Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Emory University discovered that individuals diagnosed with PTSD treated with ARBs or ACE inhibitors exhibited fewer PTSD-like symptoms. The study found that the medication losartan enhanced fear memory extinction, a process disrupted in individuals with PTSD.
A study sequencing the exome of 231 schizophrenia patients and their unaffected parents found that collective damage across several genes contributes to the disease. This discovery could lead to early detection and treatment strategies.
A new study suggests that kappa opioid receptor blockers might play a role in treating alcoholism by preventing relapse during withdrawal. The KOR system is dysregulated in the amygdala of alcohol-dependent rats, leading to excessive consumption during withdrawal.
A comparative study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a 72.1-fold higher discharge rate for PBD in youth in the US compared to England. The disparity remains significant even after controlling for length of stay.
Research by Oxford University psychiatrists found that serious mental illnesses can cut life expectancy by 10-20 years, comparable to the risks associated with heavy smoking. The study emphasizes the need for governments and healthcare systems to address mental health disparities and provide accessible services.
Researchers found that mindfulness training can help Marines recover from stressful combat situations by reducing heart and breathing rates. The study suggests that incorporating meditative practices into pre-deployment training might be a way to reduce stress-related health conditions in the US military.
A new simulation-based training program helps adults with autism improve their job interview skills and confidence. The program, developed by Northwestern University, uses virtual reality technology to provide repeated practice and feedback on interviewing skills.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry finds that a genetic variant in the WWC1 gene may confer protection against age-related memory decline. Individuals carrying the T allele performed better on memory tasks and showed more active engagement in the hippocampus, a vital brain region for memory, with increasing age.
A pilot study revealed that once-monthly NeuroStar TMS maintenance therapy induced remission in 61.2% of medication-free patients with Major Depressive Disorder after 6 weeks. At three months, 62.5% of these patients maintained response compared to 43.8% without maintenance treatment.
Researchers investigated the neural circuitry behind stress and heart disease, finding that negative emotions increase pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body. Individuals who struggled to regulate their emotions showed elevated blood levels of inflammatory cytokines and atherosclerosis markers.
Dr. Peter F. Buckley, a psychiatrist and Dean of the Medical College of Georgia, has been awarded the Kempf Fund Award for Research Development in Psychobiological Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. The award recognizes his contributions to understanding schizophrenia and improving treatments.
Childhood obesity is linked to mental health issues and decreased academic performance. Dr. Kaliebe's three rules aim to promote physical and mental well-being through healthy eating, regular movement, and reducing sensory overload.
A nationwide study found that heightened newspaper coverage after a suicide might lead to initiation of some teenage suicide clusters. The content of media reports, including prominent stories and detailed descriptions, is crucial in this regard.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that deep brain stimulation increases striatal dopamine release in patients with OCD, potentially aiding their control over compulsive behaviors. The treatment's effectiveness may relate to its ability to compensate for underlying dopamine dysfunction.
A new study using MRI analysis found that patients who responded to subcallosal cingulate (SCC) deep brain stimulation showed a common pattern of three distinct white matter bundles passing through the SCC. Non-responders did not show this pattern, suggesting that precise mapping is crucial for successful treatment.
A study of almost 2,500 families found that genetic alterations in shared biological pathways are a significant risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Individuals with ASD had more CNVs affecting genes involved in brain development and synapse function.
A new approach called DICE aims to reduce behavioral problems in dementia by empowering caregivers, patients, and health providers. The DICE method involves Describe, Investigate, Evaluate, and Create steps to change dementia patients' behavior through environmental modifications and other interventions.
Researchers found that compassionate behaviors are associated with better health and well-being as we age. The study identified three factors predictive of self-reported compassion: gender, recent suffering, and high mental resiliency.
Two new studies published in Biological Psychiatry suggest that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be characterized by a tendency to form compulsive habits, rather than irrational beliefs. Researchers found that individuals with OCD displayed impairments in goal-directed decision making and avoidance habits.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that intranasal ketamine conferred an unusually rapid antidepressant effect within 24 hours and was well-tolerated in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. The results show promise for a new treatment class, targeting the NMDA glutamate receptor.
Researchers at Douglas Mental Health University Institute have discovered that dopamine is present in the hippocampus and plays a key role in this region. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to improve symptoms.
A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that patients injected with Botox showed substantial improvement in their depressive symptoms. The study included 74 depressed subjects who received either Botox or a placebo and showed a 47% decrease in depressive symptoms after six weeks.
The new center aims to develop computational methods to understand how human cognition works and how it becomes disrupted in psychiatric disorders. The centre will combine advanced brain imaging with computational approaches to identify causes of mental health problems and develop personalized treatments.
Researchers found that problem-solving therapy and dietary coaching were equally effective in preventing major depression among older adults. The study's findings suggest that lifestyle interventions can have a positive effect on well-being and protect against the onset of depression.
Researchers identified mismatch negativity as a potential biomarker of psychosis risk, suggesting that deficits in this brain signal may precede the onset of psychosis. The study found that individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis who developed a psychotic disorder had reduced mismatch negativity compared to those who did not.
A new brain imaging study reveals that nicotine withdrawal weakens the connection between two key brain networks: default mode and executive control. This reduced connectivity may lead to increased difficulty in quitting smoking, with up to 80% of people relapsing after trying to quit.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has revised key parameters for evaluating and treating autism, emphasizing early diagnosis and a team approach to care. Researchers led by Fred Volkmar recommend a coordinated medical, psychological, and communication evaluation to differentiate between autism and other disorders.
A novel approach integrating psychiatrists, psychologists, and telemedicine into primary care clinics significantly reduced psychiatric and general medical symptoms. The model has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and increase access to care for rural communities with limited mental health resources.
A recent study found a significant association between advancing paternal age at childbearing and increased rates of psychiatric disorders, such as autism and bipolar disorder, as well as academic problems like failing grades and low IQ scores. The likelihood of these problems increased steadily with paternal age.
A study of US filicide arrests over 32 years found that men are as likely to kill infants as women, and stepchildren are not more likely than biological children to die at their parents' hands. The data also revealed that fathers were more likely to be the alleged murderers of adult children.
Research from Aarhus University finds that people with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Infections play a determining role in this association.