Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Trial to begin on alternative treatment for depression

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and The Black Dog Institute are seeking participants for a trial of a new, non-invasive form of brain stimulation therapy for depression, known as Direct Current Stimulation (DCS).

27 Jul 2009

Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants

A lack of sunlight is associated with reduced cognitive function among depressed people. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Health used weather data from NASA satellites to measure sunlight exposure across the United States and linked this information to the prevalence of cognitive impairment in depressed people.

27 Jul 2009

Anxiety and distress during active surveillance for early prostate cancer

Men with early stages of prostate cancer who delay radical treatment in favor of an approach of "expectant management" do not have high levels of anxiety and distress. That is the conclusion of a new study published in the September 1, 2009 issue of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

27 Jul 2009

Associations between lifestyle factors and quality of life among older, long-term breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors

A new study finds that most older long-term cancer survivors who are interested in diet and exercise actually have poor health habits.

27 Jul 2009

NHS on the cards for an ailing Australian health system

A new report is recommending a Federal takeover of the Australian public health and dental system - the report by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) says the health system is under strain and in need of a new prescription.

27 Jul 2009

Scent soothes stress

Feeling stressed? Then try savoring the scent of lemon, mango, lavender, or other fragrant plants.

26 Jul 2009

Major depressive disorder redefined

Researchers from Rhode Island Hospital's department of psychiatry propose that the definition for major depressive disorder (MDD) should be shortened to include only the mood and cognitive symptoms that have been part of the definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for the past 35 years.

24 Jul 2009

Cause of colic

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston say one organism discovered during their study may unlock the key to what causes colic, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby.

24 Jul 2009

Short stressful events may improve working memory

Experiencing chronic stress day after day can produce wear and tear on the body physically and mentally, and can have a detrimental effect on learning and emotion. However, acute stress -- a short stressful incident -- may enhance learning and memory.

23 Jul 2009

Mentally ill becoming an underclass in Australia

A recent survey by mental health charity SANE Australia, involving 371 patients, has found that many Australians with mental illness are often forced to choose between medical treatment and putting food on the table.

22 Jul 2009

Hepatitis C infection: Treatment options equally effective, likelihood of success known early on

Results of a long-awaited study of 3,070 American adults at Johns Hopkins and 118 other U.S. medical centers show that treatment with either of the two standard antiviral drug therapies is safe and offers the best way for people infected with hepatitis C to prevent liver scarring, organ failure and death.

22 Jul 2009

Altering the course of schizophrenia with new research

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is launching a large-scale research project to explore whether using early and aggressive treatment, individually targeted and integrating a variety of different therapeutic approaches, will reduce the symptoms and prevent the gradual deterioration of functioning that is characteristic of chronic schizophrenia.

21 Jul 2009

Help is on the way for shy, anxious drinkers

In life today alcohol plays an enormous part in many people's social activities and is often an essential part of a night out with friends.

20 Jul 2009

Mylan receives FDA approval for additional strengths of antipsychotic Haloperidol

Mylan Inc. has announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its supplemental Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Haloperidol Tablets USP, 10 mg and 20 mg. These strengths are in addition to Mylan's currently marketed 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg strengths of the product.

20 Jul 2009

National Institutes of Health develops research plan on Fragile X syndrome and associated disorders

The National Institutes of Health has developed a research plan to advance the understanding of fragile X syndrome and its associated conditions, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency. Fragile X syndrome causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and results from a mutation in a gene on the X chromosome.

20 Jul 2009