A study of nearly 12,000 kids found that screen time is only slightly linked to attention disorders, disturbed sleep, and lower grades. However, excessive screen time may have social benefits, with kids who spent more time with screens having more close friends.
Middle school teachers who praised students more often than reprimanding them saw a significant improvement in class-wide on-task behavior, with some classrooms experiencing improvements of up to 60-70%. The study also found that high-risk students benefited from increased praise, leading to improved grades and reduced behavioral issues.
The latest August issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services explore the use of neuroimaging and machine learning in psychiatry. Researchers highlight both the benefits and limitations, including advancements in understanding and practice, as well as service inequities among underserved groups.
The article considers the ethical issues surrounding enrolling children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome, in clinical trials. Parents may face difficult decisions about whether to enroll their children due to concerns about potential loss of positive aspects of their condition.
Researchers have found that improved learning processes are associated with reduced symptoms of depression. By using brain imaging and mathematical modeling, the team identified distinct paths to depression symptoms and proposed a new approach for treating clinical depression.
A new study from Simon Fraser University found that only 44.2% of children with mental health disorders receive services, highlighting unacceptable service shortfalls in high-income countries. The study's authors call for increased investment and protection of children's mental health budgets to address growing needs.
A study published in Evidence-Based Mental Health reveals that one in eight children have mental disorders requiring treatment, but most will not access services. The authors highlight the need for increased investment in children's mental health budgets and effective interventions.
A recent study found that more Americans with opioid use disorder are receiving evidence-based treatment. However, significant gaps in care remain along racial lines, highlighting the need for policymakers and medical providers to address these disparities.
A study by the University of Kansas reveals that parental substance use disorder is linked to neglectful behavior, but only when combined with mental health issues or lack of social support. The researchers suggest that treatment should consider these multiple factors to prevent child neglect and help families.
Trihexyphenidyl, a central anticholinergic drug, shows efficacy in reducing PTSD-related nightmares and flashbacks in 88% and 79% of patients, respectively. The researchers found a rapid onset of treatment within 1-2 days.
Researchers found that eating disorder behaviors like binge-eating alter brain reward response and food intake control circuitry, reinforcing these behaviors. The study suggests that behavioral traits contribute to eating disorder maintenance and progression by modulating internal reward responses.
Patients with REM sleep behavior disorder show signs of low blood flow and cognitive decline, suggesting a link between disrupted sleep and Parkinson's symptoms. The study aims to investigate the relationship between reduced blood flow and Parkinson's disease progression.
A study found that Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with social deficits, cognitive impairment, and hyperactivated noradrenergic systems in mice. Supplementing the brain with Vitamin B6 improved these abnormalities, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for schizophrenia patients with Vitamin B6 deficiency.
A genetic mutation associated with autism can inhibit the release of oxytocin, a peptide that regulates social behavior, and cause abnormal social behavior in mice. This finding suggests that CAPS2 protein plays a critical role in facilitating the release of peripheral oxytocin into the bloodstream.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that universal and selective interventions targeting young people can reduce the risk of most mental disorders. These interventions, such as psychoeducation and therapy, showed promise in preventing symptoms like ADHD, anxiety, and interpersonal violence.
Researchers evaluated the use of positive behavior supports to promote face covering compliance among school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders and/or ADHD. The study found that this approach was feasible and effective, leading to improved mask-wearing adherence.
Researchers found that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy can be as effective as conventional CBT in reducing OCD symptoms in children and adolescents. The study showed that stepped digital CBT reduced symptoms as much as conventional CBT and required fewer resources.
Researchers and clinicians now have evidence-based criteria to develop targeted interventions for this debilitating condition. Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder is characterized by excessive purchasing without utilising items for their intended purposes and using shopping to regulate internal states.
Researchers at INRS discovered a compound that alleviates some neurological symptoms of CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 newborns. The treatment targets GABAergic neurons and shows therapeutic effects on both neurological and behavioral symptoms.
A recent study found that prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and increased residential traffic density are strongly associated with child behavioral problems. Children who received more hours of sleep, ate a healthy diet, and had strong parental ties or social connections exhibited fewer behavioral issues.
Researchers have successfully altered feeding and anxiety-like behaviors linked to anorexia in mice by targeting the MC3R receptor. The study suggests that fine-tuning the receptor's activity could help change feeding habits and promote weight gain in patients with eating disorders, offering a potential new treatment for anorexia.
A new study by the University of Minnesota Medical School and School of Public Health found correlations between COVID-19 and six unhealthy eating behaviors, including extreme weight control and binge eating. The study highlights the need for affordable and accessible interventions to prevent and treat eating disorders, particularly am...
A study conducted by researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that family meal routines, such as sharing food and engaging in pleasant conversation, contribute to healthier eating habits among adolescents. The Mediterranean diet's emphasis on conviviality is crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle.
A study found that young people with autism spectrum disorder adapted better than expected to lockdown conditions, improving their communication and relationships with families. Technological support and increased family time also played a role in their well-being.
Researchers have created a precise map of brain connectivity from the basal ganglia, revealing new details and a surprising level of influence connected to the basal ganglia. The findings offer a blueprint of the area's architecture that could potentially open additional avenues for intervention of Parkinson's disease and other disorders.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of males and more than one-third of females with psychiatric disorders at the time of detention still had a disorder 15 years later. The findings highlight the need for expanded mental health services during detention and upon release.
A new study found that autistic adults are often misjudged due to stereotypical behaviors, leading to disadvantage in the legal system. The researchers argue that these behaviors can be misinterpreted by judges and juries, resulting in harsher sentences for autistic individuals.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a specific node in the human brain that modulates sounds made in social situations. This discovery may lead to better treatments for social disorders like depression and autism by understanding how emotions are regulated.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital highlights rumination syndrome, a behavioral problem where patients regurgitate food into their mouths while eating. The condition is often confused with other gastrointestinal disorders, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
High-strength nicotine e-cigarettes have been found to be an effective smoking cessation method for adults with schizophrenia. In a 12-week study, 40 participants showed a sustained 50% reduction in smoking or complete abstinence, and significant improvements in blood pressure, heart rate, and quality of life.
A longitudinal study by Anglia Ruskin University found that lockdowns to combat COVID-19 led to an increase in symptoms associated with eating disorders. Participants experienced higher levels of morbid eating behaviors such as anorexia and bulimia, but also increased exercise rates after the first lockdown.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have identified a new molecular driver of frontal circuit maturation that is essential for cognitive function. By selectively suppressing communication via nicotinic receptors in the frontal circuit, attention deficits caused by Fragile X syndrome can be prevented in animal models.
A new study published in Psychopharmacology found that frustration is a significant contributor to addiction. Researchers at UTMB used a rat model to demonstrate how frustration can lead to increased drug intake and escalation of opioid use disorder.
A University of Missouri researcher created fitness picture books to increase physical activity in youth with autism, providing a cost-efficient solution for low-income families. The study found that the picture books successfully increased exercise time and encouraged caregivers to provide organized structure during flexible free time.
Mount Sinai researchers identified a neural pathway that detects errors and guides subsequent behavioral improvement, which is frequently dysregulated in psychiatric disorders. They also suggest that neurostimulation of this brain pathway could provide an important mechanism for attention adjustments following behavioral errors.
Researchers found that people with ADHD combined with disruptive behavior disorders share 80% of genetic variants associated with aggressive behaviors. The study identified a genomic segment in chromosome 11 that increases the risk of having both ADHD and DBD.
A study published in Neurology found that strep throat exposure was associated with an increase of about 20% in ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness in children with chronic tic disorders. However, researchers did not find a link between strep exposure and worsening tics or symptoms of OCD.
A microbiome-targeted therapy, known as microbial transfer therapy (MTT), has shown encouraging results in treating autism symptoms by expanding gut microbia diversity and reducing GI issues. The approach involved transferring healthy gut microbes into ASD patients' guts over 7-8 weeks, leading to improved behavior and reduced symptoms.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that defects in mitochondria may contribute to autism spectrum disorder. The researchers introduced a mild missense mutation into a mouse strain and observed impaired social interactions, increased repetitive behaviors, and anxiety-like traits.
A study by Karin Trimmel and Stefan Seidel found that insomnia patients are most likely to underestimate their actual sleep time, regardless of age or screening setting. The researchers analyzed polysomnography results and identified factors influencing this misperception.
Researchers recorded neuron activity in patients with Parkinson's disease to understand how individual neurons represent others' beliefs. They found specialized neurons that respond when assessing another's false beliefs and those that encode information to distinguish between one's own and another's thoughts.
Researchers have identified a stable biomarker for ADHD in brain connectivity, allowing for near-perfect detection of the disorder. A machine learning model achieved 99% accuracy in identifying adults diagnosed with ADHD as children.
A new study reveals that specific enzymes outside medium spiny neurons contribute to addiction plasticity, driving drug-seeking and extinction behaviors. The discovery highlights the importance of extracellular matrix remodeling in addiction and suggests novel molecules as potential targets for treatment.
Boston University researchers developed a personalized procedure to selectively modulate orbitofrontal brain activity, resulting in reduced compulsive behavior. The five-day treatment showed immediate and sustained improvements, even for those with severe symptoms.
Researchers found that cannabis use disorder is significantly associated with older age, male sex, black race, bipolar or other mood disorders, prior history of self-harm, and previous mental health service use. Cannabis use can worsen symptoms and interfere with successful mood disorder treatment.
Researchers found that work addiction risk is strongly associated with high job demands, but not job control. This can lead to depression, sleep disorders, and stress. Women are also more likely to experience work addiction risk than men.
Research suggests that only a small fraction of violent acts are attributable to mental illness, with most perpetrators not having a diagnosable mental illness. The special issue articles review treatments to prevent violence, violence against family members, risk assessment, mass shooting events, and gun violence prevention.
Dr. Benjamin Arenkiel's research identified a convergent brain circuit that combines sensory perceptions and motivational state, linking basal forebrain circuits to behaviors such as anxiety, anorexia, addiction, and more. His work offers a new approach to treating severe eating disorders, obesity, and addictive behaviors by manipulati...
Researchers review cognitive testing studies and propose using computer simulations to gauge behavioral problems in children with ADHD. The approach aims to provide more information on the complexity of symptoms, enabling clinicians to make life easier for kids with ADHD.
As telepsychiatry expands its services, patients in West Virginia show resilience in accessing care despite limited internet connections. The shift has enabled more accessible and convenient therapy sessions, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual therapy, allowing clinicians to transition outpatient behavioral-health visits to telepsychiatry. Despite initial concerns about connectivity issues, most patients adapted effectively, with only 10-15% experiencing problems. This expansion may become part of the new normal, ...
Research reveals that an imbalance in gut bacteria can cause depressive-like behaviors by reducing essential lipid metabolites. Transferring healthy gut bacteria from one animal to another can restore normal brain function and alleviate depression.
A study found that Zika virus can remain in the mouse brain for extended periods, leading to lasting cognitive impairment and increased risk of psychological disorders. The infection caused long-term deficits in motor function and coordination, as well as anxiety and hyperactivity.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a majority of anorexia patients tolerated and met their weight gain goals on a rapid weight gain plan, with 70% reaching a healthy BMI. The study suggests that meal-based nutritional approaches can be well-tolerated and achieve weight restoration in a majority of patients.
A new research study found a connection between repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism. The study also found that increased severity of other autism symptoms was associated with more severe constipation, stomach pain and other gut difficulties.
A glutamatergic neuronal circuit from the prelimbic prefrontal cortex to the nucleus accumbens is responsible for co-occurring anxiety and obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors. Histamine presynaptic H3 receptor activation in this circuit ameliorates stress-induced anxiety and obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors.
Researchers at Boston University used optogenetics to study the effects of alcohol on brain function and behavior. They found that artificially dampening fear responses in mice could mitigate addiction-related behaviors. This suggests that memory manipulation may be a promising approach to treating alcohol addiction.
A Washington State University study found that cannabis use reduced OCD symptoms by 49% and anxiety by 52% within four hours. The study also linked higher CBD concentrations to larger reductions in compulsions.
A Rutgers researcher developed a virtual training program to help parents of children with autism spectrum disorder improve behavioral skills. The study found that parents who received the telehealth training showed significant improvements compared to those who did not receive training.
New research highlights the long-term impact of COVID-19 on mental health, including increased risk of substance abuse and chronic illness. The study found that those with pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities or disorders are more susceptible to these issues.