| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Rates of Bipolar Diagnosis
in Youth Rapidly Climbing, Treatment Patterns Similar to Adults
The number of visits to a doctor's office that resulted in a diagnosis
of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents has increased by 40
times over the last decade, reported researchers funded in part by
the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Over the same time period,
the number of visits by adults resulting in a bipolar disorder diagnosis
almost doubled. The cause of these increases is unclear. Medication
prescription patterns for the two groups were similar. The study was
published in the September 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/rates_bipolar_diagnosis.cfm
See also related paper, NIMH Perspective on Diagnosing and Treating
Bipolar Disorder in Children at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/dirupdate_NIMH_perspective_bipolar_diagnosis.cfm |
NIMH: Studies Refine Understanding
of Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
Two new studies provide additional details on best practices for treating
people with bipolar disorder, a sometimes debilitating illness marked
by severe mood swings between depression and mania. The two studies
are part of the NIMH-funded Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program
for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD). Both were published in the September
2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/miklowitz_goldbergstep.cfm |
NIMH: Gene Triggers Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder-Like Syndrome in Mice—Study Suggests New
Treatment Targets
Using genetic engineering, NIMH-funded researchers have created an
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - like set of behaviors in mice
and reversed them with antidepressants and genetic targeting of a
key brain circuit. Researchers bred mice without a specific gene,
and found defects in a brain circuit previously implicated in OCD.
The study, published in the August 23, 2007 issue of Nature, suggests
new strategies for treating the disorder.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/feng_ocd_mice.cfm
|
NIMH: Suspect Schizophrenia
Genes Act Together to Thwart Working Memory
Two gene variants implicated in schizophrenia interact to degrade
the brain's ability to process information, according to a recent
NIMH-funded study. The interaction impaired working memory—retaining
information from moment to moment. Such thinking problems are a hallmark
of this severe mental illness that affects about one percent of the
population. The study was published in the July 24, 2007 Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/gene-gene.cfm
|
NIMH: Bipolar Youth Show
Distinct Pattern of Brain Development
The first pictures of the brain changing before-and-after the onset
of pediatric bipolar disorder reveal a distinct pattern of development,
when compared to that seen in healthy youth or in childhood onset
schizophrenia. Repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans
of youth, ages 7-22, followed prospectively as they developed symptoms
of mania and depression, showed asymmetrical gains and losses of the
brain's working tissue, or gray matter, report researchers of a NIMH-funded
study. The study is reported in the September 2007 issue of the Journal
of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/bipolartrajectory.cfm |
NIMH: Unpleasant Words Trigger
Strong Startle Response in People with Borderline Personality Disorder—Potential
physiological marker for a severe mental disorder
Adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD) showed excessive
emotional reactions when looking at words with unpleasant meanings
compared to healthy people during an emotionally stimulating task,
according to NIMH-funded researchers. They also found that people
with more severe BPD showed a greater difference in emotional responding
compared to people with less severe BPD. The study was published in
the August 1, 2007 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/hazlett-bpd_startle.cfm |
FDA Approves Risperdal for
Two Psychiatric Conditions in Children and Adolescents
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Risperdal
(risperidone) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents, ages
13 to 17, and for the short-term treatment of manic or mixed episodes
of bipolar I disorder in children and adolescents ages 10 to 17. This
is the first FDA approval of an atypical antipsychotic drug to treat
either disorder in these age groups. Evidence to support this approval
was collected through studies the FDA requested as part of its pediatric
drug development initiatives.
Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01686.html
|
White House Drug Czar Awards
$74 Million to Fight Drug Use at The Local Level
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has
announced the awarding of approximately $74 million in Drug-Free Communities
(DFC) grants to 736 communities across the country. Drug-Free Community
coalitions work collaboratively at the local level to prevent and
reduce drug and alcohol abuse among youth. The DFC program provides
grants of up to $500,000 over five years to community organizations
that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts.
Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers,
religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals,
law enforcement, and the media.
Press release: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press07/082307.html
|
| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
New
on the NIMH Website
Meeting Summary:
Are Endophenotypes for Genetic Studies of Suicidal Behavior within
Reach?
Highlights from the June 2007 meeting are now available.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/are-endophenotypes-for-genetic-studies-of-suicidal-behavior-within-reach.cfm
Meeting Summary: Child and Adolescent Onset Schizophrenia: Research
Challenges and Opportunities
Highlights from the June 2007 meeting are now available.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/2007/child-and-adolescent-onset-schizophrenia.cfm |
New
on the NIDA Web site
NIDA: Brain Power!
Challenge—Grades 6-9
The Brain Power! Challenge is designed to take students in grades
6 - 9 through a step-by-step exploration of scientific processes and
how to use these processes to learn about the brain, nervous system,
and effects of drugs on the nervous system and body. Through the interactive
Brain Power! Challenge curriculum and the accompanying CD-ROM, students
with different learning styles and strengths are given numerous opportunities
to grasp the material. In addition, the project's overall goal is
to make learning fun and engaging, and to instill in young students
a lifelong interest in science. http://www.drugabuse.gov/JSP4/JSP.html
NIDA NewsScan
The latest issue of the NIDA NewsScan, a summary of NIDA-funded research
findings, is available.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/07/NS-8.html |
NIH: Free New Middle School
Curriculum Supplement from NIH—The Science of Healthy Behaviors
NIH has released The Science of Healthy Behaviors, the newest in a
popular series of curriculum supplements available for free to teachers
(grades K-12) who request them. The Science of Healthy Behaviors,
for use by middle school teachers, introduces students to the scientific
study of behavior and helps them explore how behavioral and social
factors influence health.
http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/MSHealthy.htm |
NIH:
Recent Newsletter Articles on Mental Health
Mental health topics covered in online NIH newsletters for the public:
NIH Research Results for the Public: Addiction and the
Criminal Justice System
http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/addiction.pdf
NIH News in Health: Spotting Autism Spectrum Disorders: Early
Detection Important for Outcome
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/September/docs/01features_02.htm
SAMHSA: National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices
Adds Information on Former Model Programs Initiative to Web Site
SAMHSA is expanding its National Registry of Evidence-based Programs
and Practices (NREPP) Web site by providing information from the agency's
Model Programs Initiative. The searchable online registry assists
local organizations in identifying interventions that have been scientifically
tested and can be readily disseminated to the field. Organizations
can search for interventions that fit the needs of their communities.
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0708213637.aspx
|
New
Reports from SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services
Designing Employer-Sponsored Mental Health Benefits
This report explores the current design and administration of mental
health coverage and what constitutes adequate mental health coverage
in employer-sponsored health benefits. The report lays out the necessary
components of an adequate mental health benefit by examining such
areas as the evidence base for particular mental health benefits;
the effects of different types of benefit limits on access, utilization,
and costs; the components of a cost-effective mental health benefit
package; and the effects of benefits administration on effectiveness.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA06-4177/Default.asp
Managed Mental Health Care: Finding from the Literature
1990-2005
This report provides public and private sector stakeholders in managed
mental health care with reliable information derived from the literature
regarding the organization, design, delivery, and financing of managed
mental health benefits; and guides stakeholders on the best ways to
apply managed care techniques.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA06-4178/Default.asp
National Expenditures for Mental Health Services and
Substance Abuse Treatment 1993–2003
The report addresses the following key questions: 1) What do the latest
data for 2003 tell us about how much was spent in the United States
to provide mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) treatment and
its component parts—mental health (MH) and substance abuse (SA);
2) Which health care providers supply treatment for MH and SA and
how much is spent by provider type?; 3) How much is spent by type
of setting on MH and SA services? ; 4) Who pays for MH and SA services
and how much do they spend?; 5) How has spending changed from 1993
to 2003?; and 6) How do MHSA expenditures compare with those for all
U.S. health care?
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma07-4227/ |
New AHRQ Guides Summarize
Effectiveness, Side Effects of Antidepressants
These new plain-language guides from the Agency for Healthcare Research
Quality (AHRQ) outline the latest scientific evidence on antidepressants,
including how well the medicines work and their potential side effects.
Antidepressant Medicines - A Guide for Adults With Depression
This guide provides assistance for consumers in working with their
doctor or nurse to choose medicines for depression. It covers common
medicines for adults with depression, side effects, and price. This
guide is based on a government-funded review of research about the
medicines often used to treat adults with depression.
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/topic.cfm?topic=8&sid=39&rType=1
Choosing Antidepressants for Adults
This guide summarizes the clinical research comparing the effectiveness
and safety of commonly used antidepressants for adults with major
depression. The medications included in this guide are the selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other agents approved for
depression in the United States over the past 20 years.
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/topic.cfm?topic=8&sid=39&rType=9 |
AHRQ: Comparative Safety
of Conventional and Atypical Antipsychotic Medications—Risk
of Death in British Columbia Seniors
Antipsychotic medications (APMs) are disproportionately used in the
elderly and are prescribed to over a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries
in nursing homes. A Health Canada and FDA Advisory has warned that
APMs increase mortality in older patients. The study assesses the
short-term mortality in a population-based cohort of seniors who initiated
conventional versus atypical APMs and examines whether the risk of
death differed by dosage or duration of drug use, as well as, dementia
status and nursing home residency.
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/topic.cfm?topic=8&sid=7&rType=11
|
CDC: Final Mortality Stats
for 2004 Released
This report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
presents final 2004 data on U.S. deaths; death rates; life expectancy;
infant and maternal mortality; and trends by selected characteristics
such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, residence, and cause of death.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_19.pdf |
HHS: Redesigned Prevention
Report
The Prevention Report is a quarterly service for public health professionals
that provides updates on prevention programs, services, and information
developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
and its stakeholders. The redesigned format has a new look and feel,
is more reader-friendly, and provides information and resources that
professionals can apply to their work. The Summer 2007 issue highlights
programs and resources that focus on a community-driven approach to
public health.
Current Issue: http://www.odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/prevrpt/Default.htm
Subscribe at: http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/prevrpt/SignUp/default.asp |
| Requests
for Public Input |
Request for Information:
NIH System to Support Biomedical and Behavioral Research and Peer
Review—DEADLINE EXTENDED
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 extended to September 7, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-074.html |
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.
http://copr.nih.gov/application.asp |
HHS: Secretary’s Advisory
Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives
for 2020 Established by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Nominations
Sought
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment
of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion
and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020 and is soliciting nominations
for appointment to the Committee. The Department seeks nominees with
expertise across a broad range of areas related to health promotion,
disease prevention, and public health benchmarking. The Advisory Committee
shall provide advice, assistance, and consultation to the Secretary
and HHS in the development of health promotion and disease prevention
objectives to improve the health of Americans by 2020. The announcement
can be found in the Federal Register notice published August 21, 2007.
Nominations are due September 20, 2007.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/
|
SAMHSA: Call for Manuscripts
for a Special Issue of the Journal of Rural Mental Health
The Journal of Rural Mental Health is seeking manuscripts for a SAMSHA
special issue, Innovations in the Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
for Children and Families, which seeks to identify innovative and
promising approaches to developing and maintaining a rural behavioral
and mental health workforce for children and families in state, tribal,
and local communities. The journal will showcase innovative workforce
programs and practices in areas of recruitment and retention of a
behavioral health workforce; financing of behavioral health services
and programs; training a new or existing behavioral health workforce;
use of evidence-based interventions; school-based mental health practices;
and linkages of children's behavioral health with primary care. Deadline
for submissions is November 30, 2007.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/listserv/081307.asp |
| Calls
for Nominations |
| Calls
for Public Input |
| Calls
for Applications |
| Calendar
of Events |
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 |
Webcast: Investing in Treatment—Policymakers'
Positive Impact on Their Community
September 5, 2007
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment this
program will look at the role of civic and elected officials in fighting
substance abuse and dependence, as well as, steps they can take to
improve their communities' well-being.
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2007/multimedia/w.aspx?ID=495 |
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 |
Broadcast: Supporting Caregivers
across the Lifespan
September 19, 2007, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. EST
This satellite broadcast is presented by the New Freedom Initiative
Subcommittee on Caregiving in partnership with the Centers for Medicaid
and Medicare Services Office of External Affairs. It is designed to
bring awareness to the range of HHS programs and services that support
caregivers across the lifespan. Panel members will provide information
about these programs to increase knowledge of partners and providers,
and improve service delivery for caregiving Americans.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/20_CaregiverBroadcast.asp |
Methamphetamine Abuse in
American Indian/Alaska Native Populations
Washington DC, September 20-21, 2007
According to national datasets, methamphetamine abuse in American
Indians and Alaska Natives is higher than in any other subgroup. In
addition, due to their rural nature, reservations have been prime
locations for clandestine labs and the production of methamphetamine
on these lands leads to many health risks. The primary goals of this
NIDA-sponsored meeting are to assess what data are currently available
to characterize this problem; determine what data collection plans
are underway; identify existing infrastructures that might be tapped
to collect data on this issue; and begin to plan a research agenda.
http://www.sei2003.com/nida/1014005/ |
Webcast: Child Trauma, Race,
and Urban Poverty
September 27, 2007, 2:00 pm EST
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network
this free webcast will provide information on child trauma as it relates
to race and urban poverty.
http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_train_tele_culsched
|
| Funding
Information |
NIH: Notice of Intent to
Publish a Request for Applications for the NIH Partners in Research
Program
The purpose of the NIH Partners in Research Program is to support
two-year pilot and/or feasibility studies of innovative activities
designed to improve public understanding of biomedical and behavioral
research, develop strategies for promoting collaboration between scientists
and the community to improve the health of the public, and to identify
the conditions (e.g., settings and approaches) that will enhance the
effectiveness of such activities. The long-term objectives of this
initiative are: (1) to raise the level of public awareness and understanding
of biomedical and behavioral research related to health, the role
of the National Institutes of Health, the role the public can play
in the research enterprise, and the value of public funding; (2) to
increase scientists’ awareness of the importance of public engagement;
and (3) to provide a menu of techniques for researchers and communities
to implement to facilitate the participation of lay communities in
the health research endeavor.
The Partners in Research Program will call for partnerships between
a science/research institution and a community organization.
This RFA is expected to be published in September 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-089.html |
| 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
] |
AHRQ Mentored Clinical Scientist
Development Award (K08)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-443.html |
AHRQ Independent Scientist Award
(K02)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-444.html |
Research on Interventions for Child
Abuse and Neglect (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-437.html
|
NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)
[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html
] |
