Add BrightSurf on Google Email

At-home brain stimulation for depression is safe and effective, according to research from UTHealth Houston, King’s College London, and University of East London

A new study found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe and effective treatment for depression when administered at home. Researchers reported significant improvements in depression severity and remission rates compared to a placebo control group.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 21, 2024

Singapore families show high resilience during pandemic

A new study by NUS Medicine reveals that Singaporean families with young children successfully adapted to the pandemic's challenges, with 31% showing economic security and relational strengthening. Families with strong relational factors, such as maternal self-efficacy and quality family time, demonstrated higher relational resilience.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 7, 2024

Researchers achieve a significant advancement in early diagnosis of bipolar disorder in adolescents

Researchers report significant strides in enhancing early diagnosis of bipolar disorder in adolescents by combining multimodal MRI with behavioral assessments. This approach reveals specific changes in brain networks signaling early-stage bipolar disorder, potentially leading to better and more personalized treatments. The study's find...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 19, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal review article explores cerebellar involvement in Parkinson's disease

Researchers comprehensively reviewed cerebellar involvement in Parkinson's disease, highlighting the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in motor and non-motor symptoms. Studies showed abnormal α-synuclein aggregation, neurodegeneration, and altered functional connectivity between the cerebellum and other brain regions.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 18, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine study explores nicotine dependence among smokers in China

A recent study published in the Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine investigated nicotine dependence among smokers in China. The research found that 41.0% of smokers aged 40 and above had medium-to-high nicotine dependence, with men more affected than women.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 11, 2024

New research shows regular mobile phone use can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially in smokers and people with diabetes

A large-scale prospective cohort study found a positive association between regular mobile phone use and incident cardiovascular disease risk, particularly in smokers and individuals with diabetes. Poor sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism may be key mechanisms underlying this association.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 4, 2024

New approach can help detect and predict mental health symptoms in adolescents by analyzing brain-environment interactions

A new study using manifold learning and signal processing techniques identifies a significant correlation between adolescent brain activity and mental health symptoms. The approach, called exogenous PHATE, combines brain activation data with environmental variables to improve detection of existing symptoms and predict future ones.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2024

Lower HPV vaccination coverage among girls with mental health conditions

A new Swedish registry study found that girls with mental illness or neurodevelopmental conditions have lower HPV vaccination coverage compared to their peers. The study involved over 115,000 girls and found significant differences in vaccination rates among those with psychiatric diagnoses or receiving psychotropic medications.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2024

Research from UTHealth Houston finds parents who recently experienced intimate partner violence had higher potential for parenting stress and child maltreatment

Parents who recently experienced intimate partner violence reported higher parenting stress and were less likely to use positive parenting strategies. The study emphasizes the need for expanded resources, positive parenting strategies, and tools to help individuals become better parents and break the intergenerational cycle of violence.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2024

Research spotlight: evaluating hybrid and virtual treatments for children with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Researchers found that intensive outpatient group- and family-based CBT that integrates telehealth can lead to significant improvements in pediatric anxiety and OCD symptoms. The hybrid model showed lasting gains for children even after treatment ended, with most families continuing to meet with clinicians after discharge.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalCurrent Developmental Disorders Reports·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2024

New study looks at drug exposures of COVID-19 therapy for pregnant people

A new study provides first-of-its-kind data on the pharmacokinetics and safety of intravenous remdesivir in treating SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in pregnant women. The research reveals that no dose adjustments are necessary for remdesivir when used in pregnant women, with no safety concerns or adverse pregnancy outcomes identified.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateAug 13, 2024

Pink elephants in the brain?

A study published in Neuron reveals that neurons are wired to connect seemingly unrelated concepts, enhancing the brain's ability to predict what we see based on past experiences. Visual experience influences the organisation of feedback projections, which store information about the world.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2024

Trailblazing research shows the spatial pattern of pathological changes in the brain can help identify dementia vulnerability decades before it occurs

A novel study finds that monitoring cortical microstructural change in the brain using diffusion weighted MRI scans may help identify individuals at risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Tracking these changes over time could provide precious time for disease-modifying treatments.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 30, 2024

New study highlights the importance of psychological resilience in helping kids recover from concussions

A new study published in the journal Brain Connectivity reveals how psychological resilience can aid children's recovery from concussions. The research found that building resilience through supportive family environments and effective coping strategies may help young patients heal faster.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBrain Connectivity·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 29, 2024

Your therapist wants you to go outside

A meta-analysis of existing research found that spending time in nature, even as little as 10 minutes, can yield short-term benefits for adults with mental illness. The analysis examined 30 years of published research on the social, mental, and physical health effects of exposure to nature.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEcopsychology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 18, 2024

Shedding light on the state of genetic counseling for hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis

A retrospective study of 202 participants found that only 83 presymptomatic carriers underwent predictive testing, highlighting limitations in current genetic testing methods. The researchers advocate for a comprehensive clinical approach combining genetic counseling, predictive testing, and monitoring, as well as psychosocial support.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAmyloid·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 13, 2024

Use of WhatsApp messages by public health service to treat depression in older people produces results, study shows

A new WhatsApp-based program has shown significant improvements in treating depression among older adults in Brazil. The Viva Vida program used simple audio messages and images to provide education on depression and behavioral activation, with a 10-point improvement in symptom reduction between intervention and control groups.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 11, 2024

The body’s own lipids affect mental disorders: Can specific inhibitors help?

Research suggests that altered lipid signaling in brain cells contributes to mental disorders, with specific inhibitors showing promise in rebalancing this mechanism. The study found similar changes in both human patients and healthy relatives, as well as mice with genetic disorders, opening up new treatment opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Researchers unveil shared and unique brain molecular dysregulations in PTSD and depression

A comprehensive study by McLean Hospital researchers reveals both shared and unique molecular changes across brain regions, genomic layers, cell types, and blood in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The findings provide potential avenues for novel therapeutics and biomarkers.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 23, 2024

Scientists map networks regulating gene function in the human brain

Researchers create largest and most advanced multidimensional maps of gene regulation networks in the brains of people with and without mental disorders. The study uses postmortem brain tissue from over 2,500 donors to map gene regulation networks across different stages of brain development and multiple brain-related disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2024

Study highlights key predictors of adolescent substance use; special issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry focuses on substance use disorders

A new study found that sociodemographic variables are the most robust predictors of substance use initiation among adolescents. Factors such as religion, race, and income play a significant role in determining an adolescent's likelihood of initiating substance use.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 6, 2024

Health risks of using cannabis are higher in adolescents than in adults – new study finds

A new study published by the University of Bath found that adolescents are more vulnerable to cannabis use disorder than adults, despite using cannabis less frequently. The study showed that adolescents reported greater negative impacts on daily functioning and symptoms of cannabis use disorder.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalEuropean Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience·TypeSurvey·DateMay 5, 2024

Brief anger may impair blood vessel function

A new study found that brief anger episodes can negatively impact blood vessel function, leading to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The researchers investigated the effects of anger, sadness, and anxiety on blood vessel function and found that evoking an angered state led to blood vessel dysfunction.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 1, 2024

Breakthrough in complex pain management

Researchers at NeuRA and UniSA found that early detection and comprehensive treatment can lead to significant recovery for most people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) within 12-18 months. The study reviews the latest advances in CRPS epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 30, 2024