Research News

Awareness and visibility of mental health have increased across popular culture, and new research demonstrates that this trend includes rap music. Researchers conducted a content analysis of 125 rap songs popular in the U.S. between 1998 and 2018 and found that mental health references increased significantly over the 20-year period. Overall, 28% of the songs referenced anxiety, 22% referenced depression, 6% referenced suicide, and 21% used a mental health metaphor. As many of the artists whose music was analyzed were younger Black men, this increased visibility of mental health issues could represent an important shift in discourse in a particularly vulnerable population. To learn more, see the study in JAMA Pediatrics.  

Early identification can improve outcomes for individuals at high risk of developing psychosis, and multimodal machine-learning models may be able to help. In a study comparing participants with clinical high risk syndromes or recent-onset depression to healthy volunteers, researchers used a machine-learning model incorporating clinical and neurocognitive data, structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), and polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia to predict development of psychosis. The model accurately predicted transition to psychosis in 85.9% of cases, compared to 73.2% of cases predicted by clinicians. The model showed greater predictive accuracy than any individual predictive factor alone. To learn more, see the study in JAMA Psychiatry.  

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a challenging and often misunderstood illness, and is associated with a high risk for attempted suicide. Reducing this risk requires more detailed understanding to improve screening and intervention. New research sought to explore the symptoms of BPD and determine which most contribute to increased risk of suicidal behavior. Using 10-year longitudinal data, researchers found that specific symptoms such as identity disturbance, frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, and feelings of emptiness were the most highly correlated with suicide attempt. The researchers note that these symptoms are often under-studied in the context of suicide, compared to symptoms such as impulsivity. To learn more, see the study in JAMA Psychiatry.

As cannabis use rises in popularity, it is increasingly important to understand its health impacts. To create a realistic simulation of human cannabis use, researchers delivered vaporized cannabis to a population of pregnant rats using e-cigarette technology. Offspring exposed to vaporized cannabis exhibited higher degrees of emotional reactivity and social timidity as juveniles, and anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood, compared to those exposed to vehicle exhaust vapor or no vapor. While this study provides early information on prenatal exposure to cannabis, more research is needed to draw reliable conclusions about long-term health effects. To learn more, see the study in Neuropharmacology.  

As we learn more about COVID-19, it is becoming clear that its effects extend beyond physical health. Based on analysis of nearly 70 million electronic health records, researchers found that COVID-19 patients have an increased risk of developing psychiatric symptoms in the 14 to 90 days following diagnosis, compared to people who have experienced other health issues like the flu or a broken bone. Over 18% of COVID-19 patients received a psychiatric diagnosis within 90 days; 5.8% of which were first-time diagnoses. Past-year psychiatric illness was also associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection, suggesting a complex relationship between the disease and mental health. To learn more, see the study in The Lancet.

Exposure therapy is a well-known and effective strategy for reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders. However, directly confronting the object of one’s fears can be extremely distressing. New research suggests that a “very brief exposure” (VBE) therapy may be equally effective with a lower burden of distress. Researchers exposed a group of young women with arachnophobia to a rapidly-changing set of images that included hidden images of spiders. Although the images appeared too quickly for participants to consciously detect, VBE reduced avoidance responses when participants were later presented with a live spider. To learn more, see the study in The Lancet.

According to new research, admissions to an acute adult mental health unit in Leicester, U.K. decreased in the month following enactment of COVID-19 quarantine and travel measures. Researchers compared admissions to similar periods in 2018 and 2019. A higher percentage of patients admitted in early 2020 were diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and a lower percentage with anxiety or depression, compared to prior years. The study represents just one look at mental health service use in the context of pandemic-related restrictions; additional research is needed to understand the full effect of COVID-19 on mental health systems. To learn more, see the study in Psychiatric Services.  

Finding the right treatment for bipolar disorder can be a challenging process. But according to new research, a combination approach involving medication and standardized, skills-based therapy may be a good place to start. Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 clinical trials comparing treatment with medication plus various types of psychotherapy to treatment with medication plus a control intervention. When combined with medication therapy, psychoeducation, family, and cognitive behavioral therapy were associated with a reduction in episode recurrence. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy was associated with a greater stabilization of depressive symptoms. To learn more, see the study in JAMA Psychiatry.

Research has shown that half of individuals who die by suicide had seen a health care provider in the past month. By directly addressing risk factors and connecting people to supportive care, health care providers can make a difference. A new study shows that brief interventions like safety planning, coordinating outpatient mental health appointments, and conducting follow-up phone calls significantly reduce subsequent suicide attempts. The research demonstrates that these interventions are effective in hospitals, urgent care, and emergency departments and highlights the importance of screening for suicide risk at health care appointments. To learn more, see the NIMH website.

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to reduce the negative long-term outcomes of schizophrenia. Past research has made it easier to identify individuals who are at high risk for developing schizophrenia, but translating this knowledge into treatment requires further complex investigation. Recognizing the importance of this research, and the large scale of investment and collaboration required, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health has launched an Accelerating Medicines Partnership on Schizophrenia.  This five-year program brings together federal, not-for-profit and private organizations dedicated to working together to advance our understanding and develop targeted interventions for high-risk populations. To learn more, see the FNIH website.