Research from the field of mental-health medicine. Covers diagnostic agreement, youth psychiatric emergencies, schizophrenia genetics, and clinical leadership.
Researchers have found a genetic susceptibility locus on chromosome 1 that may contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa. The study used a genome-wide linkage analysis and identified a possible AN-susceptibility gene on chromosome 1p, adding to growing evidence supporting the role of genetics in eating disorders.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that nearly all antidepressant trials exclude patients with mild depression, anxiety disorders, or other psychiatric problems. This limits the generalizability of trial results and may lead to unjustified exposure of risks and side effects.
A functional polymorphism within the m-opioid receptor gene has been linked to an increased risk of substance abuse, including alcohol and other substances. The study found that individuals with this genetic variation were more likely to develop addiction and engage in risky behavior.
A multicentric study has identified an excess of allele1 for the GABRA3 gene in patients with bipolar disorder. This finding suggests a potential link between genetic variations and the development of manic-depressive illness.
A genetic study found that a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter promoter region is associated with mood response during tryptophan depletion, indicating a potential link between diet and depression relapse. The study suggests that individual genetic differences may influence the impact of dietary changes on depressive symptoms.
A study of 289 caregivers found that over 70% reported positive feelings towards caregiving, associated with reduced depression and better self-reported health. Knowledge of these positive aspects can help professionals identify risk factors and needs in caregivers.
Researchers found a correlation between older adults' use of speech and their ability to gesture, with more words spoken leading to lower scores on pantomime tasks. The study suggests that speaking may interfere with gesture production or be used as a substitute response to activate gestures.
A University of Illinois study suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for treating severe depression, with better tolerability and fewer side effects. rTMS showed significant improvement in depression scores, with a 55% reduction in the treatment g...
A Yale researcher found that men who witnessed combat are at risk for various current adverse outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder and job loss. The study suggests that providing quality mental health care and social services to veterans could mitigate these effects.
Researchers investigate genetic link between Prader-Willi syndrome and psychotic illness, finding association with a sex-specific imprinted gene on chromosome 15. The study suggests that allelic variation of this gene could be a cause of genetic vulnerability to psychotic illness in the general population.
Researchers found a genetic association between IL-1 receptor antagonist and ADHD, suggesting immune system involvement in childhood susceptibility. The study suggests that altered IL-1 activity may contribute to ADHD's dopaminergic reactivity.
A study by Dr. Kathryn Moss and colleagues found that the EEOC has never been funded to thoroughly investigate discrimination complaints, resulting in inconsistent outcomes. The commission's limited resources lead to prioritization issues and variability in benefits among different offices.
A systematic review in The Lancet estimates that six people would need to be detained for a year to prevent one violent act, raising concerns about the accuracy of forecasting dangerousness. Critics warn that this approach threatens to assume an Orwellian air, with psychiatry becoming increasingly coercive.
Researchers identified a mutated WFS1 gene responsible for low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, which can lead to severe hearing aids requirements. The discovery may be common in the general population and could connect with other conditions like Meniere's Disease.
Johns Hopkins faculty members Kay Redfield Jamison and Geraldine Seydoux have been awarded the MacArthur Foundation's 'genius' award for their innovative research in psychology and biology. Their work has significantly advanced understanding of mental health treatment, psychiatric disorders, and biological development.
Five Yale researchers will continue their brain disorder research with a combined $100,000 in funding, totaling $3.9 million among 40 honored recipients. This support aims to discover causes and treatments for mental illness.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found significant gender-related differences in the characteristics of male and female gamblers who called a helpline. Female gamblers were more likely to report non-strategic, less interpersonal forms of gambling and receiving mental health treatment.
Researchers found that divalproex sodium reduced the need for oxazepam and slowed worsening symptoms in a seven-day study. The anticonvulsant's anti-kindling properties may prevent nervous system hyperexcitability during alcohol withdrawal, making it a viable treatment option.
A study of 102 heart attack patients reveals that 40% experienced PTSD symptoms, with those having significant symptoms showing stronger association with nonadherence and more serious adverse events. This association was not explained by other psychiatric disorders.
A systematic review of literature found an association between positive expectations and improved outcomes in myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, chronic pain, and psychiatric conditions. The mechanisms behind this association are still uncertain, with questions surrounding causality versus prediction.
Children prenatally exposed to alcohol demonstrate significant social and adaptive behavior deficits, but similar deficits are found in clinically referred children with no prenatal exposure. As prenatally exposed children age, their social difficulties become more pronounced, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues.
A recent study found that adolescents who participated in community-based treatment programs significantly reduced drug use and criminal behavior, and improved academic performance. Longer stays in treatment were associated with better outcomes.
The study aims to determine the scope and adequacy of adult day services in the US, identifying gaps in availability and utilization. It will help shape future directions for the field and inform planning at local, state, and federal levels.
A new national study in Canada aims to test different types and combinations of anti-depressants and fluorescent light therapy for patients with seasonal depression. Researchers hope to better understand this debilitating condition that affects over 600,000 Canadians each year, causing significant dysfunction and impairment.
A new brain imaging study found that people with schizophrenia exhibit distinct brain changes at the earliest stages of the illness, potentially identifying warning signs and preventing development. The research suggests a role for brain imaging in pinpointing early signs and may lead to preventive psychiatry.
Research suggests a genetic link between dopamine D4 receptor gene polymorphism and attachment disorganization in infants, with extensive disorganized behavior observed in up to 80% of high-risk infants. The study's findings imply a genetic susceptibility to the collapse of organized attachment under stress.
Research findings suggest that depression in children is linked to increased serotonin transporter availability, while dopamine levels are less significant. A family-based study also identifies a potential link between the DRD4 gene and ADHD, highlighting progress in understanding molecular basis of childhood mental illness.
The virtual reality experience, Paved with Fear, simulates daily activities for psychiatrists to grasp the impact of auditory and visual hallucinations. Developed in collaboration with patients, this innovative technology provides a unique understanding of the condition, ultimately enhancing treatment effectiveness.
A new 25-minute test distinguishes between different types of schizophrenia by measuring people's response to a sudden loud noise. Early onset schizophrenia has more severe information processing deficits and is less responsive to current treatments.
Researchers found that higher doses of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were more effective in relieving depression, with 66.7% of patients experiencing relief compared to 38.9% on lower doses. However, the high-dose group also experienced temporary memory disturbances and longer recovery times.
Researchers found associations between certain personality traits and a polymorphic region in the human AP-2beta gene. These traits include muscular tension, guilt, somatic anxiety, psychasthenia, and indirect aggression. The study suggests a novel approach to understanding the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders and personality.
Research finds that fetal and birth complications, such as hypoxic-ischemia-related complications, significantly increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Additionally, trauma at labor and delivery may lead to brain structure anomalies associated with schizophrenia.
The UCSF Department of Psychiatry is using a $7.9 million grant to study creative ways to treat complex, substance-abusing patients in community settings. The research will focus on four areas, including computer-based interventions for smokers and HIV-positive heroin addicts.
The conference will focus on ibogaine's mechanism of action and clinical, cultural, and political issues surrounding its use. Leading experts in neuroscience, ethnography, and sociology will present on the compound's effects and potential applications.
Depression affects not only individuals but also their intimate relationships. This guide provides valuable coping strategies to maintain connections during depression. It answers questions from patients and partners, offering expertise from seven authorities on managing depression-related intimacy problems.
The American Psychiatric Association's 1999 Fall Components Meeting tackled significant psychiatric topics such as Psychiatric Aspects on Violence, Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters, and Addiction Psychiatry. The meeting brought together over 1,000 leading psychiatric experts to discuss these critical issues.
A 10-year study by Dr. Morton Beiser shows that Canada's boat people were able to effectively cope with stress by temporarily suspending relationships with past traumas, thriving despite flight and exile.
A small pilot study found that nine of 13 patients reported long-term decreased binge eating episodes, with four ending uncontrolled consumption completely. Topiramate, approved for epilepsy, shows promise in treating binge eating disorder with minimal side effects.
Researchers identify a genetic marker associated with panic disorder, linked to variations in cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor function. The study found that this variation could be a risk factor for panic attacks and may be useful in diagnosis and therapeutic approaches.
The new book Psychiatry and the Cinema explores how movie portrayals of psychiatrists have shaped public perceptions of mental health. By analyzing film representations of psychiatric treatment, the authors shed light on the intersection of entertainment and medicine.
A study found that adults with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia were more likely to experience early parental loss than healthy individuals. Early loss before age 9 had a stronger impact on psychopathology in adulthood.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill link severe premenstrual syndrome to childhood trauma, finding 50-60% of women with PMDD have histories of abuse. The study also reveals physiological abnormalities in the stress response system of women with PMDD.
A case study published in JAMA reports a patient experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms after stopping valerian supplements. The researchers emphasize the importance of asking patients about herbal product use and providing open-minded care to address potential side effects and interactions.
David J. Kupfer, a renowned psychiatrist, received the Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health for his groundbreaking research on mental health treatment. His work has improved understanding of recurrent mood disorders, depression, and the relationship between biological rhythms, sleep, and depression.
A survey of 60,000 Pennsylvania students found a decrease in willingness to seek help from physicians, parents, teachers, and counselors for drug abuse treatment. Students' perception of the risks associated with drugs has decreased over time, but the actual problems persist.
Researchers found that the anterior cingulate cortex detects response competition and provides a signal to pay more attention and avoid errors. The brain's 'how you are doing' monitor may serve as an alarm system for executive control, preventing catastrophic mistakes.
The article discusses psychiatric genetics research funded by Nazi Germany, raising concerns about the separation of science from the scientist. Dr. Miron Baron examines the history of this research and its implications for contemporary investigators.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) hosts a consensus conference to address controversial psychiatric issues in the media, including the misuse of psychiatric diagnoses and advertising of psychopharmaceuticals. The conference aims to establish a shared understanding between psychiatrists and journalists on these topics.
A population association study found a higher percentage of the 7 repeat allele and 7+ genotype in ADHD children compared to controls. The study also identified significant positive results from a family-based approach, providing additional evidence for an association between DRD4 gene and ADHD.
Research found an association between genetic variations in the serotonin-2A receptor and response to clozapine, a drug targeting serotonin receptors. Further studies support this hypothesis, suggesting that serotonin receptors play a key role in the therapeutic action of antipsychotic drugs.
A survey of consultation-liaison psychiatrists found that they strongly opposed participating in or endorsing physician-assisted death. However, there was more acceptance of referrals to other physicians and their involvement. The study suggests that requests for assisted death are often linked to depression, a treatable illness.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that men are equally affected by body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) as women, with differences mainly in the body part of concern and coping mechanisms.
Research led by Dr. Graham Emslie found Prozac to be more effective than a placebo in young people aged 7-17, with 56% showing improvement after two months of treatment. The study also showed that 74% of patients completed eight weeks of Prozac improved.
A husband-and-wife team of psychiatrists are conducting a major population-based study to find the gene(s) linked to schizophrenia. The five-year study will be carried out in the Azores and on the Portuguese mainland, using genetic markers and genome-wide scans.
A study of Finnish subjects failed to find an association between the Dopamine D4 Receptor (DRD4) gene and novelty-seeking personality traits. The researchers found that individuals with higher novelty-seeking scores had a lower frequency of the DRD4 gene, contradicting previous findings.