Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Methylphenidate ‘could relieve cancer depression’

The drug methylphenidate is well tolerated among advanced cancer patients and shows promise in alleviating depression in this group, report researchers from Spain.

28 Jun 2012

Miriam Hospital receives NIH renewal grant to support growth of Lifespan/Tufts/Brown CFAR

The Miriam Hospital has received an $8.5 million, five-year renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the continued growth of the Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research (CFAR).

28 Jun 2012

Study examines role and biological effects of psychotherapy in breast cancer survivors

In a study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics the role and biological effects of psychotherapy in breast cancer survivors is examined.

28 Jun 2012

Exposure-based CBT for primary PD/AG effectively reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms

A new study that is published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics examines the role of a specific form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), when depression aggravates panic.

28 Jun 2012

Gay dads may experience lifestyle shifts that could reduce HIV risk

Gay parents face many of the same challenges as straight parents when it comes to sex and intimacy after having children, according to a new study of gay fathers published in the journal Couple and Family Psychology.

28 Jun 2012

Arena receives FDA approval for Belviq to treat obesity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride), as an addition to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, for chronic weight management.

28 Jun 2012

Up to 1 out of every 5 pregnant and new mothers will experience PPD and anxiety

Up to 1 out of every 5 pregnant and new mothers will experience prenatal or postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety. Most women are undiagnosed and inadequately treated, if treated at all.

28 Jun 2012

BPI clinical study to evaluate computerized, brain-plasticity-based program for schizophrenia

Researchers at San Francisco-based Brain Plasticity, Inc. (BPI) have begun a multi-center study to evaluate the effects of a computerized, brain-plasticity-based program designed to address the cognitive issues associated with schizophrenia.

28 Jun 2012

Psychiatric inpatients have low vitamin D levels

Results from a New Zealand study show that vitamin D deficiency is common in psychiatric inpatients, particularly among patients with schizophrenia and those of Maori descent.

27 Jun 2012

CAMH releases comprehensive reviews of most effective treatments for alcohol dependence

Scientists from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have released comprehensive reviews of the most effective treatments for alcohol dependence, one of the most prevalent addictions in Canada.

27 Jun 2012

State roundup: Rules would ban collections in nonprofit ERs

The U.S. Department of Treasury released proposed regulations Monday that would ban debt collection activities in the emergency rooms of non-profit hospitals. The proposed restriction comes in the wake of a lawsuit by Minnesota's attorney general alleging Fairview Health Systems former contractor, Accretive Health hit up patients in emergency rooms for payment before treatment. The Treasury Department has proposed adding regulations to a part of the federal health care law to protect patients from abusive collection practices.

27 Jun 2012

Study examines role of specific forms of psychotherapy in anxious depression

A new study that is published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics examines the role of specific forms of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy in anxious depression.

27 Jun 2012

Genetic risk for schizophrenia linked to brain volume alterations

Patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected first-degree relatives show altered gray and white matter volumes in specific brain regions compared with mentally healthy individuals, researchers report.

26 Jun 2012

Liability for schizophrenia linked to cognition in mood disorders

Schizotypal traits and genetic liability for schizophrenia are associated with reduced cognitive functioning in patients with mood disorders, Japanese study results show.

26 Jun 2012

Investigational parathyroid hormone replacement effectively treats hypoparathyroidism

An investigational parathyroid hormone replacement effectively treated a rare disorder characterized by low calcium and high phosphate levels in the blood, a new study finds. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.

26 Jun 2012

Care home residents denied right to consensual sex due to fears over safety and ageism

Concerns about safety, and ageism, are needlessly denying elderly care home residents what is often one of their few remaining pleasures - the right to consensual sex - say specialists in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

26 Jun 2012

Vitamin D therapy may improve symptoms of depression in women

Women with moderate to severe depression had substantial improvement in their symptoms of depression after they received treatment for their vitamin D deficiency, a new study finds. The case report series will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.

26 Jun 2012

Continuing care approach reduces overall health costs for patients with SUD

For patients with substance use disorders (SUD), a continuing care approach like that used for other chronic diseases reduces long-term health care costs, reports a study in the June issue of Medical Care.

26 Jun 2012

Study: 40 million Americans ages 12 and older have addiction disease

Forty million Americans ages 12 and older have addiction involving nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, a disease affecting more Americans than heart conditions, diabetes or cancer according to a five-year national study released today by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia).

26 Jun 2012

Feinstein Institute to train clinicians on how to better care for patients with schizophrenia

The Zucker Hillside Hospital campus of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has been approved for a $9.3+ million federal grant to train clinicians on how to better care for patients with schizophrenia.

26 Jun 2012