Patterns of inflammation in childhood and mental and cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood: mapping the trajectories

feature

Ruby Tsang summarises a recent longitudinal study of trajectories of inflammation in youth and risk of mental and cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood, which finds that high levels of inflammation in childhood may be linked to an increased risk of psychosis, depression and insulin resistance in early adulthood.

[read the full story...]

Uncharted territory: cumulative trauma and bipolar disorder

Magnetic compass  and location marking with a pin on routes on world map. Adventure, discovery, navigation, communication, logistics, geography, transport and travel theme concept background.

Magda Skowronska summarises a recent systematic review which finds that cumulative trauma could lead to earlier onset of bipolar disorder. A review that has important implications for mental health professionals.

[read the full story...]

Alternatives to medication for ‘treatment-resistant schizophrenia’

marius-masalar-rplrCVMEptk-unsplash

Kalya Win Aung, Angela Kibia and Dorothy Williams consider a systematic review and network meta-analysis published by the Lancet Psychiatry on psychological and psychosocial interventions for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

[read the full story...]

HRT associated with reduced risk of psychosis relapse in middle-age women

Close,Up,Head,And,Shoulders,View,Of,Older,Woman,In

Laura Naysmith summarises a study of menopausal hormone therapy (also known as HRT), which suggests the treatment is linked with reduce the risk of psychosis relapse in menopausal women.

[read the full story...]

Omega-3 supplements for the prevention of psychosis: another trial shows no benefit, so is it time to move on?

Feature

David Mongan reports on a recent trial of omega-3 supplementation for the prevention of psychosis in people at ultra-high risk, which finds no evidence of a positive effect. He reflects on these findings and considers what’s next for the field.

[read the full story...]

The role of the gut microbiome in treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Feature

Nuala Murray explores a recent Australian case-control study that looks at the associations between changes in gut microbiota and schizophrenia diagnosis, treatment resistance, and clozapine response.

[read the full story...]

Is short sleep linked to risk of psychosis and could inflammation be a factor?

A sleeping child

Amy Ferguson summarises a recent study published by researchers in Birmingham, which suggests that persistent shorter sleep in childhood may increase the risk of psychotic experiences.

[read the full story...]

KarXT: an innovative and promising treatment for schizophrenia

Hands holding paper head, human brain with flowers, self care and mental health concept, positive thinking, creative mind

Nicola Rizzo Pesci and Andrea Cipriani summarise findings from the EMERGENT-2 trial spotlighting a promising new drug treatment for schizophrenia.

[read the full story...]

Cognition and heterogeneity in first-episode psychosis before antipsychotic treatment

Memory loss and dementia, brain damage concept. Profile of sad man losing parts of his head as symbol of reduced function of brain and mind sitting alone vector illustration

Ana Veic looks at an updated systematic review which suggests that patients with psychosis display cognitive difficulties very early in the disease process, and concludes this variation in cognitive function should prompt individual clinical assessments to optimise care.

[read the full story...]