Articles tagged with Psychiatry
The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposes a new classification system for mental disorders based on scientific evidence and illness symptoms. This approach addresses limitations of the DSM-5, such as unstable diagnoses and co-occurring disorders, by categorizing mental illnesses on a spectrum.
A study found that American adults who survive deliberate self-harm are at increased risk of suicide in the following year. Firearm-related self-harm was associated with the highest suicide risk, with males and older, white adults being disproportionately affected.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry suggests that blocking hypocretin signaling may provide a new avenue for treating cocaine addiction. The study found that blocking hypocretin signaling reduced cocaine intake in rats allowed long access to cocaine, and restored the normal GABAergic system.
A new study found that heroin use is associated with excessive histone acetylation, a process that regulates gene expression. The study suggests that JQ1 and similar compounds might be beneficial for long-term heroin users in reducing drug-seeking behavior.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that patients with schizophrenia have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA and altered immune cell function. These findings provide new clues to the disease mechanisms of schizophrenia, but follow-up studies are needed to determine if these changes are causes or effects.
A new study by Wayne State University researchers suggests that brain networks at rest are potentiated for action. Using fMRI data, the team found increased network interactions from the SMA to the dACC during rest periods.
The Lancet Psychiatry experts argue that cannabis use can be made safer through various strategies, including regulating potency, reducing tobacco use, and exploring the effects of CBD modification. The authors also highlight the need for more research on the harms posed by different levels of THC and CBD content.
A Veterans Affairs study of mental health patients found that accessing clinician notes can foster trust through transparency and consistency. However, patients also reported concerns about errors, outdated information, and gaps in diagnoses, which erode trust.
Research found that patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other psychiatric disorders have an increased risk of stroke, especially in the immediate post-diagnosis period. The study's lead researcher suggests that psychological distress may contribute to increased blood pressure and inflammation, leading to a higher stroke risk.
Recent immune research advances the understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting the role of immune dysregulation in its development. Therapies targeting the immune system may also have benefits beyond ASD, such as preventing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
A study of 3,523 expectant and new fathers found that men experienced elevated depression symptoms when their partners were pregnant (2.3%) and after childbirth (4.3%). Depression symptoms in men during pregnancy were associated with perceived stress and fair to poor health.
A large-scale study found that genetics accounts for about eight percent of people's differences in self-reported tiredness/low energy. Most of these genetic contributions overlapped with mental and physical health conditions, as well as lifestyle factors like smoking and weight.
Research suggests that characteristically male brain anatomy is associated with a higher probability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in males. The study found that biological females with more typical male brain anatomy were about three times more likely to have ASD than those with characteristically female brain anatomy.
A study found that moderate to high levels of screen time are not associated with negative outcomes in teenagers. The researcher suggests that parents should focus on how media is used rather than just time consumption, as it can foster learning and socialization.
A recent study found that depressed patients with an early age at onset and higher symptom severity have a significantly increased genetic risk for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The research used genome-wide data to identify specific subgroups of depressed patients based on their clinical characteristics.
Researchers found early predictors of anxiety and depression in newborn brains, with decreased connections between the amygdala and other regions increasing the risk of early symptoms. The study suggests that brain connections may be responsible for the development of problems later in life.
Dr. Sandra B. Sexson, a renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist, has received the Vestermark Psychiatry Educator Award for her leadership and creativity in psychiatric education. She is recognized for her 40-year dedication to advancing the field of psychiatry through various academic and professional roles.
Reducing Pcdh10 function leads to impaired social behavior and altered amygdala circuitry, but treatment with d-cycloserine improves social interactions. The study suggests a possible target for autism treatment and parallels the male predominance of ASD in humans.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that prenatal infection can cause long-term alterations in the programming of the offspring's genome through epigenetic modifications, leading to behavioral abnormalities. The findings suggest that earlier infection may lead to more serious effects on neurodevelopment.
Researchers found tablet use to be safe and engaging for nearly all patients with dementia, reducing symptoms of agitation. The tablets demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving mood and behavior, particularly among patients with milder forms of dementia.
Researchers have discovered a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting the 12/15-lipoxygenase enzyme, which is elevated in patients with the condition. The study found that this inhibitor reverses cognitive decline and neuropathology in an AD mouse model, even after symptoms have already developed.
A national sample of post-9/11 veterans found that most successfully navigate the transition to civilian life, with high employment rates and job satisfaction. However, PTSD was associated with impairments in work and family functioning, highlighting the need for interventions to mitigate its negative effects.
A study found that maternal depression in early childhood increases children's susceptibility to psychopathology and social-emotional problems. Mother-child interaction patterns also play a crucial role in this effect. Improving mother-child interactions may help reduce the effects of maternal depression on children's development.
A new dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia proposes a biological basis for the disorder, with dopamine signaling playing a key role in its development. The hypothesis has been revised numerous times since clinical observations first implicated dopamine decades ago.
A nationwide insurance database study identified psychiatric and behavioral conditions, as well as psychoactive medications, as predictors of long-term opioid use. Patients with mental health conditions or psychoactive medication use were at higher risk, with relative increases in rates ranging from 1.5 to 9 times.
Smokers with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are motivated to quit, yet many don't receive treatment or counseling. Researchers found that only 13% of patients who wanted medication to aid quitting received it.
Researchers analyzed PTSD symptom networks to understand how initial stress reactions develop into longer-term problems. The study found that intrusive memories and reactivity are centrally related to other symptoms in the acute phase.
Research from the Turnaway Study reveals that women who were denied an abortion reported anxiety symptoms and lower self-esteem after being turned away. However, these effects improved over time, suggesting that access to abortion is essential for women's psychological well-being.
About 1 in 6 US adults take psychiatric drugs, with use increasing with age and women more likely to report use. The study found higher rates of prescription use among older adults and those over 60 taking antipsychotics.
A new study examines data from a high-risk group of children with depressed parents to identify signs and symptoms preceding new-onset MDD during adolescence. Analyzed clinical antecedents found irritability and fear/anxiety associated with the first onset of adolescent MDD, highlighting multiple routes to the condition.
Dr. Charles B. Nemeroff, a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher, has been recognized for his decades-long commitment to mentoring young scientists in the field of neuropsychopharmacology. His work has led to numerous mentees advancing in their careers, becoming leaders in research departments and even department chairs.
Dr. David Glahn, a Yale University professor, has been awarded the Joel Elkes Research Award by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology for his groundbreaking research in neuropsychopharmacology. His work focuses on identifying potential biomarkers and understanding heritability, disease associations, and risk genes.
Research highlights the complex etiology of psychiatric polypharmacy, which can increase the risk of adverse effects and mortality. However, certain populations may benefit from combination therapy, emphasizing the need for tailored prescribing strategies to improve treatment efficacy.
Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman has been recognized by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) with the Julius Axelrod Mentorship Award for his significant contributions to neuropsychopharmacology. He is a leading researcher and national leader in psychiatry, having trained a generation of clinical and translational researchers.
A clinical trial led by NYU Langone Health found that psilocybin significantly reduces mental anguish in distressed cancer patients for months. The study showed that one-time treatment with psilocybin quickly brought relief from distress that then lasted for over six months in 80% of the participants.
A randomized clinical trial found that web-based cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) improved sleep outcomes in adults. The fully automated and interactive SHUTi intervention was more effective than access to a patient education website alone, with participants showing significant improvements in sleep duration and quality.
Researchers found that disrupting the brain's internal clock causes depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. The study provides new evidence on the relationship between circadian rhythms and mood regulation, suggesting a causal link between functioning internal clocks and mood disorders.
A randomized clinical trial led by Duke University School of Medicine researcher found that individual cognitive therapy relieved PTSD symptoms better and quicker than group therapy. Nearly half of participants who received one-on-one therapy improved so much they no longer carried a PTSD diagnosis, whereas almost 40 percent of those i...
A randomized clinical trial found that individual cognitive processing therapy improved PTSD severity more than group therapy, with patients receiving individual sessions experiencing twice the improvement. Depression and suicidal ideation also improved equally with both forms of therapy.
A meta-analysis of 57 studies representing almost 21,000 patients reveals a pooled prevalence of depression in mild cognitive impairment patients at 32%, varying by source and setting. Further research on depression in MCI patients is warranted to inform clinical decisions and public health policy.
Researchers discovered eight locations in the genome with copy number variants associated with schizophrenia risk, affecting dozens of genes or disrupting single genes. These ultra-rare variants occurred more frequently in genes involved in synapse function and carried a four- to 60-fold increased risk for psychiatric illness.
A Loyola study found that giving severely depressed bipolar patients the arthritis drug celecoxib significantly boosted the effectiveness of their antidepressant escitalopram. In the eight-week study, 78% of patients in the celecoxib group experienced a 50% reduction in depression scores, compared to 45% in the placebo group.
A new study reports that soldiers with higher blood pressure before starting prazosin treatment experience better symptom reduction. The study identifies blood pressure as a biomarker that can predict individual response to the medication, potentially leading to personalized medicine approaches for PTSD treatment.
A recent study found that children of parents with serious mental illness are more likely to live with a single mother or away from both parents, and experience higher rates of family dissolution. Schizophrenia had the most significant impact on family living arrangements.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists with its 2016 Outstanding Achievement Prizes for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. The award recognizes groundbreaking research that aims to improve the lives of people with mental illness.
A study of 185,419 depression diagnoses in Denmark found that the transition from daylight saving time to standard time leads to an increase in depression diagnoses, affecting all severity levels. The researchers suggest that the loss of morning sunlight and shorter days may contribute to this effect.
A recent editorial highlights the need for reform in mental health services, citing a lack of accurate diagnoses and inadequate treatment. The system is becoming unsustainable, with only the most disturbed cases being admitted to psychiatric wards.
New research reveals that gene DIXDC1 may act as a general risk factor for psychiatric disease by interfering with brain connection regulation. Mutations in this gene are linked to reduced synapse numbers and impaired WNT signaling in neurons, leading to heightened anxiety, loss of motivation, and social interaction deficits.
Researchers developed a new probability model to detect psychosis risk with 70% accuracy, combining medical history, clinical assessment, and biomarkers of fatty acids. This could lead to timely treatment and prevention of psychotic episodes.
A study of 2.4 million Swedish children found perinatal factors such as maternal smoking, breech birth, and preterm birth associated with a higher risk of developing OCD. The findings suggest an important role for environmental factors in the development of the disorder.
A new study found that early marijuana use is associated with abnormal brain function, particularly in areas related to reward-processing and motor control. Additionally, those who used marijuana from a young age had lower IQ scores and more pronounced abnormalities in brain regions responsible for visuo-spatial processing and memory.
The grant aims to create partnerships in disaster-prone regions to enhance national capacity for children's and families' post-disaster response. It adapts the National Child Traumatic Stress Network model, including a digital application for information sharing after disasters.
A study found an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and an increased risk for Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders in children. Heavy maternal smoking was associated with a 66% increased risk for these conditions.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that psychiatric patients wait significantly longer in ERs than non-psychiatric patients, often being transferred elsewhere. The shortage of psychiatric inpatient beds and limited outpatient mental health facilities contribute to this issue.
Researchers found that Holocaust survivors and their adult children showed opposite epigenetic changes in a stress-related gene, suggesting parental trauma may influence offspring biology. The study suggests clinicians should inquire about parental trauma in addition to personal trauma.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that parents' psychiatric disorders are associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts and violent offending in children. The study, which examined over 1.7 million people born in Denmark, found that risks were elevated across virtually the entire spectrum of parental psychiatric disease.
In Illinois, average monthly ER visits increased by 5.7% after Obamacare's implementation. In Massachusetts, availability of on-call specialists declined significantly between 2005 and 2014.
A longitudinal study found that children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience reduced longevity and significant psychosocial problems in adulthood. The study compared TBI cases to unaffected siblings, revealing strong associations between TBI severity, recurrence, and older age at first injury.
A new Canadian study found that increasing psychiatrists in Ontario did not significantly improve access to psychiatric care. Despite a 17% increase in practicing psychiatrists, demand for services continued to outpace supply.
Researchers found that men had greater pain relief from smoking marijuana after analyzing data from 42 recreational marijuana smokers. Women reported a small increase in pain tolerance but no significant decrease in pain sensitivity.