Psychiatry

Empathy is not an explanation for contagious yawning, according to a study published in PLOS ONE.

Infants with autism who were fed soy-based formula had more seizures than their counterparts fed dairy-based formulas, according to a study published in PLOS ONE.

Reading and language skills development are slowed by high levels of metabolites glutamate and choline in the brain, according to a study published in the

Atypical development in younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder can be detected as early as 12 months old.

When encouraging and supporting patients to quit smoking, varenicline is unlikely to increase the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events such as suicide, depression, and aggression, even in patients with pre-existing psychiatric illness.

Scientists have identified and blocked the trigger for autism and other mental illnesses in stem cells that test positive for fragile X syndrome.

A 2,000 mg dose of high-quality American ginseng is effective as a treatment for cancer-related fatigue, though it may be better at preventing the condition.

There has been much speculation about whether the implementation of complex mental health parity rules will actually yield equal coverage of care.

Several factors should be considered when choosing a medication and dosing schedule for this depressed adult male who reports being "very sensitive" to medication and expresses particular concern about being either sedated or "revved up" from an antidepressant.

Although boosted self-esteem and increased confidence are added benefits to fixing an embarrassing physical flaw, they can also lead both the patient and surgeon down a slippery slope.

In addition to treating episodes of major depression, Brintellix (vortioxentine) has demonstrated superiority to placebo on measures of cognitive function in adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Results from animal models of depression and a human clinical trial show that enhancing, instead of blocking, the NMDA glutamate receptor can cause antidepressant-like effects.

The effective therapist will practice what he preaches, pun intended.

During the limited period in which the cosmetic surgeon consults with a body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) patient before rhinoplasty, several factors must be assessed and discussed.

Creating a safer environment for clinicians and patients starts with better formalized reporting of aggressive and violent behavior, and should also include more rigorous screening and assessment for risk markers of violent behavior.

One treatment-resistant depression patient's response to over-the-counter cough medicine led Steven P. Levine, MD, to study the mechanism and effects of dextromethorphan in depression.

Study results show patients with the disorder report a sever burden of illness, with high rates of hospital and emergency room visits and significant negative impact on activities of daily living.

Two studies at the American College of Gastroenterology's 78th Annual Scientific Meeting analyzed the health outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease in the U.S. and Canada.

Steven P. Levine, MD, says the implications of altering the microbiome may extend beyond C. difficile to mental health, given the new insight into the connection between the gut and mind.

Study shows that somatization and low job security are independently associated with low back pain prevalence.

Study results presented at the 2013 United States Conference on AIDS show that both combo drugs have a similar efficacy profile in ART-naïve patients, but patients treated with Complera reported fewer and less severe side effects.

A survey of pediatric subspecialists found that 9 in 10 do not follow guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics for treating preschoolers with ADHD.

Steven P. Levine, MD, reminds prescribers to satisfy the voices in their heads by acknowledging that any medicine may be poisonous to patients.

Steven P. Levine, MD, recommends selecting a biologic intervention from column A and a psychotherapy agent from column B to effectively treat depression and anxiety.

Treating patients with multiple sclerosis who opt to use only supplements and other complementary and alternative approaches requires a great deal of tact and education, and input and support from all members of the multidisciplinary treatment team.