A study by CAMH found that mental health leave costs employers nearly twice as much as physical illness leaves, with an average cost of $18,000 per employee. Implementing workplace interventions and support programs can help reduce disability costs and promote a healthy workforce.
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that postpartum blues are associated with elevated brain monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) levels in healthy women. Higher MAO-A levels can lead to feelings of sadness as it accelerates the removal of chemicals like serotonin, contributing to depression.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that individuals with major depressive disorder have altered GABA functions, with the most treatment-resistant forms demonstrating greatest reductions in GABA levels. This finding suggests medications targeting GABA imbalance may advance depression treatment.
A new genetic test has been developed by CAMH scientists Dr. John Vincent and Dr. Muhammad Ayub to analyze CC2D2A gene mutations causing about 10% of intellectual disability cases. The test aims to provide more accurate diagnosis and offer appropriate genetic counseling for affected families.
An online intervention platform, CheckYourDrinking.net, has been shown to reduce problem alcohol use by 30% in a Canadian study. The platform provides personalized feedback and motivation tools to help users change their drinking behaviors.
Researchers have identified the TRAPPC9 gene as a potential cause of non-syndromic intellectual disabilities affecting up to 50% of individuals worldwide. The discovery sheds light on a new genetic factor in intellectual disabilities and paves the way for future research into diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
A new study reveals that most antidepressants miss the mark on a key brain protein called monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), which is highly elevated during clinical depression. This finding has important implications for understanding why antidepressants don't always work, with potential benefits for developing more effective treatments.
A new study by CAMH researchers found that 1 in 25 deaths worldwide are directly linked to alcohol consumption. The burden of alcohol-attributable disorders is highest among men and younger people.
Research by CAMH and German researchers finds that drinking alcohol poses a significant risk of acetaldehyde-related cancer, even at low levels. The study's findings have sparked recommendations for reclassifying acetaldehyde as a carcinogen and reducing its content in alcoholic beverages.
Researchers at CAMH have detected evidence that DNA is not the only carrier of heritable information, with epigenetic factors playing a significant role. This finding challenges traditional genetics principles and may provide new insights into human disease causes.
Two Canadian studies found that 20% of people with mental health issues also have substance use problems, with rates highest in BC and lowest in Quebec. Improved integration of mental health and addiction services is needed to address co-occurring disorders.
A new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that depression symptoms are associated with a nine percent increase in heart-related hospitalizations and a 43 percent increase in non-heart related hospitalization visits after a heart attack. Depression caused the greatest increase in health service use in those patient...
Researchers discovered greater serotonin transporter levels in brain regions during fall/winter compared to spring/summer, suggesting more serotonin removal. This finding explains why some experience low mood and energy in the winter.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has received a $15 million investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to propel its research on mental illness and addiction forward. The funding will support six research themes, including optimizing treatment across mental illness and substance use disorders.
A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that Western cultures tend to emphasize psychological symptoms of depression, while East-Asian cultures emphasize somatic or physical symptoms. The study also revealed a link between cultural differences in thinking styles and symptom reporting.
A new report by CAMH estimates that implementing six interventions would result in cost savings of about $1 billion per year, saving close to 26,000 years of life lost due to premature death. Brief interventions were the most effective measure to avoid other alcohol-attributable criminal activities.
Researchers at CAMH have identified a new gene, CC2D2A, associated with a previously unknown form of intellectual disability characterized by retinitis pigmentosa. The mutation affects protein function, leading to faulty cell activity and the disorder.
Researchers found approximately one in every two hundred genes showed an epigenetic difference in the brains of psychiatric patients. These changes were noted on genes involved in neurotransmission, brain development, and other processes linked to disease origins.
A comprehensive review by CAMH researchers highlights the importance of family doctors advising patients to quit smoking, doubling quit rates. The article also provides guidance on pharmacotherapy options and non-pharmacologic methods for quitting.
Researchers at CAMH found that quitting alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of esophageal and oral cavity cancers, with risks decreasing rapidly after longer periods of abstention. However, stopping drinking did not immediately decrease the risk of head and neck cancer, with benefits seen only after 10 years of cessation.
A recent study found that a specific genetic variant affects smoking cessation treatment outcomes, with 45% of individuals benefiting from bupropion treatment and maintaining abstinence longer compared to those without the variant.
A CAMH study reveals that Ontario and Quebec have lower concentrations of people with alcohol and drug problems, while provinces like Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan have higher rates. Regional differences were attributed to factors such as immigration patterns, local culture, and policies.
A new study from CAMH and NIH demonstrates that nicotine plays a critical role in reinforcing smoking behavior in primates. The study shows that animals develop strong motivation to self-administer nicotine over time.
A team of Canadian researchers discovered a distinct dopamine signalling complex in the brain, which may have a significant role in understanding and treating schizophrenia. This novel target involves two different types of dopamine receptors that only create brain signals when both are stimulated at the same time.
A CAMH study found that previously married mothers had higher rates of depressive disorders and alcohol abuse compared to married or never-married mothers. The study also showed that single mothers who were never married and currently married mothers have similar prevalence rates of psychiatric and substance use disorders.
A new study reveals that brain monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) enzyme is significantly higher in individuals with untreated depression, leading to lower levels of key chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This finding provides a comprehensive disease model for depression, which can aid in targeted treatment.