Articles tagged with Psychiatry
A new study published in Psychiatry Research has concluded that psychiatric diagnoses are scientifically worthless as tools for identifying discrete mental health disorders. The study found significant overlap in symptoms between diagnoses and highlighted the limitations of diagnostic manuals such as the DSM.
Researchers find that targeting a specific genetic mutation can alleviate psychosis symptoms by restoring glutamate function and glycine levels. The study provides proof-of-principle for a new approach to treating psychotic disorders using genotype-based treatment.
A large-scale data study conducted by Swansea University researchers has identified early warning signs of eating disorders, including higher rates of other mental disorders and prescription medications. The findings may enable GPs to detect these conditions earlier, leading to better outcomes for patients.
A new study found that early and regular cannabis use by youth is associated with alterations in brain circuits that support cognitive control. Chronic cannabis use may lead to reduced activation in the frontostriatal circuits that govern cognitive control and conflict resolution.
A specific gene associated with a lower amount of a certain nicotine receptor in the brain increases the risk of cannabis abuse. The study, conducted by Aarhus University, analyzed the complete genome of over 2,000 cannabis abusers and found a strong association between the genetic variant and cannabis abuse.
Research reveals that excessive Internet use can lead to changes in brain structure and function, impacting cognitive processes like attention and memory. The study also highlights the need for balance between online activities and social interactions, emphasizing the importance of 'Internet hygiene' techniques.
A new study found that rates of non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH) in England grew from 2% to 6% between 2000 and 2014. Despite this increase, only a small proportion of those who engage in NSSH receive medical or psychological support.
A genome-wide association study has identified five new genetic risk loci for harmful alcohol use, confirming one previously identified locus. The study provides insight into the role of genetics in this behavior and highlights the importance of habitual alcohol use on various health and behavioral traits.
A novel method of embedding child psychiatric care in an urban pediatrics clinic increases access to and engagement in psychiatric care among primarily Latino patients. The study found that nearly two-thirds of referred patients completed evaluations, with younger children and those with a history of therapy more likely to do so.
A recent study found that younger parental age significantly increases the risk of ADHD and Tourette's, while older parental age is associated with Autism and obsessive-compulsive disorders. The research provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between parental age and offspring neuropsychiatric disorders.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry supports the effectiveness and safety of esketamine nasal spray for treating moderate to severe depression in people who have not responded to previous treatment. The study found significant improvements in depression symptoms within 24 hours of taking the medication.
A mindfulness-based smartphone app was found to reduce self-reported daily cigarette consumption and decrease brain reactivity to smoking images in study participants. Those who showed the greatest reduction in cigarette consumption also exhibited decreased brain activity in a region associated with craving.
A recent study reveals that buprenorphine prescribers in nonmetropolitan areas predominantly come from primary care backgrounds. These physicians tend to have more flexible practice settings and accept Medicaid, differing from specialists who dominate large metropolitan areas.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large-scale systems in the brain interact with each other in distinct ways for different psychiatric conditions. The researchers used brain network connectivity data from over 1,000 individuals to identify correlations between brain networks and symptom...
A study by Sophie Terp, MD, MPH, found nearly one in five EMTALA penalty settlements involved psychiatric emergencies. These cases were more costly and often associated with failure to stabilize than nonpsychiatric emergency cases.
Researchers used MRI scans to examine the brains of 1,327 individuals with ASD and typically developing individuals, finding that cortical anatomy varies significantly between groups. The study also found that brain differences are more pronounced in girls with ASD, particularly those with lower cognitive ability.
A new study found that incarcerated youth are at an increased risk for suicidal behavior, with rates reported to be 2-to-3 times higher than those in the general population. Key risk factors such as history of mental health conditions and substance use were not significantly different between groups.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that stressful experiences before age 3 have a greater effect on gene expression than those in later years. Adversity during this period is associated with increased DNA methylation, which reduces gene expression and may lead to mental health problems.
A new study suggests that prenatal stress may be involved in shaping psychiatric resilience, with high-violence communities showing less frequent depression and PTSD symptoms. Prenatal stress interacts with postnatal stress to influence resilience.
A recent study found that over 7% of surveyed children in Puerto Rico exhibited clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, with 45% having damage to their own homes and 58% experiencing a friend or family member leaving the island. Social connections and timing of surveys may be protective factors against higher PTSD rates.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry has discovered a relationship between the anti-stress brain chemical nociceptin and PTSD symptom severity. Women with less severe PTSD symptoms had fewer receptors for the chemical in regions of the brain involved in the threat alarm system, suggesting a potential marker for resilience.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that liver transplant recipients with alcoholic hepatitis have a comparable alcohol relapse rate regardless of their sobriety period. The study's outcomes support waiving the six-month sobriety requirement for selected patients, promoting equal access to lifesaving transplants.
Researchers propose a model that explains why some women develop PTSD after childhood trauma, highlighting the role of hormone regulation in resilience. The study suggests that when cortisol and oxytocin levels function properly, they serve as barriers against PTSD.
Researchers created a web-based training program for psychiatry residents on tobacco use assessment and intervention. The course improved residents' knowledge and motivation to address patients' tobacco addiction.
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice found that about half of patients referred to a specialized schizophrenia clinic were misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. Anxiety and hearing voices were common reasons for incorrect diagnoses, highlighting the importance of second opinions from psychiatry specialists.
Treatment at Canada's only early intervention program for youth with mood and anxiety disorders leads to improved symptoms, functioning, and access to psychiatric care in the most appropriate settings. Patients who disengage from treatment have less severe symptoms than those who stay engaged.
New research suggests a connection between nonsuicidal self-injury and impulsive behavior, particularly under conditions of negative emotions. The study identifies potential areas of treatment for individuals at high risk of suicide attempts.
A new study shows that deep-brain stimulation improves cognitive control by increasing low-frequency brain rhythms in the prefrontal cortex. This finding could lead to more effective treatment plans tailored to individual patients' needs.
A recent study found that advanced paternal age significantly increases the risk of early-onset schizophrenia in offspring, with a 30% higher risk for every 10-year delay. The association remains after accounting for parental predisposition to schizophrenia, suggesting an independent role of paternal age.
After Colorado's marijuana legalization, a three-fold increase was seen in cannabis-related emergency department visits. Edible exposure led to about 33 times more ED visits than expected. Psychiatric ED visits were also more common following edible consumption.
Researchers found that individuals with more severe delusions sought more information before making a guess, supporting the idea of 'sticky' beliefs. The study suggests that cognitive training and neurostimulation may help shape inference-making and treat delusions.
A new study reveals that patients with prostate, bladder, or kidney cancers who have had psychiatric care prior to treatment are at a greater risk of dying. The research also found an increased suicide risk among these patients, even after adjusting for previous mental health treatment.
A new NIH study identifies distinct brain connectivity and activity patterns in children with anhedonia, a condition characterized by loss of interest in activities. The research may aid in developing targeted treatments for this condition.
A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found increased connectivity between motor regions and the multimodal integration network in patients with FND. Symptom severity also correlated with increased coupling between the insula and the amygdala, which improved response to treatment.
The revised guidelines address pharmacogenetics, diagnosis of mental disorders with new molecular genetic technologies, and ethical challenges of genetic testing in psychiatric patients. Key findings include a lack of consensus on CNV testing in adults with mental illness and the need for more research to identify relevant genes.
A clinical study led by Flavio Frohlich at UNC School of Medicine successfully reduced depression symptoms in about 70 percent of participants using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). The treatment target specific alpha oscillations in the brain, bringing them back into balance and decreasing symptoms.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral capsule (VC) or anteromedial subthalamic nucleus (amSTN) reduced OCD symptoms to a similar extent, but produced distinct effects on specific symptoms. VC stimulation improved mood, while amSTN stimulation improved cognitive flexibility.
A new study reveals that the menstrual cycle phase may contribute to differences between men and women in cocaine seeking and vulnerability to relapse after quitting. Female rats exhibited stronger cravings for cocaine during estrus, a phase associated with ovulation, compared to non-estrus.
Erika J. Wolf receives $346,000 grant from NIA to investigate PTSD-related accelerated cellular aging in brain tissue. The study aims to gain insight into the physiological mechanisms and consequences of accelerated epigenetic aging.
Case notes made by healthcare professionals can predict impending seclusion in psychiatric patients, according to a new study. The research found that longer and more emotional notes were associated with increased risk of seclusion, highlighting the importance of integrating subjective perceptions into electronic documentation.
Researchers have identified baseline characteristics that predict moderate-to-severe psychiatric adverse events in smokers using smoking cessation drugs. Existing anxiety, suicidal ideation, and white race are key predictors across all three frontline medications.
A new Prediction Risk Score developed by researchers predicts suicidal behavior more accurately than psychiatric diagnoses alone. The score combines factors such as depressive symptom severity, variability, and childhood abuse to identify high-risk individuals.
A recent study by the University of Turku found a strong association between prenatal nicotine exposure and offspring ADHD. The research used cotinine levels from pregnant maternal serum specimens collected during pregnancy, revealing a significant link between maternal smoking and offspring ADHD.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that combining antidepressants with antipsychotic drugs may have benefits for individuals with schizophrenia. The research suggests that antidepressant use can reduce the risk of hospitalization by 16% compared to antipsychotics and by 22% compared to benzodiazepines.
A new screening tool designed specifically for human trafficking was found to be more effective than a commonly used psychosocial assessment in identifying sexual and labor exploitation of youth. The study found that 44% of youth had been arrested, 35% had a history of foster care, and 71% had been kicked out of their homes.
Researchers found that caring contacts reduced suicidal ideation and risk by lowering odds from 15% to 9%. Simple text messages can provide support during stress and transition, improving mental health outcomes.
Sales of prescription psychiatric drugs such as Xanax and diazepam have increased significantly on the UK's darknet marketplaces. The study found that Xanax sales are catching up with diazepam, accounting for nearly a third of all sedative sales.
A recent study published in JAACAP found that young children who express suicidal thoughts have a better understanding of what it means to die. Children as young as four years old who expressed suicidal ideation demonstrated a solid understanding of death concepts, including the possibility of violent causes.
Researchers found that psychiatric readmissions occur later in the postpartum period, with younger women and those with multiple gestations at increased risk. Obstetric care providers should be aware of these risk factors to optimize postpartum care for at-risk women.
A new study finds that people with psychosis experience accelerated aging of brain networks important for general cognition, but at a faster rate than healthy individuals. This accelerated decline can be a promising target for early intervention and cognitive remediation strategies to improve functional outcomes.
A major Australian study has found that suicidal thoughts do not accurately predict suicide, challenging a widely held belief. The meta-analysis of 70 studies showed that only 1.7% of people with suicidal ideas died by suicide, while about 60% of those who did die had denied having suicidal thoughts.
A study by Yale researchers reveals a complex interplay between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the rapid and long-lasting antidepressant effects of ketamine. Administering BDNF or VEGF to specific brain regions produces rapid and long-lasting antidepressant-like actions similar...
Researchers discovered a correlation between specific genetic variants and the development of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and autism. The study analyzed DNA samples from nearly all newborn babies in Denmark, finding that these variants are often present in individuals with these conditions.
Researchers found people with highest genetic propensity are over two and a half times more likely to be treated for depression. The study followed 34,500 Danes for up to 20 years, measuring their genetic risk for developing depression.
Experts debate the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating severe depression, with some arguing it has no long-term benefits compared to placebo and can cause brain damage. Others claim ECT is effective and safe for treatment-resistant depression, with most side effects resolving within weeks.
Researchers developed an adaptive treatment strategy to identify patients at risk of treatment failure in Internet-delivered CBT. The study found that adjusting the treatment to accommodate individual needs can significantly improve outcomes for those at high risk.
A recent study published in Behaviour Research Methods found that NBA players who excelled early in their careers retained more skill as they aged. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,800 players and discovered a slower decline in performance after the peak of their career.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a significant association between tobacco use and paranoid experiences in adolescents. The study, which used data from over 3,700 twin pairs, suggested that genetic influences played a key role in this link.
A genome-wide study found that copy number variants (CNVs) are more closely associated with a 'schizophrenia-like' bipolar disorder subtype than the broader form of bipolar disorder. This suggests a distinct mechanism underlying the biology of schizoaffective disorder, which shares symptoms with schizophrenia.
Reactive attachment disorder is a social functioning disorder characterized by ambivalence towards comfort and emotional withdrawal. A study of 614 children with RAD found that parents' psychiatric diagnoses increased the child's risk by nine-fold for mothers and six-fold for fathers.