Depression

A new way to track the activity of key chemicals in the brain has opened up exciting possibilities for the treatment of many neurological disorders

Medical

Real-time tracking of serotonin, dopamine opens new window to the brain

Dopamine and serotonin are brain chemicals implicated in a range of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s and depression. A new tool is offering an unprecedented look at these neurotransmitters in action.

New research saw mental health benefits in pet companionship during pandemic lockdown regardless of the species of pet

Health & Wellbeing

Pet owners cope better with COVID-19 lockdowns – and any species will do

A new survey has found owning a pet is associated with better mental health during COVID-19 lockdowns. The survey also linked pet ownership to lower levels of loneliness, and both positive associations were detected regardless of species.

An AI system can identify degrees of loneliness in older adults by analyzing natural language patterns

Health & Wellbeing

AI system detects loneliness in natural speech patterns

A new proof of concept study, led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has demonstrated how speech-analyzing artificial intelligence tools can effectively predict the level of loneliness in older adults.

Telltale changes in a sleeping patient's "prefrontal theta cordance" may indicate if their current antidepressant is likely to have an effect

Health & Wellbeing

Sleeping brainwaves could point the way to the best antidepressant

In order to see if an antidepressant works, patients have to take the drug for at least a month. New research, however, suggests that by monitoring a sleeping patient's brainwaves, the effectiveness of an antidepressant can be gauged in a week.

A preliminary study found over 90 percent of depressed patients could be identified from 24 hours of heart rate data

Health & Wellbeing

Depression detectable through heart rate fluctuations, small study finds

New research has shown depression can be detected by monitoring a person's heart rate over a 24-hour period. The small study needs more verification but it points to a biomarker that could be easily integrated into patient monitoring systems.

As part of a new study, nearly 20,000 subjects were followed for over five years with no detectable differences in depression or mood between placebo and vitamin D groups

Health & Wellbeing

Large clinical trial affirms vitamin D does not prevent depression

The results of the largest clinical trial ever conducted into the relationship between vitamin D and depression suggest the vitamin does not improve mood or prevent depression. The trial did not investigate subjects with pre-existing vitamin D deficiencies.

New research suggests adding trace amounts of lithium to a local drinking water supply could lead to reductions in suicide rates

Health & Wellbeing

Low suicide rates linked to microdoses of lithium in drinking water

A new systematic review of more than a dozen studies from around the world has confirmed an association between geographical areas with naturally high levels of lithium in the water supply and low rates of suicide.

Science

Psilocybin & OCD: Can psychedelics treat obsessive compulsive disorder?

A new review is suggesting psilocybin may have great potential as a treatment for OCD. The review sums up the current evidence arguing psychedelic therapy should be effective for OCD in the same way it has shown efficacy treating depression and anxiety.

New research argues apathy must be distinguished from depression, because it functions as a clearer preclinical sign of dementia

Health & Wellbeing

Cambridge study finds apathy, not depression, is an early sign of dementia

Neuroscientists from the University of Cambridge have identified apathy as an important early sign of dementia. The research finds apathy is distinct from depression, and offers a more accurate longitudinal association with the onset of dementia.

A systematic review of 17 studies has found electronically delivered psychotherapy for major depression is at least as effective as in-person treatments

Health & Wellbeing

Remote therapy for depression as effective as meeting in person, metastudy finds

A systemic review has concluded cognitive behavioral therapy does not need to be conducted in person to be effective. The study found the therapy was as effective when administered using video conferencing and email tools, as face-to-face sessions.

Early clinical trials are only just beginning after a growing body of research has suggested the gas could be effective in treating PTSD, depression and alcoholism

Medical

Nitrous oxide being trialed to treat depression, PTSD and alcoholism

A new pilot study has demonstrated nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, may help military veterans suffering from PTSD. A larger trial is now underway after several studies demonstrated potential new uses for the gas.

In a new study, stress was seen to trigger the release of an immune cell called IL-6 from brown fat cells

Science

Yale study solves mystery of how stress triggers inflammation

A new study has solved a long-standing mystery of how acute stress seems to amplify inflammatory disease, despite the fact many stress hormones actually suppress the immune system. It found a specific immune cell is released by fat cells when stressed.