NIMH: Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database May Aid Search for Related Genes

Early findings from the recently launched Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database, a collaborative of NIMH, have been released. The database contains publicly accessible research information that seeks to describe, in the fullest detail possible, the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some day, such information may help scientists find the genes responsible for causing bipolar disorder. In early studies using this dataset, researchers found that most people with bipolar disorder had missed work because of their illness, and most had co-occurring illnesses, especially alcohol and/or substance abuse and panic disorders. Most people had been treated or hospitalized for bipolar disorder. The researchers also identified certain traits that appeared to run in families, including a history of psychiatric hospitalization and the presence of co-occurring obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Findings were published in the August 2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/bipolar-disorder-phenomedatabase-may-aid-search-for-related-genes.shtml

NIMH: New Social Neuroscience Grants to Help Unravel Autism, Anxiety Disorders

How genes and the environment shape the brain circuitry underlying social behavior is among the questions being addressed by three newly NIMH-funded studies. The basic science grants, totaling more than $6 million over 4-5 years, are aimed at understanding how the brain processes social behaviors — processes which are disrupted in autism, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. The three grants combine neurobiological approaches with studies of social behaviors in both animals and humans. Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/new-social-neurosciencegrants-to-help-unravel-autism-anxiety-disorders.shtml

NINDS: Treatment Blocks Pain without Disrupting Other Functions

A combination of two drugs can selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats without impairing movement or other sensations such as touch, according to a new NIH-funded study. The finding suggests an improved way to treat pain from childbirth and surgical procedures. It may also lead to new treatments to help the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain. The study is published in the October 4, 2007 issue of Nature. Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/ninds-03.htm

CDC: Smoking Rates Highest Among People with Disabilities—Health Disparities Persist Among People with Disabilities

Smoking prevalence among people with disabilities is nearly 50 percent higher than among people without disabilities; according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study found that about 70 percent of people with disabilities who smoke and had visited a doctor in the last year had been advised to quit smoking. However, more than 40 percent of those advised to quit reported not being told about the types of tobacco-cessation treatment available. Press release: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r071004.htm

New on the NIMH Website

Shining Light on Depression

This article by NIMH Director, Thomas Insel, MD, was originally published as a

Perspective in the August 10, 2007 issue of Science.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/publications/shining-light-on

depression.shtml

Director’s Report to the National Advisory Mental Health Council

The following report was presented by NIMH Director to the National Advisory

Mental Health Council in September 2007.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/advisory-boards-and

groups/namhc/2007/september/directors-report-sept07.pdf

NIMH Meeting Summaries Now Available on the Web NIH Conference on Building the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in the Service of Public Health In September 2007, NIMH, the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the National Institute of Children Health and Human Development (NICHD) sponsored the first of five annual meetings on the state of the science of dissemination and implementation research. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/nihconference-on-building-the-science-of-dissemination-and-implementation-in-theservice-of-public-health.shtml Roundtable on Mood Disorders and Hormonal Transitions In June 2007, NIMH co-sponsored the roundtable with the Society for Women's Health Research. The meeting brought together experts in the areas of postpartum and perimenopause-related depression, in order to share information regarding research in mood disorders associated with reproductive hormone change. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/roundtableon-mood-disorders-and-hormonal-transitions.shtml NIMH Annual International Research Conference on the Role of Families in Preventing and Adapting to HIV/AIDS The NIMH and the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at University of California San Francisco convened this meeting aimed at “Responding to the Social Context of HIV Risk: The Role of Families and Support Networks.” http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/nimhannual-international-research-conference-on-the-role-of-families-in-preventingand-adapting-to-hiv-aids.shtml

Enhancing the Impact of Mental Health Services Research The NIMH 19th National Conference on Mental Health Services Research included two plenary sessions on Federal and state level mental health policy directions that encourage researchers to focus on mental health policy relevant issues in their future work. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/enhancingthe-impact-of-mental-health-services-research.shtml

Mental Health Consideration in Secondary HIV Prevention This NIMH-sponsored meeting focused on identifying target areas for new research on the intersection of secondary HIV prevention and mental health, specifically related to HIV-infected individuals with psychiatric disorders living in the United States. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/mentalhealth-consideration-in-secondary-hiv-prevention.shtml

NeuroAIDS in Asia and the Pacific Rim In July 2007, in conjunction with the fourth International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention held in Sydney, Australia, NIMH co-sponsored a meeting to highlight the current research relating to neurological and neuropsychological complications of HIV infection in the Asia-Pacific region. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/neuroaids-inasia-and-the-pacific-rim.shtml

Third Annual Meeting of the Developing Centers for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicide

In July 2007, NIMH, NIDA, and NIAAA co-sponsored a meeting of the

Developing Centers for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicide.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/third-annualmeeting-of-the-developing-centers-for-the-intervention-and-prevention-ofsuicide.shtml

Novel Methods for Examining Prefrontal Interactions with Cortical and Subcortical Systems that Support Complex Mental Function

NIMH sponsored this workshop to identify the gaps in understanding of the anatomical and functional influences of the prefrontal cortex on circuits supporting complex mental functions, and to assess technologies that could enable a more precise understanding of these brain networks.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/novelmethods-for-examining-prefrontal-interactions-with-cortical-and-subcorticalsystems-that-support-complex-mental-function.shtml

NIMH Special Symposium: Mental Illness, the Person, and Prison In May 2007, NIMH hosted a symposium on the urgent problem of prisoners with serious mental illness. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/nimhspecial-symposium-mental-illness-the-person-and-prison.shtml

Evolving Mechanisms of HIV Neuropathogenesis: Domestic and Global Issues

NIMH co-sponsored an international meeting in Venice, Italy to discuss research on disease mechanisms that lead to chronic and milder forms of HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) disease following long-term anti-retroviral therapy.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/evolving

mechanisms-of-hiv-neuropathogenesis-domestic-and-global-issues.shtml

Cognition and Stress: Advances in Basic and Translational Research

In July 2007, the NIMH Cognition Working Group held a multidisciplinary workshop to identify major trends, gaps, and opportunities in behavioral and biological research on cognition and stress.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/2007/cognitionand-stress-advances-in-basic-and-translational-research/summary.shtml

NIAAA Statement on Topiramate Clinical Trial

The NIAAA issued a statement about the promising results of the recent topiramate

treatment study published in the October 10, 2007 issue of the Journal of the American

Medical Association.

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/NewsEvents/NewsReleases/Topiramate_Trial.htm

SAMHSA: New Resources Latest SAMHSA News Available The July/August 2007 SAMHSA News features overcoming barriers to the treatment and prevention of rural substance abuse. http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News/VolumeXV_4/article1.htm Inservice Training for Treatment Improvement Protocol 42: Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders This inservice training manual introduces substance abuse treatment counselors and other practitioners to state-of-the-art treatment for people with both substance use and mental disorders. http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17705

SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies

Depression Among Adults Employed Full-time by Occupational Category

This short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), highlights differences in depression rates by age, gender, and occupational category.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/depression/occupation.cfm

Substance Use Treatment among Women of Childrearing Age

This short report combined data from SAMHSA's NSDUH conducted from 2004 to 2006 indicate that an annual average of 6.3 million women aged 18 to 49 needed treatment for a substance use problem.

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

Cigarette Use Among Blacks, 2005 and 2006

This short report, based on SAMHSA's NSDUH found that 24.4 % of Blacks aged 12 or older were current smokers, that is, smoked cigarettes in the past month.

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

NIMH: 48th Annual NCDEU Meeting—Call for Abstracts The NCDEU Meeting: New Research Approaches for Mental Health Interventions 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. The meeting to be held May 27-30, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona, will include workshops, panels, individual research reports, posters, and a new category — late-breaking research news. The deadline for submission is November 2, 2007.

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

SAMSHA: Call for Papers Issued for 21st Annual Research Conference on Children's Mental Health Service Systems

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health, jointly funded by Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), invites papers for its 21st Annual Research Conference to be held February 24-27, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2007.

http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcconference

SAMHSA: 2008 National GAINS Conference—Call For Presentations

The 2008 CMHS National GAINS Center Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., March 18-20, 2008. CMHS is seeking proposals that focus on programs and practices that are innovative and creative, especially those that have solid empirical data supporting their effectiveness. The focus of all presentations will be services for people with mental illness who are in contact with the justice system. The deadline to submit presentation proposals has been extended to October 30, 2007.

http://www.gainscenter.samhsa.gov/2008conference/call_for_presentations.asp

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

Teleconference: Child Traumatic Stress—Understanding and Serving through a Cultural Lens

October 18, 2007, 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET

This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health is offered in collaboration with SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network. This call will begin with an overview of child traumatic stress and the intersection of culture and trauma, followed by a discussion of how primary care and mental health practitioners can collaborate to address the needs of children and families from diverse cultural groups who have experienced trauma.

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

21st Annual National Meeting on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention in Higher Education

Omaha, Nebraska, October 18-21, 2007

This U.S. Department of Education-sponsored meeting examines issues around alcohol and other drug abuse and violence prevention on college campuses and in their surrounding communities. The National Meeting includes keynote speakers, workshops, showcases, town meetings, poster presentations, and exhibits.

http://www.higheredcenter.org/natl/2007/

Webcast: Trauma Treatment Needs of Children and Families in Rural Communities

October 25, 2007, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET

Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network this free webcast will provide information on child trauma in rural communities.

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

Training: Mental Health Response to Mass Violence and Terrorism

Savannah, Georgia, March 25-27, 2008

This course offered by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crimes Training and Technical Assistance Center provides "the basics" of what mental health providers, crime victim assistance professionals, faith-based counselors, chaplains, and others in direct contact with victims need to know to provide appropriate mental health support following incidents involving criminal mass victimization.

http://www.sei2003.com/ovcttac2008/MentalHealthResponse.htm

NIH Partners in Research Program

This NIH funding opportunity announcement solicits research grant applications from academic/scientific institutions and community organizations that propose to forge partnerships (1) to study methods and strategies to engage and inform the public regarding health science in order to improve public understanding of the methods and benefits of publicly funded research, and (2) to increase scientists’ understanding of and outreach to the public in their research efforts. Letter of intent deadline is December 12, 2007. Application deadline is January 11, 2008.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-07-001.html

SAMHSA Conference Grants

SAMHSA is accepting applications for SAMHSA Knowledge Dissemination Conference Grants. The purpose of the Conference Grant program is to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and to integrate that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and efficiently as possible. Application deadline is October 31, 2007.

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=1614&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Leadership Training in Social Work

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=15631&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

HRSA: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=15627&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

HRSA: Health Careers Opportunity Program

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=15614&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

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