Research Updates

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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Fast Foods' Depression Connection

According to a recent study, eating fast foods, defined as commercial baked goods (fairy cakes, croissants, doughnuts, etc.) and fast food (hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza), is linked to depression. (Public Health Nutrition, 2011; 15 (03): 424) Read more.

Anxiety Sniffs Out Danger

Anxious people have a heightened sense of smell when it comes to sniffing out a threat, according to a new study. In animals, the sense of smell is an essential tool to detect, locate and identify predators in the surrounding environment. In fact, the olfactory-mediated defense system is so prominent in animals, that the mere presence of predator odors can evoke potent fear and anxiety responses. (Chemosensory Perception, 2012; 5 (1): 37) Read more.

Power of the Placebo for Antidepressants

A recent study suggests that how the brain responds to antidepressant medication may be influenced by its memory of past antidepressant exposure. Researchers using a placebo to track previous antidepressants found that a pill made to look like actual medication for depression can trick the brain to respond as it did to actual medication. (European Neuropsychopharmacology, published online March 23, 2012) Read more.

Testosterone’s Antidepressant Effects

Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, appears to have antidepressant properties, and how and where these effects occur may lead to development of future antidepressant therapies. Scientists have identified a specific pathway in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory formation and regulation of stress responses, that plays a major role in mediating testosterone's effects. (Biological Psychiatry, 2012; 71 (7): 642) Read more.

Genes Linked to PTSD

Scientists have linked two genes involved in producing serotonin to a higher risk of developing PTSD, suggesting that susceptibility to the disorder is inherited and leading to new ways of screening for the disorder and treating it. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online April 3, 2012) Read more.

Mothers Critical of Their Kids With OCD

Research shows that mothers tend to be more critical of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than they are of other children in the family, and this parental behavior is linked to poorer outcomes for the child after treatment. (Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 2012, (43)3: 337-353) Read more.

Late Depression Links to Dementia Risk

Researchers report that depression that occurs for the first time late in life may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. But depression striking in midlife that recurs later may be a cause of vascular dementia. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2012; 69(5): 493-498). Read more.

Found: Gene Leading to Weight Gain With Antipsychotic Treatment

In the first study of its kind, researchers have identified a gene that increases weight gain in those treated with commonly used second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) drugs. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online May 2012) Read more.

Genetic Biomarker for PTSD

Researchers have found a biomarker for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Two gene variations ( TPH1 and TPH2), which control serotonin production, were associated with PTSD symptoms. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online April 5) Read more.

Arthritis, Anxiety, and Depression

A new study of adults diagnosed with arthritis finds that 31 percent have anxiety and 18 percent have depression. But only half those with anxiety and depression had sought treatment in the previous year. (Arthritis Care & Research, published online April 30, 2012) Read more.

Content Overweight Teens Less Depressed

A study has found that overweight adolescent girls who are happy with the size and shape of their bodies report higher levels of self-esteem, possibly protecting them from depression, anxiety, or anger at times associated with being overweight. (Journal of Adolescent Health, June 2012) Read more.

Anxiety Increases Cancer in Mice

In a new study, highly anxious mice developed more severe cancer than less anxious mouse subjects. Along with sensitivity to chronic stress, high anxiety came with compromised immune system. This study is the first to biologically connect the personality trait of high anxiety to greater cancer threats. (PLoS ONE, published online April 25) Read more.

Possible Alternative Cause, Drug Target for Depression

A self-degradation response to the antidepressant Zoloft in yeast cells observed by researchers could provide knowledge about how antidepressants work, as well as suggest that depression is not linked only to the neurotransmitter serotonin. The study shows significant evidence that antidepressants do more than regulate serotonin. (PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (4) Read more.

Treatment for Depression After Unsatisfactory Response to SSRIs

A comparative-effectiveness review that examines the evidence guiding clinical treatment decisions to aid clinicians in their care of patients when SSRI therapy for an initial episode does not result in an adequate treatment response. (Agency for Healthcare Research Quality) Read more.

Blood Pressure Drug Effective for Treating PTSD-Related Nightmares

Mayo Clinic researchers have found the use of the blood pressure drug prazosin as an effective treatment to curb posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares. The drug was well-tolerated and can take effect within days to weeks. (Presentation, 20th European Congress of Psychiatry in Prague) Read more.

Immune System to Blame for Stress Rise in Blood Pressure

The effects of chronic stress on cardiovascular health may be a side effect of an immune system that defends against infection. T cells, helpful for fighting infections, also show an increase in blood pressure after a period of psychological stress. These findings have potential implications for treating both high blood pressure and anxiety disorders. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 21 February 2012) Read more.

Depression: Perhaps an Evolutionary Immune System Byproduct

Biologists propose several theories to account for how depression, or behaviors linked to it, can somehow offer an evolutionary advantage. Two psychiatrists propose that genetic variations that promote depression have evolved to also help early humans fight infection. (Molecular Psychiatry, published online 31 January 2012) Read more.

Stress Changes Decision-making

New research reveals that that people who are under stress pay more attention to the upside of a possible outcome. In other words, stress makes people focus on the way things could go right, helping them weigh the risks and rewards. (Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2012; 21(1):36) Read more.

Novel Treatment for Anxiety in Children

Known to be helpful to adults, attention bias modification (ABM) used with clinically anxious children can reduce their anxiety level, new research suggests, leading to an effective option in treating pediatric anxiety disorders. (American Journal of Psychiatry, 2012;169:118-120;213-220) Read more.

Phobias Make Feared Objects Appear Greater, More Persistent

The more afraid a person is of a spider, the bigger that individual perceives the spider to be, new research suggests. Understanding how a phobia affects the perception of feared objects can help clinicians create effective treatments for people who wish to overcome their phobias. (Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2012; 26 (1): 20) Read more.

Brain Injury Linked to Higher Risk for PTSD, Anxiety Disorders

Scientists have produced evidence of a causal link between traumatic brain injury and an increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Individuals who experience even a mild traumatic brain injury face a higher risk for developing an anxiety disorder and are advised to try to avoid stressful situations at least for awhile. (Biological Psychology, 71(4):335-343) Read more.

Depression Linked To Adolescent Bullying

New research suggests that teens suffering from depression are at a greater risk of being bullied because they have difficulties establishing friendships among peers. Problematic peer relationships in the study did not drive depression, the study indicates that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships. (Child Development, published online February 2012) Read more.

Increase in Antidepressant Prescriptions by Nonpsychiatrists and for Nonpsychiatric Diagnoses

Antidepressants account for the third most commonly prescribed class of medication in the U.S. A new study cites that the proportion of patient visits to non-psychiatric physicians prescribing antidepressants without a psychiatric diagnosis grew from 59.5 percent in 1996 to 72.7 percent in 2007. (Health Affairs, 30(8):1434-1442) Read more.

Genetic Clues to Anxiety Disorders Uncovered

Researchers have discovered how genes play a role in making some people more sensitive and others more resilient to anxiety-related disorders, including PTSD. Genetic evidence shows a connection between the amygdala – the portion of the brain storing unconscious fears – and the prefrontal cortex, which enables the inhibition of excessive fear to better react to potential danger. (PLoS ONE, 7(2) Read more.

Best Medicine for a Stressed Worker

Workers who experience the stress of intense workdays might develop stomachache or headache, which may lead to taking sick days. But when a supervisor offers emotional and instrumental support, employees are more likely to recover without taking time off. (European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, published online Medical News Today, 8 Feb. 2012.) Read more.

Antidepressants and Risk of Falls in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Compared to similar people who don't take them, nursing home residents with dementia who take average doses of a class of drugs used to treat depression are three times more likely to have an injurious fall. (British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, published online February 15, 2012) Read more.

No Link Between Antidepressant and Suicide in Youths

A new analysis of clinical trial data finds that treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine did not increase—or decrease—suicidality in children compared to placebo treatment. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online February 6, 2012) Read more.

Insomnia, SSRI Treatment in Depressed Youth

Most youth with depression has report insomnia. A recent study shows that adolescents with substantial insomnia were less likely to respond to treatment with antidepressants than those without insomnia. But children were more responsive to fluoxetine when they had insomnia. (Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, published online January 18, 2012) Read more.

Sex Differences in the Network Mediating Fear Learning and Extinction

With implications for anxiety disorders, substantial data indicate that structural, cellular, and molecular differences exist between the male and female brain regions, specifically the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, important for cognition, memory, and affect. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders. 2012, 2:3) Read more.

CBT Not as Effective in Older Adults

A new study shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to help older adults with anxiety disorders slightly better than other therapies, but not as well as in younger adults. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, published online January 27, 2012) Read more.

Childhood Cues May Be Precursor to Adult OCD

Rituals and sensory hypersensitivities in a child may serve as early warning signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults, according to the results of two studies. (Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 2012;43: 679-684) Read more.

Family Violence Changes Children’s Brains

Similar to the way combat affects soldiers, exposure to family violence affects the brains of children, according to a recent study. Chronic stress was found to affect the amygdala and the anterior insula. (Current Biology, 21(23):R947-948, 6 Dec. 2011) Read more.

Research Reveals Role of Subconscious in Fear

A recent study shows that human primitive response to fear can contradict conscious assessment of danger. The findings may affect how phobias and other anxiety disorders are treated and also suggest that humans share a primitive response to fear with other animals, in spite of being able to anticipate and assess danger consciously. (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behaviour Processes, published online 16 January 2012) Read more.

Treatment for Diabetes and Depression Improves Both

Patients treated simultaneously for Type 2 diabetes and depression improve medication compliance and significantly improve blood sugar and depression levels, compared to patients receiving usual care. (The Annals of Family Medicine, 2012; 10 (1): 15) Read more.

Expert Clinician Survey on Best Practices for Complex PTSD Treatment

This study provides a summary of the results of an expert opinion survey initiated by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Complex Trauma Task Force regarding best practices for the treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(6): 615–627) Read more.

Blogging Therapeutic for Teens With Social Anxiety

Blogging, according to researchers, may psychologically benefit teens suffering from social anxiety, improving their self-esteem and helping them relate better to their friends. Online exposure shows to be more effective than private diary writing. (Psychological Services, published online Dec. 12, 2011) Read more.

Brain Anomaly in People With Family History of Major Depressive Disorder

A recent study indicates that family risk for major depressive disorder is associated with differences in activation in several distinct parts of the brain. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 2012, 2:1, published online Jan. 12.) Read more.

PTSD’s Link to Respiratory Illness in WTC First Responders

More than 10 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a study illustrates that PTSD may play a significant and complex role in respiratory illnesses among first responders to the World Trade Center. (Psychological Medicine, published online 18 November 2011) Read more.

Music Soothes the Anxious Brain

A new study concludes that listening to music can be effective for reducing pain in people with high-anxiety who can easily become distracted by cognitive activities. (Journal of Pain, 2011; 12 (12):1262) Read more. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105161750.htm

Low Vitamin D and Depression

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to cardiovascular diseases, neurological ailments, and now depression, according to a new study. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(11):1050-1055) Read more.

Top 10 Mental Health Research Advances in 2011

Discover the 10 breakthroughs and events that are changing the landscape of mental health research in 2011, according to Thomas Insel, MD, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Early-Pregnancy Stress May Lead to Decline in Male Births

A study investigating the effect on pregnant women of the stress caused by the 2005 Tarapaca earthquake in Chile, suggest that during the second and third months of pregnancy stress may shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of preterm births, and affect the ratio of boys (fewer) to girls being born. (Human Reproduction, published online December 7, 2011) Read more.

Babies: No Stress, Few Allergies

A new study shows that infants with low concentrations of the stress-related hormone cortisol in their saliva develop fewer allergies than other infants. (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2011; 128(6): 1335) Read more.

Panic Attacks and Triathlon Deaths

It’s common for people to have panic attacks during the swim leg of triathlons, according to a David Brown, a physician Washington Post journalist, and triathlete. He hypothesizes that panic attacks may be the reason. Read more.

Genetic Link to Separation Anxiety

A mouse study has led scientists to identify a gene linked to separation anxiety in children with the rare genetic disorder 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7q11.23). Presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual scientific conference, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Read more.

Gene Variants Boost PTSD Risk After Mass Shooting

College students exposed to a mass shooting were 20 to 30 percent more likely to develop symptoms of PTSD if they have a risk version of a gene, according to new research. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online Sept. 5, 2011) Read more.

Lifetime Psychological Traumas Linked to Adult IBS

Deaths of loved ones, divorce, natural disasters, house fires, car accidents, physical or mental abuse, or other psychological and emotional traumas experienced over a lifetime may contribute irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults, according to the results of a study presented at the most recent American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) annual meeting. Read more.

New Insight for Preventing Posttraumatic Fear Relapse

Researchers have identified brain circuits in rats that are responsible for the return of fear after it has been suppressed behaviorally. The findings involve extinction, a process central to behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders; repeated exposure of a feared stimulus gradually decreases anxiety, an approach commonly used to treat PTSD in military veterans. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 23 November 2011, 31(47):17269-17277) Read more.

FDA Update: SSRI Use During Pregnancy

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has reviewed new study results on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) by pregnant women regarding the potential risk of the rare heart and lung condition persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or PPHN. The agency finds that it’s premature to reach any conclusion about a link between SSRI use in pregnancy and PPHN. FDA will update the SSRI drug labels to reflect the new data. Read more.

Anxiety, Comorbid Depression Linked to Frequent Insomnia

Insomnia is often associated with anxiety disorders, as well as comorbid depression, according to a study on the sleep habits of more than 94,000 Americans; anti-anxiety medication often provides relief from sleep deprivation as well as anxiety. The preliminary findings of the study were presented at the American Psychiatric Association 2011 Institute on Psychiatric Services (APA-IPS), (Medscape Medical News, published online November 2011) Read more.

Depression and Chronic Stress Accelerate Aging

People with recurrent depressions or those exposed to chronic stress exhibit shorter telomeres (outermost part of the chromosome) in white blood cells. With increasing age, telomeres shorten, and studies have shown that oxidative stress and inflammation accelerate shortening. Shorter telomere length has also been associated with recurrent depression and cortisol levels indicating exposure to chronic stress. (Biological Psychiatry, published online November 2011) Read more.

Connectivity Problems in Depressed Brains

New research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed aberrant connectivity in depressed brains. (Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, published online 8 December 2011) Read more.

High Magnesium Intake to Reduce Fear and Anxiety

New research indicates that supplemental magnesium may enhance the brain’s ability to reduce fear and anxiety responses, making way for a possible supplemental treatment for social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, specific phobias, and others. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 19 October 2011, 31(42):14871-14881) Read more.

Prenatal Experience Holds Clues to Later Risk of Depression

Factors of fetal development may help identify offspring, particularly females, who are susceptible to the co-occurrence of major depression and cardiovascular disease decades alter, according to a study presented at the 2011 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference. (These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.) Read more.

Depression Can Lead to Heart Disease

Recent research suggests that those who suffer from a mood disorder may be twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who are not depressed. The findings highlight the importance of testing for cardiovascular disease among people suffering from major depression. (Psychophysiology, 48(11), November 2011: 1605–1610) Read more.

Adolescent Social Stress Increases Risk of Diseases Later in Life

A study of adolescents who experience social and financial stress shows they have an increased risk for higher blood pressure, body weight, and cholesterol levels and the associated diseases later in life. (Annals of Behavioral Medicine, published online) Read more.

New Therapy Developed to Help Depression Patients Cultivate Optimistic Future

Patients with major depressive disorder who learned to create a more positive outlook about the future in treatment with the new Future-Directed Therapy™ demonstrated significant improvement over those undergoing traditional therapy, which seeks to alter irrational, negative thoughts about past experiences. (CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, published online in March) Read more.

Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Explained

An article draws on the existing scientific literature to explain the positive effects of mindfulness meditation that help deal with the mental and physiological effects of stress. (Perspectives on Psychological Science, November 2011; 6(6): 537-559) Read more.

Perinatal Exposure to Antidepressant Stunts Brain Development in Rats

The brains of rats who received the SSRI citalopram just before and after birth showed stunted growth and degeneration during this critical period, long-distance connections between the two hemispheres of the brain, and the animals also became excessively fearful. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online October 24, 2011) Read more.

Predictors of Long-Term Prognosis of Depression

Previous depression, daily smoking, and a lack of control over life circumstances are risk factors for repeat episodes of depression. (Canadian Medical Association Journal, published online October 24, 2011). Read more.

Researchers Demonstrate Rare Animal Model for Studying Depression

By electrically stimulating a brain region central to an animal's primary emotions, researchers have taken one step further toward creating an animal model for decoding the specific brain circuits involved in depression. (Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, October 2011; 35(9): 1902-1915) Read more.

Moderate to High Stress Leads to Higher Mortality Rate

According to the first study to show a direct link between stress trajectories and mortality in an aging population, men who experience persistently moderate or high levels of stressful life events over a number of years have a 50 percent higher mortality rate. And only a few factors protect against the stress. (Journal of Aging Research, published online) Read more.

Some Shy Teens Have Social Anxiety Disorder

A new study analyzed how many teens appeared to meet the American Psychiatric Association's criteria for social anxiety disorder or social phobia resulted in roughly 1 in 10 of the self-described shy kids. The findings challenge criticism that the terms "social phobia" and "social anxiety disorder" medicalize normal shyness. (Pediatrics, published online Oct. 17, 2011) Read more.

Brain Chemical Lower in Joyless Teens

Teens with anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in a key mood-regulating region of the brain, according to an NIMH-funded study. Researchers note that this may offer new clues to the pathways and processes underlying depression and other mental disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online Oct. 3, 2011) Read more.

Technological Therapy Shows Promise

Cognitive behavior modification (CBM), which uses computer software to help divert patients' attention from anxiety and interpret situations more calmly, is showing promise in the treatment of social anxiety disorder, suggests new research. (Depression and Anxiety, published online Sept. 2, 2011) Read more.

Depression in Cancer Patients

Physicians should make themselves aware of comorbid depression among cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. See “Cancer and Depression,” a recent issue of Psychiatric Annals. (Psychiatric Annals, 41(9); Sept. 2011) Read more.

Driven to Drink: Alcoholics’ Children With Stress

New research reveals that children who have a parent with a history of alcohol abuse face a greater risk of consuming more alcohol after stressful situations. (Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 99(4), Oct. 2011:696–703) Read more.

Diet's Direct Link to Mental Health

Two new studies show that diet can significantly affect mental health in adolescents. It may also have a role in preventing and treating depression, anxiety, and other such common illnesses. (PLoS One, published online Sept. 23, 2011) Read more.

Cortisone Shot May Stop Traumatic Stress

When administered up to six hours after test subjects experienced a traumatic event, the findings of a single extra dose of cortisone suggest that the likelihood of later developing PTSD is reduced by 60 percent. (European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011; 21 (11):796) Read more.

Depression Loosens Brain Circuits

A new study using MRI scans illustrates that depression frequently seems to uncouple the brain's "hate circuit" involving the superior frontal gyrus, insula, and putamen. (The so-called circuit appears to connect these brain regions when test subjects are shown pictures of people they hated.) (Molecular Psychiatry, published online Oct. 4, 2011)
Read more.

Panic Attacks Send Signals for One Hour

New research reveals that signs of panic attacks that seem to strike suddenly occur at least 60 minutes before patients' awareness. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 25 July 2011) Read more.

Omega-3 Reduces Anxiety and Inflammation

A study gauging the effects of consuming fish oil surprisingly showed a marked reduction in anxiety, as well as inflammation among healthy young people, further linking psychological stress and immunity. (Brain, Behavior and Immunity, published online 19 July 2011) Read more.

Antidepressants and Relapse: Return of the Blues

Patients taking antidepressants may be nearly twice as susceptible to future episodes of major depression as those who use no medication at all. (Frontiers in Psychology, published online 7 Jul 2011) Read more.

Relationship of Stress and Alcohol

Acute stress is thought to precipitate drinking alcohol, and new findings indicate a bidirectional relationship between alcohol and stress. (Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, published online 18 July 2011) Read more.

PTSD Special Issue

Psychiatric Annals August issue is “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Beyond the DSM-IV,” and all features and departments focus on PTSD. The article “Case Discussion: 9/11, Trauma, and Personality” is a discussion of a long-term psychiatric observation of the 75,000 individuals who participated in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up efforts at Ground Zero. (Psychiatric Annals, 41(8), Aug. 2011) Read more.

Why Stress Damages DNA

Researchers have discovered a specific mechanism through which elevated adrenaline associated with chronic stress could eventually damage DNA. (Nature, published online August 21, 2011) Read more.

Reduced Recognition of Fear and Sadness in PTSD

New research reveals evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by changes in the way the brain processes specific emotions and that certain aspects of this disorder could be understood as a consequence of the altered processing of emotional cues. (Cortex, 2011; 47(8):974) Read more.

Women and Men Experience Mental Illnesses Differently

Findings of a new study illustrate the differences in how women and men internalize and externalize emotions. Women with anxiety disorders are more likely to keep their emotions inside, which can lead to withdrawal, loneliness, and depression. Men are more likely to express their emotions, which can lead to aggressive, impulsive, or coercive behavior. (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, published online August 17, 2011) Read more.

Mind-Altering Microbes May Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Probiotic bacteria have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry and treat anxiety and depression-related disorders, according to recent research. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online before print August 29, 2011). Read more.

Stress and School Success

Handling stress appropriately in class and on the field can tip the scale toward success for the millions of students, according to new research. (Emotion, 2011; 11(4): 1000-1005) Read more.

Exercise: The Other “Medication”

Exercise can be as effective as a second medication for as many as half of depressed patients whose condition have not been cured by a single antidepressant medication. (UT Southwestern Medical Center; 2011, August 24) Read more.

Enlarged Amygdala in Children of Depressed Mothers

Scientists studying 10-year-old children whose mothers exhibited lifelong symptoms of depression discovered that the children's amygdalae, a part of the brain linked to emotional responses, were enlarged. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; 108 (34):14324) Read more.

Reason for Relapse in Depression

Researchers searching for markers of relapse risk in people who have recovered from depression have found that those who activate the brain's frontal lobes by ruminating are more likely to relapse than those who respond with acceptance and activate visual areas in the back of the brain. (Biological Psychiatry, 70(4):366-372) Read more.

Why Stress Leads to Obesity

Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in rats by which stress increases food drive, a find that could provide insight into why stress is thought to be a contributor to obesity. (Neuron, 71(3): 529-541, 11 August 2011) Read more.

Difficult Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression

A new study finds that women who experience difficulty breastfeeding in the first weeks after giving birth are more prone to postpartum depression. (Obstetrics & Gynecology, 118(2, Part 1):214-221, August 2011) Read more.

Music Reduces Anxiety in Cancer Patients

Music can reduce anxiety in cancer patients, and may also have positive effects on mood, pain and quality of life, according to a new systematic review. (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD006911.) Read more.

Depression Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke in Women

A research study has shown that women who suffer from depression have a 29% higher risk of having a stroke, and those on SSRIs have a 39% higher risk. (STROKE, published online August 11, 2011) Read more.

Therapeutic Target for Depression and Addiction Possibly Identified

Researchers studying mice may discover how stress affects mood and motivation for drugs. Blocking the stress cascade in brain cells may help reduce the effects of stress, which can include anxiety, depression and the pursuit of addictive drugs. (Neuron, 71(3), 498-511, 11 August 2011) Read more.

More Antidepressant Prescriptions Without Psychiatric Diagnosis

A new study finds that much of the growth of the use of antidepressants has been driven by an increase in prescriptions by non-psychiatrist providers without any accompanying psychiatric diagnosis. (Health Affairs, August 2011 30:1434-1442) Read more.

Prenatal Stress Passed Across Generations

A study has found sons of male mice who were exposed to prenatal stress are more sensitive to stress as adults, suggesting that experiences in the womb can lead to individual stress responses that pass across generations. (The Journal of Neuroscience, 31(33):11748-11755, 17 August 2011, ) Read more.

Self-Medication Links Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders

Self-medicating anxiety disorders with alcohol and drugs is associated with a high risk for substance use disorders. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68:800-807) Read more.

Antidepressants and Increased Risk for Older Adults

Older adults who take the antidepressant SSRIs are at more risk of dying or suffering from stroke, falls, fractures, and epilepsy, according to a new study. (British Medical Journal, 2011; 343) Read more.

Yoga’s Anti-Stress Factor

Researchers find that practicing yoga reduces the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia, which is characterized by chronic pain, anxiety and depression are among other common symptoms. (Journal of Pain Research, 2011(4):189-201) Read more.

PTSD Decreases Antiretroviral Drug Adherence in People With HIV

Results from a recent small study indicate that HIV-positive individuals with PTSD have significantly lower odds of adhering to their antiretroviral drug regimens. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45(7): 942-948) Read more.

Stressful Events Cause Panic Symptoms to Increase Over Time

Researchers at Brown University have found that some stressful life events cause panic symptoms to increase gradually over time, rather than to trigger an immediate panic attack. (Journal of Affective Disorders, published online June 11) Read more.

Childhood Asthma Risk Linked to Mental Health During Pregnancy

Anxiety, stress, and depression during pregnancy may lead to a greater risk of asthma for your child, according to researchers at Columbia University. (Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 107(1): 42-49) Read more.

Comparing Two Therapies for Social Anxiety Disorder

While cognitive therapy was more efficacious in reducing symptoms of social anxiety disorder, both cognitive therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy led to considerable improvements that were maintained one year following treatment. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(7):692-700). Read more.

PTSD Common After Orthopedic Trauma

A new review article reveals that any type of orthopedic trauma may be associated with PTSD in nonmilitary patients, and it can hinder their emotional, physical and functional recovery. (Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 19(5), May 2011: 245-250) Read more.

Prenatal SSRI Use May Be Tied to Autism

Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy appears to be associated with increased chances of developing an autism spectrum disorder. But the authors of a case-controlled study note that such an exposure is unlikely to explain many cases of autism. (Archives of General Psychiatry, published online July 4, 2011) Read more.

Regular Exercise in Treatment Strategy for Panic Disorder

A high level of exercise may be a useful strategy to prevent the development of panic and related disorders among people with high anxiety sensitivity, particularly as an alternative or complementary strategy to drugs and psychotherapy. (Psychosomatic Medicine, July 2011 vol. 73 no. 6 498-503) Read more.

Pain Relievers May Negate SSRIs

Mice studies examining how NSAIDs counteract SSRIs may explain why treatment with both classes of medication is not always successful. (Psychiatric News, 46(13):19) Read more.

Gene for Major Depression Identified

Researchers at two universities discovered independently the genetic location of major depressive disorder on chromosome 3. (American Journal of Psychiatry, published online May 15, 2011) Read more.

Stress and the City

A new international study shows that two distinct brain regions that regulate emotion and stress are affected by city living. Being born and raised in a major urban area is associated with greater lifetime risk for anxiety and mood disorders. (Nature, 2011; 474(7352):498) Read more.

Early Adversity Linked to Stress Sensitivity

A new study suggests that people become depressed more easily following minor setbacks in part because they have experienced adversity early in life or previous depressive episodes, making them more sensitive to stress. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, published online April 5, 2011). Read more.

Exercise Effective PTSD Therapy

Preliminary research has revealed that aerobic exercise may be an effective treatment for PTSD, according to a study presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine and 2nd World Congress on Exercise is Medicine. Read more.

Drug Diminishes Vets' PTSD Nightmares

In clinical trials, prazosin, the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist developed four decades ago as an antihypertensive drug, restores normal REM sleep and permits “decoupling” of emotional tone from memory to reduce nightmares associated with combat-related PTSD. (Psychiatric News, June 3, 2011; 46(11):15) Read more.

More Men With Migraine Suffer From PTSD Than Women

While the risk of PTSD is more common in those with migraine than those without migraine irrespective of sex, the risk is greater in men than women. (Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2011;51:860-868) Read more.

Letters From Home May Help Prevent PTSD

A new study finds that for happily married male soldiers, communicating frequently with a spouse through letters and e-mails during deployment may protect against developing PTSD symptoms. (Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(3):352–355, June 2011) Read more.

TM a Potential PTSD Treatment

War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder may find relief with transcendental meditation, which previous research has demonstrated can help reduce anxiety, depression, and hypertension. (Military Medicine, 176(6), June 2011:626-630(5) Read more.

Therapies Based on Positive Emotions Not Cross-Culturally Effective

A new study indicates that psychotherapies emphasizing positive emotions, which focus on the good and downplay the bad to accelerate recovery from depression, bolster resilience during a crisis, and improve overall mental health, to relieve stress and depression in white populations may not work for Asians, who make up the majority of the world population. (Emotion, published online march 28) Read more.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Reduce SSRI Effectiveness

Studies have shown that anti-inflammatory drugs, which include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen, reduce the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, taken for depression and anxiety disorders. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online March 28, 2011) Read more.

Childhood Trauma May Accelerate Age-Related Diseases

Adults who suffer from PTSD and have a childhood history of trauma are at greater risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and other age-related diseases, as well as early death, due to significantly shorter length in telomere, DNA-protein complexes that close and protect the ends of chromosomes. (Biological Psychiatry, published online 13 April 2011) Read more.

Primary Care Medication Plus CBT Reduces Anxiety Symptoms

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in combination with psychotropic medication is highly effective for treating most anxiety disorders in primary care, new research suggests, particularly principal generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, and comorbid social anxiety disorder. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2011;68(4):378-388) Read more.

Secondhand Smoke Bad for Kids' Mental Health

Children and adolescents in the United States exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of developing major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorder, according to new research. (Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 2011;165(4):332-338) Read more.

Anxiety in Surrogates Making Treatment Decisions

Surrogate decision-makers, or family members involved in making end-of-life care decisions for loved ones, are at significant risk for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. One in three carries a lasting emotional burden related to their decisions. (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2011 Mar 1;154(5):336-46) Read more.

Quick Screen for Cognitive Therapy

In lieu of expensive brain scans, researchers suggest testing pupil dilation in response to emotional words, an inexpensive and easy-to-take physiological measure that may predict which patients are likely to respond to cognitive therapy. (Biological Psychiatry, 69(8):726–733) Read more.

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