Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
A decision-support system improved depressive and anxiety symptoms, increased medication adherence, and reduced symptoms over time for patients with major depressive disorder. The system used clinical and demographic predictors to tailor treatment, resulting in better outcomes for patients compared to usual care.
Scientists employed targeted sound vibrations to influence brain behavior in a computer game, revealing robust effects on neurotransmitter levels and choice behavior. The technique may offer new treatments for conditions like depression and addiction, which involve disrupted brain regions.
Benzodiazepine use decreased across the US from 2018 to 2022, with the greatest decline among older adults. Nearly half of patients receiving benzodiazepines also took other central nervous system depressants, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
A study found distinct inflammatory biomarkers and brain signatures for early-stage depression and psychosis, differing even in the earliest stages. These findings support customized therapies and may reduce risk of severe progression.
A recent study published in CANCER found that adults with cancer who developed mental health conditions within the first year after diagnosis had a significantly higher likelihood of dying over the next few years. The analysis of data from University of California-affiliated hospitals revealed a 51% increased risk of death among those ...
A new study found that Black young adults experiencing high levels of online racism are more likely to use digital mental health tools. The research also showed that these individuals were more likely to engage in online mental health communication, regardless of their anxiety or depression symptoms.
Researchers found that a condensed brain stimulation therapy, known as '5x5' TMS, produced comparable results to the standard six-week course of treatment. Patients who showed little improvement immediately after finishing their five-day course still benefited significantly in the weeks that followed.
This cross-sectional study highlights critical gaps in accessible mental health services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The findings underscore the need for policy reforms to address systemic inequities and provide disability-informed care.
A cohort study found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic and bipolar conditions. The study's results inform the development of interventions and policies to prevent or delay adolescent cannabis use.
A study analyzing data from 44,000 adults found that those with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience substantially higher rates of anxiety and depression. The study also highlights significant healthcare treatment and access barriers facing this population.
Cohort study finds prenatal depression and gestational diabetes independently increase childhood obesity risk, while children exposed to both face the greatest risk, highlighting need for universal screening and targeted interventions.
A large cohort study found that air pollution exposure increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals who have experienced a stroke. The study suggests that improving air quality could be an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults.
China's youth faces a growing mental health crisis, but AI platforms like DeepSeek offer promising solutions to bridge the gap. These platforms leverage natural language processing and generative AI to provide round-the-clock support tailored to Chinese society.
Research finds that SSRIs during pregnancy increase gestational diabetes risk in newborns but lower preterm birth and low birth weight risks. SSRIs also associated with breathing problems and neonatal care needs in newborns.
Researchers found a pattern of gene activity associated with higher depression risk in women who experienced childhood abuse. This discovery may help explain individual differences in risk and provide biological markers for depression.
A study led by University College London found that academic pressure at age 15 is linked to higher depressive symptoms and self-harm in young people. The association persists into adulthood, with high levels of academic pressure at age 15 associated with increased risk of self-harm up to age 24.
Researchers found that patients with major depressive disorder share immune abnormalities with inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. The study suggests targeting the Th2 pathway and interleukin-4 receptor alpha as potential therapeutic strategies for psychiatric illness.
Experts like Amber Chandler suggest solutions such as no-tech public spaces, phone-free bedtimes, and hands-on problem-solving to help teenagers cope with unprecedented anxiety. Chandler's book offers evidence-based strategies to nurture belonging in a 'scared new world'.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed wearable trackers that can detect depression relapse weeks before it occurs, providing a potential early warning system. The study monitored 93 adults with a history of depression using a research-grade actigraphy device, collecting over 32,000 days of sleep and activity data.
A new study found that nearly one in five adults with tinnitus have had to reduce their working hours or leave employment due to the condition. The research also revealed that targeted interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can improve work productivity and overall wellbeing.
Exercise has a medium-sized effect on depression symptoms and a small to medium-sized effect on anxiety symptoms, with aerobic formats being the most effective for relieving depression. All forms of exercise are as good as or better than medication or talking therapies for easing symptoms, regardless of age or sex.
Researchers discovered that brief intermittent intense exercise is a more effective treatment for panic disorder than relaxation therapy. The 12-week program showed significant reductions in Panic and Agoraphobia Scale scores, anxiety, depression, and panic attack frequency and severity.
A new study highlights the clinical relevance of brain functional connectome uniqueness in identifying biomarkers for major depressive disorder. Researchers found that patients with MDD displayed reduced FC uniqueness, especially in frontoparietal and sensorimotor networks.
A large-scale Japanese cohort study and mouse experiments reveal that maternal perinatal depression increases autistic-related traits in toddlers, with a particularly strong impact on girls. The findings suggest a sex-specific neurobiological pathway underlying these effects.
A ketogenic diet was found to have a modest effect in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study's results suggest that this dietary approach may be worth exploring as an adjunct therapy option.
A cohort study found a disproportionate increase in postpartum depression among women and adolescents in low-socioeconomic status communities following state abortion bans. The legislation disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for targeted mental health support and policy interventions.
The FENS Forum 2026 will be Europe's largest neuroscience congress, covering areas of basic to translational research. Journalists can register for free and attend symposia and poster sessions.
Individuals who combine climate worry with actions such as volunteering, following a plant-based diet, or avoiding air travel experience fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms. Climate hope in society's ability to mitigate climate change also correlates with reduced mental health issues.
A new study found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance task engagement and activation of brain regions associated with executive function in individuals with comorbid anxiety and depression. However, it unexpectedly heightened sensitivity to threats, including increased eyeblink startle response under conditi...
Adverse experiences throughout life increase dementia and stroke risks, with depression as a mediating factor. Implementing life-course interventions addressing psychological trauma and mental health can reduce neurovascular disease burden.
A Swedish study of prematurely born adults found increased morbidity in physical and mental health, yet they reported a high quality of life. The study, which followed participants from birth to age 26-29, suggests that premature birth does not necessarily limit daily life.
A study by SWPS University researchers found that sedentary lifestyle in adolescents can negatively impact their parents' mental health, leading to symptoms of depression. The study also showed that teenagers spend more time sitting than their parents, highlighting the need for family-based health-promoting interventions.
A new study finds that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a cost-effective treatment option for moderate and severe forms of depression. TMS reduces depressive symptoms, eases pressures on informal carers, and helps people get back to work, recovering its costs over time through savings to the NHS.
Research by Université Laval found that physical exercise and living in favorable conditions reduce depression risk by maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity. Fgf2 protein plays a key role in this mechanism and may serve as a biomarker for mood disorders.
A recent survey study found a significant association between generative AI use and increased depressive symptoms in US adults. The magnitude of the effect varied by age group, suggesting that further research is needed to understand the causal relationship and underlying factors.
Research from the University of Warwick finds that teenage girls who manage their bodies through constant dieting and exercise face heightened risks of psychological health issues. By age 20, these young women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for a broader approach to mental health support.
A new medical large language model (LLM) achieved over 91% accuracy in identifying female participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder after analyzing short WhatsApp audio recordings. The LLMs showed greater accuracy when classifying women compared to men, particularly when given the 'describe your week' data.
A recent study by King's College London found that diagnosis rates for depression, asthma, and osteoporosis remained lower than expected after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from over 29 million people in England and found that diagnosis rates recovered differently across ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
The updated edition provides a comprehensive overview of major mental health conditions that emerge during adolescence, discussing treatment strategies and prevention methods. The book emphasizes the importance of addressing stigma, promoting evidence-based treatments, and integrating positive youth development into policy agendas.
A study of over 500 survivors found severe psychological trauma with somatic symptoms persisting decades after the attack. The results highlight the need for culturally sensitive mental health services, compensation, and ongoing care for chemical attack survivors.
Adults with asthma who experience depressive symptoms have elevated blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein typically reduced in major depressive disorder. Physical activity may also play a role in depression management, as lower activity levels are linked to worse moods.
Researchers from Korea University report a breakthrough in reviving an abandoned depression drug target by redesigning the molecular structure of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists. New compounds exhibiting antidepressant-like effects have been identified, reducing depressive-like behavior and brain inflammation in mice.
A nationwide study found that depression frequently precedes the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. The risk of depression rises steadily in the years leading up to diagnosis, peaking before diagnosis, and remains elevated for several years afterward.
A study found that a small, implanted vagus nerve stimulation device produced substantial and sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and daily function in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The device showed lasting benefits even after two years, with nearly one-third of participants who didn't respo...
Research found that prolonged heavy drinking induces neuroinflammation, promoting negative emotional states lasting for weeks into abstinence. Inhibiting proinflammatory microglia activation during alcohol exposure blocks the development of anxiety and fear memory.
Adolescents bullied or engaging in bullying face lasting mental, physical and social challenges. The study identified socioeconomic disadvantages, race, physical differences, and pre-existing health conditions as risk factors for bullying.
A Dartmouth study identifies a novel target for using psilocybin to treat depression and anxiety without hallucinations. The serotonin 1B receptor is found to promote the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, providing a potential new approach for developing safer and more cost-efficient medications.
A team from Chongqing Medical University developed a model that integrates sMRI and fMRI data to predict treatment responders, achieving high accuracy rates. The dual-branch graph attention network (DBGAN) captures coordinated brain changes linked to emotion regulation and memory processing.
A study of 168 second-time mothers found that those who breastfed were less likely to experience depression and anxiety 10 years after pregnancy. Each week of lifetime exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a 2% lower likelihood of reporting depression and anxiety, after accounting for influential factors.
Children with adverse prenatal exposures showed higher rates of behavior problems, faster cortical thinning, and more depressive symptoms than children with fewer APEs. Researchers found a persistent association between multiple APEs and increased odds of mental health problems as kids grew older.
A Cochrane review found that exercise can reduce depressive symptoms similarly to psychological therapy, with moderate-certainty evidence from ten trials. Long-term effects are unclear due to few studies following participants after treatment.
A cohort study found associations between exposure to multiple fine particulate matter components and increased depression risk among US Medicare population members. The study highlights the importance of targeted regulation to protect vulnerable populations from harmful air pollution.
Research found that older women with younger biological ages were more likely to experience increased depressive symptoms during the pandemic. The study suggests that this may be due to reduced social connections and daily routines, which can affect mental health.
A special issue of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America seeks to transform how clinicians, educators, and policymakers think about girls' mental health by focusing on systems that support or fail to support them. The issue explores intersectionality, trauma-informed approaches, and the impact of social media on bod...
Scientists at Salk Institute find protein CCN1, secreted by astrocytes, maintains stable neural circuits in adult brains. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics for brain injury and stroke.
A large international study of 220,947 participants found that concurrent physical frailty and depression significantly increase the risk of dementia. The interaction between these two factors contributes approximately 17% to the overall risk, while individual associations were found for frailty (2.5 times higher risk) and depression (...
A new study suggests that midlife depression is driven by a small cluster of specific symptoms, rather than depression overall. The six symptoms are loss of self-confidence, difficulty coping with problems, and poor concentration, which can lead to reduced social engagement and decreased cognitive reserve.
A subset of depressed individuals with chronic, low-grade inflammation may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study found that anti-inflammatory medications significantly reduced depressive symptom severity and anhedonia in these patients.
A new study reveals that 16% of teens exposed to both phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war experience PTSD symptoms, while over 10% experience severe depressive symptoms. The study highlights the need for immediate and sustained attention to support Ukrainian youth's mental health needs.
Teenagers who struggle with their bodies are at risk of developing eating disorders and depression in early adulthood, according to a new study. The research, which followed over 2,000 twins, found that body dissatisfaction at age 16 predicted greater symptoms of mental health issues well into the twenties.