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.

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— “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.

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— “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