Depression: Causes and Groups at Risk
Alcoholism and Suicide
By Tom Hollon in BrainWork, Vol 11:6, 2001
Discusses the relationship between alcoholism, suicide, and other mental problems
Brain Disorders Top List of Major Causes of Disability Worldwide
By Brenda Patoine in BrainWork, Vol 11:3, 2001
Gives a cross-cultural perspective to brain disorders and questions whether higher rates of disability in developed countries is due to lifestyle differences or lack of accurate reporting in developing countries.
Early Childhood Trauma May "Wire" the Brain for Depression
By in BrainWork, Vol 10:6, 2000
Reports on a study of women who had a history of depression and childhood abuse. The researchers examined the blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) after subjecting the study participants to a mild stress and found a correlation between depression rates and ACTH levels.
Looking to the Brain to Save the Heart
By James L. Januzzi, Jr., and Roman W. DeSanctis in Cerebrum, Vol 1:1, 1999
Because depression is the single best predictor of death following a heart attack, it is time to revisit the idea--as old as antiquity--that head and heart are closely linked. Drs. Januzzi and DeSanctis call for a new, life-saving "neurocardiology."
Mental Illness and Addiction Genes: Answers Remain Elusive
By Brenda Patoine in BrainWork, Vol 13:3, 2003
Discusses using genomic analyses for finding groups at risk for disease.
Recurring Depression
By Tom Hollon in BrainWork, Vol 12:6, 2002
Reports how fully recovered depressed patients have a "depression trait marker" pattern more similar to depressed patients than never-depressed individuals. The depression trait marker is an unusual activity pattern of two frontal lobe regions. The researchers suggest the abnormal brain activity may explain vulnerability to recurring bouts of depression.
Sex Differences and Depression
By Tom Hollon in BrainWork, Vol 11:4, 2001
Explores sex differences in diagnosis (not treatment).
Suicide in the Young: An Essay
By Kay Redfield Jamison in Cerebrum, Vol 3:3, 2001
Few readers may realize how heavy a toll is taken by suicide during the years of high school, college, and young adulthood. Although suicide is at last being viewed as a public health issues, says psychiatrist and best-selling author Jamison, we are still doing far less than we could to stop this "preventable tragedy."
Surgeon General Reports High Rates of Mental Illness
By Terri Rutter in BrainWork, Vol 10:1, 2000
Reviews major findings of Surgeon General's first report to focus on mental health.
The Teenage Brain
in Gray Matters Audio Series (2003)
Brain researchers are finding physiological evidence for something that parents of adolescence have long suspected- teenagers just do not think or feel the same way that adults do. Research now shows that the disparities are due, in part, to the fact that teenage brains actually work differently from those of adults. Hosted by Natalie Portman.
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