Eureka Alert!

Why Therapy Doesn’t Work for Everyone. Why Talking About It Might.

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘Hmmm. That's funny...’ – Isaac Asimov

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Antidepressants and Bone Loss?

SSRIs may cause bone loss in older people, according to studies at two universities. The results were published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. The link has to do with serotonin.

See Study: Antidepressants may cause bone loss.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Asthma and Anxiety Linked

This is one of several articles discussing the link between asthma and anxiety disorders. The link makes biological sense when you consider asthma is an autoimmune disorder and some anxiety disorders may have autoimmune origins in some individuals, as seen, for example, in the PANDAs research by Susan Swedo at the National Institutes of Health. However, because asthma attacks can be frightening, they can make people anxious. This does not discount the biological link, though.

See Mental Health Disorders May Make Asthma Symptoms Worse.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Can Genes Predict Response to SSRIs?

The genes thought to be involved in antidepressant effectiveness are not and many individuals do not respond well or at all to these drugs. Now two researchers are looking at genes to see who responds to antidepressants.

See UCSF Researcher Tracks Genes that Predict Response to Antidepressants.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Dogs Guide Search For Panic, OCD, and Anxiety Genes

Dogs aren't immune from anxiety disorders -- which makes sense in the context of evolution -- that the symptoms of these disorders in humans are remnants of survival instincts. Now one researcher is using dogs, which are genetically less complex than humans, to locate these genes.

See Dogs Guide Search for Genes in Panic and Anxiety.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Folic Acid May Help Relieve Depression

While depression and other brain disorders have multiple origins, the link between nutrition and depression is becoming clearer. Research out of the University of York and Hull York Medical School confirms previous studies showing the low folate levels correlates with depression in some individuals. This does not mean low levels of folate cause depression. It means the two are linked. Previous research by the team showed that individuals with depression appear to have a gene that leads to folate being processed folate less efficiently. Folate plays a role in the production of serotonin and other chemicals in the brain that make you feel good. Adding folic acid to the diet, therefore, mat help people with depression. Large, controlled trials are needed to prove the effectiveness.

See Adding Folic Acid To Bread Could Help In The Fight Against Depression.