Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
Researchers have discovered that stem cells from patients with schizophrenia proliferate faster than healthy individuals, indicating dysregulation of the natural cell cycle. This finding provides a potential path to understanding schizophrenia and developing new treatments.
A new study suggests that GABA deficits in the brain may trigger disturbances in the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating substances similar to cannabis products. The research also found that cannabis use can alter GABA activity in the brain.
Researchers discovered that homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems cut their heavy drinking by 35% when provided with stable housing. The study also showed a decrease in instances of delirium tremens and improved overall health.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that guanfacine extended release significantly improves symptoms in children with ADHD who have a suboptimal response to psychostimulants. The study, conducted by Dr. Timothy E. Wilens and colleagues, showed that adjunctive administrat...
A study of nearly 12,600 participants found that higher vitamin D levels were associated with a decreased risk of current depression, particularly among those with a prior history of depression. Low vitamin D levels were linked to depressive symptoms in patients with a history of depression.
A recent study conducted in the Netherlands has found a striking link between migrating at a young age and an increased risk of psychotic disorders. Those who migrated before the age of five had a twofold higher risk than those who immigrated as adults.
A study found that marijuana ingredients Δ9-THC and CBD affect different regions of the brain during visual processing tasks. Δ9-THC increased psychotic symptoms by modulating prefrontal and striatal function, while CBD enhanced response to salient stimuli.
Research finds that women experiencing post-partum psychiatric episodes within the first 30 days are at a higher risk of developing bipolar affective disorder. The study also suggests that the severity and type of initial episode may be important factors in predicting conversion to bipolar disorder.
Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging data from 406 adult human twins to confirm the long-standing idea that human cortical regionalization is similar to and consistent with patterns found in other mammals. The study found genetic influences on brain development progress along an anterior-to-posterior scale, with differences base...
Researchers found that sleep paralysis is more common in students and psychiatric patients, affecting nearly 28% of students and 32% of psychiatric patients. The study also identified three types of hallucinations experienced during sleep paralysis, including the presence of an intruder, pressure on the chest, and levitation.
New research suggests that low GABA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may contribute to impulsive behavior and aggression. The study found a link between lower GABA levels and higher urgency ratings among men with no history of psychiatric disorders or substance dependence.
Separating newborns from their mothers stresses the baby, with heart rate variability increasing by 176% and quiet sleep decreasing by 86%. Skin-to-skin contact with mother reduces this stress, but further research is needed to understand its long-term effects.
A new study by UCLA researchers shows that a specialized mental health intervention for suicidal youth can significantly improve follow-up treatment rates. The intervention, which involves a family-based crisis-therapy session and telephone support, resulted in higher rates of follow-up treatment compared to standard ED treatment.
Researchers found global increases in ligand binding to CB1 receptors in the brains of women with anorexia nervosa, suggesting a compensatory process. The study suggests that the endocannabinoid system may be a potential new target for developing drugs to treat eating disorders.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry found that targeted brain stimulation increased cigarette cravings, while low-frequency stimulation had no effect. The study suggests that stimulating the superior frontal gyrus could be a potential treatment for smoking cessation.
Researchers found a significant association between a specific gene variation and accelerated decline in intellectual function with aging. The 'met' version of the BDNF gene was linked to steeper declines in flight simulator scores and smaller hippocampi, a critical brain region for memory and spatial reasoning.
Dr. William E. Bunney, a renowned UCI psychiatrist, has been awarded the prestigious Institute of Medicine's 2011 Rhoda & Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health for his groundbreaking research on mood disorders. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of biological factors and treatment options for depression...
A critical shortage of 1.18 million mental health workers threatens global mental health, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt. Community-based programs and task-shifting approaches are proposed as cost-effective solutions to fill this gap.
The study found a significant increase in pediatric psychiatric visits to emergency departments, with the underinsured group experiencing the largest growth. The data show that publicly insured patients are forced to seek care in EDs due to limited outpatient mental health resources.
A study found that mothers who took folic acid supplements from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception reported a significantly lower prevalence of severe language delay in their children at age 3. Researchers analyzed data from the Norwegian pregnancy cohort MoBa, which included over 38,000 children.
Routine depression screening for primary care patients has been deemed ineffective by researchers, with evidence suggesting it diverts resources away from those who need them most. Consistent treatment for recurrent depression is recommended as a more effective approach.
The Pitt team discovered molecular changes in the brains of women with major depressive disorder, including reduced BDNF and GABA gene expression. These findings replicate changes seen in a mouse model, providing new insights into depression's biological mechanisms.
A comprehensive review of the first decade of gene-by-environment interaction research in psychiatry found that novel findings were more likely to be published but also more likely to be false positives. The study suggests a focus on replication is necessary to confirm accurate correlations between genes and environmental variables.
A new study investigates the paternal transmission of stress and its impact on children's mental health. Researchers found that male mice exposed to chronic stress passed those stress behaviors along to their offspring, increasing depression and anxiety-like behaviors in both males and females.
A new study suggests that differences in brain activity, particularly in the frontal lobe and visual areas, can predict depression relapse in formerly depressed patients. Those who ruminate and activate the frontal lobes are more likely to relapse.
Research reveals that depression-related rumination is associated with a brain network imbalance, where the default mode network (DMN) dominates over the task-positive network (TPN). This imbalance leads to maladaptive thinking and less effective coping mechanisms, exacerbating depressive symptoms.
Research shows antipsychotics are more effective than mood stabilisers in tackling acute mania. Haloperidol, olanzapine, and risperidone were ranked most effective antimanic drugs, with haloperidol outperforming other options.
A study published in Psychological Medicine found that psychiatrists are not regularly monitoring patients for metabolic complications associated with antipsychotic medication. The researchers reviewed over 300,000 individuals across five countries and found that only half of patients had blood pressure and triglyceride checks conducted.
A Johns Hopkins study found nearly four out of five antidepressant prescriptions are written by non-psychiatrist providers for individuals with no psychiatric diagnoses. The share of such providers increased from 30% in 1996 to 55.4% in 2007.
A Harvard study reveals that access to outpatient psychiatric care in Massachusetts is severely limited, even for those with private insurance. The researchers found that only a small percentage of facilities listed by the largest insurer offered appointments within two weeks of a simulated patient's call.
A new study suggests that a small hippocampus is more likely an effect of depression rather than a cause. Researchers found that individuals with depression declined in volume over time, but those with smaller hippocampus were not at higher risk to develop depression.
A study by Deborah Barnes found that low education, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, mid-life hypertension, diabetes, and mid-life obesity are associated with up to 51% of Alzheimer's cases worldwide. Lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking could potentially prevent some cases.
Researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center presented new research at the 2011 Alzheimer's Association International Conference. The study found that retired NFL players are more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment than expected, suggesting a possible link between repetitive head trauma and late-life cognitive disorders. Add...
Research found that premature infants with abnormal brain ultrasounds are at increased risk for specific psychiatric disorders. The study followed a group of premature infants until age 16 and found a relation between perinatal brain injuries and certain psychiatric disorders.
New research explains how positivity bias in the brain contributes to successful aging, with increased engagement in positive emotions leading to greater emotional stability. The study suggests that focusing on the positive can help individuals age successfully.
A meta-analysis of previous studies found that patients with eating disorders have an elevated rate of death, especially those with anorexia nervosa. The study also highlighted the seriousness of bulimia nervosa and disordered eating not otherwise specified, which are often overlooked due to limited published data.
A team of international researchers is re-examining the concept of abortion stigma, shifting focus from women who've had abortions to a broader context. The study aims to identify constituents, causes, and consequences of abortion stigma, with potential implications for improving access to care and better health outcomes.
A new study by the University of Leicester found that GPs struggle to identify people in the early stages of dementia, resulting in both missed cases and misidentifications. The research analyzed 15,277 patients with cognitive disorders, identifying a significant number of false positives.
A study by Brown University researchers found that certain stressful life events cause panic symptoms to increase steadily over succeeding months, rather than acutely. This challenges the common assumption that stress triggers immediate panic attacks.
Researchers have discovered how ketamine produces a fast-acting antidepressant effect, shedding light on its potential as an emergency room treatment for high-risk patients. The study's findings could lead to the development of faster-acting and longer-lasting antidepressants.
A recent study by Lynne Murray and colleagues found that postnatal depression in mothers is associated with a substantially increased risk of depression in their children until age 16. The researchers also discovered that infant attachment issues and lower child ego resilience are linked to the development of depression.
Research finds one-third of pregnant women with depression have a history of eating disorders, while many others have experienced physical or sexual abuse. Mental health screenings are crucial to identify at-risk patients and provide early treatment.
A study of over 2,900 pediatric patients found that 12% returned to the ER within six months of their initial visit, despite having an outpatient mental health provider. The majority of ER visits stemmed from behavioral problems or minor psychiatric crises.
A new study reveals that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can normalize behavior in mice models of bipolar disorder, reducing depressive symptoms and decreasing alcohol abuse. The researchers also found correlations between molecular changes and biomarkers, paving the way for targeted clinical studies in humans.
A new tool, REMIT, has been developed to improve the measurement of primary care depression outcomes. The tool adds a patient's subjective sense of recovery to existing measurements, showing that about one-third of patients with mild depression were not in remission, as their PHQ score would indicate.
Researchers used EEG to measure brain's response to tones, finding smaller mismatch negativity in individuals who developed schizophrenia. The test showed promise as a potential predictor of psychosis development.
Researchers at Washington University and King's College London have independently identified a DNA region on chromosome 3 associated with depression. The region contains up to 90 genes and shows genome-wide significance, suggesting that many genes may be involved in depression.
A recent survey led by McGill Psychiatry Professor Amir Raz found that one in five respondents, mostly psychiatrists, have administered or prescribed placebos. The majority of responding psychiatrists (more than 60%) believe that placebos can have therapeutic effects.
Research studies found that vulnerable individuals with genetic deletions on chromosome 22, known as velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), are at risk for developing schizophrenia. Progressive brain abnormalities emerge during adolescence, including deficits in the volume of temporal cortex gray matter, which predicts psychosis.
Researchers at Wayne State University have found a new method to identify children with major depressive disorder (MDD), setting them apart from both healthy children and those with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Cortical thickness in the brain was used as a key factor, revealing distinct differences between MDD patients and heal...
Children whose mothers are successfully treated for depression show progressive improvement in their own behaviors even a year after treatment discontinuation. The faster mothers get better, the faster and greater their children's improvements are.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital finds that siblings of individuals with both ADHD and emotional reactivity have a significantly greater risk of having both conditions. This suggests that heritable factors influence how we control our emotions, and that ADHD can impact emotional expression beyond classic symptoms.
Researchers have developed a mouse model that mimics the social deficits of autism and schizophrenia, showing improved social behavior with oxytocin treatment. The study provides insights into biological factors related to social deficits and may be useful in evaluating new treatments for these disorders.
A UK survey found that adults with autism were rarely aware they had the condition, with prevalence higher in males and lower educated individuals. The study suggests that changes in diagnosis methods may be responsible for recent increases in reported cases.
A new study suggests that individuals with autism have a weak mirror neuron system in their youth, but it increases with age and becomes unusually high thereafter. This delay in development may be related to increased capacity for social function or responsiveness to rehabilitative treatments.
A University of Melbourne study found that male doctors are four times more likely than female doctors to face disciplinary action for misconduct. The majority of cases involved sexual misconduct, which was responsible for 24% of all cases handled by tribunals.
Researchers analyzed data from the largest study on depression treatment, finding that even responders experience residual symptoms like insomnia and decreased concentration. The study suggests a need for more targeted antidepressant therapies to decrease depressive symptoms and understand their association with concentration.
Researchers found that a teacher-based intervention reduced PTSD symptoms in war-exposed children by 50% compared to a control group. The study suggests that this universal and cost-effective approach can enhance community preparedness for mass trauma and prevent PTSD development.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that serotonin activity affects how people perceive intimate relationships. Healthy adults with lower serotonin levels rated couples as less intimate and romantic than those with normal serotonin activity.
Scientists have discovered how anti-depressants make new brain cells by regulating the glucocorticoid receptor, a key protein involved in stress response. This finding holds promise for developing more effective anti-depressant treatments to combat depression.