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More InfoLatest News Around the Web
Regular Exercise Linked To Better Mental, Brain Health, Study Suggests
HealthDay (2/28, Thompson ) said that people who “regularly exercise have better mental and brain health, researchers will report in early April at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego and online.” Investigators found that “moderate to vigorous physical activity reduces risk of dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.” Researchers said, “With our large number of participants and the use of devices that provide objective measurements of activity levels, these results will have implications for assessing risk factors and developing interventions to prevent the development of these diseases.”
Related Links:
— “Physical Activity Linked to Better Mental, Brain Health,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, February 28, 2025
Patients With Dementia Taking Some Antidepressants Experience Faster Cognitive Decline, Study Finds
Psychiatric News (2/28) reported a study suggests that “patients with dementia taking some antidepressants,particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), experienced faster cognitive decline compared with those not taking these medications.” According to the study, “adults taking antidepressants experienced faster cognitive decline during follow-up compared with non-use (an additional 0.3-point loss on the MMSE per year). Among adults who had severe dementia at baseline, those taking antidepressants experience an additional 1.5-point loss on the MMSE per year.” In particular, “three SSRIs on the list – escitalopram, sertraline, and citalopram – were associated with greater cognitive decline compared with non-use. Compared with sertraline, escitalopram presented with faster cognitive decline, while citalopram was linked to a slower cognitive decline.” The study was published in BMC Medicine.
Related Links:
— “SSRIs Associated With Faster Cognitive Decline in Patients With Dementia,” Psychiatric News, February 28, 2025
CVS to open smaller, pharmacy-only stores
CNN (3/10, Valinsky ) reports that CVS is set to open about a dozen smaller stores this year, each “about…half the size of its traditional layout and” that “have only a pharmacy.” The initiative is part of CVS’ broader turnaround strategy, which includes over 1,000 store closures and layoffs as the company adapts to changes in the retail pharmacy industry. A CVS spokesperson stated that the smaller stores will cater to community pharmacy needs while providing some over-the-counter products.
Forbes (3/9, Japsen ) reports the news “comes as CVS’ main rival Walgreens Boots Alliance works on a financial turnaround, closes hundreds of stores and prepares for private ownership after Walgreens last week announced a $10 billion sale to Sycamore Partners.” The push for “new sizes and formats has taken on more urgency because both companies have large amounts of debt and face escalating pressure from flat or falling sales of general merchandise in the front of their stores.”
Related Links:
— “CVS is opening smaller stores that only have pharmacies,” Jordan Valinsky, CNN, March 10, 2025
Study Suggests Headache Diagnoses Linked To Increase In Attempted, Completed Suicides
MedPage Today (2/3, George ) reports “headache diagnoses were persistently associated with an increase in attempted and completed suicides, a population study of more than 100,000” patients with headache “in Denmark showed.” Researchers found that “across four types of headache – migraine, tension-type headache, post-traumatic headache, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia – the association was robust.” The findings were published in JAMA Neurology.
Related Links:
— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)
Kindergarten-Age Children Who Have Fathers With Depression Are More Likely To Have Behavioral Problems, Poor Social Skills Several Years Later, Study Finds
Psychiatric News (2/3) reports “kindergarten-ag e children who have fathers with depression are more likely than children not exposed to paternal depression to have behavioral problems and poor social skills several years later, a study” found. The researchers said their findings “suggest the need for interventions supporting school-aged children exposed to paternal depression. … Pediatricians, with their frequent contact with families, are well-positioned to address these important needs.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Related Links:
— “Fathers’ Depression May Affect Children’s Behavior, Psychiatric News, January 3, 2025
Foundation News
New PSA Examines Prisons, Inmates and Mental Health
The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry, Inc.’s latest public service announcement on local Maryland radio stations focuses on mental health care in the United States prison system. It examines the problem of mental illness being the reason for incarceration in the first place, and the lack of care once a person is behind bars.
Prisons, Inmates and Mental HealthPrisons, Inmates and Mental Health
You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.
Follow the Foundation on Twitter!
The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry, Inc. now has it’s very own Twitter account. You can follow us there to get the latest news about what we’re doing as well as be notified of the psychiatric news we mention here and when a new radio spot goes online. Just click the button below or in the left column to add us to your Twitter feed!
New MFP Public Service Ad Looks at Civil Unrest Effects on Children
Sadly, the civil unrest in Baltimore this spring has psychologically harmed some of our children. Our latest public service advertisement looks at the effects of civil unrest on young minds, not just from seeing or experiencing actual violence, but also to being exposed to it through the media.
Civil Unrest Effects on ChildrenCivil Unrest Effects on Children
Our full collection of advertisements is online for you to Listen and download all our public service ads here!“.
Dr. Leon Levin, Honorary Director of the Foundation, Passes
[The following obituary is from Cremation and Funeral Alternatives as posted on Legacy.Com. You can find it there as well as a guest book to sign.]
Leon Levin, M.D.: A Life of Meaning May 22,1930-October 18, 2014
For Dr. Leon Levin, 84, finding the meaning in life, relationships, people, literature and film was synonymous with breathing. How could he do otherwise? A psychiatrist, a psychoanalyst, a scholar, a community servant, a film lover, a friend and a quintessential family man – it was the lens through which he looked. He had a natural sensitivity for depth, emotion, conflict, fear, hope, pain and was always curious and empathic. The close relationships with his family, Psychoanalysis and film served as his foundation. Many have echoed that Leon’s belief in them, inspired them to be their best selves. He touched generations in the most understated and gentle manner.
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Latest Foundation Radio Spot Examines Link Between Illness and Depression
The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry, Inc.’s latest public service announcement on local Maryland radio stations focuses on how how various illnesses can be linked to depression. Being ill by itself can often be enough to cause depression, but many illnesses can affect the brain and lead to depression, too. The spot urges people to seek help when needed.
Illness and DepressionIllness and Depression
You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.