Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Oral health strategies for healthy aging: A call to action

Research explores the connection between aging populations and oral health, proposing an integrated model to address health challenges in older adults, with a focus on policy changes in the UK.

10 Oct 2024

Understanding why some children develop PTSD and anxiety after trauma

A new study has shed light on why some children and adolescents develop mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety, or depression after experiencing a traumatic event.

10 Oct 2024

Research highlights importance of feedback in youth mental health care

A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), published by Elsevier, reports that the effectiveness of youth mental health services can be improved by providing clinicians with frequent youth and family feedback and coaching leaders to support clinicians' effective use of the feedback.

10 Oct 2024

New center aims to identify mental health vulnerabilities in toddlers

Northwestern University has launched a new Mental Health, Earlier Center at the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), thanks to an $11.7 million award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health.

10 Oct 2024

New study reveals long-term brainstem damage in COVID-19 survivors using advanced MRI scans

A study using 7T QSM identifies microstructural changes in the brainstem of COVID-19 survivors, suggesting links to long-term neuroinflammatory responses.

10 Oct 2024

Study explores link between muscle strength and mental health in older adults

The Granada Biosanitary Research Institute (ibs.GRANADA) and the University of Granada, in collaboration with the Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga and Platform in Nanomedicine (IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND), have carried out a study that analyses the relationship between muscle strength and mental health in cognitively healthy older adults.

10 Oct 2024

Happening in Springfield: New immigrants offer economic promise, health system challenges

When Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance claimed Haitian immigrants had caused infectious-disease rates to "skyrocket" in Springfield, Ohio, local health commissioner Chris Cook checked the records.

10 Oct 2024

First map of DNA modification in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex created

A UCLA-led study has provided an unprecedented look at how gene regulation evolves during human brain development, showing how the 3D structure of chromatin -; DNA and proteins -; plays a critical role.

9 Oct 2024

Smoking cessation programs could help combat opioid epidemic

Smoking is recognized as a leading cause of preventable disability and death. New research shows that as smokers increase their daily number of cigarettes, they report higher rates of chronic pain, more prescription opioid use, severe work limitations due to pain, and poor mental health.

9 Oct 2024

Coffee consumption during pregnancy not linked to children's neurodevelopmental difficulties

A University of Queensland-led study has failed to find any strong links between drinking coffee during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental difficulties in children, but researchers are advising expectant mothers to continue following medical guidelines on caffeine consumption.

9 Oct 2024

Combination of 14 'skinny genes' could be the key to weight loss

The secret to losing weight could all be down to a combination of 14 'skinny genes', a new study has found.

9 Oct 2024

Collaborative efforts essential for tackling dementia in Africa

Dementia is becoming a major public health issue in Africa as its population ages.

9 Oct 2024

Asian health center tries unconventional approach to counseling

In her first months as a community health worker, Jee Hyo Kim helped violent crime survivors access supportive services and resources.

9 Oct 2024

New study links brain activity with daily behavior and long-term mental health

In a rare, longitudinal study, researchers from Aalto University and the University of Oulu tracked one person's brain and behavioral activity for five months using brain scans and data from wearable devices and smartphones.

9 Oct 2024

Study examines differences in mental health challenges for men and women farmers

Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers struggle with anxiety and depression at higher levels than the general population.

8 Oct 2024

CBT app shows promise in preventing depression

A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) app has been found to significantly prevent increases in depression in young people who are at high risk - and could be implemented as a cost-effective public mental health measure.

8 Oct 2024

Study: Economic gains from meeting physical activity guidelines

Meeting physical activity recommendations can bring significant economic benefits. These benefits can take the form of both wage income for the individual and reduced health care costs to society.

8 Oct 2024

Deciphering the Mysteries of the Human Microbiome

The Microsetta Initiative studies human microbiomes, analyzing diverse data to reveal links between microbes, diet, and health for improved public health.

8 Oct 2024

Brainstem inflammation may explain long Covid symptoms

Damage to the brainstem – the brain's 'control center' – is behind long-lasting physical and psychiatric effects of severe Covid-19 infection, a study suggests.

8 Oct 2024

BU professor recognized for excellence in the field of traumatic stress studies

Denise M. Sloan, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Senior Clinician Investigator, Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, has received the Robert Laufer, PhD Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

7 Oct 2024