Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Delayed word processing could indicate MCI patients’ likelihood of developing Alzheimer's

A delayed neurological response to processing the written word could be an indicator that a patient with mild memory problems is at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, research led by the University of Birmingham has discovered.

20 Oct 2017

Jealousy study in pair-bonded monkeys offers insight into human emotions and behavior

It's perhaps one of the most common emotions to feel in a relationship, but one that's virtually untouched when it comes to studying relationships in monogamous primate species.

19 Oct 2017

Despite GOP efforts to corral Medicaid spending, states expand benefits

While congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump have been seeking major cuts in federal funding of Medicaid, 26 states this year expanded or enhanced benefits and at least 17 plan to do so next year, according to a report released Thursday.

19 Oct 2017

Sleep loss can trigger mood episodes in bipolar disorder patients

Sleep loss can trigger relapse, particularly in the form of mania, in people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, finds a study by Cardiff University.

19 Oct 2017

Researchers examine how palliative care impacts heart failure patients

Patients living with heart failure receive palliative care significantly less often than patients with other illnesses, including cancer, despite evidence that such care improves symptom management and quality of life.

18 Oct 2017

Study: People with anxiety, depression experience more frequent migraines

In a study of 588 patients who attended an outpatient headache clinic, more frequent migraines were experienced by participants with symptoms of anxiety and depression. In the Headache study, poor sleep quality was also found to be an independent predictor of more severe depression and anxiety symptoms.

18 Oct 2017

Four genes associated with OCD identified

There are found genes that have been identified to be associated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). These genes have been found to alter the circuitry of the brain in a manner that could lead to OCD. These genetic links also point to the fact why OCD sometimes runs in families. The study is published in the latest issue of Nature Communications.

18 Oct 2017

Researchers use powerful X-ray beams for ‘navigational map view’ of mouse brain

If brain imaging could be compared to Google Earth, neuroscientists would already have a pretty good "satellite view" of the brain, and a great "street view" of neuron details.

17 Oct 2017

On back roads of Appalachia’s coal country, mental health services are as rare as jobs

Every other month, Tanya Nelson travels 32 miles from the heart of Appalachia's coal country for an appointment with the nearest psychiatrist for therapy and to renew prescriptions. But the commute, which should take less than an hour through the winding mountain roads of southern West Virginia, consumes her entire day.

17 Oct 2017

Want an IUD? Take note of Trump’s new birth control policy.

The Trump administration's recently announced changes to health insurance rules have raised concerns among people wondering how they'll be affected. This week, I address some of the questions likely on people's minds.

17 Oct 2017

USC study reveals how schizophrenia has biological effect on the entire brain

Some 40 years since CT scans first revealed abnormalities in the brains of schizophrenia patients, international scientists say the disorder is a systemic disruption to the brain's entire communication system.

17 Oct 2017

Magic mushrooms chemical Psilocybin for treatment of hard-to treat depression

A new study from UK has found efficacy of psilocybin – a chemical found in “magic mushrooms”, in severe depression. The study involved 19 patients with severe depression. The patients took the psilocybin and around half of them improved and reported maintained improvement after 5 weeks of therapy. The patients however also received psychological care along with the treatment.

16 Oct 2017

Stress may just as harmful to our body as bad diet, BYU study finds

We all know that a poor diet is unhealthy, but a new BYU study finds that stress may just as harmful to our bodies as a really bad diet.

16 Oct 2017

Study identifies new biomarker for depression in diabetes

A study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic has identified a biomarker for depression in diabetes. Findings of epidemiological studies have shown an overall 2-fold increased prevalence of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with the general population worldwide.

16 Oct 2017