Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

New Parkinson's Disease diagnostic test

While Florey researchers have also created a genetic test for Parkinson's Disease (PD) [10% of PD cases are caused by genetic factors], this new test has a broader application by screening for many different types of PD and monitoring treatment, as well as measuring the effectiveness of drugs being developed to treat the disease.

27 Apr 2007

Health gap between social groups widens in later life

The health divide between the most affluent and the worst off in society increases in later life, finds a study published on bmj.com.

27 Apr 2007

Drugs that adjust dopamine levels in the brain greatly affect how people react to success and failure

In a first-of-its-kind study on humans, researchers measured how dopamine-related drugs affect the striatum, a part of the brain that is stimulated by rewards.

27 Apr 2007

Depression among retired professional football players

A new study from the University of Michigan Health System highlights the issues faced at the other end of the career spectrum, after players retire.

27 Apr 2007

Brits over-react to threat of crystal meth

In order to prevent the illegal production of the highly addictive drug, crystal meth, authorities in Britain are considering making some cold medicines available on a prescription-only basis.

26 Apr 2007

Frequent self-weighing is not associated with depression in women

A study being published in a recent issue of Preventive Medicine found no strong evidence linking frequent scale stepping and depression in women. In addition, self-weighing daily, rather than once every week or month, was associated with lower Body Mass Index (BMI) levels in women 40 years or older.

26 Apr 2007

Report identifies schizophrenia patients likely to receive depot medication

A report in the April 2007 issue of Psychiatric Services has identified a unique subgroup of schizophrenia patients in the United States who tend to receive depot antipsychotic medications.

26 Apr 2007

Many older adults with HIV have unprotected sex

One out of three sexually active older adults infected with HIV has unprotected sex, according to a study by Ohio University researchers.

26 Apr 2007

New study on prisoner health

People with chronic illnesses can experience great difficulties in prison, but people such as drug addicts and the homeless may find their healthcare improves, according to a study in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing.

26 Apr 2007

Difficult to distinguish bipolar symptoms in children

At least one-third of the time, the symptoms of bipolar disorder first appear in childhood or adolescence.

26 Apr 2007

Latest research findings on autism to be discussed in Seattle

More than 900 scientists, parents and activists from around the world who are focused on understanding the causes of autism and finding treatments for the developmental disorder will gather in Seattle May 3-5 to share the latest research findings at the sixth annual International Meeting for Autism Research.

26 Apr 2007

New concussion treatment developed by University at Buffalo

When Buffalo Sabres center Tim Connolly took the ice for the start of the NHL playoffs after being sidelined for 11 months with post-concussion syndrome, his return in large part was due to a new treatment program developed by UB researchers.

26 Apr 2007

Mice on Prozac may help improve serotonin-based antidepressants

Depressed mice, like depressed humans, often appear listless and antisocial , the result of aberrant levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin.

26 Apr 2007

Psychotherapeutic drug spending surges

Spending on prescription drugs to treat depression, anxiety, pain, schizophrenia and other conditions climbed from $7.9 billion in 1997 to $20 billion in 2004 - over a 150 percent increase, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

25 Apr 2007

Neuromed licenses chronic pain product from ALZA Corporation

Neuromed Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has licensed from ALZA Corporation the exclusive U.S. rights to develop and commercialize OROS(R) Hydromorphone, an extended release formulation of a potent opioid analgesic in Phase 3 clinical development.

25 Apr 2007

Pregnant U.S. women commonly smoke

While pregnancy may be considered an effective motivator for smoking cessation, results of a new study by researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health indicate that pregnant U.S. women commonly smoke, placing themselves and their unborn children at risk for health and developmental complications.

25 Apr 2007

Chronically ill prisoners can face great healthcare problems, but others inmates enjoy improved health

25 Apr 2007

Swedish Big Brother behind lobotomies in the 1940s and 1950s

Sweden was more accepting than the U.S. in its attitude toward lobotomy in the 1940s and 1950s. A possible explanation for this may be the strength of paternalism in Sweden, that is, a greater tendency to make decisions on behalf of the patient in Swedish medical culture than in its American counterpart. This is according to Kenneth Ogren from Umea University in Sweden.

25 Apr 2007

Symposium on depression and bipolar disorder

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will hold its 21st annual Mood Disorders Symposium titled Bipolar Revisited: Where We've Been, Where We're Going, at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, April 24, to draw attention to new findings in basic and clinical research on depression and bipolar disorder.

24 Apr 2007