| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Behavioral Interventions
Effective for Preschoolers with ADHD
Two types of early interventions designed to reduce symptoms of attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschoolers may be effective
alternatives or additions to medication treatment, according to a
recent NIMH-funded study. The study was published in the most recent
quarterly edition of the journal School Psychology Review.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/dupaul_adhdintervention.cfm |
NIMH: Half of Children With
Autism May be Diagnosable Soon After Their First Birthday
About half of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can be
diagnosed soon after their first birthday; others with the disorder
may appear to develop normally until that age and then falter or regress
during their second year, NIMH-funded researchers have discovered.
Their study is the first to identify two such distinct patterns of
illness onset by prospectively following the development of toddlers
at risk for the disorders. The researchers hope to develop criteria
for clinicians to use in diagnosing ASD’s in one-year-olds,
since early intervention holds the best hope for a better outcome.
The disorders are still rarely diagnosed before age 3. Findings are
reported in the July 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/autismdiagnosis.cfm |
NIMH: New Studies Search
for Clues to Mental Illness in Gatekeepers of Gene Expression—Molecules
called microRNAs may hold some answers
What goes awry in the brain to cause mental illness may ultimately
be traced to glitches in genes - but not necessarily the parts of
genes commonly suspected. Rather than the areas of genes that code
for proteins, the secrets may be hidden in mysterious short sequences
of genetic material called microRNAs. MicroRNAs help regulate gene
expression — the turning on-and-off of genes to produce those
proteins. Unraveling how this molecular machinery works is the focus
of newly funded NIMH grants. Studies totaling $3 million per year
over the next five years will seek to pinpoint how these “noncoding”
parts of the genome increase vulnerability to schizophrenia, bipolar
disorder, autism and other mental illnesses.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/micrornas.cfm |
NIMH: Gene Predicts Better
Outcome as Cortex Normalizes in Teens with ADHD
Brain areas that control attention were thinnest in children with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who carried a particular
version of a gene in a NIMH study. However, the areas, on the right
side of the brain's outer mantle, or cortex, normalized in thickness
during the teen years in these children, coinciding with clinical
improvement. Although this particular gene version increased risk
for ADHD, it also predicted better clinical outcomes and higher IQ
than two other common versions of the same gene in youth with ADHD.
Results of the study are in the August issue of the Archives of General
Psychiatry.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/adhdcortex.cfm |
NIMH: Parents' Diagnoses
Help to Distinguish Childhood Bipolar Disorder from Severe Mood Dysregulation
The parents of children who have bipolar disorder are more likely
to have bipolar disorder themselves than the parents of children who
have severe mood dysregulation (SMD). This finding challenges the
notion of some research that suggests SMD is a type of more broadly
defined childhood bipolar disorder. The study by NIMH researchers
was published in the August 2007 issue of the American Journal of
Psychiatry.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/brotman_bipolar_or_smd.cfm |
NIMH: New Technique Pinpoints
Crossroads of Depression in Rat Brain—Illuminates Brain Circuits
at Work in Real Time
NIMH-funded scientists have developed a new high-speed technique for
imaging brain activity and used it to pinpoint a circuit signal in
rats that may be at the crossroads of depression — a possible
"final common pathway" where different causes of, and treatments
for, the disorder appear to converge. Activity in the circuit dampened
when rats were in a depression-like state and revived after they were
treated with antidepressants. The findings were reported online July
5, 2007 in Science Express.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/depressioncrossroads.cfm |
NICHD: Children Who Complete
Intensive Early Childhood Program Show Gains in Adulthood—Greater
College Attendance, Lower Crime and Depression
By the time they reached adulthood, graduates of an intensive early
childhood education program for poor children showed higher educational
attainment, lower rates of serious crime and incarceration, and lower
rates of depressive symptoms than did non-participants in the program,
reported researchers in a study funded in part by the National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study appears in
the August issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2007/nichd-07.htm |
NIH Funds New Program to
Investigate Causes and Treatment of Autism
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will intensify its efforts
to find the causes of autism and identify new treatments for the disorder,
through a new research program. The Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE)
program represents a consolidation of two existing programs, the Studies
to Advance Autism Research and Treatment and Collaborative Programs
of Excellence in Autism programs into a single research effort. The
NIH Institutes providing funding and expertise for the effort are
the NICHD, the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication
Disorders (NIDCD), the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS), the NIMH and the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Initially, five centers and one network
will receive funding in 2007 to study autism spectrum disorders. Funding
for a second set of ACE research programs will be announced in 2008.
Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2007/nichd-02.htm |
President’s Commission
on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors Issues Six
Groundbreaking Patient and Family Centered Recommendations to Serve,
Support and Simplify Care
Calling its recommendations a “bold blueprint for action”
to serve, support and simplify the care for our injured service members,
the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning
Wounded Warriors approved six recommendations that make sweeping changes
in the delivery of health care and services. The recommendations include
the first major overhaul of the disability system in more than 50
years; creation of recovery plans with recovery coordinators; a new
e-Benefits website; and guaranteeing care for PTSD from the VA for
injured service members from Iraq and Afghanistan. The nine-member
Commission called upon the White House and Congress to implement its
recommendations as quickly as possible to ensure that those who have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan are able to successfully transition
back to civilian life or active duty service.
Press release: http://www.pccww.gov/docs/kit/press
release final.doc
Report: http://www.pccww.gov/index.html |
| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
New on the NIMH Website
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee November 17, 2006 Meeting
Highlights
The highlights from the November 2006 Interagency Autism Coordinating
Committee (IACC) is now available.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/nov2006meeting.pdf
|
New on the NIMH Website
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee November 17, 2006 Meeting
Highlights
The highlights from the November 2006 Interagency Autism Coordinating
Committee (IACC) is now available.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/autismiacc/nov2006meeting.pdf
|
NIH Research Results for
the Public: New Fact Sheets
Two new online fact sheets are available in NIH’s Research Results
for the Public series.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/OCD.pdf
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/PTSD.pdf |
NIH: Recent Newsletter Articles
on Mental Health
Mental health topics covered in online NIH newsletters for the public:
NIH Record: The Person and Prison— Mental Illness Discussion
Highlights Need For Change
http://nihrecord.od.nih.gov/newsletters/2007/07_27_2007/story2.htm
NIH Research Matters: Learning to Diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/july2007/07162007autism.htm
NIH News in Health: Dealing With Trauma— Frightening Events
Can Have Lasting Effects
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/August/docs/01features_01.htm |
NIDA's Scientific Journal
to become “Journal of Addiction Science & Clinical Practice”
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announced that it was
changing the name of its scientific journal Perspectives to the Journal
of Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, beginning with the November
issue. The new title is designed to better reflect the journal's commitment
to covering the exchange of ideas between researchers, clinicians,
and others in the field of addiction science. NIDA will also increase
the number of issues per year from once to twice a year, to accommodate
the sizeable portfolio of scientific literature being produced in
the growing field of drug abuse and addiction research.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/07/NR8-01.html |
NIAAA: Tips for Cutting Down
on Drinking
Fact sheet from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA) on reducing drinking.
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Tips/tips.htm |
NIA: New Age Page on Mourning
Now Available
To help older people cope with grief, the National Institute on Aging
(NIA) has added Mourning the Death of a Spouse to its Age Page series
of easy-to-read brochures on health topics and related concerns. This
new publication provides useful and practical advice on topics ranging
from reactions to death to taking charge of life again. The brochure
covers many facets of mourning and learning to live without a partner.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/spouse.htm |
New
Reports from NIA
Growing Older in America: The Health and Retirement Study
This colorful compendium features analyses of data from the Health
and Retirement Study (HRS), a national survey of Americans over age
50. The report describes the HRS's development and features and offers
a snapshot of diverse research findings on older adults' health, work,
economic circumstances, retirement, and family lives.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/HRS.htm
. |
2005-2006 Progress Report
on Alzheimer's Disease: Journey to Discovery
The latest update on Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is now available
from the NIA’s Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR)
Center. This 64-page report highlights recent advances in Alzheimer's
disease (AD) research funded and conducted by the NIA and other components
of the National Institutes of Health, describes the accelerating pace
of discovery into the causes and processes of cognitive decline with
age, and outlines the next steps in both research and prevention.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/ADProgress2005_2006/ |
New
Resources from SAMHSA
Integrating State Administrative Records to Manage Substance
Abuse Treatment System Performance
This document provides both implementation considerations and technical
guidance for developing integrated-data systems to monitor performance
and improve service quality. Its purpose is to enhance states’
familiarity with using integrated data as a management tool.
http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/manuals/taps/index.htm
Homelessness and Mental Illness: Perspectives on Prevention
This special supplement to the Journal of Primary Prevention (JPP)
highlights innovative strategies that are working to prevent and end
homelessness among various high risk groups such as veterans, individuals
with mental health and substance use issues, and vulnerable families.
The result of a unique collaboration between the federal Center for
Mental Health Services’ Homeless Programs Branch and JPP, the
issue is provided free-of-charge by the publisher.
http://homeless.samhsa.gov/ |
SAMHSA:
New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies
Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Alcohol Dependence or Abuse
- 2004 and 2005
Based on combined data from SAMHSA's 2004-2005 National Surveys on
Drug Use and Health, the rate of past year alcohol dependence or abuse
among persons aged 12 or older varied by level of alcohol use: 44.7
percent of past month heavy drinkers, 18.5 percent binge drinkers,
3.8 percent past month non-binge drinkers, and 1.3 percent of those
who did not drink alcohol in the past month met the criteria for alcohol
dependence or abuse in the past year. Males had higher rates than
females for all measures of drinking in the past month: any alcohol
use, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol use. Also, males were twice
as likely as females to have met the criteria for alcohol dependence
or abuse in the past year.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/AlcGender/AlcGender.cfm |
Treatment Episode Data Se
(TEDS) 1995-2005: National Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment
Services
This report provides information on the demographic and substance
abuse characteristics of the 1.8 million annual admissions to treatment
for abuse of alcohol and drugs in facilities that are licensed or
certified by a state substance abuse agency and that report TEDS data.
http://www.dasis.samhsa.gov/teds05/TEDSAd2k5Index.htm |
CMS Releases Promising Practices
Reports for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the
availability of three new promising practices reports that focus on
Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
California: Single Process for Diagnosis and Service Delivery
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PromisingPractices/Downloads/CA-CollaborativeClinics6-7.pdf
Connecticut: Pilot Program for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PromisingPractices/Downloads/ConnecticutPromisingPractices8-3.pdf
Delaware: Supported Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PromisingPractices/Downloads/DelawarePromisingPractices6-11.pdf |
CDC: The Effectiveness of
Universal School-Based Programs for the Prevention of Violent and
Aggressive Behavior—A Report on Recommendations of the Task
Force on Community Preventive Services
Universal school-based programs to reduce or prevent violent behavior
are delivered to all children in classrooms in a grade or in a school.
Similarly, programs targeted to schools in high-risk areas (defined
by low socioeconomic status or high crime rates) are delivered to
all children in a grade or school in those high-risk areas. During
2004--2006, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (Task
Force) conducted a systematic review of published scientific evidence
concerning the effectiveness of these programs. The results of this
review reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) provide strong evidence that universal school-based programs
decrease rates of violence and aggressive behavior among school-aged
children.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_rr.html?s_cid=mmwr_rr_e |
AHRQ: New Review of Consumer-Oriented
Strategies for Improving Health Benefit Design is Available
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released
an exploratory review of consumer directed health plans, tiered provider
networks, and efforts to collect and disseminate information about
provider quality. Increasingly, employers and health plans are experimenting
with a set of consumer-driven strategies that are designed to empower
consumers as knowledgeable decisionmakers regarding their health and
their health care choices. The goals of the report were to provide
a framework for assessing the likely effects of these three strategies
and to review available published peer reviewed literature.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/consoritp.htm |
| Calls
for Nominations |
| Calls
for Public Input |
Request for Information:
NIH System to Support Biomedical and Behavioral Research and Peer
Review
The NIH is seeking comments regarding NIH’s support of the biomedical
and behavioral research, including peer review, with the goal of examining
the current system to optimize its efficiency and effectiveness. The
NIH is especially interested in creative suggestions, even if they
involve radical changes to the current approach.
Deadline for comments: August 17, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-074.html
From the Desk of Dr. Elias Zerhouni Newsletter:
http://www.nih.gov/about/director/newsletter/Summer2007.htm
. |
NCRR Seeks Input for New
Strategic Plan 2009-2013
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) is seeking input
as it develops a new Strategic Plan covering 2009–2013. NCRR
is a research center that enables NIH-funded researchers across the
country to translate basic discoveries into improved patient care.
To ensure that NCRR continues to meet the needs of biomedical investigators,
it is requesting input on six questions, which were published in the
Federal Register on July 6, 2007.
Deadline for responses: August 24, 2007.
http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/Strategic_Plan/ |
2008 NIH Director's Council
of Public Representatives Application Process Is Open
NIH is pleased to announce the open Application Process for the 2008
Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR) Roster.
The COPR is designed (1) to obtain the broadest public input to the
NIH Director on matters of public importance concerning biomedical
research, and (2) to conduct the broadest outreach to increase the
public’s understanding of the NIH and its programs. The COPR
maintains a balanced composition of public members from the local,
regional, and national levels with a range of professions and backgrounds,
including but not limited to community leaders, patient advocates,
health educators, media, medical and public health professionals,
science administrators, and academicians who have a broad public perspective.
Applications due: Friday, September 14, 2007. |
On Tuesday, August 21 at
3:00 pm, NIH will host a teleconference to present information on
NIH and the COPR from the perspectives of the NIH staff and current
Council members. To register, send an email with your name,
affiliation, email, and telephone number to COPR1@palladianpartners.com
or call the COPR Resource Staff at (301) 650-8660, ext. 131. You must
register to participate in this teleconference. Upon registration,
you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to participate
in the teleconference.
http://copr.nih.gov/application.asp |
| Calls
for Applications |
| Calendar
of Events |
Webcast: Child and Adolescent
Refugee Mental Health
August 23, 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 |
Teleconference: Best Practices
Registry fro Suicide Prevention
August 27, 2007 2:30-4:00 pm EST
The next session in SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center
(SPRC) Discussion Series will review the SPRC’s Best Practices
Registry. The guest presenters will be Linda Langford of SPRC and
Phil Rogers of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/trainingandevents/disc_series/index.asp |
Health Observance: National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
September 2007
The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of
substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers
and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all
its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to
take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective
substance abuse treatment for those in need. This year's theme is
"Saving Lives, Saving Dollars."
http://www.recoverymonth.gov |
Health Observance: National
Suicide Prevention Week
September 9-15, 2007
The goal of Suicide Prevention Week is to globally promote awareness
and advocacy about suicide prevention. Significant efforts have been
in place for many years to address the problem of suicide, but all
those involved recognize that there is much work still to be done.
This year’s theme, “Moving Forward with Education and
Training,” acknowledges that efforts are underway and focuses
attention on the critical issue of better preparing all those who
are in a position to respond to those at risk for suicide.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp?year=2007#476 |
Third Annual NIH Director's
Pioneer Award Symposium
Bethesda, Maryland, September 19, 2007
The event will feature research talks by the 2006 NIH Pioneer Award
recipients; a poster session by 2004, 2005, and 2006 awardees and
members of their labs; and announcement of the 2007 Pioneer awardees.
The NIH Director's Pioneer Award program—a key component of
the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research—supports exceptionally
creative scientists who take highly innovative, and potentially transformative,
approaches to major challenges in biomedical research. Attendance
is free and no registration is required.
The event will also be available via videocast at: http://videocast.nih.gov
http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/pioneer/symposium2007/index.aspx |
| Funding
Information |
Request for Applications:
National Anti Stigma Campaign State Implementation Grant
The SAMHSA, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Resource Center
to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Mental Illness
is accepting applications for National Anti-Stigma Campaign (NASC)
State Implementation Grants. The purpose of these awards is to support
and enhance the NASC through the development of State outreach and
community-based efforts, mental health education and stigma reduction
activities. SAMHSA’s National Anti-Stigma Campaign is a three-year,
national public education campaign to educate the general public about
mental health problems.
Application deadline is Friday, September 21, 2007
http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/topics_materials/NASCgrants.htm |
Finding U.S. Census Data
for Grant Writing and Community Needs Assessment
The United States Census Bureau is the leading source of quality data
about our nation's people and economy. While the Census Bureau is
not a funding agency, it does provide information needed for grant
proposals and Federal fund distributions. This tool kit is intended
to provide a simple, easy approach to obtaining Census information
for grant writing and community needs assessment.
http://www.census.gov/field/www/faith |
| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
| 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
]
Silvio O. Conte Centers for Interdisciplinary Research on Brain, Behavior,
and Mental Health (P50)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-430.html
Research on Alcohol-Related Public Policies such as Those Detailed
in the Alcohol Policy Information System (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-427.html
Research on Alcohol-Related Public Policies such as Those Detailed
in the Alcohol Policy Information System (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-428.html
Research on Alcohol-Related Public Policies such as Those Detailed
in the Alcohol Policy Information System (R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-429.html
NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)
[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html
]
Basic and Translational Research Opportunities in the Social Neuroscience
of Mental Health (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-08-070.html
Genome-wide Association Studies in the Genes, Environment, and Health
Initiative - Study Investigators (U01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-07-012.html
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers
2008 (P30)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-07-012.html |
