Research Updates

Anxiety Disorders More Common in Kids Who Avoid Scary Situations

Researchers who followed more than 800 children ages 7 to 18 found that children who avoid situations they find scary are likely to have anxiety, suggesting this may be a new method to measure avoidance behavior in young children. (Behavior Therapy, published online 4 March 2013) Read more.

Part of Hippocampus Plays Role in Modulating Anxiety

Researchers have found that selective activation of the dentate gyrus, a section of the hippocampus that plays a role in learning, can reduce anxiety without affecting learning. The finding suggests that therapies targetting the dentate gyrus could treat panic disorder and PTSD with minimal cognitive side effects. (Neuron, 2013;77(5): 955) Read more.

Fear-Extinction Training Increased REM Sleep In Anxiety Disorders

Researchers identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem whose activation during REM sleep is critical for the regulation of emotional memory processing. The findings may lead to the development of effective therapies for PTSD, phobias, and panic. (Journal of Neuroscience, 6 March 2013, 33(10):4561-4569) Read more.

Family Intervention Improves Symptoms in Youth at Risk for Bipolar Disorder

A study found that children and adolescents with major depression or subthreshold forms of bipolar disorder—and who had at least one first-degree relative with bipolar disorder—responded better to a 12-session family-focused treatment than to a briefer educational treatment. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 52(2); 121-131) Read more.

Stress Hormone May Indicate Postpartum Depression

Research points to biological and psychological risk factors for postpartum depression: Women who receive strong social support from their families during pregnancy are less likely to develop postpartum depression because they appear to be protected from sharp increases in a particular stress hormone, according to a new study. (Clinical Psychological Science, 2013) Read more.

New Mothers’ Obsessions

A new study found that women who have recently given birth have a higher rate of obsessive-compulsive symptoms than the general population: 11 percent of women at two weeks and six months postpartum experience significant obsessive-compulsive symptoms, compared to 2–3 percent in the general population. The symptoms (including fear of injuring the baby and worry about germs) are usually temporary, possibly resulting from hormonal changes or as an adaptive response to caring for a new baby. Compulsions interfering with functioning may indicate a psychological disorder. (The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, published online in April 2013) Read more.

PTSD Often Seen With Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Nearly one-fourth of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer experienced posttraumatic stress disorder; blacks, Asians, and women younger than 50 reported distress more often. Identifying PTSD in women with breast cancer early in diagnosis would help manage their symptoms and treatment better. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI), published online February 21, 2013) Read more.

5 Psych Disorders Have Common Genetics

Findings from family and twin studies show that that autism, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia share common genetic underpinnings -- despite differences in symptoms and course of disease. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in two genes involved in calcium-channel activity appear to play a role in all five. (The Lancet, early online publication, 28 February 2013) Read more.

Major Depression Responsive to Low-Intensity Interventions

Patients with more severe depression gain as much clinical benefit from low-intensity interventions, such as self-help books and websites, as those with less severe depression, researchers found. (BMJ, 2013;346:f540) Read more.

New Applications for Old Drug

Recent studies show that scopolamine, which prevents nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness, can rapidly improve mood in depressed patients. In addition, it may also be a possible treatment for anxiety disorders. (Biological Psychiatry, 2013; 73 (4): 345) Read more.

Bullying Victims at Increased Risk of Anxiety Disorders and Depression

Children who are bullied are at an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression when they become adults. The study identified that bullying is not harmless because it can also cause serious adverse health outcomes in the victims and perpetrators, including depression, and problems of physical health, emotion, and behavior; psychotic symptoms; and loss of motivation. (JAMA Psychiatry, 2013;1-8.) Read more.

Role of Neuron Creation in Anxiety Disorders Identified

People with PTSD often have impaired pattern separation, the process by which similar experiences are transformed into distinct memories. They often react to events that resemble their original trauma, even in safe situations Research suggests that drugs that promote neurogenesis—the production of new neurons—may play a potential role in treating impaired pattern separation. (Nature Neuroscience, 15,1613–1620(2012) Read more.

Broken Brain Receptors Cause Anxiety

Problems arise in critical brain receptors when the molecular motors they depend on fail to operate. Researchers have shown these broken motors induce stress and anxiety in mice, a discovery that may point toward new kinds of drugs to treat anxiety and other disorders. (Cell Reports, 3(2):509-519) Read more.

Key to Antidepressant Response Uncovered

Researchers have identified a protein that appears to be the target of both antidepressant drugs and electroconvulsive therapy. Research results explain that these therapies likely work to relieve depression by stimulating stem cells in the brain to grow and mature. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online December 2012) Read more.

Packed Emergency Room May Trigger PTSD in Heart Patients

Emergency department crowding may lead acute coronary syndrome patients to experience posttraumatic stress disorder, potentially resulting in ACS recurrence or mortality, researchers found. (JAMA Intern Med, 2013;1-2) Read more.

Gastritis and Mental Disorders

An investigation of the association between physician-diagnosed gastritis and mood and anxiety disorders among adults in the general population showed an increased prevalence of panic attacks, social phobia, any mood disorder and major depression, compared to those without gastritis. A diagnosis of gastritis appears to be associated with significantly increased odds of mood and anxiety disorders among adults in the general population, and it was consistent among both sexes. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(1):128-132) Read more.

Brain Imaging Predicts Psychotherapy Success Social Anxiety Disorder

Brain imaging can provide neuromarkers to predict whether cognitive-behavioral therapy or other traditional options will work for a particular patient with social anxiety disorder. Characterized by the fear of being judged by others and humiliated, social anxiety disorder is the third most prevalent psychiatric disorder in Americans, after depression and alcohol dependence, (JAMA Psychiatry, January 2013; 70(1):87–97) Read more.

Threat Bias Interacts With Combat & Gene to Boost PTSD Risk

Soldiers preoccupied with threat at enlistment or with avoiding it just before deployment were more likely to PTSD, according to a study of Israeli infantrymen. (JAMA Psychiatry, published online February 13, 2013) Read more.

Depression May Lower Response to Shingles Vaccine

After receiving the varicella zoster virus vaccine against herpes zoster, or shingles, older patients with major depressive disorder who were not receiving antidepressants had lower cell-mediated immunity to the vaccine than those who were healthy and depressed who were receiving drug treatment. (Clinical Infectious Diseases, published online February 13, 2013) email=jteichroew [at] adaa [dot] org&mu_id=5336017" target="_blank">Read more.

Dimensions and Subtypes of Anxiety Disorders

Articles in this special issue of Biological Psychiatry:: Transgenerational Epigenetic Effects on Brain Functions; Dimensions and Subtypes of Anxiety Disorders; Mechanisms of Anxiety Treatments; Targeted Modulation: Effects on Fear and Desire; Estrogen Blockade Impairs Fear Extinction; Bereavement and Cortisol Respons (Biological Psychiatry, 73(4): February 15, 2013; 295-388) Read more.

CBT Improves PTSD Symptoms in Children and Teens

Children and teenagers diagnosed with PTSD showed signs of improvement up to three months following treatment. A review, published in The Cochrane Library, showed evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and other psychological therapies. While CBT was not shown to be more effective than others, better evidence supported its positive effects. (Medical News Today, MediLexicon, Intl., 14 Dec. 2012.) Read more.

Domestic Violence Experienced Among Those With Mental Disorders

Men and women with mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD, are more likely to have experienced domestic violence than the general population, according to new research. This is the first study to look at a wide range of mental health problems in both male and female victims. (PLoS ONE, 2012;7(12) Read more.

Mistaking OCD for ADHD Has Serious Care Consequences

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appear similar on a behavioral level, but the mechanism behind the two neuropsychological disorders differs greatly, and misdiagnosis threatens successful patient care. (Journal of Neuropsychology, 6:161–191) Read more.

Anxiety Linked to Chest Pain in Children

Psychological factors can have as much or more impact on chest pain as physical ones in children, a study found recently. (Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2012; published online November 5, 2012) Read more.

Root of Trauma for Soldiers With PTSD May Lie in Childhood

New research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in soldiers provides evidence that traumatic experiences in childhood, not combat, may predict which soldiers develop the disorder. (Psychological Science, December 2012; 23(12):1557-1565) Read more.

Parents Pass Fear of Dentist to Children

A new study confirms the important role that parents play in the emotional transmission of dentist fear in their family. (International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2012; 22:324-330) Read more.

Reaction to Stress Predicts Future Health

Contrary to popular belief, stressors are not the cause of health issues; a new study suggests that people’s reactions to stressors foretell negative health consequences. Research showed that a reaction to a stressful situation now can predict health problems for 10 years away regardless of present health and stressors. (Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Oct. 2012) Read more.

ER Suicide Screening Tool Accurate for At-Risk Youth

Four questions for emergency department nurses or physicians can successfully identify youth at risk for attempting suicide, reported a study by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers. Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ), is the first such screen validated for pediatric and young adult patients. (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, December 2012;166(12):1170–1176) Read more.

Antidepressants During Pregnancy Not Linked to Increased Risks to Babies

In a study of nearly 30,000 women who had filled a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescription during pregnancy, researchers found no significant association between use of these medications during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, or post-neonatal death. (JAMA, 2013;309(1):48-54) Read more.

Perceived Stress May Be Real Risk for Heart

People who feel stressed appear to be at risk for developing coronary heart disease, a meta-analysis showed; those who had high perceived stress were 27% more likely to develop coronary heart disease subsequently compared with those who had low perceived stress. (American Journal of Cardiology, 110(12):1711-1716) Read more.

Late-Life Depression, Prevalent Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Increased Risk of Dementia

Depressive symptoms occur in 3 to 63 percent of patients with mild cognitive impairment; some studies have shown an increased dementia risk in those with a history of depression. (Archives of Neurology, published online December 31, 2012) Read more.

Treated Teens Still Likely to Try Suicide

Though most suicidal teens have received some form of mental health treatment, many of them still plan or attempt to kill themselves, researchers found. (JAMA Psychiatry, published online January 9, 2013) Read more.

Gastritis Linked to Anxiety and Mood Disorders

Patients with gastritis are at significantly increased risk for mood and anxiety disorders. Researchers found that patients with gastritis were significantly more likely than the general population to have experienced any anxiety disorder, any mood disorder, and major depression in the previous 12 months, after accounting for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(1):128-132) Read more.

Biomarker Discovered to Screen Teens With Anxiety, Depression

A team of scientists has discovered a cognitive biomarker: a biological indicator of anxiety and depressive disorders. Although currently too expensive and too lengthy a screening to use widely, scientists hope to develop inexpensive cognitive tests to screen for these illnesses, especially among those identified as high social and genetic risk. (PLoS ONE, 7(11): e48482) Read more.

Light Induced, Relieved Depression Symptoms

Researchers have successfully induced and relieved depression-like deficiencies in pleasure and motivation in mice by controlling a single area of the brain called the ventral tegmental area. The findings highlight the first time that well-defined types of neurons in a specific brain region have been tied directly to the control of many symptoms of major depressive illness. (Nature, published online 12 December 2012) Read more.

Depression: CBT Works When Antidepressants Don't

Combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with antidepressants as treatment for people with depression is three times more likely to make them feel better when the medications alone fail to work. This finding appears to be promising for the two-thirds of those with depression who haven't experienced improvements from antidepressant use alone. (The Lancet, early online publication 7 December 2012) Read more.

Symptoms Mediated in Veterans With Military-Related PTSD

A portable practice of repeating a sacred word or phrase has been shown to reduce the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in veterans with military trauma. The results may come from increasing levels of existential spiritual well-being (ESWB). (International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19(4):496-502) Read more.

Novel Antidepressant: Rapid and Long-Lasting

A recently discovered antidepressant drug that has been tested on adults who have failed other antidepressant therapies has shown to alleviate symptoms within hours, have good safety, and produce positive effects that last for about seven days from a single dose. The novel therapeutic targets brain receptors responsible for learning and memory, quite different from existing antidepressants. (Neuropsychopharmacology, published online 3 December 2012) Read more.

Blue Light Helps Teens Deal With Stress

Exposure to morning short-wavelength “blue” light may help sleep-deprived teens prepare for stress or challenges more than exposure to dim light. (International Journal of Endocrinology, 2012; published online) Read more.

Gene Variants Linked to Weight Gain From Taking Antipsychotics

Extreme weight gain associated with taking an antipsychotic medication may be linked to genetic variants, according to a recently published study. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2012 Sep. 69(9):904-912.) Read more.

Suicidal Teens Lacking Specialized Treatment

Most adolescents who are considering suicide or who have attempted suicide do not receive specialized mental health services, according to an analysis. (Psychiatric Services, published online Aug 15, 2012) Read more.

Integrative Medicine Reduces PTSD Symptoms in Combat-Exposed Military

A new study shows that healing touch combined with guided imagery showed significant improvement in quality of life, as well as reduced depression and cynicism, compared to soldiers receiving treatment as usual alone for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in combat-exposed active duty military. (Medical News Today, 15 Nov. 2012) Read more.

Phone Therapy Found as Effective as Face-To-Face

A new study reveals that cognitive therapy over the phone is just as effective as meeting face-to-face, and it increases access to psychological therapies for people with common mental disorders. (PLoS ONE, online September 28) Read more.

Light at Night May Cause Depression

According to a new study of mice, chronic exposure to bright light elevates levels of cortisol, which results in depression and lowers cognitive function. (Nature, published online November 14, 2012) Read more.

OCD Brain Activity in Moral Dilemmas

Morality problems cause much more worry for people with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), compared to the general population, according a study that noted the rise of neurofunctional activity when faced with moral dilemmas. The researchers say these findings prove that people who have OCD are much more morally sensitive than people without the disorder. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2012;69(7):741-749.) Read more.

Social Anxiety Disorder: From Parents to Children

A new study has found that parents with social anxiety disorder are more likely to pass on the traits to their kids than parents who suffer from other anxiety disorders. The findings suggest that parental social anxiety should be considered a risk factor for childhood anxiety. (Child Psychiatry & Human Development, published online 28 September 2012) Read more.

SSRIs in Pregnancy: Mothers and Children at Risk

Pregnant women who took antidepressants were at risk for miscarriage and preterm delivery, and their babies were at risk for a number of developmental and health complications, researchers found. (Human Reproduction, advance access online 2012) Read more.

SSRIs Linked to Stroke Risk

Use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) class of antidepressants conferred a small, but statistically significant risk of brain hemorrhage, an analysis of several studies found. (Neurology, 2012; 79: 1862-1865) Read more.

Decreased Gene Activity in Childhood Risk for Anxiety and Depression

Decreased activity of specific genes within the amygdala, the brain's fear center, may explain why in young children the "fear center" of the anxious brain can't learn to distinguish real threats from the imaginary, according to a new study. Researchers hypothesize that this may result in overactivity of the brain circuit, leading to higher risk for developing disabling anxiety and depression. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), published online October 2012) Read more.

Novel Pharmacotherapies for Depression

An issue of Biological Psychiatry features the following: a review of the future of ketamine research for depression; antidepressant effects and mechanisms; cognitive vaccine as attention bias modification to prevent depression; vocal acoustic measures as depression biomarkers; neural processing and network connectivity in depression. (Biological Psychiatry, 72(7):521-611, 1 October 1, 2012) Read more.

Science Special Section: Depression

Different aspects of depression, including 1) a review of evidence that stress and depression cause neuronal atrophy and decreased synaptic connections in cortical and limbic brain regions; 2) a synthesis of recent seminal findings relevant to neurogenesis, with special emphasis on the interchange between stress, depression, and cognition; 3) a summary of current models for mood disorders and a prospective analysis of potential tests or tools that might improve the repertoire of suitable animal models for depression; and 4) an overview of current ideas about why some people are more protected against stress and depression and how this may help develop better treatments and successful prevention strategies. (Science, 5 October 2012, 338(5):67–82) Read more.

Changing Paradigms: Genetic Basis of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

When genome-wide genetic association studies became available and affordable, they allowed a hypothesis-free approach to study genetic risk factors for these disorders. In an unprecendented scientific collaborative effort, large international consortia formed to allow the analysis of these genome-wide association datasets across thousands of cases and controls. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 2012, 2:17; 1 October 2012) Read more.

Found: Mechanism Protecting Brains From Turning Stress and Trauma Into PTSD

Researchers conducting a mouse study have identified receptors that protect us from developing uncontrollable fear: protease-activated receptor 1 or PAR1). In the amygdala, these receptors tell neurons to stop or accelerate their activity after a traumatic event. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online 2 October 2012) Read more.

High Personality Disorder Comorbidity Rates Identified in Anxiety

Thirty years of research have identified high rates of comorbid personality disorders across a number of anxiety disorder subtypes, ranging from 35% for PTSD to 52% for OCD. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online 21 September 2012) Read more.

Genetic Mutation Linked to Psychiatric Disease and Obesity

Researchers have identified a small region in the genome that conclusively plays a role in the development of psychiatric disease and obesity: The genomic deletion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a nervous system growth factor that plays a critical role in brain development. Five individuals with BDNF deletions were obese and had a mild- to-moderate intellectual impairment and had a mood disorder. Children had anxiety disorders, among other illnesses, and post-pubescent patients had anxiety and major depressive disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2012; 1–9) Read more.

Ketamine Conquers Chronic Depression

Many chronically depressed and treatment-resistant patients experience immediate relief from symptoms after taking small amounts of the drug ketamine. The drug triggers release of neurotransmitter glutamate, which in turn stimulates growth of synapses between brain cells damaged by stress and depression. (Science, 2012; 338 (6103): 68) Read more.

Stress Hormones Lower PTSD Risk

Increasing the presence of glucocorticoids may decrease the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new study of drugs that restrict glucocorticoid activity suggests that high glucocorticoid levels may prevent the occurrence of PTSD. High levels of glucocorticoids during episodes of grave stress prevent anxiety-like behaviors by regulating synaptic connectivity in the basolateral amydgala area of the brain. (Biological Psychiatry, September 2012; published online) Read more.

Genetic Switch Involved in Depression

A new postmortem study, focused specifically on genes related to synapses, reveals that about 30 percent of the genes with significantly lower expression in people with depressed brains related to some aspect of synapse function. Further experiments found significantly reduced expression for five particular genes in the prefrontal cortex of depressed people. (Nature Medicine, 2012(18):1413–1417) Read more.

Prejudice Can Cause Depression

Research suggests that many cases of depression may be caused by prejudice from the self or from another person. The researchers propose an integrated perspective of prejudice and depression, which holds that stereotypes are activated in a person who expresses prejudice toward another and causes that person to become depressed. (Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2012; 7 (5): 427) Read more.

Like (Anxious) Father, Like Daughters

According to a study of mice, researchers state that young men exposed to unstable lifestyles experience change in their sperm cells, which increases their risk of anxiety as they age, as well as the risk of psychiatric disorders in their daughters throughout coming generations. (Biological Psychiatry, August 2012; published online) Read more.

Anti-Inflammatory Drug Effective for Depression

According to a recent study, anti-inflammatory drug may help patients suffering from depression. Because inflammation is the body's natural response to infection or wounding, it can damage many parts of the body, including the brain, especially when prolonged or excessive. (Archives of General Psychiatry, September 2012; published online) Read more.

GAD and Reduced Brain Connections Revealed

A new imaging study shows that the amygdala in people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) appears to have weaker connections to the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the center of emotional regulation, suggesting that the brain’s "panic button" may stay on due to lack of regulation. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2012;69(9):925-934) Read more.

Expressing Emotions Can Reduce Fear

A new study suggests that labeling emotions at the precise moment of confronting a feared object can reduce fear and anxiety. Rather than have people change their way of thinking to reduce anxiety, this was not an attempt to change their experience. (Psychological Science, 2012; published online August 16) Read more.

Lack of Correlation of Fear Extinction With Personality and Neuropsychological Indices

Fear extinction may be less determined by trait variables and cognitive state, and may depend more on a person’s current emotional state. The negative correlation between fear renewal and extraversion suggests that this personality characteristic may protect against post-treatment relapse of symptoms of anxiety disorders. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 2012, 2:16) Read more.

Psychotropic Drugs and Driving: Increased Risk

According to a recent study, drugs prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia may increase patients’ risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents. (British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2012; published online) Read more.

Brain Scans to Predict Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

Researchers have found that examining brain scans of patients with social anxiety disorder can help determine if cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could be an effective treatment option. (Archives of General Psychiatry, September 2012; published online) Read more.

Early BPA Exposure Leads to High Anxiety Levels

New research shows that exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) early in life results in high levels of anxiety; it causes significant gene expression changes in the amygdala. But a soy-rich diet can mitigate these effects. (PLoS ONE, 2012; 7(9) Read more.

Examination of New PTSD Diagnosis Criteria

Results of a recent study indicate that the proposed DSM-5 changes to the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will not substantially affect the number of people who meet criteria for the disorder. (Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy; published online) Read more.

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy in Occupational Therapy

There has been an increasing trend in pediatric clients with mood disorders entering occupational therapy over the last few years. One practitioner discusses using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), among other strategies, for pediatric clients. (Advance, 28(15):17) Read more.

How Fear and Anxiety Affect Decision-Making

The excessive fear and dread that accompanies anxiety disorders clearly influences the everyday decision-making processes of anxious individuals. The review by two scientists highlights the overlap in the neural systems underlying anxiety and decision-making and provides some insight into how fear and anxiety alter choices. (Biological Psychiatry, 72:2;July 15, 2012) Read more.

Model Synapse to Shed Light on Anxiety, Other Disorders

A group of scientists have developed a new way to study the role of a critical neurotransmitter in epilepsy, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders. The new method involves molecularly engineering a model synapse, which can precisely control a variety of receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA. (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012 287: 27431) Read more.

Genetic Clues to OCD and Tourette Syndrome

The first genome-wide studies looking at the potential association of particular genes with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome contributed important new clues. The studies failed to identify specific genes, suggesting that it’s likely that many different genes play a role, or that there might be one rare gene. (Molecular Psychiatry, online publication, 14 August 2012) Read more.

Postpartum Women Suffer PTSD Symptoms

A researcher has found that about one-third of all postpartum women exhibit some symptoms of PTSD, and a smaller percentage of people develop full-blown PTSD, a surprising finding that suggests a relatively high prevalence of the disorder. (Israel Medical Association Journal, 14 June 2012) Read more.

Found: Gene Associated With PTSD

Researchers have discovered a new gene that is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings suggest that retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA) is involved in protecting brain cells from the damaging effects of stress and that it could also play a role in developing PTSD. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online) Read more.

Increasing Glial Cells to Treat Depression

In a new study, researchers report their findings on fibroblast growth factor-2, or FGF2, a relatively novel growth factor. FGF2 can increase the number of glial cells and block the decrease caused by chronic stress exposure by promoting the generation of new glial cells. (Biological Psychiatry, 2012; 72 (4): 258) Read more. h

Long-Term Depression and Bipolar Disorder

A recent study found that for some people, having long-time depression can change to bipolar. Those who have a long history with depression and who had been in the hospital for it were more likely to develop bipolar disorder. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online August 4) Read more.

How Depression and Stress Shrink the Brain

A team of researchers has discovered why major depression or chronic stress can cause the loss of brain volume: a genetic switch that triggers loss of brain connections in humans and depression in animal models. (Nature Medicine, published online 12 August 2012) Read more.

Smiling: Reduces Stress, Helps the Heart

A new study suggests that smiling during periods of stress may help your heart. The findings show that it may make us feel better, too. (Psychological Science, to be published August 2012) Read more.

Anxiety and Depression Increase Risk of Sick Leave.

Researchers have identified anxiety as a primary risk factor in absence from work. Their study shows that common mental disorders increase the risk absence of 90 or more days and repeated sick leave. The risk is highest among those with co-occurring anxiety and depression, and anxiety may be more important factor than depression. (Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, published online 7 July 2012) Read more.

Couples Therapy Decreases PTSD Symptoms

A new study shows that couples who started PTSD therapy immediately showed significantly greater gains than did those who waited. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2012; 308: 700-709.) Read more.

Brain Signal May Identify Responders to Antidepressant

Scientists have discovered a biological marker that may help to identify which depressed patients will respond to an experimental, rapid-acting antidepressant. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 23 April 2012) Read more.

Somatic Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Depression

A review of literature for articles reporting results for clinical trials in particular efficacy data about new nonpharmacological somatic therapies (ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS) as valuable options for patients who have failed numerous other treatments. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 2012, 2:14) Read more.

Childhood Physical Punishment May Contributes to Adult Mental Illness

Spanking, slapping, and hitting are associated with an increased risk of mental disorders in adulthood, researchers reported. Adults who reported such punishments in their childhood had a greater risk of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug abuse dependence, and several personality disorders. (Pediatrics, 2012; 130: 1–9.) Read more.

Childhood Adversity Increases Risk for Depression, Chronic Inflammation

Growing evidence shows that the depression of children who suffered from early adversity was accompanied by an inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation is related to diabetes and heart disease, leading to a greater-than-average risk for these and other health problems. (Biological Psychiatry, July 1, 2012, 72(1): 34-40) Read more.

Flowers for Depression?

Scientists have discovered that substances from the South African plant species Crinum and Cyrtanthus (related to snowdrops and daffodils) have an effect on the mechanisms in the brain involved in depression and may find use as treatment. (Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, published online 4 June 2012) Read more.

Stress Can Boost Immune System

A recent study of lab rats shows that short-term stress — the flight-or-flight response —stimulates the immune system, as opposed to weeks or months of chronic stress weakening it. (Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology, published online 22 June 2012) Read more.

PTSD Caused By Heart Attack Raises Recurrence and Mortality

Researchers found that one in eight people who experience a heart attack or another acute coronary event are more likely to develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Heart patients who experience these symptoms of PTSD have twice the chance of experiencing another cardiac event, or even mortality, within the next one to three years.(PLoS ONE, 7(6): e38915) Read more.

Chronic Anxiety Disorders Speed Aging

Chronic panic, phobia, and other anxiety disorders may contribute to premature aging by shortening telomeres, according to a new study. A telomere is a length of DNA that is made up of a repeating sequence of six nucleotide bases (TTAGGG). (PLoS ONE, 2012;7) Read more.

Emotion Detectives Treatment Protocol (EDTP) for Childhood Anxiety and Depression

To develop a more effective treatment for childhood anxiety and depression, ADAA members Jill Ehrenreich-May and her collaborator Emily L. Bilek analyzed the efficacy and feasibility of a novel intervention called Emotion Detectives Treatment Protocol (EDTP). Preliminary findings show a significant reduction in the severity of anxiety and depression after treatment, as reported by the children and their parents. (Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(1), Feb. 2012; 41-55) Read more.

Treating Social Anxiety: No Decrease in Alcohol Consumption

In a workshop presented by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers shared findings that not only do individuals with social anxiety drink during social situations to feel more relaxed, they are also more likely to drink before engaging in a planned social activity that they believe will make them anxious. (Psychiatric News, 47(13),July 6, 2012:11b-17) Read more.

Online Depression Therapy Makes Wide Impact

Results from a recent study in Australia show that online depression therapy programs can reduce depressive symptoms and hazardous use of alcohol. (Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2012;14(3):e68) Read more.

Sleep Deprivation Reduces PTSD Risk

Within the first few hours of exposure to a significantly stressful threat, sleep deprivation actually reduces the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study by researchers in Israel. (Neuropsychopharmacology, published online 27 June 2012) Read more.

Anhedonia Uncovered

Scientists conducting a mouse study have discovered a novel molecular mechanism for anhedonia, or the loss of the ability to experience pleasure, an important symptom of major depression. The findings may offer a new approach to testing new antidepressants. (Nature, 2012; 487(7406): 183) Read more.

Facebook Use Doesn’t Lead to Depression

A 2011 study of university students refutes a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggesting that exposure to Facebook and other social-media sites could lead to depression in children and adolescents. (Journal of Adolescent Health, published online 9 July 2012) Read more.

Fear Overcome With Altered Brain Chemistry

Researchers conducting a mouse study have found a way to calm fears with a drug that alters their brain chemistry. Results also indicate that human genetic differences related to this brain chemistry influence how well people cope with fear and stress. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online June 12, 2012) Read more.

Stress May Delay Brain Development in Early Years

Stress may affect brain development in children, altering growth of prefrontal cortex, which is involved in complex cognitive abilities like holding onto important information for quick recall and use, according to recent research. Brain scans revealed that the anterior cingulate, a portion of the prefrontal cortex believed to play key roles in spatial working memory, takes up less space in children with greater exposure to very stressful situations. (Journal of Neuroscience, 2012; 32 (23): 7917) Read more.

CBT via Telephone vs. Face to Face

A recent study shows that patients with major depression who received telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy had lower rates of discontinuing treatment when compared to patients who received face-to-face CBT. Also telephone-administered treatment was not inferior to face-to-face treatment in terms of improvement in symptoms by the end of treatment. But after six months, patients receiving face-to-face CBT were less depressed than those receiving telephone administered CBT. (The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2012; 307 (21): 2278) Read more.

Anxious Girls’ Brains Hard at Work

Scientists say the brains of anxious girls work much harder than those of boys, a discovery that could help in the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders, and it may help predict the development of anxiety issues later in life for girls. (International Journal of Psychophysiology, published online 29 May 2012) Read more.

Treating Adolescent Depression to Prevent Substance Abuse

Treating adolescents for major depression can also reduce their chances of abusing alcohol or drugs later on, a secondary benefit found in a five-year study of hundreds of youths in the United States. (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2012; 80 (2): 299) Read more.

Post-Stroke Depression

Researchers studying stroke patients have found a strong association between impairments in a network of the brain involved in emotional regulation and the severity of post-stroke depression. (Radiology, published online June 5, 2012) Read more.

Brain Acidity and Panic and Depression

Recent studies suggest that changes in the brain, particularly increased acidity, or low pH, is linked to panic disorders, anxiety, and depression. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), May 22, 2012 vol. 109 no. 21 8270-8273) Read more.

Genetic Clue Reveals New Mechanism for Anxiety Disorders

Researchers have found a link between anxiety disorders and the gene that encodes Glyoxylase 1 (GLO1), although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The findings also suggest that preventing GLO1 reduced anxious behavior in mice, indicating that it may be a potential treatment target in humans. (The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2012;122(6):2306–2315) Read more.

Sleepwalking Links to Depression and Anxiety

A recent study shows an association between sleepwalking and depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. The study found that about 1.1 million adults in the U.S., or 3.6 percent of the adult population, are prone to sleepwalking. (Neurology, May 15, 2012 78:1583-1589) Read more.

Walking in Nature to Relieve Depression

In one of the first studies to examine the effect of nature walks on cognition and mood in people with major depression, scientists have found that a walk in the park may have psychological benefits for people suffering from depression. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online 30 March 2012) Read more.

Stressed Men More Social?

Researchers have refuted the common belief that stress always causes aggressive behavior. Rather than showing the fight-or-flight response to stress, the study indicates that men show a "tend-and-befriend" response. Studies in the late 1990s first argued that women exhibited this response as a consequence of stress. (Psychological Science, June 2012; vol. 23, 6: pp. 651-660) Read more.

D-cycloserine Enhances PTSD Psychotherapy

Researchers found that D-cycloserine enhanced the effects of exposure therapy in a specific subgroup of patients with PTSD. In addition, those with more severe PTSD had a greater reduction in symptoms when they received DCS. (Biological Psychiatry, 71(11): 962-968) Read more.

Computer Program May Help Kids’ Anxiety

An international research effort is examining a new computer program that suggests it is as effective as medications or psychotherapy for childhood anxiety disorders. The treatment technique called Attention Bias Modification (ABM) reduces anxiety to change thought patterns by drawing children away from their tendency to dwell on potential threats. (American Journal of Psychiatry, Feb. 2012; 169(2); 213-230) Read more.

Sleep Deprivation May Increase Anxiety

Researchers using fMRI scans found that sleep deprivation increased the build-up of anticipatory activity in deep emotional brain centers, especially the amygdala, suggesting that anxiety may significantly elevate the emotional dysfunction and risk associated with insufficient sleep. (Abstract “Tired, anxious and expecting the worst: The impact of sleep deprivation and anxiety on emotional brain anticipation” presented at SLEEP 2012, the 26th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies) Read more.

Painkiller Abuse Linked to Depression, Suicide in College Students

Researchers found that college-students who reported feeling hopeless, sad, depressed, or considered suicide were significantly more likely to report nonmedical use of any prescription drug, particularly among females who reported painkiller use. (Addictive Behaviors, 2012; 37(8):890) Read more.

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News From the ADAA 2012 Annual Conference

Initiating Early Treatment for Panic Disorder Important Among Mixed-Era Veterans

DGNews, April 17, 2012

SSRIs Associated With Better Treatment Adherence Among Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder

DGNews, April 17, 2012

Benzodiazepine Use Has No Effect on Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD

DGNews, April 17, 2012

Fluoxetine May Modulate Dopaminergic Function in Patients With OCD

DGNews, April 16, 2012

Comorbid ADHD Does Not Affect Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children With Phobias

DGNews, April 16, 2012

Long-Term Escitalopram Therapy May Improve Symptoms in Patients With Panic Disorder

DGNews, April 16, 2012

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Read more research updates.

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