Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
A study by McGill University researchers found that emotional abuse has equivalent, broad, and universal effects on children's behavior and mental health, comparable to physical abuse and neglect. The study suggests that effective treatments for maltreatment of any sort are likely to have comprehensive benefits.
Researchers studied concussion-like symptom reporting in over 30,000 uninjured adolescents, finding a link between symptom reporting and male sex, preexisting psychiatric and neurological conditions. The study suggests that the definition of 'asymptomatic' after concussion can be challenging to determine.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry finds that hormonal treatments for sex reassignment alter brain chemistry, increasing serotonin levels in female-to-male transsexuals and decreasing them in male-to-female transsexuals. These changes may explain why testosterone improves symptoms in some forms of depression.
Research shows that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 20.1% of women who served in Vietnam, with those exposed to sexual harassment or job performance pressure being at higher risk. The study emphasizes the importance of clinicians screening for PTSD symptoms and sensitivity to non-combat wartime experiences.
A five-year trial found that emergency department-based brief interventions significantly reduced underage drinking and related consequences among patients aged 14-20. The study suggests that a single-session intervention can play a role in decreasing underage drinking among youth.
Patients taking benzodiazepines for psychiatric conditions face increased risk of dementia and death due to the class of drugs' potential negative effects. Alternative therapies like anti-depressants are recommended for safer and more effective treatment.
A cognitive-behavioral prevention program for depression among at-risk youth showed benefit over 6 years after implementation, reducing depression incidence and promoting competence. The program's effects were seen in youths whose index parent was not depressed at enrollment.
A new study by UConn Health psychiatrist Golda Ginsburg found that family-based intervention works to prevent anxiety in children. The study, published online September 25 in The American Journal of Psychiatry, found only 9% of children who participated in a therapist-directed family intervention developed anxiety after one year.
A national school-based mental health program reduced mental health symptoms and improved school attendance among participating students. The program, established in Chile, teaches key mental health skills to children, parents, and teachers.
A large meta-analysis found that restricting access to means, encouraging help-seeking, and increasing third-party intervention significantly lower the number of deaths at high-risk locations. Interventions reduced annual suicides by over half when combined with other approaches.
A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that women's brains react more strongly to negative images than men's, possibly due to greater emotional sensitivity. The connection between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex was stronger in men, suggesting a more analytical approach to negative emotions.
A comprehensive review of strategies to reduce prolonged sitting found that targeting exercise was less effective than directly decreasing sitting time. Promising interventions included sit-stand desks, tracking sitting time, and setting individual goals.
A study found that teenagers are more likely to smoke if their parent is a smoker, with daughters being particularly vulnerable. The study also found that the risk of nicotine dependence increases with parental smoking and dependence.
A cohort study found a modest association between SSRI use and violent crime among individuals aged 15-24, with increased risks of violent arrests and non-fatal injuries. In contrast, no significant associations were found for older adults, suggesting potential age-related differences in the link between SSRI use and violent behavior.
Three new studies suggest that activating mGluR2 can prevent relapse to cocaine and nicotine use in rodents, as well as reduce methamphetamine cravings. The studies also found that AZD8529, a selective mGluR2 enhancer, showed promising anti-addiction effects in non-human primate models.
A prospective study found that reduced heart rate variability may indicate a greater risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. Marines before and after combat deployment. The researchers suggest that addressing the biology of the autonomic nervous system may offer new opportunities for preventing PTSD.
A comprehensive review of treatment options for PMDD identified selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the first-line treatment, effective in reducing symptoms. For women who experience an inadequate response to SSRIs, alternative treatments such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and oral contraceptives are recommended.
Research found a strong association between low resting heart rate and an increased risk of violent criminality in men. Men with the lowest resting heart rates were more likely to be convicted of violent crimes, with a 39% higher chance compared to those with the highest rates.
A meta-analysis of 1155 patients with schizophrenia and 911 healthy controls found progressive cortical gray matter loss relative to healthy controls, related to cumulative antipsychotic intake. Second-generation antipsychotics showed a neuroprotective effect, reducing progressive loss.
Studies found that cannabis use is associated with smaller left amygdala and right ventral striatum volumes, but no causal link was established. An editorial warns of potential risks for individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, particularly women.
A study published in NPJ-Schizophrenia found that an automated speech analysis program accurately predicted psychosis onset in high-risk youths. The analysis, which measured semantic coherence and syntactic structure, correctly differentiated between individuals who developed psychosis and those who did not.
A recent study found that children aged 13-19 who have been abused can regulate their emotions with a little guidance. The researchers tracked the teens' brain activity as they viewed emotional images and were taught cognitive reappraisal, a strategy to alter emotional responses.
A University of Manchester study found that most hospital management strategies for self-harm are associated with higher risk of death, especially psychiatric admission. Routine aspects of care can be helpful in addressing underlying issues contributing to self-harm.
A diet high in refined carbohydrates may lead to an increased risk for new-onset depression in postmenopausal women, according to a recent study. The study found that greater consumption of dietary fiber, whole grains, vegetables, and non-juice fruits was associated with decreased risk.
Researchers found antidepressants during pregnancy lowered the risk of preterm birth by 16% and very preterm birth by nearly 50%. However, they also increased the risk of neonatal problems, including breathing issues and longer hospital stays.
A recent study by Dr. J. Paul Hamilton and colleagues reveals that depressive ruminations are linked to the subgenual prefrontal cortex and default mode network, suggesting a functional integration of these brain regions that supports rumination in depression. This understanding may provide new insights into the treatment of depression.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that socially integrated women had a lower risk for suicide compared to those who were less integrated. The research, which analyzed data from 72,607 nurses, also revealed that increasing social integration was associated with a lower risk for suicide.
A large-scale trial of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression found no significant reduction in symptoms. The study's results challenge the use of this therapy for depression, but experts suggest alternative approaches may be beneficial.
A computerized attention-control training program significantly reduced combat veterans' preoccupation with - or avoidance of -- threat and attendant PTSD symptoms. This approach balances moment-to-moment fluctuations in attention bias from threat vigilance to threat avoidance, correlating with the severity of PTSD symptoms.
A new study examined brain networks in veterans with trauma exposure using functional magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory tools. The researchers found that veterans with more severe PTSD re-experiencing symptoms showed weaker connectivity in two brain networks, including the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
A study of over 1,800 Vietnam veterans found that approximately 271,000 have current full or subthreshold PTSD and major depressive disorder, with 4.5-11.2% prevalence rates among male and female veterans. The findings highlight the long-term impact of combat service on mental health.
Researchers find that presenting a new outcome instead of omitting an expected threat can lead to more effective fear extinction in both rats and humans. The study's findings have implications for the treatment of anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and phobias.
A new study outlines 10 low-cost interventions that can increase safety on psychiatric wards, reducing aggression and self-harm by 15% and coercive control by 24%. The Safewards Model uses small, low-cost interventions aimed at improving staff skills and relationships with patients, resulting in a more peaceful environment.
A study from Duke University found that children with even mild psychiatric issues are more likely to face challenges in adulthood, including criminal charges, addictions, and education failures. The research suggests that early interventions can prevent these problems, but many children do not receive the necessary treatment.
Research finds high blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) correlate with smaller prefrontal cortex and brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. This may lead to development of easier diagnostic tests and better disease understanding.
A new spectrum disorder called ALPIM syndrome has been identified by researchers, which links anxiety to physical disorders. The study found a high correlation between panic disorder and four domains of physical illness, including joint laxity, fibromyalgia, and immune disorders.
A recent NIH-funded study found that approximately 1.5% of boys aged 10-18 received an antipsychotic prescription in 2010, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being the most common diagnosis among youth ages 1-18. The study also highlighted a significant increase in antipsychotic use with age, beginning at 0.11% for ch...
A new study from Northwestern University finds that virtual training for veterans with PTSD and individuals with severe mental illness significantly increases their chances of getting a job offer. The program teaches them how to ace job interviews by building rapport with the interviewer.
The study found that antipsychotic medication use increased among adolescents and young adults, with males being more likely to use it than females. However, most office visits by children and adolescents with antipsychotic treatment did not include a clinical diagnosis of bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or autism.
Researchers found elevated cytokine levels in blood and brain of individuals with suicidality, distinguishing them from non-suicidal patients. This study contributes to understanding the role of immune system dysfunction in major psychiatric disorders, potentially leading to more personalized medicine.
A study examining cesarean section delivery and autism spectrum disorder found an initial association between the two, but further analysis of sibling pairs revealed no causal link. The study suggests that unknown genetic or environmental factors may contribute to the increased risk of both cesarean section and autism spectrum disorder.
Women under chronic stress have significantly lower levels of klotho, a hormone that regulates aging and enhances cognition. The study found even lower levels of klotho in women with clinically significant depressive symptoms, suggesting a link between psychological influences and klotho.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reveals longitudinal brain changes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during late adolescence and young adulthood. The research found that these individuals experienced an exaggeration of normal cortical thinning, which wa...
A recent study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrates that early intensive behavioral intervention improves outcomes for young children with ASD, including intellectual ability and adaptive behavior. The study found no group differences in core autism symptoms immediately post-treat...
Quantitative brain imaging techniques can detect early cognitive decline and prevent it by identifying key brain structures and lifestyle factors. Studies suggest that a 10% reduction in preventable lifestyle risks can prevent up to 3 million cases of Alzheimer's dementia worldwide.
Stanford researchers found a surprising link between creative problem-solving and heightened activity in the cerebellum, traditionally thought of as the brain's movement-coordination center. The study suggests that shifting executive-control centers impairs creativity.
A global study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that psychotic experiences are relatively rare in the general population, affecting approximately 5.8 percent of adults worldwide. The study also revealed significant differences in prevalence rates between countries and demographics.
A study by King's College London found that mood instability occurs in a wide range of mental disorders and is not exclusive to affective conditions. The research also identified that mood instability was associated with poorer clinical outcomes, such as longer hospital stays and increased use of antipsychotic medication.
A UK birth cohort study found a significant association between childhood nightmares and psychotic experiences in adolescence. Researchers suggest that specific parasomnias could be an early warning sign for psychotic disorder.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that former NFL players who lost consciousness due to concussion during their playing days showed key differences in brain structure later in life. The hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory, was found to be smaller in these athletes compared to a control group.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that dopamine signals the value of delayed rewards, revealing a sophisticated role in guiding decision-making behavior. The research used rodent models to examine the neurotransmitter's dynamic tracking of specific elements of value-based decision making.
Research suggests that PTSD is associated with reduced telomere length, increased pro-inflammatory markers, and medical comorbidity, indicating potential for accelerated aging. This finding warrants a deeper look at the phenomenon and a more integrated medical-psychiatric approach to care.
A study published in Psychiatry Research found that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who engaged in non-suicidal self-injury were five times more likely to attempt suicide. The research suggests that NSSI could serve as a marker for identifying veterans at high risk of suicide.
Researchers developed two new strategies to mitigate the risk of suicide in young people taking SSRIs, finding that careful dosing can minimize negative effects. Adding a molecule called WAY-100635 eliminates anxiety and impulsivity associated with SSRI treatment.
A Swedish study tracking 500,000 children found that high neighborhood deprivation increases risk of conduct disorder and anxiety disorders, while familial factors have a stronger impact on psychiatric disorders. The research suggests shaping policies to promote mental health by considering both family and neighborhood environments.
The Lieber Institute for Brain Development is conducting a multi-site research effort to investigate the role of non-inherited genetic mutations in schizophrenia, specifically somatic mosaicism. The project aims to identify causes of neurodevelopmental disorders and guide treatment development.
A new Northwestern University study of delinquent youth reveals that mental disorders do not predict future violent behavior, except for substance use disorders. Providing comprehensive treatment to individuals with psychiatric illness may reduce violence, according to the research.
Research by Mark Zimmerman suggests borderline personality disorder's psychosocial morbidity and suicidality comparable to bipolar disorder. The study highlights the need for improved detection and treatment of BPD.
A leading psychiatrist argues that depression is not caused by low serotonin levels and that effective treatments do not raise these levels. The serotonin reuptake inhibiting drug class, popularized in the late 1980s, was marketed despite lacking evidence of its effectiveness.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found no genome-wide significant associations between genetic variants and autism spectrum disorder. Instead, the researchers suggest that clinical variability in autism may be due to factors such as epigenetic changes or environmental responses. The study's results have implications for f...