| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Hurricane Katrina Survivors Lack Access to Mental Health Services
The majority of Hurricane Katrina survivors who developed mental disorders after
the disaster are not receiving the mental health services they need,
and many who were receiving mental health care prior to the hurricane
were not able to continue with treatment, according to an NIMH-funded
study published in the November 2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Science update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/hurricane-katrina-survivors-lack-access-to-mental-health-services.shtml |
NIMH: Internet-based PTSD Therapy May Help Overcome Barriers to Care
NIMH-funded researchers recently completed a pilot study showing that an Internet-based,
self-managed cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce symptoms
of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, with effects
that last after treatment has ended. This study supports further
development of PTSD therapies that focus on self-management and
innovative methods of providing care to large numbers of people
who do not have access to mental health care or who may be reluctant
to seek care due to stigma. The researchers published their study
in the November 2007 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Science update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/internet-based-ptsd-therapy-may-help-overcome-barriers-to-care.shtml
|
NIMH: Stress—Brain Yields Clues About Why Some Succumb While Others Prevail:
Discovery of Resistance Mechanisms in Mouse Brain May Lead to Help
for Stress-Related Mental Illness in Humans
Results of a new study may one day help scientists learn how to enhance a naturally
occurring mechanism in the brain that promotes resilience to psychological
stress. Researchers funded by the NIMH found that, in a mouse model,
the ability to adapt to stress is driven by a distinctly different
molecular mechanism than is the tendency to be overwhelmed by stress.
The researchers mapped out the mechanisms – components of which
also are present in the human brain – that govern both kinds of
responses. In humans, stress can play a major role in the development
of several mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder
and depression. A key question in mental health research is: Why
are some people resilient to stress, while others are not? This
research indicates that resistance is not simply a passive absence
of vulnerability mechanisms, as was previously thought; it is a
biologically active process that results in specific adaptations
in the brain’s response to stress. Results of the study were published
online in Cell, on October 18.
Press release:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/stress-brain-yields-clues-about-why-some-succumb-while-others-prevail.shtml |
NIMH: National Survey Tracks Prevalence of Personality Disorders in U.S. Population
NIMH-funded researchers recently reported that roughly nine percent of U.S. adults
have a personality disorder as defined by the fourth edition of
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV.
Many people with personality disorders were also found to have co-occurring
major mental disorders. These findings are from the first nationally
representative survey of the prevalence of personality disorders
and were published in the September 2007 issue of Biological Psychiatry.
Science update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/national-survey-tracks-prevalence-of-personality-disorders-in-us-population.shtml |
NIMH: Behavioral Intervention Normalizes Stress-related Hormone in High-Risk
Kids—Family Intervention that Improves Behavior, Social Skills Also
Improves Cortisol Patterns
A family-based behavioral intervention that helps prevent social and behavior
problems in high-risk preschoolers also may help normalize their
cortisol levels when they anticipate stressful situations, results
of a new NIMH study suggest. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates
response to stress. Imbalances in stress regulation are thought
to contribute to the development of some mental disorders, such
as anxiety disorders and depression. Results of the study were published
in the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Science update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/behavioral-intervention-normalizes-stress-related-hormone-in-high-risk-kids.shtml |
NIMH: How Schizophrenia Develops—Major Clues Discovered; Findings May Lead to
Better Medications to Correct Gene-Related Problem
Schizophrenia may occur, in part, because of a problem in an intermittent on/off
switch for a gene involved in making a key chemical messenger in
the brain, scientists have found in a study of human brain tissue.
The researchers found that the gene is turned on at increasingly
high rates during normal development of the prefrontal cortex, the
part of the brain involved in higher functions like thinking and
decision-making – but that this normal increase may not occur in
people with schizophrenia. The study was funded by the NIMH and
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Results of the research were published in the October 17 issue of
the Journal of Neuroscience.
Press release:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/how-schizophrenia-develops-major-clues-discovered.shtml |
NIH Funds New Program to Investigate Causes and Treatment of Autism
The National Institutes of Health 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 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, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
the NIMH, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke.
Science update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/nih-funds-new-program-to-investigate-causes-and-treatment-of-autism.shtml |
NIDA: Drug-Impaired Driving by Youth Remains Serious Problem—Nearly a Third of
High School Seniors Say They Have Driven While "Under The Influence"
or Been in the Car with an Impaired Driver
Large numbers of American adolescents are putting themselves and others at great
risk by driving while under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol,
according to a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA). In 2006, 30 percent of high school seniors reported driving
after drinking heavily or using drugs, or riding in a car whose
driver had been drinking heavily or using drugs, at least once in
the prior two weeks. These findings are based on data obtained from
the Monitoring the Future study, in which nationally representative
samples of high school seniors have been surveyed annually since
1975. The data analysis is published in the November issue of the
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nida-29.htm
Related Fact sheet: http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/driving.html |
NIA: One in Seven Americans Age 71 and Older Has Some Type of Dementia, NIH-Funded
Study Estimates
A new analysis suggests that about 3.4 million Americans age 71 and older — one
in seven people in that age group — have dementia, and 2.4 million
of them have Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study, supported by the
National Institute of Aging (NIA), is the latest in a series of
analyses attempting to assess the prevalence of dementia and AD,
the most common form of dementia. Published online in Volume 29,
Number 1-2 issue of Neuroepidemiology, the study is the first to estimate rates of dementia and AD using a nationally
representative sample of older adults across the United States.
Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nia-30.htm |
NIA: Scientists Use Shared Genome Data to Confirm SORL1 Gene Linked to Alzheimer's
Until recently, only one of the approximately 30,000 genes in the human genome
has been linked to risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Now, a new NIH-supported study in the November 19, 2007 issue of
NeuroReport used a publicly shared genome dataset to strongly support findings that variation
in the sequence of the SORL1 gene may be a second risk factor gene
for late-onset disease. Identifying the genes involved in AD ultimately
may help determine who may be at greater risk and enable researchers
to zero in on pathways to develop new treatments.
Press release:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/PR20070114SORL1gene.htm |
SAMHSA Grant Announcements
$5.4 Million to Five Mental Health Assistance Centers That Will Promote Consumer
Involvement in Transformation of Mental Health System
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced
grant awards totaling $5.4 million, over the next three years, for
five consumer and consumer-supporter technical assistance centers.
These centers will teach consumers of mental health services the
necessary skills to enhance consumer/peer-run programs.
Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/071015mh2809.aspx
$4.2 Million for Statewide Consumer Network Grants
SAMHSA announced the award of 20 grants totaling almost $4.2 million over three
years to help consumer organizations around the country work with
policymakers and service providers to improve services for persons
living with serious mental illnesses.
Press release:
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/071012statewide3746.aspx |
| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
New NIMH Publications—Now Available Online and in Print
Eating Disorders
This detailed booklet describes symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information
on getting help and coping.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This easy-to-read booklet on generalized anxiety disorder explains what it is,
when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder.shtml
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
This easy-to-read booklet on social phobia explains what it is, when it starts,
how long it lasts, and how to get help.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-phobia-social-anxiety-disorder.shtml |
New on the NIMH Website
NIH Director's Pioneer Awards and New Innovator Awards: Funded Work Includes
Research that May Increase Knowledge about Mental Health and Brain
Disease
In September 2007, the NIH Director announced the 2007 recipients of the Pioneer
Awards and New Innovator Awards. The programs support exceptionally
creative scientists who take highly innovative approaches to major
challenges in biomedical research.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/updates/2007/nih-directors-pioneer-awards-and-new-innovator-awards-funded-work-includes-research-that-may-increase-knowledge-about-mental-hea.shtml
Institute of Medicine of the National Academies Announces New Members
In October 2007, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) added 65 individuals to its
membership of nearly 1,700. The NIMH provides or has provided funding
to four of these new IOM members.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/updates/2007/institute-of-medicine-iom-of-the-national-academies-announces-new-members.shtml
Highlights from the NIMH Alliance for Research Progress, July 2007 Biannual Meeting
Highlights of the July 2007 Alliance for Research Progress meeting are available.
The Alliance is a group of patient and family advocates representing
national voluntary organizations meeting twice a year with NIMH
Director and staff.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/outreach/alliance/alliance-report-july-2007.pdf |
NIH Research Matters—Mental Health Related Stories
NIH Research Matters is a weekly review of NIH research. Many of the articles are written in an easy-to-read
format for the general public. Below are recent stories about research
funded by NIMH.
Understanding Resilience to Stress
Stress can play a major role in the development of several mental illnesses,
including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Researchers
have long wondered why some people are resilient to stress while
others aren't. A new mouse study may have brought them a step closer
to the answer.
http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/october2007/10222007stress.htm
Flawed Gene Activity May Contribute to Schizophrenia
By studying human brains from before birth through adulthood, researchers have
identified a gene that increases its activity during normal brain
development but that may fail to ramp up in people with schizophrenia.
The faulty activity of this gene, called GAD1, may be to blame for
at least some cases of schizophrenia, the scientists say.
http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/october2007/10292007flaws.htm
Depressed Adolescents Respond Best to Combination Treatment
A major clinical trial has found that a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant
medication appears to be more effective for adolescents with major
depressive disorder than medication or psychotherapy alone.
http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/october2007/10092007treatment.htm |
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine—Article on “Beating Depression”
NIH’s MedlinePlus Magazine is a quarterly guide for patients and their families. It brings the latest and
most authoritative medical and healthcare information from NIH.
The latest issue features articles on depression.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine.html |
New “NIDA Notes” Available
The latest issue of NIDA Notes is available online. NIDA Notes covers drug abuse research in the areas of treatment and prevention, epidemiology,
neuroscience, behavioral science, health services, and AIDS. Recent
research findings in this issue include a study of substance abuse
among college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNIndex.html |
SAMHSA Launches Redesign of Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma
Associated with Mental Illness
The improved SAMHSA ADS Center Web site features information and advice to help
individuals and organizations counter discrimination and stigma
associated with mental illness. The centerpiece of the redesigned
Website is a still growing online library of research articles,
brochures, fact sheets, toolkits and other resource items.
http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov |
New SAMHSA Resources
What Corrections Professionals Can Do to Prevent Suicide
SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides an online resource that
describes how corrections professionals can recognize and respond
to signs of suicide among inmates. This resource also includes links
to additional relevant websites and organizations.
http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/corrections.asp
Hard Choices Comic Book
This comic book, developed by SAMHSA in collaboration with Marvel Entertainment
and the Elks USA, features Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four characters
in a battle against underage drinking.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17739 |
SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies
A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts
The report, which highlights the substance abuse behavior and addiction treatment
activities that occur among adolescents on an average day, draws
on national surveys conducted and analyzed by SAMHSA's Office of
Applied Studies. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/youthFacts/youth.cfm
Marital Status and Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions, 2005
This short report, based on SAMHSA’s Drug and Alcohol Services Information System,
provides data from Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) on primary
substance and frequency of use, prior treatment, service setting,
and employment status of substance abuse treatment admissions by
marital status.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/marriedTX/marriedTX.cfm |
CDC Launches Redesigned Spanish Web Site “CDC en Espańol”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Spanish–language Web site,
CDC en Espańol, has been re–launched with a new look and new features that will make it more
usable and functional. The updated Web site is another step in CDC's efforts to provide accurate, up–to–date information in Spanish on health issues
of special interest to Hispanic communities, including information
on a wide range of health promotion and disease prevention topics
like asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, immunizations, children's health, diabetes, and occupational hazards.
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r071019.htm |
| Calls
for Nominations |
| Calls
for Public Input |
| Calls
for Applications |
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 |
| Calendar
of Events |
Webcast: Saving Lives, Saving Dollars—A National Showcase of Events
November 7, 2007
This Center for Substance Abuse Treatment webcast will highlight Recovery Month
community forums, walks and runs for recovery, Major League Baseball
games, music-based activities, and other cost-effective events that
showcase how addiction is treatable and recovery is possible.
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2007/multimedia/webcastmenu.aspx |
Teleconference: Achieving Shared Goals through Systematic Integration of Education
and Mental Health
November 15, 2007, 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET
This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center
for Children's Mental Health will explore the evidence base for
school mental health services and the differences between programs
and systemic change in the school arena. In addition, it will address
how youth guided policies and services contribute to the overall
integration of school and mental health.
http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2007.html |
Webcast: Adapting Trauma-focused Treatments for Culturally Diverse Populations
November 29, 2007, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network, this free webcast
will provide information on trauma-focused treatments.
http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_train_tele_culsched |
| Funding
Information |
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 |
HRSA Healthy Behaviors in Women
The goal of this Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) program
is to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate novel approaches
that concurrently address the relationship between women's healthy
eating and mental health during the perinatal period. Application
deadline is December 7, 2007.
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=HyhZ2TzFkPJVnykVSSNHWThkqtJV1HdMFj1n7n1vzdBT89wSZTcJ!-1636100973?oppId=15749&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW |
| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
HRSA: Healthy Start Initiative—Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=HyhZ2TzFkPJVnykVSSNHWThkqtJV1HdMFj1n7n1vzdBT89wSZTcJ!-1636100973?oppId=15728&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW |
HRSA: Healthy Start Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health—Border and Alaska
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=HyhZ2TzFkPJVnykVSSNHWThkqtJV1HdMFj1n7n1vzdBT89wSZTcJ!-1636100973?oppId=15729&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW |
| 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 ]
New Technology for Proteomics and Glycomics (SBIR [R43/R44])
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-451.html
Technology and Methods Development for Genomics, Population Genomics and ELSI
(R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-458.html
Feasibility Studies to Develop Technology and Methods for Genomics, Population
Genomics and ELSI (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-459.html
Centers Program for Research on HIV/AIDS and Mental Health (P30)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-009.html
Continued Development and Maintenance of Software (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-010.html |
NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)
[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html ]
Center for Genomic Studies on Mental Disorders (U24)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-08-100.html
Angiogenesis in the Nervous System in Health and Disease (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-016.html
Programs of Excellence in Scientifically Validated Behavioral Treatment (R25)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-08-080.html
Adapting Basic Cognitive Measures for Clinical Assessment of Schizophrenia (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-08-090.html
Prefrontal Cortical Influences on Brain Systems Supporting Complex Mental Function
(R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-08-110.html
Prefrontal Cortical Influences on Brain Systems Supporting Complex Mental Function
(R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-08-111.html
International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG) [U01]
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-08-003.html
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