Category Archives: News & updates

In Bipolar Disorder, a Chemical Signal of Abnormal Metabolism

It has long been a puzzle what exactly causes the intense highs and lows of bipolar disorder, an illness that pushes people back and forth from periods of intense energy and excitement to periods of deep sadness and hopelessness. But … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Looking For Clues in Reward Circuits of Bipolar and Depressed Patients

When people with bipolar disorder experience depressive episodes, the reward circuits in their brains show impairments similar to those that affect people diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), scientists reported March 13th in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. When these circuits are … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

A Downward Spiral Leads to Uplift

Former NFL Player Helps Others After Facing His Diagnosis Dreams and reality were always at odds for Keith O’Neil. With a former NFL player for a father and an early love for the game, he longed to play professional football, … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Study may explain gene’s role in major psychiatric disorders

Gene associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, and depression linked to brain cell death in mice. A new study shows the death of newborn brain cells may be linked to a genetic risk factor for five major psychiatric diseases, … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Epigenetic study of lactose intolerance may shed light on the origin of mental illness

A new study on the epigenetics of lactose intolerance may provide an approach to understanding schizophrenia and other complex, serious illnesses. Both lactose intolerance and schizophrenia are inherited. In addition, neither condition emerges in the first years of life, but … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Study finds average 6-year delay between onset and diagnosis of bipolar disorder

Long delays mean missed opportunities for early intervention to reduce the severity of episodes of bipolar disorder. Crucial opportunities to manage bipolar disorder early are being lost because individuals are waiting an average of almost six years after the onset … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Brain study confirms gene mutation link to psychiatric disorders

Brain scans have revealed how a genetic mutation linked to major psychiatric disorders affects the structure, function and chemistry of the brain. The study offers further clues about how the mutation increases the risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder anddepression. Experts … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Infections, antibiotic use linked to manic episodes in people with serious mental illness

In research using patient medical records, investigators from Johns Hopkins and Sheppard Pratt Health System report that people with serious mental disorders who were hospitalized for mania were more likely to be on antibiotics to treat active infections than a … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Study identifies symptoms of suicide risk for people with depression

The findings were recently presented at the 28th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The study researchers analyzed 2,811 individuals with depressionwho were a part of the Bridge-II-MIX study – an international study of depression and … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment

Psychosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Broadly speaking, psychosis means a loss of contact with reality; it is a symptom of mental illness rather than a medical condition in its own right. Generally, there are two types of psychiatric disorder that produce psychotic symptoms: schizophrenia and … Continue reading

Posted in News & updates | Leave a comment