Month: April 2010

Research into schizophrenia is attempting to find ways to identify those at risk of developing psychosis before the disorder reaches the chronic, disabling stage.

Researchers measured the biological responses of therapists and patients during therapy sessions, and found that when the patient felt the therapist was listening, their patterns of sweat production (an indicator of empathy) roughly matched.

Study of the gene that helps regulate humans’ circadian rhythms has found that an irregularity in this gene may be related to the development of bipolar disorder.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is recommending that adolescents be screened for depression when the systems to diagnose and treat them are available.

The level of lead in the blood of Americans has decreased dramatically since the 1970s, but research is suggesting that even low-level exposure may result in learning and behavior problems in children.

Second-generation antipsychotic drugs are sometimes being used to treat dementia in the elderly, but the potential side effects and other risks outweight the benefits in many instances.

In a study of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, the anticonvulsant drug divalproex was no more effective than a placebo.