Articles tagged with Psychiatry
A new review finds that genetic evidence used in the courtroom is unlikely to reduce culpability, as judges and juries perceive defendants' genetic factors both as a mitigating factor and an increased likelihood of re-offending. This mixed perception cancels out any potential effect on blame assignment.
Clinicians must consider alternative modes of responding to challenges posed by pre-planned deaths, where decisionally capable individuals choose the time, place, and manner of their death. The concept raises questions about dignity, care, and terminology surrounding physician-assisted suicide and patient-initiated, self-conducted deaths.
A study by Columbia University Medical Center found that US suicide attempts have increased, especially among younger, disadvantaged adults with mental health issues. The study also revealed significant risk factors for attempted and completed suicides, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention efforts.
A preliminary study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that marijuana use can cause temporary paranoia and psychosis-related effects in individuals at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder. This population includes those with family history of psychosis or other risk factors.
A new study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center identified a potential biomarker that predicts atypical development in 1- to 2-month-old infants at high familial risk for developing autism spectrum disorders. Infants at high risk have elevated 'noise' and increased randomness in their spontaneous head movements during sleep.
A recent analysis of published studies suggests that self-generated and socially based pressures to be perfect may contribute to suicidal thoughts and attempts. Thirteen perfectionism dimensions had positive relationships with suicidal thoughts, particularly the most pernicious form involving perceived external pressure.
Advancements in mathematical tools are enhancing understanding of brain processes, including learning, emotion, dopamine signaling, and information processing. Studies using computational models are shedding light on the mechanisms underlying psychiatric diseases.
A review of available evidence links methamphetamine use to a heightened risk of stroke among young people, with men twice as likely to succumb to haemorrhagic strokes. The most common type associated with taking the drug is a brain bleed rather than a clot.
A new study found that patients who responded to ketamine treatment had increased early morning activity and lower evening activity levels. Altered circadian timekeeping systems may mediate ketamine's effects on mood.
A new study in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that middle-aged and older adults can successfully use a smartphone-based intervention to self-manage their serious mental illness. The app takes patients through 10 sessions over three months, covering topics such as stress vulnerability and medication adherence.
Researchers have developed a more precise way of diagnosing suicide risk by identifying biomarkers in blood that change in concert with changes in suicidal thoughts. A refined set of biomarkers applies universally to predict risk of suicide among both male and female patients, while others are specific to diagnoses and genders.
A new Yale-led study reveals that people with schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses exhibit altered brain activity when induced to hallucinate. The study suggests that the ability to learn these hallucinations are not real may help identify those in need of psychiatric treatment.
A new study found that individuals with bipolar disorder often face exclusion and stigma at work, leading to negative outcomes. The research highlights the importance of intervening to improve relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and suggests that workplace support is crucial for individuals with severe mental illness.
Individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits are better at learning to lie than those with few psychopathic traits, according to a study. After practicing a lying task, individuals with high psychopathic traits showed significant improvements in response time, whereas those with low psychopathic traits did not.
A new study identifies measures of violence potential that can predict both the increased risk of future violent behavior and actual development of psychosis. Screening people with sensitive instruments can detect individuals at greatest risk of violence.
Research reveals that insured patients struggle to secure appointments with psychiatrists, highlighting the challenges of accessing behavioral health care. The study estimates that a patient may need to call seven to ten psychiatrists to find an available appointment, underscoring the need for improved access to mental health services.
A Canadian study found that frequent marijuana use during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of recurrent psychotic-like experiences. The study suggests that emerging symptoms of depression are a key factor in this relationship, and highlights the need for targeted prevention programs to delay or prevent marijuana use amo...
A new study in Biological Psychiatry found that people with Tourette's disorder and chronic tic disorder are over four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Persistent tics into adulthood were a strong predictor of suicide risk, with patients nearly four times more likely to attempt suicide.
A study reveals that childhood psychiatric disorders, such as ADHD and depression, significantly increase the risk of developing addictions later in life. The research highlights the importance of early detection and intervention for mental health problems.
A new study found that people carrying certain genetic alterations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders may experience impaired cognition, despite not developing a disorder. The research provides valuable insights into the effects of these genetic abnormalities on cognition in adults from the general population.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that chandelier cells, a type of inhibitory nerve cell, are unaltered in schizophrenia patients, challenging prior findings of GABA deficits. The researchers suspect a developmental origin for the abnormality, which could have implications for treating brain disorders.
A new statistical analysis rebuts a previous study claiming a link between declining inpatient beds and increased suicide rates. The authors suggest focusing on proper diagnosis and treatment of depression and training primary care physicians to screen patients for mental health care.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that specific antipsychotic agents and routes of administration impact the risk of rehospitalization and treatment failure among patients with schizophrenia. The research highlights the need for personalized treatment approaches to optimize patient outcomes.
A new study has found that patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for psychiatric disorders have a positive experience, with 80% viewing the treatment as useful and 70% finding it more efficacious than drug therapy. The study aims to validate ECT as a less frightening option by improving its administration standards.
A treatment for depression using the Emotional Faces Memory Task resulted in a significantly greater reduction of major depressive disorder symptoms compared to a control group. The digital therapeutic targets an imbalance in brain regions involved in emotion processing and cognitive control.
David F. Dinges, a renowned expert in sleep research, has been awarded the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to advancing sleep science. The award recognizes his extensive work on sleep restriction, circadian biology, and its impact on human physiology and behavior.
A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that one in three hospitalized patients experience symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms can delay recoveries, increase hospital stays, and lead to readmissions. The study emphasizes the importance of initiating a depression screening program in hospitals.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the MMP-9 enzyme plays a crucial role in motivation for alcohol consumption. Researchers found that mice lacking this enzyme were less motivated to drink and exhibited reduced craving during withdrawal. This discovery may lead to the development of novel treatments targeting ...
A large Swedish study found no link between autism and violent offending, but conditions like ADHD that co-occur with autism do. Individuals with co-occurring conditions had a higher risk of convictions for violent crimes.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that oxytocin administration reduced drug-seeking behavior and relapse in methamphetamine-addicted rats. Oxytocin was shown to decrease motivation to acquire the drug and reduce relapse, with the effects strongest in animals with high motivation.
Researchers mapped brain network changes underlying improved executive function in youth, finding a modular yet globally integrated network structure. This architecture supports specialized processing and reduces interference between brain systems.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry reports that altering the balance of two pathways in the dorsal striatum, a brain region critical for goal-directed behavior, can help control alcohol consumption. The study found that suppressing the activity of the No-Go pathway and exciting the Go pathway promotes alcohol drinking behavior.
Cuts to addiction services in England have led to a surge in drug-related deaths and increased pressure on the NHS. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for more training posts and no further cuts to addiction services.
A recent study by UTHealth researchers has identified genetic alterations in children at high risk for bipolar disorder, which can be modulated by stress. The findings suggest that these genetic markers may contribute to the increased risk of developing bipolar disorder in children chronically exposed to stressors.
A comprehensive review of clinical and basic research studies found that antipsychotics improve outcomes for patients with schizophrenia and related disorders. The benefits of these medications outweigh potential side effects, and delaying treatment can lead to poorer long-term outcomes.
Karl Deisseroth received the inaugural Distinguished Redelsheimer Award for his transformative work on optogenetics and CLARITY, revolutionizing brain manipulation and visualization. His laboratory's advancements have significantly contributed to understanding how brain circuitry contributes to behavior in neuropsychiatric diseases.
The Society of Biological Psychiatry honored Dr. Stephen Strakowski with the 2017 George N. Thompson Award for his leadership and service to the organization. Dr. Strakowski, Inaugural Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Texas at Austin, was recognized for his contributions to promoting the welfare of SOBP.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that 72% of patients with concussive blast TBI experienced a decline in disability over five years. Satisfaction with life and psychiatric symptom severity were worse in these patients compared to combat-deployed service members without TBI.
Stephanie Solso received the award for her paper on diffusion tensor imaging and axonal overconnectivity in autism spectrum disorder toddlers. The study revealed abnormal brain development and age-related changes in brain regions involved in social, language, and behavioral control functions.
Trevor Robbins is honored with the 2017 Gold Medal Award for his fundamental contributions to understanding cortico-striatal function and its role in psychiatric disorders. He has made significant advancements in bridging mechanisms of pathology to new treatments, including developing the CANTAB computerized neuropsychological assessment.
A new study found that body mass index (BMI), sex of the patient, and symptom profile can help doctors select the most effective antidepressant. Patients with higher BMI had a better response to treatment, particularly for women, while those with lower BMI were more likely to remit on venlafaxine-XR.
A national study found that phone calls to suicidal patients following ED discharge led to a significant reduction in future suicide attempts. The year-long trial, involving 1,376 patients nationwide, provided specialized screening, safety planning guidance and follow-up telephone calls.
Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez, a neuroscientist and clinical psychiatrist, received the award for her discovery of ketamine's rapid therapeutic effects on OCD symptoms, while Dr. Todd Gould was recognized for his work on ketamine's antidepressant effects in treating depression. The prestigious awards come with a $5,000 cash prize.
The Society of Biological Psychiatry recognized the Simons Foundation with the 2017 Humanitarian Award for its leadership in decreasing stigma, advancing awareness, and contributing to research advancements. The $5,000 award prize was presented by Dr. Kerry Ressler on May 19, 2017.
The article discusses how alterations in excitation-inhibition (E/I) balance can lead to various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and major depressive disorder. Restoring E/I balance is proposed as a potential therapeutic approach to alleviate dysfunctional neural activity and clinical symptoms.
Research finds that medical marijuana laws are associated with higher rates of illicit cannabis use and disorders, particularly in states with earlier laws. The study analyzed data from three national surveys and found significant increases in cannabis use and disorders between 1991-1992 and 2012-2013.
A US national survey study found that illicit cannabis use and disorders rose significantly in states with medical marijuana laws compared to others. The increase was attributed to factors like perceived safety and availability, highlighting the need for education on risks and treatment services.
Using neuroimaging techniques and multivariate statistical models, researchers found that people with older-than-chronological-age brains are more likely to experience deteriorating conditions and early death. Combining brain-predicted age with DNA-related epigenetic biomarkers improves mortality predictions.
A large study from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium found that genetic influences play a role in PTSD risk after trauma, with strongest effects among women. The research also identified significant overlap between PTSD and other mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Personalized Medicine in Psychiatry aims to increase treatment efficacy and reduce adverse effects by considering individual patient characteristics. The journal will publish research on endophenotypes, pharmacologic approaches, and education, with the goal of identifying predictors of response and tailoring treatments.
A study by NYU Langone Health found that 3.4% of US adults suffer from serious psychological distress, with 9.5% lacking health insurance and 10.5% experiencing delays in getting professional help. The research suggests a worsening mental health crisis despite increased access to care since the ACA.
A Duke University study found that individuals with multiple forms of mental illness exhibit differences in the cerebellum and pons brain regions. These findings suggest that targeting common mechanisms or risk factors could lead to better treatment outcomes.
A Swedish registry study found that individuals who self-harm are at a five-fold risk of being convicted for a violent crime compared to those who have never received clinical care. Self-harm behaviour and violent criminality may be manifestations of a common underlying vulnerability.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers identified that younger age, female gender, higher severity of illness, fewer days of corticosteroid treatments, and treatment with GM-CSF were associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms. The study found that more days of corticosteroid treatments seemed to be protective from anxiety, ...
A recent study found that psychiatric disorders do not increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, contrary to previous assumptions. However, the study suggests that some psychiatric disorders may be prodromal symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the importance of proper differential diagnostics.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry has identified a link between rare variants of the NKPD1 gene and depressive symptoms. Researchers found that nearly 2,000 people with depressive symptoms were analyzed, revealing a possible genetic connection to depression.
A study by University of Basel researchers found that people with mental illnesses suffer from severe social stigma, anxiety, and stress. Most mentally ill individuals are not violent, but their symptoms and treatment can influence the public's perception of danger.
The prevalence of heroin use increased by 87% among white individuals from 2001-2002 to 2012-2013. Nonmedical prescription opioid use preceding heroin initiation also rose among white users only, highlighting a link between the two.
Researchers analyzed genetic profiles of nearly 13,000 ALS/MND cases and over 30,000 schizophrenia cases, confirming that many associated genes are the same. The study reveals a 14% overlap in genetic susceptibility between the two conditions.
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposes viewing mental health as a spectrum, rather than categorizing it. This system simplifies diagnosis by recognizing that most patients have co-occurring disorders and classifying psychopathology at multiple levels of hierarchy.