Mental Health Weekly Digest articles from March 2003

Mental Health Weekly Digest archives from March 2003

Loss of mental, functional abilities not foregone conclusion for those in their 90s.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new Mayo Clinic study shows that the fears of many related to living into one's 90s and beyond - getting lost in your own neighborhood; losing the ability to take care of financial affairs; having a...

Study suggests three times more Americans than earlier believed may be affected.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Results from a landmark U.S. study show that three times as many people may suffer from bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, than previously believed. The survey results from more than...

A single promoter variant in the TNFRSF6 gene appears to be associated.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "The tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 6 gene (TNFRSF6) is situated on chromosome 10q, near the region indicated in several AD linkage studies. In a previous study a significant...

CAP37, a monocyte recruiter, may also serve as a neuroinflammatory protein.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "Recent evidence suggests that inflammation and immune function in the central, nervous system (CNS) may play a considerable role in the progression of many...

Adrenal hormone and cortisol stress reactions were lowered by some GI drugs.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Japan, "Rikkunshi-to, a gastrointestinal function regulatory traditional Chinese herbal (Kampo) medicine, has recently been evaluated for its clinical usefulness in...

Quality of life and psychosocial burden should be seen as clinical problem.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Few studies have examined relationships and differences in reported results between the parent, child, and clinician. We examined parent proxy and clinician reported functional status, and health...

Mania indication sought for Seroquel in Europe.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AstraZeneca has submitted an application to the 14 European Member States involved in the Mutual Recognition Procedure for Seroquel (quetiapine) to be granted a license for the treatment of manic...

Some anticonvulsants appear promising for treatment of bipolar depression.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and valproate are now widely recognized and used mood stabilizers as adjuncts or alternatives to lithium carbonate. Like...

Biotech company discovers major depression gene, DEP1.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc., (MYGN) announced the discovery of a new gene, named DEP1, that causes depression. The DEP1 gene will form the basis of a drug discovery and development program with Abbott...

AN/BN patients have autoantibodies that bind to alpha-MSH, ACTH, and LHRH.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus is involved in the control of energy intake and expenditure and may participate in the pathogenesis of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia...

Brain phospholipase A2 level was reduced without affecting phosphorylation.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Lithium, used to treat bipolar disorder, has been reported to decrease rat brain mRNA and protein levels of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), an enzyme that selectively hydrolyzes arachidonic acid...

BDNF increase may have implications for etiology, treatment of some diseases.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and has survival-promoting actions on a variety of CNS neurons," researchers in the United States...

Mania indication sought for Seroquel (quetiapine) in Europe.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AstraZeneca announced that it has submitted an application to the 14 European Member States involved in the Mutual Recognition Procedure for Seroquel (quetiapine) to be granted a license for the...

Surgeons find PTSD in 52% of patients who experience orthopedic trauma.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychological condition initially described as affecting combat veterans who have suffered severe emotional or physical trauma, is now being recognized in...

Preliminary evidence suggests control by GnRH-II is energy dependent.
March 3, 2003... 2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "GnRH is the master neuropeptide that coordinates and regulates reproduction in all vertebrates and some nonvertebrates. Sixteen forms of GnRH have been...

VA care for mentally ill heart attack patients shows little disparity.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Unlike many private hospitals, Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers do a good job of providing equal care for heart attack patients with a history of mental illness or substance abuse, according to a...

Women abused as children show elevated hormonal responses to stress.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women who were sexually or physically abused as children show significantly elevated hormonal responses to stress compared to women with no history of childhood abuse, according to a study by...

Call for longer-term use of antidepressants.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Authors of a U.K. study highlight how longer-term use of antidepressants - by a year or more in addition to standard 4-6 month treatment - could substantially reduce the risk of relapse for people with...

Scientists discover possible brain cell mechanism link.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have discovered a key cellular mechanism in the brain possibly involved in mental retardation. The research may be used to develop new drugs or...

Depression increases the risk of mortality.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from Denmark, "It is unclear if depression or depressive symptoms have an effect on mortality in breast cancer patients. In this population based, nationwide, retrospective cohort...

Condition undiagnosed in many elderly.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Old-age symptoms can mask signs of depression, making it difficult to diagnose and treat about 2 million older adults nationwide who suffer from depression, doctors say. Seniors may not present...

Only the lateral amygdala's ventral tip is responsive to conditioning.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Poland, "Rats were subjected to 2 aversive learning protocols; either classical (fear conditioning) or instrumental (2 way active avoidance training). Next,...

Novel simian model provides insight into pathogenesis.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel simian model has provided new insight into the pathogenesis of HIV-associated dementia. "Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced the incidence of dementia, a...

Maternal illness causes behavioral and drug-related changes in offspring.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "Maternal viral infection is known to increase the risk for schizophrenia and autism in the offspring. Using this observation in an animal model, we find...

NIH awards grant to develop new technology for discovering psychiatric drugs.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Renovis, Inc., announced that it has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant supports development of novel...

Zoloft receives FDA approval for treatment of social anxiety disorder.
March 10, 2003... 2003 MAR 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pfizer, Inc., reported that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) for acute and long-term treatment of social anxiety disorder....

Screening test can help identify cancer survivors at risk for emotional distress.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A relatively brief screening test can give caregivers a good indication of which cancer survivors are emotionally distressed and may benefit from further psychological evaluation, according to new...

Critique must encompass experience as seen by different discourse communities.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Critique must encompass experience as seen by different discourse communities. According to a study from Australia, "Discourse communities are groups of people who share common ideologies, and...

Asian Americans face higher levels of poverty, depression.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Elderly Asian American New Yorkers experience poverty and depression at a higher rate than the general elderly population, and few programs and services are available to meet their needs, according to...

Men with lower urinary tract symptoms should be screened, for peace of mind.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Men with lower urinary tract symptoms should be screened, for peace of mind. According to recent research from England, "To explore the concerns and worries in men with uncomplicated lower urinary...

Chaser is effective in hangover prevention.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Living Essentials, makers of Chaser - Freedom from Hangovers and Chaser for Wine Headaches, announced the results of a clinical trial conducted by Herbal Research Clinic to assess the efficacy and...

Forecast: Sales of antipsychotics and anticonvulsants to hit $2.6B in 2011.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Decision Resources, Inc., forecasts that sales of antipsychotics and anticonvulsants for the bipolar drug market will reach $2.6 billion in 2011; this figure will represent nearly 90% of the total...

Alcohol researchers identify a genetic basis of pain response.
March 17, 2003... 2003 MAR 17 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A common genetic variant influences individual responses and adaptation to pain and other stressful stimuli and may underlie vulnerability to many psychiatric and other complex diseases, reports David...

Alcohol researchers relate a genetic factor to anxiety in women.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers have identified a genetic factor that appears to influence anxiety in women. Combining DNA analysis, recordings of brain activity, and psychological tests, investigators at the National...

Many patients have low satisfaction with care.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antidepressant drugs are the most prevalent, and often the only, treatment offered to patients newly diagnosed with depression, even when mental health therapy is readily available, according to a new...

Asian American survivors used spirituality to cope with breast cancer.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Asian American survivors used spirituality to cope with breast cancer. According to recent research from the United States, "Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and affects...

Cocaine use may alter brain cells, play role in depression.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A study by researchers from the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center suggests that chronic cocaine use may cause damage to brain cells that help produce feelings of...

Drug may not treat certain forms of disease.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A drug used to treat a rare form of leukemia may not fight the same disease in the central nervous system, according to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. ...

Psychiatric Solutions names Brent Turner as VP, treasurer and investor relations.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., (PSYS) announced that it has hired Brent Turner as vice president, treasurer and investor relations. Turner had been the CFO of Educational Services of America, which...

Metadate CD now available in 100-count bottle.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Celltech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced the introduction of once-daily Metadate CD (methylphenidate HCl, USP) Extended-Release Capsules (CII) 20 mg in a new, convenient 100-count bottle. ...

Ramsay Youth Services opens Macon behavioral treatment system.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Ramsay Youth Services, Inc., (RYOU) announced that it opened the Macon Behavioral Treatment System, a 131-bed residential treatment center in Macon, Georgia. The treatment center will primarily...

IRS settlement concluded; company makes payment to IRS.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Comprehensive Care Corporation (CHCR), a company specializing in managed behavioral healthcare and employee assistance services through its operating subsidiaries, announced that on February 26, 2003,...

Patient's sense of increased control correlates with alternative medicine use.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Patient's sense of increased control correlates with alternative medicine use. According to a study from the United States, "Research has shown that perceptions of control influence health related...

Breast cancer patients of different origin perceive spousal support differently.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Breast cancer patients of different origin perceive spousal support differently. According to recent research from the United States, "In light of the Western focus in the breast cancer literature...

Women with cosmetic breast implants more likely to commit suicide.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women who undergo cosmetic surgery for breast augmentation are more likely to commit suicide than women from the general population, finds a new study. Researchers identified 3,521 Swedish women...

Conference fosters mobilization of common efforts to stem opiate addiction.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "The Opiate Challenge: What Science, Service and Communities Can Do Today" will bring together national and state experts and practitioners of all disciplines to grapple with the issues surrounding the...

Optimism may play a role in postradiation quality of life.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Optimism may play a role in postradiation quality of life. According to recent research from People's Republic of China, "Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is prevalent in southern China. In...

Different cannabinoids including nonpsychoactive ones are reviewed.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Different cannabinoids including nonpsychoactive ones are reviewed. "There is good evidence that plant derived and synthetic cannabinoids possess neuroprotective properties. These compounds, as a...

Guide available on adoption.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The first, easy-to-use guide to adoption designed for pregnancy counselors has been published by Celebrate Adoption and Adoptions Together. "A Guide to Adoption for Health Care & Counseling...

Emotional bonds increased in poor Mexican families with a sick child.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Emotional bonds increased in poor Mexican families with a sick child. "Little research has been done in developing countries on the emotional impact experienced by families who have a child...

The Taiwan version of post-NPC treatment questionnaire was successful.
March 24, 2003... 2003 MAR 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The Taiwan version of post-NPC treatment questionnaire was successful. "The authors followed the guidelines of translation and pilot testing of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires....

Moderate consumption of alcohol associated with lower risk among older adults.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Having one to six alcoholic drinks a week is linked with a lower risk for dementia for older adults, compared to abstaining from alcohol, according a study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in...

Cognitive behavioral therapy plus exercise may alleviate symptoms.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exercising provides modest relief from some of the symptoms associated with chronic, multisymptom illnesses like Gulf War Veterans' illnesses (GWVI), according to a...

Hospital patients recovering from heart attacks poorly managed.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Anxiety is often poorly managed in patients recovering from a heart attack, new research reports. While medical records revealed that nearly three-quarters of 101 patients in the study had...

Evidence links ephedra with risk of heart, psychiatric, gastrointestinal disorders.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A comprehensive evaluation of scientific reports has found that there is not sufficient evidence to support the use of the dietary supplement ephedra to enhance athletic performance, or promote...

New treatment for heroin addiction appears safe and effective.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The abuse of methadone, which is used to treat heroin addiction, is on the rise and is causing an alarming increase in overdoses and deaths, according to media reports. However, an alternative may...

Prechter Fund awards $345,000 to pediatric researchers at Stanford.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Waltraud Prechter, founder and president of the Heinz C. Prechter Fund for Manic Depression, announced a $345,000 grant to researchers at the Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program at Stanford University....

Maternal depression increases risk for same disorder in children.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Even relatively brief episodes of maternal major depression, or prolonged mild depression, are predictive of a child's risk for developing depressive disorders by age 15, according to an article in the...

PET predicts response to Paxil in study.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) neuroscientists using positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging have discovered distinct patterns of brain activity that predict the effectiveness of...

Children with peanut allergy have a high anxiety levels.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers found that children with peanut allergy have a higher anxiety level than children with diabetes, according to a study presented at the 60th anniversary meeting of the American Academy of...

Working class feels greater blood pressure effects from stress.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Mental stress causes a rise in blood pressure that lasts longer in lower-class workers than upper-class workers, leading to a greater risk of heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure has been...

Vietnam vets with post-traumatic stress found at risk for diseases.
March 31, 2003... 2003 MAR 31 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Vietnam veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder are also more likely to have autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, and hypothyroidism, a study has found. The analysis of...