also suggests that excess glutamate levels could serve as a biomarker for OCD.
A recent study found wide discrepancies in treatment for opioid use disorder among people covered by Medicaid, with some states providing nearly universal access to proven medications. The study suggests that quality of care problems are to blame for the disparities.
A large Danish study suggests that cannabis use disorder is associated with an increased risk of developing depression and bipolar disorder. The research analyzed data from over six million individuals and found a two-to-three-times higher risk of developing bipolar disorder in both men and women.
The use of psychedelics in mental health treatment is gaining traction, but concerns about patient safety and regulation need to be addressed. Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise in treating conditions like depression and PTSD, but more research is needed on dosages, settings, and guidelines.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of microglia in controlling anxiety-related behaviors. The study found that specific microglia populations activate anxiety behaviors while others dampen them, and these cells communicate with neurons to invoke behaviors.
Hoarding disorder affects 2% of the population with clutter in homes and excessive acquisition of possessions. The new guidance provides best practice for diagnosing and supporting those affected.
A recent NIH study reveals that young men with cannabis use disorder are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study analyzed health records data from over 6 million people in Denmark and found that as many as 30% of schizophrenia cases among young men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disorder.
Researchers found people with anxiety and depression disorder experience greater alcohol use disorder symptoms, even at similar levels of drinking. The study analyzed data on 26,000 adults and found that those with internalizing disorders predicted more alcohol-related symptoms.
Researchers at McGill University found that analyzing gene activity can classify brain diseases into five primary groups, improving diagnosis accuracy. The study identified previously unknown relationships among diseases, such as language development disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which share common genes and cell types.
Researchers at UCLA Health discovered that astrocytes, traditionally considered the brain's support system, are involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder-related behaviors. The study suggests that targeting both neurons and astrocytes may be effective for OCD treatment.
A multidisciplinary team of experts developed a new dual-target DBS approach targeting two distinct brain regions to simultaneously treat OCD and TS. This approach allowed for optimal and sustained improvement in severe symptoms, providing hope for treatment-resistant patients.
A new study reveals that childhood emotional trauma and sexual abuse are strongly associated with psychiatric symptoms in women, while childhood emotional and physical neglect increase the risk of symptoms in men. The research analyzed data from over 791 volunteers worldwide.
The Octapharma USA grant supports the Immunoglobulin National Society's breakfast symposium on PANS/PANDAS, a subset of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with strep. The program will focus on diagnosis criteria, pathogenic mechanisms, and current treatment options for challenging cases.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai investigators has determined that the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) plays a primary role in weighing value-based choices, such as choosing which book to read or which slot machine to play. The discovery could help understand neurological disorders like addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Research reveals that individuals with OCD exhibit lower-than-normal learning rates when rewards are less than expected, while those with problem gambling display boosted learning from high rewards and blunted learning from low rewards. This study highlights the benefits of using neurocomputational approaches to understand psychiatric ...
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new 'camera' that can see atomic structures in real-time, revealing the dynamic disorder of materials. This breakthrough enables better understanding of thermoelectric devices and waste heat conversion, leading to more efficient sustainable energy applications.
A study at the University of Chicago Medicine found that memantine significantly improved symptoms of trichotillomania and skin-picking disorder compared to a placebo. The drug, commonly used for Alzheimer's disease, showed promise as a first-line treatment option.
A Scripps Research team has found that heavy alcohol consumption increases brain inflammation, leading to changes in signaling pathways and behavior. The study suggests a potential new drug target for treating alcohol use disorder by targeting the interleukin-1β pathway.
A recent study found that sexting is associated with negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Participants who only sent sexts reported more mental health issues than others. The study highlights the need for further research into the correlations between sexting and mental health.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine has demonstrated altered dopamine signals in the brain's striatum region related to counterfactual information and relief. Dopamine levels were lower in participants with a history of alcohol use disorder, suggesting impaired decision-making processes.
Researchers identified a common brain network underlying several psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenia and depression. The transdiagnostic network shows gray matter decreases in specific brain regions across most studies.
Researchers investigate technologies to interact with the brain at different levels, enabling paralyzed patients to control robotic arms and prosthetics. Deep brain regions are heavily involved in basic life functions, and understanding their activities is crucial for clinical applications.
A recent study suggests that stimulating the intersection of two particular brain networks correlated with better patient outcomes than stimulating nearby sites for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive improvement was associated with DBS to the direct interface between the fornix and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.
Researchers discovered a brain network that reduces Alzheimer's symptoms when stimulated, paving the way for further studies. A small group of participants benefited from deep brain stimulation, with the optimal stimulation site located at the intersection of two fiber bundles connecting regions deep in the brain.
Researchers at DGIST have identified a cell-specific molecular network associated with autism spectrum disorder, which may lead to new treatments. The study used multi-omics integrated analysis technology to reveal problems in networks like metabolism and synapses in excitable neurons.
A new study found that intermittent fasting is associated with disordered eating behaviors, including binge-eating and compensatory behaviors like vomiting and compulsive exercise. The study analyzed data from over 2,700 adolescents and young adults and found that 47% of women, 38% of men, and 52% transgender or gender non-conforming i...
A recent study analyzing over 93,000 cases reveals a direct link between childhood trauma and the risk of developing a mental disorder in adulthood. The study highlights the importance of treating psychological trauma in patients and investing in prevention programs to reduce the risk of suffering a mental disorder.
A study finds that functional seizures, a type of non-epileptic seizure, are associated with structural changes in the brain, including thinning in the superior temporal cortex and thickness in the left occipital cortex. These differences can be detected using MRI scans.
A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.
Clinical psychologists need new ways to understand and confront the fear of losing control, which is an understudied construct. Adam Radomsky's research suggests that a deeper understanding of what leads to a client's choices can help therapists make better ones in the future.
The CMU Array, a new microelectrode array, offers customized treatments for neurological disorders by allowing for three-dimensional sampling and ultra-high-density configurations. This technology has the potential to transform how doctors treat conditions like epilepsy and limb function loss.
A study found an association between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the first 5 years of life with altered white matter structural connectivity in children's brains. Exposure to fine particulate matter was also linked to changes in brain volume, particularly in preadolescents.
A pooled data analysis found that deep brain stimulation reduced OCD symptoms by 47% and improved substantial outcomes in two-thirds of participants. This treatment approach showed promising results in addressing severe OCD with substantial improvement in approximately half of the patients.
A new study found that women experiencing food insecurity report more symptoms of food addiction, such as compulsive eating and withdrawal symptoms. Participants in food-insecure households had significantly more food-addiction symptoms than those in food-secure households.
Researchers have mapped four new areas of the human anterior prefrontal cortex that play a major role in cognitive functions, including attention selection and decision making. The newly identified areas show significant inter-subject variability, with two being relatively larger in females than males.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new model of obsessive-compulsive disorder based on principles of reinforcement learning. The model suggests that imbalanced learning between reinforcement and punishment can lead to disordered behavior in OCD. This work helps explain how OCD develops and may be used t...
A new neurosurgical procedure has been deemed safe for measuring dopamine and serotonin in the human brain. The study, published in PLOS One, found no significant increase in infection rates among patients who underwent the procedure.
A new study found that over half of participants engaged in at least one 'cheat meal' per year, associated with binge-eating, compulsive exercise, and fasting behaviors among men. Women's engagement was linked to all seven types of eating disorder behaviors.
Robert Reinhart's work utilizes noninvasive neuromodulation technology to develop personalized treatments for cognitive brain disorders. His research shows significant improvements in age-related memory function and compulsive behaviors with high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba found that intense feelings of social alienation and obsessive passion are linked to support for political violence. This study highlights the importance of understanding these psychological factors in preventing violent extremism, a pressing concern in today's world.
Researchers analyzed data from 599 patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and found that 34% have attempted suicide, with high rates of suicidal ideation, planning, and self-injury among women. The study highlights the need for accurate diagnosis and screening of suicidal ideation in patients with PMDD.
A new study found that college students reported a higher incidence of unacceptable thoughts and fear of contamination during the pandemic. The study also revealed consistent OCD symptoms across genders, adding to the growing research on mental illness among college students.
Researchers challenge long-held assumptions about human problem-solving abilities, revealing that many people fail to adapt a sophisticated strategy. A new study suggests that individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) tend to rely on an inefficient approach, even when faced with complex problems.
A new study identifies 152 genetic variants shared across multiple psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This finding could lead to the development of therapies addressing multiple disorders with one treatment.
Researchers at Ohio University investigated the differences between purging disorder and bulimia nervosa, finding that while both conditions involve self-induced vomiting, purging disorder is characterized by a lack of binge eating episodes. The study suggests that purging disorder requires specific treatments that target its unique sy...
Adults who have used psilocybin are 30% less likely to develop opioid use disorder, according to a nationally representative survey. Psilocybin use is also associated with reduced symptoms of opioid dependence and abuse.
A study published in Nature Metabolism reveals that dopamine and compulsive eating behavior play a crucial role in food cravings during pregnancy. The researchers found that female mice develop binge-eating behaviors towards high-calorie foods due to changes in brain reward circuits and taste sensors.
A new University of Michigan study found that most adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms continue to struggle with addiction into adulthood. The study's lead author warns that prescribing controlled substances to individuals with multiple substance use disorder symptoms poses safety concerns.
Researchers found that people with severe alcohol use disorder reported missing 32 days of work each year, while those without the condition missed around 13 days. The study suggests that addressing alcohol use disorder in the workplace could lead to economic incentives and improved employee health.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Neuroscience has pinpointed significant differences in gene expression in two key regions of the brain of individuals with bipolar disorder. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may stem from chemical and structural changes in brain cells, impairing communication between brain cells.
The March issues of American Psychiatric Association journals focus on the genomics of psychopathology, exploring its relationship with various mental illnesses. Research highlights unique genetic patterns among individuals who die by suicide using violent means.
Postpartum mothers experience unwanted and intrusive thoughts about harming their babies, which are not associated with an increased risk of actual harm. Research suggests these thoughts may lead to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in vulnerable women.
A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that people with ADHD are significantly more likely to exhibit clinically significant hoarding symptoms. Approximately 19% of participants displayed hoarding symptoms, which can lead to distress and difficulties in everyday life.