Medicating the Mind

Stories

Stories 1 - 20 of 64

1 2 3 4 Next >>

September 2008
- Heart Disease Linked to Depression
  
  San Francisco Chronicle | Sep 30, 08 2:08 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - People suffering from heart disease are three times more likely to be depressed, according to a study that found young women particularly at risk. Researchers urged doctors to monitor heart patients for depression, reports the San Francisco Chronicle , noting that it not only affects quality of life but can adversely a patient's prognosis. Some 80 million Americans suffer from heart disease. More »
- Autism-Reversing Drugs Show Promise
  
  NPR | Sep 24, 08 12:50 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - MIT scientists have discovered one of the mechanisms of Fragile X Syndrome, one cause of autism, and are developing drugs to treat it, NPR reports. The disorder, triggered by a genetic mutation, interferes with the normal links between brain cells, making those networks something like a car without a brakes. The new drugs limit acceleration, and have been successful in mice. More »
- Gender Influences Effectiveness of Antidepressants
  
  Newsweek | Sep 9, 08 7:34 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The results of the largest-ever federal study of depression are in, and the link between gender and treatment is clearer than ever before, Newsweek reports. Men and premenopausal women respond differently to different formulations of drugs, suggesting the strong influence of estrogen and reinforcing the gap between two commonly prescribed classes of drugs: tricyclics, which are more effective in men, and SSRIs, to which women respond more readily. More »
- Hallucinogenic Plant's High May Knock Medical Use Down
  
  New York Times | Sep 9, 08 7:47 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A hallucinogenic herb pharmacologists believe holds great promise for pain relief and mental health treatment is facing tough restrictions thanks to thrill-seekers, the New York Times reports. Users of the highly potent psychedelic Salvia divinorum—dubbed "Magic Mint" by users—have been posting videos of their trips on YouTube, which often become Exhibit A when states seek to ban it. More »
- Bipolar Risk Rises With Father's Age
  
  Reuters | Sep 2, 08 3:26 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Children born to fathers older than 30 have an 11% higher chance of developing bipolar disorder than kids with younger dads, and the risk increases with the father’s age, new research reveals. The rate climbs to 37% of offspring of fathers aged 55, Reuters reports, compared to the overall incidence of the disorder of 1% to 3% in all adults. More »
August 2008
- Colleges Face Suicide Crisis
  
  USA Today | Aug 18, 08 4:18 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - More than half the students at 70 US colleges have contemplated suicide, a startling new study has found. Surveys revealed that 55% once thought of taking their own lives, 18% seriously considered it and 8% actually tried, reports USA Today . Broken romances, school-related problems, and emotional and physical pain were most often cited as the reasons. More »
- Drugs Shrinking Psychiatrists' Talk Time: Study
  
  HealthDay News | Aug 5, 08 8:15 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Psychiatry is increasingly focused on prescribing drugs and less on psychotherapy, a study published in the Archives of General Psychology finds. A reluctance by insurance firms to pay for therapy is one factor, HealthDay reports, along with the wide variety of drugs now available to treat various conditions. More »
July 2008
- Missing DNA Sheds Light on Roots of Schizophrenia
  
  Boston Globe | Jul 30, 08 6:01 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Missing chunks of DNA increase a child's chance of developing schizophrenia by up to 10 times, say to two major international studies. Scientists are calling the data from more than 3,000 schizophrenia patients a huge step toward finding the genetic source of the disease, which could ultimately help doctors improve diagnosis and treatment, the Boston Globe reports. More »
- 'Pre-Dementia' on the Rise
  
  Los Angeles Times | Jul 29, 08 5:33 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Almost a million Americans each year develop a mild form of memory loss that is often a precursor to Alzheimer's, according to new research. Mild Cognitive Impairment—more serious than normal "senior moments"—was found to be more common in men, the Los Angeles Times reports. Doctors warn that a crisis is looming as the Baby Boom generation ages. More »
- Big Differences Found in Male, Female Brains
  
  Independent (UK) | Jul 18, 08 10:28 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The brains of men and women are so physically different they amount to different organs and may have developed from distinct genetic blueprints, new research shows. Distinct anatomical differences between male and female brains likely explain many well-established differences of perception and behavior between the sexes, from problem-solving strategies to emotional responses, the Independent reports. More »
- Doc: Brinkley, Ex Need Therapy
  
  New York Post | Jul 9, 08 11:11 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A court-appointed shrink said both Christie Brinkley and her two-timing hubby needed time on a therapist's couch—adding that Peter Cook is a childish narcissist undeserving of custody, the New York Post reports. Psychiatrist Stephen Herman testified that “the father's behavior in this marriage has been terribly destructive and apparently continues to be." More »
- Groovy, Man: Study Finds Benefit in Magic 'Shrooms
  
  Associated Press | Jul 1, 08 4:49 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Volunteers who took hallucinogenic psilocybin mushrooms in a study say they have gained long-term benefits from the drug, reports the AP. Subjects of the study, one of very few involving hallucinogenic drugs since the '60s, say they still feel positive effects from their psychedelic experience years later. Many say it was one of the most spiritual experiences of their lives. Researchers believe the mushrooms, which are illegal but are used in religious ceremonies, could someday play a role in therapy. More »
June 2008
- Alzheimer's Drug Shows Some Promise
  
  Wall Street Journal | Jun 17, 08 6:10 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A drug currently in experimental trials seems to be effective in battling Alzheimer's disease, the pharmaceutical companies developing it tell the Wall Street Journal . Bapineuzumab—developed by Elan and Wyeth—seems to be helpful in improving cognitive ability in those stricken by the disease, though much more so in patients who don't have a gene that increases risk of the brain disease. More »
- Combat Troops Turn to Prozac
  
  Time | Jun 6, 08 3:53 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A growing number of American troops serving abroad are taking Prozac and other antidepressants, Time reports. A survey last year found 12% of troops in Iraq are using the drugs, with 17% relying on them in Afghanistan. The drugs help the military keep stressed combat troops in the field—but the use of the "quick-fix" for mental health is causing concern. More »
May 2008

News Sections

Newser Specials

Stories

Heart Disease Linked to Depression

Autism-Reversing Drugs Show Promise

Gender Influences Effectiveness of Antidepressants

Hallucinogenic Plant's High May Knock Medical Use Down

Bipolar Risk Rises With Father's Age

Colleges Face Suicide Crisis

Drugs Shrinking Psychiatrists' Talk Time: Study

Missing DNA Sheds Light on Roots of Schizophrenia

'Pre-Dementia' on the Rise

Big Differences Found in Male, Female Brains

Doc: Brinkley, Ex Need Therapy

Groovy, Man: Study Finds Benefit in Magic 'Shrooms

Alzheimer's Drug Shows Some Promise

Combat Troops Turn to Prozac