Articles tagged with Psychiatry
A multisite cohort study of 346 adults receiving psilocybin services in Oregon found significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, as well as enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. The study suggests that Oregon's regulated psilocybin services are generally safe and effective for mental health treatment
This study of 186,823 US adults reveals an increasing prevalence of moderate-to-severe cannabis use disorder among males and females between 2021 and 2024, while moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder prevalence remained stable. The findings highlight significant age and sex disparities in cannabis and alcohol use disorders.
A cohort study of pregnant females with opioid use disorder found higher discontinuation rates for Black females compared to White females, with less disparity for methadone treatment. Persistent racial and ethnic inequities in treatment retention were observed during and after pregnancy.
A new book by University of Virginia Health System expert Daniel J. Cox outlines a practical alternative to medication for managing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The GEM program emphasizes smart eating, physical activity, and listening to the body to regulate blood sugar levels.
A large study found a significant association between severe mental illness and dementia at every age, with adults aged 30-39 showing a 20-fold increased risk of dementia. The study also found a higher risk of stroke in early and middle adulthood, particularly in those with severe mental illness.
Research found that severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can lead to preventable physical diseases, reducing life expectancy by up to 20 years. Patients often develop multiple chronic conditions affecting different systems, emphasizing the need for holistic treatment approaches.
A new study emphasizes the importance of accessible maternity and psychiatric care for pregnant women suffering from major depressive disorder. The research highlights the need to balance treatment benefits with potential risks associated with SSRI exposure, suggesting a structured approach to decision-making.
A cohort study found associations between perinatal factors and changes in brain maturation among adolescents. The study used conditional-longitudinal models to assess individual growth trajectories and mental health symptoms.
This cross-sectional study found that melatonin use was associated with a small reduction in REM sleep percentage, but not with differences in total sleep time or other sleep stages. The study suggests that further research is needed to clarify the effects of melatonin on children's sleep.
Individuals in psychotherapy for trauma from killing in war experienced improvements in psychosocial functioning. IOK participants showed greater improvements in work, social, and family life compared to PCT group at posttreatment.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that about 65% of patients who developed psychosis after age 40 showed abnormal tau buildup, compared to 15% of healthy older controls. The findings suggest diverse tau-related brain changes may be involved in late-onset psychosis.
A new study found that four in ten children who attend Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Scotland go on to access adult mental health services. Eight percent of these children accounted for 46% of all adult psychiatric inpatient bed days and 41% of all NHS adult mental health outpatient appointments by the age of 32.
A WVU study found that ChatGPT-5 Pro can generate realistic psychiatry vignettes with strong diagnostic details but emphasizes the need for human-centered approach to ensure patient safety. The researchers recommend incorporating these vignettes into digital psychiatry curricula with faculty moderation and safeguards.
A new study reveals that rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine and psychedelics work by changing communication signals between the immune system and brain, suggesting a shared neuroimmune pathway. This finding may help identify patients most likely to benefit from these treatments.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz found that oral semaglutide reduced heavy drinking and alcohol-related harm in adults with Alcohol Use Disorder. The medication, commonly used for diabetes and weight loss, showed consistent reductions in harmful real-world drinking behavior.
The journal aims to bridge the gaps in real-world deployment, long-term safety, and systemic equity by establishing a comprehensive research pipeline focused on clinical efficacy, implementation, and safety. Research exploring workflow compatibility, equitable access, user engagement, and economic sustainability of DMHIs is welcome.
This economic evaluation characterizes U.S. lobbying spending in the mental health field from 2014 to 2024, revealing significant growth. The study highlights increasing lobbying efforts in psychiatry and psychology, suggesting a shift towards more prominent advocacy for mental health issues.
A recent study reveals that astrocyte subtype dynamics play a crucial role in regulating mental health, particularly in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The review highlights how inflammatory signaling, metabolic imbalance, and ion channel dysfunction contribute to disease progression.
Researchers from Penn, NYU, and the Linguistic Data Consortium create virtual patients with adjustable psychiatric symptoms to simulate real-world conversations. The STELLAR platform aims to augment clinician training practices with essential conversation scenarios.
A new study finds that fully virtual applied behavior analysis (ABA) services delivered by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) are a feasible alternative to traditional in-person therapy. Children with autism who received focused ABA services showed improvements in adaptive skills, behavior outcomes, and family quality of life.
Two ECNP-affiliated journals, European Neuropsychopharmacology and Neuroscience Applied, have seen significant increases in citation rates. The rise reflects growing interest in the biological underpinnings of mental health, as reflected in the journal's focus on precision psychiatry.
A new study suggests that following a Mediterranean diet may provide additional benefits for mental health, particularly among older adults. The research found that individuals with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet had less decline in emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A cohort study found that upper secondary school settings are associated with mental health trajectories in adolescents, suggesting a link between peer environments and risk of mental disorders. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering environmental factors in understanding adolescent mental health.
Researchers from Wroclaw Medical University analyzed the available literature on psychedelics and ADHD. While some studies reported short-term improvements, these findings cannot determine treatment efficacy due to study design limitations. The current evidence is insufficient to support psychedelics as a treatment for ADHD.
A systematic review found that creatine monohydrate may reduce depressive symptoms in people taking standard antidepressants, with two trials showing significant benefits. However, three trials showed no effect, and the evidence is not yet settled due to limitations such as small sample sizes and biased patient enrollment.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking approach to prioritize schizophrenia-associated genes by analyzing genetic data from over 102,000 individuals. This study uncovered 641 previously unrecognized genes associated with schizophrenia, shedding light on the complex interactions between distant genetic variants.
Fathers who take longer periods of parental leave, up to 14-40 weeks, are less likely to develop depressive symptoms than those with shorter leave. This is because sustained time at home helps build a closer connection with their child and establishes everyday routines.
Research at UCLA finds that childhood abuse and neglect alter cellular energy production, affecting physical and mental health. Mitochondria in cells produce more energy in response to stress, but this can lead to maladaptive effects over time.
Despite an increase in federally funded residency slots, a new study finds that physician shortages persist, particularly in primary care and rural communities. The expansion of Medicare-funded residency positions was intended to support shortage specialties and underserved areas, but most positions were allocated to non-rural areas.
Researchers found that pramipexole, a Parkinson's disease medication, improved symptoms of anhedonia in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The therapy was associated with positive effects on the brain's reward system and increased physical activity.
A new study suggests that lower baseline dopamine may drive teenage risk-taking behavior, such as substance experimentation, which tends to decrease with age. The research found that adolescents with lower dopamine levels were more likely to try substances, but their use declined after the college years.
Researchers propose using low-dose lithium orotate to slow dementia progression in mild cognitive impairment, leveraging established neuroprotective mechanisms. The approach aims to mitigate kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose formulations, offering a potentially accessible and inexpensive treatment option.
The study analyzed polygenic scores and simulated expectations to understand changes in genetic contributions to ASD and ADHD diagnoses by year of diagnosis. Findings suggest broadening diagnostic criteria as a possible explanation for increasing rates, which has significant implications for risk factors and clinical practice.
Advanced Brain is an open access journal dedicated to publishing cutting-edge research across the brain-mind continuum. The journal aims to foster dialogue across life, medical, and behavioral sciences to accelerate fundamental and applied understanding of the human brain.
A new framework, criticome, integrates experience until age 25, reframing autism, schizophrenia, depression, and trauma as developmental disorders. The study suggests that screen-saturated childhoods may produce adult dysfunction, highlighting the importance of early experience in brain development.
The project aims to expand University Hospitals' collaborative care model from 26 practices to all 88 practices within the UH Primary Care Institute. It will also broaden services to include screening and treatment for conditions such as bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers found biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that correlated with minor cognitive differences in midlife adults. These biomarkers, measuring tau and amyloid plaque, were associated with a greater chance of cognitive decline, particularly in processing speed and executive function.
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a brain region called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that regulates memory integration. The vmPFC acts as a quality control checkpoint, preventing memories from getting mixed up when they are significantly different or far apart in time.
A new viewpoint article highlights the risk of AI 'collusion' with unreliable human input in mental health settings. The author argues that clinical expertise should be included when designing training data and evaluating AI systems to strengthen safeguards.
Interleukin 6 is investigated as a treatment target for depression in this randomized clinical trial. The study highlights the therapeutic potential of IL-6 or IL-6 receptor inhibition and proposes suitable patient selection methods.
Researchers found that combining ketamine with low-dose buprenorphine treatment can prolong its antisuicidal effects for at least a month. Patients who received this combination treatment showed greater and longer-lasting reductions in suicidality compared to those given a placebo.
A new study found a steady rise in children's mental health concerns during routine primary care visits, with anxiety-related visits increasing by 300% over 10 years. The study highlights the growing role of pediatric primary care in addressing mental health needs and calls for more training and resources to support this shift.
A single dose of psilocybin provided rapid relief from depressive symptoms within a few days, with effects persisting for over three months. The treatment showed a significant advantage over SSRIs, with an average reduction of 9.7 points on the MADRS scale.
A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.
A nationwide cohort study found a bidirectional association between premenstrual disorders and psychiatric disorders, highlighting the need for sex- and menstrual cycle–informed care in psychiatry. The study's findings emphasize the importance of considering menstrual cycles when diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions.
This systematic review and meta-analysis found differences in efficacy and acceptability of adjunctive atypical antipsychotics for major depressive disorder. The study highlights the need for more well-controlled studies on maintenance efficacy of these medications.
A new study found that mental health clinicians prefer evolutionary explanations of anxiety over genetic approaches, believing they provide a more positive outlook and can improve patient willingness to seek help. This shift could lead to more hopeful and therapeutically empowering attitudes towards anxiety treatment.
A randomized clinical trial found that genotype-guided prescribing of SSRIs did not improve depression symptoms at 3 months but showed higher remission rates at 6 months. Future studies should focus on the long-term impact of this approach.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found single and repeated intravenous ketamine infusions to be efficacious in reducing suicidal and depressive symptoms in acute major depressive episodes. Longer-term outcomes remain unclear.
Dr. Dilek Colak's journey began with a childhood observation of a boy with mental illness, which inspired her to pursue a career in neuroscience. Her current work focuses on understanding autism and schizophrenia through the study of human brain organoids.
A study finds microplastics in the human brain associated with increased risk of stroke and dementia. Apheresis, a medical treatment, is proposed as a potential removal method for microplastics from the body.
The latest issues of APA journals feature new research on PTSD and substance use disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry explores the understanding of these conditions, while Psychiatric Services discusses the future of the DSM. Focus journal delves into psychopharmacologic treatments with expert perspectives.
Researchers found significant loss of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a second critical region involved in arousal and muscle tone regulation. This finding suggests an immune-mediated process and challenges the prevailing explanation for narcolepsy with cataplexy.
A nationwide ecological study found a statistical correlation between fewer psychiatric beds and higher suicide rates in Sweden. The study suggests that investing in outpatient care may not be enough to prevent suicides, highlighting the need for further research into healthcare resource allocation.
A new study found that nearly 1,200 TBI respondents used psychedelics to treat or manage physical health conditions, with 208 participants using them to manage brain injury-related symptoms. Researchers reported a 90% self-reported symptom improvement rate.
Researchers are developing a new wearable technology to monitor babies' movements and detect early signs of autism. The study aims to improve early identification and intervention, which is crucial for optimal developmental outcomes in autistic individuals.
A new study reveals that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can lead to significant negative impacts on standard of living, personal relationships, and even brain damage. Relatives and friends of ECT patients report long-term effects including memory loss, emotional blunting, and loss of independence.
A survey of 286 relatives and friends found that 45% experienced improvement, while 42% saw worsening symptoms. Many reported memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and relationship problems after ECT.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics has found that preschool children born with heart defects are at a greater risk of developing behavioral problems, including ADHD and peer relationship issues. The study suggests that a cognitively stimulating home environment may help reduce this risk.