Research on depression and its treatment. Covers stress-response biology, ketamine and dopamine-targeting therapies, treatment-resistant cases, and brain mechanisms.
Researchers found that better physical functioning is associated with remission of general anxiety and PTSD symptoms in critically ill patients. The study suggests that clinicians should check for a full range of mental and physical phenomena to care for critical illness survivors.
The study found that major depression was highly prevalent in adolescents, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 11%, and females had twice the rates of males. The majority of adolescents with MDD demonstrated severe role impairment and substantial comorbidity with other mental conditions.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found individuals with depressed mood experience 12% memory deficit when exposed to depressive thoughts. The study suggests therapeutic approaches teaching cognitive inhibition may be effective in treating depression-related cognitive deficits.
Researchers found that less than half of UK prescriptions for antipsychotics were issued for main licensed conditions, with many prescribed to older adults for anxiety and dementia. This misuse increases the risk of side effects in this age group.
A study of 414 people with severe dementia and their carers found that depression was more prevalent in community-dwelling individuals (37%) compared to those in care homes (23%). The research suggests that better support for carers could help identify and cope with depressive symptoms in dementia patients.
A study by City College of New York psychology Professor Irvin Schonfeld found a strong connection between burnout and depression in school teachers. 90% of the subjects identified as burned out met diagnostic criteria for depression, highlighting the overlap between the two conditions.
A pilot study found that two-thirds of patients with treatment-resistant clinical depression experienced an improvement in symptoms after receiving nitrous oxide, compared to one-third who improved with a placebo. The researchers are encouraged by the results and plan to replicate the study and test various concentrations of laughing gas.
A new study found that low-crime, walkable neighborhoods reduce severe depressive symptoms in older Latino adults. The 12-month and 24-month follow-up results showed a significant reduction in depression among participants living in safer neighborhoods.
Researchers found a link between vitamin D and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), suggesting vitamin D may play a regulatory role in SAD development. Vitamin D levels fluctuate seasonally with sunlight availability, which correlates with the onset of SAD symptoms.
A recent study by Lund University found that group mindfulness treatment is as effective as individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating depression and anxiety. The study included 215 patients and showed significant reductions in symptoms of both conditions, regardless of the treatment approach.
A UT Arlington researcher has won a $200,000 grant to screen Hispanic patients for depression and provide education on the disease and its treatment options. The project aims to dispel myths and reduce stigma associated with mental health care among Hispanics.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 trials found that treatment for obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or mandibular advancement devices (MADs) can lead to modest improvements in depressive symptoms. The benefits were more pronounced in those with higher baseline depression scores.
A study by the American Sociological Association finds that job authority increases symptoms of depression among women due to interpersonal tension and negative stereotypes. In contrast, having job authority decreases symptoms of depression among men, as they are viewed as strong leaders with consistent status beliefs.
Researchers found that antidepressant Citalopram restored connections between brain cells, reversing depressive-like behaviors and improved mood. The treatment focused on the nucleus accumbens region, regulating reward and motivation, and showed promise in addressing postpartum depression symptoms.
A new study by University of Illinois psychologist Karen D. Rudolph found that early puberty triggers psychological, social-behavioral and interpersonal difficulties that predict elevated levels of depression in both boys and girls. Early maturation was particularly detrimental to girls, who experience immediate psychological and envir...
A brief coping strategies therapy significantly improves dementia carers' mental health and quality of life, reducing depression and anxiety by 7 times. The START programme is a cost-neutral intervention that can be widely available to support family carers.
A study by Indiana University researchers found nearly 60% of Latino adolescents experienced depression, with those having moderate acculturative stress being 10 times more likely to have depression. A yearlong program boosting self-mastery and resiliency is being developed to address this issue.
A special issue of Medical Care reports on the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for US military veterans and active duty personnel. The studies suggest that CAM therapies are moderately effective in reducing symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
A study found that preschoolers with depression had a smaller right anterior insula, which predicts future bouts of depression. Excessive guilt in preschool years is also linked to brain changes and increased risk of recurrent depression.
Researchers have developed a new method using virtual reality to improve self-compassion in individuals, particularly those with high levels of self-criticism. The study found that women who experienced a first-person perspective through the eyes of a virtual child showed increased feelings of contentment and reduced self-criticism.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants to 15 scientists conducting innovative projects in neurobiological and behavioral research. The grants are valued at $1.5 million and aim to understand and treat psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
A recent survey found that nearly two-thirds of employees who have been diagnosed with depression reported challenges related to thinking on the job, resulting in reduced productivity. The Right Direction initiative aims to increase awareness of depression in the workplace and provide resources for employers to support their employees.
A recent study published in Nature found that a specific brain protein called beta-catenin influences how the brain manages stress and depression. The research suggests that activating this protein may provide a new model of treating depression by bolstering resilience against stress.
This special issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry provides an overview of recent advances in understanding and treating bipolar disorder. Key findings include the role of white matter disease, stress and HPA axis function, effectiveness of lithium, stimulants for depression, functional remediation, and issues in network meta-analysis.
A new transdiagnostic psychotherapy approach, CETA, has been found to be effective in reducing depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Burmese trauma survivors living in Thailand. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms over an average of 3 months.
A new study found that anxiety symptoms in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increase the risk of a faster decline in cognitive functions and accelerate brain damage, independent of depression. MCI patients with moderate or severe anxiety had a 33%, 78%, and 135% increased risk of Alzheimer's, respectively.
A study by home health care nurses found that Depression Care for Patients at Home (Depression CAREPATH) had no effect on the full sample of patients, but showed benefits among those with moderate to severe depression. The intervention improved depression scores in patients with a score of 10 or greater, particularly at three months.
Older adults at risk of delirium following surgery due to preoperative pain and depressive symptoms. The study found a significant interaction between pain and depressive symptoms, increasing delirium risk by two-fold.
Researchers found a correlation between depression and certain acoustic properties in patients' speech, including breathier tone and increased jitter and shimmer. A phone app could use this information to analyze patients' speech and provide feedback and support.
Patients with mild depressive symptoms post-surgery experience weaker functional capacity for up to five years. Enhanced psychosocial support may improve recovery in patients with this condition.
Researchers found changes in metabolic activity of key brain region after successful treatment with psychodynamic therapy. Patients who completed therapy had a greater than 50 percent reduction in depression symptoms.
Conflicts at home and school often occur together, with family problems increasing the likelihood of school issues, while school problems can also lead to conflicts at home. The study found that negative mood and psychological symptoms play a key role in this spillover process.
A randomized clinical trial found that exposure therapy significantly reduced prolonged grief disorder (PGD) symptoms, compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alone. The study suggests that accessing and processing emotions related to the loss can lead to optimal gains in PGD patients.
A mathematical model, a finite state machine (FSM), calculates disease states in patients with depression. The model distinguishes between high-risk and low-risk patient groups, providing insight into the recurrence rates of depression.
Research suggests that internalized weight bias negatively affects bariatric surgery outcomes, leading to decreased weight loss success. Patients with lower internalized weight bias experience greater weight loss success after surgery.
A large-scale study has found that combining anti-inflammatory medications with antidepressants can have a positive impact on treating depression. The analysis confirms a correlation between inflammation and depression, suggesting that personalized treatment options may be possible.
Research finds that individuals with a history of depression and hostile marital relationships experience reduced calorie burn and higher insulin levels after consuming high-fat meals, leading to potential weight gain and metabolic syndrome. The study highlights the importance of treating mood disorders in preventing obesity.
Middle-aged adults with depression tend to evaluate their past and current lives negatively, yet they also believe in a brighter future. Research suggests that this optimistic belief may not lead to better outcomes for these individuals.
The study found that mental health problems differ among various subgroups of Hispanics and Latinos, highlighting the need for tailored mental health services. Depression affected 27% of the population, while antidepressant use was relatively low, especially among uninsured individuals.
In a National Institutes of Health trial, ketamine restored loss of interest in pleasurable activities within 40 minutes, with the effect lasting up to 14 days. Brain scans showed boosted activity in areas linked to motivation and reward-seeking behavior, independent of other antidepressant effects.
Research reveals that increasing fatty fish intake boosts antidepressant response rates in non-responders. Patients who ate more fatty fish had a 75% chance of responding to antidepressants, whereas those who never ate it had only a 23% chance.
According to research presented at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2014, nearly one quarter of patients in the study were depressed and nearly a quarter had received treatment for depression. Women were more likely to develop anxiety and depression after a heart attack compared to men, with current smokers also showing higher levels of anxiety.
More frequent physical activity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms across various age groups, while less frequent activity increased symptoms. The study used data from over 11,000 participants and found a significant correlation between increased physical activity and lower levels of depression.
Research published in JAMA Psychiatry found that leisure time physical activity reduces depressive symptoms and risk of depression, with a protective effect across the entire population.
Researchers found no link between levels of physical activity at age 14 and depressive outcomes at age 17. The study suggests that any potential benefits of exercise on mood may be small or nonexistent during adolescence. This finding has important public policy implications, highlighting the need for alternative preventive measures.
Grand Challenges Canada announces funding for 11 innovative projects addressing critical challenges in low-resource settings. The projects aim to integrate screening and services into primary healthcare, improve medication supply, and develop IT technologies to increase access to care.
Research reveals teenage girls are exposed to more interpersonal dependent stressors, which contribute to higher levels of rumination and negative cognitive style. This increased exposure maintains a higher risk for depression over time, especially in girls who experience similar stressors as boys.
A new study found that IBS patients process pain signals from the gut abnormally, with depressed patients showing reduced central pain inhibition. Depression may contribute to the development or maintenance of disturbed pain processing in IBS.
A randomized study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreased the incidence of interferon-alpha-induced depression in patients with hepatitis C. The treatment also delayed the onset of depression and was well-tolerated without serious side effects.
A study by San Diego State University professor Jean M. Twenge found that Americans now report more psychosomatic symptoms of depression than their counterparts in the 1980s. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, concentration difficulties, memory problems, feeling overwhelmed, restless sleep, poor appetite, and lack of motivation.
A new study reveals TMS treatment normalizes hyperconnectivity in the DMN, while leaving CEN connectivity unaffected. The treatment may act by selectively regulating network-level connectivity.
Researchers found that using brief depression symptom measures in primary care settings can lead to unnecessary antidepressant prescriptions. The study suggests that these questionnaires may not be diagnostic and can cause false positives, resulting in over-treatment.
The Archstone Foundation's Depression in Late Life Initiative aims to improve depression care for older adults through collaboration among primary care clinics, family members, friends, and community-based organizations. Depression affects 2-5% of older adults in the community and 50% in nursing homes.
A clinical trial found that a targeted treatment for complicated grief in older individuals was more effective than traditional depression therapy, with 70.5% symptom improvement compared to 32%. The new approach resolved grief complications and facilitated natural mourning, offering hope for millions of people affected by this debilit...
A large-scale study has found that group nature walks are linked with lower depression, less perceived stress, and enhanced mental health. Regular participants in the Walking for Health program experienced a mood boost after outdoor group walks, especially those who had recently experienced stressful life events.
A low-cost intervention educating teens about the malleability of personality traits may prevent increases in depressive symptoms. The study found that students who learned about personality change showed no increase in depressive symptoms, even if bullied.
Scientists have identified a control mechanism for the brain's processing of disappointment, which may be a key to treating depression. In experiments with rodents, researchers found that a small region above the thalamus secretes both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, allowing for a more subtle control of signaling.
A study of 307 patients with treatment-resistant MDD found that NeuroStar TMS Therapy induced significant response and remission, which were maintained through 52 weeks. At one year, 68% achieved symptomatic improvement and 45% reported complete remission.
A new blood test identifies 9 RNA markers tied to depression, predicting who will benefit from therapy and providing the first objective, scientific diagnosis. The test also shows biological effects of cognitive behavioral therapy, offering personalized medicine approach to people suffering from depression.
Researchers at Rockefeller University identified the molecular mechanisms of the stress gap in mice with similar genetic backgrounds. The findings suggest potential new markers for stress-related disorders and a promising route to developing new treatments.