Psychiatry News and Research

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Psychiatry is the treatment, study and prevention of mental disorders.

Anterior insular cortex associated with human empathy

An international team led by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York has for the first time shown that one area of the brain, called the anterior insular cortex, is the activity center of human empathy, whereas other areas of the brain are not. The study is published in the September 2012 issue of the journal Brain.

25 Oct 2012

Lessons can be learnt from US fungal meningitis outbreak

As the current outbreak of fungal meningitis caused by contaminated methylprednisolone acetate injections continues to spread across the USA, past experience suggests that lessons can be learnt, says a US researcher.

24 Oct 2012

Ethnic density linked to psychosis risk

Reduced own-group ethnic density within a given geographic area is associated with an increased risk for psychotic experiences, results from a UK study show.

24 Oct 2012

Exendin-4 could effectively treat addiction

Vanderbilt researchers are reporting today that a drug currently used to treat type 2 diabetes could be just as effective in treating addiction to drugs, including cocaine.

24 Oct 2012

Link between autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a category that includes autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, are characterized by difficulty with social interaction and communication, or repetitive behaviors. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Management says that one in 88 children in the US is somewhere on the Autism spectrum - an alarming ten-fold increase in the last four decades.

24 Oct 2012

New project aims to devise programs that help reduce risk of cancer

Most people know that smoking, a bad diet, and physical inactivity can lead to catastrophic personal health consequences, including cancer. Yet millions continue to smoke, eat poorly, and fail to get enough exercise.

24 Oct 2012

Bisphosphonates increase risk for bone disease after tooth extraction

The risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw after a tooth extraction is significantly higher among patients who receive bisphosphonates than those who do not, suggest study findings.

23 Oct 2012

Almost all children on intensive care units given ‘off-label’ drugs

Study results show that a very high proportion of children admitted to intensive care units are treated with “off-label” drugs that have not been tested for the specific age or condition of the patient.

23 Oct 2012

Antipsychotic drug quandary for Alzheimer’s patients

Stopping treatment with risperidone to limit side effects risks the return of psychosis or agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease who have been taking the drug to suppress such symptoms, research shows.

23 Oct 2012

Researchers investigate effects of sleep architecture on hunger

A new study shows that both length of time and percentage of overall sleep spent in different sleep stages are associated with decreased metabolic rate, increased hunger, and increased intake of calories (specifically from fat and carbohydrates). The findings suggest an explanation for the association between sleep problems and obesity.

23 Oct 2012

Pfizer announces intention to acquire NextWave

Pfizer Inc. today announced its intention to acquire NextWave Pharmaceuticals, a privately held, specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of unique products for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

23 Oct 2012

CAMH scientists identify potential new approach to prevent smoking relapse

Scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have identified a potential new approach to preventing smoking relapse, which occurs frequently in smokers who attempt to quit, despite current treatments.

23 Oct 2012

Primary care physicians miss hepatitis vaccine targets

Primary care physicians are failing to meet guidelines for hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus vaccination in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, according to US research.

22 Oct 2012

Leaders come together to discuss latest advances in neurosciences

Stony Brook Medicine's Neurosciences Institute brings together leaders in the field of neurosciences to present the latest advances in research and clinical care for neurodegenerative disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders, and neuro-ophthalmology.

20 Oct 2012

NIH-funded study of weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes finds no cardiovascular benefits

An intensive diet and exercise program resulting in weight loss does not reduce cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in people with longstanding type 2 diabetes, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health.

20 Oct 2012

Study shows children with low levels of gene activity develop anxious dispositions

Decreased activity of a group of genes may explain why in young children the "fear center" of the anxious brain can't learn to distinguish real threats from the imaginary, according to a new University of Wisconsin study.

20 Oct 2012

True scale of anti-psychotic usage in dementia may be under-estimated

The scale of the challenge to reduce the use of anti-psychotic drugs by people with dementia may be under-estimated, according to researchers from Aston University and the University of East Anglia, working with NHS Kent and Medway. There is a key public health challenge to reduce the prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs to people with dementia as they are thought to be associated with up to 1,800 deaths a year.

19 Oct 2012

$Starting antihypertensives linked to hip fracture in elderly$

Starting antihypertensives linked to hip fracture in elderly

The risk for hip fractures among elderly individuals increases during the first 45 days after initiating antihypertensive medication, and significantly so for those who start angiotensin II converting-enzyme inhibitors and beta-adrenergic blockers, report Canadian researchers.

19 Oct 2012

Study to determine if treating mothers can help children at risk for ADHD

University of Illinois at Chicago researchers are conducting a study to determine if treating mothers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- either with medication or parent training -- will help children at risk for ADHD.

19 Oct 2012

PUFA levels reduced in schizophrenia patients

Patients with schizophrenia exhibit reduced red blood cell levels of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids , results from a systematic review and meta-analysis show.

18 Oct 2012