Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
Four APA journals feature special issues on neuromodulation, precision therapeutics, and various psychiatric topics. Research highlights include studies on esketamine, psychotherapy, and mental health tools.
Benzodiazepine prescriptions have decreased by 26.7% over the past decade, with the largest decline observed among young adults between ages 18 and 29. The average dose per prescription also decreased by 18.3%, suggesting more selective prescribing practices.
A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.
A Colorado study found nearly 1 in 10 petitions for extreme risk protection orders involved service members or veterans, often involving suicide threats, violence, and mental health crises. Temporary ERPOs were granted in 47 cases, with 76.6% being extended to full 365-day orders.
A prospective study found that stereotactic radiosurgical capsulotomy significantly reduced symptoms of major depression and thoughts of suicide among patients with severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric illness. Benefits were largely sustained over a median follow-up of more than three years.
A digital therapeutic intervention CT-155 has shown promising results in improving motivation and pleasure negative symptoms of schizophrenia with a small-to-moderate effect size comparable to psychosocial interventions and pharmacologic treatment. CT-155 is a scalable and accessible option for improving schizophrenia negative symptoms.
A cross-sectional study found that structural brain volumes are associated with delay discounting, a key component of impulsive decision-making, in college-aged adults. The multilayer perceptron model provided an accurate estimate of delay discounting, shedding light on the neural basis of impulsive behavior.
Researchers at UTMB propose the 'frustration brake failure' hypothesis, suggesting frustration may play a key role in substance use disorders alongside craving, impulsivity, and habit. The concept suggests that repeated drug use may disrupt the relationship between frustration and motivation, leading to continued drug-seeking behavior.
A UCLA study found that teaching autistic children to 'think like a reporter' using cognitive reappraisal reduces brain activity in sensory regions and increases activity in areas regulating emotional responses. The technique, already used in cognitive behavioral therapy, shows promise in easing sensory difficulties in daily life.
Researchers propose using carefully designed combinations of approved drugs to create a more convincing placebo, limiting participant disclosure, and rigorous testing to ensure effective masking. This approach, called UMBRAA, aims to overcome the challenge of distinguishing between psychedelic effects and the power of expectation.
Researchers at UCI are developing a countywide system of care to identify youth at risk of psychosis and connect them with support, with the goal of preventing first episodes. The four-year initiative aims to provide treatment and coordinated care to over 150 young people, with outreach to families, schools, and community organizations.
State funding for suicide prevention has increased over the past five years, with spending growing from an average of $1.05 per resident in 2021 to $6.55 in 2025. States with telecom fees allocated significantly more funds to crisis services, suggesting a promising strategy to enhance infrastructure.
A new study found that psychiatrists agree on a diagnosis in only 55% of cases, raising concerns about misdiagnosis and treatment errors. The study's results also suggest that diagnostic categories are not as clearly defined as assumed, leading to disagreement among clinicians.
A new study found that US children's emergency visits for mental health crises increased by 74% between 2016 and 2022. Half of these visits occurred in hospitals with low pediatric volume, highlighting the need for specialized resources and training.
William Gordon Frankle, MD, MBA, will lead the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, focusing on innovation and community psychiatry. He succeeds Charles R. Marmar, who completed 17 years of distinguished leadership, and builds on NYU Langone's excellence in clinical care, research, and education.
Consuelo Walss-Bass's family was affected by schizophrenia, yet her sister was spared. Her laboratory addresses the genetic gap by exploring signaling alterations in neurons derived from affected sibling pairs, identifying convergent abnormalities in PI3K/GSK3 signaling.
Researchers aim to identify biological differences among patients to guide treatment with precision therapeutics and computational approaches. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for schizophrenia, a condition that affects perception of reality.
A study found that the FKBP5 gene, regulating stress hormones, is 'stuck on' in schizophrenia brains, leading to increased stress response and vulnerability to psychiatric conditions. The research suggests new treatment targets, targeting the gene, may develop to address this altered stress response.
PCORI awards funding for new patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, addressing key healthcare questions and generating evidence for better-informed decisions. The projects will focus on emergency, hospital, and surgical care, as well as mental and behavioral health, to improve health outcomes.
A study combining three brain scans found a higher number of dopamine D2 receptors in autistic brains, suggesting a link between the dopamine system and autism. The researchers also found that the dopamine system affects communication between brain regions differently in autistic participants.
Advances in single-cell and spatial multi-omics are helping researchers understand brain development, disease, and therapeutic opportunities by integrating molecular layers with cellular and spatial context. This approach has revealed regulatory relationships and cell-type-specific changes in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, a...
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.