Articles tagged with Psychiatry
A new review published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reveals widespread inequalities in medical care for individuals with mental health conditions. Despite similar or more frequent medical contacts, those with pre-existing mental health problems often receive poorer quality care.
Danish children who move frequently are at a higher risk of attempting or completing suicide between ages 11 and 17. Frequent moves disrupt social connections, cause stress and anxiety, affecting their mental health.
A Finnish study found that low glycogen levels predict forthcoming violent offending among antisocial male offenders. Low glycogen stores may contribute to impulsive violent behavior during alcohol intoxications.
A nationwide study found filicide offenders have fewer previous criminal offenses and are more likely to be employed than homicidal controls, contradicting the idea that they are mentally disordered. They also exhibit emotional problems and suicidal behavior, highlighting the need for adequate support.
A new clinical discussion tool, GAIN, has been developed to help physicians discuss potential reasons for using long-acting injectable antipsychotic therapies with patients. The tool addresses barriers such as needle phobia and stigma, aiming to increase patient acceptance and adherence.
A recent study published in the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research found that Canadian men are reluctant to seek mental health services, with avoidance rates ranging from 20-70%. The primary cause cited is prejudice, which affects how men perceive their symptoms and social roles, leading to a reluctance to utilize services.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that patients with bipolar disorder incur significantly higher specialty care costs compared to those with diabetes, depression, asthma, or coronary artery disease. Specialty care costs were especially high for bipolar patients, suggesting non-mental health provider-related expenses contribute to the disparity.
Researchers in Greenland found a strong correlation between the country's constant sunlight and an increase in suicides during the summer months. Most suicides occurred among young men, with violent methods accounting for 95% of cases.
Researchers led by Dr. Robert C. Young are conducting studies to investigate the effects of medications on older adults with bipolar depression, aiming to improve treatment outcomes. The studies focus on quetiapine and lamotrigine, and will help better manage care for geriatric bipolar patients.
A study highlights the need for an audit of UK services and greater links between healthcare professionals to ensure fair assessments. Mental health nurses receive no formal training for this role, raising concerns about the quality and objectiveness of parenting capacity assessments.
A magnetic resonance imaging study found that toddlers with autism tend to have an enlarged amygdala, a brain area associated with processing faces and emotion. This brain abnormality is also linked to improved joint attention ability in children with autism.
Research suggests that children who are consistently victimized by peers are more likely to develop psychotic symptoms in early adolescence. A study of over 6,400 participants found that chronic or severe peer victimization was associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms.
A new study challenges the idea that individuals with certain genotypes are predestined to negative life outcomes. Infants raised in small social groups were more likely to be aggressive and anxious, particularly those with a low activity MAOA genotype. However, no genotype effects were evident in monkeys reared in larger social cages.
A study found that microRNA miR-504 regulates the expression of the dopamine D1 receptor gene, increasing the risk of nicotine dependence. The research suggests a potential link between smoking risk genes and neurobiology of addiction.
A new study found that a novel compound decreases rats' preference for cocaine-associated environments during subsequent tests. This process is called extinction learning, where the brain creates new associations instead of retrieving old ones.
Researchers studied ICU patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and found that those with greater organ failure and higher benzodiazepine doses were more likely to experience depression after discharge. The study suggests that certain aspects of critical illness and ICU care may contribute to depression.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have reviewed the neurobiology of wisdom, identifying key brain regions involved in its attributes such as empathy, compassion and emotional stability. The study suggests an optimal balance between primitive and pre-frontal cortex brain regions may enhance wisdom.
A study of 5,302 Finnish individuals found that childhood psychiatric problems were associated with later severe suicidality in males, particularly those with conduct, hyperactive, or emotional problems. In contrast, depression at age 8 was not linked to female suicidal behavior.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by examining brain activity in soldiers with and without the condition. The study found that individuals with PTSD exhibit distinct brain patterns, particularly in areas responsible for emotion processing and sense of self.
Researchers are comparing two family-based therapies to treat adolescent anorexia nervosa. The Maudsley Approach involves supervised feeding and monitoring, while Family Systems Therapy focuses on family dynamics. Both approaches aim to break the vicious cycle of starvation and obsessive behavior.
Researchers found that naltrexone, an opiate receptor blocker, reduced the urges to steal and stealing behavior in individuals with kleptomania after eight weeks of treatment. The study suggests a potential link between kleptomania and substance addictions, highlighting the drug's efficacy in treating impulse control disorders.
Research links sleep disturbances to higher risk of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts in adults. Scientists found a strong association between early morning awakening and increased likelihood of suicidal behaviors.
Researchers found that women with severe mental illness are more likely to have been abused in childhood than the general population, with a twofold increased risk compared to healthy women. In contrast, no such association was found in men.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that modafinil can reduce weight gain associated with olanzapine treatment. The study showed that subjects receiving olanzapine and modafinil experienced less weight gain than those receiving only olanzapine.
A significant minority of therapists continue to offer treatments aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation, despite a lack of evidence supporting their effectiveness. The therapies, often rooted in moral and religious views, can be harmful and lead to increased stress for clients who are already discriminated against.
Researchers develop a novel approach to treating PTSD by selectively disrupting traumatic memories with a cortisol-blocking drug. The treatment's effectiveness is linked to the intensity of the initial trauma and can be administered shortly before recalling the memory.
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center and colleagues in Tokyo have achieved the first successful application of exon-skipping to curb Duchenne muscular dystrophy in dogs. The treatment uses synthetic DNA-like molecules called morpholinos to skip over mutated gene parts, showing promise for humans with this genetic disorder.
New study finds stress-related changes in brain structure may lead to depression-like behavior and PTSD. Researchers propose that restoring hippocampal synapses could provide immediate relief from depressive symptoms.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that patients requesting physician-assisted death cite concerns about future suffering as a leading motivator. The study surveyed 56 patients and ranked factors influencing their requests, highlighting the importance of symptom control and patient sense of control.
Children with childhood obsessive and compulsive symptoms are six times more likely to suffer from an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as adults, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed data from the Dunedin Study, which tracked participants' psychological variables from childhood to adulthood.
A study of 1,698 young adults found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more likely to attempt suicide than those exposed to traumatic events without developing PTSD. The researchers suggest that PTSD may be associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior.
A Yale University study found varenicline significantly reduced heavy-drinking smokers' alcohol consumption and cravings. The drug also showed no adverse effects when combined with low doses of alcohol.
A new study suggests that people with minimal manic symptoms or mixed depression presentations may be at greater risk of experiencing treatment-emergent mania when taking antidepressants. Researchers recommend exploring alternative treatments like mood stabilizers to manage depressive phases of bipolar illness.
A study reveals that adolescents who undergo kidney transplants have a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric conditions, including depression, phobia, and ADHD. They also experience educational impairment and social isolation. The study highlights the need for routine screening and support to address these challenges.
A Swedish thesis found that people who experience nightmares after a suicide attempt are five times more likely to attempt suicide again. The study also revealed that sleeping difficulties do not increase the risk of repeat attempts, contrary to previous research.
Research suggests that people with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of premature death from medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The study found that the risk is similar for men and women, with endocrine problems also contributing to the increased mortality rate.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of 12 new-generation antidepressants found sertraline and escitalopram to be the most effective and acceptable options. They showed better efficacy compared to other drugs, with escitalopram being more efficacious than duloxetine by 33%.
A global study reveals that people with schizophrenia experience and expect significant discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, relationships, and social interactions. The study, which analyzed data from 27 countries, found that negative experienced discrimination was common across all domains.
A new study from Indiana University suggests that meager levels of physical activity can significantly improve the mood of individuals with serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia. The study found a positive association between physical activity level and positive mood, particularly among ...
Women with bulimia nervosa exhibit greater impulsivity and differences in brain activity compared to healthy controls. Frontostriatal circuits, responsible for regulating behavior, are also impaired in individuals with bulimia nervosa.
A study by Emory University School of Medicine and CDC found childhood trauma increases CFS risk six-fold, with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms further exacerbating the risk. Low cortisol levels are also associated with childhood trauma, suggesting they may be a marker for CFS risk rather than a symptom
Up to 20% of children and adolescents experience anxiety disorders, which can lead to educational underachievement and increased rates of depression and substance abuse later in life. Effective treatments include antidepressant medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a combination of both, with partial treatment not being adequate.
Nationwide Finnish study reveals that well-developed outpatient services and higher outpatient-to-inpatient ratios are associated with a significantly reduced risk of death by suicide. Emergency services operating 24/7 also showed a risk reduction of 16%.
Smokers carrying a specific gene variant are more susceptible to concentration problems and cognitive deficits during abstinence, increasing the risk of relapse. The study paves the way for novel medications to treat nicotine addiction.
A literature review found that patients receiving coerced medication are more likely to have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or another psychotic disorder. The practice is often used in the UK and has been linked to negative feelings among patients.
The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort aims to identify genetic factors leading to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a large-scale population study. The initiative, led by USC researchers, will collect data from 40,000 subjects and become a major resource for researchers worldwide.
A five-year study found that older adults with symptoms of depression are more likely to gain abdominal fat, but not overall fat. Depression is associated with an increase in visceral fat, which may contribute to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers discovered that Cdk5 protein stimulates stem-cell maturation but also causes neurodegenerative diseases. Removing Cdk5 from immature nerve cells promotes normal cell division, but the cells never reach maturity. The 'Mr. Hyde' component of Cdk5 causes destructive effects on motor coordination and learning.
Babies placed in incubators have a lower risk of developing depression as adults, with a significant decrease in major depression rates. The study found that incubator care can trigger a complex chain of biological and emotional factors that help reduce depression.
Patients with PTSD symptoms experience a 2.4-fold increased mortality risk compared to those without, according to a study of 211 patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators. Those with PTSD also reported more cardiac symptoms despite similar clinical characteristics.
Researchers found elevated rates of psychoses among black and minority ethnic subgroups compared to white British individuals. The study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, analyzed data from 484 patients who developed psychoses between 1996 and 2000.
A new study reveals that substance abuse disorders (SUDs) and other psychiatric disorders are prevalent among French prisoners. Dual diagnosis (DD), a co-existence of SUD and any Axis I disorder, is a major risk factor for suicide, with mood and anxiety disorders being the most frequent disorders found in DD prisoners.
Research suggests that cerebral inflammation and microglia activation contribute to schizophrenia development. Anti-inflammatory agents targeting activated microglia may provide a new treatment option for the condition.
Research suggests that birth hypoxia may contribute to the development of schizophrenia by reducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. The study found a significant decrease in BDNF among individuals who later developed schizophrenia, highlighting the importance of maternal health during pregnancy.
Researchers found that deleting the gene for glutamate transporter EAAT1 leads to increased responses to NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801, resulting in schizophrenia-like features in mice. The study suggests a promising new class of glutamate-targeting antipsychotic treatments may help correct these abnormalities.
A study found that the genome in people who have committed suicide as a result of major depression was being chemically modified, with nearly ten times the rate of methylation compared to control groups. This modification involved genes regulating behavior and neurotransmitter receptors.
A new genetic association study found associations between six mouse genes and specific human anxiety disorders, including social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. The study suggests that these genes may play a role in predisposing individuals to developing an anxiety disorder.
A new animal model study suggests that high-dose corticosterone, a cortisol-related substance, can prevent negative consequences of stress exposure in PTSD. Low-dose corticosterone potentiated these responses, indicating a dose-dependent relationship between corticosterone levels and vulnerability/resilience.
A new study finds that developing depression after a heart attack substantially increases the risk of cardiac-related morbidity and mortality. This increased risk is significant, even when controlling for traditional cardiac risk factors.
NARSAD recognizes six scientists whose groundbreaking research has led to significant strides in understanding and treating mental illness. The 2008 prize winners include experts in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, childhood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience.