A new study reveals that blocking NMDA receptors leads to an increase in AMPA activity, which is crucial for ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects. This finding suggests that targeting AMPA directly may lead to the development of faster-acting antidepressants with fewer side effects.
A major follow-up study found that most children treated for ADHD showed sustained improvement after three years, but behavioral problems persisted. Children who responded well to medication initially were more likely to deteriorate over time, highlighting the need for continued treatment.
A new study analyzing data from CATIE participants found that schizophrenia patients who also have a history of childhood conduct problems are more likely to commit acts of violence. The researchers suggest that antipsychotic medications may not be sufficient to treat violent symptoms in these individuals, highlighting the need for tar...
A genome-wide study reveals that variations in multiple genes contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. The researchers identified a promising target gene DGKH, which produces an enzyme involved in lithium's therapeutic effects. This discovery may lead to the development of new and more effective medications for bipolar disorder.
A recent study found that bipolar spectrum disorder affects about 1% of the population, with individuals receiving inadequate treatment. The research highlights the importance of identifying subtypes of bipolar disorder and using appropriate medication to effectively manage symptoms.
A brain imaging study found that a specific gene variant associated with Alzheimer's disease is linked to thinner brain structures in youth, which may increase the risk of mental decline. The ApoE4 variant affects learning and memory hubs, but its impact on intellectual ability appears harmless.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that intensive psychotherapy was more effective than brief therapy in treating bipolar depression. Patients who received intensive psychotherapy had a faster recovery rate and were more likely to stay well over time.
Researchers studied 366 participants with bipolar disorder, finding that adding antidepressants to mood stabilizers did not improve outcomes or trigger manic episodes. The study suggests careful management of mood stabilizer medications may be a reasonable alternative to adding antidepressants.
A study found that tiny spontaneous gene mutations are 10 times more prevalent in sporadic cases of autism spectrum disorders than in healthy control subjects. The researchers propose that these anomalies are primary causes of the disorder in most cases when present, and may contribute to disease equally across the sexes.
Two new studies from the CATIE trial provide more insights into comparing treatment options and their impact on people with schizophrenia. The trials found that newer antipsychotic medications like quetiapine and olanzapine may be more effective than older medications, but patient responses varied significantly.
The largest search for autism genes to date has implicated components of the brain's glutamate chemical messenger system and a previously overlooked site on chromosome 11. Tiny variations in genes may heighten risk for autism spectrum disorders, with evidence pointing to gene variants affecting neurotransmitter systems.
A common gene variant is found to optimize brain function and improve thinking abilities, but also increases the risk of developing schizophrenia. The study suggests that this variant may have a paradoxical effect when combined with impaired prefrontal cortex function.
A study at NIMH found that brain reward circuit activity ebbs and flows with a woman's hormonal cycle. Women exhibited more active circuitry during the pre-ovulation phase dominated by estrogen compared to the post-ovulatory phase, suggesting links between hormone fluctuations and mood disorders.
Researchers found that children with severe mood dysregulation exhibited different brain mechanisms, suggesting they may have a distinct illness requiring different treatments. The study suggests that biological measurements could be used to improve psychiatric diagnoses in children with pediatric bipolar disorder.
Researchers found that experiencing control over a stressor immunizes a rat from developing depression-like syndrome when it later encounters uncontrollable stressors. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in processing information about controllability and regulating responses to subsequent stressors.
In the most severely socially impaired males with autism spectrum disorders, researchers found a smaller-than-normal amygdala, an almond-shaped danger-detector deep in the brain. The study suggests that social fear triggers hyperactivity in the amygdala, which eventually leads to toxic adaptation and cell death.
A simulation of dozens of studies suggests providing minimal enhanced care for employees' depression would result in cumulative savings to employers. This approach reduces absenteeism and employee turnover costs, yielding a net savings of $4,633 per 1,000 workers.
A new study suggests that older antipsychotic medication perphenazine is less expensive and equally effective as newer medications for treating schizophrenia. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, found that total monthly health costs were up to 30% lower for patients taking perphenazine compared to those taking secon...
The National Institute of Mental Health is funding five new projects to investigate the relationship between antidepressant medications and suicidal thoughts or actions. Studies will analyze data from various sources, including the FDA, VA, and Medicare records, to determine the effectiveness of different depression treatments in reduc...
A version of a gene has been linked to autism in families where more than one child is affected. The variant, which impairs brain development, was found in people with autism spectrum disorders and their parents, but not in controls.
A long-term study found that preschoolers with ADHD benefit from low doses of methylphenidate, but may need higher doses later on to maintain effectiveness. The study also showed significant side effects, including growth rate changes and weight loss.
A large-scale clinical trial funded by the NIH found that commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications for Alzheimer's patients with delusions and aggression have limited effectiveness, while increasing the risk of severe side effects. The study suggested that alternative treatments may be more suitable for this vulnerable population.
The NIMH has launched three major clinical studies on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to better define subtypes and explore possible new treatments. Researchers will compare children with regressive, non-regressive, and other developmental disorders to investigate environmental factors that may trigger symptoms of autism.
A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that bipolar disorder exacts twice as much toll on workplace productivity as major depression, costing nearly half as much in lost wages. The researchers attribute this disparity to bipolar disorder's more severe depressive episodes rather than its manic periods.
A long-term study found that an Internet-based intervention program can help high-risk, college-age women avoid developing an eating disorder. The program, called 'Student Bodies,' aimed to reduce body image concerns and promote healthy eating habits.
A preliminary study found that a single intravenous dose of ketamine provided symptom relief in treatment-resistant depression patients within two hours. The results suggest a new class of faster- and -longer-acting medications could be developed, pointing to potential breakthroughs in treating depression.
People with IED often experience depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. The disorder leads to substantial functional impairment and causes 43 attacks over a lifetime.
Youth with bipolar disorder show increased brain activity when rating hostile faces, indicating difficulty processing emotional cues. This finding may help refine diagnosis and understanding of the underlying brain mechanisms.
The study found that children with superior IQs have a cortex that thickens rapidly and peaks earlier than those with average or high IQs. The researchers suggest that this may be due to an extended critical period for development of high-level cognitive circuits.
The STAR*D study found that switching to a new medication and augmenting the initial SSRI were effective treatment options for depression. The study showed that all three medications switched to, despite having different mechanisms of action, appeared useful options for treating depression following failure on the first SSRI.
Research suggests that a specific gene variant linked to aggression impairs the brain's ability to regulate impulses and emotions, particularly in males. This impairment can lead to increased reactivity in the fear hub and reduced activity in higher brain areas that regulate emotional responses.
Researchers found a significant association between genetic variation and treatment outcome for antidepressant medication. Patients with the AA gene type were 16-18% more likely to benefit from citalopram, suggesting a key role of the serotonin 2A receptor in mechanism of action.
A clinical trial tested maintenance therapy to prevent depression recurrence in patients 70 years and older. The study found that long-term antidepressant medication and psychotherapy were effective, but specific types of psychotherapy may be needed for this population.
A mouse model of depression reveals a persistent molecular scar left by chronic stress in the brain's hippocampus. Antidepressants temporarily restore gene expression but fail to remove silencer molecules, highlighting the need for new treatments.
Researchers discovered that mice without brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exhibit increased BDNF and gene expression in response to social defeat, leading to improved social behavior. Antidepressants reverse this effect, suggesting a potential treatment for mood disorders.
Researchers found that the protein p11 helps regulate serotonin signaling, which is a key target of antidepressants. Increasing p11 levels can lead to improved mood and reduced depression-like symptoms in mice.
About a third of participants reached remission or virtual absence of symptoms, while nearly two thirds remained treatment-resistant. The study, STAR*D, included 2,876 participants and was conducted over six years.
A brain imaging study has discovered that oxytocin quells the brain's fear hub, the amygdala, and its brainstem relay stations in response to fearful stimuli. This finding suggests a potentially powerful treatment approach toward socially relevant fear and may have therapeutic value in disorders characterized by social avoidance.
The Schizophrenia Research Forum is a new online platform that aims to accelerate discovery by connecting researchers, experts, and clinicians. The site features interactive forums, live chats with leading scientists, and a searchable database of schizophrenia-related papers.
A study finds that youth with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and a specific COMT gene variant exhibit significant cognitive decline and psychosis, with excessive dopamine levels contributing to these effects. The study implicates the COMT gene in schizophrenia development, highlighting its potential role in information processing distur...
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has joined forces with advocacy groups to fund research on autism susceptibility genes. The initiative aims to expand knowledge of the genetic factors involved in autism and develop targeted therapies.
The National Institute of Mental Health expands its public health education effort to address the lack of awareness about depression among Latino men. The new campaign, Real Men Real Depression, aims to teach Latino men that depression is a medical condition affecting both mind and body.
The CATIE study found that while newer medications have no substantial advantage over older antipsychotics, individual differences in patient response to these drugs remain crucial. Patients on olanzapine tended to stay on the medication longer but experienced increased side effects such as weight gain and metabolic changes.
A new study found that cognitive therapy significantly reduced repeat suicide attempts among participants, with a 50% decrease in such attempts. The therapy was effective in reducing depressive symptoms and improving coping mechanisms.
A study of Cambodian immigrants in the US found a significant prevalence of PTSD and depression, with rates highest among older, poorer, and unemployed individuals. The research suggests that these disorders may be linked to a single continuum of posttraumatic stress.
Researchers identified a brain circuit for social function and its abnormalities in people with Williams Syndrome, who exhibit increased anxiety despite being highly social. The amygdala's response regulation was found to be critical to social behavior, with abnormal processing leading to fearlessness in social interactions.
The NIH has established a nationwide network of molecular libraries screening centers, enabling academic researchers to explore novel ideas and progress on treating human diseases. The network will utilize the PubChem database to facilitate high-throughput assays and identify potential targets for new therapies.
A study by Emory University researchers has found that variations in microsatellite sequences of the vasopressin receptor gene can influence social behavior and parenting behaviors in voles. These findings suggest that junk DNA may play a role in shaping individual differences and social diversity.
A landmark study reveals that mental illnesses are the chronic diseases of young people in the US, affecting 26% of the population. The study found that long delays in treatment and untreated disorders can lead to school failure, teenage childbearing, unstable employment, and marital instability.
A brain scan study found that people with a depression-linked gene variant have less gray matter and weaker connections in the mood-regulating circuit. The circuit's connectivity accounted for nearly 30% of their anxious temperament.