Mental Health
Anxiety Disorders
Research Latest News
Mouse Genes Aid Search for Human Anxiety Disorder Genes - [10/25/08]
Summary: Researchers tested 13 human homologs of genes that have been shown in mice strains that differ in anxiety levels. They found an association between 6 of these genes and human anxiety disorders. The strongest associations found were in variations in ALAD with a higher rate of social phobia, DYNLL2 that raises risk of general anxiety disorders, and PSAP which is associated with panic disorders.
Comment: This research proves an association between animal genes and human genes, and provides insight into some of the genes that can cause anxiety disorders. Identifying the genes allow for the development of new treatments that can help those with anxiety disorders experience less symptoms.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 25, 2008
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with anxiety disorders can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Teenagers with Depression and Anxiety Disorders - [09/30/08]
Summary: About 25 percent of the population of America has experienced depression or an anxiety disorder over their lifetime. Michell Craske, a psychology professor at UCLA, has conducted studies on the early predicting of who may get these conditions and why. She and her colleagues have found that the tendency to feel negative emotions in a given situation is a strong predictor of both depression and anxiety disorders.
Comment: Children with anxious parents are 3.5 times more likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder later in their youth. Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and post-traumatic stress syndrome, are conditions that tend to continue to affect a patients health if untreated.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 16, 2008
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including anxiety disorders. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with anxiety.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008
Stress Can Alter Genetic Immune Response - [08/28/08]
Summary: A promising preliminary study has begun to show a genetic relationship between chronic stress and negative alterations to the effectiveness of the immune system. Research showed a difference in the genetic makeup of those dealing with extremely stressful, long term experiences (such as caring for a family member with cancer) and the genes of those who were not in such a situation.
Comment: Scientists hope that more research can lead to even greater understand of this long known relationship. While we now know that there is a genetic basis for the already observed truth that stress can lead to illness, it is still not entirely understood how this relationship functions.
Read article - Medical News Today. August 28, 2008.
Genetics May Play a Role in Anxiety Disorders - [08/27/08]
Summary: Genes have been identified that may play a role in the development of anxiety disorders. It was found that different genes are related to different types of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorders, social phobias, or generalized anxiety disorders. Environmental factors play a role, but people with these genes are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder when stress comes from environmental factors.
Comment: This information is being tested with different populations, and may lead the way to developing new drugs that can help treat different types of anxiety disorders better. New treatments would greatly benefit those with anxiety disorders, since currently about half of people with anxiety disorders do not find improvements with medication.
Read article - Science Daily August 27, 2008
Genes May Predispose Some to Anxiety Disorders - [08/26/08]
Summary: Researchers have recently identified some genes which may indicate a predisposition to anxiety disorders. By focusing on genes known to influence behavior, statistical associations were discovered between these specific genes and specific anxiety disorders. It is believed that environmental factors, such as stress, may trigger an anxiety disorder more easily in a person who has a gene which predisposes them to the illness.
Comment: The treatment of anxiety disorders may be improved by genetic advances in the understanding of anxiety disorders, such as this one. No target drugs are, at this time, available to treat anxiety disorders. Continued research into the neurobiology and genetic causes of the disease may provide the increased knowledge needed to change that.
Read article - Medical News Today. August 26, 2008.
More Americans Seeking Health Information - [08/22/08]
Summary: Recent statistics show that in 2007 56% of Americans adults, which is more than 122 million people, attempted to find information about a personal health concern from a source other than their physician. This statistic is up from 38% in 2001. Education levels were a key factor in determining whether a person sought medical information, 72% of those with a graduate degree compared to 42% of those with only a high school diploma. The number of Americans using the internet for medical information doubled from 16% in 2001 to 32% in 2007.
Comment: More than half of the people reported that the information changed their general approach to their health care, and 80% reported that the information helped them better understand treatments of their condition or illness. Doctors are always a good source of medical information, but it can often be hard to consult a doctor with every concern. Finding more information on medical conditions, such as anxiety disorders, can help patients better understand their health.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com August 22, 2008
New Study on Inpatient Medication Reconciliation Errors - [08/14/08]
Summary: Inpatient medication reconciliation was made a National Patient Safety Goal in 2005 and nationwide attention was soon focused on the issue of errors in these medication records as patients move in and out of hospitals. However, a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital has shown that inpatients experience and average of one and a half potentially harmful errors in their records during the course of their hospital stay. The study also attempted to identify the frequency of specific kinds of errors, at what point during a patient's stay these errors occur, and factors which put a patient at risk for errors to occur.
Comment: Dr. Jeffrey Schnipper, MD, MPH senior author and Hospitalist at BWH stated his hope that, "This information can help guide hospitals in determining where to focus their efforts for addressing this problem." He also noted that patients today are often on more medications than they have been in the past, raising the stakes along with the risks. Information collected by this study will, no doubt, have a significant effect in reducing the frequency of these errors, thus reducing the risk for all patients.
Read article - Brigham and Women's Hosptial. August 14, 2008.
Many Find Need for American Health Care Reform - [08/07/08]
Summary: In a recent study researchers found that about 82% of Americans believe that the health care system in America needs to be reformed. 90% believed that the presidential candidates need to develop health care reform plans to improve the quality and coverage of health care. 90% also believe that it is important to have one doctor responsible for their primary care and for coordinating care with specialists. 90% also reported believing that having access to their medical records, and doctors having the same access was important.
Comment: Anxiety disorders require the best medical care possible, and many people in America do not believe that they are getting the level of care that they need. People with anxiety disorders, and all other people in America, can affect their health care system by contacting their representatives and voicing their concerns and thoughts about the current health care system.
Read article - Medical News TODAY August 7, 2008