Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.