A study of patients on anti-depressants reveals that the drugs may, on the whole, be averse to one’s health. Compared to the risks of the drugs, including sexual problems, stroke, and digestive problems, the benefits might not be worth it, some scientists argue. Commonly prescribed anti-depressants appear to be doing patients more harm than good,… [Continue Reading]
Cognitive Therapy Effective for Those At Risk for Schizophrenia
April 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Cognitive therapy, which involves regular meetings with health care professionals, reduces the severity and frequency of psychosis in at-risk young adults. A study of nearly 300 young people has found the effects after six months of weekly therapy sessions. Cognitive therapy reduces the severity of psychotic experiences in adults who are at risk of developing… [Continue Reading]
Deep Brain Stimulation Used to Treat Severe Depression
April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Severe depression is devastating to patients, often rendering them unable to even get out of bed. Often not responding to conventional medication, their treatment options are limited. Research is ongoing, however, in the technique of Deep Brain Stimulation, which electrically stimulates a certain part of the brain. People with severe depression are constantly despondent, lacking… [Continue Reading]
Inflammation of the Body Can Increase Symptoms of Depression
April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A correlation between inflammation and the likelihood of suffering symptoms of depression has been discovered by researchers. The study has found that abnormal processing of glucose in the brain, suggesting systemic inflammation, is linked to behavior and mood changes. New research published in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine reveals that systemic… [Continue Reading]
Untreated Depression Common After Stroke
April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Depression that goes unrecognized and untreated by health care providers is a significant problem after stroke, a new study reports. Over 5 million people are living with the effects of a stroke, and the findings suggest that physicians should increase screening for mental well-being in their patients. People who have experienced a stroke or transient… [Continue Reading]
Cells from Schizophrenic Patients Show Distinct Changes in DNA Modification
March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A study of cells from patients suffering from schizophrenia has revealed that their DNA shows a distinct set of modifications compared to control individuals. The result could lead to a relatively simple test to diagnose the disorder, and may give insights on the molecular changes that happen in the brain. In a new study, researchers… [Continue Reading]
Stimulating the Brain with Electrical Current Effective to Treat Depression
March 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Using electrodes on the scalp to mildly stimulate the brain is effective in treating severe depression, new evidence indicates. Researchers examined depressed patients, for whom other treatments have failed, undergoing the treatment or a mock procedure. Treated patients reported significant improvement in their symptoms. Stimulating the brain with a weak electrical current is a safe… [Continue Reading]
Promoting New Brain Cell Growth Could Be a Novel Approach to Treat Depression
March 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mouse models have shown that reducing the function of a specific protein causes an increase in the birth of neurons in the hippocampus, a key region of the brain. The change resulted in a reduction of depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting modulating the number of cells in the region could be a new approach to… [Continue Reading]
Correlation Found Between Suffering from Migraines and Depression
February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The incidence of depression is higher in women suffering from migraines, a new study has demonstrated. The work examined thousands of women, and found that those having a history of any type of migraine had a 40% greater chance of developing depression. The finding suggests that there may be a common cause between the two… [Continue Reading]
Depression Association with Low Levels of Vitamin D
January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A new study demonstrates that depression correlates with reduced levels of vitamin D, which our body produces when exposed to sunlight. Scientists examined over 12,000 individuals to make the conclusion, and suggest that screening levels of vitamin D may be an important tool when assessing a patient’s risk for the condition. Low levels of vitamin… [Continue Reading]