A series of studies identified a gene called ANK3 as playing a key role in affecting longevity. Higher levels of ANK3 expression were found in older patients with psychiatric disorders and those who had committed suicide.
Two new studies from JAMA Psychiatry explore the causes and developmental patterns of ADHD in young adulthood. They found that many individuals with ADHD at age 18 did not have a childhood diagnosis, and those with 'late-onset' ADHD showed fewer externalizing problems but comparable symptoms to those with persistent ADHD. The findings ...
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that nearly 70% of young adults with ADHD did not meet criteria for the disorder in childhood, suggesting that adult-onset ADHD may have different causes. Adults with late-onset ADHD had high levels of symptoms and impairment, as well as other mental health disorders.
Only 14 mental health apps were examined in a recent literature review, with little efficacy, safety or clinical outcome data found. A framework, ASPECTS, has been proposed to guide psychiatrists and patients in evaluating apps for clinical use.
Researchers found structural brain damage in the hippocampus, a key memory region, that correlates with memory performance and disease severity in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. The autoimmune disorder can cause schizophrenia-like symptoms and long-term cognitive impairment if not treated promptly.
A study using Swedish registry information found that individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience excess mortality, with both predisposition and AUD itself contributing to the risk. The study suggests that interventions targeting AUD could lead to reduced mortality rates among those affected.
Researchers at Indiana University have identified blood-based biomarkers and developed questionnaire-based apps that can help clinicians identify female patients at greatest risk of suicidal ideation or behavior. The study found that these tools were able to predict future instances of suicidal thoughts with high accuracy, suggesting p...
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry identified 11 core themes associated with dying well, including preferences for specific dying processes, pain-free status and emotional well-being. Researchers emphasized the importance of discussing end-of-life wishes with patients to ensure a 'good death'.
A new study has linked a common parasite to repeated bouts of rage in individuals with intermittent explosive disorder (IED). Chronic latent infection with Toxoplasma gondii is associated with increased aggression and impulsivity in adults. The study found that IED patients are more than twice as likely to have been exposed to the para...
Research suggests a significant overlap between genetic factors associated with schizophrenia and maternal age at first birth, with women having high genetic predisposition to schizophrenia tending to have children at an early or later age.
A new meta-analysis supports the link between Omega-3 supplementation and reduced major depressive disorder (MDD) rates. The study found a comparable benefit to antidepressants in patients taking EPA and DHA supplements.
Research reveals depression alters oxidative stress levels, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Treatment can improve malondialdehyde levels, while zinc and uric acid levels normalize.
A new study from Trinity College Dublin reveals that modifying ECT can minimize cognitive side effects while maintaining its effectiveness in treating severe depression. The 'unilateral' approach, involving unilateral electrode placement, shows promising results.
The Charleston Alcohol Research Center has received a $7 million NIH grant to fund innovative treatments for alcohol addiction. The center aims to develop new therapies using transcranial magnetic stimulation and other technologies.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that inflammation can directly affect the brain's reward center, leading to changes in behavior similar to depression. The study found that patients with hepatitis C who received interferon-alpha treatment showed microstructural changes in their striatum, which was associated with...
A new study examined the early expression of genetic risk for schizophrenia in adolescence, finding associations between psychopathological features and increased risk. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, highlights the importance of monitoring genetic risk factors during critical developmental periods.
A large study published in Translational Psychiatry found no evidence that prenatal antidepressant exposure increases the risk of autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research team analyzed medical records data from over 1,200 children with an autism-related diagnosis and nearly 3,800 control children. Matern...
An international survey of mental health disorders and their association with chronic physical conditions found a significant link between the two. The study identified 16 mental health disorders and 10 chronic physical conditions, suggesting that mental disorders can increase the risk of developing these conditions.
A team of researchers has identified biological markers that can classify mental disorders with greater precision, using neurobiological measures to differentiate conditions. The findings may lead to improved diagnostics and treatments for those suffering from mental illness.
A UTSW-led study identified three neurobiologically distinct biotypes of psychoses, which do not always match conventional clinical diagnoses. The findings suggest that the term 'psychosis' might describe unique psychiatric disorders with distinctive mechanisms and treatments.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that cannabis use is associated with increased neural noise in healthy human subjects. The researchers found that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active constituent of cannabis, induces psychosis-like effects by increasing random brain activity.
A $20 million gift from the Dolby Family Fund will support UCSF's Department of Psychiatry in its research on depression, bipolar disorder, and related illnesses. The goal is to rapidly advance treatments and eliminate stigma surrounding mental illness.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience. The awards recognize the transformative power of neuroscience to improve mental health.
Involving parents in the treatment of adolescents with bulimia nervosa is more effective than treating the patient individually. Family-based therapy achieved higher abstinence rates from bingeing and purging compared to cognitive behavioral therapy, according to a randomized clinical trial.
The Harvard Review of Psychiatry presents a timely update on new trends and developments in geriatric psychiatry. The special issue discusses policy changes, new diagnostic classifications, and research driving change in mental health care for older adults.
A long-term study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal found that ex-prisoners with common psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse are more likely to commit violent crimes after release. The study estimated that up to a fifth of violent reoffending by former male prisoners can be attributed to diagnosed p...
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry has discovered a predictive fMRI-derived measure that significantly predicts patients' response to antipsychotic medication. This breakthrough enables the use of brain scans as a tool for guiding treatment and improving patient outcomes.
IU School of Medicine researchers have developed biomarkers and apps that can predict the risk of suicide in individuals with bipolar disorder and other psychiatric illnesses. The tests, which use RNA biomarkers from blood samples along with questionnaire instruments, were able to predict suicidal ideation with over 90% accuracy.
A recent study found that antipsychotic medication use declined in children under 12 years old between 2006 and 2010, while increasing in adolescents and young adults. Boys are more likely than girls to receive antipsychotic prescriptions for conditions like ADHD.
A new UCLA study uses brain scans to identify patients with OCD who are more likely to relapse after cognitive-behavioral therapy. The research found that brain connectivity before treatment can predict worsening symptoms after treatment.
Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, a renowned expert in depression and mood disorders, received the American Psychiatric Association Award for his significant contributions to the field. His research has led to notable advances in treatment strategies and patient outcomes.
A new Northwestern University study of delinquent youth reveals that mental disorders do not predict future violent behavior, except for substance use disorders. Providing comprehensive treatment to individuals with psychiatric illness may reduce violence, according to the research.
A new study found that around a third of all deaths in former male prisoners are due to alcohol and substance use, while half of female ex-prisoners also die from similar causes. The study suggests that preventive and therapeutic programmes can significantly reduce the number of deaths from these preventable causes.
Neuroscientists have identified a novel brain circuit responsible for anxiety during nicotine withdrawal, which could lead to new treatments for smokers trying to quit. The study found that a region called the interpeduncular nucleus is activated and causes anxiety, offering a distinct target for dampening affective symptoms.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found no genome-wide significant associations between genetic variants and autism spectrum disorder. Instead, the researchers suggest that clinical variability in autism may be due to factors such as epigenetic changes or environmental responses. The study's results have implications for f...
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that beta secretase inhibitors can impair synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions, highlighting the need for dose-dependent treatment. The researchers urge caution in dosing these inhibitors to balance safety and efficacy.
Researchers found that alcohol addiction is associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality in general hospitals, with patients dying an average of 7.6 years earlier than non-addicted patients. The study also identified 27 comorbid physical illnesses more frequently occurring in patients with alcohol addiction.
A new study found that nearly 86% of Tourette syndrome patients will receive a second psychiatric diagnosis, with 58% receiving two or more. Mood and anxiety disorders are common among TS patients, emerging as early as age 5, and are related to OCD and ADHD diagnoses.
A new review finds that people with mild cognitive impairment are 65% more likely to develop dementia if they have diabetes and over twice as likely if they have psychiatric symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise may help prevent dementia.
A new international collaboration reveals a vital relationship between diet quality and potential nutritional deficiencies and mental health. The study finds that nutrient-based prescription has the potential to assist in managing mental disorders at an individual and population level.
New research published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that video-based therapy can modify the emergence of autism-related behaviors and symptoms in infants at risk of autism. The therapy showed improvements in infant engagement, attention, and social behavior, with a moderate effect on reducing some children's risk of autism.
A new study found that postpartum depression can have onset of symptoms that begin in pregnancy, impacting prognosis and treatment tailoring. Women who experienced symptoms during pregnancy may be at risk for more severe postpartum depression.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children whose parents have attempted suicide are nearly 5 times more likely to attempt suicide themselves. Researchers followed the children of 701 parents with mood disorders for an average of six years, and found a direct effect of parental suicide attempt on child suicide attempt.
Researchers found that music playing alters motor areas of the brain, influencing executive functioning, working memory, and emotional processing. A child's musical background also correlates with cortical thickness in behavior-regulating areas.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry developed the first potent and highly selective inhibitor of FKBP51, called SAFit-ligand. This inhibitor enhances neuronal cell growth and improves stress-coping behavior in mice, providing a structural and functional basis for mechanistically novel antidepressant treatment.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that deficits in the brain's 'off switch' for anxiety, neuropeptide Y receptors, are associated with anxious temperament. Researchers found decreased expression of two neuropeptide Y receptors in the central nucleus of the amygdala, a region crucial for regulating fear and anxiety.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive cognitive test battery, Cognition, to measure the impact of spaceflight stressors on astronauts' cognition. The 10-test battery will be administered to the first astronaut on the International Space Station on November 28.
A brief coping strategies therapy significantly improves dementia carers' mental health and quality of life, reducing depression and anxiety by 7 times. The START programme is a cost-neutral intervention that can be widely available to support family carers.
This special issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry provides an overview of recent advances in understanding and treating bipolar disorder. Key findings include the role of white matter disease, stress and HPA axis function, effectiveness of lithium, stimulants for depression, functional remediation, and issues in network meta-analysis.
This Special Issue examines the evolution of knowledge on infectious diseases, military psychiatry, and surgical pain since World War I. Research highlights the need for new antimicrobial drugs and improved treatments for post-amputation pain, while also discussing the impact of war on healthcare and public health policy.
A new article provides 10 practical tips to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), empowering them to participate in their communities and receive personalized care. The 'Ten Tips' offer a framework for clinical practice and global advocacy, prioritizing the individual's hopes, dreams, and self-determination.
Parents can learn scientifically validated autism therapy through group classes, improving their children's language skills and reducing stress. The treatment involves rewarding the child for trying to talk, with benefits including improved happiness and a sense of community.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that infants' preference for human faces over objects is associated with reduced callous and unemotional behaviors in toddlerhood. The research also showed that mother-child interactions during playtime can influence a child's emotional development.
A new Series on mental health interventions in schools published in The Lancet Psychiatry highlights the importance of childhood intervention and routine screening in identifying and treating mental health issues. The series aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, with a focus on child-centered approaches.
Two UC San Diego professors, David Braff and Gregory Light, have been recognized for their contributions to schizophrenia research. They developed innovative methods to identify biomarkers and create new psychosocial and pharmaceutical therapies for the disorder.
Researchers developed a predictive model based on clinical symptoms, cognitive abilities, brain structure, and biomarkers to forecast patient outcomes. The model aims to improve treatment for mental illnesses like schizophrenia and could lead to more personalized care.
A multi-institutional team will sequence total genomic DNA from 10,000 or more ethnically diverse individuals to identify genetic variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort at Keck School of Medicine of USC comprises over 37,000 participants.
Two family-based therapies are found to be effective in treating anorexia nervosa in teenagers, with one approach producing faster weight gain and lower hospitalization rates. The study suggests that involving parents in treatment can lead to improved outcomes for adolescents struggling with the life-threatening eating disorder.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center identifies a specific neurobiological basis for key symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including sadness, emotional detachment, and listlessness. The research uses brain imaging to link an opioid receptor in the brain to these symptoms, suggesting a potential target for personal...
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry found no statistically significant link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk after accounting for severe maternal depression. However, an increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisted even after controlling for factors related to a mother...