Articles tagged with Psychiatry
A new 27-item questionnaire, the M-3 checklist, is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses. The checklist was developed by a team of mental health practitioners and experts and was found to be effective in screening for any mood or anxiety disorder 83% of the time.
The National Sleep Foundation's Annual Sleep in America poll explores sleep issues among Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics, and whites, revealing significant differences in sleep habits and attitudes. Blacks/African-Americans report the busiest bedtime routines, while Asians get the best sleep and infrequently use sleep aids.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a brain region that helps people control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their romantic partners. The LPFC activity was found to predict self-regulation after an interpersonal conflict in daily life.
Researchers found that scopolamine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, reduced symptoms of depression within three days. The study also showed that participants experienced full symptom remission by the end of the treatment period.
A meta-analysis of 15 studies reveals a strong bidirectional association between obesity and depression, with obese individuals having a 55% increased risk of developing depression over time. The authors suggest that monitoring weight gain in depressive patients and mood in overweight or obese patients could lead to prevention, early d...
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that individuals with a sense of purpose in life have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Those with higher levels of purpose were approximately 2.4 times less likely to develop the disease.
A recent NYU study empirically challenges the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' criteria for diagnosing depression, suggesting that psychiatrists' official method to prevent false-positive diagnoses may not be effective. The study examines the Clinical Significance Criterion (CSC)...
A review of nearly 20 years of literature found that depression does not always lead to cognitive difficulties such as memory problems or difficulties concentrating and paying attention. Processing speed was the cognitive function most often affected by depression, with a slower capability when individuals are depressed.
Researchers have discovered a possible biomarker for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder using electroretinography, suggesting retinal deficits contribute to perceptual problems. This finding highlights the importance of considering subtle visual issues in individuals with these conditions.
A new study found that increased social status and support correlate with higher dopamine D2/D3 receptor density in the brain's striatum. This suggests people with greater social status experience life as more rewarding and stimulating due to more targets for dopamine action.
A new report suggests that preventing patients from leaving psychiatric wards without staff agreement could avoid up to 50 suicide deaths every year. The study found that improving the ward environment and staff training may contribute to reduced risk of in-patient suicides, particularly among high-risk groups.
A study found that psychiatric patients who absconded from wards were more likely to be young, unemployed, and homeless with high rates of schizophrenia and substance misuse. Improving ward environments and implementing tighter controls on exits may help prevent these cases.
Research reveals that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder exhibit abnormal brain activity when viewing images of themselves, suggesting difficulties in perceiving general facial information. This impairment contributes to distorted perceptions of one's appearance, supporting the need for further studies on the condition.
Researchers developed two step-by-step training programmes to help dementia patients regain eating skills. The study showed that both methods reduced feeding difficulty and improved nutritional assessment compared to no intervention, offering a promising approach to addressing nutritional problems in older adults with dementia.
Research found that individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of crime and have poorer mental health. The study also estimated a significant economic impact of legal involvement on patients, with direct costs ranging from $1429 per patient per year.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that chronic insomnia is associated with smaller volumes in brain regions involved in memory formation and pleasantness evaluation. Insomnia patients have lower grey matter density in these regions, which may impact their ability to recognize optimal comfort for falling asleep.
A study published in The Lancet found that non-battle-related disorders, such as musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, are the leading cause of medical evacuation from the front line. The study also identified factors associated with return to duty, including senior officer status and non-battle related injuries.
A new study found that smokers who received gain-framed messaging from quitline specialists had better cessation outcomes than those receiving standard-care messaging. The researchers also established that these specialists could be trained to deliver gain-framed messages with good fidelity.
Researchers found that ghrelin, a hunger hormone, triggers mice to seek out pleasurable foods even when full. The study suggests that ghrelin may increase the rewarding aspects of eating, driving individuals to continue consuming high-calorie foods despite feelings of fullness.
A study of over 1,000 physicians found widespread support for electronic health information exchange (HIE), with most believing it would improve quality of care and cut costs. However, many expressed concern about potential privacy breaches and were unwilling to pay monthly fees. Another study reported by JAMIA found that mental health...
Renowned psychopharmacology expert Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, highlights low confidence in army mental health care, excessive opiate prescribing, and understaffing of services at Ft. Hood. He proposes redeploying primary-care providers and nurse case managers to centralize mental health care delivery.
Researchers found that antipsychotic medications increase levels of inflammatory markers, contributing to the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in patients. The study highlights the need for monitoring cardiovascular risk markers in antipsychotic-treated patients.
Researchers found a direct connection between childhood psychological trauma and accelerated reduction in telomere size, which promotes cellular stability. Telomeres typically shorten with age, but the study shows that childhood abuse can accelerate this process.
A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that over-reactive parenting can increase aggressive behavior in introverted children, while benevolent and conscientious children are less affected. The study also showed that rule-breaking behavior tends to persist into adolescence.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found a significant positive association between phthalate exposure and ADHD symptoms in school-aged children. The researchers measured urine phthalate concentrations and evaluated symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using teacher-reported symptoms and computerized tests.
Researchers studied amygdala development, finding that neural pathways bypassing cortex are more plastic in juvenile than adult mice. This suggests that teenagers' emotions are less precise and more irrational due to subcortical drive.
A study found that a nurse-led telephone care program for depression post-bypass surgery improved mental health-related quality of life and physical functioning in CABG patients. The intervention showed significant reductions in mood symptoms, with men particularly benefiting from the treatment.
A recent study found that head injuries can amplify the psychological impact of torture on survivors, with structural brain changes and more severe depression symptoms reported in those who experienced both. The research suggests that physical effects may help explain why standard therapies often don't work for torture survivors.
The new TMS clinic offers a safe and effective, non-drug treatment for major depression. TMS therapy stimulates the brain linked to depression by delivering magnetic field pulses, providing an alternative for those not responding to traditional treatments.
Researchers found that individuals with both childhood adversity and traumatic events in adulthood are more likely to develop PTSD. The study also revealed that a genetic mutation can interact with these factors to increase the risk of developing the condition.
A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that depression and alcohol misuse are more common mental health disorders among UK Service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The study also reveals that reservists are at a greater risk of psychiatric injury than regular personnel.
Research suggests a link between low maternal folate levels and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems in children aged seven to nine. Children born to mothers with low folate status had smaller head circumferences at birth, indicating slower prenatal brain growth.
The BRC's Case Register Interactive Search (CRIS) system, a groundbreaking research tool, will be expanded with the new funding. CRIS allows researchers to search and analyze electronic medical records in an anonymized format, facilitating personalized diagnosis and treatment for mental health patients.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry examined the role of GABA receptors in anxiety disorders, revealing that inserting GABA receptors into neurons in the amygdala increases inhibition and prevents fear extinction. This discovery provides evidence for molecular mechanisms behind cognitive and behavioral therapies.
Researchers found that trauma history, not endurance, influences ability to dampen emotional responses. Resilient individuals enhance emotional brain circuitry, suggesting a key strategy for trauma recovery.
The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry will be published by Elsevier starting with Volume 49, Number 1 in January 2010. The journal aims to extend its reach and support translation of scientific discovery into improved patient care.
Researchers have identified childhood risk factors for developing substance use disorders, including increased body sway and reduced P300 amplitude. These early markers can help predict an individual's likelihood of developing a substance use disorder by young adulthood.
A new study suggests that maternal smoking during pregnancy may increase newborns' distress levels, potentially related to reduced monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity. This reduction in MAO-A activity can lead to dysregulation of brain neurotransmission, creating a potential vulnerability to behavioral disorders later in life.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology found a significant association between psychiatric disorders, sexual trauma, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. Women with psychiatric comorbidities and history of sexual trauma were more likely to experience LUTS such as incontinence and overactive bladder.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati College of Law has shown that a group of psychiatrists who evaluated mental competence from case files performed at a strikingly high level of accuracy. In an average of 29 out of every 30 cases, the psychiatrists could distinguish competent defendants from incompetent defendants.
A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, nuts, and fish has been associated with a reduced risk of depression. The study found that individuals who closely followed the diet had a greater than 30 percent reduction in depression risk compared to those who did not adhere to it.
The University of North Carolina has been awarded a $8.6 million NIH grant to investigate the complex factors contributing to psychiatric disorders such as autism, depression, and anxiety. By using laboratory mice to screen genetic possibilities, researchers aim to understand how genes and environment interact to shape these traits.
Repeated suicide attempts in older women increase risk of completed suicide, while severe attempts in men do the same. The study highlights the importance of observation and treatment for vulnerable populations.
A major study into adults living with autism has found that one in every hundred adults in England has the condition, similar to child prevalence rates. The study also reveals distinct characteristics of individuals with autism, including employment status and housing type.
A recent study published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that depressive symptoms and antidepressant treatment are associated with fetal growth changes, shorter gestations, and neonatal irritability. The research highlights the need for pregnant women to receive adequate care and support to mitigate these risks.
Researchers found that male juvenile delinquents often misinterpret facial expressions of disgust as anger, leading to a more intense emotional response and aggressive behavior. This bias towards misrecognizing others' emotions could result in delinquents perceiving situations as hostile.
In a preliminary study, intravenous ketamine was found to acutely reduce suicidal thoughts in treatment-resistant depression patients. The reduction in suicidality was maintained when patients received repeated doses over two weeks, suggesting potential as an attractive treatment option for high-risk suicidal patients.
Researchers at UAB are investigating genetic factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, focusing on the role of serotonin 2C and ADAR proteins. The study aims to develop diagnostic tests that can identify individuals at high risk of suicide and tailor therapies accordingly.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that up to 15 percent of preschoolers have atypically high levels of depression and anxiety. The investigation also revealed that children with atypically high depression and anxiety levels are more likely to have mothers with a history of depression.
A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are twice as likely to receive mental health treatment as heterosexuals. The researchers attribute this disparity to higher exposure to discrimination and violence, as well as societal pathologizing of homosexuality.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that hormone levels play a crucial role in stress resilience among military combat divers. Soldiers with higher dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels performed better during stressful underwater navigation exercises.
Research suggests preschool depression is a continuous, chronic condition that increases the likelihood of subsequent depression and psychiatric disorders. Early intervention during the preschool period may be crucial in addressing childhood major depressive disorder.
Researchers have found similarities between brain activity during lucid dreaming and psychosis, suggesting dream therapy could be useful in treating psychiatric conditions. Dissociation, a state of losing conscious control, is common in both lucid dreaming and certain psychiatric disorders.
A new definition of major depressive disorder (MDD) suggests that only mood and cognitive symptoms are included, excluding somatic criteria. This revised definition was found to be highly concordant with the current version in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients, offering benefits such as reduced time needed for assessment and sh...
A 20-year study found that impulsive boys with inadequate supervision and poor families are more likely to commit criminal acts. The study also revealed that the juvenile justice system's help increased the risk of early adulthood crime, especially among those with similar histories without judicial involvement.
A study of 231 men found that only 1% of child pornography consumers went on to commit a hands-on sex offense. The researchers suggest that the motivation and recidivism rates differ between child pornography consumption and physical assault.
Brown University political scientist Ross Cheit disputes a 2006 Harvard University psychiatric contest on repressed memory, arguing that the methodology was flawed and no data correction was issued after discovering a pre-1800 literary example fulfilling the criteria
A family history of depression, anxiety, or substance dependence is associated with the presence and progression of psychiatric disorders. The study found that family history was linked to worse impairment, greater service use, and a recurrent course for all four disorders.
A recent study supports multiple genetic contributions to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, explaining at least a third of the risk of inheriting these diseases. The research found common genetic variants associated with both conditions.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach for treating cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia by preventing the inactivation of D-serine. This method enhances the efficacy of D-serine, a previously used treatment, and may lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.