The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has updated its guidance on clinical trials for new depression treatments, with the goals of harmonizing standards across the EU and facilitating development of improved therapies. Key Facts: Depression is a highly disabling condition affecting many worldwide, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic Up to 2/3 of patients …
Electroretinography, a non-invasive retinal scanning technique, shows some promise for detecting suicidal behaviors based on changes in retinal cell signals. However, large scale studies are needed to determine its reliability. Key Facts: Electroretinography (ERG) measures electrical signals from retinal cells in response to light flashes to assess retinal health. ERG wave changes have been linked …
New research reveals that lower intelligence and poorer emotional control in adolescence are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors over the life course. However, while lower intelligence is linked to a consistently higher suicide risk into late middle age, the association between emotional control and suicide risk diminishes in strength over …
Suicide is a leading cause of premature death worldwide. Social isolation is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor for suicide. Thorough understanding of this relationship is crucial to guide prevention efforts and policy. Key Facts: Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year globally, with many more attempting suicide. Social isolation significantly increases suicide …
New research suggests that having higher intelligence may reduce the risk of depression associated with neuroticism, a personality trait linked to emotional instability. Key Facts: Neuroticism is strongly associated with an increased risk of depression and psychological distress. Intelligence does not appear to protect against clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder in highly neurotic individuals. …
Recent research suggests that adjusting overall diet, rather than taking supplements, may help improve symptoms of depression. Whole food and whole diet interventions show promise as adjunctive treatments for depression, though more research is still needed. Key Facts: 7 studies with over 49,000 participants found that whole food or whole diet interventions reduced depression symptoms …
Depression is a major global health issue, but diet may be an effective yet overlooked treatment approach. New research identifies the top food sources of 12 key nutrients that help prevent and treat depression. Oysters, organ meats, leafy greens, lettuces, peppers and cruciferous veggies pack the biggest nutritional antidepressant punch. Key facts: Depression is the …
Eating well may help prevent and treat depression, according to growing evidence from studies on diet and mental health. Key facts: Following an overall healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil is associated with a lower risk of depression. A “Western” diet high in processed foods, fried foods, sugary foods, …
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry provides promising evidence that focused ultrasound stimulation of the prefrontal cortex can alleviate depressive behaviors in mice by suppressing inflammatory responses. Key facts: Researchers stimulated the prefrontal cortex of mice with focused ultrasound for 30 minutes. Mice treated with ultrasound showed less depressive behaviors compared to sham …
New research demonstrates that repeated focused ultrasound treatments can have antidepressant-like effects in rats. The non-invasive technique was able to improve performance on a common test of depressive behaviors. While not a silver bullet solution, focused ultrasound represents an exciting potential alternative for depression treatment. Key Facts: Focused ultrasound (FUS) uses targeted sound waves to …
