| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Different Families,
Different Characteristics – Different Kinds of Bipolar Disorder?
People with bipolar disorder (BPD) tend to share similarities in certain
characteristics with other members of their families, NIMH-funded
researchers have shown. Because the levels of similarity vary from
family to family, the findings suggest the existence of different
subtypes of BPD and may help determine if the subtypes have different
causes. The results were published in the December 2006 issue of the
Archives of General Psychiatry. See science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/bp-familiality.cfm
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NIMH: History of Childhood
Abuse or Neglect Increases Risk of Major Depression
People who were abused or neglected as children have increased risk
of major depression, which often begins in childhood and has lingering
effects as they mature, according to a study funded by NIMH. This
was the first long-term study to examine the risk of depression in
this population. The study compared 676 adults with a court-substantiated
history of childhood physical and sexual abuse or neglect occurring
before age 11 with 520 non-abused and non-neglected adults. The results
were published in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
See science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/abuse-depression.cfm
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NIMH: Experience Sculpts
Brain Circuitry to Build Resiliency to Stress-- Rats Develop "Illusion
of Control"
It's long been known that experiencing control over a stressor immunizes
a rat from developing a depression-like syndrome when it later encounters
stressors that it can't control. Now, scientists funded by the NIMH
have unraveled the workings of the brain circuitry that inoculates
against such hard knocks – the circuitry of resilience. A report
on this first study exploring the neural mechanisms by which an initial
experience with a controllable stressor can block the later behavioral
effects of an uncontrollable stressor, appears in the December 20,
2006 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. See press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/stress-resilience.cfm
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NIMH: New Data on Suicidal
Behaviors in Black Americans May Guide Interventions
The prevalence of attempted suicide among black Americans is higher
than previously reported, but near the levels reported for the general
population. However, certain risk factors for suicide in this group
differ from the general U.S. population. The results of a nationally
representative household survey called the National Survey of American
Life, funded by NIMH, were published in the November 1, 2006 issue
of the Journal of the American Medical Association. See science update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/suicideinblacks.cfm |
NIH Awards Nearly $11.5 Million
to Support Science Education Programs
The National Center for Research Resources, announced it will provide
nearly $11.5 million to fund 11 Science Education Partnership Awards
(SEPA) across the nation. The SEPA projects are designed to inform
the public about health issues, foster science literacy, and encourage
students to consider careers in the health sciences. Through mobile
laboratories, portable science kits, planetarium films, and online
activities, these SEPA projects will provide hands-on, inquiry-based,
instruction on topics such as cardiovascular risk factors, genetic
testing, and diabetes treatment and prevention. Participants will
study multiple research-related issues, learn about the clinical trials
process, and examine their own health and lifestyle choices. See press
release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/ncrr-04.htm
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NIA: Mental Exercise Helps
Maintain Some Seniors’ Thinking Skills
Certain mental exercises can offset some of the expected decline in
older adults' thinking skills and show promise for maintaining cognitive
abilities needed to do everyday tasks such as shopping, making meals
and handling finances, according to a new study. The research, funded
by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute
of Nursing Research and published in the December 20, 2006, Journal
of the American Medical Association, showed that some of the benefits
of short-term cognitive training persisted for as long as five years.
See press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/dec2006/nia-19.htm
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NIA: New Brain Imaging Compound
Shows Promise For Earlier Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
A new imaging molecule that can detect and map plaques and tangles
in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease could eventually
lead to earlier diagnosis of the devastating disease, researchers
at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) report in the
December 21, 2006, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The
compound developed by UCLA and called FDDNP, also holds promise as
a research tool to evaluate new treatments for Alzheimer's. The study
was funded in part by the NIA.
See press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/dec2006/nia-20.htm |
NIDA-Sponsored Survey Shows
Decrease in Illicit Drug Use among Nation’s Teens but Prescription
Drug Abuse Remains High: Study Shows 23.2 Percent Decline in Illicit
Drug Use over Five-Year Period, Led by Decrease in Marijuana Use
The 2006 Monitoring the Future survey of eighth, 10th and 12th graders
indicates that their past-month use of illicit drugs has dropped 23.2
percent since 2001. By contrast, abuse of prescription opioids remains
at high levels. The survey showed that past-month marijuana use for
all three grades combined declined significantly from 2005 to 2006.
There was also news about teen smoking as well as alcohol consumption.
Cigarette smoking is at an all-time low for all three grades, and
past-month alcohol use continued to trend downward.
See press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/dec2006/nida-21.htm
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FDA Approves New Drug for
Schizophrenia
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Invega (paliperidone)
extended-release tablets for the treatment of schizophrenia. Paliperidone
is a new molecular entity, which means this medication contains an
active substance that has never before been approved for marketing
in any form in the United States. Paliperidone is the principal active
metabolite of risperidone, a marketed drug for treating schizophrenia.
See press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01534.html
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FDA Approves First Generic
Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets
The FDA approved the first generic version of Wellbutrin XL (Bupropion
hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets, which are indicated for the
treatment of major depressive disorder. The approval is an important
step in the agency's effort to increase the availability of lower-cost
generic medications. In 2005, Wellbutrin XL was the 21st highest-selling
brand-name drug in the United States, with sales totaling $1,326,323,000
as reported in the online magazine Drug Topics. See press release:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01526.html
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CMS Grants Will Help States
Design Alternatives to Institutions for Children with Mental Illness
With the proper supports, children institutionalized with mental illness
that could thrive in their homes and communities will now have the
opportunity to do so in 10 states that received grants from the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency announced $218
million in grants over five years to state Medicaid programs to develop
care delivery systems under the Community Alternatives to Psychiatric
Residential Treatment Facilities demonstrations. The grants will provide
a comprehensive package of community-based services for children with
mental illness. Further information about this grant program is on
the CMS web site:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DeficitReductionAct/20_PRTF.asp#TopOfPage
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CMS Publishes Final Patients
Rights Rules on Use of Restraints and Seclusion Better-- More Extensive
Training Staff Required
Health care workers who employ physical restraints and seclusion when
treating patients must undergo new, more rigorous training to assure
the appropriateness of the treatment and to protect patient rights,
according to a regulation published in the Federal Register by the
CMS. The patients’ rights regulations set forth, as a condition
of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the expectation
that health care facilities will protect the rights of patients. See
press release: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp
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| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
New on the NIMH Website
Landmark Council Session Spotlights "Real World" Trials
Principal investigators of NIMH's four large-scale clinical trials
presented study results and their implications at the National Advisory
Mental Health Council meeting on September 15, 2006. Stephen Hyman,
MD, who launched the trials during his tenure as NIMH Director, presented
background and context for the trials, which evaluated various treatments
for schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/council-trials.cfm
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NIA: NIH Senior Health Web
Site Adds Information on Depression
NIHSeniorHealth has added depression to its list of health topics
of interest to older adults. This senior-friendly medical Web site
is a joint effort of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the
National Library of Medicine (NLM).
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/depression/toc.html
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Latest NIDA NewScan Available
This issue of NewsScan highlights NIDA-supported studies involving
international collaborations that were published in a special supplement
to Drug and Alcohol Dependence in April 2006. In addition, a summary
of three NIDA international programs designed to foster research collaboration
through fellowships and exchange initiatives is provided.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/newsroom/06/NS-12.html
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Latest SAMHSA News Available
The latest SAMSHA newsletter is available and highlights use of electronic
records in healthcare.
http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News/VolumeXIV_6/index.htm
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New SAMHSA Resources
New Guide on Reducing Stigma and Discrimination
This publication is designed to support the activities of those who
plan and implement a statewide, regional, or local effort to address
and counter stigma and discrimination. The kit offers guidance on
how to implement an initiative, sample materials and templates to
use in developing communication materials, tactics to enhance outreach
efforts, and directories of resources for creating public education
materials.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma06-4176/
Building Bridges: Mental Health Consumers
and Primary Health Care Representatives in Dialogue
This publication discusses the findings of a two-day dialogue meeting
between mental health consumers and primary care representatives,
including providers, researchers and policymakers. Topics discussed
included the availability, affordability, and quality of, medical
and mental health services; interaction of general health and mental
health; cross-training in primary care and mental health care and
others.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma06-4040/
Building Bridges: Consumers and Representatives of the Mental Health
and Criminal Justice Systems in Dialogue
This publication provides consumers, providers, advocates, policy
makers and representatives from both criminal justice and mental health
systems with an understanding of issues that mental health consumers
experience in the criminal justice system. Issues discussed include
diversion from incarceration, prevention prior to people with mental
illnesses entering into jails and prisons, and community reentry efforts.
In addition, factors were discussed at both consumer level and systems
level that promote or hinder recovery from mental illnesses.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA05-4067/
New Web Resource: Tools to Assess Child
Trauma
The SAMHSA-funded National Child Traumatic Stress Network has prepared
and released a free online searchable database that provides clinicians
and researchers with in-depth information to enable them to choose
the best instrument to assess children and adolescents who have experienced
trauma. The purpose of the database is to promote the use of state-of-the-art
measures for improved clinical intervention and research on child
trauma.
http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News/VolumeXIV_6/article3.htm
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New Resources from the National
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Pain Management without Psychological Dependence: A Guide for Healthcare
Providers
This fact sheet provides healthcare providers with research-based
information on how to provide pain management while avoiding psychological
dependence on opioids.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17500
Identifying and Helping Patients with Co-Occurring
Substance Use and Mental Disorders: A Guide for Primary Care Providers
This fact sheet explores the relationship between co-occurring substance
use and mental disorders, including the identification of patients
with co-occurring disorders and providing or obtaining appropriate
treatment for such disorders.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17501
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SAMHSA: New Reports from
the Office of Applied Studies
Substance Use
in the 15 Largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2002-2005
This report compares estimates for illicit drug use, binge alcohol
use, and cigarette use for the nation as a whole with the same behaviors
in the 15 largest metropolitan statistical areas. The new report says
that the two U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest rates of past
month illicit drug use are San Francisco (12.7 percent) and Detroit
(9.5 percent) while the national average was 8.1 percent.
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0701044519.aspx
Service Utilization for Mental Health
Problems among Adults
SAMHSA's National Surveys on Drug Use and Health in 2003 through 2005
were combined to assess the receipt of treatment for mental health
problems, the perceived unmet need for such treatment, and the reasons
for not receiving treatment for mental health problems among those
with an unmet need for treatment. About 5.1 percent of all adults
and 19.2 percent of adults who received treatment for mental health
problems in the past year perceived an unmet need for treatment or
counseling for mental health problems in the past year. Of those adults
who perceived an unmet need for treatment for mental health problems
in the past year, 48.1 percent reported cost or insurance issues as
a barrier to treatment receipt.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/mhTX/mhTX.cfm
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SAMHSA: New Reports from
the Office of Applied Studies
Substance Use in the 15 Largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2002-2005
This report compares estimates for illicit drug use, binge alcohol
use, and cigarette use for the nation as a whole with the same behaviors
in the 15 largest metropolitan statistical areas. The new report says
that the two U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest rates of past
month illicit drug use are San Francisco (12.7 percent) and Detroit
(9.5 percent) while the national average was 8.1 percent.
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0701044519.aspx
Service Utilization for Mental Health Problems among
Adults
SAMHSA's National Surveys on Drug Use and Health in 2003 through 2005
were combined to assess the receipt of treatment for mental health
problems, the perceived unmet need for such treatment, and the reasons
for not receiving treatment for mental health problems among those
with an unmet need for treatment. About 5.1 percent of all adults
and 19.2 percent of adults who received treatment for mental health
problems in the past year perceived an unmet need for treatment or
counseling for mental health problems in the past year. Of those adults
who perceived an unmet need for treatment for mental health problems
in the past year, 48.1 percent reported cost or insurance issues as
a barrier to treatment receipt.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/mhTX/mhTX.cfm
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AHRQ: New Report Finds Little
Evidence to Determine the Usefulness of Genetic Tests in the Treatment
of Depression
There is insufficient evidence to determine if current gene-based
tests intended to personalize the dose of medications in a class of
drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improve
patient outcomes or aid in treatment decisions in the clinical setting,
according to a new report supported by a collaboration of the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2007/cyp450pr.htm
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| Calls
for Public Input |
Input on Public Health Relevant
Research Questions for NIMH's Clinical Research Networks
NIMH is seeking input from the clinical research community, mental
health professionals, patient advocates and individuals living with
mental illnesses, private and public mental health service systems
and providers, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, and
other interested groups about important public mental health research
questions that could be addressed using the infrastructure provided
by three NIMH clinical research networks - the Bipolar Trials Network,
the Depression Trials Network, and the Schizophrenia Trials Network.
The deadline for input is Friday, February 9, 2007.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-06-128.html
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| Calls
for Applications |
New SAMHSA Science to Service
Awards Will Honor Implementation of Evidence-Based Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Interventions
SAMHSA has issued a call for applications for its Science to Service
Awards, a new national program that will recognize community-based
organizations and coalitions that have shown exemplary implementation
of evidence-based mental health and substance abuse interventions.
A maximum of three awards will be made in each of four categories:
substance abuse prevention, treatment of substance abuse and recovery
support services, mental health promotion, and treatment of mental
illness and recovery support services. To be eligible for an award,
an organization must have successfully implemented a recognized evidence-based
intervention, including those that are published in scientific literature
and/or appear on a Federal and/or state registry of evidence-based
intervention. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2007
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0612112518.aspx
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SAMHSA: Applications for
Financial Support
SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) through a
contract with AFYA, Inc., is providing financial support to consumers
of mental health services who would like to participate in the annual
conference sponsored by Mental Health America, formerly the National
Mental Health Association and the annual conference sponsored by
the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The purpose of the scholarships
is to foster transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery.
The deadlines for the scholarship applications are:
March 1, 2007 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness annual
conference
March 30, 2007 for the Mental Health America annual conference
For a copy of the application and additional information, contact
Lethia A. Kelly at lkelly@afyainc.com
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| Calendar
of Events |
Conference: Charting New
Frontiers in Rural Women’s Health
Washington, DC, August 13 -15, 2007
This conference is a collaborative effort amongst the US Department
of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health's multidisciplinary
models of care for women and will offer an opportunity for these models,
and others developed by community-based organizations, hospitals and
academic health centers, to share best practices, lessons learned,
strategies for implementing comprehensive, multidisciplinary models
of care, and effective evaluation methodologies focused on women living
in rural and frontier areas. Registration and conference details:
http://www.esi-bethesda.com/ruralfrontier2007
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| Funding
Information |
CDC: Grants Available to
States for Preventing Secondary Conditions and Promoting the Health
of People with Disabilities
CDC's Procurement and Grants Office has published a program announcement
entitled, "State Implementation Projects for Preventing Secondary
Conditions and Promoting the Health of People with Disabilities."
An estimated $4,500,000 will be available in fiscal year 2007 to fund
approximately 12-20 awards. The purpose of this program is to support
states in preventing secondary conditions in persons with disabilities,
improving access to public health programs, and in implementing effective
health promotion and wellness programs for persons with disabilities.
For complete program details, please see the full announcement on
the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm
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| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
Department of Justice: FY
2007 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault,
and Stalking on Campus Program
http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/currentsolicitations.htm
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| Research
Funding Opportunities (PAs and RFAs) |
NIH Program Announcements
(PAs)
[Full listing of NIH PAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/index.html]
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International Research Collaboration
on Drug Addiction (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-275.html
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Translational Research in
Eating Disorders (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-285.html
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Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS:
Focus on African Americans (R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-290.html
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Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS:
Focus on African Americans (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-289.html
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Information Technologies
and the Internet in Health Services and Intervention Delivery (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-295.html
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Research on Social Work Practice
and Concepts in Health (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-292.html
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Community Participation in
Research (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-283.html
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Health Behavior Change in
People with Mental Disorders (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-211.html
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Ruth L. Kirschstein National
Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships (F31)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-106.html
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Reducing Mental Illness Stigma
and Discrimination (Collaborative R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-156.html |
NIH Request for Applications
(RFAs)
[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html]
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Implementing Surveillance
to Determine the Prevalence of the Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other
Developmental Disabilities in Early Childhood Populations (U01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DD-07-007.html
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Disabilities in Early Childhood
Populations (U01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DD-07-007.html
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Alcohol, Puberty, and Adolescent
Brain Development (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-07-007.html
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in
the Neurobiology of Alcohol Tolerance and Dependence (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-07-011.html |
Animal Models of Endophenotypes
and Intermediate Phenotypes for Alcohol Related Behaviors (RO1)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-07-013.html
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| Epigenetic Mechanisms
in the Neurobiology of Alcohol Tolerance and Dependence (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-07-012.html
|
Animal Models of Endophenotypes
and Intermediate Phenotypes for Alcohol Related Behaviors (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-07-014.html
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Alcohol, Puberty, and Adolescent
Brain Development (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-07-008.html
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