Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
People with severe depression who received vagus nerve stimulation showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and ability to complete everyday tasks after a year. Despite this, the therapy remains unaffordable for many patients due to high costs.
A new study from Uppsala University shows that an app can help parents who are mourning the loss of a child, reducing symptoms of prolonged grief and post-traumatic stress. The app provides four components: learning about grief, finding support, practical exercises, and a 'grief meter' to track feelings.
A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that dancing improves both self-reported questionnaires and MRI brain scans in people with Parkinson disease. The study, conducted by York University researchers, showed a cumulative effect of dance classes on depression rates over 8 months.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that older adults in the U.K. are more likely to be repeatedly victimized by cybercrime, resulting in significant financial loss. This demographic is particularly vulnerable due to factors such as health conditions and social isolation.
A new NIH study has found that spending time in childcare does not significantly affect young children's mental health, even among those facing early adversity. The study followed over 2,000 parent-child pairs and found no link between hours spent in childcare and symptoms of anxiety, depression, or aggression.
Researchers found that a blunted response to reward feedback in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidal ideation. This study contributes to understanding neural risk factors for mental health disorders and developing new methods to assess mental health risks.
Researchers from the University of Surrey found that vegetarians who consumed plant-based meat alternatives had a 42% increased risk of depression compared to those who refrained. However, they also found lower levels of inflammation and a reduced risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A new study by Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that 64% of adolescents reported symptoms three or more times across their adolescent years. Girls were at increased risk and more likely to have a chronic course. Preventive strategies are urgently needed to address this public health problem.
Researchers at Université de Montréal's CRCHUM discovered that inhibiting a key brain enzyme can reduce body weight and improve physical activity in mice. The study suggests that targeting specific neuronal pathways in the brain could be crucial for fighting obesity and metabolic disorders.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 96,000 adults found that higher daily step counts were linked to lower depressive symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential protective role of daily steps in depression.
Researchers at MUSC discover an RNA:DNA 'sandwich' plays a key role in how the brain interprets emotional experiences and brings about behavioral adaptations. The discovery could lead to better RNA therapies for treating brain disorders.
Increasing serotonin levels in the gut epithelium improves symptoms of anxiety and depression in animal studies, suggesting a new therapeutic approach. The study also highlights the risk of digestive issues in children exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy.
US veterans reported an average happiness level of 5.41, with higher happiness tied to greater sense of purpose and lower depressive symptoms. The study also found strong associations between optimism, emotional stability, and resilience and increased happiness in veterans.
A study by the University of Southampton found that police investigators of Child Sexual Abuse Material experience high levels of depression and anxiety, with feelings of betrayal by colleagues and institutions being a significant predictor. In contrast, feeling successful and supported at work can act as a powerful buffer to these out...
A randomized controlled trial examines the association between treatment expectancies and the relative efficacy of psilocybin versus escitalopram for major depressive disorder. The results suggest that psilocybin is more effective than escitalopram in treating depression.
A study from King's College London reveals that the dural sinuses and skull bone marrow act as a likely interface between the central and peripheral immune systems, suggesting a potential link between brain and body inflammatory signals. The research highlights areas of the skull that work as 'traffic lights' between the two systems.
A systematic review of 45 studies found inconsistent descriptions of psychotherapy sessions, making it difficult to replicate studies and compromise patient well-being. Researchers call for improved reporting standards to enhance the replicability, safety, and potential effectiveness of these therapies.
A study of 2,788 participants with impulse control disorder found that people with ICD are more likely to exhibit both overt and covert suicidal behavior. The study identified shared and specific risk factors for each type of behavior, including depressive symptoms and low self-direction.
JMIR Perioperative Medicine is launching a new theme issue exploring burnout among perioperative clinicians, including anesthesiologists and advanced practice providers. The call for papers aims to examine the critical issue of burnout within perioperative medicine.
Researchers have identified structural grey matter differences in the brains of women with a history of peripartum depression compared to those without. The study found that hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and childbirth may be key to understanding this condition.
A study found that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced depression among clinicians providing front-line COVID-19 care. The treatment was more effective than a placebo, with participants experiencing greater reductions in symptoms over time.
A new Simon Fraser University study finds that antidepressants are associated with reduced genital sensitivity in 13% of users, compared to 1% of other psychiatric medication users. The study highlights the need for better patient education and warnings about potential side effects.
Researchers at UCSF found a brain signature of resilience in mice that suggests a new way to treat severe depression. Stress changes activity in the amygdala, distinguishing resilient from less resilient mice. By stimulating neurons, the team improved decision-making and reduced ruminating in less resilient mice.
Researchers identified iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as the most effective method for treating adults with schizophrenia, improving negative and cognitive symptoms. The treatment approach was well-accepted and well-tolerated by participants.
Researchers found a strong link between depression and menstrual pain in a new study published in Briefings in Bioinformatics. Depression may be a cause of dysmenorrhea, rather than a consequence, according to the findings.
Researchers found that individuals with depression who engage in reflexive emotion regulation experience increased suicidal thoughts during daily stressful events. In contrast, adaptive responses to stress were observed when participants used reappraisal strategy.
A new study suggests that a cancer peer support program called Stronger Together improved psychological outcomes, as well as overall quality of life, among patients with breast and gynecological cancers in Vietnam. The program showed promise for providing critical social support in low-resource settings.
A suburban clinic implemented an innovative approach to reduce behavioral health clinic wait times for adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment. The new process uses self-administered screening tools and diagnostic interviews to confirm diagnoses and offer treatment, resulting in improved care access and patient satisfaction.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found the 'lizard brain' is connected to newly evolved social cognitive network regions, which are involved in thinking about other people. This link helps shape the function of the social cognitive network by giving it access to the amygdala's role in processing emotionally important content.
Researchers will study online therapy's impact on cognitive health in older ICU survivors struggling with depression, a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to determine if internet-based CBT can slow subjective cognitive decline in this population.
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
A recent longitudinal study from the University of Toronto reveals that older adults with migraine are at a substantial increase in risk of depression during the pandemic. Increased family conflict, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and caregiving responsibilities were associated with higher risks of depression among this population.
A cross-sectional study found significant increases in postpartum depression diagnosis among all racial and ethnic groups and body mass index categories over the past decade. The persistently high rates underscore the need for preventative interventions to mitigate PPD's impact on maternal and child health.
A two-week arts intervention found to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being in adolescents with depression. The study suggests that engaging in the arts offers a pathway for exploring new ways of thinking, developing insights, and sparking self-discovery.
Research reveals a strong correlation between psychotic-like experiences and depressive symptoms in adolescents, highlighting the need for systematic surveying and consideration of individual factors. The study's findings suggest that brief cognitive psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms and improve mental health outcomes.
Researchers developed a novel model predicting mood episodes using only sleep-wake pattern data from wearable devices. The study found daily changes in circadian rhythm are key predictors of mood episodes, offering new possibilities for tracking individual changes to prevent future episodes.
A new study found that fampridine can improve working memory in individuals with reduced cognitive function, particularly those with low baseline working memory levels. The drug increased brain excitability and enabled faster processing of stimuli.
Researchers have developed a mindfulness therapy tailored to teenagers to combat increasing levels of depression and mental health problems. The ATTEND programme teaches participants to manage negative thought patterns and focus on the present moment, offering a family-centred approach to tackling depression.
Researchers discovered that NMDA receptors set the baseline level for neural network activity, helping maintain stable brain function. The study's findings suggest potential innovative treatments for diseases linked to disrupted neural stability.
A comprehensive review recommends computer-assisted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CCBT) and mobile mental health apps as a viable treatment option for depression and anxiety. Effective CCBT programs have been shown to reduce symptoms, while well-developed mobile apps can supplement in-person treatments.
Dr. Philip Gold's landmark paper reveals depression's full-body impact, documenting structural brain changes and disruptions in hormone systems. His analysis highlights interconnected mechanisms underlying the disease, opening new therapeutic possibilities for innovative treatments targeting neuroendocrine dysfunction.
A new professorship in suicide studies and prevention has been established at Goethe University Frankfurt, led by Dr. Ute Lewitzka. The goal is to develop effective preventive measures through systematic tracking and analysis of suicide attempts and suicides.
Research published in the Journal of American College Health reveals that LGBTQIA+ students experience alarmingly high rates of depression. The study, which analyzed data from 483,574 responses to the Healthy Minds Study, found that LGBTQIA+ students were three times more likely to report depression than their cisgender peers.
A study of over 4,000 participants found that those with both conditions showed faster memory impairment. The researchers suggest that the combination of joint pain and depressive symptoms can lead to an 'overlap' of information in the brain, causing cognitive decline.
Dr. Etienne Sibille's work develops novel therapeutics for cognitive deficits in depression and age-related disorders through Damona Pharmaceuticals, a biopharma company he co-founded.
A study from Emory University reveals that 56-62% of individuals treated for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression are eligible for psilocybin-assisted therapy, which could benefit around 5.1-5.6 million people in the US. The treatment has potential to reduce symptoms of depression with a single dose of 25 mg of ...
A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024 found that heart attack survivors experience significant fear and anxiety about having another heart attack. The fear can be triggered by various factors, including new health information and lack of follow-up care. The study highlights the need for e...
A study found that seniors vulnerable to emotional contagion are 8.5-10 times more likely to experience anxiety or anxious depression than less vulnerable individuals. Researchers analyzed data from 170 adults aged 55+, exploring the relationship between emotional contagion and psychological distress.
A new study published in JMIR Publications reveals a gamified mobile app can reduce depressive symptoms by disrupting ruminative thinking. The app's effectiveness was demonstrated in an 8-week randomized controlled trial, with positive effects still evident up to 4 weeks after the study ended.
A new study found that beta blockers, commonly used to treat heart attack patients with normal pumping function, may lead to increased depression symptoms. Researchers observed more severe depression symptoms in patients who received beta blockers compared to those who did not.
A pooled data analysis of 35 studies found that exercise-only interventions reduced the severity of depression and anxiety after giving birth, with a significant reduction in postpartum depression risk. The minimum threshold for achieving effects was at least 80 weekly minutes of moderate intensity exercise.
A recent study found that 85% of veterans who used psychedelics reported benefiting from the experience, with many seeking mental health care or returning to VA services. The survey also identified factors that lower the likelihood of negative outcomes, such as being older and using psilocybin.
A new study suggests that immune system imbalances may trigger and sustain depressive symptoms, particularly in high-risk groups. The review challenges traditional neurotransmitter-focused theories and offers insights into the complex interactions between inflammation and depressive symptoms.
A national-level survey of 1,226 Japanese physicians found that new overtime restrictions led to improved sleep duration, alertness, and reduced burnout. The study supports the use of standardized tests like the PVT-B to objectively assess alertness and mental health.
Treating people with major depressive disorder in low-income countries can improve both physical health and household members' depression symptoms. Researchers found a program that built on HIV care infrastructure showed significant improvements in participants and their households.
Researchers tested a model of depression care in Malawi using the country's existing HIV delivery system, involving clinical officers and community personnel. The intervention showed improvements not only in depression but also in other chronic health conditions and household members' wellbeing.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found a significant association between genetic predisposition and sexual trauma with increased risk for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The research highlights the importance of considering social and environmental factors in human genetics studies.
A new study reveals that couples living with rheumatoid arthritis who engage in joint problem-solving and emotional support experience lower depression and anxiety. The research highlights the importance of dyadic coping in improving relationship quality and patient well-being.
A comprehensive review of global evidence highlights the devastating effects of family violence on mental and physical well-being. The study, involving over 3 million individuals, reveals a strong connection between family violence and various adverse health outcomes.
A magnetic field applied to both sides of the brain has been shown to rapidly treat depression in patients who have not responded to standard treatments. The therapy, known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), targets two areas of the brain implicated in depression and corrects imbalances in key processes.