Researchers at McLean Hospital have identified a method to predict depressed patients' treatment prognosis by analyzing brain activity in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. The study showed that patients with higher activity before treatment are more likely to respond positively, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment approaches.
A study by McLean Hospital neuroscientists reveals that brief immune system activation within days of birth can cause persistent changes in sleep patterns and epilepsy-like brain activity, common symptoms in autism spectrum disorder. The findings suggest that early postnatal immune activation can have long-term negative impacts on brai...
Researchers found impaired mitochondrial metabolism and increased glycolysis in LOAD cells, indicating failing mitochondria. The study suggests that bioenergetics changes may contribute to the risk and pathophysiology of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at McLean Hospital discovered a unique brain training program that improves cognitive skills in individuals with bipolar disorder. The study found significant improvements in cognitive performance, memory, and visual learning, with sustained benefits six months after treatment.
A new study found that at least 30-45% of athletes surveyed at top events acknowledged using banned doping techniques, while official biological tests only detected 0.5-3.6% of cases. The study used a randomized response method to ensure anonymity and honesty from respondents.
A recent study by McLean Hospital researchers highlights the need for better security and privacy measures in health apps designed for dementia patients. The paper found that many apps collect user-generated content without adequate protection, posing a risk to patients' sensitive information. Clinicians are urged to educate themselves...
Researchers found that bullying can cause significant changes in sleep patterns, including increased bouts of paradoxical sleep and flattened body temperature fluctuations. These effects persisted even after the mice were removed from the threatening environment, suggesting a long-term impact on mental health.
Researchers found tablet use to be safe and engaging for nearly all patients with dementia, reducing symptoms of agitation. The tablets demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving mood and behavior, particularly among patients with milder forms of dementia.
Researchers at McLean Hospital discovered that individuals with bipolar disorder have altered somatostatin expression in the brain's amygdala, which regulates anxiety and stress response. This altered circadian function is linked to severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, providing potential neural correlates for circadian rhythm ...
Researchers at McLean Hospital have successfully transplanted human stem cell-derived neurons into the brains of mice with epilepsy, reducing seizures in half of the recipients. The treatment showed promise, with improved electrical activity and reversal of seizure symptoms.
Researchers at McLean Hospital found that xenon gas can reduce memories of traumatic events, potentially treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other memory-related disorders. The study used an animal model to demonstrate the effectiveness of xenon in blocking fear responses for up to two weeks.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have found that transplanted fetal dopamine cells can remain healthy and functional for up to 14 years in patients with Parkinson's disease. The discovery could lead to new therapies using stem cells grown in labs, reducing symptoms and the need for dopamine replacement drugs.
A study published in Neuron reveals that Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) plays a critical role in the development of addiction-related behaviors. FMRP is also linked to Autism Spectrum Disorders and controls brain connections during normal development.
A study published in Journal of Affective Disorders found that patients with moderate to high levels of belief in God experienced improved psychological wellbeing and decreased depression and self-harm. The study involved 159 patients who received short-term treatment, highlighting the clinical implications of spiritual life.
A study found that mental health parity reduced total and out-of-pocket spending for patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder. Despite no significant change in service utilization, individuals with more severe illnesses experienced lower expenses due to the policy.
A recent study by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that long-term users of anabolic-androgenic steroids experienced significant impairments in visuospatial memory, with scores declining noticeably with increasing lifetime AAS dose.
Recent studies claiming to use brain scans for autism diagnosis are flawed and unreliable. Researchers need to conduct large-scale multicenter studies to understand the biological basis of autism.
A McLean Hospital study found that an herbal extract from the Chinese herb kudzu significantly reduces drinking and slows the pace of consumption. The study's lead author suggests that puerarin, a key component of the kudzu root, may be useful in treating alcoholism and curbing binge drinking.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have developed a new category of nanoparticles that can non-invasively cross the blood-brain barrier, transporting various types of drugs. These nanoparticles also outperform existing MRI contrast agents, offering a significant improvement in imaging performance and reduced gadolinium toxicity.
A large-scale study has shown that Suboxone is the most effective treatment for prescription opioid addiction, with 49% of participants benefiting from the medication. Despite this finding, relapse rates were high once the medication was discontinued, highlighting the need for continued research on long-term use.
A comprehensive review of the first decade of gene-by-environment interaction research in psychiatry found that novel findings were more likely to be published but also more likely to be false positives. The study suggests a focus on replication is necessary to confirm accurate correlations between genes and environmental variables.
Researchers found that individuals who trust in a benevolent God tend to worry less, while those with negative beliefs report higher levels of worry. The study suggests integrating patients' spiritual beliefs into treatment regimens can improve mental health outcomes.
Harvard and University of Utah researchers have developed a biologically based test for autism, detecting high-functioning autism with 94 percent accuracy. The test uses MRI to measure deviations in brain circuitry, revealing insights into the biological basis of autism and potential improvements in management and treatments.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have been awarded a $1.9 million grant to continue their research into creating human induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells using a method that eliminates cancer risks. The goal is to develop universal red blood cells and platelets for transfusion, eliminating immune rejection problems.
Researchers found that extended-release injectable naltrexone (XR-NTX) decreases the brain's craving response when presented with alcohol cues. XR-NTX works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and was approved for treating alcohol dependence in 2006.