Articles tagged with Psychiatry
A new study found that psilocybin significantly reduced OCD-like behaviors and tic-like head-body twitches in genetically modified mice. The research provides hope for new treatments for these conditions and may offer benefits for patients who have not responded to current therapies.
Depression alters neural circuits in the amygdala, leading to reduced activity in pleasant stimuli and increased activation in negative stimuli. This negativity bias contributes to depressive symptoms. Researchers found a potential treatment by reactivating neurons involved in positive encoding of environmental stimuli.
Researchers say implementing established strategies is critical to addressing the physician well-being crisis, including reducing workload and facilitating timely mental health treatment. The review also highlights the need for policies supporting diverse perspectives to improve well-being among underrepresented groups.
A cohort study examines how traumatic and adverse childhood experiences influence developmental changes in psychiatric risk and cognitive ability. The findings suggest targeted early prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk youth.
A new therapeutic approach combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and lucid dreaming has shown promise in reducing nightmare severity and frequency in patients with narcolepsy. The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, found overall reductions in nightmare symptoms in all six participants tested.
A large cohort study found that mothers with eating disorders were more likely to have children with psychiatric disorders, while those with pre-pregnancy BMI outside the normal range also showed an increased risk. The findings suggest that clinicians should consider these factors when preventing offspring mental illness.
A randomised clinical trial shows that integrating physiotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy is effective in improving symptoms and physical aspects of the quality of life of patients with functional movement disorders. The study suggests this approach could be cost-effective and opens up new lines of research.
A new Lancet Commission report urges policy action on societal drivers and health services' response to self-harm, which affects 14 million people annually. The report highlights the need for compassionate support and responsible reporting on self-harm, particularly among young people in low- and middle-income countries.
A cross-sectional study reveals a significant risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among autistic transgender and gender-nonconforming US college students. The study emphasizes the importance of providing targeted support to address this issue.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that rats' social structures are more complex than previously thought, with varying patterns of dominance and coexistence. The researchers' findings suggest that psychiatric medications may need to be re-evaluated due to the complexity of rat social dynamics.
A recent study found that tau protein buildup disrupts the salience network, a crucial communication network in the brain, leading to behavioral changes. The study used advanced medical imaging to analyze the brains of 128 people with early-stage dementia and showed a strong association between tau disruption and behavioral symptoms.
A survey of 4,426 LGBTQ+ adults in the USA found that those who underwent conversion practice experience poor mental health, including depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts or attempts. Transgender participants reported greater mental health symptoms overall.
A multinational study found that people with unmedicated mental illness are less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with a 9% lower vaccination rate compared to the general population. Individuals with substance use disorder were also 16% less likely to receive the vaccine.
The Boston Clinic implemented an innovative embedded neuropsychological assessment program to improve access to disability assessments for US citizenship applicants. The program provided crucial assessments to 34 patients, with 36% qualifying for N-648 forms despite initial normal cognitive screenings.
Researchers found that SSRI antidepressants improve cognitive functions like verbal memory by reducing a specific serotonin receptor. The study suggests that stimulating this receptor may be a promising target for optimizing antidepressant treatment outcomes.
A new study confirms that hormonal and biochemical factors affect alcohol dependence in men and women differently, implying the need for sex-specific treatments. Researchers found associations between hormone levels and treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of considering gender differences in treating alcoholism.
A randomized clinical trial shows that transitioning insomnia care away from long-term sedatives to cognitive behavioral therapy can be achieved through a mailed, direct-to-patient approach. This method reduces sedative use and improves sleep outcomes in older adults.
A groundbreaking article proposes a transdiagnostic framework that views neurodivergent conditions as points on a spectrum rather than distinct categories. This approach acknowledges the shared characteristics and complex interplay between these conditions and recognizes their frequent overlap with mental health challenges.
A study by McLean Hospital found that high doses of amphetamine increase the risk of new-onset psychosis or mania in adults. The risk is highest for those taking 30 mg or more of dextroamphetamine, with an 81% attributable risk percentage.
Researchers at McGill University have made new findings on the consistency of delusion themes in youth and young adults with psychosis. The study, involving over 600 patients, suggests that delusions often persist even as other symptoms improve, requiring different treatment strategies.
A cross-sectional study of commercially insured patients suggests that there may be meaningful heterogeneous associations between cannabis policy and state-level outcomes, as well as between cannabis policy and drug class, with implications for patient substance use and mental health outcomes.
A new study reveals that Latinx immigrant adults are extorted an average of $804 during their journey to the US southern border. The most common perpetrators were police officers and immigration officials. Experts say extortion should be considered an extreme stressor, which can inform mental health treatment for newly arrived immigrants.
A new 'deep scanning' approach reveals that individuals with depression have a larger salience network in the frontal cortex and striatum, increasing their risk for depression. This finding suggests that people may be pre-wired for depression if they have this brain feature in childhood.
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.
A post hoc analysis found semaglutide treatment did not increase the risk of developing depression or suicidal ideation and was associated with a small reduction in depressive symptoms. Monitoring for mental health concerns is essential for individuals with obesity to receive proper support and care.
A study found that ketamine clinics have inconsistent policies on pregnancy-related safeguards, including inadequate warning systems and contraception prescription. This is concerning given the potential harm of ketamine to developing fetuses.
The September issues of APA journals focus on depression risk factors and treatments, as well as noninvasive brain stimulation therapies. The American Journal of Psychiatry explores the promise of these therapies in treating depression.
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.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children with persistently raised inflammation are at a higher risk of experiencing serious mental health disorders, including psychosis and depression, in early adulthood. The research also discovered that those who experienced inflammation at a young age were more likely to devel...
A cohort study found elevated depression and anxiety levels in unvaccinated people with COVID-19 diagnosis compared to before or without the virus. Vaccination was associated with lower incidence of mental illnesses after hospitalization for COVID-19.
A new study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that probiotics can improve the immune system and behavior of both mothers and their offspring during pregnancy. Probiotics may also help counteract negative effects of prenatal stress, such as changes in brain inflammation and amino acid metabolism.
Mental health crisis calls to 911 may lead to inappropriate responses and increased risk of harm. Harvard-trained psychiatrist Dr. Rupinder Legha advocates for reevaluating the standard for mental health crisis response.
The latest issues of American Psychiatric Association journals feature new research on PTSD, phobias, and psychiatric vulnerabilities. A special issue on eating disorders is also highlighted in the August issue of Psychiatric Services.
A recent study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that many Medicaid enrollees face significant barriers to accessing psychiatric care, with wait times often extending up to six months. In four major US cities, only 18% of listed psychiatrists and mental health professionals were reachable and offered appointments.
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.
Research reveals that children with psychiatric disorders in 2017 faced more severe challenges and reduced support from societal factors compared to previous generations. The study highlights the need for further research into why this trend has occurred, aiming to provide necessary support and prevent future negative trends.
A UNIGE team studied a cohort of patients with a 22q11.2DS microdeletion and found unique «coupling» between structure and activity of their brain regions, leading to either over- or under-coupling. This specificity paves the way for identifying reliable risk markers.
Young Japanese-speaking migrants have higher rates of early treatment dropout due to inadequate observed conversational fluency, emphasizing the importance of tailored language support. Researchers suggest that language proficiency influences early self-discontinuation of psychiatric treatment among foreign residents in Japan.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that mental health apps can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in individuals waiting for their initial psychiatric appointment. The study, which involved over 2,000 patients, showed improvement in all groups, regardless of the app used.
A comparative study evaluates three digital interventions as supplemental tools in healthcare systems. The findings suggest these digital interventions can support patients during waiting list-related delays in care.
A stable childhood home environment has been shown to have a protective association against adult depression. Policies supporting settled childhoods should be promoted to reduce adulthood depression risk.
University of Cambridge students who undertook an 8-week mindfulness course reported increased frequencies of disembodiment and unity up to a year after the program. The randomized controlled trial found long-term effects of mindfulness on altered states of consciousness.
Medical debt exacerbates the mental health treatment gap among US adults, particularly those with depression and anxiety. The study highlights the need for new policies to protect against this financial barrier and ensure access to mental health care.
A new study is testing whether digital tools can help predict which patients with depression will benefit from specific treatments and deliver them on demand. The researchers hope to use these tools to broaden access to psychiatric care and realize the promise of precision psychiatry.
Academic psychiatry departments and private telehealth companies can mutually benefit from strategic collaboration, according to a new article. By partnering with telehealth companies, academic institutions can focus on specialized care, education, and research.
A new study highlights the importance of friendships in supporting young people who self-harm, while also considering the potential negative impact on friends' own mental wellbeing. The review recommends that adults should extend support to young people who disclose a friend's self-harming behavior.
Researchers will combine patients' self-reports with mobile app, wearable device, genetic sample, and clinical record data to predict which approaches will work best for an individual. The goal is to improve the success of first-time mental health treatment.
A recent study found that leading health organizations inaccurately portray depression as a disorder that causes symptoms. Researchers suggest this circular reasoning makes it harder for people to understand their distress. The study's authors aim to promote accurate understanding of mental health conditions.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that chemotherapy disrupts the gut microbiome in breast cancer patients, leading to cognitive decline and increased inflammation. The research suggests that targeting the gut microbiome may improve behavioral side effects of chemotherapy.
A new ketamine tablet form has shown promise in treating severe depression with negligible side effects and convenience. The study found that patients on the strongest dose of ketamine had the best results compared to placebo.
A potential new strategy for reducing diabetes risk associated with antipsychotic medications involves co-administering drugs that block dopamine receptors in the brain alongside those that stop these same receptors in the pancreas. This approach may limit metabolic side effects and improve glucose metabolism.
Patients with anorexia nervosa have a 4.5-times higher risk of dying compared to the general population, with psychiatric conditions doubling this risk. The presence of these conditions is also associated with a 1.9-fold higher risk of 10-year mortality in individuals diagnosed at age 6–25 years.
A new study led by UCSF found that COVID-19 vaccine side effects like headache and tiredness indicate a strong immune response. Those with more symptoms had nearly double the antibody levels of those without, suggesting the vaccine is effective in preventing infection.
A survey of nearly 340,000 texts spanning 79 years shows that generic terms in mental health have shifted towards "mental illness," with "psychiatric" and "mental health" becoming more common. The study suggests further research is needed to understand how language affects people experiencing mental ill health.
A new study shows that psilocybin initiates a pattern of hyperconnectivity in the brain linked to the ego-modifying effects and feelings of oceanic boundlessness. The findings provide insights into how the brain works on psychedelic drugs and their potential use to treat psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have received a $16.4 million grant to advance mental health care for children, leveraging machine learning and novel clinical measures to improve prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions across childhood and adolescence. The project aims to create an actionable ...
A new study found significant differences in brain development between autistic boys and girls, with autistic females showing a thicker cortex at age 3 and faster cortical thinning into middle childhood. The findings highlight the need for longitudinal studies that include both sexes to better understand sex-specific changes in autism.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have created a new structured clinical interview to screen for multiple sleep problems in children. This tool allows clinicians to assess children for various sleep disorders simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive view of their sleep issues.
A study found a dose-dependent association between adolescent body mass index and mental health, with the strongest link observed over time. The U-shaped relationship was consistent across sex and grade levels, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing body image and mental health.
A University of Saskatchewan researcher is building tiny pseudo-organs from stem cells to help diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease. These 'mini-brains' more accurately reflect a fully-fledged adult human brain, allowing for closer examination of neurological conditions.