The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) has launched initiatives to address diversity and inclusion, with a focus on overcoming microaggressions that contribute to low representation of women and underrepresented minority groups in academic leadership. Evidence-based strategies and practical solutions are being implement...
Clinical trials suggest that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is more effective than traditional therapy alone in treating PTSD. The combination of MDMA and traditional psychotherapy has shown promising results, with patients experiencing temporary adverse reactions not requiring additional medical intervention.
A new study found that childhood violence exposure and social deprivation can alter white matter connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, leading to a heightened response to threats. Social support acts as a buffer, reducing the negative effects of early-life stress.
A new study reveals that brain imaging can improve diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders by identifying distinct neurobiological signatures. The research used machine learning to analyze the brains of over 1,100 children and adolescents with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Researchers used virtual reality to study how opioid-associated memories are made and found special neural mechanisms engaged by drug use. The findings suggest that these memories could be targeted for disruption to break the cycle of craving and relapse.
Researchers have developed monoclonal antibodies effective against several synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and carfentanil. The vaccine could help combat opioid addiction and reduce overdose deaths by blocking the analgesic effects of these potent drugs.
A new study found that a probiotic supplement reduced hospitalization time and in-patient treatment for patients with mania. The results suggest that modulating the intestinal microbiota could be a new treatment avenue for patients suffering from psychiatric mood disorders.
A new study found that a strong parental relationship can change how children perceive environmental cues, overriding some negative effects of violence or poverty. The study used fMRI to observe activity in the amygdala and found that mothers' positive expressions reduced fearful responses in younger children.
Research suggests that empathy can lead former drug users to relapse as they respond to stressful events. Oxytocin, a hormone linked to social bonding, exacerbates this response.
Researchers identified the insula as a brain area linked to opioid-related social isolation in rats. Activating this region may help revive social behavior in opioid addicts, potentially improving recovery outcomes.
Researchers developed an algorithm to predict antidepressant effectiveness based on depression subtypes, achieving higher accuracy than existing methods in clinical settings. Clinicians found the tool more user-friendly, which could significantly impact patients' lives, with a 50% failure rate for first and second treatment attempts.
A new intervention by Dr. Stacey Sigmon reduces illicit opioid use and injection drug use among waitlisted patients by providing daily medication via a computerized dispenser. This regimen allows patients to start potentially life-saving treatment immediately, while waiting for access to comprehensive counseling services.
Two studies comparing buprenorphine and naltrexone found that both medications are equally effective in preventing relapse and reducing illicit opioid use. However, naltrexone can be more difficult to initiate due to the 'detox hurdle' faced by many patients.
Recent breakthroughs aim to help those struggling with opioid use disorders by providing interim treatments and safer prescription options. Interim therapies can get people medication sooner, reducing the risk of overdose and infection, while safer opioids may mitigate respiratory suppression and addiction.
A new study by American College of Neuropsychopharmacology reveals that chronic sleep deprivation in teenagers can raise the risk for depression and addiction. The research found that sleep restriction affects the brain's reward system, leading to less activation in the putamen region.
A new study suggests that a metabolite of ketamine can produce antidepressant-like effects in mice, potentially leading to further research on the efficacy and safety of ketamine in humans. Ketamine has been shown to have rapid and potent antidepressant effects in humans, even in those resistant to traditional treatments.
Studies found that early life stress associated with poverty and lack of familial support may lead to lower response to rewards, increased vulnerability to depression in children, and altered brain development. Positive maternal support appeared protective against these adverse effects on brain development.
Research suggests a link between gut microbiota and mood, anxiety, and depression, with changes in the diversity of microorganisms linked to behavioral changes and treatment implications.
Researchers used MRI measurements to detect higher levels of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy individuals and those with bipolar disorder. The study suggests that oxidation imbalance may contribute to the development and progression of schizophrenia.
Dr. Martin M. Katz has been recognized with the ACNP Paul Hoch Distinguished Service Award for his over 50 years of dedication to the organization and its mission. He made significant contributions to the theoretical understanding of antidepressant mechanisms, serving on key committees and editing notable publications.
Dr. Charles B. Nemeroff, a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher, has been recognized for his decades-long commitment to mentoring young scientists in the field of neuropsychopharmacology. His work has led to numerous mentees advancing in their careers, becoming leaders in research departments and even department chairs.
Dr. Tracy L. Bale is recognized for her work deciphering genes, circuits, and epigenetic mechanisms contributing to stress dysregulation in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric diseases. Her research investigates the impact of early life events on brain development and disease susceptibility.
Elyn Saks, a professor of law and psychology at USC, received the ACNP Media Award for her tireless efforts to educate the public about mental illness. Her work, including her memoir The Center Cannot Hold, has helped advance compassionate care and legal protections for people with mental illness.
Dr. David Glahn, a Yale University professor, has been awarded the Joel Elkes Research Award by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology for his groundbreaking research in neuropsychopharmacology. His work focuses on identifying potential biomarkers and understanding heritability, disease associations, and risk genes.
Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman has been recognized by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) with the Julius Axelrod Mentorship Award for his significant contributions to neuropsychopharmacology. He is a leading researcher and national leader in psychiatry, having trained a generation of clinical and translational researchers.
Andrew Holmes receives the ACNP Daniel H. Efron Research Award for his work on understanding the causes of alcoholism and comorbid neuropsychiatric conditions. His research has been published over 170 times, with more than 13,000 citations.
Dr. Elisabeth Binder receives the Eva King-Killam Research Award for her groundbreaking work on molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. Her research has been published extensively, with over 170 papers in top-tier journals.
A single dose of psilocybin significantly decreases anxiety and depression in cancer patients, with positive effects lasting up to 6 months. The study suggests that psilocybin may be a sufficient treatment for mood disturbances in cancer patients.
Research reveals LSD reduces connectivity within brain networks, disrupting synchronization of neural firing patterns. This change affects the underlying thought and behavior processes in humans.
Researchers found that psychological interventions targeting sensation seeking and reward sensitivity can delay first-time cannabis use in teens. The study suggests these interventions may help reduce cannabis use, particularly among youth who perceive it as low risk.
Researchers found female infants have larger gray matter volumes around the temporal-parietal junction, which integrates social information processing. By age two, myelination of long fiber tracks is more developed in males than females, a potential clue to autism risk disparities.
A recent study found that delay discounting, the tendency to choose smaller rewards now rather than larger ones later, is strongly influenced by genetics. As individuals age, their ability to wait for larger delayed rewards improves. The study suggests that genes related to serotonin synthesis and binding may play a role in impulsivity.
A study suggests that early signs of cognitive decline are present in some individuals during midlife and are associated with cumulative exposure to modifiable risk factors. Elevated blood pressure and low physical activity over a 25-year period were found to be predictors of worse cognitive performance, even within the normal range.
A study using fMRI found that fructose triggers greater activation in the nucleus accumbens and higher ratings of hunger compared to glucose, suggesting it may promote overeating. The findings have important public health implications for a society with high-sugar foods and tempting stimuli.
Research reveals that frontal brain systems and structural connections are disrupted in individuals who attempt suicide, leading to weaker connections between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. This study provides an important first step in understanding the neurobiology of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Research participants who reported greater sleepiness had higher amyloid accumulation in cerebral cortex regions heavily affected in Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that sleep disturbance may be an early target for intervention to prevent cognitive deficits.
A study suggests that immune cells outside the brain may contribute to depression, with elevated levels of interleukin-6 linked to increased depressive behaviors in rodents. Researchers found that mice transplanted with high-responding donors exhibited increased depression-like behaviors compared to those with low-responding donors.
A study found that high maternal care during early post-natal periods can re-program genes controlling stress responses, reducing sensitivity to stressful events. This rewiring has implications for understanding early environment influences on stress-related disorders.
Researchers found that using hot baths to raise body temperature and worm eggs to stimulate immunoregulatory factors may attenuate symptoms of autism. The study suggests that inflammation may contribute to the disorder, and these novel approaches could be future treatment options.
Research suggests that epigenetic changes, unrelated to genetic mutations, may contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. Older fathers' sperm show a decrease in DNA methylation, which affects gene expression in offspring.
Researchers found that medications used to treat substance addictions can also help suppress the urge to gamble, particularly for those driven by urge. Medications targeting the brain opioid system or catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) enzyme showed positive outcomes in treating pathological gambling disorder.
Research highlights new techniques to assess PTSD, identify biomarkers for schizophrenia, and develop treatment for gambling addiction. These breakthroughs may lead to earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.
Research findings suggest a genetic link between schizophrenia and cancer, while also exploring the relationship between depression and heart disease. Studies on brain overgrowth in autistic children and the development of an animal model for autism have also shed light on these complex conditions.
Research suggests that maintaining consistent sleep schedules and regular physical activity can help balance the circadian system and reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder. Studies found that patients who participated in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy experienced longer periods without new episodes of mania or depression.
Research shows depression significantly increases risk of death following a heart attack, with depressed patients more than twice as likely to die if they don't recover from depression within six months. The study also highlights the role of molecular mechanisms and inflammatory molecules in this association.
Researchers have developed a first-ever genetic animal model of autism, allowing for the study of abnormal brain function and potential treatments. The model mimics human autism symptoms, including social interaction deficits, while also displaying enhanced spatial learning abilities.
A study presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting found a clear link between GABA and nicotine dependence. The researchers discovered that nicotine has significant effects on brain GABA levels, which could potentially help curb the pleasurable effects of nicotine and aid in quitting addiction.
Research elucidates genetic connection between schizophrenia and cancer, suggesting cells with shared genes respond differently to external stimuli. The findings may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating both conditions.
Researchers found brain size differences between adolescents with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as well as between boys and girls. Puberty may contribute to these changes, suggesting sex hormones influence brain development and potentially informing treatment approaches.
The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology has awarded HBO's Addiction Project for its accurate and revealing portrayal of addiction. The documentary series was praised for effectively depicting the complex nature of addiction and highlighting treatment options.