Articles tagged with Depression
A twin study found that genes involved in satisfaction and positivity give protection against major depression, with a heritability of 34% for depression and 72% for overall life satisfaction. Environmental factors play a smaller role in protecting against depression than genetic factors.
Over three-quarters of people with depression report experiencing discrimination, which acts as a barrier to social life and employment. Despite this, nearly half of participants who anticipated discrimination found that their experiences did not confirm this.
A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that recent exposure to targeted rejection activates inflammatory signaling pathways and elevates pro-inflammatory signaling molecules. Participants with higher perceived social status showed a more pronounced effect, suggesting an adaptive response in top-tier individuals.
Researchers have discovered potential new targets for treating depression by modulating dopamine cells and the innate immune system in mice. Increasing activity of dopamine neurons produced depressed behavior, while inhibiting them eased symptoms.
A new study in rats shows that chronic stress during pregnancy prevents the formation of brain connections associated with learning, memory, and mood. The stressed rats' brains did not exhibit the same level of neural growth as unstressed mother rats, which had increased dendritic spines after giving birth.
Dr. Bowen Chung is conducting two studies to improve mental health care for troubled youths and adolescents, focusing on family therapy and resiliency classes. The first study will test the effectiveness of family-focused therapy in improving treatment outcomes for psychotic and bipolar adolescents.
A new study found that maternal depression treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors accelerates babies' language development, while untreated depression prolongs this period. Researchers measured changes in heart rate and eye movement to sounds and video images of native and non-native languages.
Current evidence suggests ketamine regenerates damaged brain cells, providing immediate relief from symptoms in treatment-resistant patients. Understanding its mechanism could lead to the development of a new class of antidepressants.
A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that gender-specific group therapy reduced depressive symptoms in women with Type 2 diabetes by half compared to usual care. The therapy program, SWEEP, taught participants how blood sugar affects emotions and helped them recognize stress signs.
A study by University of Leicester researchers found that discrimination from managers has the largest impact on anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion among mental health workers. Meanwhile, discrimination from patients' visitors causes more distress than from patients themselves.
A new study finds that humanitarian aid workers are at significant risk for mental health problems in the field and after returning home. The risk factors include a history of mental illness, weak social support, and continual exposure to a challenging work environment, rather than experiencing particular dangerous situations.
A study found that 40% of stroke patients were treated for depression without proper diagnosis. Researchers say clinicians are over-treating some patients and overlooking others due to lack of access to mental health care professionals. Screening for depression after all strokes could improve treatment outcomes.
A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with clinical depression struggle to differentiate between various negative emotions, including anger and frustration. In contrast, healthy individuals tend to identify specific emotions more accurately.
A new article suggests that prejudice can cause depression, with the connection between stereotypes about others and schemas of self being fundamentally similar. Depressed individuals may experience deprejudice, leading to societal, interpersonal, or intrapersonal depression.
A new training program targeting specific memory recall has been shown to alleviate symptoms of depression in adolescents. The study found that participants who received the intervention recalled more specific memories and showed fewer symptoms of depression compared to those in a control group.
A large-scale study found that children with migraine headaches are more likely to experience social and attention issues, as well as anxiety and depression. The study, published in the journal Cephalalgia, suggests that headache frequency is a key factor in these behavioral difficulties.
In 2011, Americans took a record 4.02 billion prescription drugs, with antidepressants and ADHD medicines showing notable increases in sales. The growth of prescriptions is attributed to the rising demand for CNS disorders medications.
A study by CWRU nurse researchers found that the physical, mental, emotional, and time-related cost of home caregiving saps caregivers' energy. Higher effort correlated with higher depressive symptoms in caregivers.
A new study finds that prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with increased maternal stress, depression, and anxiety. Healthy coping mechanisms and partner support are crucial for pregnant women to deal with the emotional impact.
Researchers found that a medication inhibiting inflammation showed promise in treating major depression, especially in individuals with high levels of inflammation. The study employed infliximab, an antibody blocking tumor necrosis factor, and demonstrated improved symptoms in subjects with elevated C-reactive protein levels.
A study found that spouses of people who suffer a sudden heart attack are at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, or suicide. Men were more susceptible to depression and suicide after their wife's survival or death from an acute myocardial infarction.
Researchers discovered that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) can increase the number of glial cells, supporting neurons and promoting proper neuronal function. This study presents a fundamental new mechanism for treating depression by targeting glial cell growth.
Studies investigate the connection between serotonin, BDNF, and TG2 in depression. High levels of TG2 may disrupt serotonin signaling, leading to depressive symptoms.
A Yale research team has identified a single genetic switch that triggers loss of brain connections and contributes to depression. The study found that the transcription factor GATA1 represses genes necessary for synaptic connection formation, disrupting circuits involved in emotion and cognition.
Pregnant women experiencing depression may benefit from mindfulness yoga, which can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve attachment to their babies. This study provides promising evidence that yoga could be an effective alternative to pharmaceutical treatment for pregnant women showing signs of depression.
A study found that adding creatine to antidepressant treatment significantly improved response rates, with twice as fast response times and higher remission rates compared to placebo. The supplement may provide a relatively inexpensive treatment option for women who haven't responded well to traditional antidepressants.
Researchers identified a brain signal that can predict which depressed patients will respond to ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant. The signal also holds clues to the agent's mechanism of action, which may lead to more personalized treatment.
A large international study found that moderate exercise helps ease depression in patients with chronic heart failure, while also reducing deaths and hospitalizations. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggests that exercise has a significant impact on both mental and physical health.
A novel intervention called Emotion Detectives Treatment Protocol (EDTP) has shown significant reductions in anxiety and depression severity after treatment. The program adapts age-appropriate techniques from adult and adolescent protocols to educate children about emotions, problem-solving skills, and behavior activation.
A study by the University of South Florida College of Nursing found that Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) substantially reduced PTSD symptoms, including depression and anxiety, after just one to four sessions. The therapy uses eye movements to process traumatic memories, resulting in a significant improvement in symptoms.
Researchers found a 58% positive response rate and 37% remission rate to TMS in patients with persistent symptoms despite antidepressant use. The study validated the effectiveness of TMS as an alternative treatment option for depression.
A new study suggests that chronic exposure to artificial light at night can lead to depressive symptoms in rodents, which can be reversed by returning to a standard light-dark cycle. The study found that blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor, a protein involved in depression, prevented the development of depressive-like symptoms.
A meta-analysis of 10 studies found that cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacologic interventions decrease depressive symptoms in cancer patients. The study also identified effective interventions for different stages of cancer and cultural subpopulations.
A University of Michigan study reveals that spouses of severe sepsis patients are nearly four times more likely to experience substantial depressive symptoms. Greater mental health screenings may be necessary for these individuals to support their loved ones' rehabilitation and decision-making.
The NYC trans fat ban resulted in a significant reduction of trans fat consumption among fast food patrons, with a notable decrease in saturated fat intake. Young women who have never been pregnant are also at risk for urinary incontinence, affecting up to 12.6% of those surveyed. Prophylactic antidepressant therapy may help prevent tr...
A new treatment protocol, Emotion Detectives Treatment Protocol (EDTP), shows significant reduction in anxiety and depression severity after treatment. The program delivers education about emotions, strategies for evaluating situations, problem solving skills, behavior activation, and parent training.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a novel molecular mechanism responsible for anhedonia, the loss of pleasure in major depression. The study's findings suggest that targeting a hormone known to affect appetite may be a promising approach to treating depression.
Bill C-31 could have serious negative impacts on the mental health of refugees, with proposals to separate children from their parents and delay family reunification. Detention reviews will not occur for six months after initial two-week review, potentially exacerbating depression and anxiety in vulnerable individuals.
A hormone with anti-diabetic properties called adiponectin has been shown to reduce depressive-like symptoms in stressed mice. Administering adiponectin produced antidepressant-like effects, especially in mice with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A Wisconsin University study surveyed 190 students and found no significant association between social media use and depression. Researchers advise parents to consider their child's overall life context, not just their online behavior.
Chronic pain patients with depression are more likely to misuse opioids, and primary care physicians should take a leading role in setting opioid prescribing standards. Safer alternatives like physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective treatments for chronic pain.
Researchers found that childhood adversity increases the risk of depression and chronic inflammation, which can persist even after depression resolves. Individuals who experienced early childhood trauma have a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers found that viewing media coverage of terrorist attacks increased pain levels and sensory component of pain in people already suffering from chronic pain. Stress and media exposure were also strongly related.
A new study found that treating vitamin D deficiency improved symptoms of depression in women, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions. The study involved three women who received oral vitamin D replacement therapy and showed significant improvement in their depression scores after treatment.
A joint research project between Aarhus University and the Danish Cancer Society shows that mindfulness-based psychological therapy helps reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Mindfulness teaches patients to be more conscious of life as it happens, reducing negative thoughts and worries.
The US Army has implemented a behavioral health screening program in primary care, resulting in improved PTSD outcomes. The program, RESPECT-Mil, has doubled the number of patients experiencing clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptom severity scores over eight weeks.
A Northwestern University study found that phone therapy retains more patients and improves depression outcomes compared to face-to-face sessions. The randomized control trial included 325 primary care patients with major depressive disorder and showed that phone therapy reduced dropout rates by 12 percentage points.
Researchers found a strong link between post-stroke depression and brain network impairment, specifically in the default-mode network (DMN), which is involved in emotional regulation. The study suggests that functional brain impairment may be more critical than structural lesions in predicting depression severity.
A study compared the effectiveness of face-to-face and telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating depression in primary care patients. The results found that telephone CBT had lower rates of discontinuing treatment, but was less effective at reducing depressive symptoms in the long term.
Researchers found that people with depression have impaired brain connectivity between regions associated with guilt and knowledge of socially acceptable behavior. This 'decoupling' occurs when individuals feel guilty or blame themselves, but not when they're angry or blaming others.
A five-year study of nearly 200 youths found that treating adolescents for major depression can also reduce their chances of abusing drugs later on. The study, led by John Curry at Duke University, found that only 10% of those who responded to treatment within 12 weeks later abused drugs, compared to 25% of those who did not respond.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry confirms ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in patients with bipolar disorder. Ketamine was found to significantly reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts within hours of administration.
Research at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre reveals that high-fat diets can cause chemical reactions in the brain similar to illicit drugs, leading to depression. Mice studies show signs of anxiety and depression after a higher-fat diet, with altered brain chemistry and hormone levels.
Researchers have discovered a way to identify genetic variants linked to postnatal depression, paving the way for a simple blood test. Women with specific genetic markers are more likely to develop postnatal depression, which can have significant effects on their mental health and children's development.
A study by Marc Berman found that nature walks improved memory performance after a walk in nature, compared to an urban environment. Participants showed a 16 percent increase in attention and working memory, but no significant improvement in depressive mood.
A new article by UCSF researchers outlines a 10-year plan to fight depression, emphasizing the need for routine access to prevention interventions. The authors suggest identifying high-risk individuals and reducing new cases of depression by half.
Research finds that sleepwalking is more prevalent among US adults than previously thought, affecting up to 8.4 million people. The study also shows an association between nocturnal wanderings and certain psychiatric disorders.
Patients with unipolar Major Depressive Disorder achieved significant improvements in depression symptoms and quality of life after five weeks of NeuroStar TMS therapy. The treatment resulted in a 30.5% increase in patients reporting no problems with performing usual activities.
The TEAMcare program, a collaborative approach to managing chronic diseases like depression and diabetes, appears to pay for itself. After accounting for the program's $1,224 per patient cost, it may save as much as $594 per patient in outpatient costs.
A collaborative care intervention improved depression-free days and quality-adjusted life-years among adults with depression and poorly controlled diabetes. The intervention, which included team-centered care and nurse management, resulted in significant improvements in depression scores and quality of life.