NIMH: Medication-Enhanced Learning in Therapy Hailed as “Paradigm Shift” for Anxiety

A medication that enhances learning, taken just before an exposure therapy session, may aid cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, say NIMH-funded researchers, who adapted the technique from studies in rats.

D-cycloserine, is used to “specifically enhance the efficacy of the emotional learning process that takes place in psychotherapy and hopefully make these new emotional memories more robust and long-lasting,” explained psychologist Barbara Rothbaum, Ph.D., an NIMH grantee at Emory University, in an editorial in the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry (AJP). She heralded the new approach as “a paradigm shift.”

Science news: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/medication-enhanced-learning-in-therapy-hailed-as-paradigm-shift-for-anxiety.shtml

NIMH: Human Brain Appears “Hard-Wired” for Hierarchy—Scans Hint at Why It Can Be Unhealthy Even at the Top

Human imaging studies have for the first time identified brain circuitry associated with social status, according to researchers at the NIMH. They found that different brain areas are activated when a person moves up or down in a pecking order – or simply views perceived social superiors or inferiors. Circuitry activated by important events responded to a potential change in hierarchical status as much as it did to winning money. The researchers report on their functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in the April 24, 2008, issue of the journal Neuron.

Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/human-brain-appears-hard-wired-for-hierarchy.shtml

NIEHS: Brain Study May Lead to Improved Epilepsy Treatments

Using a rodent model of epilepsy, researchers found one of the body’s own neurotransmitters released during seizures, glutamate, turns on a signaling pathway in the brain that increases production of a protein that could reduce medication entry into the brain. Researchers say this may explain why approximately 30 percent of patients with epilepsy do not respond to antiepileptic medications. The study, conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Medical School, in collaboration with Heidrun Potschka’s laboratory at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany, is available online and will appear in the May 2008, issue of Molecular Pharmacology.

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/apr2008/niehs-14.htm

FDA: Review of Therapeutic Equivalence Generic Bupropion XL 300 mg and Wellbutrin XL 300 mg

Between January 1 and June 30, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 85 post-marketing reports in which patients who switched from Wellbutrin XL 300 mg to Teva’s bupropion formulation (Budeprion XL 300 mg) experienced an undesirable effect. Specifically, in 78 of these cases, there was a reported loss of antidepressant effect following a switch from the branded to generic product. In addition to the loss of effect, a number of cases also reported the new onset or worsening of side effects. The reported side effects were consistent with the adverse effects in labeling for bupropion products. More than half of the patients who switched back to Wellbutrin XL 300 mg reported improvement of depression and/or abatement of side effects. In order to evaluate this series of post-marketing reports, the FDA has re-examined both the data on the bioequivalence of the two products (Wellbutrin XL and Teva's bupropion XL) and what is known about the natural history of treated depression.

Press release: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/bupropion/TE_review.htm

New on the NIMH Website

NIMH Alliance for Research Progress - February 8, 2008 Biannual Meeting

The meeting summary of the 2008 winter meeting of the NIMH Alliance for Research Progress is now available.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/outreach/alliance/alliance-report-february-2008/index.shtml

New on the NIDA Website

Latest NIDA NewsScan Available

The NIDA NewsScan for April 15, 2008 has been posted. This issue includes summaries of recent NIDA research including the following studies: a trial of adolescents with major depression and substance use disorder receiving the antidepressant fluoxetine along with weekly cognitive behavioral therapy for drug abuse, and a survey of smoking cessation attitudes among individuals with anxiety sensitivity.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/08/NS-4.html

New ‘NIH Research Matters’ of Interest

Brain Responds to Changes in Social Standing

Scientists have identified brain regions that react to changes in how people perceive their social ranking. The findings could have implications for understanding how health and behavior are affected by social status.

http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/april2008/04282008braingame.htm

SAMHSA: New Drug-Free Workplace Kit

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed a Drug-Free Workplace Kit, suitable for all sizes of workplaces. The free kit provides public and private workplaces with practical evidence-based information, resources, and tools for producing and maintaining drug-free workplace policies and programs.

http://www.workplace.samhsa.gov/WPWorkit/index.html

SAMHSA: New Resources from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Guide for Funeral Directors about Supporting Survivors

SAMHSA’s funded Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA have released a new guide for funeral directors to help them respond to families in the aftermath of a suicide. The brochure, Help at Hand – Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss: A Guide for Funeral Directors, covers what’s different about suicide deaths, tending to the complex needs of survivors, and dealing with compassion fatigue.

http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=122153

Preventing Youth Suicide in Rural America

SPRC and the State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association formed a workgroup to generate recommendations for state-level agencies to prevent suicide among rural youth. The recommendations are listed along seven areas, including: promoting help-seeking behaviors, data and surveillance, services, screening and identification, gatekeeper training, bereavement, and survivor issues. This report about the recommendations, Preventing Youth Suicide in Rural America: Recommendations to States, is now available.

http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=122154

SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies

Parent Awareness of Youth Use of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana

SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health includes a sample of parents and their children who live in the same household. These parent-child pairs are composed of a child aged 12 to 17 and his or her biological, step, adoptive, or foster parent. Based on this survey, mothers were more likely than fathers to be aware of their child's substance use in the past year regardless of the household having only the mother or both parents. Fathers in two parent households were more likely than fathers in father-only households to be aware of their child's substance use in the past year.

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/parents/parents.cfm

State Estimates of Persons Aged 18 or Older Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Illicit Drugs

Based on the combined 2004 to 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health data from current drivers aged 18 or older, 15.1 percent had driven under the influence of alcohol during the past year and 4.7 percent had driven under the influence of illicit drugs. States with the highest rates of driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year among adults aged 18 or older were Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The highest rates of driving under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year among adults aged 18 or older were in the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Montana, and Wyoming.

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/stateDUI/stateDUI.cfm

New from the National Center on PTSD

The National Center on PTSD produces the newsletter: PTSD Research Quarterly (RQ). Each RQ contains a review article written by guest experts on specific topics related to PTSD. Two new newsletters are now available on: 1) The Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-related Disorders in Children and Youth and 2) Compensation and PTSD: Consequences for Symptoms and Treatment.

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/publications/publications/ncpbl_rq.jsp

HHS: A Strategic Framework for Improving Racial/Ethnic Minority Health and Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities

This new Framework is intended to help guide, organize and coordinate the systematic planning, implementation and evaluation of efforts within the Office of Minority Health, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and across the nation to achieve better results relative to minority health improvements and health disparities reductions. The Framework reflects current knowledge and understanding of the nature and extent of health disparities, their causes or contributing factors, effective solutions and desired outcomes and impacts.

http://www.omhrc.gov/npa/templates/content.aspx?ID=78&lvl=1&lvlID=13

Health Observance: Mental Health Month

May 2008

Mental Health Month was created to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. This year’s theme is focused on an essential component of maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness: social connectedness.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp?year=2008#32

NIMH Science Track at APA Annual Meeting

Washington, DC, May 3-8, 2008

The NIMH science track symposia, lectures, and press conferences at the American Psychiatric Association 161st Annual Meeting is an opportunity to hear latest research on mental disorders and their treatment.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/mark-your-calendars-nimh-science-track-at-apa-annual-meeting-may-3-8-2008.shtml

Health Observance: National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

May 8, 2008

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a day for SAMHSA and the initiatives and communities it supports to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. Awareness Day raises awareness of effective programs for children's mental health needs, demonstrates how children's mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery and resilience, and shows how children with mental health needs thrive in their communities.

http://systemsofcare.samhsa.gov/nationalawareness/materials.aspx

Webcast: Understanding Homelessness and Traumatic Stress May 13, 2008, 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET

During this webcast, SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) will define traumatic stress and discuss its impact on people’s lives; provide an overview of the relationship between homelessness and trauma; and conclude with a brief discussion of how to help people heal.

http://www.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.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/ncdeu/index.shtml

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

HRC Regional Training: Consumer Involvement in Homeless Programs June 11, 2008, Phoenix, Arizona Developed and presented by consumers, this one day pre-conference Institute at the National Health Care for the Homeless conference explores ways to make the most of consumer participation in homeless service systems. Presented jointly by the Homelessness Resource Center and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council with support from SAMHSA.

http://www.homeless.samhsa.gov/

OJJDP National Youth Gang Symposium: Partnering to Prevent Youth Gang Violence from Faith- and Community-Based Organizations to Law Enforcement

June 23-26, 2008, Atlanta, Georgia

This event sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will offer innovative and successful gang-related programs and strategies, as well as provide the latest information on youth gang activities and trends from top national experts. The workshop and plenary sessions will be exciting, challenging, and filled with cutting-edge information that can be used immediately in your community.

http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/enews/08juvjust/080311.html

The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care Learning Exchange

July 11-12, 2008, Washington, DC

The SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services 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/

2008 NIH Summer Institute on Health Services Research: Cross-Systems Research to Improve Health Outcomes

July 27 - August 1, 2008, Bethesda, Maryland

The 2008 NIH Summer Institute will address essential conceptual, methodological, and practical issues involved in planning and carrying out cross-systems health services research. The Institute is intended for investigators who have completed their doctorate and who plan to develop entry-level (e.g.: R03, R21, or R34) NIH grant applications for research in this area. Faculty will include established investigators from social work and other fields. The goal is for every participant to develop a draft grant proposal by the end of the training that will eventually lead to a grant submission to the relevant NIH institute.

http://conferences.thehillgroup.com/obssr/summerinstitute2008/index.html

3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery

September 15-17, 2008, Tampa, Florida SAMHSA’s 3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery brings together the leaders, directors and other stakeholders in women’s services to hear current research, discuss implementation and promote effective leadership to professionals and stakeholders to assist women with substance use disorders and their families.

http://www.samhsa.gov/spotlights/WomenConference.aspx

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

SAMHSA Accepting Applications for Project LAUNCH – A New Grant Program Promoting the Mental and Physical Wellness of Young Children

SAMHSA is soliciting applications for Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a new grant program designed to promote the physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health of young children, birth to 8 years of age. A wide range of early childhood service programs can be provided through Project LAUNCH grants including mental health consultation to promote more effective child care and early education programs, parenting skills training and other family support services. States receiving these grants will fund local providers of these services.

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2008/sm_08_011.aspx

SAMHSA to Fund Conference Grants

SAMHSA is now accepting applications for Knowledge Dissemination Conference grants. The purpose of these grants is to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health services, substance abuse prevention and substance treatment fields, pending the availability of FY 2008 funds.

http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0804170225.aspx

OSDFS, in Partnership with SAMHSA, Announces Emergency Management for Higher Education Grant Competition

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS), in partnership with SAMHSA, has announced the availability of funds to support emergency preparedness planning for higher education institutions. Specifically, this grant program is designed to fund higher education institution projects to develop, or review and improve, and fully integrate, campus-based all-hazards emergency management planning efforts within the framework of the four phases of emergency management [Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery].

http://www.ed.gov/programs/emergencyhighed/applicant.html

OSDFS Announces FY 2008 Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems

This OSDFS program provides grants to state or local educational agencies or Indian tribes to increase student access to high-quality mental health care by developing innovative approaches that link school systems with the local mental health system. Announcements of the FY2008 grantees are now available.

http://www.ed.gov/programs/mentalhealth/2008awards.html

White House to Host Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conferences

The White House is hosting a series of 2008 conferences designed to connect effective social service organizations with resources that can strengthen and expand the services they offer. The conferences will provide an understanding of the President’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative and information about the Federal grants process, funding opportunities, and the responsibilities that come with Federal funding.

The conferences are scheduled as follows:

• May 29-30, New Orleans, LA: http://www.dtiassociates.com/fbci/logisticsLA.cfm?location=LA

• June 26-27, Washington, DC: http://www.dtiassociates.com/fbci/logisticsDC2.cfm?location=DC2

• August 5, Sacramento, CA: http://www.dtiassociates.com/fbci/logisticsCA2.cfm?location=CA2

• August 29, in Dallas, TX: http://www.dtiassociates.com/fbci/logisticsTX2.cfm?location=TX2

To obtain further information about the above conferences, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/

CDC: Building a Healthy Nation-Strategic Alliance for Health

http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/DP08-813.htm

ED: Models of Exemplary, Effective, and Promising Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse Prevention Programs on College Campuses

http://www.ed.gov/programs/dvpcollege/applicant.html

elected NIH Program Announcements (PAs)

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

Adverse Metabolic Side Effects of Second Generation Psychotropic Medications Leading to Obesity and Increased Diabetes Risk (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-160.html

NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13/U13)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-149.html

Probes and Instrumentation for Monitoring and Manipulating Nervous System Plasticity (SBIR [R43/R44])

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-146.html

Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-151.html

PHASE II Comprehensive ICOHRTA AIDS/TB (U2R)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-155.html

Mouse Models Containing Human Alleles: Novel Tools to Study Brain Function (R21/R33)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-158.html

Selected NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)

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

Microbicide Innovation Program (MIP IV) (R21/R33)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-08-016.html

Methods for Prevention Packages Program (MP3) (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-08-044.html

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