NIMH: Violence in Schizophrenia Patients More Likely Among Those with Childhood Conduct Problems

Some people with schizophrenia who become violent may do so for reasons unrelated to their current illness, according to a new study analyzing data from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials for Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE). CATIE was funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study was published online on June 30, 2007, in the journal Law and Human Behavior.

Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/catie-violence.cfm

NIMH: New Study Will Examine Effects of Excluding Anti-anxiety Medications in Medicare Part D Coverage

A new research grant funded by NIMH will examine the costs and benefits of excluding a commonly prescribed class of anti-anxiety medications—benzodiazepines—from coverage in the new Medicare Part D program. Medicare Part D, the prescription drug coverage plan for people insured by Medicare, went into effect in January 2006. The two-year grant will examine how this large public health initiative is affecting treatment of anxiety disorders in older adults.

Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/ettner_grant.cfm

NIAAA: Gene Variant Increases Risk for Alcoholism Following Childhood Abuse

Girls who suffered childhood sexual abuse are more likely to develop alcoholism later in life if they possess a particular variant of a gene involved in the body’s response to stress, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The new finding could help explain why some individuals are more resilient to profound childhood trauma than others. A report of the study appears in the June 26, 2007 advance online publication of Molecular Psychiatry.

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2007/niaaa-26.htm

NICHD: Boys with Autism, Related Disorders, Have High Levels of Growth Hormones

Boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder had higher levels of hormones involved with growth in comparison to boys who do not have autism reported researchers from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine. Researchers believe that the higher hormone levels might explain the greater head circumference seen in many children with autism. Earlier studies had reported that many children with autism have very rapid head growth in early life, leading to a proportionately larger head circumference than children who do not have autism. The results of the research were published online in the July 2007 issue of Clinical Endocrinology.

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2007/nichd-22.htm

NINR: A Brief Skill-Building Program Can Reduce STD or HIV Risk among Inner-City African American Women

A brief skill-building program on practices to reduce exposure to sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV improved the self-reported protective behaviors of inner-city black women for up to one year and actually decreased their risk of acquiring an STD, according to a study appearing in the June 2007 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The women received the program from specially trained nurses either individually or in small group sessions at an inner-city women’s health clinic. The study was conducted as part of the “Sister to Sister: The Black Women’s Health Project,” funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2007/ninr-26.htm

CDC: New Study Finds Few Risks of Birth Defects from Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy—Women Should Talk with Their Doctors about Risks and Benefits

Use of certain antidepressants, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors most commonly known as SSRIs, during pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk for most birth defects, according to a new CDC study, released in the June 28, 2007 New England Journal of Medicine. The study found no significant increase in the risks for the majority of birth defects assessed when all SSRIs were studied together. This finding includes the risk for congenital heart defects, which were associated with SSRI use in previous studies. Researchers, did, however, find associations between SSRI use and three specific birth defects: a defect of the brain, one type of abnormal skull development, and a gastrointestinal abnormality. CDC plans to continue to study the association to clarify whether a true risk exists.

Press release: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070627.htm

VA Moves to Strengthen Suicide Prevention

To strengthen one of the nation’s largest mental health programs and continue providing world-class health care to the nation’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced plans to hire suicide prevention counselors at each of its 153 medical centers. The new suicide prevention counselors will join the 9,000 mental health professionals already employed by VA. Mental health services are provided at each of VA's 153 medical centers and more than 700 community-based outpatient clinics.

Press release: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1347

DOE: Does Stimulant Treatment for ADHD Increase Risk of Drug Abuse?

Parents, doctors, and others have wondered whether common treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inadvertently predispose adolescents to future drug abuse. The answer may depend on the age at which treatment is started and how long it lasts, say the authors of a new brain-imaging and behavioral study conducted in animals at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory. The results appear in the June 5, 2007 online issue of the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior.

Press release: http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=07-72

DOE Research Links Brain Chemistry with Aggressive Personality

An image depicting research findings linking brain chemistry with aggressive personality has been named "2007 Image of the Year" by the Society for Nuclear Medicine. The research, which was performed at the DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, showed that healthy men with lower levels of a particular brain enzyme exhibited more aggressive personality traits, as measured by a standard personality questionnaire.

Press release: http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=07-60

New Issue of Inside NIMH Newsletter

The Summer 2007 edition of Inside NIMH is now available. This newsletter from the Institute Director highlights recent activities.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/researchfunding/newsletter/InsideNIMH-June2007.htm

NIMH has posted a number of meeting summaries from the past year.

2006 Summer Alliance for Research Progress Meeting

The theme of the July 2006 Biannual Alliance meeting was Developing Research Partnerships to Transform Mental Health Services.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/alliance-report-july-2006.pdf

Cognitive Neuroscience Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia

In February 2007, NIMH sponsored a conference that assembled basic and clinical cognitive neuroscientists, animal modelers from academia and industry, and clinical trial experts who share a common interest in developing neuroscience-based measures for assessing cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/cognitive-neuroscience-treatment-to-improve-cognition-in-schizophrenia.cfm

Second International Conference on HIV Treatment Adherence

In March 2007 the NIMH and the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care hosted a state-of-the-science conference focused on understanding and enhancing patient adherence to HIV treatment regimens.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/second-international-conference-on-hiv-treatment-adherence.cfm

The Fifth Annual NIMH-Supported Conference on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

A conference on pediatric bipolar disorder supported by a NIMH collaborative conference grant was held in March 2007. Presentations and discussion focused on a wide range of topics, including gene-environment interactions, utility of non-human animal models, imaging genetics, neuropsychological and neuroimaging approaches, psychopharmacology, and psychosocial functioning.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/fifth-annual-nimh-supported-conference-on-pediatric-bipolar-disorder.cfm

Partnerships to Integrate Evidence Based Mental Health Practices into Social Work Education and Research Meeting

In April 2007, the NIMH hosted a meeting in which participants shared ideas on building and expanding collaborative relationships to support the further integration of research-based mental health practices into social work education.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/research-based-mental-health-practices-into-social-work-educationcfm.cfm

Research on Antisocial Behaviors in Children: Future Directions

In April 2007, the NIMH hosted a workshop in Bethesda, Maryland that focused on identifying target areas for new research in the field of disruptive behavior disorders, specifically related to conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/research-on-antisocial-behaviors-in-children-future-directions.cfm

Behavioral and Social Sciences Research on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa

The NIH Office of AIDS Research, the NIMH, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) sponsored a meeting to promote dialogue on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa, and to outline a research agenda that addresses behavioral and social science priorities for epidemiology and prevention, access to care, and treatment.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/behavioral-social-sciences-research-hiv-aids-in-mena.cfm

SAMHSA: National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs – 2007

SAMHSA’s updated guide to finding local substance abuse treatment programs is now available. The guide provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four U.S. territories. The directory includes public and private facilities that are licensed, certified, or otherwise approved by substance abuse agencies in each of the states. The directory is designed to quickly provide the reader with important information on levels of care and types of facilities, including those with programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and pregnant women.

http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17649

Latest SAMHSA News Available

The May/June issue of SAMHSA News features SAMHSA initiatives to build awareness and bring rapid testing and other services to people at high risk for HIV/AIDS: Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants for Substance Abuse Services and HIV/AIDS Services and the Rapid HIV Testing Initiative.

http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News/VolumeXV_3/article1.htm

SAMHSA: Two New Briefs Outline Evidence-Based Practices and Care in Non-Traditional Settings for Those with Co-Occurring Disorders

Two new short papers from SAMHSA’s Center for Co-Occurring Excellence help treatment professionals, policymakers and others understand and address the needs of people with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders.

Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Non-Traditional Service Settings

This paper describes how professionals who work in primary health care, public safety and criminal justice, and social service settings can identify and respond effectively to people with co-occurring disorders.

http://coce.samhsa.gov/products/overview_papers.aspx

Understanding Evidence-Based Practices for Co-Occurring Disorders

This paper provides an overview of evidence-based practices and their use in treating people with co-occurring disorders. In addition, it clarifies the advantages of employing evidence-based practices and the meaning of related terms, such as promising practices, model programs, and best practices.

http://coce.samhsa.gov/products/overview_papers.aspx

New from SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Promise Video: Dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

The Promise Video was developed to provide information about the impact of child sexual abuse and to emphasize the importance of including parents/caretakers in treatment. The video also highlights the need for children in therapy to learn specific skills to deal with what has happened to them and to talk about the details of their sexually abusive experiences.

http://www.nctsnet.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=typ_sa_prom

Understanding Links between Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse: A Toolkit for Providers

This toolkit contains materials for health care providers, parents, and teenagers. It is designed to raise awareness about the needs of youth with traumatic stress and substance abuse problems and to promote evidence-based practices in clinical settings.

http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_top_adol

SAMSHA: Toolkit Supports Efforts in Native Communities to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

A toolkit to help Native communities protect their children from the harm caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy is now available. The American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Resource Kit is designed to help mothers-to-be and their friends, relatives, health professionals, and leaders understand and prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17702

SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies

Illicit Drug Use, by Race/Ethnicity, in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Counties: 2004 and 2005

This short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, provides estimates for past month use of any illicit drug, marijuana, and non-medical use of prescription type drugs by race/ethnicity and by metropolitan status.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/popDensity/popDensity.cfm

Admissions with Five or More Prior Treatment Episodes

In 2005, ten percent of substance abuse treatment admissions reported to SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set had five or more previous treatment episodes. These treatment admissions reporting 5 or more prior treatment episodes were more likely than first time admissions to report opiates as their primary substance of abuse.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/manyTx/manyTX.cfm

Comparing Drug Testing and Self Report of Drug Use Among Youths and Young Adults in the General Population

This validity study conducted in the continuing effort to improve SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides data comparing respondents' self reported drug use with drug tests for tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/validity/drugTest.cfm

Secretary Leavitt Releases Report to the President: Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy

The President directed top officials at the Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services to participate in a federal review of the broad questions raised by the shooting tragedy at Virginia Tech. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt lead the effort to report back to the President with recommendations about helping to avoid such tragedies.

http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/violence.html

ACF: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Addressing the Mental Health of Sexually Abused Children

This bulletin for professionals from the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) includes a review and synthesis of recent published research and selected program examples on trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/trauma/

Webcast: Treatment and Recovery—Reducing the Burden on the Justice System and Society

July 5, 2007

This Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) webcast will look at the relationship between addiction treatment and recovery and the criminal justice system. It will focus on both the practical and economic benefits to society from treating substance abuse and dependence issues surrounding the criminal justice system.

http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/multimedia/webcasts/w.aspx?ID=493

Webcast: Buprenorphine Treatment in a Rural Homeless Setting

July 17, 2007 12:00-1:00pm

In this webcast, one provider will talk about how they set up their mobile medical office program to provide buprenorphine treatment to people who are homeless with substance use disorders, the challenges they had to overcome, and the successes they have encountered over the past two years. This webcast sponsored by SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center will be of particular interest to medical directors, medical providers, and substance abuse staff.

Register at https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/980810029%20

Teleconference: Making an Evidence-Based Culture Stick

July 19 1:00-2:30 pm ET

This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health will highlight strategies and tools that states, communities, and family organizations have used to create a new evidence-based culture to make behaviors stick. Characteristics and features of these cultures will be presented, including a change management approach, leadership that supports transformation, and structure and financing for implementing all aspects of evidence-based practice implementation.

http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2007.html

Webcast: American Indian Youth—Current and Historical Trauma

July 26, 2007 2:00-3:30 pm ET

This call is a part of SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network Culture and Trauma Teleconference Series.

http://www.nctsnet.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_top_train_tele_culsched

Conference: National Juvenile Information Sharing Symposium

Washington, DC, August 12–14, 2007 Sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the symposium will provide a unique venue for youth service and other professionals to explore new guidelines, cross-agency collaboration, confidentiality, technology advancements, and other matters related to juvenile information sharing. As registration is limited to 100 participants, early registration is recommended.

http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/enews/07juvjust/070622_2.html

Conference: Research for Native Health—Strengthening Partnerships, Promoting Trust, and Increasing Communication

Denver, Colorado, August 22-23, 2007

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Public Health and Science is hosting this conference to provide opportunities to improve the dialogue between Tribal Nations, academic scientists, government researchers, American Indian community representatives, policymakers, and funders regarding key issues involving human research, ethics, tribal sovereignty, and the role of Institutional Review Boards in tribal decision making.

http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=5042&lvl=1&lvlID=11

Annual Juvenile Probation and Justice Management Conference

Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 9–12, 2007

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Courts Judges will conduct the conference funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The conference will include sessions on: methamphetamine, mental health and drug abuse, youth suicide,

tribal youth, juvenile sex offenders, programming for girls, and detention alternatives

Early registration ends August 10, 2007

http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/enews/07juvjust/070621_2.html

AHRQ's 2007 Annual Conference: Improving Health Care, Improving Lives

Bethesda, Maryland, September 26-28, 2007

The Agency for Healthcare Quality’s (AHRQ) 2007 Annual Conference will offer opportunities to learn about the latest AHRQ research ready for use in addressing a variety of clinical and health policy issues. Sessions will feature leading experts active in research and implementation projects aimed at improving quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of care. Registration is free but space is limited.

http://www.blsmeetings.net/2007ahrqannual/

NIMH Outreach Partnership Program Seeks Proposals

NIMH invites applicants to submit proposals from organizations interested in becoming Outreach Partners in the following states or regions: New York City, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Southern California, Texas Border Region, and Virginia. Charitable non-profit organizations that conduct statewide or regional outreach that focuses on mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders interested in becoming Outreach Partners are invited to participate in this competitive process.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/partners/solicitation.cfm

Applications Sought: Cost Effective Health Promotion Interventions/Programs for Older Workers

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the NIMH invite Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants to develop risk reduction programs that have been tested in the private sector and apply them to older US workers. The goal of these interventions is to improve the health (including mental health) of older workers, reduce avoidable health care utilization, and be cost-effective for employee insurance plans.

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

DHHS: 2007 Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grant Program

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=14561&mode=VIEW

HRSA: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=C13DE885-7354-48D3-A282-32AE47FBC6A3

HRSA: Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program