MedPage Today (1/5, Robertson) reported, “Problems with the veterinary sedative xylazine – also known as ‘tranq’ – appeared to be concentrated in the eastern U.S. but were spread across the entire country, a cross-sectional study found.” Investigators found that “at least 43 states reported at least one xylazine-related overdose death from 2019 to 2022.” The data also indicated that “in 2019, 16 states had no xylazine forensic reports but by 2022, only two states had no such reports.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

Psychiatric News (1/5) reported, “Taking serotonergic antidepressants such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may increase the risk of patients with Parkinson’s disease developing impulse control disorder, a study…has found.” Investigators came to this conclusion after examining “data from 1,045 individuals (mean age, 63 years) who were participating in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative.” The research was published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Certain Antidepressants May Increase Risk of Impulse Control Disorder in Parkinson’s Patients,” Psychiatric News, January 5, 2024

NBC News (1/5, Bellamy) reported, “According to a study…Black children and teens who experience racial discrimination online may develop symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder.” Investigators “found that children and teens who experienced racism online were more likely to report PTSD symptoms, and that those who developed PTSD symptoms were more likely to report suicidal thoughts,” but “they didn’t find that experiencing online racism directly led to an increased likelihood of suicidal thoughts.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Online racism is linked to PTSD symptoms in Black youth, study finds,” Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, January 5, 2024

HCP Live (1/4, Derman) reports, “Hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia, but hearing aids are linked with reducing the risk, according to a new study.” The findings were published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.

Related Links:

— “Hearing Loss Linked with Increased Risk of Dementia,” Chelsie Derman, HCP Live, January 4, 2024

Neurology Advisor (1/4) reports, “Excessive television watching is associated with an increased risk for dementia, Parkinson disease, and depression,” although “non-worked-related moderate computer use is tied to a lower risk for dementia,” according to a study. The findings were published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Related Links:

— “TV Watching Duration May Impact Risk for Dementia, PD, and Depression,” Jessica Nye, PhD, Neurology Advisor, January 4, 2024