Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
Researchers found that losing sleep for part of one night activates cellular pathways producing tissue-damaging inflammation, linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders. Good sleep habits may ease this risk.
Researchers found that serotonin transporter binding potential values were higher in fall and winter, suggesting a link between lower serotonin levels and seasonal mood changes. The study suggests that variations in brain serotonin levels may explain why people feel happier on sunny days and more sluggish during the dark winter season.
A study found that low-birth-weight children are more likely to experience externalizing and internalizing psychiatric problems, as well as attention problems in urban communities. Early interventions may improve attention skills and lead to better outcomes later.
A new study suggests that blocking the corticotrophin releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor and the vasopressin-1B (V1B) receptor may retain their efficacy in treating depression, even when neurogenesis is disrupted. The researchers found that restoration of the stress axis may be key to how these new antidepressant approaches work.
Researchers found that chronic stress alters the genetic immune response by changing the pattern of gene expression in monocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the body's immune response. This altered response can lead to increased inflammation and contribute to the risk for illnesses like depression, heart disease, and diabetes.
Researchers found that excessive drug use causes increased brain connections as a defense mechanism against addiction. Boosting MEF2 protein activity may help combat addiction, according to the study.
A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that pregnant women experiencing severe stress during the second month of pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop schizophrenia. Women born in Jerusalem during the Arab-Israeli war had a higher risk of schizophrenia, particularly females.
Research found pregnant women experiencing high psychological stress are more likely to give birth to a child with schizophrenia. The study, which analyzed data from 88,829 people born in Jerusalem between 1964 and 1976, discovered a significantly higher incidence of schizophrenia among females.
Researchers found that women with a history of psychiatric disorders or substance abuse were more likely to attempt suicide postpartum. The study suggests screening for past diagnoses during prenatal care may identify high-risk women.
Children and adolescents who get less REM sleep are more likely to be overweight. In the study, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night compared to normal-weight individuals.
A multinational study has discovered that people with schizophrenia are more likely to carry rare chromosomal structural changes, particularly those altering gene function. Two new genomic areas have been identified as significantly increasing the risk of developing the disease.
NYU researchers have identified new predictors for Alzheimer's disease, including brain atrophy and biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid. These findings may help predict individuals at high risk of developing the disease, enabling early detection and prevention.
Researchers found that physical surroundings where alcohol cues are experienced can greatly influence the ability of those cues to trigger relapse. The study suggests that presenting cues repeatedly in multiple distinct contexts without alcohol can diminish their triggering effect.
Researchers found that oxytocin increases the encoding of positive social memories, allowing individuals to better recall happy faces. This breakthrough has potential implications for treating psychiatric disorders related to social isolation.
A new analysis of a 2005 survey found that male students were more likely to carry weapons than females, with certain racial groups also being overrepresented. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as living in violent neighborhoods, may contribute to the carrying of weapons among disadvantaged students.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center presented several key findings on Alzheimer's disease risk factors, including a study that identified signs of brain pathology in healthy individuals. They also reported promising results from couples counseling and antibody tests against common mouth bacteria linked to Alzheimer's disease. The...
The Combining Medication to Enhance Outcomes of Depression (CO-MED) trial aims to test multiple-medication treatment for depression. Researchers hope to find a better approach than using single medication, with the goal of improving remission rates and long-term prognosis.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found four chromosomal regions linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder risk factors, suggesting that these disorders may represent different genetic subtypes. The discovery highlights the complexity of psychiatric diagnoses and provides new insights into potential treatment targets.
Dimebon significantly improves clinical course of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, with increasing benefits over time. The drug demonstrated significant improvement in cognition, function, and behavior compared to placebo.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share a core set of genes involved in nervous system development and cell death. This common genetic signature may provide a window into discovering new brain mechanisms and effective treatments for these debilitating conditions.
A new study has replicated the association between genetic variation in the FKBP5 gene and treatment response to antidepressants, suggesting a potential link to childhood maltreatment. The findings support earlier research implicating the same gene and provide encouragement for personalized medicine approaches to depression treatment.
The NIMH CNTRICS Initiative aims to improve schizophrenia treatment by defining cognitive processes and neural circuits. Cognitive neuroscience insights are being translated into better treatments for impaired cognition in schizophrenia.
A questionnaire of Swiss schoolchildren revealed truancy and school fear linked to life events, parental behavior, and school environment. 6.9% experienced school fear at thirteen years old, increasing to 18.5% at sixteen years old, with girls more likely than boys.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that the spiritual effects of psilocybin, a hallucinogen, can last more than a year. Most volunteer subjects reported the experience as one of the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant events of their lives.
Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that ghrelin levels rise with chronic stress, decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but also increasing food intake and body weight. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between hunger hormones and mood regulation.
Researchers develop a computerized treatment system to assist doctors in treating patients with depression. The system provides step-by-step guidance and helps track patient progress, addressing inadequate treatment practices.
A private foster care program has been shown to significantly improve long-term health outcomes for teenagers placed in the program compared to those in public programs. The study found lower rates of mental disorders, ulcers, and cardiometabolic problems, but more respiratory disorders.
A new study found that people who choose not to express their thoughts and feelings after experiencing a collective trauma, such as a school shooting or terrorist attack, may be better off than those who do talk about their feelings. The research suggests that it's okay to keep emotions inside in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy.
Researchers found polymorphisms in PSMB4 and TBX21 genes linked to major depression susceptibility and treatment response. Genetic variations may also be relevant to psoriasis and asthma, highlighting the complex interplay between inflammation and mental health.
A Swedish study found that female sex offenders are more likely to suffer from mental illness or drug abuse than male perpetrators. The research compared 93 convicted women with over 20,000 normal women and 13,000 women convicted of non-sexual crimes.
Researchers found a clear dissociation between OCD and Tourette's dimensions in terms of brain activity, working memory, and attention. This distinction could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment approaches for both conditions by prioritizing the identification and addressement of OCD symptoms.
A study has found a possible connection between long-term marijuana use and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Heavy marijuana users showed significant increases in apolipoprotein C-III levels, which may be related to the delayed breakdown of triglycerides.
Researchers found that mice lacking a specific receptor display hyperactivity and lack inhibitory interneurons, a common deficit in schizophrenia. This study provides a potential animal model for developing new treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that antidepressant medications increased natural killer cell activity in HIV-infected women with and without depression. The study suggests a potential link between antidepressant treatment and improved innate immunity, which could delay HIV disease progression.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to match treatments for patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The researchers found that approximately two-thirds of patients experienced relief from their anxiety symptoms after treatment.
A study published in BMC Psychiatry suggests a link between dopamine activity and lack of motivation in patients with schizophrenia. The research found that 11 out of 18 patients showed abnormal response to incentives, indicating an underlying brain chemical imbalance.
Dr. Jerald Block's research on the 1999 Columbine high school shootings suggests that virtual worlds played a significant role in the tragedy, blurring boundaries between reality and fantasy. The presentation will also discuss other school shootings, including Red Lake and Virginia Tech.
Researchers used laser micro-dissection to study gene expression in the human hypothalamus, a region crucial for stress response and depression development. The study found significant changes in five genes involved in corticotrophin-releasing factor activation, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Research highlights a key role for general practitioners in providing long-term, individually formulated support schemes for families of suicide victims. The study found that post-suicidal reactions and impacts on daily living are still profoundly affecting families after the event.
Research highlights importance of targeting stigma associated with depression, particularly among less-educated men and those born overseas. Personal stigma is lower among those with depression, while higher education levels and depression knowledge reduce stigmatizing attitudes.
A commentary in Biological Psychiatry highlights attacks on medical researchers conducting non-human primate research, emphasizing their vital role in psychiatric disorder treatment. The authors condemn these acts and advocate for public action to protect scientists.
A study published in BMC Psychiatry found that healthcare staff's emotional reactions to substance abuse patients with personality disorders depend on the type of disorder. Patients with antisocial personality disorder elicit feelings of distance, while those with avoidant personality disorder induce feelings of helpfulness.
A new study using fMRI found that people with depression show increased activation in the anterior cingulate region when anticipating reward, indicating a conflict between processing rewards and punishments. This finding suggests that depression may not be solely the absence of pleasure, but rather an experience of emotional pain or fr...
A new report suggests that switching from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to a non-SSRI antidepressant may be more effective for treating symptoms of major depressive disorder. However, the effectiveness and tolerability of this approach varied depending on the individual.
A study found reduced gray matter density in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex of combat-exposed veterans with PTSD, but not their identical twins. The researchers suggest that stress exposure may cause this damage, leading to emotional consequences.
Researchers examined two emotion regulation strategies: reappraisal and suppression. Reappraisal reduced negative emotions and activated prefrontal cortex, while suppression increased amygdala activity. These findings suggest reappraisal as a more successful coping strategy.
Researchers found approximately one in every two hundred genes showed an epigenetic difference in the brains of psychiatric patients. These changes were noted on genes involved in neurotransmission, brain development, and other processes linked to disease origins.
Researchers have discovered a strong link between gene variants and anxiety-related traits, including shy behavior in children and introverted personality in adults. These variations were associated with increased activity of brain regions involved in emotional processing.
A new study found that clozapine was approximately twice as effective as high-dose olanzapine in treating adolescents with schizophrenia. Both medications produced significant weight gain and metabolic abnormalities, but clozapine showed greater symptom reduction for positive and negative symptoms.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that mothers' brains show distinct activation patterns when identifying their own infant's cries versus those of other infants. This unique response is thought to be biologically meaningful for successful infant care.
Researchers discovered a new genetic link between the MEGF10 gene and schizophrenia, finding that a variant of the gene is associated with increased heritability risk. The study also found that the MEGF10 gene is expressed more extensively in post-mortem brain tissue from individuals with schizophrenia.
A new approach identifies five genes involved in myelination and six genes involved in growth factor signaling as potential biomarkers for high and low mood states. The study suggests that blood biomarkers may offer an informative window into brain functioning and disease state.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have isolated biomarkers in the blood that identify mood disorders, providing an objective tool for diagnosing and assessing the severity of illness. The discovery may alter the way bipolar illness is diagnosed and treated, offering a new approach to psychiatric treatment.
A meta-analysis of 34 clinical trials found venlafaxine (SNRI) outperformed SSRIs in treating depression, resulting in a 5.9% increased remission rate. This translates to the need for doctors to treat 17 patients with venlafaxine to achieve one patient's benefit.
A new study finds that ketamine's antidepressant effects are mediated by its ability to increase AMPA receptor stimulation, suggesting drugs enhancing this function may have rapid antidepressant properties. Researchers now aim to develop AMPA-boosting drugs without ketamine's side effects.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that older women are more prone to depression and less likely to die from it compared to older men. The study, which evaluated 754 individuals aged 70+, found that women were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and remain depressed over time.
A new study published in Perspectives in Psychiatric Care shows that a psychiatric consultation team working closely with hospital staff led to the elimination of patient restraints for those with mental and developmental disabilities. The use of restraints was reduced through better communication, support, and staff training.
A study of over 1.38 million Danish births found a significant association between exposure to severe stressful events during the first trimester and an increased risk of schizophrenia in children. Chemicals released by the mother's brain in response to stress may affect fetal brain development, particularly in early pregnancy.
A study found that older women are more likely to develop depression and remain depressed over time, whereas older men are less prone to this condition. This disparity contributes to the higher burden of depression among older women.
A genetic study of 14,000 people found two genes, alpha 3 and alpha 5 nicotinic receptor subunits, to be associated with an increased risk of heavy smoking. The implicated DNA variants can be used to predict ability to quit using existing medications, potentially leading to more efficient treatment.