Science News

NIH Awards $100 Million for Autism Centers of Excellence Program

Science Update • September 04, 2012

NIMH, along with NICHD, NINDS, NIDCD, and NIEHS, have awarded nine new grants aimed at advancing research on the causes of autism spectrum disorder and finding new treatments.

President Obama Signs Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military FamiliesExternal Link: Please review our disclaimer.

Science Update • August 31, 2012

President Obama signed an Executive Order directing key federal departments to expand suicide prevention strategies and take steps to meet the current and future demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families.

Daily or Severe Tantrums May Point to Mental Health Issues

Science Update • August 29, 2012

Most young children lose their temper sometimes, but daily tantrums or tantrums with severe behaviors, such as aggressive or destructive tantrums, are unusual and could signal a larger problem, according to an NIMH-funded study.

Couple’s Therapy Appears to Decrease PTSD Symptoms, Improve RelationshipExternal Link: Please review our disclaimer.

Science Update • August 14, 2012

Among couples in which one partner was diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), participation in disorder-specific couple therapy resulted in decreased PTSD symptom severity and increased patient relationship satisfaction, compared with couples who were placed on a wait list for the therapy, according to a study in the August 15 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

Brain Hubs Boil When Hoarders Face Pitching Their Own Stuff

Press Release • August 09, 2012

In patients with hoarding disorder, parts of a decision-making brain circuit under-activated when dealing with others’ possessions, but over-activated when deciding whether to keep or discard their own things.

Targeted Behavioral Therapy Can Effectively Control Tics in Adults with Tourette Syndrome

Science Update • August 06, 2012

New research finds that a modified cognitive behavioral therapy can successfully control the tics in adults who have Tourette Syndrome.

Brain Signal ID’s Responders to Fast-Acting Antidepressant

Press Release • August 03, 2012

Biomarkers identified in research on a fast-acting antidepressant can signal who will respond to the medication and are providing clues to how it works to lift depression.

NIH Researchers Use Brain Imaging to Understand Genetic Link between Parkinson's and a Rare DiseaseExternal Link: Please review our disclaimer.

Science Update • July 30, 2012

A rare metabolic disorder is helping researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) uncover new clues about the biology underlying Parkinson’s disease.

Many Youths with Autism Not Employed or In College 2 Years After High School

Science Update • July 20, 2012

Data from a nationally representative survey show that teens with autism appear to face additional challenges after graduating high school than peers with similar disabilities. NIMH-funded researchers highlight the need to improve transition planning and for further studies on the effectiveness of services for adults with autism.

Social Brain Circuits Disrupted in Autism

Science Update • July 19, 2012

Brain areas involved in social behavior are active but out of sync with each other in young people with autism, according to recent findings from functional brain imaging.