Articles tagged with Psychiatry
Researchers found that brain structure and connectivity can predict which patients with refractory OCD are likely to respond to dorsal anterior cingulotomy. The study analyzed preoperative imaging data from 15 patients, identifying key neuroanatomical features associated with treatment success.
Researchers found that OCD patients were less capable of stopping pedal-pressing habits due to excessive caudate nucleus activity, linking compulsions to the brain's habit system. The study suggests that habits may be behind various psychiatric behaviors, including drug abuse and binge-eating.
Researchers found higher levels of education among those declared not criminally responsible for a crime and hospitalized. Additionally, incarcerated individuals with severe mental disorders had a greater history of suicide attempts and psychopathic traits, emphasizing the need for shared care models between legal and healthcare systems.
A new study identified different trajectories of alcohol-related blackouts (ARBs) in adolescents aged 15-19, finding that certain characteristics increase the likelihood of blackouts. The researchers recommend educating teens about the dangers of blackouts to modify their behaviors and prevent dangerous consequences.
A new study reveals that US workers are prioritizing paid work time over sleep, with short sleepers working longer hours and traveling more. Flexible work start times could be a solution to address this issue and promote better sleep habits.
A pilot study found that two-thirds of patients with treatment-resistant clinical depression experienced an improvement in symptoms after receiving nitrous oxide, compared to one-third who improved with a placebo. The researchers are encouraged by the results and plan to replicate the study and test various concentrations of laughing gas.
A Penn Medicine study suggests that disruptions in brain memory-related activity after quitting can identify smokers at risk of relapsing. Smokers who failed to quit had decreased activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and reduced suppression of activation in the posterior cingulate cortex, indicating a higher chance of re...
Researchers investigate why Kentucky children are prescribed psychotropic medications at a higher rate than the national average. The study aims to identify patterns and potential causes, with a focus on improving care for vulnerable children.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry developed the first potent and highly selective inhibitor of FKBP51, called SAFit-ligand. This inhibitor enhances neuronal cell growth and improves stress-coping behavior in mice, providing a structural and functional basis for mechanistically novel antidepressant treatment.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that deficits in the brain's 'off switch' for anxiety, neuropeptide Y receptors, are associated with anxious temperament. Researchers found decreased expression of two neuropeptide Y receptors in the central nucleus of the amygdala, a region crucial for regulating fear and anxiety.
Research identifies ASIC1a gene variants associated with panic disorder and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and feelings of suffocation. The study found that the genes are also linked to amygdala structure and function, raising hopes for new treatments.
A study found that juvenile detainees with multiple psychiatric disorders are at high risk for developing new disorders five years after release from detention. Almost 27% of males and 14% of females had two or more psychiatric disorders five years later.
Research shows that serotonin's early regulation is vital for brain circuit formation, particularly in inhibitory interneurons. Dysregulation of this system can lead to psychiatric problems, highlighting the importance of understanding its role in brain development.
A global surge in ADHD diagnoses is attributed to marketing trends and the increasing use of biological psychiatry, rather than medical needs. The study found that countries with more lax pharmaceutical laws and adoption of American-based diagnostic standards are seeing a rise in ADHD diagnoses.
A study found that nearly half of posthospitalization suicides occurred in the top 5% of hospitalizations with highest predicted suicide risk. Targeted expanded posthospitalization care might be effective in reducing soldier suicides.
Research suggests an increase in psychotropic medication prescriptions, with doctors often relying on standardized treatments rather than tailored approaches. The tension between clinical reasoning and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) is also a major concern.
Researchers found that FKBP51 regulates acute and chronic effects of antidepressants via autophagic pathways in mice and humans. Autophagy markers correlate with antidepressant treatment response in patients with depression.
A five-year, $750,000 grant will be used to prepare rehabilitation counselors at Georgia State University to work with people with mental illness and psychiatric disabilities. The program aims to address diverse populations and provide innovative training and practice-related needs for the profession of rehabilitation counseling.
This Special Issue examines the evolution of knowledge on infectious diseases, military psychiatry, and surgical pain since World War I. Research highlights the need for new antimicrobial drugs and improved treatments for post-amputation pain, while also discussing the impact of war on healthcare and public health policy.
A new article provides 10 practical tips to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), empowering them to participate in their communities and receive personalized care. The 'Ten Tips' offer a framework for clinical practice and global advocacy, prioritizing the individual's hopes, dreams, and self-determination.
Researchers found that gut-derived bacterial products penetrate the gut barrier and induce inflammatory responses in alcohol-dependent patients. This leads to increased cravings for alcohol, with some but not all altered inflammatory processes recovered after detoxification.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that ghrelin increases alcohol craving in heavy drinkers, suggesting a potential target for future treatments. The study, conducted in humans, built on previous animal research and found significant effects of ghrelin on alcohol desire.
Researchers showed subjects a list of positive and negative words, then asked them to walk on a treadmill while measuring their gait and posture. The study found that those who walked in a depressed style recalled more negative words from the earlier list, suggesting a link between walking style and mood.
A new study suggests that genetic variants associated with ADHD also predict attention and language deficits in the general population. The research found a positive association between polygenic risk scores for ADHD and traits of hyperactivity/impulsiveness and attention, as well as a negative association with pragmatic language abili...
Harvard researchers found that only 26% of psychiatrists offered appointments despite making multiple calls, highlighting the challenges faced by patients seeking mental health care. The study also reveals a significant difference in success rates between cities, with Houston having the most accessible psychiatric services.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that children raised in institutional settings had reduced cortical thickness and greater ADHD symptoms. The study suggests a mechanism linking institutional rearing to compromised brain development.
Two UC San Diego professors, David Braff and Gregory Light, have been recognized for their contributions to schizophrenia research. They developed innovative methods to identify biomarkers and create new psychosocial and pharmaceutical therapies for the disorder.
A randomized study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreased the incidence of interferon-alpha-induced depression in patients with hepatitis C. The treatment also delayed the onset of depression and was well-tolerated without serious side effects.
Researchers developed a predictive model based on clinical symptoms, cognitive abilities, brain structure, and biomarkers to forecast patient outcomes. The model aims to improve treatment for mental illnesses like schizophrenia and could lead to more personalized care.
A new study reveals TMS treatment normalizes hyperconnectivity in the DMN, while leaving CEN connectivity unaffected. The treatment may act by selectively regulating network-level connectivity.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognized eight scientists with Outstanding Achievement Prizes for their work on psychiatric disorders, affecting one in four people. Recipients include Drs. David Braff and Patrick Sullivan, who pioneered schizophrenia and mood disorder research.
Dr. Patrick F. Sullivan, a psychiatric geneticist, received the 2014 Lieber Prize for his distinguished work on schizophrenia. He heads large international projects and directs mega-analyses involving 90,000 participants.
Researchers analyzed data from 7,371 children in Finland and found that those conceived less than 12 months after a sibling's birth were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism. The risk was also higher for those conceived at long intervals, over 40% higher.
A study found that peer drinking reduces the protective effects of an ADH1B gene variant in adolescents, leading to increased risk of drinking milestones. The study analyzed data from 1,550 European and African-American individuals who consumed alcohol before age 18.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center identifies a specific neurobiological basis for key symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including sadness, emotional detachment, and listlessness. The research uses brain imaging to link an opioid receptor in the brain to these symptoms, suggesting a potential target for personal...
A new study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that factors outside the workplace contribute to mental health problems. Employees living with a partner, with young children or higher household income, experienced fewer burnout symptoms. The research emphasizes the importance of considering home life along...
A new study found that schizophrenia patients have lower levels of nicotine receptors in the brain and experience improved social withdrawal and cognitive function after smoking. Smoking-related increases in nicotine receptors were also associated with better outcomes in these patients.
New research reveals schizophrenia to be a group of eight genetically distinct disorders, each with its own set of symptoms. The study analyzed genetic influences on over 4,000 people with schizophrenia and identified distinct gene clusters that contribute to the condition.
Researchers studied brain development in people with and without schizophrenia, finding altered trajectories of growth in highly-connected brain regions. The findings provide clues to the underlying causes of schizophrenia, supporting a neurodevelopmental disorder hypothesis.
Research finds associations between psychotic disorders and reduced cortical folding patterns in key brain regions, suggesting alterations in brain development early in life. The study's results also indicate a potential familial risk marker for psychotic illnesses.
A new study led by University College London found that 40% of women with severe mental illness have suffered rape or attempted rape in adulthood, compared to 7% of the general population. Women with severe mental illness are also more likely to suffer domestic violence, with 69% reporting childhood abuse and 49% reporting adult abuse.
Research suggests that e-cigarettes with nicotine can alter brain biochemistry and prime users to respond to other substances. This could lead to increased risk of addiction to marijuana and cocaine among adolescents and young adults.
The American Society of Human Genetics and National Human Genome Research Institute have awarded a genetics and public policy fellowship to Katherine D. Blizinsky, PhD. The 16-month appointment aims to develop and implement genetics-related health and research policy at a national level.
A nationwide Danish register study found that psychiatrically ill youth exposed to antipsychotic medications had a significantly higher risk of developing type II diabetes compared to those not exposed. Regular cardiometabolic monitoring should be integral part of antipsychotic prescribing in children and adolescents.
Researchers mapped the circuitry of dyslexia using functional neuroimaging tools, revealing widespread differences in brain connectivity among dyslexic readers. They found decreased connectivity within the visual pathway and between visual and prefrontal regions, as well as increased right-hemisphere connectivity.
The VCU Alcohol Research Center will investigate the genetic systems contributing to alcoholism using advanced statistical and bioinformatic methods. Researchers will focus on gene networks influencing alcohol behaviors in humans and animals.
Researchers identified three key neurocognitive dimensions: impulsive action, impulsive choice, and reward sensitivity. These dimensions are linked to externalizing problems and can be targeted in interventions. The study suggests prevention and intervention approaches targeting these deficits have potential to impact clinical outcomes.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that testosterone increases the brain's reactivity to threat cues in healthy men. The study used a novel two-step pharmacological challenge paradigm and found that testosterone increased activity in brain structures involved in threat processing and aggressive behavior.
A new model for clinical depression takes into account the dynamic role of the immune system, highlighting different phases and their implications for treatment. This understanding may lead to more effective treatments, as common medications may not work for all patients in certain phases of illness.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognized six exceptional young scientists with the 2014 Klerman and Freedman Prizes for their innovative research on mental health. The winners were awarded for their work using neuroimaging to identify the biological roots of major mental illness, as well as their discoveries on the genetic m...
A UK-led study has discovered over 100 genetic risk factors linked to schizophrenia, shedding light on the biological cause of the condition. The findings point to new biological mechanisms and pathways, including genes associated with schizophrenia being active in the immune system.
A performance improvement initiative for physicians increased their use of evidence-based practices in screening for and treating depression. The three-step program showed substantial improvements in adherence to guideline-based practice among doctors who completed all three steps.
Researchers found that schizophrenia patients exhibit altered brain activity in the ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, leading to impaired ability to control working memory. This deficit is characterized by increased activation of irrelevant information, hindering cognitive function.
Researchers found that levels of severity and functional impairment among children with ADHD under 7 were comparable to those with other mental disorders. The study highlights the importance of systematic study of diagnostic criteria in representative samples.
A European teen imaging study has identified 40 predictor variables, including genetics, brain function, and personality, that can predict teenage binge-drinking with 70% accuracy. The study found that having a family history of drug use, sensation-seeking traits, and impulsivity were among the key predictors.
A new smartphone-based system detects changes in patients' behavioral patterns and transmits them to professionals in real time, facilitating patient observation and improving clinical psychiatry. The technology has the potential to greatly improve response time and efficacy of clinical psychiatrists.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals at high risk for addiction share similar neurobiological signatures with addicted individuals. The research suggests a common brain mechanism that promotes the use of addictive substances in vulnerable people and those with long-standing habitual substance use.
Researchers found that impulsivity plays a crucial role in cocaine addiction, with highly impulsive rats taking longer to develop habits. The study identified specific phases of addiction where dopamine receptor blockers may be effective in treating compulsive cocaine use.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine will examine the role of kynurenic acid in schizophrenia, a devastating psychiatric disease affecting one percent of people worldwide. The study aims to uncover its potential linchpin role and develop new treatment interventions.
Researchers found that anxious children had enlarged amygdala volume and increased connectivity with other brain regions, compared to non-anxious children. The study's findings provide new insights into the neurodevelopmental origins of anxiety in humans.