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No more ‘patch and go’: Revolving emergency departments must deliver more for victims of child abuse and neglect

Researchers found alarmingly high attendance rates at hospital emergency departments for children, teens, and adult victims of child abuse and neglect. Children exposed to child maltreatment have substantially increased risk of attending emergency departments during childhood and early adulthood.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalChild Abuse & Neglect·TypeCase study·DateDec 13, 2021

Columbia University study identifies gene variants linked to severe schizophrenia

A study published in PNAS found that individuals with severe schizophrenia have a higher number of rare mutations than those with typical forms of the illness. This discovery could lead to more precise treatments for this chronic disease, which affects over 3 million Americans.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 13, 2021

Coping with schizophrenia, when emotions can be too much

People with schizophrenia struggle to regulate their emotions as negative feelings intensify, unlike healthy individuals who employ coping strategies at higher emotional states. Researchers found that those with schizophrenia tend to be less likely to engage in emotion regulation efforts when emotions are extremely high.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalEuropean Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience·DateDec 8, 2021

The health of homeless people improves with socialisation

A new study from the University of the Basque Country found that social interaction and contact with family members have a significant positive impact on homeless people's perception of their health. Conversely, longer periods of homelessness and reduced social connections are associated with poorer health perceptions.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateDec 3, 2021

Almost all asylum-seeking children and parents who had been forced to separate at the US-Mexico border were subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, depressive and/or anxiety disorders, even after reunification

Forced family separation on the US-Mexico border led to a high incidence of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety disorders in asylum-seeking children and parents. Reunification did not alleviate these symptoms, highlighting the need for continued support and intervention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 24, 2021

Telehealth addiction treatment rose rapidly during pandemic; but potential benefits still unclear

New research highlights the potential of telehealth to increase patient engagement through improved access and convenience. However, studies found limited evidence that telehealth results in better retention or outcomes compared to in-person treatment. Researchers emphasize the need for more empirical work to confirm its benefits.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalPsychiatric Services·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 13, 2021

Staying on long-term antidepressants reduces risk of relapse

A new study by UCL researchers has found that staying on long-term antidepressants reduces the risk of relapse by 39% compared to those who stop taking them. The study involved 478 primary care patients and found that 56% experienced a relapse within a year if they discontinued their medication, while only 26% did so after a full year.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 29, 2021

UNLV research bolsters link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease

A study published in Communications Biology reveals that chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes impairs working memory performance by altering the connection between key brain regions. Researchers found that areas critical for forming and retrieving memories were over-connected, leading to errors in remembering correct information.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

A multi-site, multi-disorder, resting-state magnetic resonance image database

A multi-site, multi-disorder resting-state magnetic resonance image database was compiled to harmonize data from patients with various diseases, measured at 14 sites. The dataset comprises over 2,400 samples and includes 'traveling-subject' data to minimize inter-site differences.

SourceATR Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group·JournalScientific Data·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 30, 2021

Colleges fall short on mental health outreach to Asian, Latino students

A recent study reveals that colleges struggle to provide adequate mental health support to Asian and Latino students due to interdependent cultural values and shame. The study suggests that culturally tailored treatment services addressing these issues can improve help-seeking behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2021

Researchers drill down to the core of wellbeing worldwide

A meta-analysis of 400+ clinical trials involving over 50,000 participants found that mindfulness, positive psychological interventions, and cognitive behavioural therapy can increase wellbeing across different groups. Consistent and prolonged practice is crucial for these interventions to be effective in improving wellbeing.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 19, 2021

Activity is good. Varied activity is better

A study by researchers at the University of Basel reveals that varied physical activity is associated with improved mental health and well-being. The study found that individuals who engaged in more varied movement patterns reported better subjective well-being, but no significant impact on symptoms of mental illness.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2021

Study links genes with function across the human brain

A recent study by McGill University researchers has mapped gene signatures to functional processes across the human brain, revealing key insights into cognitive and affective processes. The findings suggest that specific genetic signals are linked to attention and memory, while others are associated with emotions and fear.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateMar 25, 2021

One in four women with ADHD has attempted suicide

A recent Canadian study revealed that women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are eight times more likely to have attempted suicide compared to their male counterparts. The study also found that adults with ADHD who experienced childhood parental violence had triple the odds of attempting suicide.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalArchives of Suicide Research·DateDec 22, 2020

Study shows diagnoses of common conditions at family doctor halved during COVID-19 lockdown

A study from the UK reveals a significant reduction in diagnoses of common conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health issues during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings suggest that many cases may have gone undetected, undiagnosed, and untreated due to reduced healthcare engagement.

Loss of a co-twin linked to heightened psychiatric risk

A new study published in eLife found that twins who survive the loss of their co-twin are at an elevated risk of psychiatric disorders in both the short and longer term. The risk is highest for identical twins and those who experienced a co-twin's death during childhood or young adulthood.

SourceeLife·DateJul 14, 2020

Psoriasis patients' mental health is more than skin-deep

A new study from Umea University reveals that psoriasis patients with comorbid physical diseases experience increased mental health risks due to these associated somatic illnesses. The research indicates a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide among psoriasis patients with other medical conditions.

SourceUmea University·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateJun 4, 2020