Research suggests that individuals with a family history of bipolar disorder may experience faster biological aging. The study found that patients treated with lithium had longer telomeres, which could help reverse age-related changes. This association may explain the higher rates of aging-related diseases among bipolar disorder patients.
Researchers at King's College London found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved cognitive performance, particularly in working memory and executive functioning, in individuals with schizophrenia. The study suggests that tDCS may be a promising new treatment for the condition's cognitive deficits.
A new King's College London study suggests that genes account for nearly half of the differences in social mobility, with higher polygenic scores linked to better educational outcomes despite family background. The findings have important implications for reducing educational inequality and could lead to personalized support strategies.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecular mechanism that enables neurons to adapt to their environment, shaping learning and memory formation. The study reveals that Brevican protein plays a critical role in regulating experience-dependent plasticity, influencing the intrinsic properties of PV+ interneurons and s...
A new study suggests that children of older fathers are more intelligent and focused on their interests, with better educational and career prospects. The researchers found that 'geekier' children tend to perform better in school exams, particularly in STEM subjects.
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals a significant drop in physical assaults following the introduction of a smoke-free policy at a psychiatric hospital. The researchers found that smoking within hospitals often leads to worsening mental health and increased violence, but their findings challenge this assumption.
A new study by King's College London and the University of Bristol suggests that epigenetic changes in genes related to addiction and aggression present at birth may be linked to conduct problems in children. Conduct problems, costing £22 billion per year in the UK, can lead to chronic antisocial behavior across the lifespan.
Living in a city significantly increases young people's vulnerability to psychotic experiences, with British adolescents raised in major cities being over 40% more likely to report such experiences. Adverse neighbourhood conditions, crime, and social factors were key contributing factors.
Researchers found a strong link between loneliness and poor sleep quality in a study of over 2,000 British young adults. Lonelier individuals were more likely to experience daytime dysfunction and disrupted sleep.
A large international study of over 3.2 million people with severe mental illness found a substantially increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. People with SMI have a 53% higher risk and an 85% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Scientists have published groundbreaking scans of newborn babies' brains, enabling researchers to study brain development and wiring. The Developing Human Connectome Project will uncover how the brain develops during pregnancy and after birth, helping understand conditions like autism and pregnancy-related issues.
A chemotherapy drug used to treat brain cancer may increase vulnerability to depression by stopping new brain cells from growing, a study suggests. The findings highlight the importance of protecting brain stem cells or building up a reserve before cancer treatment.
A new study has found that children with obesity are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes by age 25 compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The study examined data from over 369,000 children and teenagers in the UK and found a significant increase in type 2 diabetes cases between 1994 and 2013.
Researchers at King's College London used 3D scans to analyze face shapes of nearly 1,000 UK female twins. They found that the shapes of the end of the nose, cheekbones, and inner corner of the eye are highly influenced by genetics. The study published heritability maps, showing specific genes involved in shaping human faces.
A specific class of inhibitory neurons plays a crucial role in encoding spatial information in the brain. The study found that these neurons, which are essential for maintaining precise maps of spatial information, become dysfunctional when they lack a protein called ErbB4, leading to alterations in spatial learning and memory.
Scientists at King's College London have developed a new blood test that detects damaged heart muscle caused by a heart attack more sensitively than current tests. This could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment of patients, while reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.
Researchers at King's College London used a genetic scoring technique to predict reading performance throughout school years from DNA alone. Genetic scores explained up to 5% of the differences in reading ability between children, with students having highest and lowest genetic scores differing by two years in reading performance.
Researchers found that unsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in Alzheimer's brains compared to healthy patients, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests a crucial role for fats in dementia onset and progression, with surprising findings on omega-3s and their impact on the disease.
Scientists identify a molecular pathway that enables prostate cancer cells to escape the primary tumor and form secondary tumors. This discovery holds promise for developing new therapeutic strategies to stop cancer cells from spreading, offering hope for improved treatment options for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
A recent study found that UK parents' concerns about the child flu vaccine's safety and side effects reduce its uptake. The researchers recommend reinforcing public health messages to address these concerns, focusing on the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing flu and highlighting serious complications of the illness.
A new device called SafeRoot uses florescent dyes and fluorescence microscopy to detect minute amounts of residual live bacteria in root canals. This allows dentists to identify persistent or secondary infections and reduce the need for further treatments, potentially saving the NHS millions of pounds.
A new study by researchers at King's College London found that genetic factors play a significant role in anxiety related to spatial and mathematical tasks. The study identified several forms of anxiety, including general, mathematics, and spatial anxiety, with non-shared environments contributing to differences between individuals.
Researchers at King's College London have found that patients with early stages of kidney disease and type 1 diabetes have lower levels of the protective 'anti-ageing' hormone Klotho. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments to prevent kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Scientists from King's College London report a significant reduction in maternal deaths due to pre-eclampsia, with less than 1 in 10,000 women dying in pregnancy. The study attributes this success to improved monitoring, diagnosis, and timely delivery, as well as the use of low-dose aspirin and antihypertensive medication.
A recent study by King's College London revealed widespread confusion and misapprehension about the health value of standing among the public. Respondents questioned the credibility of the guidance, citing impracticality and prioritization of productivity over employee health.
A new study found that dying at home or in hospital is influenced by factors such as wealth, location, and the presence of multiple diseases. The study showed a decrease in hospital deaths from COPD and IPD after implementing an end-of-life care strategy, but did not see this effect for patients with multimorbidity.
A new study found that non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can significantly reduce bulimia symptoms, including urge to binge eat and concerns about weight. The treatment showed promise in improving cognitive control over compulsive features of the disorder.
A new study found that genetic differences significantly affect engagement with online media, including games for entertainment and education, and social networking. Heritability estimates suggest that genetics account for up to 39% of time spent on online gaming.
A new study from King's College London shows that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) strengthens specific connections in the brains of people with psychosis, associated with long-term recovery. CBT involves learning to think differently about unusual experiences and developing strategies to reduce distress and improve wellbeing.
People with early schizophrenia are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. The researchers found that patients showed higher levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance compared to healthy controls.
A team of researchers at King's College London has discovered a method to stimulate the renewal of living stem cells in tooth pulp using an Alzheimer's drug. This novel approach aims to promote natural tooth repair and potentially reduce the need for fillings or cements.
A study published in Nature Communications found that nearly three quarters of immune traits are genetically determined, with adaptive responses being more influenced by genetics than previously thought. The research also highlights the importance of environmental factors such as diet on shaping innate immunity in adult life.
A new study from King's College London has found a link between adolescent obesity and the risk of developing heart disease in early adulthood, regardless of ethnicity. The study tracked an ethnically diverse group of children and found that being overweight in early adolescence adversely affects cardiovascular health in the 20s.
A new test can identify obese women at high risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy, allowing for timely and targeted interventions. The study developed prediction tools using various clinical factors and biomarkers, including blood pressure and anthropometric measures, to accurately define risk in this group.
A new study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that only one in five people with depression in high-income countries receive minimally adequate treatment. The global average for adequate treatment is even lower, with one in 27 people with depression in poorest countries receiving sufficient care.
A liver hormone called FGF21 may regulate alcohol drinking by acting directly on a receptor in the brain, according to a new study. The researchers found variations of a gene called β-Klotho that were related to the amount of alcohol people consumed, indicating that this gene may regulate drinking behaviour.
Scientists at King's College London and Imperial College London have discovered a new target receptor that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and body weight. The FFAR2 receptor helps increase feelings of fullness and reduces food intake, potentially leading to breakthroughs in obesity treatment.
Researchers found inconsistencies in patient care after ICU discharge, with factors like poor communication, lack of knowledge, and time pressures contributing to issues. Effective rehabilitation requires a comprehensive approach involving health professionals, patients, and families.
A new study by King's College London found that bullied children are nearly twice as likely to be overweight at age 18 compared to non-bullied peers. Chronic bullying in school was associated with a higher BMI and waist-hip ratio, independent of environmental risk factors.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that sleep-deprived individuals consumed an average of 385 kcal per day extra, with higher fat and lower protein intakes. The study suggests that long-term sleep deprivation may contribute to weight gain if it results in a large net increased energy intake.
A new study reviewing 20 existing studies found that bedtime use of media devices increases the likelihood of inadequate sleep quantity, poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness. The presence of a media device in the bedroom also affects sleep, even without use.
Research at King's College London reveals that individuals with autism are more likely to make rational decisions by following their heads rather than their hearts. This is due to impaired emotional awareness and reduced susceptibility to the Framing Effect.
A study by King's College London has discovered a link between maternal obesity during pregnancy and increased blood pressure in children, with the 'fullness' hormone leptin playing a key role. Mice exposed to high levels of leptin in the womb developed high blood pressure and kidney damage later in life.
Air quality monitoring data from 2005-2014 reveals significant variability in London's road pollutants. Despite improvements, some areas continue to exceed EU limits for nitrogen dioxide levels; however, other pollutants like fine particulate matter and black carbon have seen notable decreases.
A large international study found that people with psychosis have lower levels of physical activity, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Barriers include mobility difficulties, pain, depression, and cognitive impairment.
A new study suggests that high-fat, high-sugar diets during pregnancy may be associated with symptoms of ADHD in children who exhibit early conduct problems. Higher IGF2 methylation was linked to increased ADHD symptoms in these children.
Researchers at King's College London discovered that a gene called TRPM2 initiates a 'warm' signal in mice, driving them to seek cooler environments. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms responsible for detecting warmth in sensory neurons.
A new study by King's College London casts doubt on claims of inherent optimism bias about the future. Researchers found that people learn more from negative news than positive news, contradicting prior studies' conclusions.
Researchers have identified three new risk genes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using genetic data from Project MinE. One of these genes, C21orf2, increases the risk of developing ALS by 65%. The study's findings could aid the development of personalized treatments using gene therapy.
A new study found that all babies of mothers treated with a specific type of statin survived compared to the standard treatment group, while maternal health also improved. The statin treatment lowered blood pressure and prevented premature birth in women with antiphospholipid syndrome.