Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

People with amnestic MCI more likely to die

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center have found that people with a form of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease, have twice the risk of dying compared with cognitively normal people. Those with dementia have three times the risk.

17 Jul 2012

Studies provide evidence of connections between MCI and negative health outcomes

Two studies presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 (AAIC 2012) in Vancouver provide evidence of connections between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and negative health outcomes – increased isolation and death.

17 Jul 2012

Physician-targeted intervention could reduce depression in elderly

Older patients whose physicians take part in a practice audit and education-based intervention have reduced odds of depression and self-harm at 24 months – significantly so in the case of self-harm, show results of an Australian trial.

16 Jul 2012

Novel way to monitor real-time chemical changes in brains of patients undergoing DBS

Mayo Clinic researchers have found a novel way to monitor real-time chemical changes in the brains of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). The groundbreaking insight will help physicians more effectively use DBS to treat brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, depression and Tourette syndrome.

16 Jul 2012

Studies describe ability of targeted exercise training on cognitive impairment and dementia

Four studies reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2012 (AAIC 2012) describe the ability of targeted exercise training to promote improved mental functioning and reduced risk for cognitive impairment and dementia in cognitively healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

16 Jul 2012

Research roundup: Medication adherence, performance at community health centers

For people diagnosed with depression, it's important that they adhere to their medication regimen so that they avoid recurrent episodes. But because of Medicare's Part D coverage gap, financially burdened seniors might not take their prescriptions as recommended. This study looked at Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with depression in 2007.

14 Jul 2012

Migraine involves multiple symptoms that vary widely among sufferers

Almost everyone suffers from headache pain occasionally, but for 36 million Americans, intense, debilitating headaches accompanied by other neurological symptoms — also known as migraine syndrome — are a source of physical misery that can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. It is estimated that the medical expenses and loss of productivity caused by migraine costs Americans $20 billion annually.

14 Jul 2012

Psychotic depression now fulfills the criteria for a valid psychiatric syndrome

The number of studies reporting significant and clinically relevant differences between psychotic depression (PD) and non-PD has increased considerably over the past decades. This summary of the current evidence suggests that PD now fulfils the criteria for a valid psychiatric syndrome.

14 Jul 2012

Call for more restricted opioid use

US experts call for more selective and cautious opioid prescribing for chronic noncancer pain in primary care, because of concerns over misuse of the drugs and continued uncertainty over when and for how long they should be prescribed.

13 Jul 2012

Treatment-resistant insomnia exacerbates major depression

Reports from a case series study indicate that patients with major depression have high rates of treatment-resistant, residual insomnia, and that insomnia during the early remission phase could lead to recurrence of depressive episodes.

13 Jul 2012

Key risk features predictive for suicide in bipolar disorder identified

Study findings suggest that patients with bipolar disorder who present with mixed-states, melancholic depressive features, or have multiple antidepressant treatment episodes are at increased risk for suicide.

13 Jul 2012

Adding functional skills training to CRT improves schizophrenia functioning

Adding functional skills training to cognitive remediation therapy significantly improves functional competence and real-world behavior in patients with schizophrenia, show study findings.

13 Jul 2012

Five rare mutations in single gene increase chances of boys developing ASD

Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have identified five rare mutations in a single gene that appear to increase the chances that a boy will develop an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

13 Jul 2012

Opioids for chronic noncancer pain discouraged

US experts have called for more selective and cautious opioid prescribing for chronic noncancer pain, because of concerns over misuse of the drugs and continued uncertainty over when and for how long they should be prescribed.

12 Jul 2012

Altered immune function in relatives of schizophrenia patients

Schizophrenia patients and their unaffected first-degree relatives exhibit immune system alterations compared with mentally healthy individuals, researchers report.

12 Jul 2012

Abused children may become obese adults

Severity of abuse in childhood or adolescence is associated with an increased risk for overall and central obesity in adulthood, report researchers.

12 Jul 2012

Overweight, obesity prevalent in psychiatric inpatients

Most inpatients with psychiatric disorders are overweight or obese, say Australian researchers who urge closer monitoring of the physical health of patients with mental illnesses.

12 Jul 2012

Family physicians’ continuity of care pivotal in depressed terminally ill patients

The long-standing relationship between a family physician and his/her terminally ill patient is pivotal in the management of depression during palliative care, show Dutch study results.

12 Jul 2012

Smokers at risk for recurrent hepatitis post-liver transplantation

Transplant recipients who smoke or have smoked increase their risk of viral hepatitis reinfection following liver transplantation according to new research available in the July issue of Liver Transplantation, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

12 Jul 2012

In-patient suicides continue to fall across all countries: Report

Deaths by suicide among mental health patients treated at home have reached 150 to 200 a year in England, latest national figures reveal - but suicides among patients on mental health wards continue to fall.

12 Jul 2012