Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
Researchers developed a machine learning method to accurately diagnose patients with mixed symptoms, revealing that depression plays a greater role in psychosis than thought. The study highlights the need for better treatments and more accurate diagnostic methods.
A sequential approach to treating comorbid PTSD and major depressive disorder has shown promising results in a randomized control trial. The study found that combining Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Behavioral Activation Therapy (BA) led to meaningful reductions in PTSD and depression severity.
A new study found a reduced number of astrocytes in the brains of depressed adults compared to non-depressed individuals. The study suggests that targeting these cells may lead to improved treatment options for depression.
Researchers analyzed 94 million tweets to detect early signs of depression and suicidal thoughts during the pandemic. The study found a significant jump in depression levels at the start of the outbreak and a notable increase in users' social media time during lockdowns.
A new study examining sleep deprivation and frailty reveals that short sleep intensifies the impacts of frailty on depressive symptoms. Frail older adults who experienced worsening frailty and short sleep were more likely to develop higher levels of depression.
People with combined vision and hearing loss are nearly four times more likely to experience depression, while those with both issues suffer chronic anxiety. Researchers found a significant link between sensory loss and mental health problems in a study of over 23,000 adults.
A recent study found that minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties, significantly improved depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression and low-grade peripheral inflammation. The trial showed that patients with higher C-reactive protein levels responded better to minocycline treatment.
Research suggests that immune cells in the brain, microglia, contribute to negative mood experienced during inflammation and neurological diseases. Activating these cells can elicit a negative affective state in mice, highlighting their potential link to depression.
New research from McMaster University found that treating mothers with postpartum depression with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) results in healthy changes in the brains of their babies. The study also showed that these changes lead to improved infant behavior and reduced risk of emotional problems later in life.
A new study by Lund University researchers found that half of young people treated for severe obesity have neuropsychiatric problems, with two-thirds experiencing mental health issues. The study also revealed that symptoms of ADHD and autism are often misdiagnosed in teenagers with severe obesity.
Men's psychological well-being declined more than women during the second wave of the pandemic, with a significant drop in scores on the WHO-5 well-being index. The study suggests that uncertainty related to employment may play a role in this gender difference.
Scientists at UCSF have developed a personalized neuromodulation approach that targets individual patients' distinctive symptoms, providing relief from severe depression within minutes. The approach uses stereo-EEG to map brain regions and identify optimal stimulation sites.
Researchers developed a test to distinguish between forms of BDNF proteins, which can predict depression and bipolar disorder. The test uses serum mBDNF levels as a biomarker for diagnosis.
A study by Kayla Follmer and Jake Follmer found that low-grade forms of workplace mistreatment can amplify suicidal thoughts in employees with depression or bipolar disorder. The researchers surveyed 279 American adults and discovered that perceived mistreatment, job engagement, and suicidal ideation are linked.
Researchers found that persistently high insulin levels from mid-childhood are linked with a higher chance of developing psychosis in adulthood. In contrast, an increase in BMI around puberty was linked with a higher chance of depression in adulthood, particularly in girls.
Researchers found that certain metabolites can predict which patients are most likely to relapse into major depressive disorder. The study identified six metabolic pathways and specific lipids associated with the condition, suggesting a new approach for predicting vulnerability to depression recurrence.
A systematic review of 136 randomised controlled trials found that mindfulness reduces anxiety, depression and stress in most community settings, but with no significant benefit in over one in 20 trials. The findings suggest that individual results may vary depending on factors such as implementation, setting and target group.
Researchers combined psychiatric assessments with machine learning models to predict mental illness, improving disease course prediction and intervention timing. The algorithm assists decision-making and provides recommendations for targeted interventions.
A new study found that religious individuals employ cognitive reappraisal and coping self-efficacy, two psychological strategies linked to reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. The research suggests a convergence between science and religion in promoting well-being and resilience.
A recent study found that MBCT reduces feelings of self-inadequacy and improves self-reassurance in patients with depression. Individuals who showed improvements in self-reassurance were less likely to experience depressive relapse within 2 years after the intervention.
A study conducted by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that repeated ketamine infusions significantly reduced symptom severity in individuals with chronic PTSD. The improvement was rapid and maintained for several weeks afterwards, suggesting this may be a promising treatment option for PTSD patients.
A new UC Berkeley study suggests that individuals with clinical anxiety and/or depression have difficulty making sound judgments when faced with changing circumstances. Emotionally resilient people, on the other hand, are better equipped to adapt to these changes by focusing on their past successes.
Researchers developed an AI that can detect the type of post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients, which is crucial for providing the right treatment. The study used a probabilistic artificial neural network to analyze data from 274 patients and found that early detection is key to improving functional recovery.
Researchers found a correlation between inflammatory molecules and depression severity, as well as a link between specific symptoms of menopause and depression. The study used data from the Dallas Heart Study to analyze the association between GlycA levels and depressive symptoms in adults.
A University of Gothenburg study reveals that male managers are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward depression, especially in senior positions. The research, which surveyed over 2,600 managers in Sweden, found that female managers had a significantly lower proportion of negative attitudes towards the mental disorder.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have made a breakthrough in treating post-stroke depression using high-frequency brain stimulation. The study found that large doses of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) significantly improved low moods by increasing brain activity.
A new national study by the University of Arkansas links increased social media use to developing depression in young adults. Young adults who used more than 300 minutes per day were 2.8 times as likely to become depressed within six months.
A review examines the bidirectional causal relationship between poverty and common mental illnesses, depression and anxiety. Interventions improving mental health or economic condition often positively affect those suffering from poverty or mental illness.
Depressed children and teenagers have a significantly higher risk of premature death, self-harm, and suffering from other diseases later in life. The study found that depression was associated with 66 out of 69 examined medical conditions, including sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a non-hallucinogenic version of the psychedelic drug ibogaine, which retains therapeutic properties without its serious side effects. The new molecule, TBG, has shown promising positive effects in animal models of depression and addiction.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found a significant increase in depression symptoms among children during the first UK lockdown. The study, which followed 168 children over time, showed that even small increases in emotional problems and anxiety were observed.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze brain network data from people with major depressive disorder, identifying distinct patterns of coordinated brain activity. The new brain network signature achieved 70% accuracy in detecting major depression across different imaging protocols.
A study found that rap songs referencing mental health more than doubled between 1998 and 2018, a trend that could shape the conversation around mental health for young listeners. Most artists referenced love and environmental issues as stressors, using metaphors like 'pushed to the edge' or 'fighting my demons',
A new study led by the University of Ottawa found that chronic sleep disruption during adolescence can lead to depression in both males and females. Adolescent females were particularly vulnerable to stress hormone release and activation of stress-sensitive brain cells, suggesting a higher risk of mood disorder development.
A large long-term study found that women with PTSD and depression have an almost fourfold greater risk of early death from various causes than women without trauma exposure or depression. The study suggests that other factors, such as stress hormones, may account for the higher risk.
The Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI) is a new tool measuring work-attributed depressive symptoms. Researchers found that 7.6% of participants met criteria for job-ascribed depression, highlighting the need for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
A recent study found that over one-third of pregnant and postpartum women experienced clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. The researchers also discovered that those with pre-existing diagnoses were more likely to experience elevated psychiatric distress.
A national survey of over 1,000 young US adults finds alarming levels of loneliness associated with significant mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, substance use, and addiction. The study emphasizes the importance of providing access to psychological help and promoting social connectedness to address these problems.
Girls born extremely preterm are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than their full-term peers. Poor fetal growth and increasing gestational age exacerbate this risk, according to a nationwide Finnish registry study.
A longitudinal study of almost 85,000 people found that a combination of lifestyle interventions including optimal sleep and reduced screen time can help prevent depression. Additionally, healthy dietary patterns and physical activity were also associated with lower rates of depressed mood.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System are searching for biomarkers to predict the duration and severity of depression in adolescents. The goal is to identify teens who need more significant help with their depression, potentially leading to new treatments.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that postpartum care visits often fall short, with women receiving only 91.1% of recommended blood pressure screenings and just 8.7% depression screenings. The researchers analyzed data from over 20 million visits and identified room for improvement in the delivery of postpartum care.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that people with low aerobic and muscular fitness are nearly twice as likely to experience depression. The study also found a 60% greater chance of anxiety in individuals with low fitness levels over a seven-year follow-up.
A new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that loneliness is a leading cause of depression in older adults, with nearly one in five cases potentially preventable. The research, led by UCL researchers, suggests that subjective experiences of loneliness contribute to depression up to 12 years later.
A recent study suggests that formal 'green prescriptions' to spend time in nature for people with mental health conditions may actually undermine some of the benefits. Research found that visits were associated with emotional and wellbeing benefits when done by choice, but not when pressured by others.
The use of brain magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in treating depression, PTSD, and cognitive issues in military populations, but the effectiveness remains unclear. A review of nine clinical trials found mixed results, with some studies showing improvement while others found no benefit.
A small study of adults with major depression found that two doses of psilocybin, given with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid and large reductions in depressive symptoms. Most participants showed improvement and half achieved remission after a four-week follow-up.
A pan-European project recruits young people aged 16-22 to use an app designed to learn about emotions, develop resilience, and build well-being. The app's data helps researchers understand mood, emotion, and mental health in young people.
Researchers found significant variation in the effectiveness of collaborative care programs for depression in primary-care clinics. Clinics with more intensive implementation support and those that had several years of practice achieved better outcomes. Patients who are more severely depressed or have fewer resources may also have wors...
Residents in states with a Hillary Clinton majority experienced increased stress and depression following the 2016 general election, according to a UCSF-Duke study. The study found that Clinton's margin of victory was predictive of mental health change.
A randomized trial will evaluate a telehealth-delivered collaborative care model to motivate primary care patients with opioid dependence and depression to increase engagement in evidence-based treatments. The study aims to improve depression symptoms and provide pragmatic clinical approaches to address this unmet challenge.
A recent NIH study found that approximately 1 in 4 women experience high levels of depressive symptoms at some point in the three years post-childbirth. Women with underlying conditions like mood disorders and gestational diabetes are more likely to have persistent symptoms.
A new study suggests that targeting a single brain region called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) could lead to better outcomes for people with depression and anxiety. Over-activity in sgACC underlies several key symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, but an antidepressant only successfully treats some of the symptoms.
A new study reveals that sleep deprivation significantly impairs the ability to suppress unwanted and unpleasant thoughts. Participants who were sleep-deprived showed a nearly 50% increase in unwanted thoughts compared to those who had a good night's sleep.
A study published in Cambridge University Press found a significant link between symptoms of depression and perceived risk of COVID-19 infection among adults in Soweto. Those with childhood trauma or existing poverty were more likely to experience increased depressive symptoms.
Research by Imperial College London finds severe morning sickness increases the risk of depression during and after pregnancy, affecting nearly half of women with hyperemesis gravidarum.
An elderly population study from Sweden found a higher risk of suicide among women born outside the Nordic region with untreated depression. The study also highlighted gender differences in factors related to suicide, including the protective effect of marriage in men and social isolation in both genders.
Researchers found that teenagers diagnosed with depression show a significant decline in educational attainment, especially in GCSEs. Targeted support for children struggling with depression could benefit vulnerable groups, such as boys and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Researchers discovered a novel brain mechanism that links anxiety and depression, showing unique cellular mechanisms activate as one pathology progresses into another. The 'switch' involves astrocytes and cytoskeletal mechanisms, which may be targeted for new classes of psychotropic drugs.
Adults with depression who initiated newer antipsychotic medication showed a 45% increased mortality risk compared to those using a second antidepressant. The study suggests careful consideration of antipsychotic treatment for depression, as the benefits are modest and the risks substantial.