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Treatment of children with ADHD

A recent study reveals that many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not receiving adequate treatment. The findings highlight the need for improved communication and access to outpatient mental health care for children with ADHD.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 28, 2023

Psychological support enhances quality of life for women with endometriosis

A new study from Aarhus University reveals that women with endometriosis can significantly improve their quality of life through psychological therapy, reducing symptoms such as pain and constipation. The trial shows that mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions are equally effective in improving quality of life.

SourceAarhus University·JournalQuality of Life Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 23, 2023

How countries can benefit from linking data

A recent study analyzed data from 41,516 refugees and 207,729 Swedish-born individuals to investigate the impact of mental and somatic illnesses on labor market integration. The study found that multimorbidity poses a significant risk for unemployment among young refugees, highlighting the need for targeted public health actions.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2023

Dementia the top COVID-19 risk factor for seniors in care

A University of Gothenburg study reveals that dementia is the dominant risk factor for COVID-19 infection and mortality among residents of Swedish nursing homes. Early-onset dementia was found to be the strongest association with increased mortality rates, particularly in the 65–75 age group.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 8, 2023

Statistics remove bias from debate about how well mouse models mimic human disease

A team of biostatisticians created a framework to evaluate the congruence and discordance of laboratory animals with specific human diseases. The tool removes bias from scientific interpretation of animal data for human conditions, revealing that some models mimic biological mechanisms well while others poorly.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2023

January issues of American Psychiatric Association journals cover childhood and neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, suicide screening and technological advances in CBT

The American Psychiatric Association's January journal issues focus on childhood- and neurodevelopment-related psychiatric disorders. A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry explores how brain scans predict treatment response to psychotherapy for OCD.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2023

Patients with depression less likely to follow critical medication plan following heart procedure

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients with depression are less likely to adhere to essential medical therapies following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study examined over 124,000 patients who underwent PCI and were diagnosed with depression, revealing a significant proportion of individuals with...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA·DateDec 12, 2022

Heightened activity of specific brain cells following traumatic social experience blocks social reward and promotes sustained social avoidance

Chronic social defeat stress impairs brain reward function, leading to severe social avoidance. A subset of susceptible mice exhibit heightened activity of lateral septum neurotensin neurons, which inhibit centers encoding social rewards.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

New study maps the development of the 20 most common psychiatric disorders

The study analyzed over 180,000 patients, finding that depression, addiction, and stress reaction disorder are the most uncertain diagnoses. Doctors can use this data to predict treatment outcomes and improve care for patients, ultimately leading to better evidence-based follow-up.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2022

Is ayahuasca safe? New study tallies adverse events

A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that 70% of ayahuasca users experienced physical health adverse effects, while 55% reported mental health concerns. Most adverse events were reported as mild and temporary, with only 2.3% requiring medical attention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateNov 16, 2022

Helping patients with addiction tackle their health needs

A 5-year follow-up study found patients who received a patient activation training had more primary care use and fewer substance-related emergency department visits. The intervention taught patients to connect with their primary care team, manage their health holistically, and overcome stigma associated with addiction treatment.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 10, 2022

Brain changes in autism are far more sweeping than previously known, UCLA-led study finds

A new UCLA-led study found comprehensive brain-wide changes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, refining scientists' understanding of how the condition progresses. The study analyzed gene expression across 11 cortical regions, revealing strong evidence that RNA changes in the brain are likely the cause of ASD.

Traumatized communities

Researchers developed NETfacts to address severe trauma in communities, combining individual treatment with collective process. The results show that both NET and NETfacts significantly reduced posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, as well as stigma and violence.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2022

OCD on TV

A new study published in GigaScience has made available an enormous amount of behavioral data from an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), comprising over 2 years of continuous recording. The data set, which is the culmination of a 15-year study, provides insights into the mechanisms of OCD and potential treatments.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 19, 2022

Reverse-engineering the brain to decode input signals from output neuron firing

A team of researchers from Japan successfully reconstructed common brain input signals from the firing rates of neurons using a method called superposed recurrence plot. This breakthrough has significant implications for artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and potential treatments for mental health disorders.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review E·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2022

Studying the OCD cycle

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new model of obsessive-compulsive disorder based on principles of reinforcement learning. The model suggests that imbalanced learning between reinforcement and punishment can lead to disordered behavior in OCD. This work helps explain how OCD develops and may be used t...