Articles tagged with Psychiatry
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.
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.
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.
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...
Researchers found that training primary care physicians in depression recognition and medication treatment can prevent suicide, often halving the risk. Reducing access to lethal methods, such as firearms, is also crucial in preventing suicidal behavior.
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.
Researchers from Duke University found that mental health struggles in early life can lead to premature aging and advanced diseases in adulthood. Investing in prompt mental health care could prevent later diseases and lower societal healthcare costs.
A study published in JAACAP found associations between physical discipline, cognitive deprivation, and specific types of developmental delay. The research indicates that physical discipline is linked to a higher risk of socioemotional delay, while cognitive deprivation is associated with cognitive delay.
A new study finds that people with schizophrenia are almost three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without the mental disorder. The study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, shows that schizophrenia is the biggest risk factor for death after age, with a 2.7-fold increased odds of dying.
A new study reveals that specific enzymes outside medium spiny neurons contribute to addiction plasticity, driving drug-seeking and extinction behaviors. The discovery highlights the importance of extracellular matrix remodeling in addiction and suggests novel molecules as potential targets for treatment.
A new study found differences in PTSD prevalence among rescue workers, with emergency department staff and psychiatric nurses most affected. The researchers highlighted the need for bespoke training and counseling services to help staff cope with trauma and improve their quality of life.
Researchers combined psychiatric assessments with machine learning models to predict mental illness, improving disease course prediction and intervention timing. The algorithm assists decision-making and provides recommendations for targeted interventions.
A study by Michigan Medicine finds that more than half of patients who received telepsychiatry during the pandemic want to continue with virtual mental health care even after COVID-19 ends. The convenience, avoiding exposure to the coronavirus, and patient experience factor heavily into this preference.
A longitudinal study of first-year university students found that those enrolled in the University of Vermont's Wellness Environment program had improved mood levels and fewer attention problems compared to non-participants. The study suggests that colleges and universities should track students' emotional health and develop specific p...
A unique brain pattern that shifts tryptophan metabolism from serotonin production to neurotoxicity has been identified in individuals with major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This finding holds promise for developing new diagnostic tests and targeted treatments for these conditions.
A new longitudinal study found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant cognitive gains between ages 12 and 23, with IQ increasing by an average of 7.48 points. Early language regression and greater communication problems at age 12 were associated with greater IQ increases.
Depressed children and teenagers have a significantly higher risk of premature death, self-harm, and suffering from other diseases later in life. The study found that depression was associated with 66 out of 69 examined medical conditions, including sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease.
A study published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences reveals wide variations in mechanical restraint use across Pacific countries, with Japan having the highest rate at 98.9 events per million population per day.
A recent study found that over one-third of pregnant and postpartum women experienced clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. The researchers also discovered that those with pre-existing diagnoses were more likely to experience elevated psychiatric distress.
A new paper calls for psychiatrists to adopt skills and a mindset shift to help eliminate defects in healthcare organizations. The authors propose that psychiatrists become 'systems engineers' to identify and address systemic issues contributing to suboptimal care.
Researchers found that mid-range levels of an immune marker at birth are associated with the lowest risk for autism spectrum disorder. Babies born with high levels of inflammation had a higher risk of developing ASD.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found a potential neurobiological mechanism for hallucinations and delusions that fits within the hierarchical model of psychosis. The study suggests that these symptoms share a common mechanism but also depend on symptom-specific pathways.
The UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center created an isolated COVID-19 unit to manage the highly infectious virus in a freestanding psychiatric hospital. The team implemented screening for symptoms, fever, contact, and travel history, and used extreme caution when isolating suspected patients.
Researchers found that astrocytes play a critical role in forming synapses in response to cocaine exposure, which can contribute to addiction. Blocking these synapses may help prevent relapse, suggesting a new therapeutic target for substance use disorder.
A review of 39 randomized clinical trials found that combining therapy with medication is more effective in preventing illness recurrence in people with bipolar disorder. Psychoeducation and group therapy were particularly helpful in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals with secure attachment styles have neutralized genetic risk factors for PTSD symptoms. The ability to form loving and trusting relationships with others was found to be a strong protective factor against severe PTSD symptoms.
A team of Georgia State scientists aims to use fMRI data to help psychiatrists predict response to medication, potentially reducing the time it takes to receive an accurate diagnosis and get on the right treatment. The tool has shown over 90% accuracy in predicting medication outcomes on previous data sets.
Researchers found that abnormal amyloid deposits were present in fewer older adults with major depression compared to non-depressed control subjects. However, the study suggests that depression is still a risk factor for cognitive decline, but through a mechanism other than amyloid deposition.
Researchers from KAIST applied deep learning techniques to identify abnormal brain structures associated with autism. These findings suggest AI can aid in more consistent diagnoses than human observations alone. The analysis tool provides a prognosis of how the condition could develop.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine are testing the use of tezampanel, a novel antagonist at glutamate receptors, to treat opioid withdrawal syndrome and other addictions. The project aims to develop breakthrough medications more rapidly than traditional mechanisms, with potential approval from NIDA and FDA.
Researchers found that varied appointment reminders and direct telephone connections with advance reminders can significantly reduce no-shows. These recommendations are based on patient feedback from systematic interviews conducted at the VA Portland Health Care System.
Primary-care physicians and rural clinic staff improve their ability to diagnose and treat common mental health disorders using a collaborative care model with telepsychiatry. The study, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, found that this approach enhances primary-care doctors' skills in treating behavioral health disorders.
The research will develop biomarkers and clinical assessments to improve treatment outcomes for adolescents and young adults at risk of schizophrenia. The five-year study will recruit 1,040 patients with Clinical High Risk (CHR) and healthy controls, using data-driven methods to predict individual clinical trajectories.
A study identified three key factors that predict the first occurrence of nonsuicidal self-harm in adolescent girls: low conscientiousness, high avoidance, and parental substance abuse history. These psychological vulnerabilities were found to distinguish girls who initiated self-harm from those who did not.
Researchers found that exposure-based therapy was more effective in reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while stress-reduction therapy showed better results for those with lower brain activation in certain areas. The study aims to develop a personalized treatment approach for OCD, which may help improve therapy ou...
Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center developed an online assessment tool to help patients and providers make informed decisions about choosing mental health apps. The tool, currently featuring over 200 apps, allows users to filter by safety, ease of use, and user privacy.
Researchers found autistic nerve cells differ in structure and gene expression from typical individuals as early as 9 days into development. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to model brain development and provides new insights into the origins of autism.
A new study reveals that children with ADHD symptoms persisting into adulthood are more likely to be involved in car crashes. Adults with continuing ADHD symptoms had the highest rate of car crash involvement compared to those without a history of ADHD.
Emergent psychiatric conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 are linked to targetable biological mechanisms. Studies suggest a potential therapeutic target for these conditions.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that maternal depression during and after pregnancy significantly increases the odds of depression in offspring during adolescence and adulthood. The research, which examined over 15,000 children, shows that perinatal depression can have a lasting negative impact on mental health.
A meta-analysis of 62 studies and 44,000 participants reveals that eight specific types of early life stress are associated with an increased risk of developing depression in youth. These include emotional abuse, poverty, and death of a family member, while others like sexual abuse and physical abuse show stronger links to the condition.
Researchers identified shared brain structural elements across major psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study also revealed distinct regional abnormalities for individual conditions, suggesting potential mechanisms underlying these disorders.
A study of 153 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 found that stroke was the most common brain complication, affecting 77 patients. Psychiatric conditions also emerged, including new-onset psychosis, dementia-like syndrome, and mood disorders, in 23 patients.
Researchers discovered a range of co-existing conditions in patients with fragile X syndrome and premutation disorder. Lower FMRP levels are associated with emotional processing issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, and psychotic features. The study calls for more research on psychosis and FMRP levels, as well as greater awareness...
A study of high-risk adolescents found those with callous-unemotional traits were more likely to carry and use guns in crimes. These traits, characterized by reduced empathy and emotional regulation, are associated with aggressive behavior and poor treatment outcomes.
A new study at Bar-Ilan University links COVID-19-based loneliness in older adults to elevated psychiatric symptoms of anxiety and depression. The researchers found that the effect of loneliness on psychiatric symptoms was most pronounced among participants who felt subjectively older than their chronological age.
The study found that prescriptions for buprenorphine treatment increased significantly among adults, particularly those prescribed by primary care providers. However, access to treatment decreased among young adults and teens, primarily due to a decline in prescriptions from psychiatrists and addiction medicine specialists.
Former child soldiers in Sierra Leone who were accepted by their families and communities experienced improved emotional and social well-being. The longitudinal study of over 500 former child soldiers found that stigma was a significant barrier to their recovery, with some experiencing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress dis...
A UCL brain imaging study found that highly confident individuals tend to ignore contradictory evidence, while less confident ones process it accurately. This phenomenon, known as confirmation bias, may be stronger in real-world scenarios where people are motivated to stand by their beliefs.
The article discusses how psychiatrists can contribute to mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts emphasize the need for a collective response from the psychiatric community to address the growing mental health crisis.
A new study by King's College London researchers found that personal accounts of childhood maltreatment show a stronger association with psychiatric problems compared to legal proof of maltreatment. Those who recalled the experience were nearly twice as likely to have emotional disorders in adulthood.
Researchers developed a single factor, 'p', combining different measures of psychiatric outcomes, which predicts patient prognosis and need for extra support. A high 'p' value is linked to adverse outcomes, such as suicide risk, criminality, or drug abuse.
A new meta-analysis by Jeffrey Newport found no association between prenatal antidepressant use and autism in children, despite previous studies suggesting a potential link. Limited access to healthcare among ethnic minority and immigrant mothers was identified as the root cause of bias, leading to inaccurate study results.
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that veterans often become homeless years after leaving the military, with a significant 'sleeper effect' delayed onset. Chronic medical and psychiatric conditions take time to develop, increasing the risk of homelessness over subsequent years.
Physician-scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center identified two clusters of depressive symptoms responding to distinct neuroanatomical treatment targets in patients undergoing TMS. These findings may facilitate personalized TMS therapy for depression and other psychiatric disorders.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry finds that children's rearing environment has a significant impact on their risk for major depression later in life. Adopted children showed lower risk of depression, regardless of their biological parents' mental health status.
Researchers found that people with depression have impaired mood homeostasis, which can be improved through targeted interventions. The study suggests that training individuals to regulate their mood through daily activities could prevent or better treat depression.