Depression News and Research

Latest Depression News and Research

Guidance for medication in bipolar depression published

Solid evidence to guide the use of antidepressants in patients with bipolar disorder is “remarkably limited,” says the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force.

18 Sep 2013

Nonmotor symptoms contribute to early Parkinson’s subtypes

Researchers have characterized four distinct subgroups of patients with early Parkinson’s disease, distinguished by both motor and nonmotor symptoms.

18 Sep 2013

Smokers with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) taking varenicline have significantly higher likelihood of quitting smoking than placebo

Results of a Pfizer-commissioned study published this month in Annals of Internal Medicine reveal that smokers with a past or present diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD)* taking varenicline had a significantly higher likelihood of quitting smoking (after 12 weeks and at 52 weeks) than those who were given a placebo.

18 Sep 2013

Young women with critical mothers likelier to have disordered eating attitudes

Young women with critical, over-involved mothers likelier to have poor social skills and disordered eating attitudes.

18 Sep 2013

Emotional stress, cognitive impairment linked to early hospital readmission of heart patients

Heart patients' mental state and thinking abilities may help predict whether costly and potentially dangerous early hospital readmission will follow their release after treatment, according to the results of a significant new study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers.

18 Sep 2013

International review shows links between racism and child and youth health outcomes

An international review led by the University of Melbourne has found children and young people experience poor mental health, depression and anxiety following experiences of racism.

17 Sep 2013

Non-physical abuse by dating partner can have serious effect on teenager's health and well-being

Non-physical abuse by a dating partner such as threats, controlling behavior and harassing text messages can have a serious effect on a teenager's health and well-being, finds new research led by a Michigan State University scholar.

17 Sep 2013

New study finds more burnout, depression among physicians who work long hours

Spare a thought for American doctors and their partners: because of long working hours and dedication to their work, they seem to have more squabbles over home and family responsibilities than people in most other professions.

17 Sep 2013

Varenicline drug helps people with depression quit smoking, say researchers

About half of smokers seeking treatment for smoking cessation have a history of depression. Compared with smokers who are not depressed, those who suffer from a major depressive disorder have greater difficulty quitting.

17 Sep 2013

Understanding essential role of gut microbes in immune system

A new understanding of the essential role of gut microbes in the immune system may hold the key to dealing with some of the more significant health problems facing people in the world today, Oregon State University researchers say in a new analysis.

17 Sep 2013

Oxytocin shows evidence of therapeutic value for autism, schizophrenia

The hormone oxytocin could play a role in treating psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, according to a review article in the September Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

17 Sep 2013

Hyperthyroidism sounds urinary problem alarm

Physicians should be alert to urinary problems in women with hyperthyroidism, say researchers who found an association between the endocrine disorder and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

16 Sep 2013

Gene variations predict breast cancer sleep disturbance

Researchers have identified cytokine gene variations in women with breast cancer that may help to identify those at increased risk for sleep disturbance following surgery.

16 Sep 2013

Phone support boost to COPD patients

Researchers from Australia have found that even brief phone contact from medical professionals can provide benefits to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

16 Sep 2013

Case for targeting perfectionism in patients with bipolar disorder

Anxiety and stress symptoms may mediate the association between perfectionism and depressive symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder in a “transdiagnostic” process, say researchers.

16 Sep 2013

Smoking-cessation in HIV-positive individuals: an interview with Dr Ellen R. Gritz, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

In the general population, current smoking prevalence is 18%. Persons living with HIV/AIDS smoke at a rate 2 to 3 times higher, up to almost 70% in some studies.

16 Sep 2013

Study: Healthy diet may reduce risk of severe depression

A healthy diet may reduce the risk of severe depression, according to a prospective follow-up study of more than 2,000 men conducted at the University of Eastern Finland. In addition, weight loss in the context of a lifestyle intervention was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.

16 Sep 2013

Systematic review reveals exercise may help alleviate depression

Exercise may benefit people suffering from depression, according to an updated systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. The authors of the review found evidence to suggest that exercise reduces symptoms of depression, although they say more high quality trials are needed.

13 Sep 2013