Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

M-3 Information introduces iPhone application for depression, anxiety disorders

M-3 Information entered the smart phone application environment by offering the M-3 Checklist, a scientifically validated screen for depression and anxiety disorders, at the iTunes store on Friday, April 30, 2010. Adapted from M-3 Information's existing mymoodmonitor.com website, this mobile version, called mym3, provides the same validated mental health questionnaire optimized for smart phones. A first in iPhone applications, mym3 is designed to create a bridge between user responses and recommendations set forth in the content-rich M3 website application.

7 May 2010

Sleep disturbance may result in negative consequences among residents of ALFs: Study

In a study of residents of Assisted Living Facilities in Los Angeles showed that 65% had clinically significant sleeping problems and that poor sleep was associated with declining quality of life and increased depression over a six month follow-up period. This study is published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

7 May 2010

Natazia tablets receive FDA approval for prevention of pregnancy

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Natazia (estradiol valerate and estradiol valerate/dienogest) tablets for the prevention of pregnancy.

7 May 2010

Obama signs bill to expand health care access for veterans, provide more caregiver benefits

President Barack Obama signed a bill Wednesday that expands access to health care for veterans and provides a monthly stipend and health care for caregivers of American soldiers severely injured in Afghanistan or Iraq, The Associated Press reports. "Under the bill, caregivers of the estimated 2,000 severely wounded veterans from the recent conflicts are eligible for training, a monthly stipend and health care.

7 May 2010

Sleep problems can increase depression and reduce quality of life in older people

In a study of residents of Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) in Los Angeles showed that 65% had clinically significant sleeping problems and that poor sleep was associated with declining quality of life and increased depression over a six month follow-up period. This study is published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

7 May 2010

Biovail reports 27% increase in first-quarter 2010 total revenues

Biovail Corporation today announced its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010.

6 May 2010

Neuroscientists investigate alcohol dependency, withdrawal in C. elegans worms

Drinking alcohol over a long period of time profoundly affects the brain, which adapts to the intoxicant and causes withdrawal symptoms when consumption stops.

6 May 2010

Angelenos observe Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

Angelenos observe "Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in the City of Los Angeles" today, thanks to a proclamation introduced by Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, signed by the mayor and adopted by council in chambers yesterday.

6 May 2010

New techniques to help women make decisions, increase safety during IPV

A new research study to be conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing associate professor Nancy Glass will help women plan for their personal safety when ending an abusive relationship.

6 May 2010

New film on depression, drugs and alternative paths to better mental health

A new film on depression, drugs and alternative paths to better mental health will premiere Wednesday, May 12th at UltraStar Cinemas in Del Mar, CA. An answer to the pharmaceutical industry's media blitz, Living Life Films' "Changing Our Minds" questions society's values while revealing interesting and disturbing truths about psychiatry and the drug industry.

6 May 2010

Round-up: Minnesota budget news; Coverage expansions in S.D. and Oregon; and states' opposition to federal health reform

The Minnesota House passed a bill on health care Tuesday that readies the state for implementing the federal health care overhaul and makes $170 million in cuts to mental health and other social programs, The (St. Paul, Minn.) Pioneer Press reports. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has promised to veto the bill over what he sees as a tax increase.

6 May 2010

Sermo Category Report: About 30% of patients suffer from depression

Sermo, the world's largest online community for physicians, today announced a Sermo Category Report titled Antidepressant Treatment Behaviors. The report surveyed more than 200 primary care physicians and covers a variety of topics including product choice drivers, treatment paths, referring habits, and overall issues in depression management.

6 May 2010

Researchers to identify rare genetic mutation to produce histamine against TS

A single, very unusual family with Tourette syndrome has led Yale School of Medicine researchers to identify a rare mutation in a gene that is required to produce histamine. The finding provides a new framework to understand many years of data on the role of histamine function in the brain and points to a potentially novel approach to treatment of tics and Tourette.

6 May 2010

Scientists use specialized fluorescent protein to study nerve cell activity

Electrical currents are invisible to the naked eye - at least they are when they flow through metal cables. In nerve cells, however, scientists are able to make electrical signals visible. Working with fellow experts from Switzerland and Japan, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg successfully used a specialized fluorescent protein to visualize electrical activity in neurons of living mice.

6 May 2010

Making stem cells in the lab: a training program and a study

Young researchers will now be trained for the first time by the Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) in scientific techniques of using and growing human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in research. This training will be through StemCore iPS Cell Workshop, the ASCC's national facility for the provision of stem cells and advice.

5 May 2010

Spouses of dementia sufferers at higher risk of developing dementia

Older married adults whose spouse has dementia are at significantly higher risk for developing dementia themselves, compared to similar older married adults whose spouse never develops dementia. This is the key finding of a study published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

5 May 2010

Researchers analyze spine surgery patients' existing comorbdities in relationship to hospital stay, costs

It is estimated that between 75 and 85 percent of all Americans will suffer from low back pain and/or neck pain at some point in their lives. An estimated 12 million Americans suffer from degenerative disc disease, with over one million patients undergoing surgery each year. The cost of treating back pain is currently estimated at more than $100 billion annually in the U.S. Many patients with back pain have comorbidities that impact spine surgery.

5 May 2010

Pre-treatment quality-of-life scores predict malignancy in patients with pancreatic disease

Quality-of-life measures used routinely to assess treatment outcomes for patients with pancreatic disease may be used to predict both malignancy and survival for those patients, according to a study by Henry Ford Hospital.

5 May 2010

Ventral striatum plays important role in circuitry of reward-oriented behavior: Researchers

An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older - about one in four adults - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder every year, which equates to approximately 57.7 million adults. Severe psychiatric illness affects a much smaller number of people - about 6 percent, or 1 in 17. Worldwide, an estimated 340 million people suffer from an episode of major depression every year.

5 May 2010

Health Net reports net earnings of $16.1M in 2010 first quarter

Health Net, Inc. today announced 2010 first quarter GAAP net income of $16.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared with $22.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2009.

5 May 2010