Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
Researchers have found rare gene variants on chromosome 7 that substantially increase schizophrenia risk, up to 100 out of a 1000 chance. The study also reveals a link between these genes and other disorders such as autism and intellectual development.
Researchers found that a single session of attention modification training decreased overeating in obese children by training their brains to ignore food cues. The study used implicit training methods to distract the children's attention away from food words.
Researchers found that quitting smoking is associated with lower rates of mood/anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder. The study analyzed data from over 4,800 daily smokers and found significant improvements in mental health outcomes after quitting or reducing cigarette smoking.
A recent meta-analysis of 20 years of neuroscience research reveals significant sex differences in brain structure, with males on average having larger total brain volumes and higher tissue densities in certain regions. Females, on the other hand, have higher density in the left frontal pole and larger volumes in other areas.
Researchers found that 6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism diverted their gaze from facial features when a face was speaking. This suggests that these infants had difficulty maintaining attention to relevant social information from an early age, which could impact their social development and communication skills.
A large international study identified an 'invisible-risk' group of adolescents with psychiatric symptoms, despite low risk behaviours being overlooked by parents and teachers. The study found that 13% of adolescents were classified as 'high-risk', while a third group showed similar prevalence of mental health issues.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry investigates the relationship between age and neurocognitive performance in 296 healthy volunteers. The researchers found that white matter tracts developed during adolescence and young adulthood are associated with learning, memory, and planning abilities.
Two studies analyzed exomes of people with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, identifying patterns that suggest the disorder arises from combined effects of many genes. Genetic alterations tend to cluster in networks related to synaptic function, including calcium ion channels and cytoskeletal proteins.
A new longitudinal study suggests that prenatal exposure to maternal stress hormones and smoking during pregnancy increase the risk of nicotine dependence in daughters, but not sons. The study found that elevated cortisol levels and maternal smoking were associated with increased rates of nicotine dependence in female offspring.
A decade-long study shows that providing maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact enhances child physiologic organization and cognitive control, leading to better neuroendocrine response to stress. The intervention, called Kangaroo Care, also improves children's functioning in systems sensitive to early maternal deprivation.
Researchers analyzed nearly 20,000 people with severe psychiatric illness, finding that 30% engaged in binge drinking, 75% were regular smokers, and 50% used marijuana regularly. These findings are concerning because individuals with severe mental illness tend to die younger due to health problems caused by chronic substance use.
People with IED have elevated levels of systemic inflammation markers in their blood, which correlates with aggression and impulsivity. Anti-inflammatories like Celebrex may help reduce aggression in those with the condition.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that hippocampal volume loss in depression is caused by a reduction in glial cells, not neurons. The research uses female nonhuman primates to clarify the cellular basis of volumetric changes in the brain.
A study found that psychiatrists are increasingly refusing to accept Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, leaving many patients without affordable mental health care options. The number of psychiatrists is also dwindling due to retirement and a lack of new medical students choosing the specialty.
A psychiatric nurse brings a fresh perspective to caring for troubled teens in foster care with mental health issues. Research found that adding a mental health nurse can address high rates of psychotropic medication use and improve continuity of care.
Researchers found that maternal depression was associated with reduced structural connectivity in the right amygdala of newborns. This abnormal microstructure may contribute to a child's vulnerability to mental illness. The study suggests early intervention targeting maternal depression during pregnancy could reduce this risk.
A study found that cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD reduces symptoms and affects underlying biology, reversing changes in gene expression and brain volume. The therapy was associated with improved symptoms and increased hippocampal volume and FKBP5 gene expression.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that patients with PTSD are at higher risk of cardiac ischemia, with no correlation to other cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers detected elevated rates of myocardial ischemia in 17% of participants with PTSD, highlighting the need for tailored treatments.
A new study published by the CDC found that nearly half of US children diagnosed with ADHD received a diagnosis by age 6. The study also reported significant increases in medication use for ADHD among US children, with over 3.5 million taking medication by 2011-12.
A new study found that scopolamine causes rapid activation of mTOR signaling and increased synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex, similar to ketamine. This suggests a common downstream action linked to rapid antidepressant responses.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports that the compound sarcosine enhances NMDA receptor function, causing antidepressant-like effects and improving mood scores in patients with depression. The findings suggest that normalizing NMDA receptor activity may restore mood to normal levels.
A study by Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University found that older adults with severe mental illness have a higher rate of medical emergency department visits and longer hospital stays. The study highlights the need for more intensive care models that consider psychosocial factors.
A new review article suggests that certain probiotics have the potential to exert behavioral and immunological effects in patients with depression. These psychobiotics can alter the intestinal microbial balance and regulate inflammatory responses, which may be involved in the modulation of mood and behavior.
A new study suggests that early life stress can lead to increased sensitivity to pain in adulthood, particularly if followed by later stress exposure. The study found that rats subjected to early-life maternal neglect showed enhanced muscle pain in response to mild stress as adults.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that offspring of stressed mothers show stress-induced changes at birth, with altered behavior and gender-related differences continuing into adulthood. The researchers identified the CRF1 gene as a key contributor to this intergenerational transmission of patterns.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids is associated with cortical thinning and increased risk for stress and emotional problems in healthy, full-term children. The findings suggest that glucocorticoid administration may alter the trajectory of brain development.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry reveals that topiramate, an anti-epileptic drug, shows promise in treating cocaine dependence by reducing cravings and improving global functioning. The study enrolled 142 participants and found that topiramate was more efficacious than placebo.
A recent study in Biological Psychiatry suggests a possible link between sunny climates and reduced ADHD prevalence rates. The research found that regions with high sunlight intensity tend to have lower ADHD rates, even after controlling for other known risk factors.
Researchers found that methylphenidate and atomoxetine, two FDA-approved ADHD medications, increase brain activation when making fine temporal distinctions. This improvement in brain function is linked to improved behavior in children with ADHD.
Researchers found that differences in brain growth trajectories differentiate individuals who recover from childhood ADHD from those whose disorder persists into adulthood. Cortical thinning in attention regions was more pronounced in adults with persistent ADHD, suggesting a critical role of cortex development in ADHD recovery.
A multidisciplinary team treats a patient with severe OCD using DBS, achieving significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life. Whole-genome sequencing reveals gene variants associated with neuropsychiatric illness, providing insights for personalized care.
A study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that approximately one-third of teens with bipolar disorder developed substance abuse. Risk factors identified included experimentation with alcohol, cannabis use, and certain mental health conditions.
Charles P. O'Brien, a leading expert on alcohol dependency, is being honored with the French Legion of Honor Medal for his pioneering work in addiction treatment. He has made significant contributions to the field through his research, advocacy, and leadership.
A new study found that prenatal cocaine exposure is associated with lower gray matter volume in key brain regions involved in emotion, reward, memory, and executive function. This can increase the likelihood of initiating substance use by up to 83.6%, highlighting the need for a long-term perspective on the risks.
A new study published in Journal of Psychiatric Research reveals that a simple measurement of the sweat gland activity can determine if a person is suicidal, confirming previous research. The test found a strong correlation between hyporeactivity and suicide in depressed people, with 97% accuracy.
A new study found that even long-term abstinence from cocaine does not result in a complete normalization of brain circuitry. Former cocaine users showed differences in reward processing and impulsivity compared to healthy controls, indicating pre-existing risk factors for addiction.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that chronic care management did not result in increased abstinence from alcohol among individuals with alcohol and other drug dependence. The study compared participants receiving chronic care management with those receiving usual primary care, but no significant difference was found.
Researchers discovered abnormalities in both myelin and axons among patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a complex relationship between the two. The findings indicate that strategies targeting both axonal health and myelin synthesis may be needed to restore normal brain functioning in this condition.
A form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) called exposure and ritual prevention has been shown to augment antidepressant treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 80% of patients responding compared to 23% on antipsychotics. The therapy works by retraining the brain's habit-forming circuitry to unlearn compulsive rituals.
A University of Iowa study documents how schizophrenia impacts brain tissue and the effects of anti-psychotic drugs on those with relapses, revealing that medication can lead to lifelong brain damage, while longer psychosis periods are toxic to the brain.
A study found that young adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant difficulties in transitioning into employment. Only half of this group had ever worked for pay outside the home, and only a third were employed at the time of the survey. However, outcomes improved for those who were older, from higher income househ...
Researchers found similar disturbances in cortical circuit function between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with individuals with schizophrenia showing more severe abnormalities. The study suggests a continuous spectrum of circuit dysfunction across the disorders.
A study found that forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who believed they were working for the prosecution assigned higher risk scores to sexually violent offenders than those who thought they were working for the defense. The researchers hope this finding will prompt experts to re-examine their training and practice methods.
A new genome-wide association study has identified two major pathways involved in causing schizophrenia, including a calcium channel pathway and a micro-RNA 137 pathway. The study, published in Nature Genetics, provides the strongest clues to date for understanding the causes of this debilitating mental illness.
The minimum age of criminal responsibility is a contentious issue in modern juvenile justice systems. Experts debate the age at which children are considered mature enough to be held responsible, with many arguing for reforms to the current laws and policies.
A new study led by Tel Aviv University researchers found that Holocaust education trips can cause mental health issues in Israeli teenagers, including anxiety, adjustment, and mood disorders. While most affected teens exhibited pre-existing risk factors, others experienced stressors like bullying during the trip.
A new study found that oxytocin increases responses to social stimuli in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, suggesting a potential treatment approach for the condition. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry, used functional imaging scans to examine brain activity in participants with ASD and healthy controls.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrates support for the DSM-5 symptom structure for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. The researchers found that the DSM-5 model was a better fit to the data than other models used during toddler assessment.
A recent study reveals that many people experience mental health disorders after disasters, with nearly 1 in 3 showing signs of PTSD. The study emphasizes the need for a consistent and integrated system for identifying, triaging, and treating these individuals.
Researchers found that mineralocorticoid receptors play a crucial role in enabling the brain to adapt to stressful situations. When these receptors are blocked, learning efficiency decreases and brain activity shifts from conscious to unconscious learning systems.
A screening tool used to detect suicide risk among patients who have self-harmed fails to accurately identify those in need of admission or treatment. The SADPERSONS Scale only picked up a small percentage of patients at high risk of further self harm, highlighting the need for more accurate assessment methods.
Researchers found that a small percentage of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis experience isolated psychiatric symptoms, which can be treated with immunotherapies. The study suggests that abnormal test findings or subtle neurological symptoms should prompt screening for the condition.
A study published in The Lancet found that people with epilepsy are ten times more likely to die prematurely than the general population, with mental illness being a major contributor. The research revealed a strong correlation between psychiatric diagnoses and increased risk of accidents and suicide.
Young men who are gang members suffer from high rates of mental disorders, including psychosis and anxiety disorder, compared to non-violent peers. Gang membership is associated with increased substance misuse, depression, and violent ruminative thinking.
Research suggests negative symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with abnormalities in weighing effort cost versus reward value. Individuals with severe motivational problems tend to avoid higher-effort tasks for smaller rewards.
Researchers at University College London discovered a 36% faster cognitive decline in smokers who consumed heavy alcohol compared to non-smoking moderate drinkers. The study found that combining smoking and heavy drinking could accelerate brain aging by an equivalent of 12 years.
Researchers found decreased structural integrity of white matter tract connecting brain regions, but increased functional connection between them. This may contribute to abnormally high functional interactions among brain circuits associated with depression.
A new online risk calculator estimates an individual's likelihood of treatment resistance to antidepressants, providing a graphical estimate based on statistical patterns from the STAR*D study. The calculator aims to help clinicians design personalized treatment plans for patients with depression.
Research suggests that gene mutations causing cell signaling network disruptions during embryonic development can lead to subtle brain disruptions contributing to psychiatric disorders. Dact1 protein mutations in mice have been found to have structural flaws in interneurons, which regulate brain activity and cognitive processes.
A new study found that patients with PTSD who have a less functional variant of the BDNF gene respond poorly to exposure therapy. The study suggests that BDNF levels modulate the therapeutic effects of treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.