Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Medical expert says PSTD cases may increase following Japanese tsunami

The Japanese tsunami took quite a massive toll, injuring and killing thousands and causing billions of dollars in destruction. But looking beyond physical destruction, the tsunami took an emotional toll on many as well.

29 Mar 2011

Study links sleep and stress levels to weight loss

If you want to increase your chances of losing weight, reduce your stress level and get adequate sleep. A new Kaiser Permanente study found that people trying to lose at least 10 pounds were more likely to reach that goal if they had lower stress levels and slept more than six hours but not more than eight hours a night.

29 Mar 2011

New schizophrenia research reveals difference in identical twins genetic makeup

Just like snowflakes, no two people are alike, even if they're identical twins according to new genetic research from The University of Western Ontario. Molecular geneticist Shiva Singh has been working with psychiatrist Dr. Richard O'Reilly to determine the genetic sequencing of schizophrenia using identical or monozygotic twins. The study is published in this month's PLoS ONE.

29 Mar 2011

Atypical antipsychotics is a safe mental health medication for nursing home residents

Conventional antipsychotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines often administered to nursing home residents are no safer than atypical antipsychotics and may carry increased risks, according to an article in CMAJ.

29 Mar 2011

Roundup: States 'scrambling' on Medicaid budget; health costs for inmates, Ex-Cons; kids' insurance

Strapped states are scrambling to address Medicaid's ballooning costs before the federal government cuts back a critical source of funding this week. Medicaid is one of state's costliest burdens. And the weak economy swelled the rolls to record numbers. Nearly 49 million people -- or almost one in six Americans -- were covered by the safety net at the end of 2009, the latest figures available.

29 Mar 2011

Dementia & Alzheimer’s drug trial with sleep hormone melatonin

A new drug is in the making that could improve the quality of life for people with dementia. Glasgow-based medical research company CPS Research is conducting a clinical trial using a drug containing the sleep hormone melatonin, which it is hoped will reduce the symptoms associated with the illness.

28 Mar 2011

Happiest at 70: Study

New research has suggested that a person is happiest after 70 years of age, as long as he or she enjoys good health, has sufficient income and is not lonely.

28 Mar 2011

Genetic link to attempted suicide discovered - Findings could lead to new avenues of treatment

Johns Hopkins scientists, reporting in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, have identified a small region on chromosome 2 that is associated with increased risk for attempted suicide. This small region contains four genes, including the ACP1 gene, and the researchers found more than normal levels of the ACP1 protein in the brains of people who had committed suicide. This protein is thought to influence the same biological pathway as lithium, a medication known to reduce the rate of suicidal behavior.

28 Mar 2011

Ontario's doctors call for continued strategic investments in health care

With the provincial budget set to be delivered on March 29, 2011, Ontario's doctors are reminding the government that strategic investments must continue to be made in health care.

25 Mar 2011

XTL announces MinoGuard acquisition

XTL announced on March 24, 2011, it entered into a term sheet to acquire the activity of MinoGuard Ltd. by obtaining an exclusive license to use MinoGuard's entire technology in return for royalties on sales and milestone payments throughout the clinical development process.

25 Mar 2011

State News: Study highlights problems in Mass. Connector

Los Angeles officials Thursday unveiled what Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa termed a landmark tentative labor agreement that would greatly increase healthcare and pension contributions for thousands of municipal workers and put an end to some furloughs caused by the city's budget crisis.

25 Mar 2011

AssureRx closes $11 million Series B financing

AssureRx Health, Inc. today announced the closing of an $11 million Series B financing. The personalized medicine company, which provides clinically-relevant information to help physicians select the right drug and the right dose for individual neuropsychiatric patients, will use the funds to expand direct sales and marketing for its first product, GeneSightRx®, and for second generation product development activities.

25 Mar 2011

New study finds 74.8% increase in hospital emergency visits due to Ecstasy use

A new national study indicates that the number of hospital emergency visits involving the illicit drug Ecstasy increased from 10,220 in 2004 to 17,865 visits in 2008 - a 74.8 percent increase.

25 Mar 2011

Experts to discuss on neuroscience of emotion-related disorders

Can feeling happy in older age weaken cognition? Is the prevailing drug treatment model for mood disorders the only option? Is chronic sleep deprivation behind the meltdowns we have at home and at work?

25 Mar 2011

Two new studies on post-traumatic stress disorder

Two related studies released by this week by Geisinger Health System researchers identify specific genetic risks associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and help identify key psychosocial predictors that may lead to PTSD.

25 Mar 2011

Study finds eye movement difference in two different populations

The team, working with Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, investigated eye movements in Chinese and British people to further understanding of the brain mechanisms that control them and how they compare between different human populations.

25 Mar 2011

Study examines regional analgesia effect on long-term outcomes in soldiers with combat injuries

Little is known about the impact of early aggressive regional analgesia on short- and long-term pain and psychological outcomes of soldiers with major combat injuries.

25 Mar 2011

Behavioural therapy may benefit children with Tourette syndrome

Children with Tourette syndrome could benefit from behavioural therapy to reduce their symptoms, according to a new brain imaging study.

25 Mar 2011

HCG hormone therapy may benefit patients with intractable pain

Results from a small study of intractable pain patients being treated with the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone reported that they had experienced pain free hours in the past month. These results were presented at a poster session at the American Academy of Pain Medicine's 27th Annual Meeting.

25 Mar 2011

U.S. statewide bank crises study finds no major impact of depression on mortality

A study published today provides a new perspective on the Great Depression of the 1930s. A widely held view is that there were remarkable improvements in life expectancy of over five years.

25 Mar 2011