| Science
and News Update |
NIMH, U.S. Army Sign MOA to Conduct Groundbreaking Suicide Research
NIMH and the U.S. Army have entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to conduct
research that will help the Army reduce the rate of suicides. NIMH
Director Thomas R. Insel, M.D., Army Secretary Pete Geren, and Army
Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. signed the MOA on October
23, 2008. The MOA allows for a $50-million, multi-year study on
suicide and suicidal behavior among soldiers, across all phases of Army service. It
will be the largest single study on the subject of suicide that
NIMH has ever undertaken.
Science Update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/nimh-us-army-sign-moa-to-conduct-groundbreaking-suicide-research.shtml |
NIMH: Genomic Dragnet Finds Clues to Likely Suspects in Alzheimer’s—First Family-Based
Study of its Kind Taps Large NIMH Sample
In the first study of its kind, researchers have pinpointed four genes likely
associated with risk for the most common, late-onset form of
Alzheimer’s disease , including a very strong candidate on chromosome 14. NIMH grantees report on
their findings in the November issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Science Update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/genomic-dragnet-finds-clues-to-likely-suspects-in-alzheimers.shtml |
NIMH: Cells May Provide Target for New Anxiety Medications
A specific population of brain cells could provide a target for developing new
medications aimed at helping people learn to mute the fears underlying
anxiety disorders, according to NIMH-supported scientists. The work
was reported in the July 31 issue of the journal Nature.
Science Update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/cells-may-provide-target-for-new-anxiety-medications.shtml |
NIMH: Anxious and Healthy Adolescents Respond Differently to an Anxiety-provoking
Situation
Brain scans show heightened activity among anxious adolescents exposed to an
anxiety-provoking situation when compared with normal controls,
according to an NIMH study published in the November 2008 issue
of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Science Update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/anxious-and-healthy-adolescents-respond-differently-to-an-anxiety-provoking-situation.shtml |
NIMH: Genes That Turn on Together Hold Secrets of Brain’s Molecular Instructions—“Guilt
by Association” Could Identify Genetic Culprits in Human Illness
For the first time, scientists have mapped groups of genes that turn on together
in the human brain, revealing a kind of Rosetta Stone of its molecular
organization. These never-before-seen patterns of co-expressed genes
hold promise for implicating genetic mechanisms conferring risk
for illness through “guilt by association,” say the researchers.
NIMH grantees report on their findings in the November 2008 issue
of Nature Neuroscience.
Science Update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/genes-that-turn-on-together-hold-secrets-of-brains-molecular-instructions.shtml |
NIMH: Brain’s Response to Scary Faces Imaged Faster Than You Can Say “Boo!”
Scientists have captured the split-second workings of the brain’s fear circuitry
in people viewing frightful faces. NIMH researchers visualized this
fleeting activity in the brain’s fear hub, called the amygdala,
using a lightning-fast brain imaging technique called magnetoencephalography
(MEG). They showed that such rapid, fear-related neural processes
can now be studied non-invasively in living humans, with time resolution
that other types of scanners can’t even come close to matching.
Science Update:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/brains-response-to-scary-faces-imaged-faster-than-you-can-say-boo!.shtml |
NIDA: Extended Suboxone Treatment Substantially Improves Outcomes for Opioid-Addicted
Young Adults
In the first clinical trial of a medication that was used for an extended time
to treat opioid addiction in young adults, participants who received
counseling and Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) for 12 weeks had
substantially better outcomes than those who received the standard
treatment of short-term detoxification and counseling. The study,
published November 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, was conducted through the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network
supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Press Release: http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/08/NR11-04.html |
New NIH Policy Establishes Goals to Support Scientists Early in Their Careers
The NIH announced a new policy establishing goals to encourage funding for scientists
new to NIH and those who are at an early stage in their careers.
The involvement of new investigators is considered essential to
the vitality of health-related research and has been the focus of
several critically important NIH initiatives. NIH is hopeful that
this new policy will nurture a new cadre of promising scientists
and provide the continued expertise needed to foster the next generation
of biomedical research. NIH expects this new policy will level the
playing field, allowing new investigators to achieve success rates
comparable to those of established scientists submitting new grant
applications. Achievement of a comparable success rate should permit
the NIH to support 1650 or more New Investigators across all Institutes
and Centers in FY 2009, a number equivalent to that achieved in
FY 2008.
Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/oct2008/od-31.htm |
NIH: New Program Teaches Preschoolers Reading Skills, Getting Along With Others
A study funded by the NIH and other federal agencies shows that it's possible
to teach preschoolers the pre-reading skills they need for later
school success, while at the same time fostering the socials skills
necessary for making friends and avoiding conflicts with their peers.
The findings address long standing concerns on whether preschool
education programs should emphasize academic achievement or social
and emotional development.
Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2008/nichd-14.htm |
SAMHSA: Promoting Innovation in Financing Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced
the creation of a new financing center of excellence. Through the
new center, SAMHSA will create a national network of expertise for
generating new financing approaches as well as promising practices
developed by mental health and substance abuse service programs
and policy makers across the country.
Press Release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0811125930.aspx |
SAMHSA: Major Report Finds Screening and Early Intervention Program Used in Diverse
Health Care Settings Dramatically Reduces Illicit Drug Use among
Patients
Report Found a 67.7 Percent Reduction in Illicit Drug Use Over a Six Month Period
among People Receiving these Services
The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program
can reduce illicit drug use among patients seeking medical care
in a wide variety of health care settings such as hospitals, physician
offices, and community clinics, a study finds. SBIRT uses a variety
of techniques to screen patients seeking medical health for signs
of substance abuse. If a patient screens positive for a substance
abuse problem immediate steps are taken to help the patient effectively
deal with the problem before the patient’s health and well-being
deteriorate.
Press Release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0810310048.aspx |
| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
New on the NIMH Website
Spanish Language Version of ‘Anxiety Disorders’ Now Available Online
The Spanish language version of the NIMH publication that describes the symptoms,
causes, and treatments of the major anxiety disorders is available
online.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/trastornos-de-ansiedad/summary.shtml
NIMH Advisory Workgroup Issues Nine Recommendations to Strengthen Research Training
A workgroup of the National Advisory Mental Health Council makes nine specific
recommendations to strengthen the Institute’s program in research
training in a new report entitled Investing in the Future released
on November 1, 2008.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/updates/2008/nimh-advisory-workgroup-issues-nine-recommendations-to-strengthen-research-training.shtml
Inside NIMH: Funding News for Current and Future NIMH Awardees
The fall 2008 edition of Inside NIMH is now available.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/newsletter/2008-october-inside-nimh.html |
NIH Research Matters: Longer Treatment Improves Outcomes for Opioid-Addicted
Youth
Young adults addicted to opioids were more successful at remaining drug-free
when they received 12 weeks of treatment with the combination medication
buprenorphine-naloxone than those who received the same treatment
for only 2 weeks. The findings suggest that longer-term pharmacological
treatment, along with counseling, could be beneficial to adolescents
who want to break their opioid addictions.
http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/november2008/11102008outcomes.htm |
NIH News In Health:
Holding Their Attention —
Get the Scoop on ADHD
This NIH News In Health article addresses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2008/November/feature1.htm |
New on NIDA Website: Latest NIDA NewsScan Available
The NIDA NewScan: NIDA Addiction Research News is a summary of NIDA-funded research findings.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/08/NS-11.html |
New SAMHSA Resources and Reports
Latest SAMHSA News Available: Focus on Resources for Returning Vets
The September-October issue of SAMHSA News reports on an August 2008 conference called Paving the Road Home: Returning Veterans and Behavioral Health, and offers information on treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic
stress disorder, employment, and resources for children of military
families, among other topics.
http://www.samhsa.gov/samhsaNewsletter/default.aspx
Assertive Community Treatment: Evidence Based Practices Tool Kit
SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services has made available its Assertive Community
Treatment Tool Kit in CD/DVD format. The goal of Assertive Community
Treatment is to help people stay out of the hospital and to develop
skills for living in the community, so that their mental illness
is not the driving force in their lives. Assertive community treatment
offers services that are customized to the individual needs of the
consumer, delivered by a team of practitioners, and available 24
hours a day.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/CommunitySupport/toolkits/community/
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression among Veterans Aged 21
to 39
Combined data from SAMHSA's 2004 to 2007 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health
indicate than an annual average of 9.3% veterans aged 21 to 39 experienced
at least one major depressive episode in the past year. Among veterans aged 21 to 39 with a major depressive episode in the past year,
51.7% reported severe impairment in at least one of four role domains (i.e., home management, work,
close relationships with others, and social life) and 23.5% reported
very severe impairment in at least one of the domains. More than half of veterans aged 21 to 39 who experienced a major depressive episode
in the past year received treatment for depression in the past year.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.cfm
Short Employers Cost Savings Briefs
These briefs were created to provide information on the costs of substance use
disorders for employers and guidance on how they can enhance health
plan administration to lower their costs and increase treatment.
These briefs will be very concise arguments based on the technical
cost literature to help employers recognize the costly influence
of substance use disorders in the workplace and understand what
actions they can take to address the problem.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17943 |
AHRQ: Hospital Stays Related to Mental Health, 2006
This Statistical Brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality (AHRQ)
presents data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project on
mental health stays at U.S. community hospitals in 2006. Variations
in the characteristics of hospitalizations principally for mental
health (MH) conditions as well as stays with MH conditions noted
as a secondary condition are examined by age, gender, expected payer,
and region. The study findings include one out of every 5 hospital
stays (21.3 percent) had either a principal or secondary diagnosis
of a mental health condition.
http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb62.jsp |
AHRQ Research Summaries
Study Provides New Evidence Linking Antidepressants and Risk of Suicide in Depressed
Children and Adolescents
Recent studies have raised concerns that antidepressants paradoxically boost
the risk of suicidal behavior among depressed children and adolescents
(but not adults). A new study of Medicaid-insured adults and children
from all 50 States provides additional evidence of these risks.
It found a twofold increased risk of suicide attempts among children
treated with any antidepressant medications. The study was funded
in part by an AHRQ grant to the Center for Education and Research
on Therapeutics at Rutgers University.
http://www.ahrq.gov/research/oct08/1008RA2.htm
Medical Clinic Structure Influences Use of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Care by Persons with HIV Disease
Persons with HIV disease commonly suffer from mental health problems and substance
abuse, which typically interfere with their treatment and health.
The likelihood of these patients receiving treatment for these problems
depends, in part, on the structure of their medical clinic, concludes
a new study that was supported in part by the AHRQ.
http://www.ahrq.gov/research/oct08/1008RA38.htm |
ED: Student Victimization in U. S. Schools Results from the 2005 School Crime
Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey
This report from the Department of Education provides estimates of student victimization
as defined by the 2005 School Crime Supplement to the 2005 National
Crime Victimization Survey. It shows that student victims of crime
are more likely to report conditions of an unfavorable school climate,
security measures at school, and exhibit fear and avoidance behaviors.
Additional topics covered in this report include the prevalence
and type of student victimization at school and selected characteristics
of victims, including their demographic characteristics and school
type; and victim and non victim reports of the presence of gangs
and weapons and the availability of drugs.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009306 |
NIA: New Edition of Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery Available
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) released a new edition of Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery, an illustrated, 80-page book written for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD),
their families, health care professionals, students, and others
with an interest in the disease. This update helps readers understand
AD, its impact on individuals and society, and research advances
to prevent or diminish the effects of the disease.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/Unraveling |
| Calls
for Nominations |
| |
| Calls
for Public Input |
| |
| Calls
for Applications |
| |
| Calendar
of Events |
Teleconference: Children's Mental Health Problems and the Need for Social Inclusion
November 18, 2008, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)
SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion
Associated with Mental Health is sponsoring this free teleconference
training to (1) Explore research on social exclusion for children
with mental health problems and their families; (2) Offer first-hand
accounts from families and children with mental health problems
on their experiences with prejudice, misperceptions and negative
attitudes; and (3) Provide an overview of strategies that may help
to reduce prejudice and increase social inclusion for children and
their families.
http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/teleconferences/archive/training/teleconference11082008.aspx |
Supporting Children Living with Grief and Trauma: A Multidisciplinary Approach
December 10-11, 2008, Los Angeles, California
This Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical
Assistance Center training will focus on the needs of children who
experience grief and trauma as a result of homicide and how victim
service providers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement
can work together to best serve these children. Topics include:
(1) The signs of grief and trauma in children affected by a homicidal
death and the unique challenges surrounding this experience:
(2) Appropriate intervention strategies with children experiencing grief and
trauma in order to make referrals; and (3) Strategies to enhance
multidisciplinary responses to the special needs of children who
experience grief and trauma.
http://www.sei2003.com/ovcttac2008/LA-SupportingChildren.htm |
NIH Summit: The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities
December 16-18, 2008, National Harbor, Maryland
Join the NIH Institutes, Centers, Offices, and their many partners engaged in
research on minority health and health disparities to: (1) highlight
the research progress of the NIH on health issues among racial/ethnic
minority and medically underserved populations; (2) increase awareness
and understanding of disparities in health; (3) showcase best-practice
models in research, capacity-building, outreach, and integrated
strategies to eliminate health disparities; (4) identify strengths
and gaps in health disparities research; (5) network and dialogue
with the nation’s leading experts on minority health and health
disparities.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/announcements/2008/nih-summit-the-science-of-eliminating-health-disparities.shtml |
2009 National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities
in Health
February 25–27, 2009, National Harbor, MD Call for Abstracts Due: November 18, 2008
The 2009 National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities
in Health, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, is built around the five core NPA objectives, which are:
(1) Increased awareness of health disparities; (2) Strengthened
leadership at all levels; (3) Improved patient-provider communication;
(4) Improved cultural and linguistic competency; and (5) Improved
coordination and utilization of research and evaluation outcomes.
http://www.omhrc.gov/npasummit2009/ |
Integrating Services, Integrating Research for Co-Occurring Conditions: A Need
for New Views and Action
Washington, DC, March 2-3, 2009
Call for Abstracts Due: December 12, 2008
This multidisciplinary scientific conference, with support from NIDA, NIMH, and
the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, effort seeks
to (1) develop a collaborative research agenda to improve behavioral
health services delivery to people across the life span, and (2)
engage and partner researchers and other key stakeholders such as
consumers, family members, providers, policy makers and communities
to contribute to and implement this agenda. An additional goal is
to create 'new' research teams comprised of people from different
arenas who have not worked together previously. This conference
provides a unique venue for behavioral health services researchers
– from drug abuse, alcohol use and mental health fields – to come
together to tackle a shared dilemma.
http://bhsr.fmhi.usf.edu/ |
| Funding
Information |
NIH Seeks Proposals for 2009 Director's Pioneer and New Innovator Awards
The NIH welcomes proposals for 2009 NIH Director's Pioneer Awards and New Innovator
Awards. Both programs are part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research
and support exceptionally creative scientists who take highly innovative,
potentially high-impact approaches to major challenges in biomedical
or behavioral research. NIH expects to make 5 to 10 Pioneer Awards
and up to 24 New Innovator Awards in September 2009.
Pioneer Awards provide up to $2.5 million in direct costs over 5 years and are
open to scientists at any career stage. More information on Pioneer
Awards: http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/pioneer
New Innovator Awards provide up to $1.5 million in direct costs over the same
period and are for early career investigators who have not received
an NIH regular research (R01) or similar NIH grant. More information
on New Innovator Awards: http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/newinnovator |
New! NIH Transformative R01 Program
The NIH’s new Transformative R01 Program (T-R01s) will allow highly creative,
“out-of-the-box” projects to be supported. The T-R01 Program represents
a High Risk/High Reward Demonstration Project in which novel approaches
to peer review and program management are to be piloted.
The application submission period is from December 29, 2008 to January 29, 2009.
More information on the Transformative R01 Program: http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/T-R01/ |
| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
| |
| Research
Funding Opportunities (PAs and RFAs) |
Medical Management of Older Patients with HIV/AIDS
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-017.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-018.html (R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-019.html (R21) |
Selected NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)
[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html ] |
Education Programs of Excellence in Scientifically Validated Behavioral Treatment
(R25)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-09-110.html |
Brain Imaging Studies of Negative Reinforcement in Humans
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-09-008.html (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-09-009.html (R21) |
Secondary Data Analyses for Substance Abuse Research (R21/R33)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-09-020.html
|
