NIMH: Mental Disorders Persist Among Hurricane Katrina Survivors

More residents affected by Hurricane Katrina are enduring mental disorders than was initially determined a few months after the storm, according to a NIMH-funded study published online January 8, 2008, in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. The trend runs counter to the typical pattern of recovery after a natural disaster, in which the prevalence of mental disorders among the survivors gradually decreases and fades out after about two years.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/mental-disorders-persist- among-hurricane-katrina-survivors.shtml

NIMH: Faster-Acting Medications for Bipolar Disorder’s Manic Phase May Be Feasible: New Research Pinpoints Potential Molecular Target in Brain Cells

Scientists may be able to develop faster-acting medications for the manic phase of bipolar disorder, new research shows. Current medications take several days to weeks to work, during which the extreme mood shifts of the disease may cause patients to engage in harmful behaviors, such as risky health behaviors or spending sprees. The faster medications would be aimed more directly at a molecular site on brain cells that current medications, such as lithium and valproate, reach through a slower, roundabout route. By targeting the site with a protein fragment they designed, NIMH scientists reduced manic-like behaviors and associated brain changes in rats. Results of this study are published in the January 2 issue
of The Journal of Neuroscience.

Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/faster-acting-medications- for-bipolar-disorders-manic-phase-may-be-feasible.shtml

NIH News Release: Thin Bones Seen in Boys with Autism and Autism Spectrum
Disorder

Results of an early study suggest that dairy-free diets and unconventional food preferences could put boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at higher than normal risk for thinner, less dense bones when compared to a group of boys the same age who do not have autism. The study, by researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, was published online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jan2008/nichd-29.htm

NIH News Release: Does the Desire for Drugs Begin Outside Awareness? NIDA Research Reveals Subconscious Signals Can Trigger Drug Craving Circuits

Using a brain imaging technology called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have discovered that cocaine-related images trigger the emotional centers of the brains of patients addicted to drugs — even when the subjects are unaware they've seen anything. The study, published January 30, 2008 in the journal PLoS One, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jan2008/nida-29.htm

NIH Develops Down Syndrome Research Plan

The National Institutes of Health has developed a research plan to advance understanding of Down syndrome and speed development of new treatments for the condition, the most frequent genetic cause of mild to moderate mental retardation and associated medical problems. The plan sets research goals for the next 10 years that build upon earlier research advances fostered by the NIH.

Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jan2008/nichd-22.htm

NIH ‘Research Matters’: Injury to Specific Brain Regions May Reduce PTSD Risk

Military veterans wounded in certain brain regions during combat were less likely to later develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those injured in other areas of the brain, according to a new study. The findings suggest new strategies for potential PTSD therapies that use drugs or other interventions to dampen activity in these brain regions. A research team including scientists from NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Naval Medical Center reported their results December 23, 2007, in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience.

NINDS Press Release: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/press_releases/pressrelease_PTSD_brain_injuries.htm

NIH Research Matters: http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/january2008/
01142008ptsd.htm

FDA Alerts Health Care Providers to Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior with Antiepileptic Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new information to health care professionals to alert them about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (suicidality) in patients who take drugs called antiepileptics to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches, and other conditions.

Press Release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01786.html

SAMHSA: New Study Indicates That People Who Experienced Prolonged Displacement from Their Homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Had Higher Rates of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems—Most Adults Affected By the Storms Showed Surprising Mental Health Resilience

Adults forced from their homes for two weeks or more by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita were much more likely to report mental health and substance abuse problems than those who were not similarly dislocated, according to a report based on surveys conducted before and after these storms hit. The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), however, also indicated that most adults affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not evidence increased levels of mental health or substance abuse problems.

Press Release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0801311441.aspx

U.S. Army: Concussions Occurring Among Our Soldiers Deployed in Iraq

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research reported results of an anonymous survey they conducted in 2006 on over 2500 Active Duty and Reserve Soldiers 3 to 4 months after their return home following a one-year deployment to Iraq. The results of the survey were surprising to many people as it indicated that mild traumatic brain injury (or concussion), when associated with loss of consciousness, resulted in a large increase in post traumatic syndrome (PTSD) when compared to those Soldiers with other injury types or no injuries while serving in Iraq. Findings are reported in the January 31, 2008 issue of the New
England Journal of Medicine.

Questions and Answers about the Study: http://wrair-www.army.mil/newsletter/MildTBI.pdf

NIMH Director’s Report to the National Advisory Mental Health Council –

January 11, 2008

The Institute Director’s report to the 217^th National Advisory Mental Health Council (NAMHC) Meeting has been posted on the NIMH Website.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/advisory-boards-and-groups/namhc/reports/directors-
report-to-the-national-advisory-mental-health-council-january-11-2008.shtml

Inside the NIH Grant Review Process: A Video on Peer Review at NIH

The NIH Center for Scientific Review has produced a video of a mock study section meeting to provide an inside look at how NIH grant applications are reviewed for scientific and technical merit. The video shows how outside experts assess applications and how review meetings are conducted to ensure fairness. The video also includes information on what applicants can do to improve the chances their applications will receive a positive review. http://www.drg.nih.gov/Video/Video.asp

NIH Radio

NIH Radio is a 24-hour audio service designed to provide radio stations with the latest information about NIH research findings, highlights of press conferences, and health campaigns. Listen to MP3 audio or view transcripts of recent audio reports on exciting new research findings. January reports, including an audio report describing the recent NIMH supported research findings on predicting psychotic illness in youth, can be accessed at http://www.nih.gov/news/radio/jan2008/index.htm

NIAAA: For Your Health: Strategies to Cut Down on Drinking

A new brochure from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Tips for Cutting Down on Drinking, offers practical and realistic strategies for individuals who want to drink less. The brochure is available in both English and Spanish. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Tips/tips.htm

SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies

Nicotine Dependence: 2006

Based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, of the 61.6 million persons aged 12 or older who in 2006 smoked cigarettes in the past month, 57.7 percent met the criteria for nicotine dependence in the past month. Adults aged 18 or older who were dependent on nicotine in the past month were more than twice as likely as adults who were not nicotine dependent to have experienced serious psychological distress in the past year. Both youth and adults who were dependent on nicotine in the past month were more than twice as likely as those who were not nicotine dependent to have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/nicotine/nicotine.cfm

Geographic Differences in Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine /Amphetamine and Marijuana: 2005

Among the six substances of abuse that dominate substance abuse treatment admissions reported to SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), three (marijuana, methamphetamine/amphetamines, and opiates other than heroin) increased between 1995 and 2005 and three decreased (alcohol, cocaine, and heroin). Generally, in both 1995 and 2005, the Pacific and Mountain States had the highest rates for substance abuse treatment admissions whose primary drug was methamphetamine/ amphetamines. The full report contains maps indicating the relative quintile for each state's rate of substance abuse treatment admissions
whose primary drug was methamphetamine /amphetamines or marijuana.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/stateMethamphetamineTX/methamphetamines.cfm

New Reports from CDC

School-Associated Student Homicides: United States, 1992–2006

Despite the occurrence of high-profile events, these findings show that schools remain safe places for students. In fact, the vast majority of children and youth homicides occur outside school hours and property. A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the total school associated student homicide rates decreased significantly between academic school years 1992 thru 2006. They also found a decline in the rates of single-victim school
associated homicides, while multiple-victim homicide rates remain stable.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5702a1.htm

Health Characteristics of the Asian Adult Population: United States, 2004–2006

This new report compares national estimates for selected health status indicators, health behaviors, health care utilization, health conditions, immunizations, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing status among selected non-Hispanic Asian adult subgroups. Measures for psychological indicators are included. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad394.pdf

AHRQ Research Activities: Use of Antidepressants by Low-Income Pregnant Women has Jumped More than Twofold, Raising Questions about Fetal Risks

A new study, supported in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), reveals a more than twofold jump in use of antidepressants among low-income pregnant women who were insured by Tennessee Medicaid. The rise was mostly due to use of the new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which were used by 10 percent of the women studied by 2003. The use of SSRIs during both early and late pregnancy has been linked to neonatal problems such as neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities. Thus, increased use of SSRIs among pregnant women raises concerns about fetal risks. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/jan08/0108RA9.htm

ACYF: Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care—Building the Infrastructure: A Guide for Communities

This guide developed by the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) Children’s Bureau is designed for communities developing and implementing systems of care. The guide outlines definitions, goals, activities, personnel, and expected outcomes for the fundamental components of the infrastructure needed to support systems of care. http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/service/soc/communicate/initiative/ntaec.cfm

NIDA Invites Comments on its Draft Strategic Plan

Given recent revolutionary advances in drug abuse research, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has recently undergone a strategic planning process gathering recommendations from the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse and from ongoing dialogue with its various stakeholder groups to establish achievable goals and objectives for the future. NIDA's Draft Strategic Plan outlines four major goal areas – Prevention, Treatment, HIV/AIDS, and Cross Cutting Priorities – each with Strategic Objectives that will guide NIDA's research agenda for the future. The public is invited to review this draft plan and provide comments. Comments must be emailed or postmarked by February 6,
2008. http://www.drugabuse.gov/StrategicPlan/

SAMHSA: 2008 Science and Service Awards Will Honor Implementation of Evidence-Based Mental Health and Substance Abuse Interventions

SAMHSA has issued a call for applications for its 2008 Science and Service Awards, a national program that recognizes community-based organizations and coalitions that have shown exemplary implementation of evidence-based mental health and substance abuse interventions. Application deadline is March 31, 2008. http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0801181059.aspx

Webcast: Comprehensive Assessment of Complex Trauma

February 21, 2008 2-3:30pm ET
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network, this free webcast will provide information on the comprehensive assessment of complex trauma. http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_train_tele_compsched

Conference Call: The National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day— How to Get Out the Message

February 21, 2008 1-2:30 pm ET
This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health will explore how the National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day initiative is a strategy for partnership development and how partnership development is a fundamental component for systems transformation. The presenters will also discuss technical assistance available to states and communities to utilize this strategy. http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2008.html

Health Observance: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

February 24-March 1, 2008

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week highlights the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors – such as genetics, while also calling attention to some of the new discoveries surrounding the role of genetics in the development of eating disorders. http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp?year=2008#34

Workshop: Responding to School Violence

March 11-12, 2008, Portland, Oregon

The DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime is offering to this training, to explore strategies to create a culture of nonviolence within schools, strategies to intervene and prevent potential school attacks, immediate, short- and long-term strategies to respond to a violent episode, and strategies to address reactions to violent episodes. http://www.sei2003.com/ovcttac2008/SchoolViolence.htm

National GAINS Center Conference: Creating More Effective Services

March 18-20, 2008, Washington, DC

The SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services’ (CMHS) National GAINS Center Conference represents a unique opportunity for practitioners and researchers working at the interfaces of the criminal justice and mental health systems to network, learn, and share knowledge on creating effective services for justice-involved individuals with mental illness. The purpose of this conference is to develop and expand the research base for effective criminal justice/mental health programs and policies. Registration, which is free, is open until March 1, 2008. http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/2008conference/

Regional Conference: Navigating the Future—Accessing and Sustaining Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations

March 19-20, 2008, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Office for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is sponsoring two regional conferences to offer guidance to faith-based and community organizations on how to access federal and private funding, manage financial and organizational growth, and sustain their efforts on behalf of youth. While there is no registration fee, early registration is recommended, as seating is limited. http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/enews/08juvjust/080122.html

Regional Conference: Navigating the Future—Accessing and Sustaining Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations

April 1–2, 2008, Los Angeles, California

The Office for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is sponsoring two regional conferences to offer guidance to faith-based and community organizations on how to access federal and private funding, manage financial and organizational growth, and sustain their efforts on behalf of youth. While there is no registration fee, early registration is recommended, as seating is limited. http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/enews/08juvjust/080122.html

Regional Training: Promoting Wellness—An Integrated Approach to Homeless Service Delivery

April 7-8, 2008, Oakland, California

SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center is offering this free training on innovative strategies for providing homeless services and creating environments that are person- centered, recovery-oriented and trauma-informed. This training is applicable to anyone providing homeless services including direct service providers, consumers, administrators and policy makers. http://homeless.samhsa.gov/

NCDEU: New Research Approaches for Mental Health Interventions

May 27-30, 2008, Phoenix, Arizona

The New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit (NCDEU) Meeting, co-sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, is a scientific conference that brings together academic researchers from multiple disciplines involved in clinical trials, practicing psychologists, research pharmacists, nurses, and social workers, as well as investigators with the pharmaceutical industry, and representatives from NIMH/NIH and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/ncdeu
/index.shtml

Save the Date: Blending Addiction Science and Treatment—The Impact of Evidence-Based Practices on Individuals, Families and Communities

June 2-3, 2008, Cincinnati, Ohio

This NIDA conference provides an important opportunity for clinicians and providers to interact with the developers of empirically supported treatments in awareness raising workshops focused on treatment implementation. The goal of the Blending Addiction Science and Practice Conference is to improve addiction treatment practices so more people recover from addictive disorders. http://www.NIDABlendingConference.info

Save the Date: The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care Learning Exchange

July 11-12, 2008, Washington, DC

The SAMHSA CMHS funded National Center for Trauma-Informed Care will be hosting a two-day learning exchange and networking transformation forum to highlight useful and practical strategies for moving forward together with the implementation of trauma-informed care in organizations, programs, and services. http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic/

Save the Date: The 13th Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health

September 25-27, 2008, Phoenix, Arizona

Sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Center for School Mental Health and the IDEA Partnership, this year’s conference theme is “School Mental Health for All Students: Building a Shared Agenda for Youth, Families, Schools, and Communities.” http://csmh.umaryland.edu/conf_meet/AnnualConference/index.html

NIMH Grant Funds Available to Support Partnerships to Research Stigma Reduction Efforts

The program announcement, Reducing Mental Illness Stigma and Discrimination (Collaborative R01), was recently released by the NIMH. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by the NIMH, and conceived in collaboration with the SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will provide funding for partnerships to assess the effectiveness of existing stigma and discrimination reduction programs and approaches, including media-oriented approaches such as public service announcements; develop innovative new programs and approaches; and examine the role
of media in perpetuating and changing mental illness stigma and discrimination. (Application
Receipt Dates: February 5, June 5) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-040.html

SAMHSA: Center for Mental Health Services Conference Support

The Center for Mental Health Services, within SAMHSA, through a contract with AFYA, Inc., is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who would like to participate in the following annual meetings: 2008 SAMHSA/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Invitational Conference on Medicaid and Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Treatment, National Association of Peer Specialists, National Association of Rural Mental Health, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and/or the International Conference on Self-Determination. Application deadline is February 15, 2008. http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/listserv/011808.asp

Department of Education: Safe Schools-Healthy Students Initiative http://www.ed.gov/programs/dvpsafeschools/applicant.html

Department of Justice: FY 2008 Education, Training and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities Grant Program

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=HhvNftbr5ty5JQYb0xFWPJjT8DG
bGDm76xp193FJdGhWhwwDXnpN!669841106?oppId=16608&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

SAMHSA: Grants for Mental Health Programs Specially Geared to Servicing the Mental Health Needs of Older Americans

http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0801160511.aspx

SAMHSA: Drug Free Communities Support Program http://samhsa.gov/grants/2008/sp_08_002.aspx

Selected NIH Program Announcements (PAs)

[Full listing of NIH PAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/index.html ]

NIMH Research Education Grants (R25)

The purpose of the NIMH Research Education Program is to foster the development of mental health researchers via creative and innovative research educational programs. The NIMH encourages educational programs that will attract, train, and advance the career development of scientists committed to research careers relevant to the mission of the NIMH. These programs may be designed as institutional, regional or national programs. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-079.html

Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-075.html (R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-076.html (R21)

NIDA Core “Center of Excellence” Grant Program
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-073.html (P30)

Research Education Grants for Statistical Training in the Genetics of Addiction

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-081.html (R25)

Alcohol Research Education Project Grants

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-082.html (R25)

Selected NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)

[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html ]

Alcohol Tolerance: Contribution to Consumption

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-08-009.html (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-021.html (R21)

Dissertation Grant Awards for Doctoral Candidates for Violence-Related Injury
Prevention Research in Minority Communities (R49)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CE-08-005.html

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