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Latest News Around the Web
Observation of predictable visual stimuli could be early behavioral marker for autism spectrum disorder
HealthDay (4/18, Gotkine ) reported a study suggests that “predictable movement stimuli could be a behavioral marker for early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening.” Researchers analyzed “observation durations for predictable movements for children with potential ASD (13 male and four female) compared to typically developing children (nine male and two female) using a preferential-looking paradigm.”
They found that “children with potential ASD spent significantly more time observing predictable movements, especially in the latter part of the stimulus presentation.” Researchers concluded, “This study’s results highlight the potential of predictable stimuli as an early screening tool, offering promise for improving early diagnosis and intervention for children at risk for ASD.” The study was published in Scientific Reports.
Related Links:
— “Observation of Predictable Visual Stimuli a Potential Early Indicator for Autism,” Elana Gotkine, HealthDay, April 18, 2025
Nearly One-Fourth Of Physicians Surveyed Say They Favor A Ban On TikTok Due to Health Misinformation
Medical Economics (4/18, Littrell) reported on a Sermo survey of “more than 1,100 physicians worldwide” finding that 23% of physicians endorse “an outright ban” on TikTok, “due to the app’s role in spreading health misinformation.” In addition 43% of respondents “identified TikTok as a significant source of misinformation about medical treatments.” Asked about social media they personally use, 5% said TikTok, 26% Sermo, 23% Facebook, and 16% LinkedIn.
Related Links:
— “1 in 4 physicians support a TikTok ban, citing health misinformation,” Austin Littrell, Medical Economics, April 18, 2025
Study Examines Association Of Oral Finasteride And Suicide
Dermatology Advisor (4/18, Kuhns) reported on a study finding that “oral finasteride use at various doses was associated with completed suicide, depression suicidal, suicidal behavior, and suicidal ideation following the identification of post-finasteride syndrome, but was not associated with suicide attempts.” The study was based on “data from the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).” The findings were published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Finasteride is used to treat Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy and men’s pattern baldness.
Related Links:
— “Oral Finasteride Associated With Increased Depression, Suicidal Ideation Rates,” Lisa Kuhns, PhD, Dermatology Advisor, April 18, 2025
Digital Technology Use Is Associated With Lower Rates Of Cognitive Decline In Patents Older Than 50, Review Finds
HealthDay (4/17, Gotkine ) reports a systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that “widespread use of digital technology seems to be associated with lower rates of cognitive decline in adults older than 50.” Researchers analyzed 57 “observational or cohort studies focusing on general digital technology use in older adults.” They found “an association for use of digital technologies with a reduced risk for cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.42) as well as reduced time-dependent rates of cognitive decline (hazard ratio, 0.74). When accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and cognitive reserve proxies, the effects remained significant.” The review was published in Nature Human Behaviour.
Related Links:
— “Digital Technology Linked to Lower Rates of Cognitive Decline in Adults Older Than 50,” Elana Gotkine, HealthDay, April 17, 2025
Young Adult Females Surpassed Males In Binge Drinking Rates From 2021 To 2023, Study Finds
HCPlive (4/16, Brooks ) reports a study found that “past-month binge drinking rates were greater among young adult females than males during the 2021 to 2023 period, reversing 2017 to 2019 patterns, whereas males in other age groups continued to binge and heavy drink at higher rates than females.” Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers “assessed sex-based differences in past-month binge drinking,” which is defined as “≥ 5 alcoholic drinks for males or ≥ 4 alcohol drinks for females on the same occasion, and heavy drinking, defined as binge drinking on ≥ 5 days in the past 30 days.”
From 2021 to 2023, they found that females across all age groups “had significantly lower overall past month binge drinking levels than males,” while females “18 to 25 years of age had greater binge drinking levels than males.” Investigators noted that “female adults had significantly lower heavy drinking levels than male adults across all age groups from 2017 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023.” The study was published in JAMA.
Related Links:
— “Binge Drinking Rates Increasing Among Young Female Adults, Study Finds,” Abigail Brooks, MA, HCPLive, April 16, 2025
Foundation News
Seeking Nominations for 2022 Anti-Stigma Advocacy Award
The annual Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry (MFP) Anti-Stigma Advocacy Award recognizes a worthy piece published in a major newspaper that accomplishes one or more of the following:
- Shares with the public their experience with mental illness in themselves, a family member, or simply in the community.
- Helps others to overcome their inability to talk about mental illness or their own mental illness.
- Imparts particularly insightful observations on the general subject of mental illness.
A Maryland author and/or newspaper is preferred. Click here for past winners and published articles.
The award carries a $500 prize, which is given at the Maryland Psychiatric Society annual meeting in April. To nominate a piece to be considered for the 2022 award, email it to mfp@mdpsych.org no later than January 10, 2022. The article should be published during the period from January 15, 2021 to January 10, 2022.
New PSA Examines Anxiety as Pandemic Improves
As the pandemic improves and restrictions and shutdowns are lifted, many people may be experiencing anxiety at returning to the world and being amongst people. This new PSA from the Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry, Inc. examines fears people may have as they try to navigate uncertainty about going outside as well as deal with conflicting messages about how to stay safe and healthy.
Post-Pandemic AnxietyPost Pandemic Anxiety, MP3, 1.3MB
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.
Jamie and Sarah Raskin Recognized with Anti-Stigma Advocacy Award
Congressman Jamie Raskin and Sarah Bloom Raskin were awarded the Foundation’s 2021 Anti-Stigma Advocacy Prize for the tribute about their son, Tommy, posted on January 4, 2021. The MFP board of directors felt that it was very effective in conveying what a wonderful and gifted person their son was, that depression did not detract from this, and how painful and sad his loss and the loss of others suffering from depression can be. The board also greatly admired their courage in writing about him in such a forthright manner. The Anti-Stigma Advocacy Award was formally presented at the Maryland Psychiatric Society annual meeting on April 22.
The Foundation established this annual prize for a worthy media piece, preferably local or regional, that accomplishes one or more of the following:
- Shares with the public their experience with mental illness in themselves, a family member, or simply in the community.
- Helps others to overcome their inability to talk about mental illness or their own mental illness.
- Imparts particularly insightful observations on the general subject of mental illness.
Click here for information about past winners.
Psychiatrist Weighs Taking The COVID Vaccine in New Radio Ad
Psychiatrists aren’t necessarily on the front lines treating COVID patients in a hospital, so should they take or not take a COVID vaccine? In this new ad from The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry, Inc., one psychiatrist goes trough his thoughts as he decided whether to take it. He examines the science, the risks, possible complications, and what his decision means to his patients as well as to mental health in general.
COVID Vaccination — Why You Should Take ItCOVID Vaccination — Why You Should Take It , MP3, 1.3MB
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.
Political Anxiety PSA is Timely Again
As this election cycle nears election day, there is no guarantee we will know the results very soon. A combination of many factors, including a pandemic that brings its own anxiety and has seen record numbers use absentee voting and early voting to avoid crowds on election day, could cause delays in vote counts and that can add to the stress and anxiety of many people. We are featuring our PSA from 2017 which examines the wide variety of feelings people experience after a particularly divisive political campaign and things that can be done to help, ranging from breaks from Facebook and Twitter and similar sites to seeking actual help from professionals.
Listen to the PSA on our home page or on our PSA collection here, where you can listen to or download other advice given in past PSAs, also.