A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found no evidence that vitamin D supplementation improves mental or physical health symptoms in people with psychosis. High rates of vitamin D deficiency were observed, particularly among ethnic minority participants.
A longitudinal study found extremely concerning levels of psychological distress in the UK nursing and midwifery workforce during COVID-19. Key workplace-related factors, including redeployment and inadequate training, were associated with adverse psychological effects.
A new report proposes a clearer definition of treatment-resistant depression, aiming to improve treatment outcomes. The study found that only about a third of studies in TRD enroll participants who met the most common definition, highlighting the need for a standardized approach.
A systematic review found that remote care presented challenges for new patients, those without a private space at home, and individuals with schizophrenia or severe anxiety. Despite the benefits of increased convenience and accessibility, concerns were raised about safety, privacy, and confidentiality in remote care.
Researchers have found consistent patterns in GABAergic neuron development between humans and mice, shedding light on the causes of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The study uses single-cell RNA sequencing to create detailed maps of gene expression during human brain development.
Researchers analyzed data from 362,770 UK users to find that traditional machine learning models struggled to distinguish between COVID-19 symptoms and post-vaccination side effects. Unless tested, there was no way to tell if symptoms were due to early COVID-19 or vaccine side-effects.
A review of current literature found irregular brain responses to challenging tasks and mistakes may be key to understanding links between abnormal behaviors in mental illness and cognitive disorders. Studies suggest that people with conditions like anxiety, OCD, and ADHD have different brain waves following mistakes compared to health...
A new study suggests that genetic liability to various mental health conditions may affect an individual's choice of residence. The research found higher genetic risks for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in those who moved from rural to urban areas, while lower genetic risk was seen for ADHD in those who remained in rural areas.
A study found that over half of double-vaccinated blood cancer patients have poor immune responses to COVID-19. Despite being vaccinated, these patients remain vulnerable to severe infection and are urged to continue wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Severe vomiting during pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, drives women to terminate wanted pregnancies. The condition also affects mental health, with 25.5% experiencing suicidal thoughts. Improving support systems is crucial for these women.
The study found that deaths from COVID-19 among people with learning disabilities were nine times higher than the general population, while those with eating disorders saw a five-fold increase. The research highlighted the need to prioritize vaccination and physical health care for vulnerable groups during the pandemic.
Researchers from King's College London warn that previously published solar exposure guidelines for optimal vitamin D synthesis may not be accurate. A new study suggests a simple correction is needed to the wavelength dependency for vitamin D production, which could impact risk/benefit calculations for sunlight exposure.
A new study reveals that cancer patients worldwide face significant barriers in accessing essential medicines, with financial constraints being a major issue. The World Health Organization's Essential Medicines List is largely aligned with the top-priority cancer medicines identified by oncologists globally.
Researchers at King's College London found that double vaccination significantly reduces the risk of Long COVID, with a 49% lower likelihood of contracting the virus. Fully vaccinated individuals also experience milder symptoms, fewer hospitalizations, and a lower burden of acute symptoms.
A study of over 13,000 people found that exposure to air pollution is associated with increased use of mental health services among those with psychotic and mood disorders. Initiatives to lessen air pollution could improve outcomes for these individuals and reduce healthcare costs.
A new study from King's College London found that exercise and poor nutrition can influence the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The research suggests that altered neurogenesis in the brain could potentially represent an early biomarker for both conditions.
Researchers from King's College London created a novel interactive VR system to make MRI scans more accessible for children, people with cognitive difficulties, and those with claustrophobia or anxiety. The system removes the sense of being inside the MRI scanner by providing an immersive VR environment that is continuous throughout th...
Research found that COVID-19 patients with more severe symptoms scored lower on reasoning and problem-solving tasks. Cognitive deficits were greatest in those receiving mechanical ventilation, similar to average decline seen over a decade of ageing.
New research from King's College London found that younger children in a school class are more likely to experience low educational achievement, substance misuse disorder, and depression. However, ADHD symptoms may be less of a concern for these young students.
Researchers found COVID-19 early symptoms vary by age group and sex. Younger adults (16-59) have different symptoms compared to older adults (60+), while men report shortness of breath, fatigue, and chills more frequently than women.
King's College London researchers have automated brain MRI image labelling by leveraging radiology reports, enabling the labelling of over 100,000 exams in less than half an hour. This breakthrough tackles a bottleneck in deep learning image recognition tasks for complex datasets like MRI.
A study published in The Lancet found that survival rates for babies born with intestinal tract birth defects differ significantly across countries, with low-income countries facing a higher mortality rate. Improving antenatal diagnosis, surgical care, and perioperative care are key to increasing survival rates, the researchers say.
A study found that teenagers who have self-harmed five or more times in their life have a significantly higher threshold for pain compared to adolescents that have not. This has clinical potential as an effective test for identifying youths at the highest risk of suicide.
A new analysis of 27 randomised trials involving nearly 11,000 patients found that interleukin-6 antagonists reduce the risk of death and mechanical ventilation in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Administering one of these drugs with corticosteroids reduces the risk of death by 17% compared to using corticosteroids alone.
Fibromyalgia is a disease of the immune system, according to new research that shows patient antibodies increase pain-sensing nerve activity throughout the body. Antibodies from people with FMS cause symptoms like increased pain sensitivity and muscle weakness.
A new study by King's College London suggests that anxiety experienced by mothers during pregnancy is not passed on to their children. However, exposure to an anxious parent after birth may have a modest impact on the development of emotional problems in children.
A large-scale analysis of over 150,000 middle-aged people found that those with two or more physical health conditions were at greater risk of developing depression and anxiety. The study confirmed the importance of integrating mental health support into care plans for individuals with multiple physical health conditions.
A large study of over 1.8 million women has found no link between fertility drugs and an increased risk of breast cancer. The research, published in Fertility and Sterility journal, provides reassurance to women seeking fertility treatments.
Researchers from King's College London have identified potential modifications to Lateral Flow Devices that can improve their sensitivity and accuracy. The study found that the technology behind the devices is highly accurate but faces limitations in read-out technology.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce depressive symptoms by preventing cell death and promoting neurogenesis. The study used a combination of laboratory and patient research to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in this relationship.
Researchers have identified a novel interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and galectin-3-binding protein (LGALS3BP), which could be a new therapeutic anti-viral target. The presence of detectable viral RNA in blood is strongly associated with increased risk of severe illness.
A study published in Nature Communications has identified a single biomarker, neurofilament light chain (NfL), that can accurately reveal underlying neurodegeneration in people with cognitive issues. NfL levels in blood were found to be higher across all neurodegenerative disorders compared to those with no cognitive problems.
A study published in BJPsych Open found that women with depression during pregnancy or a history of depression had reduced quality of mother-infant interactions. Despite this, all mothers and their babies improved over time, indicating potential for future attunement.
A new study from King's College London found that users of the Reddit forum 'SuicideWatch' post at their highest between 02:00 and 05:00 on Mondays, a trend that closely follows earlier studies on suicide timing patterns. The researchers believe this data can be used to target at-risk populations with greater levels of support.
A study from King's College London found that intermittent fasting increased Klotho gene expression and promoted adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice, leading to improved long-term memory retention. The researchers hope to replicate the study with human participants to further explore the effects of IF.
Digital twin technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare and aerospace by enabling predictive and precision medicine, and enhancing decision-making. However, current digital twins face challenges in scaling, requiring significant investment to overcome technical barriers and improve model accuracy.
Researchers found altered connectivity in brain networks associated with goal-directed behaviour and increased executive network activity in women at risk of postpartum psychosis. This could offer a vital marker for resilience to relapse, enabling earlier intervention.
Researchers visualized and studied white matter pathways in human brains developing in the womb using advanced medical imaging. The study provides a detailed understanding of normal developmental trajectories of white matter tracts, which will help inform treatment strategies for diseases affecting preterm infants.
Researchers from King's College London identify risk factors for poor mental health following COVID-19, focusing on areas of socio-economic deprivation and trauma. The study highlights the need for targeted support interventions in these areas to mitigate mental health consequences.
The study found that 25.4% of vaccinated people experienced systemic side effects, with headache being the most common, while local side effects were reported by 66.2%.
Research found a significant increase in stroke mortality during the first lockdown, with higher case fatality rates among patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Despite stable hospital admissions for stroke, quality of care was preserved and some areas showed improvements.
Researchers created synthetic hearts using statistical shape analysis to identify how heart shape relates to function. The study included 1000 new synthetic hearts made open access for testing and analysis.
Researchers at King's College London have found small clusters of cells in the brain that identify locations where tumours could become malignant. The study suggests that these 'hotspots' could be the seedbeds for malignant progression, a process by which a tumour becomes a fast-growing and uncontrolled cancer.
A study published in Nature Metabolism found that individuals who experience significant 'sugar dips' after eating tend to be hungrier and consume more calories throughout the day. Big dippers had a 9% increase in hunger and ate around 312 calories more than little dippers, potentially leading to weight gain over time.
A new clinical trial has shown that the SlowMo therapy app is an effective means of treating paranoid thoughts in people experiencing psychosis. The app, which uses a personalized approach to help individuals feel safer in daily life, has been found to reduce paranoia and improve quality of life.
A recent study published in BMJ Neurology found that lockdown restrictions significantly reduced light activity associated with socialising and work. Moving your body for five minutes every hour can help counteract this inactivity.
A large multidisciplinary study led by King's College London found that MRI scanning can show malformations in great detail, including their effect on surrounding structures. The procedure is safe for pregnant women and their babies, making it a valuable tool for clinicians and parents.
A large-scale genetic study has identified 50 new genes associated with human eye color, significantly expanding the current understanding of this complex trait. These findings will help improve diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases such as pigmentary glaucoma and ocular albinism.
A new study published in Addiction highlights the effectiveness of daily e-cigarette use in aiding smoking cessation. The research found that daily e-cigarette users were over five times more likely to achieve abstinence from tobacco smoking for one month compared to those using no quitting aids.
The OpenEP platform enables researchers to analyze large amounts of clinical patient data, reducing the need for specialized software and increasing reproducibility. This allows clinicians to focus on their specific hypothesis or research question, accelerating progress towards innovative treatments.