Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Coro Health earns ALFA recognition for senior care programs

Coro Health, LLC, a provider of technology-based wellness therapies designed to improve the quality of life for seniors and caregivers, today announced it has been recognized as Program to Watch by the Assisted Living Federation of America 2011 Best of the Best Awards program.

31 Mar 2011

Revenues grow, but states wrestle with shortfalls in Medicaid needs

A new Census Bureau report find revenues for local and state governments are growing but many states are still having difficulty funding Medicaid programs. In Conn., the governor says he has reservations about a proposal to create a new entity to oversee state health care. California and New Jersey officials are having trouble finding cuts to balance the budget. And hospital officials in Texas are urging lawmakers to not trim health care.

31 Mar 2011

Positive mood can negatively impact working memory storage capacity

Most people have had trouble remembering something they just heard. Now, a University of Missouri researcher found that forgetfulness may have something to do with being in a good mood. Elizabeth Martin, a doctoral student of psychology in the College of Arts and Science, has found that being in a good mood decreases your working memory capacity.

31 Mar 2011

Facebook depression - a new diagnostic entity

A new study that appears in the April issue of the journal Pediatrics, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, speaks of a “new phenomenon” known as “Facebook depression” in which children can become depressed when they compare such metrics as their number of “friends” and “status updates” to those of their peers.

30 Mar 2011

AA Pharma launches Lithium Carbonate SR 300mg for Bipolar Disorder in Canada

AA Pharma Inc., a leading distributor of pharmaceuticals in Canada, is pleased to announce the launch of LITHMAX, a sustained release formulation containing 300mg of lithium carbonate. LITHMAX is indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder, as well as the maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

30 Mar 2011

California's aging LGB more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions

Members of California's aging lesbian, gay and bisexual population are more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions, even as they wrestle with the challenges of living alone in far higher numbers than the heterosexual population, according to new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

30 Mar 2011

SAMHSA publishes strategic initiatives paper on nation's behavioral health care system

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today published its strategic initiatives paper - an overview of SAMHSA's goals, priorities and action steps for accomplishing its mission of reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

30 Mar 2011

Maternal childhood maltreatment can affect offspring's health

Mothers who were maltreated as children have increased risk for giving birth to low birth weight babies. The findings, by researchers at the University of Washington, are the first to show that maternal maltreatment can affect the health of offspring.

30 Mar 2011

Stress affects sleep, mood and body weight: Study

In a new study that appeared in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers have found that stress may affect sleep, mood and ultimately body weight. The study found that people with high stress and poor sleep were less likely to achieve a 10-lb. weight loss goal.

29 Mar 2011

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