Psychology

— Pilot Study Paves the Way for Larger Trials on Brain Health Assessment PHILADELPHIA -- In a preliminary investigation, intermittent calorie restriction improved executive function and memory in older adults without cognitive impairments. This 8-week randomized study involved 40 overweight, cognitively healthy seniors with insulin resistance. Researchers compared two dietary strategies: a 5:2 intermittent fasting approach versus a “healthy living” diet, which followed USDA guidelines on

— Research offers insight into the possibility of predicting Alzheimer's risk decades ahead PHILADELPHIA — Specific blood biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease — particularly amyloid-beta 42/40 ratios and measures of phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181) — were found to be linked to later-life dementia, a retrospective study has revealed. These midlife biomarkers demonstrated a long-lasting association with amyloid positivity and eventual dementia, according to findings shared by

— Update from Lancet Commission incorporates vision loss, high LDL to risk factors PHILADELPHIA -- The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care has expanded the list of modifiable risk factors linked to cognitive decline to 14, after new research conducted since its previous report in 2020. Vision loss and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol have been added to the commission's risk factor list, which previously included 12. This revised 57-page

— Disease Burden Could Worsen, Impacting Quality of Life, Experts Warn According to a recent retrospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with alopecia areata (AA) exhibited a greater prevalence of both autoimmune and psychiatric comorbidities at diagnosis. They were also found to be at an increased risk of developing new comorbidities after diagnosis. At diagnosis, 30.9% of patients with alopecia areata had psychiatric comorbidities compared to 26.8% of control subjects without alopecia

— Replacing weekly servings of bacon or hot dogs with nuts and legumes linked to reduced dementia risk PHILADELPHIA – A long-term observational study involving 130,000 healthcare professionals found that eating processed red meat twice a week over several decades was associated with a higher likelihood of developing dementia. Participants from the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who consumed at least one-quarter of a daily serving of processed red meat —

— Research Identifies Biomarkers Linked to Rate of Amyloid Plaque Growth PHILADELPHIA — Blood tests for Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers are emerging as not only tools for diagnosis, but also as potential aids in testing preventive interventions for individuals who may not yet show symptoms, according to recent findings from researchers. In a study focusing on older adults with healthy cognitive function and minimal amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque buildup in their brains, initial plasma levels of specific

— Athletes Now Have More Mental Health Resources and Are Embracing Them More Than Ever Lydia Jacoby made waves for Team USA during the last Summer Olympics, securing a stunning gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and a silver in a relay. One thing she recalls from that electrifying time in Tokyo? "People discussing post-Olympic depression," she shared. At just 17, when fellow athletes mentioned it, Jacoby thought to herself: "That's not something I'll need to worry

— Recombinant Shingles Vaccine Linked to 164 Days Free from Dementia Diagnosis Key Points Those who received the recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) saw a 17% longer duration without a dementia diagnosis compared to patients who got the live vaccine version. This extension translates to 164 more days on average without receiving a dementia diagnosis. The findings add to the growing understanding of a potential link between shingles vaccination and the prevention of dementia. A recent

— Longer initial seizure tied to higher odds of remission Prolonged seizures during the first session of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were associated with a greater likelihood of remission for patients with major depressive disorder, according to a large cohort study. In an adjusted analysis, individuals with an initial seizure duration of at least 30 seconds had twice the odds of achieving remission compared to those whose seizures lasted less than 20 seconds, a team led by Axel

— Lack of Institutional Support and Knowledge rank as Key Factors A recent systematic review of 283 studies has determined that a lack of institutional backing remains the top reason clinicians hesitate to intervene in addiction cases, as highlighted by the findings. In their analysis, Wilson Compton, MD, MPE, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and his colleagues reported in JAMA Network Open that 81.2% of the reviewed articles cited the institutional environment as

— Vivek Murthy Advocates for Greater Accountability and Deeper Research on Social Media's Impact on Health In an exclusive video interview, Jeremy Faust, MD, Editor-in-Chief of MedPage Today, engages in conversation with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, to discuss his recent advisory on social media's effects on youth mental health. The following is a transcript from their discussion: Faust: Hi, I’m Jeremy Faust, Editor-in-Chief at MedPage Today, and I’m thrilled to be

A recent study reveals that chronic loneliness over an extended period can significantly elevate the risk of experiencing a stroke. The increased stroke risk associated with loneliness can be attributed to three main pathways: physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial. Loneliness can stem from a variety of causes, with both internal and external factors contributing to its emergence. Consulting with a healthcare provider may offer strategies to manage and alleviate feelings of loneliness.

— Psychiatry News and Insights An accelerated form of intermittent theta-burst stimulation showed a significant reduction in depression among individuals with treatment-resistant bipolar disorder, according to findings from a small randomized clinical trial. (JAMA Psychiatry) A decade after receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), older adults suffering from both anxiety and depression still saw 58% of participants in remission from all diagnoses. (Journal of Affective Disorders) Following

Supporting a family member or partner with schizophrenia in staying on track with their medication and treatment plan requires a team effort. If they resist treatment at times, it’s important to try to understand their perspective. Make space to talk about their concerns, apprehensions, and frustrations—building trust is key. Work collaboratively with them and their healthcare provider to make decisions about medication. By fostering a sense of safety and open communication, you’ll help ensure

Masks Encouraged but Not Mandatory Across Maryland Right Away With respiratory virus cases dipping in Maryland, masks are strongly advised but no longer obligatory at Johns Hopkins Medicine facilities in Maryland. Learn more. Vaccines | Masking Guidelines | Visitor Policies Depression and sleep problems often come hand in hand. Insomnia sufferers, for instance, are up to ten times more likely to face depression compared to those who sleep soundly. Additionally, 75% of individuals with