Biological Psychiatry

Does the brain become unglued in autism?

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that autism is associated with reductions in the level of cellular adhesion molecules in the blood, where they play a role in immune function.

Autism spectrum disorders created Dec 11, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Experimental agent briefly eases depression rapidly in test: Works in brain like ketamine, with fewer side effects

(Medical Xpress)—A drug that works through the same brain mechanism as the fast-acting antidepressant ketamine briefly improved treatment-resistant patients' depression symptoms in minutes, with minimal untoward side effects, ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Dec 11, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Drug helps women who stop smoking keep weight off

A medication being tested to help smokers kick the habit also may help avoid the weight gain that is common after quitting but only in women, according to a study published in the December issue of Biological Psychiatry. This i ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Dec 10, 2012 | popularity 1 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Oxytocin produces more engaged fathers and more responsive infants

A large body of research has focused on the ability of oxytocin to facilitate social bonding in both marital and parenting relationships in human females. A new laboratory study, led by Dr. Ruth Feldman from Bar-Ilan University ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Dec 10, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Next-generation treatments for Fragile X syndrome

A potential new therapeutic strategy for treating Fragile X syndrome is detailed in a new report appearing in the current issue of Biological Psychiatry, from researchers led by Dr. Lucia Ciranna at University of Catania in Ita ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 29, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Treating cocaine dependence: A promising new pharmacotherapy

Medication development efforts for cocaine dependence have yet to result in an FDA approved treatment. The powerful rewarding effects of cocaine, the profound disruptive impact of cocaine dependence on one's lifestyle, and ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 28, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Preventing posttraumatic stress disorder by facing trauma memories

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a form of learning that begins at the moment of the exposure to extremely stressful situations and that grows in impact as trauma-related memories are rehearsed and strengthened repeatedly. ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 27, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers propose a new approach to understanding common psychiactric treatments

(Medical Xpress)—Drugs for psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia often require weeks to take full effect. "What takes so long?" has formed one of psychiatry's most stubborn mysteries. ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 21, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Researchers find decline in availability and use of key treatment for depression

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered the most effective treatment option for patients with severe depression who cannot find symptom relief through antidepressant medications or psychotherapy. In a new study, researchers ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 20, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Gender differences in PTSD risk may be due to heightened fear conditioning in women, study finds

(Medical Xpress)—Women exposed to trauma may be at greater risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder because of a heightened fear response, according to a new study. ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 20, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A risk gene for cannabis psychosis

The ability of cannabis to produce psychosis has long been an important public health concern. This concern is growing in importance as there is emerging data that cannabis exposure during adolescence may increase the risk ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 14, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Prenatal testosterone levels influence later response to reward

New findings led by Dr. Michael Lombardo, Prof. Simon Baron-Cohen and colleagues at the University of Cambridge indicate that testosterone levels early in fetal development influence later sensitivity of brain regions related ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Inflammation and cognition in schizophrenia

There are a growing number of clues that immune and inflammatory mechanisms are important for the biology of schizophrenia. In a new study in Biological Psychiatry, Dr. Mar Fatjó-Vilas and colleagues explored the impact ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 01, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Meth vaccine shows promising results in early tests

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have performed successful tests of an experimental methamphetamine vaccine on rats. Vaccinated animals that received the drug were largely protected from ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Nov 01, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Eye movements and the search for biomarkers for schizophrenia

(Medical Xpress)—There is a long history of research on impaired eye movements associated with schizophrenia. Using a series of simple viewing tests, researchers of a new paper in Biological Psychiatry explored the ability ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Oct 29, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast