Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
A UBCO study found that psychedelic microdosing significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults. The study, which followed over 8,500 participants from 75 countries, suggests that microdosing can be a valuable tool for mental health treatment.
Research led by Durham University found former pro rugby players more likely to show signs of depression, anxiety, and irritability after retirement. Players with multiple concussions were almost twice as likely to report these symptoms.
Scientists have determined the near-atomic-scale structure of GPR158, a brain-cell receptor linked to depression and anxiety. The study offers insights into how to block this receptor as a strategy for treating major depressive disorder.
Children of depressed parents are more likely to develop depression and poor academic performance, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The study found that both maternal and paternal depression have significant effects on children's mental health and educational outcomes.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that gay and bisexual men who move from high-stigma to low-stigma countries experience a significantly lower risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The research analyzed data from over 123,000 participants across 48 countries.
A 13-year study tracked the mental health of new doctors during their most stressful time, showing a significant reduction in depression scores over the past decade. The study suggests that reduced work hours, increased sleep, more feedback from supervisors, and greater use of mental health care contributed to this change.
A new study reveals that female physician-parents were more likely to experience disruption to their home and work lives, and suffered from higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to male counterparts. The study also found that motherhood contributed to a significant increase in depression symptoms over time.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a new target for rapid antidepressant drugs using ketamine's role in synaptic effects. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for approximately half of patients whose current antidepressants are ineffective, significantly reducing the risk of suicide.
Researchers found a significant rise in Instagram posts with hashtags related to self-injury, with nearly 110,000 posts in December compared to 58,000 at the start of 2018. The study also showed a connection between self-injury and depression, as well as suicide, highlighting the need for effective coping strategies and online monitoring.
Researchers found a link between the width of growth marks on baby teeth and exposure to early-life adversity, including maternal stress and anxiety. The study's results could lead to the development of a tool to identify children at risk for mental health disorders, allowing for preventive treatments.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that over half of surveyed healthcare workers reported PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of previous SARS experience. Healthcare workers with prior SARS experience showed lower scores of PTSD and depression, but this effect disappeared after correcting for other factors.
A new Rutgers study finds that mindfulness therapy through mobile app Mindfulness Coach reduces symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression in caregivers. The study suggests that mHealth interventions can positively impact future mental health treatment options for patients.
The MC3 program provides a lifeline for primary care providers in Michigan, connecting them with psychiatrists and behavioral specialists for consultation and training. This has led to improved diagnosis and care for young people with mental health concerns, including those who express suicidal thoughts or have harmed themselves.
Researchers found that nearly 75% of pregnant women with stretch marks reported moderate to prominent embarrassment, which impacted their social activities, self-esteem, and clothing choices. The study highlights the need for open discussions about stretch marks to normalize them and identify potential mental health issues.
A study led by University of Gothenburg researchers found that both moderate and strenuous exercise significantly alleviate symptoms of anxiety in patients with the disorder. Exercise intensity was also found to impact improvement, with higher intensity exercising resulting in greater symptom reduction.
A study found that people who continued to spend a high amount of time sitting between April and June 2020 were likely to have higher symptoms of depression. Despite seeing improvements in mental health over time, participants whose sitting times stayed high did not recover from depressive symptoms in the same way as others.
A new study reveals that genetic predisposition for depression combined with exposure to high-particulate-matter air pollution greatly elevates the risk of depression. The study found that the combination of genes and air pollution has a multiplier effect on the risk of depression, suggesting potentially widespread brain effects.
A study published in Translational Psychiatry found that patients with high expectations of SSRI treatment showed a four times higher improvement rate compared to those with low expectations. The effect was attributed to the influence of dopamine on the brain's reward pathways.
A five-year study from Columbia University found that a single dose of ketamine improved thinking and reasoning, independent of depressive symptoms, making those in suicidal crisis less likely to harm themselves. The study also showed greater cognitive improvements in those given ketamine compared to midazolam.
Researchers found cannabis use disorders among pregnant patients had sharply higher levels of depression, anxiety, and nausea, warranting clinical concern. The study's findings underscore the need for further exploration of the disorder and its links to psychiatric and medical conditions.
Researchers assessed short- and long-term effects of stress on rodent models to better understand the brain's response. The study's findings aim to develop targeted treatments for anxiety disorders and PTSD.
New research highlights the importance of social support during pregnancy, finding that women with low levels of emotional or affectionate support are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. The study suggests that screening for social support and providing community-based services may help improve health outcomes.
Research reveals brief DBS exposure triggers significant brain state changes and sustained antidepressant response. A decrease in beta power is identified as a novel biomarker for DBS treatment optimization.
A five-year follow-up study found that alexithymia levels decrease significantly from adolescence to young adulthood. Consistency of alexithymia is associated with symptoms of depression and dissociation, while age-related decline in externally oriented thinking is also notable.
A large-scale review of 65 studies found that mental health symptoms were comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020, with larger rises for depressive symptoms. Researchers suggest an acute response to the pandemic followed by psychological adaptation and resilience.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that robotic pet cats improved mood scores and cognitive function in adults with mild to moderate dementia. The intervention involved 12 visits with the robotic cat, where participants interacted with it and reported positive emotions.
A new study published in Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found that playing high school football is not associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation or depression in young adulthood. In contrast, mental health difficulties in adolescence were strongly related to suicidality in young adulthood.
A survey study found that nearly 1 in 18 US nurses (5.5%) considered suicide within the past year, with burnout and depression symptoms being independent risk factors for suicidal ideation.
A new study published in EClinical Medicine found that a person's existing medical conditions can significantly impact which antidepressant works best for them. The data-driven website allows patients to share their medical history and receive personalized recommendations for antidepressants.
A national survey of over 7,000 US nurses found that they experience suicidal ideation at a rate nearly 1% higher than the general workforce, with 40% screening positive for depression and 33% exhibiting burnout symptoms. The findings highlight the need for urgent attention and system-based interventions to address nurse well-being
Researchers investigated whether continued magnetic seizure therapy (MST) could effectively prevent the relapse of treatment-resistant depression. The study found that MST was associated with a lower relapse rate compared to earlier research assessing one-time, acute MST.
A Michigan Medicine study found that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are associated with significantly higher rates of first-time cesarean deliveries among low-risk pregnant women. The study suggests that identifying and treating these disorders in pregnant women may help reduce the risk of cesarean section deliveries.
A study published in Psycho-Oncology found that breast cancer patients with low resilience are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poor health-related quality of life during chemotherapy. Patients with high resilience, on the other hand, were less likely to develop depression and reported better health outcomes.
The University of Ottawa has launched the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health (ICBH), a leading research center examining biological, social, economic, and cultural determinants of Black health. The ICBH aims to identify priorities in research on physical and mental health disparities among Canada's Black communities.
Researchers from Regenstrief Institute found that Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) scales for depression can accurately diagnose and track patient symptoms. The study showed similar accuracy to the widely adopted PHQ-9 scale, supporting PROMIS as a viable screening option.
Researchers found that patients with more severe depression histories showed less brain activity in areas processing emotions, while those who had remitted from depression showed a normal level of activity. This suggests that serious depression may change the way the brain responds to emotion over time, or that people with stronger emo...
Researchers found that mice have innate circuits for processing positive and negative stimuli in the amygdala brain region. The study suggests that an imbalance in these circuits may contribute to depression and other mental health issues.
A new study reveals that pain activates a specific region of the brain, which reduces dopamine activity and leads to decreased motivation. Artificially restoring dopamine neurons reverses this effect, suggesting potential treatments for pain-related emotional changes.
A new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Sussex suggests that children who increased their connection to nature during the pandemic had lower levels of behavioural and emotional problems. The study found that nearly two-thirds of parents reported a change in their child's connection to nature, wit...
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that pandemic-related grief and depressive symptoms are associated with lower levels of mother-infant bonding. Higher self-efficacy and social support were also linked to better bonding outcomes, while anxiety symptoms were not a significant factor.
A new study has found that worsening depression after diagnosis significantly reduces the survival of lung cancer patients. The trajectory of depressive symptoms was found to be a key factor in understanding how depression relates to premature death. Patients with worsening depression had shorter lifespans, even when receiving advanced...
A simple form of talking therapy, delivered by trained support workers over the telephone, reduced loneliness in older people left isolated during the pandemic. The intervention was found to improve mental health and reduce rates of loneliness substantially in the first three months.
Researchers identified a pattern that links the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins with a reduction of serotonin, which may help predict who will develop late-life depression. The study found that individuals expressing this pattern had more severe depressive symptoms.
Researchers from UvA's Centre for Urban Mental Health propose a new conceptual framework to understand the dynamic interplay between urban factors and mental health. The framework identifies key factors influencing urban environments and their impact on mental well-being, including air pollution, noise, and social cohesion.
A new study highlights the challenges faced by unpaid caregivers of chronically ill or disabled loved ones during the pandemic. The survey found that 60% of caregivers experienced at least one challenge related to accessing medical care for their loved ones, leading to increased stress, depression, and isolation.
Researchers investigated whether allergic diseases cause mental health conditions, finding little evidence of a causal relationship. The study used Mendelian Randomisation to identify genetic variants linked to allergies and mental health, but found no associations between the two.
Research finds that at-risk teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to be cyberbullied and experience heightened offline sexual activities. Targeted intervention strategies using algorithm-based approaches could help these teens navigate the Internet safely.
Researchers created a customized device that targets unique brain circuits associated with depression, providing immediate relief. The approach uses neural biomarkers to personalize therapy and has shown long-term efficacy in treatment-resistant patients.
Researchers found that psilocybin increased the emotional response to music by around 60% compared to ketanserin. The study implies that music should be an active component of psilocybin therapy for treating depression and other mental health conditions.
A pilot study found that depressed COVID patients responded well to SSRIs, with 91% showing improvement within 4 weeks. The study suggests post-COVID depression is treatable and may benefit from antidepressant treatment.
A survey of over 50,000 people found that around 11% experience abdominal pain when eating, with symptoms also affecting mental health and daily life. The study highlights the need for meal-related symptoms to be considered in diagnosis and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Researchers found that depressed adolescents' brains reduce activity in brain areas related to visual processing when shown distressing images. Antidepressant treatment restored brain activity to healthy levels, suggesting a potential vulnerability in adolescent brains.
A multi-national survey of nearly 6,000 people found that gas-related symptoms are a common experience for most adults, with almost eight out of ten reporting symptoms in the previous 24 hours. The study also showed that these symptoms can have a significant impact on quality of life and mental health, particularly among younger people.
Researchers analyzed idle thoughts for 10 minutes to capture patterns of thinking, revealing a link between ruminative thinking and depression. Participants who scored high on a rumination questionnaire experienced negative thoughts that lasted longer than positive thoughts.
Researchers at UIC will evaluate the effectiveness of integrated behavioral health care coordination on mental health outcomes for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study aims to identify better care coordination models to reduce barriers to access to behavioral health care for this vulnerable population.
A study of over 29,000 American women found that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of postpartum depression. Women who breastfed for longer periods had lower rates of postpartum depression, with those breastfeeding for 6-12 months showing the greatest reduction.
A new study co-led by UCL researchers found that people with higher pre-pandemic levels of depression or anxiety were more severely affected by job and healthcare disruptions during the pandemic. Those with severe symptoms experienced a much greater likelihood of disruptions to jobs, income, and healthcare.
A new study by UCL researchers has found that staying on long-term antidepressants reduces the risk of relapse by 39% compared to those who stop taking them. The study involved 478 primary care patients and found that 56% experienced a relapse within a year if they discontinued their medication, while only 26% did so after a full year.
Problem-solving therapy led to short-term changes in the amygdala, a key region for emotion regulation, in individuals with comorbid depression and obesity. The study suggests that neural target changes at two months predicted improved behavioral outcomes after 12 months.
A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that older women are more likely to report depressive symptoms than men. The study, which tracked data from over 50,000 people between the ages of 45 and 85, suggests that late life is associated with increased depression rates, particularly among females.