Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests. It appears in ACS' weekly journal Biochemistry.

1 Jul 2010

Neuralstem announces completion of $10 million registered direct offering

Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE Amex: CUR) announced that it has completed its previously announced registered direct offering of $10 million of units to institutional investors. The units were priced at $2.80 and consisted of: (i) one share of common stock, and (ii) 3/4 common stock purchase warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $3.25 and a term of three years. Net proceeds from this offering, after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses, total approximately $9.2 million. All of the securities were offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement.

1 Jul 2010

Focus shifts to mental health policies

According to Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the Coalition has gone “crazy” for providing funds to promote its mental health policy by closing down the Labour health reforms in general practice and record keeping.

1 Jul 2010

Blue Shield of California offers SilverSneakers Fitness Program to Medicare Supplement Plan subscribers

Blue Shield of California is now offering the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program to subscribers of Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans throughout California. SilverSneakers, the nation's leading social support and exercise program designed to keep seniors healthy, has been a popular benefit with California Medicare HMOs, but Blue Shield is one of the few health plans in the state to offer the benefit as part of its Medicare Supplement plans as well.

30 Jun 2010

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

Three months after health reform was enacted, state leaders are beginning to make decisions about implementing the new law, Politico reports: "With the messy politics of health reform, the burden of balancing state budgets and the goal of expanding health coverage, lawmakers at the state level have had mixed reactions."

30 Jun 2010

Qigong and Tai Chi offer physical and mental health benefits

An across-the-board review of the health effects of Qigong and Tai Chi finds these practices offer many physical and mental health advantages with benefits for the heart, immune system and overall quality of life.

30 Jun 2010

States struggle as Congress fails to come through with extra Medicaid money

Congress' rejection - at least for now - of a package extending $16 billion in Medicaid funding and $35.5 billion in other jobless benefits has left at least 30 states struggling to balance next fiscal year's budgets with tax increases, spending cuts and layoffs, The Associated Press reports. The new fiscal year begins in just days for most states.

30 Jun 2010

New hope for patients with drug-resistant depression

New research shows that a unique strain of laboratory mice characterized at Penn State University has behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical characteristics that are similar to those of human patients with drug-resistant forms of depression.

30 Jun 2010

FDA grants approval for first generic version of Effexor XR antidepressant capsules

On June 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of Effexor XR capsules (venlafaxine hydrochloride) to treat major depressive disorder.

30 Jun 2010

Oil spill disaster raises concern in the Gulf region

Two months after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion caused the oil spill now globally acknowledged as the worst environmental disaster in our nation's history, the residents of the Gulf region immediately impacted are exhibiting dramatically high levels of anxiety, both among adults and children, about the future health and well-being of the region. Many children – and parents – still recovering from Katrina are now reeling from a second major trauma as a result of the oil catastrophe.

30 Jun 2010

Teenage girls more likely to perceive potential benefits of drug and alcohol use

Survey data released today by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America® and MetLife Foundation found that teenage girls are more likely than teenage boys to perceive potential benefits from drug use and drinking, making teen girls more vulnerable to drug and alcohol abuse.

29 Jun 2010

Adolescent girls who perceive being overweight are more likely to feel depressed

Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to Penn State sociologists.

29 Jun 2010

High-risk insurance program in Pennsylvania for uninsured individuals with pre-existing medical conditions

The federal government has approved Pennsylvania's application to offer a high-risk insurance program for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, state Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said today.

29 Jun 2010

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Because of its intricate organization, figuring out the wiring diagram that explains how the billions of neurons in the brain are connected, and determining how they work together, remains a formidable task.

29 Jun 2010

Combination therapy for severe depression

Severe depression is life threatening. So it is worth every effort to get depression under control and make life more manageable. For most people, that means some combination of antidepressant drugs and talk therapy.

29 Jun 2010

New therapy for people suffering from body dysmorphic disorder

A nose job to treat a mental health problem? Teeth whitening to overcome a severe anxiety disorder? These are just two procedures that people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have traditionally turned to in order to deal with body-related concerns.

29 Jun 2010

Researchers suggest factors that predict pre-Alzheimer's condition

Mild cognitive impairment is often seen as a transition stage between the cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious problems of Alzheimer's disease. But what leads to mild cognitive impairment?

29 Jun 2010

Researchers use neonatal piglet model to study infant brain development

Events occurring during the development of an infant's brain can leave behind fingerprints. And researchers at the University of Illinois are interested in learning how these fingerprints can predict future behavioral problems such as cognitive deficits, anxiety disorders, depression, and even autism.

29 Jun 2010

Study finds no link between internet and gambling addictions, but affected individuals have common psychological profiles

A study of university students found no overlap between those reporting excessive Internet use and those with problem gambling.

29 Jun 2010

Endometriosis can affect women's work productivity

The first worldwide study of the societal impact of endometriosis has found a significant loss of work productivity among those women who suffer from the condition, a researcher told the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Monday).

29 Jun 2010

Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Neuralstem announces completion of $10 million registered direct offering

Focus shifts to mental health policies

Blue Shield of California offers SilverSneakers Fitness Program to Medicare Supplement Plan subscribers

Health law provisions kicking in; States prepare for high-risk insurance pool implementation

Qigong and Tai Chi offer physical and mental health benefits

States struggle as Congress fails to come through with extra Medicaid money

New hope for patients with drug-resistant depression

FDA grants approval for first generic version of Effexor XR antidepressant capsules

Oil spill disaster raises concern in the Gulf region

Teenage girls more likely to perceive potential benefits of drug and alcohol use

Adolescent girls who perceive being overweight are more likely to feel depressed

High-risk insurance program in Pennsylvania for uninsured individuals with pre-existing medical conditions

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Combination therapy for severe depression

New therapy for people suffering from body dysmorphic disorder

Researchers suggest factors that predict pre-Alzheimer's condition

Researchers use neonatal piglet model to study infant brain development

Study finds no link between internet and gambling addictions, but affected individuals have common psychological profiles

Endometriosis can affect women's work productivity

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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