NIMH RSS Feedhttp://www.atomenabled.org/favicon.ico2008-09-14T01:09:18ZNational Institute of Mental Healthnimhwebmaster@mail.nih.govCrownPeakhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/New NIMH Strategic Plan Accelerates Mental Health Researchtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120472008-09-08T09:09:58ZBuilding on the recent rapid advances in understanding the science of brain and behavior, the new National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) strategic plan is designed to maintain momentum in research and transform the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.Personality Disorders Prevalent, Under-Treated, in South Africatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119432008-09-04T07:09:28ZAlmost seven percent of South African people age 20 or older have a personality disorder, an umbrella term for several personality types characterized by chronic social dysfunction, a large study funded by NIMH and others reveals. However, less than one-fifth of the people with a disorder received mental-health treatment in the year before the study.NIMH Funds Nine Innovative Projects to Pursue Major Challengestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120392008-09-03T12:09:57ZThe National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has awarded nine exceptionally innovative research projects that hold promise for broad and deep impact on medical science. The grants, among the first made through a program called EUREKA (for Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration), enable investigators to test novel hypotheses or pursue major methodological or technical challenges.NIH Funds Nine Centers to Speed Application of Powerful New Research Approachtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120242008-09-02T11:09:24ZThe funding of a network of nine centers across the country that will use high tech screening methods to identify small molecules for use as probes to investigate the diverse functions of cells was announced today by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The network—funded at approximately $70 million annually over the four-year production phase—is designed to increase the pace of development and use of chemical (small molecule) probes, which have become invaluable tools for exploring biologic processes and for developing new therapies for disease.Gene Associated with Social Behavior in Animals Has Similar Effects in Human Malestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120292008-09-02T12:09:52ZA gene variant related to the hormone vasopressin appears to be associated with how human males bond with their partners or wives, according to an NIMH-funded study. This is the first study to suggest that the wealth of information on vole pair-bonding may also apply to humans and may help to inform research on human disorders related to impaired social interactions and communication, such as autism.Family-Focused Therapy Effective in Treating Depressive Episodes of Bipolar Youthtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120192008-08-29T09:08:20ZAdolescents with bipolar disorder who received a nine-month course of family-focused therapy (FFT) recovered more quickly from depressive episodes and stayed free of depression for longer periods than a control group.Childhood Bedwetting Occurred Twice as Often in Adults with Schizophreniatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120212008-08-29T12:08:42ZChildhood bedwetting occurred twice as often in adults with schizophrenia
than in their unaffected brothers and sisters, according to a new study from researchers at NIMH. Their report appears in the September 2008 issue of the journal Brain.
New Research to Refine Approaches in Psychotherapytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120232008-08-29T12:08:34ZNIMH is funding eight new projects designed to evaluate, refine and improve psychotherapy-based treatments.Serotonin Neurons Critical for Mouse Postpartum Maternal Behavior, Pup Survivaltag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120152008-09-03T08:09:01ZMood disorders, including postpartum depression, have long been treated with antidepressants that enhance the mood-regulating brain chemical messenger serotonin. Now, NIMH-supported researchers have demonstrated in mice – for the first time – that critical postpartum mothering behaviors and offspring survival also depend on proper functioning of serotonin-secreting neurons.Antipsychotic Does Not Harm—and May Improve—Cognitive Skills in Children with Autismtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120142008-08-27T12:08:00ZThe atypical antipsychotic medication risperidone (Risperdal) does not negatively affect cognitive skills of children with autism, and may lead to improvements.Largest Study of Its Kind Implicates Gene Abnormalities in Bipolar Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120042008-08-21T08:08:12ZThe largest genetic analysis of its kind to date for bipolar disorder has implicated machinery involved in the balance of sodium and calcium in brain cells. Researchers supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, found an association between the disorder and variation in two genes that make components of channels that manage the flow of the elements into and out of cells, including neurons.A Night’s Sleep Gives Emotional Memories Their Staying Powertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120102008-08-29T10:08:43ZFor the first time, researchers have found that following a night’s sleep, emotional components of scenes are remembered at the expense of neutral components. In contrast, memories of both emotional and neutral components decayed equally following 12 hours of wakefulness. Sleep also promoted memory for generality over detail, says NIMH grantee Robert Stickgold, Ph.D., of Harvard University, who co-authored the recent study of memory consolidation.Borderline Personality Disorder: Brain Differences Related to Disruptions in Cooperation in Relationshipstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120072008-08-29T10:08:09ZDifferent patterns of brain activity in people with borderline personality disorder were associated with disruptions in the ability to recognize social norms or modify behaviors that likely result in distrust and broken relationships, according to an NIMH-funded study published online in the August 8, 2008 issue of Science.Nakamura to Become Scientific Director for the Division of Intramural Research Programstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119372008-08-05T01:08:50ZTwenty two years after serving in the NIMH intramural program, Richard Nakamura, PhD, has accepted the appointment of Scientific Director for the Division of Intramural Research Programs. He will leave his position as Deputy Director for NIMH effective September 28, 2008 to assume this new post.“Signatures” of Errant Gene Expression in Autism Eyed for Diagnostic Testtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119332008-08-01T12:08:37ZResearchers have launched an effort to detect profiles of gene expression associated with autism that could some day form the basis of a diagnostic test for the disorder. The study, supported by a new grant from NIMH’s Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, is searching for “signatures” in patterns of such expression in autism that could be clues to underlying abnormalities in the machinery that turns genes on and off in response to experience, as the brain is wired up during the first years of life.Depression Patients’ Brain Circuitry Makes Them Vulnerable to Relapsetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:120052008-08-27T09:08:12ZUsing brain imaging, NIMH researchers have produced direct evidence that people prone to depression -- even when they’re feeling well -- have abnormal mood-regulating brain circuitry. This makes them vulnerable to relapse when levels of certain key brain chemical messengers plummet.Increased Burden of Rare Genetic Variations Found in Schizophreniatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119822008-08-15T11:08:00ZPeople with schizophrenia bear an “increased burden” of rare deletions and duplications of genetic material, genome-wide, say researchers supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).Mechanism for Postpartum Depression Found in Micetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119232008-07-30T08:07:04ZResearchers have pinpointed a mechanism in the brains of mice that could explain why some human mothers become depressed following childbirth. The discovery could lead to improved treatment for postpartum depression. Supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health, of the National Institutes of Health, the study used genetically engineered mice lacking a protein critical for adapting to the sex hormone fluctuations of pregnancy and the postpartum period.Errant Stress/Immune Indicators Detected in Depression-Prone Women’s Sweattag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118652008-07-29T11:07:11ZAn experimental skin patch test detected abnormal levels of markers for immune function and stress in the sweat of women with histories of depression, NIMH researchers say. If confirmed, the non-invasive technique could become an easier alternative to a blood test for predicting risk for inflammatory disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes, which often occur with depression.Health Risks Associated with Certain Antipsychotics Warrant Extra Monitoringtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119112008-07-28T10:07:15ZSome atypical antipsychotics may be more likely than others to cause metabolic and cardiovascular side effects, according to recent analyses using data from the NIMH-funded Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE).Age-related Decline of ADHD Symptoms Disrupted by Middle Schooltag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118902008-07-21T12:07:34ZAlthough symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) can last into adulthood, typically they decline as a child gets older.Newer Antipsychotics No Better Than Older Medications in Reducing Schizophrenia-related Violencetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118262008-07-11T07:07:21ZAntipsychotic medications can reduce the risk of violence among people with schizophrenia, but the newer atypical antipsychotics are no more effective in doing so than older medications.Common Mechanisms May Underlie Autism’s Seemingly Diverse Mutationstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118152008-07-08T07:07:15ZMany of the seemingly disparate mutations recently discovered in autism may share common underlying mechanisms, say researchers supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The mutations may disrupt specific genes that are vital to the developing brain, and which are turned on and off by experience-triggered neuronal activity.Abnormal Surge in Brain Development Occurs in Teens and Young Adults with Schizophreniatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118162008-07-08T08:07:03ZSchizophrenia may occur, in part, because brain development goes awry during adolescence and young adulthood, when the brain is eliminating some connections between cells as a normal part of maturation, results of a study suggest. The new report appears online July 8, 2008 in Molecular Psychiatry.NIMH Schizophrenia Initiative Featured in Biological Psychiatrytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118052008-07-03T09:07:05ZAn NIMH initiative to fill the gap between advances in basic cognitive neuroscience and practical clinical applications for patients with schizophrenia is the topic of the July 1, 2008 issue of Biological Psychiatry. It contains eight articles on the Cognitive Neuroscience Approaches to the Treatment of Impaired Cognition in Schizophrenia (CNTRICS) initiative, including a commentary, and descriptions of meetings related to the effort.HIV-associated Neurological Disease Prevalent in Asia-Pacific Regiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118042008-07-01T11:07:27ZA new study finds a significant rate of HIV-related neurological disease among HIV-positive populations living in the Asian-Pacific region.Couples-based Intervention May Limit HIV Transmission in African Countriestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117962008-06-27T07:06:02ZA shift to a couples-based intervention for married and cohabiting couples in urban Zambia and Rwanda could prevent up to 60 percent of new HIV infections that would otherwise occur, according to an NIMH-funded study published June 27, 2008, in The Lancet.Mice Expressing Human Genes Bred to Help Unravel Mental Disorderstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117892008-06-26T06:06:40ZNew mouse strains engineered to express human genes related to mental disorders are being developed under a recently-launched grant program from NIMH's Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science.New Grant Supports Stem Cell-Derived Model of Autism-Related Illnesstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117902008-06-26T11:06:49ZFor the first time, researchers are developing a test tube model of Rett syndrome, a debilitating autism-like illness, in neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. The study, recently funded by a grant from NIMH’s Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, addresses a crucial gap in understanding the workings of the rare autism spectrum disorder.Antipsychotic Medications May Ease Some Alzheimer’s Symptoms, Not Otherstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117652008-06-23T07:06:56ZAntipsychotic medications may lessen symptoms like hostility and aggression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but do not appear to lessen other symptoms or improve quality of life, according to a recent analysis of data from the NIMH-funded Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness Alzheimer’s Disease (CATIE-AD) study. The analysis was published online ahead of print June 2, 2008, in the American Journal of Psychiatry.New Grant Aims to Overcome Obesity in People with Serious Mental Illnesstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117622008-06-20T08:06:38ZA new grant funded by NIMH will test the effectiveness of a promising intervention designed to help people with serious mental illness (SMI) who are overweight or obese lose weight and keep it off.Anxious Youth Have Disturbed Brain Responses When Looking at Angry Facestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117632008-06-20T08:06:56ZWhen looking at angry faces so quickly that they are hardly aware of seeing them, youth with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have unchecked activity in the brain’s fear center, say NIMH researchers.Potential New Target Found for Developing Medications to Treat Bipolar Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117642008-06-20T10:06:36ZMedications that target the protein BAG1, which regulates a process that can trigger symptoms in people who have bipolar disorder, may offer a new way of treating the disease, according to NIMH scientists.Trastorno de Estrés Postraumáticotag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118842008-07-24T06:07:10ZUn folleto, el cuál es fácil de leer, que explica que es el trastorno de estrés postraumático, cuando comienza, cuánto tiempo dura, y cómo conseguir ayuda.The Maturing Brain Parallels its Evolutiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117012008-06-05T01:06:14ZEvolutionarily older areas of the human brain that mature earliest follow a simple, straight-line growth pattern. In contrast, newer areas that support our uniquely human capacities, such as thinking and language, mature latest and show the most complex growth pattern, NIMH researchers say. In keeping with their relatively recent evolution, newer areas are composed of more complex layers of cells and show stronger genetic influence later in development compared with evolutionarily older areas.New NIMH Research to Test Innovative Treatments for Children with ADHDtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117222008-06-05T01:06:05ZTwo new grants funded by NIMH will focus on novel and innovative approaches to treating children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Looking at My Genes: What Can They Tell Me?tag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:116922008-06-02T01:06:11ZA fact sheet containing frequently asked questions about genome scans and genetic testing.Spontaneous Mutations Rife in Non-Familial Schizophreniatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117022008-05-30T10:05:46ZPeople with schizophrenia from families with no history of the illness were found to harbor eight times more spontaneous mutations – most in pathways affecting brain development – than healthy controls, in a study supported in part the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). By contrast, no spontaneous mutations were found in people with schizophrenia who had family histories of the illness.Preventive Treatment May Help Head Off Depression Following a Stroketag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:116962008-05-28T06:05:55ZFor the first time, researchers show that preventive treatment with an antidepressant medication or talk therapy can significantly reduce the risk or delay the start of depression following an acute stroke, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Medication-only Therapy and Combination Therapy Both Cost Effective for Treating Teens with Depressiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:116712008-05-12T11:05:19ZTreating depressed teenagers with either the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) or a combination of fluoxetine and psychotherapy can be cost effective, according to a recent economic analysis.Virtual Reality, Psychotherapy, Show Promise in Treating PTSD Symptoms; Civilian Access to Care Remains a Concerntag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:117532008-06-17T01:06:34ZEarly data from an NIMH-sponsored double-blind study of 24 war veterans shows a marked reduction in acoustic startle ─ the reflex response to sudden loud sounds ─ in those treated with virtual reality exposure therapy combined with either d-cycloserine, an antibiotic that has been shown to facilitate the extinction of fear memories; pill placebo; or the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (Xanax).
New Therapies Show Promise for Vascular Depression; Heart, Metabolic, Risks of Some Antipsychotic Medications Flaggedtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115952008-05-02T08:05:42ZResearchers see new treatments on the horizon for a type of depression related to blood vessels that affects the elderly, and have discovered why some elderly people fail to respond to current medications. In other studies, scientists urge caution regarding use of antipsychotics (usually for schizophrenia or other psychosis) in this and other populations to minimize metabolic, heart, and stroke risks.Clues to Role of Brain Development as Risk for Mental Disorders May Also Lead to Better Treatmentstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115932008-05-02T08:05:15ZIncreasing evidence points to links between the timing and growth rates of specific brain areas in the young brain and the likelihood of developing a wide range of mental disorders later in life, say researchers convened by NIMHImaging Identifies Brain Regions and Chemicals Underlying Mood Disorders; May Lead to Better Treatmentstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115942008-05-02T08:05:44ZRecently developed imaging techniques allow the mapping of the brain circuits and chemical systems believed responsible for a range of mood abnormalities including depression and bipolar disorder, and hold promise for improved treatments, scientists say.Studies Identify Subtle Genetic Changes’ Risk for Mental Disorders; May Lead to Targets for New, Better, Therapiestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:116422008-05-02T08:05:49ZEpigenetics ─ the examination of how environmental factors like diet, stress, and post-natal maternal behavior can change gene function without altering DNA sequence ─ plays a major role in depression and in the actions of antidepressant medications. New studies in the field are revealing new molecular targets for better therapies for depression, scientists say.Medication-Enhanced Learning in Therapy Hailed as “Paradigm Shift” for Anxietytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115702008-04-30T10:04:08ZA medication that enhances learning, taken just before an exposure therapy session, may aid cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, say NIMH-funded researchers, who adapted the technique from studies in rats.
Study launched to test possible preventive treatment for schizophrenia in high risk youthtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115912008-05-01T06:05:49ZNIMH recently awarded a grant to study whether an intensive, computerized training program can help prevent youth at high risk for developing schizophrenia from having a first psychotic episode and improve adaptive functioning.Human Brain Appears “Hard-Wired” for Hierarchytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115462008-04-23T09:04:21ZHuman imaging studies have for the first time identified brain circuitry associated with social status, according to researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the National Institutes of Health.Mark Your Calendars, NIMH Science Track at APA Annual Meeting, May 3-8, 2008tag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:115352008-04-17T11:04:25ZNIMH will host science track symposia, lectures, press conferences at the American Psychiatric Association 161st Annual Meeting.Journal Highlights Effectiveness of Research Based Psychotherapies for Youthtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:108432008-04-15T08:04:51ZReviews of the current research on psychosocial and behavioral therapies, or psychotherapies, for children and adolescents found a number of “well established” and “probably efficacious” treatments for many mental disorders. The results were published in a special issue of the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.Paying More for Prescriptions May Limit Seniors’ Access to Antidepressantstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:112212008-04-03T10:04:34ZNew cost-sharing policies may prevent some older adults diagnosed with depression from filling new antidepressant prescriptions.Newly Awarded Autism Centers of Excellence to Further Autism Researchtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:108942008-04-03T10:04:21ZThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced on March 24, 2008, the latest recipients of the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) program. These grants will support studies covering a broad range of autism research areas, including early brain development and functioning, social interactions in infants, rare genetic variants and mutations, associations between autism-related genes and physical traits, possible environmental risk factors and biomarkers, and a potential new medication treatment.Rates of Rare Mutations Soar Three to Four Times Higher in Schizophreniatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:109112008-04-03T10:04:27ZPeople with schizophrenia have high rates of rare genetic deletions and duplications that likely disrupt the developing brain, according to studies funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.Autism Gene Scans Converge on Two Suspect Sites, Two Types of Genetic Risktag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:108752008-04-18T10:04:50ZFour teams of scientists, using resources supported in part by NIMH, have pinpointed two different sites in the genome, each conferring a different type of genetic risk for autism.Past Child Abuse Plus Variations in Gene Result in Potent PTSD Risk for Adultstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:108662008-04-03T10:04:12ZA traumatic event is much more likely to result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults who experienced trauma in childhood – but certain gene variations raise the risk considerably if the childhood trauma involved physical or sexual abuse, scientists have found.State Survey Finds FDA “Black Box” Warning Correlates with Curtailed Antidepressant Prescriptionstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:108522008-04-03T10:04:05ZAfter the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a “black box” warning on antidepressant medications, Nebraskan doctors began prescribing fewer antidepressant medications to children and teens and referring more patients to specialists, according to a state survey.One Gene Overrides Another to Prevent Brain Changes that Foster Depressiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:108292008-04-03T10:04:57ZA variation on one gene affects how much of the brain chemical serotonin is available to brain cells. This variation is thought to raise the risk of depression in people who carry it. But NIMH scientists found that a variation in another gene, which produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a substance that enables growth and health of brain cells – appears to prevent or offset the changes generated by the depression-fostering variant.Bipolar Youths’ Misreading of Faces May be Risk Marker for Illnesstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:103282008-04-03T10:04:44ZYoungsters with pediatric bipolar disorder and healthy peers who have first-degree relatives with bipolar disorder share the same difficulty labeling facial emotions, NIMH researchers have discovered.Teens with Treatment-resistant Depression More Likely to Get Better with Switch to Combination Therapytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99662008-04-03T10:04:38ZTeens with difficult-to-treat depression who do not respond to a first antidepressant medication are more likely to get well if they switch to another antidepressant medication and add psychotherapy rather than just switching to another antidepressant.Group Therapy Program Offers Meaningful Gains for People with Borderline Personality Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99672008-04-03T09:04:24ZA 20-week group therapy program focusing on cognitive behavioral and skills training, when used in conjunction with usual care, helped reduce symptoms of borderline personality disorder and improve overall functioning, reported NIMH-funded researchers. Their findings were published online February 15, 2008 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.Genetic Tags Reveal Secrets of Memories’ Staying Power in Micetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99412008-04-03T10:04:23ZA better understanding of how memory works is emerging from a newfound ability to link a learning experience in a mouse to consequent changes in the inner workings of its neurons. Researchers, supported in part by NIMH, have developed a way to pinpoint the specific cellular components that sustain a specific memory in genetically-engineered mice.Scans Reveal Faulty Brain Wiring Caused by Missing Genestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99142008-04-03T10:04:08ZAn NIMH study using an emerging imaging technology has discovered faulty wiring in the brains of people with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects some aspects of thinking.Cold, Unfeeling Traits Linked to Distinctive Brain Patterns in Kids with Severe Conduct Problemstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99212008-04-03T10:04:13ZThe callous, unemotional characteristics of some children and adolescents who bully or steal or have other severely disruptive behavior problems may have partial roots in a brain area called the amygdala.Genetic Variation May Influence Response to Depression Treatmenttag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99382008-04-03T10:04:18ZVariations in a gene known as TREK1 may explain some forms of treatment-resistant major depression, according to a new study analyzing genetic data.Tomorrow’s Antidepressants: Skip the Serotonin Boost?tag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:98952008-04-03T10:04:57ZEven when serotonin levels stayed low, scientists were able to correct abnormal, mental-illness-like behaviors in mice by blocking an enzyme called GSK3ß. The finding adds evidence that molecular targets other than serotonin may lead to better and faster medications for some mental illnesses.Team Care for Depressed Older Adults Cuts Overall Medical Coststag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:99072008-04-03T10:04:02ZA team approach to depression treatment for older adults, already shown to be effective, is also less expensive than usual care.Gene Variants Protect Against Adult Depression Triggered by Childhood Stresstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:97362008-04-03T10:04:52ZCertain variations in a gene that helps regulate response to stress tend to protect adults who were abused in childhood from developing depression. Adults who had been abused but didn’t have the variations in the gene had twice the symptoms of moderate to severe depression, compared to those with the protective variations.Mental Disorders Persist Among Hurricane Katrina Survivorstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96692008-04-03T10:04:45ZMore residents affected by Hurricane Katrina are enduring mental disorders than was initially determined a few months after the storm.Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar Disorder’s Manic Phase May Be Feasibletag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96612008-04-03T10:04:40ZScientists may be able to develop faster-acting medications for the manic phase of bipolar disorder, new research shows.When Fear Overwhelms: Panic Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118612008-07-22T12:07:58ZAn easy-to-read booklet on Panic Disorder that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help.Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:118622008-07-18T12:07:36ZAn easy-to-read booklet of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Post-Traumatic Stress Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:119052008-08-14T09:08:00ZAn easy-to-read booklet on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help.Research-based Principles May Help Improve Mental Health Recovery Following Mass Traumatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96462008-04-03T10:04:35ZExperts on trauma-related research and medical practices from around the world recently identified five principles to guide mental health care efforts immediately or shortly after a mass trauma, such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack.Mood Disorders Predict Later Substance Abuse Problemstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96412008-04-03T10:04:28ZPeople with manic symptoms and bipolar disorder type II are at significant risk of later developing an alcohol abuse or dependence problem, a long-term study conducted in Switzerland confirms.Scientists Can Predict Psychotic Illness in up to 80 Percent of High-Risk Youthtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95982008-09-05T06:09:02ZYouth who are going to develop psychosis can be identified before their illness becomes full-blown 35 percent of the time if they meet widely accepted criteria for risk, but that figure rises to 65 to 80 percent if they have certain combinations of risk factors, the largest study of its kind has shown.Real-World Outcomes in Schizophrenia Are Focus of Two New NIMH Grantstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96372008-04-03T10:04:23ZTwo new NIMH grants are aimed at determining the most accurate methods of measuring how well community-dwelling people with schizophrenia are faring. Results of the project are meant to provide scientists who conduct future research on the effectiveness of treatments with tools that reflect the truest possible picture of daily-life outcomes.Foreign Nativity May Not Always Protect Against Mental Disorders in the UStag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96332008-04-03T10:04:18ZThough all Latino immigrants tend to display better overall mental health compared to their US-born counterparts, a recent study by NIMH-funded researchers has found that the protective benefits of foreign nativity vary widely across subgroups of this population.Ethnicity Predicts How Gene Variations Affect Response to Schizophrenia Medicationstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:96302008-04-03T10:04:13ZDifferent variations in the same gene influence how well different ethnic groups, and people within the same ethnic group, respond to various antipsychotic medications, report NIMH-funded researchers. If confirmed, their findings could one day help clinicians predict which medication is most likely to help a patient, based on his or her genetic makeup.Family-centered Intervention Effectively Reduces Risky Behavior Among Hispanic Youthtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95712008-04-03T06:04:59ZA family-centered program that improves parent-child dynamics and family functioning is more effective at discouraging Hispanic youth from engaging in risky behavior than programs that target specific behaviors.Study Aims to Develop First Medications for Fragile-X Syndrome, Leading Inherited Cause of Mental Retardationtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95922008-04-03T06:04:03ZA new NIMH grant is enabling scientists to begin testing safety and effectiveness of potential medications for fragile-X syndrome, the most common inherited form of mental retardation. No effective medications are available for the disorder. The animal studies currently underway are designed to lay the groundwork for the first human clinical trials in subsequent phases of the research.
Schizophrenia-Related Gene Linked to Imbalance in Dopamine Pathwaystag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95452008-04-03T06:04:50ZForms of a gene known to increase risk for schizophrenia may create an imbalance in brain pathways for dopamine, suggests a recent study by NIMH scientists. The findings could help explain how this key chemical messenger goes awry in the disorder, which affects about one percent of adults.Behavioral Therapy Effectively Treats Children with Social Phobiatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95492008-04-03T06:04:54ZA behavioral therapy designed to treat children diagnosed with social phobia helped them overcome more of their symptoms than the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac).Hurricane Katrina Survivors Lack Access to Mental Health Servicestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95522008-04-03T06:04:16ZThe majority of Hurricane Katrina survivors who developed mental disorders after the disaster are not receiving the mental health services they need, and many who were receiving mental health care prior to the hurricane were not able to continue with treatment.IQ Boost From Breast Milk Linked to Gene-Environment Interactiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95422008-04-03T06:04:41ZA new study shows that the intellectual boost associated with breast milk is only attained if a child has inherited one of two versions of a specific gene. The NIMH funded research is among the first to provide evidence of a specific genetic-environment interaction involved in complex mental functioning.Depression’s Flip Side Shares its Circuitrytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:95432008-04-03T06:04:46ZHumans tend to be overly optimistic about the future, sometimes underestimating risks and making unrealistic plans, notes NIMH grantee Elizabeth Phelps, Ph.D., New York University. Yet “a moderate optimistic illusion” appears to be essential for maintaining motivation and good mental healthDepression Linked to Bone-Thinning in Premenopausal Womentag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:94672008-04-03T06:04:33ZPremenopausal women with even mild depression have less bone mass than do their nondepressed peers, a study funded in part by NIMH.Brain Matures a Few Years Late in ADHD, But Follows Normal Patterntag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:94272008-04-03T06:04:29ZIn youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the brain matures in a normal pattern but is delayed three years in some regions, on average, compared to youth without the disorder.Researchers Suggest Updating Criteria for HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorderstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:94222008-04-03T06:04:24ZAfter 10 years since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the criteria for classifying HIV-related neurocognitive disorders may need to be revised and updated.Preschoolers with Three or More Coexisting Disorders Show No Response to ADHD Medication Treatmenttag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:93792008-04-03T06:04:20ZPreschoolers who are diagnosed with ADHD are not likely to respond to treatment with the stimulant methylphenidate, regardless of dosage, if they also have three or more coexisting disorders.Memory-sustaining Enzyme May Help Treat PTSD, Cognitive Declinetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:93722008-04-03T06:04:12ZChemically blocking an enzyme in a specific area in the brain’s cortex, or outer mantle, erased a long-term memory of an aversive event that rats had learned, a study funded in part by NIMH has found.Internet-based PTSD Therapy May Help Overcome Barriers to Caretag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:93712008-04-03T06:04:07ZNIMH-funded researchers recently completed a pilot study showing that an Internet-based, self-managed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, with effects that last after treatment has ended. This study supports further development of PTSD therapies that focus on self-management and innovative methods of providing care to large numbers of people who do not have access to mental health care or who may be reluctant to seek care due to stigma.NIH Funds New Program to Investigate Causes and Treatment of Autismtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:93482008-04-03T06:04:03ZThe National Institutes of Health will intensify its efforts to find the causes of autism and identify new treatments for the disorder, through a new research program. The Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) program represents a consolidation of two existing programs, the Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment (STAART) and Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism (CPEA) programs into a single research effort.Behavioral Intervention Normalizes Stress-related Hormone in High-Risk Kidstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:93382008-04-03T06:04:58ZA family-based behavioral intervention that helps prevent social and behavior problems in high-risk preschoolers also may help normalize their cortisol levels when they anticipate stressful situations, results of a new NIMH study suggest.Stress: Brain Yields Clues About Why Some Succumb While Others Prevailtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92732008-04-03T06:04:50ZResults of a new study may one day help scientists learn how to enhance a naturally occurring mechanism in the brain that promotes resilience to psychological stress. Researchers funded by NIMH found that, in a mouse model, the ability to adapt to stress is driven by a distinctly different molecular mechanism than is the tendency to be overwhelmed by stress.National Survey Tracks Prevalence of Personality Disorders in U.S. Populationtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92892008-04-03T06:04:54ZNIMH-funded researchers recently reported that roughly nine percent of U.S. adults have a personality disorder as defined by the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV. Many people with personality disorders were also found to have co-occurring major mental disorders.NIH Director’s Pioneer Awards and New Innovator Awards: Funded Work Includes Research that May Increase Knowledge about Mental Health and Brain Diseasetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92902008-06-06T10:06:39ZOn September 17, 2007, NIH Director Elias Zerhouni announced the 2007 recipients of the Pioneer Awards and New Innovator Awards.How Schizophrenia Develops: Major Clues Discoveredtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92722008-04-03T06:04:46ZSchizophrenia may occur, in part, because of a problem in an intermittent on/off switch for a gene involved in making a key chemical messenger in the brain, scientists have found in a study of human brain tissue.Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)tag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92442008-04-03T06:04:38ZAn easy-to-read booklet on Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help.Generalized Anxiety Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92452008-04-03T06:04:41ZAn easy-to-read booklet on generalized anxiety disorder that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help.New Social Neuroscience Grants to Help Unravel Autism, Anxiety Disorderstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:92152008-04-03T06:04:42ZHow genes and the environment shape the brain circuitry underlying social behavior is among the questions being addressed by three newly NIMH-funded studies.Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database May Aid Search for Related Genestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91372008-04-03T06:04:37ZEarly findings from the recently launched Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database were published in the August 2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.Mental Disorders Account for Large Percentage of Adult Role Disabilitytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91072008-04-03T06:04:33ZAn NIMH-funded study finds that more than half of U.S. adults have a mental or physical condition that prevents them from working or conducting their usual duties (e.g., role disability) for several days each year, and a large portion of those days can be attributed to mental disorders.Depressed Adolescents Respond Best to Combination Treatmenttag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:90862008-04-03T06:04:25ZA combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication appears to be the most effective treatment for adolescents with major depressive disorder—more than medication alone or psychotherapy alone.Scientists May Have Found Long-Pursued Binding Site for Antidepressantstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:90872008-04-03T06:04:29ZNIMH-funded scientists have a major new clue as to where the long-pursued binding site for commonly used antidepressants – potentially the site that triggers the medications’ effects – may be on brain cells. The finding could lead to better medications for depression, but also has important implications for other mental illnesses because it addresses a biological flaw that a number of them share.Eating Disorderstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:90832008-04-03T06:04:45ZA detailed booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.Genes Linked to Suicidal Thinking During Antidepressant Treatmenttag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:90532008-04-03T06:04:21ZSpecific variations in two genes are linked to suicidal thinking that sometimes occurs in people taking the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants, according to a large study led by scientists at NIMH. Depending on the particular mix inherited, these versions increased the likelihood of such thoughts from 2- to15-fold, the study found.New Collaboration Evaluates Effectiveness of Mental Illness Educational Projecttag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:89152008-04-03T06:04:06ZTwo new grants funded by NIMH will examine the effectiveness of educational materials designed to teach young people about mental illnesses and reduce the stigma associated with them.Newly Funded Center Dedicated to Mental Health Research for Asian Americanstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:89172008-04-03T06:04:10ZA new, five-year, NIMH-funded project will establish a national center to study mental health issues affecting Asian Americans.Drops in SSRI prescription rates may coincide with increases in youth suicidestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:89542008-04-03T08:04:20ZA 2004 spike in suicide rates may have coincided with a drop in antidepressant prescriptions for youth, following warnings from U.S. and European regulatory agencies that the medications might trigger suicidal thoughts.Family Involvement and Focused Intervention May be Key to Helping Teens with Bulimiatag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:89162008-04-03T04:04:30ZFamily-based treatment for adolescent bulimia nervosa (FBT-BN) is more effective than an individual-based therapy called supportive psychotherapy (SPT) in helping teens overcome bulimia according to an NIMH-funded study.NIH Conference on Building the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in the Service of Public Healthtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91782008-04-03T07:04:34ZOBSSR, NCI, NIDA, NIAAA, NICHD, and NIMH sponsored the first of five annual meetings on the state of the science of dissemination and implementation research.Global Survey Reveals Significant Gap in Meeting World's Mental Health Care Needstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:89612008-04-03T04:04:46ZMental disorders rank among the top ten illnesses causing disability—more than 37 percent worldwide—with depression being the leading cause of disability among people ages 15 and older, according to the Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors published in 2006.New Research to Help Youth with Mental Disorders Transition to Adulthoodtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:87282008-04-03T04:04:18ZAs young people with mental health disorders transition from adolescence to adulthood, they frequently face new and difficult challenges such as the loss of state-issued benefits like Medicaid and foster care, or loss of family-based insurance coverage. Unfortunately, many are not prepared for the abrupt transition and may not be able to effectively manage their disorder on their own.Rates of Bipolar Diagnosis in Youth Rapidly Climbing, Treatment Patterns Similar to Adultstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:89622008-04-03T10:04:22ZThe number of visits to a doctor's office that resulted in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents has increased by 40 times over the last decade, reported researchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).NIMH Perspective on Diagnosing and Treating Bipolar Disorder in Childrentag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:87172008-04-03T10:04:04ZA recently published research paper (September 2007, Archives of General Psychiatry) reported a 40-fold increase in the rate of diagnosing bipolar disorder in youth over the past decade.Studies Refine Understanding of Treatments for Bipolar Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:87272008-04-03T06:04:03ZTwo new studies provide additional details on best practices for treating people with bipolar disorder, a sometimes debilitating illness marked by severe mood swings between depression and mania. The two studies are part of the NIMH-funded Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD).Bipolar Youth Show Distinct Pattern of Brain Developmenttag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:86762008-04-03T10:04:06ZThe first picturess of the brain changing before-and-after the onset of pediatric bipolar disorder reveal a distinct pattern of development, when compared to that seen in healthy youth or in childhood onset schizophrenia.Suspect Schizophrenia Genes Act Together to Thwart Working Memorytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:86822008-04-03T08:04:11ZTwo gene variants implicated in schizophrenia interact to degrade the brain's ability to process information, NIMH researchers have discovered. The interaction impaired working memory — retaining information from moment to moment. Such thinking problems are a hallmark of this severe mental illness that affects about one percent of the population.Unpleasant Words Trigger Strong Startle Response in People with Borderline Personality Disordertag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:86062008-04-03T04:04:39ZAdults with borderline personality disorder (BPD) showed excessive emotional reactions when looking at words with unpleasant meanings compared to healthy people during an emotionally stimulating task, according to NIMH-funded researchers. They also found that people with more severe BPD showed a greater difference in emotional responding compared to people with less severe BPD.Behavioral Interventions Effective for Preschoolers with ADHDtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:86742008-04-03T04:04:52ZTwo types of early interventions designed to reduce symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschoolers may be effective alternatives or additions to medication treatment, according to a recent NIMH-funded study.New Studies Search for Clues to Mental Illness in Gatekeepers of Gene Expressiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:86692008-04-03T06:04:53ZWhat goes awry in the brain to cause mental illness may ultimately be traced to glitches in genes - but not necessarily the parts of genes commonly suspected. Rather than the areas of genes that code for proteins, the secrets may be hidden in mysterious short sequences of genetic material called microRNAs.Half of Children With Autism May be Diagnosable Soon After Their First Birthdaytag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:86732008-04-03T06:04:58ZAbout half of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be diagnosed soon after their first birthday; others with the disorder may appear to develop normally until that age and then falter or regress during their second year, NIMH-funded researchers have discovered.New Director for Division of Adult Translational Research and Treatment Development Joins NIMHtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:90252008-04-03T10:04:11ZFollowing a competitive, nationwide search, Wayne K. Goodman, M.D., joined NIMH in July 2007 as Director, Division of Adult Translational Research and Treatment Development (DATR).Roundtable on Mood Disorders and Hormonal Transitionstag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91872008-04-03T07:04:32ZNIMH co-sponsored the roundtable with the Society for Women’s Health Research. The meeting brought together experts in the areas of postpartum and perimenopause related depression, in order to share information regarding research in mood disorders associated with reproductive hormone change.NIMH Annual International Research Conference on the Role of Families in Preventing and Adapting to HIV/AIDStag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91862008-04-03T07:04:26ZNIMH and the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at UC San Francisco co-sponsored a conference in San Francisco aimed at Responding to the Social Context of HIV Risk The Role of Families and Support Networks.Enhancing the Impact of Mental Health Services Researchtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91882008-04-03T07:04:37ZThe Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology Branch of DSIR sponsored the 19th National Conference on Mental Health Services Research: “Enhancing the Impact of Mental Health Services Research”.NeuroAIDS in Asia and the Pacific Rimtag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91832008-04-03T07:04:06ZIn conjunction with the fourth International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention held in Sydney, Australia, NIMH co-sponsored a meeting to highlight the current research relating to neurological and neuropsychological complications of HIV infection in the Asia Pacific region. The meeting also assessed the impact of HIV associated opportunistic and co-infections on the nervous system.Mental Health Consideration in Secondary HIV Preventiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91802008-04-03T07:04:44ZThe Secondary Prevention and Translation Branch of NIMH’s Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS (CMHRA) hosted a meeting that focused on identifying target areas for new research on the intersection of secondary HIV prevention and mental health, specifically related to HIV-infected individuals with psychiatric disorders living in the United States.Novel Methods for Examining Prefrontal Interactions with Cortical and Subcortical Systems that Support Complex Mental Functiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91762008-04-03T07:04:10ZNIMH sponsored this workshop to identify the gaps in understanding of the anatomical and functional influences of the prefrontal cortex on circuits supporting complex mental functions, and to assess technologies that could enable a more precise understanding of these brain networks.Third Annual Meeting of the Developing Centers for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicidetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91842008-04-03T07:04:18ZNIMH, NIDA, and NIAAA co-sponsored a meeting of the Developing Centers for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicide.Child and Adolescent Onset Schizophrenia: Research Challenges and Opportunitiestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:85832008-04-03T07:04:59ZIn June 2007, NIMH and the NIH ORD convened a meeting for brainstorming and discussion between basic, translational, and clinical investigators to review the current knowledge on causes, neurobiology, developmental trajectory, and treatment of child- and adolescent-onset schizophrenia.NIMH Special Symposium: Mental Illness, the Person, and Prisontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91772008-04-03T07:04:27ZIn May 2007, NIMH hosted a symposium on the urgent problem of prisoners with serious mental illness.Evolving Mechanisms of HIV Neuropathogenesis: Domestic and Global Issuestag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:91822008-04-03T07:04:55ZNIMH co-sponsored an international meeting in Venice, Italy to discuss research on disease mechanisms that lead to chronic and milder forms of HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) disease following long-term anti-retroviral therapy.Depressiontag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:94172008-04-03T08:04:57ZA detailed booklet that describes Depression symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Fact Sheettag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:52082008-04-03T08:04:56ZA fact sheet with a brief description of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its treatment.Former NIMH Grantee Wins 2005 National Medal of Sciencetag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:57722008-04-03T10:04:55ZFormer NIMH Grantee Wins 2005 National Medal of ScienceNIMH Draft Strategic Plantag:nimh.nih.gov,2000:94582008-04-03T10:04:53ZNIMH has completed a draft of a Strategic Plan and seeks public feedback before the main text is finalized.