Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that patients with ADHD and emotional instability disorders exhibit similar brain changes, particularly in the frontal lobe. The findings suggest a broader treatment approach for both conditions, potentially benefiting individuals with ADHD who also experience emotional problems.
Research from King's College London has found that cannabidiol can help reduce psychotic symptoms by resetting abnormal brain activity. The study provides the first evidence of how cannabidiol acts in the brain to alleviate psychosis and suggests it could be a safer alternative to current treatments.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that high maternal cortisol levels during pregnancy are associated with anxious and depressive-like behaviors in female offspring at the age of 2. The effect is linked to altered brain connectivity, particularly in the amygdala region important for emotion processing.
A new study found an association between maternal pesticide levels and autism in children, with elevated DDE levels increasing the risk of autism by twofold. The study suggests a potential biomarker-based link between maternal exposure to insecticides and autism among offspring.
A study found that frequent tobacco smokers had a nearly 20% decrease in CB1 receptors across the brain, similar to previous findings in cannabis and alcohol abuse. This reduction may be associated with addiction and could have negative effects on normal brain functions like memory and stress coping.
Researchers found that children with a history of mild traumatic brain injury do not have an increased genetic risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), contrasting with developmental ADHD. The study suggests at least two forms of ADHD, one linked to inherited genes and the other to traumatic brain injury.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have found evidence of how certain transport proteins are working at the molecular level, potentially leading to improved treatments for psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and OCD. The study's findings suggest that a universal feature of these transport proteins may ...
A new study using machine learning has identified four brain-based dimensions of mental health disorders, including mood, psychosis, fear, and disruptive externalizing behavior. These findings suggest that psychiatric symptoms do not neatly fall into established categories, but instead emerge from diverse clinical domains to form dimen...
A study by researchers at IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation and University of Rome found that childhood adversity alters the immune system, increasing sensitivity to cocaine in adulthood. Exposure to psychosocial stress early in life leads to permanent changes in immune function, sensitizing the body to cocaine's effects.
Researchers at the University of Alberta developed a machine-learning algorithm to analyze brain function images and predict schizophrenia diagnosis with 78% accuracy. The model also identified patients who would respond positively to antipsychotic treatment risperidone with 82% accuracy.
Researchers found Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone suffered from a range of neurological disorders, including migraines and stroke. The study suggests that these patients require specialist support and treatment to manage their symptoms.
Researchers found that boys with autism had lower fractal dimension in the right cerebellar cortex, indicating a flatter surface structure related to communication difficulties. This finding suggests rethinking the role of cerebellar function and structure in young individuals at risk for atypical brain development.
Despite a slight increase, routine depression screening among all US adults remains low, affecting around 8% of American adults. The study's findings also highlight the importance of access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that increased in utero folic acid exposure was associated with changes in later brain development, predicting a reduced risk for symptoms of psychosis. These findings suggest that prenatal folic acid fortification may be an important intervention in preventing severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that only 22% of American youths who received treatment for anxiety disorders stayed anxiety-free over a six-year period. The study also revealed that 30% remained chronically ill and 48% relapsed, highlighting the need for more dur...
Adults who survive opioid overdoses have exceptionally high risks of dying from respiratory diseases, viral hepatitis, and suicide. The study analyzed Medicaid records to find that survivors are substantially more likely to die of these causes than the general population.
A new study explores the phenomenon of radicalized European youth, finding that adolescent psychopathology plays a role in the radicalization process. The study proposes a comprehensive three-level model to explain the phenomenon, which considers individual, micro-environmental, and macro-environmental factors.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a steady increase in more frequent cannabis use among adults after 2007, particularly in middle-age and older age groups. This trend contrasts with stable prevalence before 2007 and decreases among adolescents.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found an association between preschool and school-age irritability and aberrant reward-related brain connectivity. This suggests possible mechanisms underlying mood dysregulation in youth with increased irritability during these developmental st...
A study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that cocaine self-administration changes gene expression in the brains of mice. Transcriptome-wide alterations indicate a significant impact on brain reward circuits.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry provides updated estimates of the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of eating disorders in the US. The study found that 0.80% of US adults will be affected by anorexia nervosa, 0.28% by bulimia nervosa, and 0.85% by binge eating disorder in their lifetime.
A Facebook-based treatment program found that smokers are 2.5 times more likely to quit after three months compared to an online quit-smoking program. Young adults, who are often reluctant to seek help, showed high engagement and short-term abstinence rates.
The article highlights significant flaws in the design, implementation, and analysis of pharmacogenetic tests for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and related psychiatric conditions. The researchers argue that these tests are not supported by robust evidence and may provide misleading information.
A new study identifies a brain abnormality associated with a person's general risk for mental illness, found in participants with higher mental health liability. The study suggests a single risk factor may predict development of any form of psychiatric disorder.
A study of 133 veterans found that a gene variant may increase psychiatric symptoms, such as PTSD and depression, after traumatic brain injury. The researchers suggest possible explanations for this link, including the gene's effect on emotion regulation and vascular disease.
Researchers found that brain regions responsible for understanding what we see have trouble communicating with other brain networks, increasing risk of mental illness. This breakdown may help target interventions and therapies.
Researchers found that TDP-43 and DISC1 protein clusters disrupt dendritic local translation, leading to abnormal cell function and behavior. The study provides a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study found that a family history of psychiatric disorders, especially bipolar disorder, increases the risk of postpartum psychiatric conditions in mothers. The risk is higher when there's a male relative with a psychiatric disorder, and it's more pronounced among women without prior mental health issues.
Researchers successfully implemented cognitive remediation throughout New York State's psychiatric hospital system, recognizing and addressing cognitive deficits in serious mental illness. The embedded quality assurance program evaluation tools indicated that cognitive remediation was sustainable and effective.
A new study found that children with greater parent-child communication have better brain connectivity, leading to lower harmful alcohol use and emotional eating in young adulthood. The research highlights the importance of parenting skills in childhood for long-term brain development and health behaviors.
A pilot study found that machine learning algorithms can accurately predict students at risk of perpetrating school violence, outperforming human assessments in some cases. The technology has the potential to aid in preventing school violence by identifying high-risk individuals and providing targeted interventions.
Chronic dizziness can be a symptom of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, with up to 15% of patients affected. A whole-person approach addressing both mental and physical health is crucial in diagnosis and treatment.
A new Yale study analyzed 14 million newspaper articles from 1900-2016 to find that each war brought a new term for what are now known as PTSD symptoms. This lack of clear terminology may have slowed clinical and scientific progress on the disorder.
A study of over 11,000 twins found that children's reading level is highly heritable and determines their reading habits. The research highlights the importance of improving both reading skills and motivation to combat a cycle where children avoid reading due to difficulties.
A nationwide study of 2.8 million people over 36 years found that sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an increased risk of developing both dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The risk of dementia increased with the number and severity of injuries, even a single mild TBI.
Researchers found primary care providers and pediatricians are less confident in evaluating irritability than child and adolescent psychiatrists, leading to over-reliance on medication. Increasing education and training may help improve diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study found that immigrant youth from specific racial-ethnic groups in the US have lower rates of certain mental disorders compared to their non-immigrant peers. The study examined the lifetime prevalence of mood, anxiety, and behavior disorders among 6,250 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years.
A study found that young Americans with nonfatal self-harm attempts had a sharply higher risk of suicide in the months following, especially among adolescents. The risk was highest for those who survived violent methods of self-harm.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals distinct molecular changes in gene expression between men and women with major depressive disorder, suggesting different pathology and treatment needs.
A study found exposure to fine particles during fetal life may cause permanent brain damage and contribute to impaired cognitive function in school-age children. Brain abnormalities, including a thinner outer layer of the brain cortex, were linked to difficulty with inhibitory control and related mental health problems.
A review in Journal of Psychiatric Practice recommends cognitive therapies as a favored approach to addressing trauma symptoms in human trafficking victims. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) shows promise in treating trauma-related distress, with potential benefits including reduced feelings of guilt and shame.
Researchers have developed a polygenic risk score to identify adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in their 50s, who are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The score correctly identified individuals with MCI and showed that those with cognitive deficits other than memory problems were more likely to have diabetes.
Patients treated at PEPP experienced a significant reduction in risk of mortality, emergency department visits, and involuntary hospitalizations. However, benefits were not observed long-term, highlighting the need for further research on EPI program effectiveness.
A meta-analysis of 43 controlled trials found school-based mental health services effective for elementary-aged children, particularly targeting behavior problems. The study suggests increased support and training for school staff is crucial for the success and sustainability of these services.
Researchers developed a new method to extract valuable symptom information from doctors' notes, capturing the complexity of psychiatric disorders. The approach was applied in two studies, identifying genes associated with psychiatric symptoms and predicting hospital stay length.
A genome-wide association study identified a new genetic alteration, RGMA variant, linked to opioid dependence in European-Americans. The study provides insight into the biological origins of opioid dependence and may lead to novel pharmacological approaches for treatment.
A new study by the Eurasian Child & Adolescent Mental Health Study network reveals a strong correlation between Human Development Index scores and the availability of mental health services. Countries with high HDI rankings have higher ratios of child and adolescent psychiatrists per population size, indicating better investment in chi...
Researchers found that androgens increase cell spread and prevent death, potentially predisposing boys to autism. The study identified key genes regulated by testosterone that contribute to the risk of autism.
A study has identified five novel genetic variants associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that also influence educational attainment. The findings suggest a shared genetic basis between the two conditions, which may contribute to academic underachievement in children with ADHD.
A randomized, double-blind trial showed that adding sodium benzoate to clozapine improved negative symptoms and overall symptoms in patients with refractory schizophrenia. The treatment had no side effects and may provide hope for treating the most difficult-to-treat patients.
A comprehensive study found that over 50% of female Yazidi former ISIS captives suffered from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), with PTSD also prevalent among the population. The research highlights the need for sensitive therapeutic interventions and supportive environments to address the unique needs of these victims.
A new study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that some psychiatric medications may be underprescribed in children and adolescents. The study analyzed prescription rates with prevalence rates for ADHD, anxiety disorders, and depression, and discovered no significant overprescription.
Researchers found that adding zonisamide to levodopa improved movement symptoms in people with dementia with Lewy bodies without worsening psychiatric symptoms. The study, published in Neurology, suggests a potential new treatment option for this debilitating condition.
A new study suggests that disruptions in certain regions of the visuospatial working memory network may lead to its impairment in schizophrenia. The precise balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is altered, leading to impaired visuospatial working memory.
A study found that depression symptoms among older adults undergoing aortic valve replacement procedures were associated with a higher rate of death. Screening for depression may be justified for these patients, highlighting the importance of mental health screening in cardiovascular care.
Researchers at Indiana University and Rutgers University found a correlation between subtle changes in movement and autism diagnoses, suggesting a potential biomarker for early detection. The study assessed volunteers' arm movements using high-speed sensors, revealing hidden fluctuations that corresponded to previous autism diagnoses.
A new study identified a key brain region controlling social behavior and found that altering its activity may contribute to social deficits in autism. Increasing activity led to social problems, while decreasing it prevented social issues.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that bipolar I and II disorders have different biological causes, with stronger family clustering for each subtype. The research also identified distinct gender differences and genetic correlations between the subtypes.
Researchers found epigenetic changes in the CRH gene, a key player in the body's stress system, are linked to serious suicide attempts and psychiatric illness. The study suggests environmental factors can affect genetic expression, highlighting the importance of regulating the stress system for mental health.
A nationwide study found that ADHD medication use was associated with a lower risk of developing sexually transmitted infections. The study, which tracked data from over 17,000 individuals with ADHD, found that those who used ADHD medications had a 30-41% lower risk of STIs compared to non-ADHD controls.