Research News
Out of sync with the world: Brain study shows body clocks of depressed people are altered at cell level
Every cell in our bodies runs on a 24-hour clock, tuned to the night-day, light-dark cycles that have ruled us since the dawn of humanity. The brain acts as timekeeper, keeping the cellular clock in sync with the outside world so that it can govern our appetites, sleep, moods and much more. But new research [...]
Risk of depression influenced by quality of relationships
Results of large, national study find people are better off not having a spouse than having poor relationship with one ANN ARBOR, Mich. The mantra that quality is more important than quantity is true when considering how social relationships influence depression, say U-M researchers in a new study. After analyzing data from nearly 5,000 American [...]
Do drugs for bipolar disorder “normalize” brain gene function?
Brain tissue study shows gene expression in patients treated with antipsychotics is similar to expression in non-bipolar brains. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Every day, millions of people with bipolar disorder take medicines that help keep them from swinging into manic or depressed moods. But just how these drugs produce their effects is still a mystery. [...]
Depression rates not improved under resident work restrictions
At hospitals around the country, young doctors fresh out of medical school help care for patients of all kinds – and work intense, long hours as part of their residency training. Traditionally, residents were allowed to work more than 24 hours without a break. In 2011, new rules cut back the number of hours they [...]
Depression risk double for pneumonia patients
The long-term consequences of pneumonia can be more detrimental to a person’s health than having a heart attack, according to joint research from the University of Michigan Health System and University of Washington School of Medicine. Older adults who are hospitalized for pneumonia have a significantly higher risk of new problems that affect their ability [...]
Postpartum depression common in developing countries
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Postpartum depression not only affects mothers but it could mean higher health risks for the baby – especially in low-income countries like Ghana where the condition isn’t well-recognized, University of Michigan Health System research shows. Efforts to reduce child mortality and improve infant growth, health, and nutritional status in less-developed [...]
ER screening for eating disorders
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Could the emergency room be a good place to spot undiagnosed eating disorders among teens, and help steer them to treatment? A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that could be the case. Researchers screened more than 940 teens and young adults aged 14 years to 20 years for [...]
Personality and placebo response
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Are you good at coping when life gets tough? Do people call you a straight-shooter? Will you help others without expecting anything in return? Those personality traits might do more than help you win a popularity contest. According to new University of Michigan-led neuroscience research, those qualities also might make [...]
Probing elevated suicide risk among physicians
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Doctors who commit suicide appear to be under-treated for mental health problems, despite their seemingly good access to health care, a new University of Michigan study shows. Although more physicians than non-physicians in the study had known mental health problems prior to suicide, this didn’t translate into a higher rate of [...]
Helping military spouses, partners through deployment stress
While many military mental health initiatives emphasize the needs and well-being of service members, a unique U-M program is focused on improving the lives of military spouses and partners experiencing the stress of deployment. HomeFront Strong, sponsored by M-SPAN, is designed to help military family members build social support and positive relationships, learn new approaches [...]
