NIMH: New Research to Study Program that Improves Police Interactions with Mentally Ill

A new grant funded by NIMH will examine the effectiveness and utility of a program designed to improve police interactions with people who have mental disorders. The two-year study will follow the progress of the Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) program, as it is implemented in Chicago.

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

NIMH: New Insights on how Mental Health is Influenced by Culture and Immigration Status: Culturally-Relevant Research Provides Clues That May Help Reduce Health Disparities

A special issue of Research in Human Development, published in June 2007, examines current trends in prevalence and risk factors for mental disorders across the lifespan in diverse U.S. minority populations. Past research suggests that factors such as culture, race, ethnicity, gender and age can significantly influence overall health, as well as health care attitudes and access, and responses to treatment. A better understanding of the complex role that cultural backgrounds and diverse experiences play in mental disorders is crucial, as NIMH strives to create personalized treatment for those with mental disorders. Originally presented at a workshop organized by NIMH and the Family Research Consortium IV, the five articles in this issue provide insight into NIMH-sponsored national studies of mental health among minority populations in the United States, potential cultural risk factors for suicide among Native American youth, as well as one of the first major studies of mental illness among ethnically diverse teens.

Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/new-insights-mental-health-culture-immigration.cfm

NIMH: Study Offers Glimpse of Molecules That Keep Memories Alive—Problems In How The Brain Sustains "Working Memories" May Provide Clues About How Some Mental Illnesses Develop

Working memory is a kind of temporary-storage system in the brain. Unlike long-term memory, it stores disposable information we must keep in mind only transiently, for tasks at hand. But how? NIMH-funded researchers have now identified, in animals, a series of molecular interactions in the brain that sustains transient memories of locations, also called spatial working memories. Results of the research were reported in the April 20 issue of Cell. The report offers compelling evidence of a sequence of molecular events directly responsible for a complex cognitive process. The findings can help scientists understand the biological basis of mental illnesses characterized by memory dysfunction, such as schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/arnsten-adrenoceptor.cfm

NIDA Study Suggests Crystal Methamphetamine Use in Young Adults Higher than Previously Reported: Study Also Connects Use of the Drug to Risky Behaviors

Crystal methamphetamine use among young adults in the United States is considerably higher than previous surveys indicate, according to new research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The study, published in the July issue of the journal Addiction, found 2.8 percent of young adults reported the use of crystal methamphetamine in the past year during 2001-2002. This is higher than the annual prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use by young adults of 1.4 percent reported by NIDA's 2002 Monitoring the Future Survey.

Press release: http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/07/NR6-15.html

NIAAA: Alcohol Survey Reveals ‘Lost Decade’ Between Ages of Disorder Onset and Treatment

At some time during their lives, more than 30 percent of U.S. adults surveyed in 2001-2002 had met current diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to an analysis of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Many of those persons never received treatment, and many others did not receive treatment until well after AUD onset. Conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) with supplemental support from NIDA, the NESARC is the largest study ever conducted on the co-occurrence of alcohol use, drug use, and related psychiatric conditions among gender, age and ethnic subgroups. The study is published in the July 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jul2007/niaaa-02.htm

NIAAA: Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes

Analyses of a national sample of individuals with alcohol dependence (alcoholism) reveal five distinct subtypes of the disease, according to a new study by scientists at NIAAA. A report of the study is now available online in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2007/niaaa-28.htm

NIH Awards Nearly $5 Million to Fund Knockout Mouse Repository: Increased Availability of Genetically Altered Mice Will Aid Studies of Human Diseases

NIH announced it will provide $4.8 million to establish and support a repository for its Knockout Mouse Project. This award is the final component of a more than $50 million trans-NIH initiative to increase the availability of genetically altered mice and related materials. The University of California, Davis and Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in Oakland, Calif., will collaborate to preserve, protect, and make available about 8,500 types of knockout mice and related products available to the research community.

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

SAMHSA: Nationwide Survey Shows Most Illicit Drug Users and Heavy Alcohol Users Are in the Workplace and May Pose Special Problems

Most of the nation’s approximately 16.4 million current illicit drug users and approximately 15 million heavy alcohol users hold full-time jobs, according to a new study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). The study, Worker Substance Use and Workplace Policies and Programs, shows that substance use can pose significant risks to workers’ health and productivity. The report also says that workers who use illicit drugs are less likely than nonusers to be employed by companies that have drug or alcohol testing policies and programs.

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/070713survey0610.aspx

Report: http://oas.samhsa.gov/work2k7/toc.cfm

FDA Finds Consumers Continue to Buy Potentially Risky Drugs Over the Internet: Practice Puts Consumers at Risk and May Be More Expensive than Domestic Purchasing

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to warn the American public about the dangers of buying medications over the Internet. New data collected by the FDA show that consumers who are trying to save money on prescription drugs don’t need to take chances by buying prescription drugs from foreign Internet sites, because low-cost generic versions are available in the United States. This finding also may be an indication that some consumers are likely buying foreign drugs this way to avoid getting a prescription from their doctor or health care professional, since many Web sites do not require a prescription.

Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01663.html

CMS: Medicare Announces New Clinical Trial Policy

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its revised clinical trial policy national coverage determination (NCD), which addresses Medicare coverage when beneficiaries participate in clinical research trials. CMS published its proposed Clinical Trial Policy Decision Memorandum on April 10, 2007. Based on the public comments received regarding the proposed decision, CMS became aware of differing views regarding the existing and proposed clinical trial policy. Based on these comments, CMS has modified its proposed Clinical Trial Policy NCD.

Press release: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp

CMS: New Medicaid Drug Payment Rule

A new method of setting limits on what the federal government will reimburse state Medicaid agencies for prescription drug payments — aimed at reigning in inflated drug product payments — was announced in a final rule put on display at the Federal Register. The new regulation is expected to save states and the federal government $8.4 billion over the next five years.

Press release: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp

VA: National Suicide Crisis Hot Line Planned for Veterans

To ensure veterans with mental health crises have immediate access to trained coordinators, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will establish a 24-hour, national suicide prevention hot line. The hot line, which is scheduled to begin operations by August 31, 2007, will be based at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in New York state. Staffed by mental health professionals, it will operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Press release: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1352

New on the NIMH Website

NIMH Alliance for Research Progress: January 2007 Alliance Summary

The meeting summary for the NIMH Alliance 2007 Winter Meeting is now available. The Alliance is a group of patient and family advocates representing national voluntary organizations that meet twice a year with the NIMH Director and staff. The Alliance Winter Meeting focuses on the latest NIMH-funded research advances.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/alliancemenu.cfm

FDA Patient Safety News: New Warnings on Suicidality in Young Adults Taking Antidepressants

This FDA webcast for providers and consumers describes recent FDA black box warnings. In May, the FDA proposed that the makers of all antidepressant drugs warn in the product labeling that patients 18 to 24 years old who are on these drugs may be at increased risk for suicidal thinking and suicide attempts. The new warning would be added to the black box section of the label, which already warns about this risk in children and adolescents.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/transcript.cfm?show=65#3

NIAAA: Web Site Is Teacher’s Aid to Prevent Drinking in Middle School

Teacher’s Corner is a new feature on TheCoolSpot.gov, NIAAA’s alcohol prevention Web resource for children ages 11 to 13. This feature provides educators and volunteers working in middle schools and after school programs with teacher-friendly materials, including: lesson plans, role-playing activities, and science-based information about alcohol. By integrating the site’s interactive resources into their programs, teachers can help children learn important facts about alcohol, peer pressure, and other important topics.

http://www.thecoolspot.gov/teachercorner.asp

New Resources on the NIAAA Web site

Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines

This newly revised brochure provides information on medications that can cause harm when combined with alcohol. The brochure recently has been updated with an expanded list of medications and a user-friendly design that features larger, easier-to-read type.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm

Alcohol Alert: Alcohol Metabolism

This Alcohol Alert describes the basic process involved in the breakdown of alcohol, including how toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism may lead to problems such as alcoholic liver disease, cancer, and pancreatitis. This Alert also describes populations who may be at particular risk for problems resulting from alcohol metabolism as well as people who may be genetically “protected” from these adverse effects.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm

Latest issue of NIAAA Newsletter Available

The NIAAA Newsletter features information about NIAAA activities and events, and is published three times a year. The Summer 2007 edition of the Newsletter is now available.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Newsletter/Summer2007/Newsletter_Number13.htm

CDC: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association and other partners, has just released The Healthy Brain Initiative: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health. The Road Map is being released at a critical time as increasing scientific interest and the demands of a burgeoning aging population meet in seeking substantially enhanced efforts related to maintaining cognitive function. This landmark document is both a call to action and a guide for a coordinated approach to moving cognitive health into the national public health arena.

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HealthyBrain/

CMHS: The Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program Annual Report to Congress 2002-2003

This report covers evaluation activities of the children’s mental health services grant program administered by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). The program encourages the development of systems of care for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance and their families. The 45 grant communities which were evaluated for this report include those funded in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. The report describes improvements that children with serious emotional disturbance made in the areas of behavioral, emotional, and community functioning after 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months in services provided through the funded system of care.

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA03-CBE2002/default.asp

SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies

Patterns of Hallucinogen Use and Initiation, 2004 and 2005

This short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health, provides data on demographics of new hallucinogen use and the specific types of hallucinogens used among new users age 12 or older.

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

Treatment Admissions with Medicaid as the Primary Expected or Actual Payment Source, 2005

This short report, based on SAMHSA's Drug and Alcohol Services Information System, compares “Medicaid-paid” substance abuse treatment admissions with admissions with all other payment sources on demographics, primary substance of abuse, referral sources, and treatment service settings.

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

New Reports from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs: Summary Guide

This Summary Guide from AHRQ’s Effective Health Care project is a short, comprehensive summary of research reviews for clinicians and policymakers regarding the off-label use of atypical antipsychotic drugs.

http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/topic.cfm?topic=8&sid=34&rType=9

A Critical Analysis of Care Coordination Strategies for Children With Special Health Care Needs

The goal of this technical review is to critically examine the issue of care coordination for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Of particular interest, is the knowledge base relating to those aspects of care coordination for CSHCN that are of greatest importance to current practice and policy challenges.

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/cshcntp.htm

New Resources from the National Institute of Corrections

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment: A Review and Discussion for Corrections Professionals

This publication informs corrections and probation/parole professionals about the availability and benefits of cognitive-behavioral treatment services while considering the specific risks and needs of offender populations. It also helps mental health professionals evaluate or improve delivery of treatment to their clients.

http://nicic.org/Library/Default.aspx?Library=021657

Motivating Offenders to Change: A Guide for Probation and Parole

This tool for probation and parole professionals is a classroom aid for supervisors and trainers, and a self-study resource for individual officers. This guide promotes motivational interviews as a means for correctional professionals to act as positive influences toward the offenders they supervise.

http://nicic.org/Library/022253

America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2007

The 2007 release of the U.S. government's annual report that monitors the well-being of the Nation's children and youth is now available. The repor