Articles tagged with Psychiatry
Researchers from UvA's Centre for Urban Mental Health propose a new conceptual framework to understand the dynamic interplay between urban factors and mental health. The framework identifies key factors influencing urban environments and their impact on mental well-being, including air pollution, noise, and social cohesion.
Research finds that at-risk teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to be cyberbullied and experience heightened offline sexual activities. Targeted intervention strategies using algorithm-based approaches could help these teens navigate the Internet safely.
A pilot study found that depressed COVID patients responded well to SSRIs, with 91% showing improvement within 4 weeks. The study suggests post-COVID depression is treatable and may benefit from antidepressant treatment.
Researchers created a customized device that targets unique brain circuits associated with depression, providing immediate relief. The approach uses neural biomarkers to personalize therapy and has shown long-term efficacy in treatment-resistant patients.
Researchers found that an existing drug, prucalopride, can improve cognitive function by enhancing activity in brain areas related to memory. In a study of 44 healthy volunteers, those taking prucalopride performed better on a memory test and showed increased activity in the hippocampus and right angular gyrus.
Researchers found that depressed adolescents' brains reduce activity in brain areas related to visual processing when shown distressing images. Antidepressant treatment restored brain activity to healthy levels, suggesting a potential vulnerability in adolescent brains.
Researchers have discovered a protein called "shank" that acts as a biomarker for modifiable memories. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by identifying factors that make memories susceptible to change.
Researchers found associations between driving convictions, accidents, and behaviors like junk food consumption and alcohol. Genetic variation in serotonin metabolism was also linked to risky driving.
A new study by UCL researchers has found that staying on long-term antidepressants reduces the risk of relapse by 39% compared to those who stop taking them. The study involved 478 primary care patients and found that 56% experienced a relapse within a year if they discontinued their medication, while only 26% did so after a full year.
A new study shows that a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can provide potent and durable relief for chronic back pain in two-thirds of patients. The treatment alters brain networks associated with pain processing, reducing symptoms that last for up to one year.
A new study led by UCSF indicates that depression in early adulthood can increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. The research found that moderate or high depressive symptoms were associated with a 73% higher odds of cognitive impairment among older participants.
Researchers found that methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine withdrawal share similar features in mouse brains, including reduced modularity and increased functional connectivity. This reorganization may contribute to the addictive nature of psychostimulants.
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry publishes a special issue to strengthen the rights and voices of older people worldwide. The issue aims to reduce the burden of ageism, mentalism and ableism, which currently permeates virtually every aspect of older persons' lives.
A new study found that schizophrenia is associated with a loss of excitation but an increase in inhibition, resulting in hallucinations. The researchers used EEG data from 107 participants to demonstrate decreased synaptic gain, which may guide pharmacological and neurostimulation treatments.
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference, ECNP 2021, will take place in Lisbon and online from October 2-5. Over a thousand abstracts are expected to be presented on various topics in psychiatry and neuroscience.
A new study from McGill University reveals that delaying school start times can help reduce stress and improve coping skills in teenagers during times of crisis. The research found that allowing teens to follow their natural sleep-wake cycle led to improved mental health outcomes.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center have identified six stages of engagement in ADHD treatment, highlighting the importance of breaking down barriers for racial and ethnic minority families. The study provides a comprehensive framework that can help healthcare systems better match the needs of children with ADHD and their families.
The September issues of American Psychiatric Association journals explore innovative treatments for opioid use disorder and analyze the mental health implications of police reform. Research articles cover various disorders, including ADHD, anorexia nervosa, and cardiovascular disease in psychiatric patients.
A new study found that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) significantly reduces deaths by suicide among older adults with depression in the months following hospitalization. The therapy may also improve overall health and cognitive functioning.
A Mount Sinai study found that polygenic risk scores were no better at predicting worsening symptoms than written reports in schizophrenia patients. The results raise questions about the use of polygenic risk scores in real-world situations, suggesting a doctor's report may be an untapped source of predictive information.
A new study by UCL researchers highlights the significant mental health burden on frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study calls for increased mental health awareness training, more assertive outreach to identify those in need, and sustained funding for psychological support services.
Researchers reviewed 79 studies on neurocognitive impairments and brain abnormalities associated with nonfatal opioid overdoses in humans. The findings suggest a link between overdose, cognitive impairment, and brain changes, which could influence attention span, memory, and executive function.
A five-year telepsychiatry trial found significant improvements in rural patients' access to care, mental health symptoms, and quality of life. The study treated over 1,000 patients with bipolar disorder and/or PTSD, often underserved by traditional mental health services.
A Wayne State University researcher is applying topological data analysis to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to discover hidden brain structures. This collaboration aims to provide medical researchers with new tools for analyzing complex fMRI data.
A study published in Science Advances reveals a previously unknown mechanism behind compulsive alcohol use, which may be targeted by medication. A small group of nerve cells in the central amygdala promote alcohol use despite negative consequences.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that most children diagnosed with ADHD don't outgrow the disorder. In fact, researchers followed a group of 558 children with ADHD for 16 years and found that only 10% completely outgrew it.
A study of over 11,000 elementary school students found Black children are 3.5 times more likely to receive detentions or suspensions than their white peers, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. This disparity suggests individual biases and systemic racism may be contributing to the findings.
A new study has found that chronic opioid use changes gene expression in the brains of people with opioid use disorder (OUD), suggesting proinflammatory signaling and synaptic remodeling. The affected genes involved in immune response and neuronal connections were also identified, offering new targets for treatment.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found individuals with preexisting mood disorders are at a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death. This suggests that those with preexisting mood disorders should be categorized as an at-risk group on the basis of a preexisting condition.
A new study suggests that older adults, particularly women and those in fair or poor health, are more likely to experience worsened mental health symptoms during the pandemic. The study recommends screening for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems and connecting participants to treatment resources.
Researchers have found that improved learning processes are associated with reduced symptoms of depression. By using brain imaging and mathematical modeling, the team identified distinct paths to depression symptoms and proposed a new approach for treating clinical depression.
Researchers from McGill University and Harvard University developed a simple test to measure creative potential, using the Divergent Association Task (DAT). The study found that naming unrelated words can predict creativity levels, with greater distances between words indicating higher creative abilities.
The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services journals released their July issues, exploring how structural racism impacts mental health. The studies include the effects of socioeconomic deprivation on psychosis and reducing public stigma towards individuals with OCD.
A large meta-analysis of 33 studies from 22 countries found that psychiatric patients are twice as likely to die or be hospitalized after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and those receiving antipsychotic or anxiolytic treatments are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19-associated mortality.
Researchers compared two treatment types for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found no significant differences in outcomes. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, shows that common elements may be more important than differences in intervention styles.
At-risk children who participated in a mindfulness curriculum gained an average of 74 minutes of sleep per night, with rapid eye movement sleep also increasing. The study found that the curriculum was protective against sleep losses typically seen during this age period.
The event highlights the experiences of four past Rappaport Fellowship awardees, showcasing how their backgrounds in clinical research, brain studies, and behavioral/molecular endpoints impacted their careers. This webinar aims to revolutionize the study and treatment of mental illness by integrating psychiatry and neuroscience.
Researchers from University of Tsukuba used AI to detect signs of depression and predict psychological distress among workers. The study found that an AI system was more accurate than psychiatrists in detecting severe psychological distress.
A recent study found that mothers with psychiatric disorders had a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay in their children. In contrast, antidepressant use was not associated with an increased risk of ASD. The research provides reassurance for pregnant women taking SSRIs.
The project will increase clinical training sites, diversify the nursing workforce, and provide tuition relief to prepare more psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in primary care settings, addressing a high demand for mental health services in Louisiana.
A new study analyzing medical evidence on domestic mass shooters in the US finds that a majority of perpetrators have psychiatric disorders without treatment, increasing risk of violence. The researchers identified signs and symptoms of brain illness in 32 out of 35 perpetrators, with most having schizophrenia or other diagnoses.
A new meta-analysis of 215 COVID-19 studies reveals a wide range of ways the virus affects mental health and brain function. Common symptoms include fatigue, loss of smell, depression, anxiety, and headaches, even in mild cases, suggesting that mental health impacts may be more prevalent than expected.
Researchers developed a smart electronic platform to monitor mental wellbeing between doctor visits, using facial cues, voice patterns, and vital signs sensors. The technology provides continuous access to patient variables and status, enabling care teams to reach out to patients in need.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed an internet-delivered CBT programme that significantly reduces social anxiety and comorbid psychiatric symptoms in young people with SAD. The digital format increases accessibility and reduces therapist time, making it a cost-effective option.
The article examines autopsy, toxicological, and psychiatric reports of Portugal's first major forensic case. It highlights the importance of toxicological analysis and suggests potential new insights with current knowledge.
A new series in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice explores therapeutic risk management for violence, using a method called chain analysis. This approach identifies interventional strategies to disrupt the chain of reinforcement that leads to violent ideas and behaviors.
An international team found a link between subtle differences in adolescent brain shape and psychosis development, with those at high risk showing widespread lower cortical thickness. This discovery could contribute to earlier detection and treatment of psychosis.
A study of 9,290 children found that those with multiple classes of prenatal exposures had a higher risk of psychiatric symptoms. The risk was highest among those with unplanned pregnancy, substance use, or obstetrical complications.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that middle-aged men who experience loneliness are at an increased risk of developing cancer. The study, which followed 2,570 men over time, found that loneliness was associated with a 10% higher risk of cancer.
A new analysis of the EAGLES trial data found that varenicline does not increase the risk of psychiatric problems in people without a history. In those with a psychiatric history, it likely did not cause problems but with less certainty.
Researchers discovered novel neurocircuitry in mice that links leptin to the brain's dopamine reward system, reducing food intake. The study suggests targeting specific neurons may help treat anorexia nervosa and support dieting in obese individuals.
A large study found that COVID-19 survivors are at a higher risk of developing anxiety, mood disorders, stroke, dementia, and other neurological conditions. The study analyzed data from over 236,000 patients and estimated that one in three COVID-19 survivors developed a neurological or psychiatric condition within six months.
A new study reveals a connection between wisdom, loneliness and gut microbial diversity. Participants with lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of wisdom had greater phylogenetic richness and diversity in their gut microbiome. A more diverse gut microbiota may promote better resilience and stability.
The new NINDS Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome provide a standardized approach to diagnose CTE's clinical manifestations during life. These criteria require substantial exposure to repetitive head impacts and progressive cognitive impairment or neurobehavioral dysregulation.
A meta-analysis of over 53,000 patients found no evidence that beta blockers increase the risk of depression or most other psychiatric symptoms. However, sleep disturbance was linked to treatment with beta blockers.
Researchers identified somatic gene mutations in brain cells of people with schizophrenia that disrupted synaptic function and affected proteins critical for neural signaling. The study found that these rare mutations could contribute to the disease's neuropathology, particularly in genes associated with glutamate receptor function.
A research review found that COVID-19 survivors experience a range of neuropsychiatric problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In the short term, patients reported impaired attention and memory issues, while in the long term, affective disorders and fatigue became prevalent.
DEI leaders in academic medicine face growing expectations without sufficient resources. A new article offers guidelines for departments to support their efforts, including elevating the title, clear job responsibilities, and financial compensation. The authors aim to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
A new study by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that dropping out of high school, having schizophrenia, or a co-occurring personality disorder increases the likelihood of someone becoming a high utilizer. The research used machine learning to analyze deidentified electronic health record dat...
The study found that serious mental illness was present in only 11% of all mass murderers and 8% of mass shooters. Non-firearm means resulted in significantly more casualties per event. The researchers also found that U.S.-based mass shooters were more likely to have legal histories or use recreational drugs.