A portion of autism spectrum disorders are caused by single-gene mutations. Researchers hope that by studying how these mutations lead to autism disorders, they can find ways to block or reverse the symptoms.
Cancer survivors must contend with a number of psychological issues that are frequently not understood by family members, friends, and coworkers.
Effective treatment for alcohol dependency is available, but treatment rates among alcohol abusers are low because of lack of awareness and embarrassment.
According to an analysis of appointment data, psychiatrists are spending less time on psychotherapy with their patients. This is due mainly to health care bureaucracy and increased prescription of medications.
Researchers are attempting to identify areas of the brain responsible for the sensation of writer’s cramp.
In a study of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, the anticonvulsant drug divalproex was no more effective than a placebo.
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.
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.
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.
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.