Depression

How could bisphenol A raise depression risk? Study identifies six key molecular targets

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Researchers combined genetic epidemiology, transcriptomics, molecular docking, and mouse experiments to show how a common endocrine-disrupting chemical may influence biological pathways tied to major depressive disorder. Study: Bisphenol a exposure and major depressive disorder: an integrative analysis combining network toxicology, molecular docking, genetic epidemiology, and transcriptomic validation. Image Credit: monticello / Shutterstock A new study … Read more

Systematic review identifies stress-induced biological triggers in oncology

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Stress is a constant companion in the oncologist’s office. It appears at the time of diagnosis, increases with each stage of treatment, and often does not resolve even after therapy formally ends. It accompanies therapeutic decisions, waiting for test results, fear of recurrence, and changes in daily functioning. Studies show that chronic stress can trigger … Read more

What Causes Postpartum Depression? Brain Changes, Hormones, and Risk Factors

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IntroductionWhat is PPD?Structural brain changes from pregnancy to the postpartum periodHow does the brain change during PPD?Hormones and the HPA axisGenetic and epigenetic contributionsPsychosocial and environmental risk factorsPregnancy and perinatal medical factorsImplications for prevention and managementReferencesFurther reading Postpartum depression is more than a mood disorder after birth; it reflects a complex interplay of brain remodeling, … Read more

Psychiatrists’ use of biomarkers could open a new window into mental health diagnoses

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Amanda Miller was 30 and pregnant with her second child in Hershey, Pennsylvania, when she developed depression. After she gave birth, her depression worsened. It was joined by a slew of unexplained health problems. Miller, a neuroscientist, said she saw several psychiatrists and got prescriptions for drug after drug. Over two years, she tried four … Read more

Childhood stress may lead to digestive issues later in life

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Early life stress may lead to digestive issues later in life, driven by changes in the gut and sympathetic nervous systems, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology. “Our research shows that these stressors can have a real impact on a child’s development and may influence gut issues long-term. Understanding the mechanisms … Read more

New review reveals complex polygenic architecture underlying common epilepsies

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An insightful mini-review published in Genomic Psychiatry synthesizes the rapidly expanding landscape of molecular genetic research on common epilepsies, assembling evidence from genome-wide association studies, whole-exome sequencing projects, and advanced statistical modeling to illuminate the polygenic architecture that underpins these heterogeneous neurological disorders. The synthesis, led by Dr. Olav B. Smeland of the Centre for … Read more

New review calls for biologically grounded approach to psychiatric diagnosis

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A comprehensive invited review published today in Brain Medicine confronts one of the most persistent paradoxes in modern medicine: psychiatry remains the only major clinical discipline that diagnoses complex illness primarily through conversation and symptom checklists, while fields such as oncology and cardiology long ago embraced laboratory markers, imaging, and molecular profiling. The review, authored … Read more

Redefining the “aging brain” through diverse data

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Age is more than just one number. While neuroscientists used to think of cognitive aging as a single trendline, they now realize that vast individual differences require a more predictive and personalized approach. As they uncover more factors that affect cognition over time, they are realizing that modeling the aging brain requires more diverse data … Read more

LPA outside PAR likely to become tropical depression in 24 hours 

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MANILA, Philippines – The low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has been forecast to develop into a tropical depression within 24 hours, the national weather bureau said on Monday. Weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said, however, that the weather disturbance has a … Read more

Scientists call for integration of physical activity into psychiatric care

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People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder die on average ten to 20 years earlier than the general population. The main causes of this are cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which are triggered or exacerbated by a lack of exercise. Now, an international team of scientists led by MedUni Vienna is calling … Read more