Cushing’s Disease News (11/15, Wexler ) reported, “People with Cushing’s disease frequently experience cognitive and psychiatric complications, often persisting after surgery to remove the disease-driving tumor, a review study” found. This “could be because high cortisol levels during active phases of Cushing’s disease can cause physical changes in brain structure that persist after cortisol levels are back under control following surgery, the researchers said.” The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.

Related Links:

— “Brain structure changes may explain Cushing’s cognitive issues,” Marisa Wexler, MS, , November 15, 2024

Psychiatric News (11/15) reported, “Alcohol consumption among adults increased during the early part of the COVID pandemic, and this increase was sustained two years later, according to an analysis.” Investigators came to this conclusion after examining “data from the 2018, 2020, and 2022 editions of the nationally representative National Health Interview Survey…which included responses on drinking behaviors from 24,965 adults 18 or over in 2018, 30,829 in 2020, and 26,806 in 2022.” The findings were published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Pandemic-Fueled Rise in Drinking Persisted Into 2022,” Psychiatric News, November 15, 2024

USA Today (11/14, Brook , Mayes-Osterman ) reports, “The Army saw fewer suicides in recent months, a change in a trend that has long plagued the military.” A report that was “released by the Pentagon Thursday showed suicides rose throughout the military last year, before they began decreasing this year in the Army, which is the military’s largest branch.” The Army reported “the most suicides last year at 279, an increase of 25 from the prior year.” Meanwhile, “the Marine Corps recorded 71 suicides, the Navy recorded 78, the Air Force recorded 93, and the Space Force recorded two suicides.” Military officials “say numbers improved in 2024 because of an emphasis on safe storage of guns and drugs, and a renewed effort to limit stress in soldiers’ lives.”

Related Links:

— “Military suicides still on the rise, but Army gets good news after recent surge,” Tom Vanden Brook and Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, November 14, 2024

The Washington Post (11/14, Kim ) reports “a meta-analysis, using longitudinal data from over 600,000 people, has found that loneliness increases the risk for dementia because of any cause, including Alzheimer’s disease.” The research also found “that loneliness is associated with cognitive impairment, an early stage of cognitive decline that may precede the onset of dementia.” The findings were published in Nature Mental Health.

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

Healio (11/13, Rhoades) reports “exercise interventions reduced the risk for postpartum depression and the severity of depression and anxiety in women who recently gave birth, results from a review and meta-analysis” showed. Researchers found that “certain thresholds of exercise over the first 3 months of postpartum may need to be met to ultimately achieve the benefits.” The findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Exercise may reduce the risk for major postpartum depression,” Andrew Rhoades, Healio, November 13, 2024

NBC News (11/13, Sullivan) reports “Ozempic [semaglutide] and Wegovy [semaglutide] may help people cut back on drinking, new research” suggests. In a study of about “228,000 people in Sweden who had alcohol use disorder, researchers found that people who were taking a GLP-1 drug like semaglutide were less likely to be hospitalized for alcohol-related issues.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Ozempic and Wegovy may help curb alcohol addiction, study suggests,” Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, November 13, 2024

ABC News (11/13, Alfonseca ) reports, “The Rainbow Youth Project, a national LGBTQ advocacy group, typically fields almost 800 calls a month on its crisis outreach hotline.” In only “10 days, as the 2024 presidential election came to a head, the organization told ABC News it received roughly 5,460.” According to organizers, “they were prepared for calls to spike given that the LGBTQ community – and specifically the transgender population – has been a subject of debate in this election cycle.”

However, “they weren’t prepared for the overwhelming call volume.” Nationwide, LGBTQ hotlines “are seeing massive surges amid the fallout of the election, as LGBTQ Americans and their loved ones search for answers, reassurance and guidance about future LGBTQ rights in America.”

Related Links:

— “‘Wake-up call’: LGBTQ crisis hotlines see surge of calls amid presidential election,” Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, November 13, 2024

People Face Higher Risk Of Schizophrenia If They Use Psychedelics, Study Suggests
HealthDay (11/13, Thompson ) reports, “People are at higher risk of schizophrenia if they indulge in psychedelic drugs, a new study warns.” The researchers found that “patients who land in the ER following hallucinogen use have a 21-fold higher risk of developing schizophrenia compared to the general population.” Study results indicate that “even after controlling for a person’s existing substance use and mental” illnesses, “there remained a 3.5-fold increased risk of schizophrenia after ER treatment for psychedelics use.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Psychedelics Like Psilocybin, MDMA Tied to Higher Odds for Schizophrenia,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, November 13, 2024

Healio (11/12, Kellner ) reports, “Nearly half of adolescents who vape nicotine – and almost three-quarters of near-daily users – do so for relaxation, according to study findings.” The researchers said, “Screening for nicotine vaping alongside stress and anxiety may be an important tool for early intervention efforts because using to relax is associated with increased risk of future dependence.” The findings were published in Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Teens vape nicotine to help them relax, survey finds,” Sara Kellner, Healio, November 12, 2024

Healio (11/12, Southall ) reports, “Significant barriers to divorce during pregnancy and reproductive health care led to serious health risks among pregnant or recently pregnant women in the U.S. between 2018 and 2021, according to results of a cross-sectional study.” Researchers found “significantly high rates of intimate partner homicide…when state law prohibited divorce finalization during pregnancy.” Investigators “specifically observed high rates of intimate partner homicide among white females aged 10 years to 24 years.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Barriers to divorce during pregnancy, reproductive care pose risks for women,” Jennifer R. Southall, Healio, November 12, 2024