Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Expression of a specific gene could regulate feelings of fear and its extinction

Fear and fear extinction learning are adaptive processes caused by molecular changes in specific brain circuits, and they're perturbed in conditions such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

27 Oct 2020

Real-time tracking system shows rise in suspected opioid overdose deaths after COVID-19's arrival

COVID-19 may dominate the headlines. But another epidemic that was already raging before it arrived has flared up in recent months, too, according to new University of Michigan data.

27 Oct 2020

Fear and isolation drives PTSD among health/social workers in COVID-19

A new study, published on the preprint server medRxiv* in October 2020, identifies the factors that predict distress in HSCW and emphasizes the importance of adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).

27 Oct 2020

Interaction between PTSD and klotho gene may cause premature aging in the brain

Study Finds PTSD Interacts With Klotho Gene, May Cause Premature Aging In The Brain

27 Oct 2020

Researchers generate a transcriptomic map of the COVID brain

COVID-19 is known to be associated with multiple changes in gene expression, but many of these are also seen in chronic brain conditions as well as in some abnormal mental conditions. A recent study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in October 2020 uncovers the molecular basis of this association.

26 Oct 2020

Arguing to undo the ACA. Harming Medicare. Do they go hand in hand?

It's a tried-and-true campaign strategy. Candidates go on the attack, claiming their opponent will do harm to Medicare. After all, people 65 and older are good about making it to the polls on Election Day. These voters are also generally motivated to protect the federal health insurance program for seniors.

23 Oct 2020

COVID-19 pandemic has escalated into a ‘syndemic’ for chronic disease patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated into a ‘syndemic’ for people with chronic illnesses, a new UNSW study analysing data from low and middle-income countries shows.

23 Oct 2020

Initial phase of COVID-19 lockdown decreased sleep, exercise and mental health

A first-of-its-kind global survey shows the initial phase of the COVID-19 lockdown dramatically altered our personal habits, largely for the worse.

23 Oct 2020

Spirituality is significantly associated with better mental health, well-being

Wisdom has gained increasing interest among researchers over the last few decades as a biologically based personality trait relevant to physical well-being and mental health.

23 Oct 2020

Meaning in life and self-control protect against stress during COVID-19 pandemic

Numerous studies over the last few weeks have pointed out that the effects of the Corona pandemic on people's mental health can be enormous and affect large parts of the population.

22 Oct 2020

Anxiety and stress caused by COVID-19 associated with body image issues

A new study has found that anxiety and stress directly linked to COVID-19 could be causing a number of body image issues amongst women and men.

22 Oct 2020

Nasal septum surgery can cause behavioral changes, RUDN medics say

A team of medics from RUDN University conducted an experiment on rats and confirmed that surgeries in the nasal cavity can cause behavioral changes, namely, make the animals timider.

22 Oct 2020

Study looks at childbirth experiences during COVID-19 in the USA

A new study by Elizabeth Mollard at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Amaya Wittmaack from the University of Virginia School of Medicine published on the preprint server medRxiv in October 2020 reveals that pregnant women may feel less supported during their childbirth experience due to the changes in maternity unit practices related to the pandemic.

22 Oct 2020

Research elucidates molecular mechanism behind learning and memory function

The long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of the strength of hippocampal excitatory synapse involved in learning and memory formation in brain have been separately explained, but the molecular mechanism that comprehensively explains them has not been elucidated.

21 Oct 2020

Researchers find an increasing need for palliative care across Greater China

Palliative care should extend across China and pay more attention to managing non-malignant disease - integrated within the country's healthcare system and available to everyone who needs it, according to a new study.

21 Oct 2020

Couples who fight often are more likely to experience loneliness and poor physical health

Healthy couples fight. But couples that clash often are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness and poorer physical health down the line, according to new University of Georgia research.

21 Oct 2020

Study reveals medium-term impact of COVID-19

Initial findings from a study looking at the longer-term impact of COVID-19 has found that a large proportion COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital were still experiencing symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety and depression two to three months after contracting the virus.

21 Oct 2020

Researchers find distinct effects of adversity in the genomes of men than women born preterm

Researchers at McMaster University have found distinct effects of adversity early in life in the genomes of men compared to women who were born extremely preterm.

21 Oct 2020

Lack of sleep impairs the ability to suppress intrusive thoughts

Lack of sleep significantly impairs our ability to stop unwanted and unpleasant thoughts from entering our mind, a new study reveals.

20 Oct 2020

Serious ongoing symptoms in COVID-19 survivors

Although predominantly a respiratory illness, emerging data suggests that multi-organ injury is common, particularly in moderate to severe infections. A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in October 2020 describes the illness's sequelae in the months after recovery.

20 Oct 2020