Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
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.
A mouse model of traumatic memory found that male mice recall fear-related memories better than female mice due to natural activation of cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in males. Artificial activation of Cdk5 reduced the strength of fear memories in female mice, highlighting sex differences in how fear is remembered.
The study analyzed register data from 5.9 million people in Denmark, uncovering how different types of mental disorders accumulate across a lifespan. Comorbidity is confirmed as the rule, not the exception, with those diagnosed with one mental disorder more likely to receive diagnoses for all other types.
A new model predicts PTSD risk with high accuracy, identifying individuals at significant risk for early intervention. The model, developed from a large international study, analyzes trauma scores and estimates each individual's risk of chronic PTSD.
A recent study found that over 40% of youth exhibit obsessive or compulsive behaviors, which can be a red flag for serious psychiatric conditions. Children who experience bad thoughts and intrusive images are more likely to develop depression and suicidal tendencies.
A meta-analysis of 242 studies reveals common neurocognitive network alterations across psychiatric disorders, including reduced gray matter and disrupted functional connectivity. These findings suggest that neuroimaging may be providing a measure of symptom-related pathology, rather than directly related to the disease process.
Researchers found that paramedics can effectively identify acute psychiatric crises and divert them to specialized psychiatric facilities, reducing wait times for treatment. Over a five-year period, 22,000 psychiatric patients were treated at these facilities after being medically cleared by paramedics.
A recent study published in Psychiatric Services found that over 12% of U.S. adults used benzodiazepines in the past year, with misuse accounting for nearly 17% of overall use. Benzodiazepine misuse was strongly associated with opioid and stimulant misuse, highlighting concerns about substance abuse.
A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University and Lund University in Sweden found that children of parents with alcohol use disorder are more likely to get married at younger ages and less likely to marry at older ages. They are also more likely to marry a person who has alcohol use disorder themselves.
Researchers found lower overall brain volumes and altered connectivity associated with callous traits in children. The study provides a neural profile of callousness in children, highlighting its potential as an early risk factor for negative behaviors and health outcomes later in life.
A new study found that regular visits to museums, theatres, or cinemas can lower the chances of developing depression in people over 50. The research also showed that cultural activities have similar benefits to exercise and eating a balanced diet for mental health.
A study by Columbia engineers and psychiatrists reveals that avoidant grievers unconsciously monitor and block their mental state to prevent painful thoughts. The researchers used neural decoding to track the interactions between mental processes, showing that this control occurs outside of conscious awareness.
A study in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals with childhood maltreatment have altered brain networks, but those who are resilient may have additional changes that compensate for the effects of maltreatment. These changes can help predict susceptibility or resilience to psychiatric symptoms.
Researchers used brain scans to identify patterns that distinguish individuals with DID from healthy controls, achieving an accuracy of 73%. The study provides the first evidence of a biological basis for diagnosing DID, potentially preventing unnecessary suffering through earlier and more accurate diagnosis.
Researchers at The Ohio State University found that eliminating microglia can reverse some aspects of stress sensitization, but not increased anxiety. Microglia hold unique signatures of chronic stress and play a critical role in the recurrence of anxiety after chronic stress.
Research from RCSI found that one quarter of individuals who attempted or died by suicide had problems with basic sensory experiences, such as hearing or seeing things that aren't real. This dysfunction can predict suicidal behavior and offers new avenues for treatment and suicide prevention.
A new study shows that fewer Americans have serious psychological distress, but those with less distress are getting more outpatient mental health care. The growth in treatment is driven by people with little or no distress, while those with serious distress often don't receive the care they need.
A new specialist programme at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has been shown to significantly reduce hospital readmissions for people with bipolar disorder. The OPTIMA Mood Disorders Service provides intensive, specialist treatment tailored to individual needs, resulting in lower rates of re-admission.
A new study highlights the need for a shift in mental health provision based on public views and individual perspectives. Mental health professionals should adapt their practice to acknowledge patients' beliefs and preferences, rather than relying on assumed assumptions.
A Michigan Medicine study finds that nearly half of suicidal adolescents who watched Netflix's '13 Reasons Why' reported an increased suicide risk, highlighting the need for parental vigilance and tailored prevention programming. The majority of teens who discussed their reactions with peers did so without a parent's involvement.
Researchers at University of Utah Health identified four gene changes linked to increased suicide risk in high-risk families. These findings may lead to new treatments for those who suffer from mental health issues.
A new study found that cessation fatigue, emotional exhaustion and reduced coping resources, increases in the first six weeks of a quit attempt, leading to worse performance on smoking cessation milestones. High cessation fatigue scores predicted lower chances of going a full week without smoking at two months.
Rutgers is creating a regional Mental Health Technology Transfer Center to train mental health practitioners and support the implementation of evidence-based research. The center will focus on increasing access to treatment, prevention, and recovery services for underserved populations.
Researchers discovered that toddlers with autism spectrum disorder display enhanced anger and frustration but decreased fear in response to naturalistic situations. The capacity to experience joy appears intact in the early stages of the disorder, which may help harness emotional competence for therapeutic purposes.
A nationwide study found that mental health diagnoses and treatment among college students increased substantially between 2007 and 2017. The study also revealed a significant decrease in mental health stigma over the same period.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that exposure to early life violence accelerates biological aging, including pubertal development, while deprivation-related adversity leads to delayed pubertal development. Children who experienced violence showed signs of accelerated epigenetic aging and increased symptoms of depression.
Researchers have established an in vitro model of human neuron development to investigate the complex genetic origins of mental illnesses. The study found that changes in gene expression during neural development were significantly associated with genetic risk for schizophrenia.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified two subanesthetic doses of ketamine as effective in reducing symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. The doses of 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg showed significant symptom improvement, while lower doses did not produce the same results.
A high-fat diet in female mice affects their offspring's obesity, insulin resistance, and addictive-like behaviors for three generations. The study found that only females showed addictive-like behaviors, while males showed obesity characteristics in the third generation.
Researchers found large differences in brain regions among individuals with schizophrenia, making it difficult to diagnose based on symptoms. The study highlights the need for individualized treatments and brain 'fingerprints' to improve patient outcomes.
A Mayo Clinic study found that firearms were involved in 85% of first-time youth suicides, resulting in high lethality rates. The study also revealed that prior mental health concerns were absent in 41.2% of youth index attempters.
Researchers used lesion network mapping to analyze how brain injuries disrupt volition and agency, finding that symptoms localize to interconnected brain networks. The study suggests that targeting these networks through brain stimulation may lead to new approaches for treating disrupted free will in neurological and psychiatric patients.
Experts emphasize the need for more neuroscience research on long-term recovery from substance abuse, citing the potential benefits for clinical practice and public policy. The International Quit & Recovery Registry provides valuable insights into recovery processes.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that patients who received talk therapy shortly after a relative's death had a lower risk of suicide and psychiatric illness. The study, which analyzed health data from over 200,000 Danes, suggests that early intervention can prevent serious psychiatric events.
A recent study found that 55.0% of individuals aged 50+, 62.9% with moderate depression, and 67.8% with severe depression had arthritis. The study highlights the importance of treating arthritis-related pain in older adults with depressive symptoms.
A study in rats found that increased orexin neurons contribute to cocaine addiction and that restoring these neurons or blocking their signaling can reverse addiction. The findings suggest a promising avenue for treating addiction with orexin-based therapies.
A new study identifies missed opportunities for catching depression in non-White and medically ill patients, as well as men, who are less likely to be screened. The research suggests that combining hazardous alcohol use screening with a simple questionnaire could improve treatment outcomes for these at-risk populations.
A research team led by Tohoku University has revealed the evolution of a gene related to psychiatric traits. The SLC18A1 gene variant is associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and neuroticism, suggesting that natural selection may have shaped human psychiatric diversity.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that internet- and telephone-assisted trainings for parents and children with disruptive behavior at age 4 significantly reduced child behavioral problems and increased parental skills. The program showed positive long-term outcomes, i...
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered a new approach to targeted and more tolerable therapeutics for treating disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. The study found that selectively activating the G protein signaling pathway can enhance motor function while avoiding negative side effects.