November, 2009
Researchers Identify Violent Behavior Cues
The effective prediction of violent behavior can prevent future situations that can involve illegal acts or even death. Violent behavior can be the result of childhood conditions, alcohol intake and personality disorders.
New research from the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Central Hospital Psychiatry Centre show that diagnosing severe personality disorders, evaluating the childhood environment, assessing alcohol consumption and the analysis of the MAOA genotype could provide more accurate methods for assess risk among violent offenders.
Study Identifies Clear Link between Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk
For years, researchers have been investigating the link between alcohol and cancer. Scientists have assumed that alcohol consumption increases the risk of several types of cancer. That assumption has now been confirmed with new research.
Private MD Labs recently posted a piece that examines a study which is set to be published in January. This study confirms that a passageway, called the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) likely plays a part in the process that causes cancer cells affected by alcohol to spread and grow.
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Easing Nightmares Can Help Treat Depression and Other Maladies
Some psychology experts say that treating disturbing nightmares directly can help relieve symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and other mental health problems.
Kim Painter of USA Today writes that when Yael Levy went to the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center two years ago for help with her insomnia, she found that her nightmares were also treatable. Levy knew she had conquered her life-long nightmares the night she was able to turn a circle of sharks into a ring of dolphins. “I was able to change my nightmare while it was happening,” said the 29-year-old New York City graduate student. “I had control over my dreams.”
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New Magnetic Stimulation Offers Noninvasive Treatment for Major Depression
Rush University Medical Center has opened the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Clinic to offer patients a safe, effective, non-drug treatment for major depression. TMS therapy is the first FDA-approved, non-invasive antidepressant device-based treatment clinically proven for treatment of depression.
Science Daily reports that psychiatrists at Rush University Medical Center were among the first to test the technique. Dr. Philip Janicak, professor of psychiatry and lead investigator at Rush for the clinical trials of TMS, helped develop the therapy.
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Studies Examine Genetic Roots in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can be debilitating for the individual suffering, as well as family and friends. Medications can deliver some relief, but the most effective treatments will be developed as a result of intense research into the makeup of such psychological impairments.
Three genome-wide studies have identified an array of genetic variation that could be responsible for a minimum of one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One study in particular traced both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to the same area of chromosomes.
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Genetics Can Determine Why Adolescents Drink
A person’s background and family history have a lot to do with whether or not they will deal with an alcohol problem at any time in their lives. A number of studies into the association between alcoholism and genes have been conducted on adults. Now, a new study examines the association between genetics and alcohol misuse among adolescents.
Science Daily recently posted a release that examined the findings of this study that are set to be published in the January 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.
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CBT Treatment Proven Effective for PTSD Veterans
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have left a great deal of soldiers needing to seek comprehensive care back home in the United States. While a bulk of this care has been physical, some are also seeking attention for psychological trauma. Some of this trauma is a result of what the soldiers saw, while some can be attributed to acute pain.
Science Daily recently posted a release that highlighted the common sources of pain. These sources include the head, legs and shoulders. Veterans are also reporting high rates of mental health issues, not the least of which is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and alcohol use disorders.
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Pregnant Women More Susceptible to Flu if Depressed
While the flu season did come earlier this year, it has settled like a black fog throughout the country. For women who are pregnant, the threat of the flu can bring with it increased risks, driving many to receive the flu vaccine. For those pregnant women who are also dealing with depression, the vaccine could be a lifesaver.
Science Daily posted a release that covered a recent study into the effects depression has on pregnant women. One of the findings was that these women tend to have a stronger biological reaction to the seasonal flu vaccine, suggesting that the immune systems in depressed and pregnant women are not functioning as normal.
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Mediterranean Diet May Ward Off Depression
People diet for a number of different reasons; including better health, smaller waistline and improved self-image. For those who follow the Mediterranean diet, they are also likely to improve their overall disposition.
Science Daily posted a release that examined the impact this diet has on a person. Those who follow the diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish, appear less likely to develop depression.
Overall, the lifetime prevalence of mental disorders has been shown to be lower in Mediterranean than Northern European countries. The diet appears to be a contributing factor to protect against depression. Previous studies suggest that the monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil may be associated with a lower risk of severe depressive symptoms.
Intravenous Ketamine Treatment in Depressed Patients Reduces Suicidal Tendencies
Treating depression with medication can be a precarious approach. The physician is faced with a dilemma as the patient may be suicidal and needs medication to take rapid affect. At the same time, the patient may be prone to addiction and prescribing something for the depression could lead to other problems.
The Science Daily recently reported that specific drug treatment options for depression can take weeks to deliver the desired beneficial effects. This is clearly a risk factor when the depressed individual is prone to be suicidal.
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