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Why does one person develop schizophrenia while another does not? A leading psychiatric geneticist investigates the answer

Dr. Consuelo Walss-Bass shares her groundbreaking research on schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of considering both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. She also discusses her work with induced pluripotent stem cells to develop personalized psychiatry and reduce stigma around mental health.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateMar 25, 2025

Ben-Gurion University researcher spearheads broad collaborative effort to include maladaptive daydreaming as a dissociative disorder in psychiatric manuals

A new position paper argues that maladaptive daydreaming should be included as a dissociative disorder in psychiatric manuals. The inclusion of MD is expected to spur research and treatment, leading to increased awareness among clinicians and researchers.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 18, 2025

Transgender and gender diverse people less likely to receive follow-up after a mental health hospitalization

A study found that transgender and gender diverse individuals have lower access to appropriate mental health care and support following a psychiatric hospitalization, yet better follow-up after an emergency department visit. The study suggests that transphobia in the hospital system contributes to this disparity.

SourceInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences·JournalTransgender Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Mass General Brigham study finds relationship between doomsday clock and patterns of mortality and mental health in the united states

A new Mass General Brigham study explores the connection between the Doomsday Clock and mortality and mental health in the United States, finding higher rates of Alzheimer's disease, suicide, and substance-related disorders at closer clock settings. The study suggests a potential bridge between global events and individual well-being.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2025

Hallucinogen use linked to 2.6-fold increase in risk of death for people needing emergency care

A new study found that people seeking emergency care for hallucinogen use were at a 2.6-fold higher risk of death within 5 years compared to the general population. The increased risk was highest among individuals with medical comorbidities and those from low-income neighborhoods.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 3, 2025

ChatGPT on the couch? How to calm a stressed-out AI

Studies show that AI chatbots, when exposed to traumatic content, exhibit increased anxiety levels. However, researchers at the University of Zurich have found that therapeutic prompts can significantly reduce these elevated anxiety levels in language models like ChatGPT.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2025

Large population study identifies long-term health risks after COVID-19 hospitalization

A nationwide study found that COVID-19 hospital patients experienced a higher rate of deaths from any cause and were more likely to be hospitalized for specific conditions, particularly neurological and respiratory problems. The study also identified increased risks of chronic health complications up to 30 months after discharge.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInfectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2025

Prevalence and control of diabetes among US adults

The study found that the prevalence of adults with diabetes did not significantly change between 2013 and 2023. However, glycemic control among those with diagnosed disease worsened, particularly among young adults. This trend is concerning due to its potential impact on lifetime risk of cardiovascular events.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 27, 2025

Advanced wearable technology improves support for people with dementia and their caregivers

A new pilot study assesses how caregivers use advanced wearable technology to support people with dementia, finding that it reduces emotional strain and increases caregiver satisfaction. The technology, called Theora Care, provides a wearable device and smartphone application that alerts caregivers when the person has wandered.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·DateFeb 3, 2025

Tickling the nerves: Why crime content is popular

A recent study by HSE University found that young adults in Russia consume media content about serial killers due to cognitive and emotional motives. Cognitive motives involve understanding the causes of human behavior, while emotional motives allow viewers to experience intense emotions often lacking in everyday life.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalCrime Media Culture An International Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2025

Preventing clinical depression: Early therapeutic interventions offer protection

Researchers found that participants who received early therapeutic interventions were significantly less likely to develop clinical depression within the first year. The interventions, which typically lasted six to twelve sessions, reduced symptoms and lowered the risk of depression by 42% in the first six months.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 8, 2025

Psychedelic drug therapy may address mental health concerns in people with cancer and addiction

Two studies suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can improve mental health outcomes for patients with cancer and alcohol use disorder, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts, while also promoting lasting personality changes.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 2, 2025

Vagus nerve stimulation relieves severe depression

People with severe depression who received vagus nerve stimulation showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and ability to complete everyday tasks after a year. Despite this, the therapy remains unaffordable for many patients due to high costs.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBrain Stimulation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2024

Why some individuals believe fake news and conspiracies

A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that individuals with high credulity are more susceptible to fake news and vaccine hesitancy. Mistrust was also linked to conspiracy thinking and difficulty distinguishing between real and fake news, particularly in those exposed to childhood adversity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2024

Study exposes link between genetic risk of depression and heart disease in women

A study by University of Queensland researchers found a significant link between genetic risk of depression and heart disease in women, even in the absence of a depression diagnosis. The study highlights the need to understand this relationship separately in men and women due to varying risk factors.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCirculation Genomic and Precision Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2024

Scanning synaptic receptors: A game-changer for understanding psychiatric disorders

Researchers developed a method to visualize AMPA receptors using PET scans, revealing differences in density and distribution between healthy subjects and those with psychiatric disorders. This discovery may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

SourceYCU Advanced Medical Research Center·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateNov 5, 2024