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Alcohol use disorders in parents linked to accelerated aging in children

Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have discovered that parents who struggle with alcohol use disorders can pass along symptoms of early aging to their children, affecting them well into adulthood.

8 Aug 2024

Social genomics: How friends' genes impact a person's mental health

Mom always said, "Choose your friends wisely." Now a study led by a Rutgers Health professor shows she was onto something: Their traits can rub off on you – especially ones that are in their genes.

7 Aug 2024

Research decodes how cocaine alters dopamine transporter function

You have probably heard of dopamine. The substance also known as the "feel-good hormone".

7 Aug 2024

Study reveals strong associations between sleep problems, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation in teens

Rebecca Robbins, PhD, of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital, is the senior author of a paper published in Psychiatry Research, "Exploring sleep difficulties, alcohol, illicit drugs, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression."

2 Aug 2024

UQ study reveals 25% drop in child maltreatment in communities using Triple P Parenting Program

University of Queensland research shows child maltreatment cases decreased in socially disadvantaged communities that participated in positive parenting programs.

31 Jul 2024

Study links social vulnerability to mental health and substance use disorders

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry uncovers significant associations between social vulnerability - a measurement that aggregates social determinants of health like socioeconomic status, housing type, education and insurance coverage - and the prevalence and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in the United States.

24 Jul 2024

Study reveals altered neural signature in patients with depression

As parents, teachers and pet owners can attest, rewards play a huge role in shaping behaviors in humans and animals.

15 Jul 2024

People of color and white women underrepresented in clinical trials due to systematic biases

Randomized controlled trials, or RCTs, are believed to be the best way to study the safety and efficacy of new treatments in clinical research.

2 Jul 2024

Extended-release ketamine tablets offer new hope for treatment-resistant depression

The BEDROC trial found that extended-release ketamine tablets (R-107) significantly improve depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression patients, with the 180 mg dose showing the most efficacy. The treatment was well-tolerated with minimal side effects.

26 Jun 2024

WHO report highlights global burden of alcohol and drug-related deaths

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that 2.6 million deaths per year were attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths, and 0.6 million deaths to psychoactive drug use.

25 Jun 2024

Personal choices drive young adults' alcohol abstinence with cannabis as a common substitute

Personal decisions, such as disinterest and avoiding drunkenness, are the primary reasons young adults abstain from alcohol, with financial concerns also playing a significant role, according to a recent study.

24 Jun 2024

HEALing Communities Study: Data-driven intervention did not reduce opioid-related overdose death rates

A data-driven intervention that engaged communities to rapidly deploy evidence-based practices to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths – such as increasing naloxone distribution and enhancing access to medication for opioid use disorder – did not result in a statistically significant reduction in opioid-related overdose death rates during the evaluation period, according to results from the National Institutes of Health's HEALing (Helping to End Addiction Long-Term) Communities Study.

17 Jun 2024

CHOP implements effective adolescent health questionnaire across Primary Care Network

While doctors understand that adolescents have certain unique health questions and concerns, several challenges prevent this critical information from being collected in a systematic way and providing appropriate referrals across a wide group of patients.

13 Jun 2024

Research reveals how young adults view cannabis as a recreational and leisure pursuit

As of 2024, 24 states including Virginia and Maryland, and DC have legalized the adult recreational use of cannabis.

10 Jun 2024

Gene therapy trial: restored hearing in children with hereditary deafness

The safety and effectiveness of binaural adeno-associated virus 1 (AAV1)-human otoferlin (hOTOF) therapy in five children with autosomal recessive deafness 9 (DFNB9).

7 Jun 2024

Exploring the biology behind maternal mental health disorders

Pregnancy and new motherhood transform a woman's body as well as her life. While this is often a joyous time, it can sometime lead to mental health disorders, most often anxiety and depression.

6 Jun 2024

Mindfulness as medicine: A powerful tool for pain and addiction

Mindfulness training has made its way into school districts, self-help and health books, and workplaces. One day soon, it could also be widely offered as a "medicine" for some physical and mental health conditions.

31 May 2024

Study offers insight into early developmental risk factors for ADHD

Several early developmental factors are associated with an increased risk of ADHD during childhood and adolescence.

29 May 2024

San Francisco tries tough love by tying welfare to drug rehab

Raymond Llano carries a plastic bag with everything he owns in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, and the flattened cardboard box he uses as a bed under his arm as he waits in line for lunch at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. At 55, he hasn't had a home for 15 years, since he lost a job at Target.

13 May 2024

Social media use linked to rising teen mental health issues, study reveals

Researchers detail how social media can shape behavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological changes in adolescents, increasing their vulnerability to mental health issues.

8 May 2024