Articles tagged with Psychiatric Disorders
Researchers at Semmelweis University found that childhood emotional and physical neglect are associated with repeated suicide attempts. Emotional neglect was the most common form of childhood trauma, and a higher degree of physical neglect was linked to a greater likelihood of repeated attempts.
A 30-year analysis of data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System found a significant increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts in teens after nearly two decades of previous downturns. The study also revealed rising rates of obesity, insufficient sleep, and a decline in academic performance among teens.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that children and teenagers with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The research, which spanned over 30 years, examined the fitness of Australian children aged 7-15 and found that cardiorespiratory fitness was the strong...
A new study found that children of mothers with depression have a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, regardless of antidepressant exposure. The study followed over 167,000 children and found a significant association between maternal depression and special educational needs in children.
A prospective study found that stereotactic radiosurgical capsulotomy significantly reduced symptoms of major depression and thoughts of suicide among patients with severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric illness. Benefits were largely sustained over a median follow-up of more than three years.
A large Medicare analysis found that depression is associated with higher cancer mortality, while psychotherapy soon after diagnosis reduces cancer risk. Patients with depression had a 21% lower risk of cancer-specific mortality after receiving psychotherapy within four weeks of their diagnosis.
A SWPS University study investigated the potential of using humour to treat depressive states, finding humour can improve mood and boost resilience, but not during acute phase, when it can worsen mood. The study highlights the importance of tailored humour interventions and caution when using humour with individuals with depression.
Researchers identified shared and disease-specific molecular changes in human brain tissue, contributing to neurodegeneration, psychiatric illness, and cognitive decline. The collection establishes a foundational resource for understanding brain disorders, accelerating discovery and therapy development.
A Tulane University study found that loneliness and social isolation can cost people nearly six years of life free from mental disorders like depression and anxiety. The study, published in Nature Communications, also found a smaller but still significant toll on physical health.
Researchers found that the amygdalostriatal transition zone, a small brain region near the amygdala, is responsible for sustained fear responses. The study provides new insights into the brain's fear circuitry and may lead to the development of more effective therapies for fear and panic disorders.
Researchers at UCI are developing a countywide system of care to identify youth at risk of psychosis and connect them with support, with the goal of preventing first episodes. The four-year initiative aims to provide treatment and coordinated care to over 150 young people, with outreach to families, schools, and community organizations.
Researchers have discovered a rare population of neurons in the cortex that can synchronize activity across large areas of the brain and promote sleep. These Sst-Chodl neurons were found to be active during the transition to sleep and could even help drive the process, suggesting that the cortex is not simply passive during sleep.
A new video game, Geode, measures how people with autism understand and interpret information, providing fresh insights into the autistic brain and refining therapy development. The game, which can be played by people across the autism spectrum, includes nonverbal players and was successful in collecting detailed data on sensory input ...
State funding for suicide prevention has increased over the past five years, with spending growing from an average of $1.05 per resident in 2021 to $6.55 in 2025. States with telecom fees allocated significantly more funds to crisis services, suggesting a promising strategy to enhance infrastructure.
A new study identifies astrocytes in the brain's fear center as a key player in stress response and anxiety. The research found that restoring the antenna-like structure on these cells can ease stress behaviors, and a potential treatment target has been identified.
Anhedonia, a common symptom of depression and other mental health conditions, may not be solely explained by dopamine pathways, according to a new international expert report. The report calls for more precise definitions, biological markers, and clinical trials targeting anhedonia as a primary outcome.
Teenagers from lower-income households are more likely to have eating disorders, contrary to common stereotypes. The study found that family income showed the strongest correlation, with two-thirds of studies indicating that lower-income families were more likely to have eating disorder symptoms.
A new study found that US children's emergency visits for mental health crises increased by 74% between 2016 and 2022. Half of these visits occurred in hospitals with low pediatric volume, highlighting the need for specialized resources and training.
Research suggests that mental health conditions, including PTSD, substance abuse, and depression, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death. Alcohol abuse was found to be the top psychiatric predictor of serious heart and brain conditions for both men and women.
A new study reveals striking biological similarities between five major illnesses, including long Covid and PTSD, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. Chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis may be driven by shared regulatory networks in immune and metabolic systems.
Consuelo Walss-Bass's family was affected by schizophrenia, yet her sister was spared. Her laboratory addresses the genetic gap by exploring signaling alterations in neurons derived from affected sibling pairs, identifying convergent abnormalities in PI3K/GSK3 signaling.
The September 2026 issues of APA journals feature new research on treating substance use disorders, mood disorders, and pediatric anxiety disorders. Journal highlights include studies on the effects of parental social media use and the implementation of measurement-based care in mental health services.
The new study, known as SENTINEL, aims to predict both risk factors and protective factors for depression and suicide using patterns in brain activity and behavior. It will track approximately 210 USC students for up to 36 months, using a combination of lab tests, wearable sensors, and smartphone data.
A University of East Anglia report suggests that tens of thousands of new mothers in Britain may be suffering from undiagnosed PTSD after childbirth. The report highlights the need for better guidance and training for GPs to identify post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
A study found that the FKBP5 gene, regulating stress hormones, is 'stuck on' in schizophrenia brains, leading to increased stress response and vulnerability to psychiatric conditions. The research suggests new treatment targets, targeting the gene, may develop to address this altered stress response.
Researchers analyzed studies of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mood disorders, finding distinct patterns of innate immune activity. TLR4, TLR8, and TLR10 were increased in schizophrenia, while TLR2, TLR5, and TLR6 were increased in mood disorders, indicating partially distinct mechanisms of innate immune activation.
A new study by the University of Birmingham reveals that TikTok's design can make it difficult for young people to distinguish between trustworthy and misleading mental health advice. The study found that young people tend to rely on relatability rather than reliability when seeking mental health advice on the platform.
A new study suggests that a video game designed to raise teens' awareness of mental health issues can reduce symptoms of depression on par with in-school programs. The game, PlaySmart, was played by 269 students for up to six weeks, with significant reductions in symptoms reported after only six weeks.
A large study found a significant association between severe mental illness and dementia at every age, with adults aged 30-39 showing a 20-fold increased risk of dementia. The study also found a higher risk of stroke in early and middle adulthood, particularly in those with severe mental illness.
A mouse study found that early-life stress alters DNA packaging in brain cells, leading to a molecular memory of trauma and increased sensitivity to future stress. Boosting SETD7 levels during early development can lower tolerance for stress in adulthood.
Researchers found that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a significantly higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. The study highlights the importance of early screening and integration of psychological care into routine IBD management to improve quality of life.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that about 65% of patients who developed psychosis after age 40 showed abnormal tau buildup, compared to 15% of healthy older controls. The findings suggest diverse tau-related brain changes may be involved in late-onset psychosis.
The latest APA journal issues feature research on schizophrenia, combined treatments and involuntary psychiatric detentions trends. Combined treatment approaches are presented as a promising emerging field to improve patient outcomes.
The journal aims to bridge the gaps in real-world deployment, long-term safety, and systemic equity by establishing a comprehensive research pipeline focused on clinical efficacy, implementation, and safety. Research exploring workflow compatibility, equitable access, user engagement, and economic sustainability of DMHIs is welcome.
Researchers at Salk Institute create a body-wide single-cell atlas of two major epigenetic systems, revealing that cell-type-specific epigenetic features can affect disease risk. The study identifies over 1.36 million differentially methylated regions and 283,606 differential chromatin loops across the human body's cell types.
Research found motor issues predict both general mental health and specific disorders like psychosis and depression. Motor abnormalities are positively related to psychological symptom domains such as distress, dissociation, and fear.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine identified a biological process that sheds new light on how memory circuits mature during late adolescence. The study found that memories formed earlier in life become temporarily difficult to retrieve before resurfacing later with less precise detail.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that weight loss drugs can reduce key symptoms of binge eating disorder, including binge eating episodes, loss-of-control eating, and emotional eating. The study suggests that these medications could be an important part of treatment plans for people with binge eating disorder.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani individuals are more likely to develop multimorbidity, a condition where people experience multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously. The research identified sociodemographic and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions,...
Two ECNP-affiliated journals, European Neuropsychopharmacology and Neuroscience Applied, have seen significant increases in citation rates. The rise reflects growing interest in the biological underpinnings of mental health, as reflected in the journal's focus on precision psychiatry.
Researchers from Penn, NYU, and the Linguistic Data Consortium create virtual patients with adjustable psychiatric symptoms to simulate real-world conversations. The STELLAR platform aims to augment clinician training practices with essential conversation scenarios.
Studies found that people with anorexia nervosa have high levels of LEAP2, a hormone linked to impulse control and blood sugar regulation. Higher levels of LEAP2 are associated with increased impulsivity and risk of relapse after treatment.
Researchers at King's College London discovered a molecule linked to chronic inflammation disrupts brain neuron formation, highlighting a pathway with therapeutic potential for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and depression. High cytokine levels trigger an 'immune alert' state, reducing new nerve cell production.
A new study reveals children of Holocaust survivors born after WWII have a higher risk of schizophrenia, especially if their mother was over 5 years old when persecutions began. The research highlights the intergenerational transmission of trauma and its impact on mental health.
A new study suggests that following a Mediterranean diet may provide additional benefits for mental health, particularly among older adults. The research found that individuals with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet had less decline in emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The July 2026 issues of APA journals showcase promising findings on social determinants of health, digital therapeutics, and other topics. Researchers explore substance use patterns and telehealth initiatives in rural communities.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that people diagnosed with ADHD or autism in recent years have a lower genetic predisposition than those diagnosed earlier. The study suggests that today's diagnoses encompass a broader group of individuals and milder symptom profiles. This shift is attributed to changes in diagnostic...
Researchers at University of Toyama found three risk factors for mother-infant bonding disorders: difficulty holding a fussy baby, low happiness about pregnancy, and lack of social support. These factors predict increased risks of developmental delays and child abuse.
A systematic review found that creatine monohydrate may reduce depressive symptoms in people taking standard antidepressants, with two trials showing significant benefits. However, three trials showed no effect, and the evidence is not yet settled due to limitations such as small sample sizes and biased patient enrollment.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking approach to prioritize schizophrenia-associated genes by analyzing genetic data from over 102,000 individuals. This study uncovered 641 previously unrecognized genes associated with schizophrenia, shedding light on the complex interactions between distant genetic variants.
Fathers who take longer periods of parental leave, up to 14-40 weeks, are less likely to develop depressive symptoms than those with shorter leave. This is because sustained time at home helps build a closer connection with their child and establishes everyday routines.
A major new study found that mental health and behavioural changes, such as depression, anxiety, and emotional instability, are common in people who survive encephalitis. The research suggests that routine mental health screening and support are crucial for post-encephalitis care.
A new study found that individuals with anorexia nervosa may struggle to detect subtle stomach sensations and update their expectations when signals are present, which can lead to higher relapse risk. The vibrating pill could help doctors identify patients at higher risk of relapse and track treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at USC are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether mindfulness meditation training can augment the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental well-being and cognitive function. The study will evaluate the effects of psilocybin within an eight-week mindfulness meditation training program.
A study found that depression shapes children's attention to happy and sad faces, with changes based on family history. Children of mothers with a history of depression showed increased attention to sad faces when experiencing depressive symptoms.
A study published in Psychological Medicine found that a laxative drug, Prucalopride, improved executive function and memory in patients with depression. The research suggests that targeting serotonin receptors may help alleviate cognitive problems associated with depression.
A study led by Raül Andero at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona found that the ratio of progesterone to estradiol hormones in saliva can predict memory performance, including fear extinction in both mice and humans. This hormonal balance may help identify optimal times for learning and memory tasks.