Mental Health

A decrease in the production of the translocator protein is possibly linked to the development of autism, but more studies are needed for confirmation. The cause of autism is unknown, but emerging evidence points to the inflammation of brain tissue caused by a specific substance called, translocator protein. The translocator protein is involved in our

When discontinuing antidepressant medications commonly prescribed to help treat depressive disorders, patients may experience antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Antidepressant medications are most commonly used to help treat depressive disorders. They are also prescribed to help with other conditions such as chronic pain syndromes, eating disorders, generalized anxiety-disorders, neuropathic pain syndromes, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Antidepressants include monoamine

Higher levels of phthalates in mothers lead to a higher score on autism tests for boys, showing a link between phthalates and autism; these negative effects were reduced by adequate folic acid intake. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that affects roughly 1.7% of children in the general population.  Children who are affected

Caesarian section births with general anesthesia have a 54% greater risk of postpartum depression when compared to C-sections with spinal anesthesia. Can decisions taken by doctors and mothers-to-be about the birthing method affect the chances of developing postpartum depression? While natural birth is still the most common form of delivery for women, the Canadian Institute

A recent study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal thoughts in children. The majority of research on suicide has primarily focused on adolescents and adults, leaving very limited information specifically in children. However, suicide death rates among children have been on the rise – tripling in the United States over the last decade.

Scientists try to find molecules that can be used as biochemical markers of depression – to predict who is at risk of developing depression. Major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a mood disorder that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Depression is characterised by depressed mood, inability to feel pleasure, and altered cognitive

Have you ever wondered how animals look or hunt for food? The simple response is they just follow their instincts, but what are the mechanisms behind their body’s response to look for food, and keep looking until they are satisfied? What is behind the neurology of motivation? Previous research has found that environmental gustatory cues

A recent study investigating differences in spatial cognition between men and women seeks to answer the age-old question, are men better at reading maps? For almost 40 years, research has shown that males are better than females at spatial cognition. Higher performance on spatial cognition assessments, such as the mental rotations test (MRT), is associated

A pilot study investigating the effects of bumetanide for autism in young children has produced promising results. Autism, or “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD), is a brain development disorder that leads to behavior and communication problems. Children with ASD may have a range of symptoms including delay in speaking and difficulties in social interactions such as

In a recent study, researchers investigated the effects of ADHD medication on the brain reward system using fMRI. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition, characterized by increased levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Individuals with ADHD display symptoms in childhood, which often continue into adulthood. Methylphenidate is a drug commonly used to

Researchers found that the association between suicidal behaviours and bullying in youths depended on gender and regional variation. What is the connection between suicidal behaviours and bullying? How prevalent are suicidal behaviours and bullying across the world? What are their global health risks? These are the questions behind a study published in The Lancet. With

A recent review article looked at the latest data to determine if dietary changes can affect mental health. Dietary psychiatry, an emerging field in mental health and treatment, has recently been featured in several scientific literature journals. Although much of the data show a significant association, scientists are still trying to accurately determine whether diet

Recent research supports an association between specific components of the diet and mental health. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five Canadians experiences mental health condition or illness in a given year. Approximately 50% of the population will have or have already had a mental illness by the age of forty. Mental

Reading the news can be stress-inducing at the best of times. When the news is particularly worrying, many of us experience levels of anxiety so high that we can have difficulty coping. So how can we stay (reasonably) anxiety-free when the media bombards us with headlines that spook us? Share on PinterestDoes the news get

People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research has found that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome. Previous studies have concluded that excessively valuing happiness can cause a person to feel less happy. In some cases, it may even be associated with symptoms of depression.

A new, largest-of-its-kind study finds more evidence of the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia. The findings may ultimately lead to the development of new drugs. Share on PinterestResearchers have uncovered a new gene that may explain the onset of schizophrenia. The new study appears in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Elliott Rees, a research fellow at the

Feeling depressed before and during a menstrual period is common. Experts believe that these emotional changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormone levels. Most people who menstruate will experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including moodiness and headaches. However, some individuals can develop more severe symptoms, such as depression and anger. Hormones can

New research examines the impact of educating adolescents about substance abuse, depression, and anxiety on mental health. Being a teenager is difficult, and many teenagers find it difficult to manage stress. In addition to mental health struggles, the use and abuse of illicit drugs is also high in this age group. This is dangerous because

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are both eating disorders in which a person tries to lose weight in unhealthful ways. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 0.6% of adults in the United States experienced anorexia between 2001 and 2003, compared to 0.3% who experienced bulimia. There are essential differences between anorexia and bulimia,

Alcohol can make a person feel depressed and may even trigger or worsen depression. Depression is also a risk factor for using alcohol, since people who feel depressed may use alcohol to ease their symptoms. Several studies, including a 2013 study that used a nationally representative sample, have found that people who drink to manage

A new report has found that more than half of the people with mental health conditions currently confined in Los Angeles county jails would benefit from mental health treatment in specialized community centers instead of incarceration. Share on PinterestThousands of LA jail inmates would benefit from receiving mental health support away from prison, a new

New research shows how the use of a multisensory illusion may help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The new method could bypass the disadvantages of exposure therapy. Share on PinterestContamination fears may cause people with OCD to wash their hands excessively. In 1998, researchers Matthew Botvinick and Jonathan Cohen of the University of Pittsburgh, PA, detailed

Most of us are familiar with the physical health effects of smoking, but can the habit also affect our mental and emotional well-being? A new study suggests that it can, after finding a link between smoking cigarettes and depression. Share on PinterestA new study examines the link between mental health and smoking among students. The

The world has been facing a suicide crisis over the past few years. In the United States alone, tens of thousands of people die by suicide each year. But new research shows that a $1 increase in the minimum wage might prevent thousands of deaths. Share on PinterestAs little as a $1 increase to the

Anxiety commonly causes a change in appetite. Some people with anxiety tend to overeat or consume a lot of unhealthful foods. Others, however, lose their desire to eat when they feel stressed and anxious. Anxiety is a mental health condition that affects 40 million adults in the United States each year. Changes in appetite are

Seven common types of depression are: Major depressive disorder Share on PinterestA person with major depressive disorder may feel guilty, worthless, and hopeless. Major depressive disorder is the classic form of depression. People with major depression experience symptoms that may include: sadness feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness difficulty sleeping changes in appetite fatigue irritability

Anger is an emotion that everyone feels sometimes, but if a person is feeling angry a lot of the time, they may be experiencing depression. In many cases, medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these treatments can help provide symptom relief. In this article, we look at the connection between anger and depression,

In a recent study, researchers investigated a drug as a cannabis alternative for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that occurs due to a loss of neurons in the area of the brain that controls movement. These neurons produce the chemical known as dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which is responsible for transmitting