Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
A large study published in Scientific Reports found that people with irregular sleep-wake schedules may experience more severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The study analyzed data from 23,000 participants and found that those with consistent sleep patterns had lower rates of depression and anxiety.
A new study identifies three subtypes of PMDD, each with unique patterns of symptoms, suggesting personalized treatment approaches and a better understanding of the condition. The research also explores the biological mechanisms underlying symptom patterns and potential treatments, including the role of brain function in women with PMDD.
Researchers found that adults with CHD who watched sports on TV or attended events reported fewer depressive symptoms. Regular sports viewing was associated with improved mental well-being in this population, suggesting potential benefits for mental health support strategies.
Researchers warn clinicians to be aware of the health risks associated with 'looksmaxxing' among boys and young men, including physical and mental health concerns. Looksmaxxing involves efforts to maximize physical attractiveness, often through dangerous practices such as starvation, steroid use, and cosmetic procedures.
A new viewpoint argues that exercise should be prescribed like a medication for brain health care, citing evidence for its benefits on cognitive function, mood, and anxiety. The authors highlight the need for a structured, individualized approach to exercise, tailored to specific needs and populations.
A study of nearly 3,000 adults found that those who believed they would be remembered by others tended to report better mental health, a stronger sense of meaning, and lower levels of problematic substance use and addictive behaviors. The findings suggest a possible link between our sense of lasting significance and coping with stress,...
Research from Kansas State University suggests that physical activity may help reduce the link between genetic predisposition and depression severity in adults. The study analyzed data from the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program and found that more active adults experienced a weaker genetic risk for depression. ...
A new study reveals concerns about misdiagnosis and stigma in autoimmune diseases with functional neurological disorder (FND), highlighting the need for better communication and holistic care. Patients and clinicians often see things differently, and poor explanations can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and suicidal thoughts.
A significant spike in suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts among older US adults was found in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's findings suggest that traditional risk factors may not be the only factors at play, and that a broader risk assessment approach is needed to identify older adults at risk.
A large US-based study found loneliness to be the strongest factor associated with depression among cancer survivors. The study analyzed data from 70,620 adult cancer survivors and found that those who reported feeling lonely had nearly three times the odds of reporting a lifetime diagnosis of depressive disorder.
A free online program, Mindful Mood Balance for Moms, has been shown to reduce depression relapse among new moms and moms-to-be. The program, which includes audio-guided practices, videos, and advice from peers and professionals, has been found to lower the risk of depression relapse by 26% among participants. The study, published in t...
A global team of researchers has launched the largest-ever study of brain function across eight mental illnesses, analyzing over 94,000 brain scans from 27 countries using a shared method. The study aims to identify brain signatures specific to each illness, drive discovery, and inform treatment response.
A study published in General Psychiatry reports that early life sugar restriction is associated with lower risks of anxiety and depression later in life. Exposure to sugar rationing during the first 1000 days after conception was linked to a 17% lower risk of anxiety and a 14% lower risk of depression compared to no exposure.
A Concordia-led study finds that disorganized and inconsistent home environments in childhood are associated with higher cortisol levels, depression, and anxiety in young adulthood. The researchers suggest that family-based prevention programs could help reduce risk by strengthening organization and predictability at home.
A new subtype of depression called 'circadian depression' has been identified, affecting around a quarter of people with severe depression. This subtype is linked to the body's internal clock and is more responsive to behavioural and medical therapies targeting the body clock's unique brain circuits.
A six-week home-based brain stimulation program combined with a video game showed promise in reducing depressive symptoms, but the experimental combination did not lead to greater improvement than a control condition. Both groups showed a marked reduction in depressive symptoms, raising questions about what drives symptom improvement i...
A study of 1,600 recent medical school graduates reveals that 1/3 of OB-GYN residents develop clinical depression in their first year of training, with only 1/3 seeking help. The findings highlight a need for increased support during residency, particularly in a field dominated by women.
A study found that stimulation of specific brain connections, including the cingulum bundle, forceps minor, and medial uncinate fasciculus, is associated with sustained clinical improvement in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The findings support connectome-based targeting for deep brain stimulation and may help researcher...
A new study from Tulane University researchers found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens who have someone to turn to with a serious problem have significantly better mental health outcomes. The study found that 61% of teens without a trusted person experienced depression, compared to 35% of those with at least one person to turn to.
A new study from CU Anschutz finds horseback riding improves hyperactivity, irritability, and emotional regulation in children with autism and psychiatric diagnoses. Horse-related activities also provide benefits for those unable to ride, enhancing communication and emotional regulation skills.
A study found that positive parenting in early years is associated with increased joy and satisfaction in children, and may reduce the risk of depression. The research, conducted over 15 years, tracked 465 children and their parents, and found that positive parenting behaviors were linked to larger brain responses to rewards.
USC researchers are conducting a clinical trial to test whether mindfulness training can enhance the benefits of psilocybin therapy for depression. The study will compare psilocybin therapy with and without an eight-week mindfulness training program, aiming to investigate the synergistic effect of combining the two treatments.
Mount Sinai researchers have identified a brain circuit, the anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN), that helps explain how prior adversity makes the brain more reactive to future stress. The study found that dialing AHN activity up or down directly altered how strongly mice responded to stress.
A new study proposes a paradigm shift in understanding depression by examining specific symptoms and their underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The research highlights distinct brain connectivity patterns associated with key clinical dimensions of depression, including anhedonia, rumination, insomnia, and suicidal behavior.
A new review of research from across sub-Saharan Africa found that food insecurity is linked to depression, suicide attempts, HIV vulnerabilities, and poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescent mothers. The study suggests that addressing hunger may also help reduce depression and other mental health burdens.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that children and teenagers with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The research, which spanned over 30 years, examined the fitness of Australian children aged 7-15 and found that cardiorespiratory fitness was the strong...
A new study found that children of mothers with depression have a higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, regardless of antidepressant exposure. The study followed over 167,000 children and found a significant association between maternal depression and special educational needs in children.
A prospective study found that stereotactic radiosurgical capsulotomy significantly reduced symptoms of major depression and thoughts of suicide among patients with severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric illness. Benefits were largely sustained over a median follow-up of more than three years.
Research reveals that nearly half of childhood cancer survivors experience symptoms of anxiety or depression as adults. The study found that cognitive functioning, psychological symptoms, and fatigue were significantly affected, with 28% reporting difficulties with cognitive functions.
A large Medicare analysis found that depression is associated with higher cancer mortality, while psychotherapy soon after diagnosis reduces cancer risk. Patients with depression had a 21% lower risk of cancer-specific mortality after receiving psychotherapy within four weeks of their diagnosis.
A SWPS University study investigated the potential of using humour to treat depressive states, finding humour can improve mood and boost resilience, but not during acute phase, when it can worsen mood. The study highlights the importance of tailored humour interventions and caution when using humour with individuals with depression.
A preliminary study led by UC San Francisco found that reducing ultra-processed food intake significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants, who reduced their intake by over 85%.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that postpartum pain and depression can significantly impact women's ability to care for themselves and their infants. The study highlights the need for better support services and comprehensive monitoring to address these challenges.
A Rutgers-led study of over 414,000 births in New Jersey found a substantially higher risk of infant mortality among infants born to mothers with depressive symptoms. Infants born to mothers with depressive symptoms had nearly three times the risk of death before the age of 1 compared to their counterparts.
Researchers identified a natural antibody, anti-NMDAR1, that may protect the brain after traumatic brain injury, reducing the risk of depression and PTSD. The study found that Marines with higher levels of the antibody had lower depression and PTSD symptoms after a TBI.
A study published in Nature Communications found that living in hotter, more polluted neighborhoods with limited green space increases the risk of frailty, PTSD, and depression among World Trade Center responders. In contrast, greener environments were associated with lower risks of these conditions.
A new UCLA study has found a connection between brain aging and gut biology, suggesting that people's brains may be aging decades before symptoms appear. The study, published in eBioMedicine, analyzed brain scans and stool samples to identify a link between brain communication patterns, gut bacteria, and brain aging.
A new study identifies astrocytes in the brain's fear center as a key player in stress response and anxiety. The research found that restoring the antenna-like structure on these cells can ease stress behaviors, and a potential treatment target has been identified.
Anhedonia, a common symptom of depression and other mental health conditions, may not be solely explained by dopamine pathways, according to a new international expert report. The report calls for more precise definitions, biological markers, and clinical trials targeting anhedonia as a primary outcome.
Serial ketamine infusions have been found to be well-tolerated and significantly effective in treating treatment-resistant bipolar depression, with antidepressant effects comparable to midazolam. The study's results provide promising hope for patients struggling with this condition, highlighting ketamine as a potential therapeutic option.
A new atlas of the brain’s striatum has identified 31 subgroups of neurons, including those involved in addiction, depression, and schizophrenia. The atlas may help scientists develop new drugs to combat these conditions, particularly by targeting specific cell populations affected by Huntington’s disease.
The new study, known as SENTINEL, aims to predict both risk factors and protective factors for depression and suicide using patterns in brain activity and behavior. It will track approximately 210 USC students for up to 36 months, using a combination of lab tests, wearable sensors, and smartphone data.
A survey of 365 Australian adolescents aged 10-15 found that those who began using social media at a younger age reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study suggests that delaying children's first exposure to social media may be a promising policy for protecting mental health.
Researchers found that personalized content from social media algorithms can negatively impact users' mental health by reinforcing negative emotions and thoughts. The study suggests that educating people on critical social media engagement behaviors can help mitigate this effect.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop mental health conditions, while men experience more cardiovascular and renal complications. The researchers analyzed data from 28,720 men and women in the UK, revealing significant sex differences in disease trajectories.
Exposure to suicide attempts within social networks was linked to increased risk of subsequent suicide attempts and higher depressive symptoms in adolescents and young adults. Assessing recent exposure to suicide attempts may help identify high-risk youths undetected through symptom-based screening alone.
Researchers at PolyU developed a screening tool to identify seniors at risk of social frailty, a state of vulnerability linked to poorer health. The Social Frailty 10-Item screening tool assesses five domains and guides practical next steps for care, including referrals to financial or healthcare support.
Research reveals that increased tau protein levels during aging may contribute to the rise of depressive symptoms. The study, published in JNeurosci, suggests that monitoring depressive trajectories in aging populations could complement other measures to help assess risk for neurodegenerative disease.
A study by the University of Oxford has identified the brain mechanisms that help us work out whether the consequences we experience are caused by our own actions or by circumstances beyond our control. The study found that confidence in our own decisions and estimates of external circumstances provide important clues.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that depression stalls neurogenesis in the adult brain's hippocampus, impairing pattern separation and memory recall. The study identified molecular programs controlling neurogenesis, which may lead to new therapies for depression.
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is associated with worsening symptoms of depression. The study examined individual participant data from over 13,000 participants, providing evidence for the potential negative effects of this therapy on depression.
A digital wellness program combining guided movement, breathing, and meditation exercises reduced anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with chronic medical conditions. The program also improved quality of life and fatigue, with no significant difference found between the self-directed and telephone-supported versions.
A multisite cohort study of 346 adults receiving psilocybin services in Oregon found significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, as well as enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. The study suggests that Oregon's regulated psilocybin services are generally safe and effective for mental health treatment
A large-scale study on Oregon psilocybin services found sustained benefits for anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with few adverse events. Participants reported lasting improvements in mental health and wellness, and the study provides valuable insights for policymakers considering expanded access to psychedelics for mental health conditions.
A new online CBT therapy approach has been shown to effectively treat depression, with patients reporting significant symptom reductions and improved function. The therapy, which combines therapist-led sessions with online materials, was found to be particularly beneficial for those with barriers to accessing traditional in-person appo...
A large Danish study reveals that women with endometriosis use more anxiety and depression medication before and after diagnosis, with differences persisting even after diagnosis. The study suggests that prolonged pain, uncertainty, and fertility problems may contribute to the mental strain, but an earlier diagnosis may not alleviate it.
Women with multiple long-term conditions face a 20% higher risk of miscarriage and a 69% higher risk of severe nausea and vomiting compared to those with no conditions. The study also found a four times higher risk of anxiety and depression.
A new study suggests that a video game designed to raise teens' awareness of mental health issues can reduce symptoms of depression on par with in-school programs. The game, PlaySmart, was played by 269 students for up to six weeks, with significant reductions in symptoms reported after only six weeks.
Research suggests that childhood trauma weakens pleasure experience through changes in the hippocampus, leading to increased anhedonia. The study found individuals with disrupted hippocampal pathways experienced more anhedonia than those without disruptions.
A cohort study of 1,582,834 veterans with MDD found that most received recommended treatment, but there was an increasing trend in the proportion who did not. This highlights the need to investigate potential undertreatment and examine mental health service availability that influences treatment selection decisions.