A consortium of scientists, including top researchers from academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, is developing new methods for drug discovery in depression and schizophrenia. The project aims to overcome bottlenecks such as lack of accurate animal models and symptom-based diagnostic categories.
Research from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study found that childhood abuse, neglect, social isolation or economic hardship can affect nervous, immune and endocrine functioning in adulthood. Adults who experienced these traumas were more likely to exhibit depression, chronic inflammation and metabolic markers of...
Climate change is projected to exacerbate existing mental illness and increase overall burden of mental disorder worldwide. This is due to factors such as natural disasters, heat-related deaths, and mass migration, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
A study found that depression increases mortality risk similar to smoking, but anxiety reduces it when combined with depression. Researchers suggest that help-seeking behavior may explain this pattern, and highlight the need for more attention on physical health in people with mental disorders.
The BRC's Case Register Interactive Search (CRIS) system, a groundbreaking research tool, will be expanded with the new funding. CRIS allows researchers to search and analyze electronic medical records in an anonymized format, facilitating personalized diagnosis and treatment for mental health patients.
Researchers at King's College London discovered abnormalities in white matter that trigger the onset of schizophrenia, particularly in posterior regions. The study suggests that faulty 'wiring' in key brain areas contributes to the development of full-blown symptoms.
A recent study in China found that people with higher levels of pesticide exposure are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. The study suggests a potential causal link between pesticide exposure and increased risk of suicidal ideation in rural areas.
Researchers aim to identify 'biomarkers' in tissue and blood samples to diagnose conditions like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease. They will test these signatures using tissue and blood samples from patients with various inflammatory diseases.
Researchers aim to develop 'enhanced' cells that can fight diseases from within the body. They will extract specific cells from patients, activate or modify them in the laboratory and transfer them back into patients for treatment.
Researchers found significant alterations in brain function similar to posttraumatic stress disorders shortly after the Wenchuan earthquake. Hyperactivity in certain areas and decreased functional connectivity were observed, suggesting a need for early treatment and potential long-term psychological impact.
Researchers at King's College London discovered a significant reduction in the integrity of a key brain tract associated with emotions and decision-making in individuals with psychopathy. The findings suggest that biological differences in the brain may underpin psychopathic behavior.
A €3 million EU grant will support an international research project on hospital quality and safety in European countries. The study, starting in 2010, aims to explore the relationships between organisational and cultural characteristics of hospitals and their impact on clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and experience.
Researchers at King's College London discovered a key element in the development of chronic asthma, linking airway remodelling to muscle cell changes. The study found that reducing SERCA2 levels in airway muscle cells may lead to effective new treatments for severe asthma.
A new software system is being developed to improve flood forecasting and risk analysis, addressing the need for reliable warning systems and uncertainty assessment. The project aims to provide benefits to industries, governments, and citizens in the UK and China, particularly in light of climate change's impact on extreme floods.
New research published by King's College London reveals that experiencing 'cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment' (CIDT) is associated with higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than physical torture. Survivors reported an average of 21 stressor events during detention or captivity, highlighting the severity of CIDT.
A consortium of 29 EU and Chinese institutions will review TCM research, proposing guidelines and priority areas for future studies. The project aims to harmonize Western and Chinese approaches to medicinal therapeutics.
Researchers found that women with severe mental illness are more likely to have been abused in childhood than the general population, with a twofold increased risk compared to healthy women. In contrast, no such association was found in men.
Researchers have identified a second MND-causing gene, FUS, which links to TDP-43 and sheds light on disease mechanisms. This breakthrough has major implications for diagnosis and treatment, offering new avenues of scientific investigation.
Researchers found that vitamin D3 supplementation can increase the responsiveness of T-cells from patients with severe asthma to steroids. The study suggests that this therapy could lead to new ways to treat people who don't respond to steroid treatment, reducing the need for heavy medication.
Research suggests that adults with Down syndrome have higher concentrations of myo-inositol in the brain, leading to reduced cognitive ability and increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to develop a new treatment approach by reducing myo-inositol levels in the brains of people with Down syndrome.
Researchers suggest that the parathyroid gland evolved from the gills of ancestral marine creatures to regulate calcium levels in land-living animals. The discovery supports the idea that humans and other tetrapods share a common evolutionary history with fish.