Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that rural African-American women had lower rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and mood disorder compared to their urban counterparts. In contrast, rural non-Hispanic white women had higher rates of MDD and mood disorder. The findings suggest the need for further research into the correl...
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that beta secretase inhibitors can impair synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions, highlighting the need for dose-dependent treatment. The researchers urge caution in dosing these inhibitors to balance safety and efficacy.
A study of over 3.9 million US military personnel found no association between deployment and increased risk of suicide. However, those who separated from service or had shorter periods of service showed higher suicide rates.
A new study finds that high-fat diets produce changes in gut microbiome, leading to altered behavior and cognitive function. Mice with high-fat diet-induced gut microbiota showed increased anxiety, impaired memory, and signs of brain inflammation.
A randomized clinical trial found that various DBT interventions, including skills training and individual therapy, were comparably effective at reducing suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury acts. The study suggests that more research is needed to determine the best DBT intervention for highly suicidal individuals.
Research reveals anorexics' brain mechanisms that enable them to resist food temptations. Women recovered from anorexia nervosa exhibited decreased response to hunger and increased activation of cognitive control circuits.
A recent study found that children of deployed military parents experience increased mental healthcare needs and physical injury rates compared to non-deployed children. The risk of child maltreatment also increases when parents return from deployment injured.
A new study finds that antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of death in dementia patients, particularly those taking higher doses. Researchers analyzed nearly 91,000 veterans and found a higher mortality risk among those taking these medications compared to those not taking them.
A new computational tool identifies 800 ways people are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), allowing for personalized prediction guides. The algorithm, developed by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers, can predict PTSD risk less than two weeks after a traumatic event.
Researchers have found genetic markers in blood samples associated with gene networks regulating innate immune function and interferon signaling, offering insights into the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study suggests that these molecular signatures may be used to predict who is at risk of developing PTSD.
A large study found that most voice-hearers experience multiple voices with distinct qualities, while some also report physical effects on their bodies. The findings question traditional views of hearing voices and suggest different types of therapies could be beneficial for voice-hearers.
A new study found that nearly 86% of Tourette syndrome patients will receive a second psychiatric diagnosis, with 58% receiving two or more. Mood and anxiety disorders are common among TS patients, emerging as early as age 5, and are related to OCD and ADHD diagnoses.
A new study has identified antibodies targeting dopamine D2 receptors and NMDA glutamate receptors in children experiencing their first episode of psychosis. This finding suggests that autoimmunity may play a role in the development of psychosis, offering hope for new treatment approaches.
Researchers discover cannabinoid CB2 agonist AM1710 suppresses chemotherapy-induced pain in mice without tolerance or withdrawal symptoms. The therapeutic effect of AM1710 is preserved even after repeated dosing and blocking CB1 receptors produces no signs of withdrawal.
A study led by the University of Vermont found that most doctors prescribe antipsychotics for kids with major mental illness, following guidelines. However, there is room for improvement in lab tests and access to evidence-based therapies.
A new review finds that people with mild cognitive impairment are 65% more likely to develop dementia if they have diabetes and over twice as likely if they have psychiatric symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise may help prevent dementia.
A meta-analysis of 203 articles from 29 countries found that individuals with mental health disorders have a relative risk of mortality 2.22 times higher than the comparison population. The majority of deaths among people with mental health disorders are due to natural causes, with a median potential life lost of 10 years.
A major study by McGill University and the University of Edinburgh found that long-term smoking causes thinning of the brain's cortex, accelerating cognitive decline. Stopping smoking helps restore part of the cortex's thickness, but recovery is slow and incomplete.
A study found that extremely low birth weight babies are more likely to develop psychiatric problems like depression and ADHD as adults. However, those who received steroids during pregnancy were not protected against these issues.
A review of neuroimaging studies suggests that areas of agreement exist in psychiatric diagnoses, particularly regarding the integrity of the anterior insula/dorsal anterior cingulate network. This network is associated with executive function deficits seen across various diagnoses. The study analyzed 193 peer-reviewed articles and fou...
A Stanford study analyzed nearly 16,000 brain images and found a common pattern of gray matter loss in three brain structures associated with high-level functions. This discovery challenges traditional classification of psychiatric disorders based on symptoms.
A new international collaboration reveals a vital relationship between diet quality and potential nutritional deficiencies and mental health. The study finds that nutrient-based prescription has the potential to assist in managing mental disorders at an individual and population level.
A new study found that postpartum depression can have onset of symptoms that begin in pregnancy, impacting prognosis and treatment tailoring. Women who experienced symptoms during pregnancy may be at risk for more severe postpartum depression.
A new study finds that gray matter loss in the brain is a precursor to psychosis, with increased inflammation accelerating this process. Researchers analyzed brain scans of young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis and healthy controls, revealing a significant correlation between proinflammatory cytokines and gray matter thinning.
A long-term study of civilian women found that those with more PTSD symptoms had a nearly two-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that antidepressant use and higher body mass index associated with PTSD may mediate this relationship.
The study found that major depression was highly prevalent in adolescents, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 11%, and females had twice the rates of males. The majority of adolescents with MDD demonstrated severe role impairment and substantial comorbidity with other mental conditions.
Research reveals that women experience stronger urges to smoke at the beginning of their menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes. This knowledge could help women overcome abstinence-related withdrawal symptoms more easily, especially during the mid-luteal phase when estrogen and progesterone levels are higher.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children whose parents have attempted suicide are nearly 5 times more likely to attempt suicide themselves. Researchers followed the children of 701 parents with mood disorders for an average of six years, and found a direct effect of parental suicide attempt on child suicide attempt.
Researchers found that music playing alters motor areas of the brain, influencing executive functioning, working memory, and emotional processing. A child's musical background also correlates with cortical thickness in behavior-regulating areas.
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 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.
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.
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.