Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Trauma does not negatively impact cognition in schizophrenia

A history of trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder is not associated with poorer cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia, researchers report.

27 Nov 2012

Subthreshold bipolarity common in major depressive disorder

Results from a Polish study show that a substantial proportion of patients with major depressive disorder meet criteria for subthreshold bipolarity.

27 Nov 2012

Study examines reasons why smoking is not treated in many cancer patients

It's a sad but familiar scene near the grounds of many medical campuses: hospital-gowned patients, some toting rolling IV poles, huddled in clumps under bus shelters or warming areas, smoking cigarettes.

27 Nov 2012

Low folate and vitamin B12 intake increase risk of melancholic depressive symptoms

A low intake of folate and vitamin B12 increases the risk of melancholic depressive symptoms, according to a study among nearly 3,000 middle-aged and elderly Finnish subjects. On the other hand, non-melancholic depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome.

27 Nov 2012

Chemotherapy can induce brain changes that may affect concentration and memory

Chemotherapy can induce changes in the brain that may affect concentration and memory, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

27 Nov 2012

Johns Hopkins receives $1.9M NIH grant to establish new center for sleep research

More than one-quarter of the adult population of the U.S. suffers from sleep disturbances known to contribute to life-threatening illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia as well as depression, chronic pain, and fatigue. Often such sleeplessness is a consequence of obesity, lifestyle, and work.

27 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Sen. Corker's plan to avoid the 'fiscal cliff'; Romney's brave attempt to deal with health entitlements; Fixing the drug shortage

I have shared with House and Senate leaders as well as the White House a 242-page bill that, along with other agreed-upon cuts that are to be enacted, would produce $4.5 trillion in fiscal reforms and replace sequestration.

27 Nov 2012

Negative messages not having an impact in people with addictive behaviors

What types of public messages will most likely deter drug and alcohol abuse or dissuade people from engaging in risky behavior? Negatively framed messages may not be an effective way to reach those most in need of persuasion, suggests a new study in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors by researchers from Indiana University and Wayne State University.

26 Nov 2012

$Study identifies fractional anisotropy as predictor of brain damage after TBI$

Study identifies fractional anisotropy as predictor of brain damage after TBI

Using a special magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to image patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), researchers have identified a biomarker that may predict which patients will do well over the long term, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

26 Nov 2012

Adolescent strength linked to early mortality risk

Muscle strength in adolescence is significantly associated with the likelihood for early death, reveal results from a large study of Swedish teenagers.

23 Nov 2012

Childhood abuse linked to altered gray matter in psychosis

Sexual abuse in childhood is associated with significant gray matter volume reductions in patients with psychosis, US researchers report.

23 Nov 2012

Altered cognition, attitudes mostly state related in bipolar disorder

Altered cognitive processes and attitudes in patients with bipolar disorder are mostly associated with symptomatology, say researchers.

23 Nov 2012

Fear of movement affects 20% of patients with coronary artery disease

A doctoral thesis at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has found that one out of five patients with coronary artery disease experience such a great fear of movement (kinesiophobia) that their health may suffer as a result.

23 Nov 2012

New way of long-term care for elders with memory impairments

Within a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Route 128, a revolutionary new way to provide elder care is quietly making a difference in the town of Westwood. From the outside, the White Oak Cottages may look like ordinary, modern family homes with lots of windows and skylights but what's going on inside is anything but ordinary. Their mission is to de-institutionalize long-term care by providing a real home-like environment for those with Alzheimer's, Dementia and other cognitive impairments.

23 Nov 2012

Researchers trace specific paths of chandelier cells during development into the cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex of the human brain has been called "the crowning achievement of evolution." Ironically, it is so complex that even our greatest minds and most sophisticated science are only now beginning to understand how it organizes itself in early development, and how its many cell types function together as circuits.

23 Nov 2012

Eating disorders common in adolescents attending emergency department

A significant percentage of adolescents attending hospital emergency response departments have eating disorders, suggest results from a US study.

22 Nov 2012

Bipolar I disorder has higher costs than other affective disorders

Results from an Australian study show that bipolar I disorder is associated with higher costs than bipolar II disorder or unipolar depression.

22 Nov 2012

CHKD surgeons use vacuum bell device to treat pectus excavatum

Surgeons at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) have fitted a patient with a device that might eliminate the need for surgery in some patients with one of the world's most common chest deformities, pectus excavatum, often called sunken chest syndrome.

22 Nov 2012

IRCM researchers discover a nerve cell's internal clock

A team of IRCM researchers, led by Dr. Fr-d-ric Charron, recently uncovered a nerve cell's internal clock, used during embryonic development.

22 Nov 2012

State roundup: Calif. schedules health care special session; Fla. to boost Medicaid payment rates

California's legislative special session on health care won't take place until January, according to officials at the California Health and Human Services agency. ... The session was expected to be convened in December. The special session will be held concurrently with the regular legislative session that begins Jan. 7.

22 Nov 2012