Psychiatric News (3/24) says, “Family-centered psychosocial interventions may protect young Black adolescents who experience frequent racial discrimination from subsequent mental health problems, according to a report in JAMA Open Network.” The study researchers “analyzed data from two community-based randomized clinical trials – the Strong African American–Teen (SAAF–T) program, which included 502 Black adolescents (56% girls) aged 14 to 16, and the Adults in the Making (AIM) program, which included 367 Black adolescents (59% girls and women) aged 17 to 18.”

Related Links:

— “Psychosocial Programs for Black Families May Mitigate Mental Health Effects of Racial Discrimination, Psychiatric News , March 24, 2021

Healio (3/23, Laday) reports, “Anxiety and depression symptoms reduce the likelihood of achieving sustained minimal disease activity in psoriatic arthritis [PsA],” researchers concluded after following “743 adult patients at the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic from 2008 to 2017.” The findings were published online in a brief report in Arthritis Care & Research.

Related Links:

— “Anxiety, depression reduce odds of achieving minimal disease activity in PsA “Jason Laday, Healio, March 23, 2021

Healio (3/23, Weller) reports, “Patients self-reported varying opinions on cannabis use and its efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease [PD],” investigators concluded after distributing “an anonymous survey to ‘constituents’ of the Parkinson’s Foundation with PD; they reported a 17.6% response rate.” Researchers then included “1,064 patients (mean age, 71.2 years; mean disease duration, 7.4 years) who provided complete responses…in the final analysis.” The study revealed that “most patients ‘recognize that cannabis is no substitute for PD medications,’” the study’s lead author said. The findings were published online in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease.

Related Links:

— “Opinions about cannabis, patterns of use vary among patients with Parkinson’s disease “Madison Weller, Healio, March 23, 2021

ABC News (3/24, Rothman, Jain) reports, “After two mass shootings in less than one week, mental health experts say the effects these horrific events have on the American public are amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Dr. Ronald Acierno, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UTHealth’s McGovern Medical School, said, “When there’s something about the case that resonates with you and that you identify with, it’s going to have a pretty significant impact. In this case, it was in a store where everybody goes. It’s such a common daily activity that’s so much a part of us that it’s particularly frightening for people.” Dr. Acierno added that trauma can cause people to develop PTSD, general anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or other conditions, “And that’s only when you give it a name.” The APA “outlines common reactions following a disaster, including changes in sleep, mood changes, decreased energy, changes in appetite, problems concentrating.

Related Links:

— “Mass shootings add to mental health issues already affected by COVID-19 “Dr. Samuel Rothman andDr. Tarun Jain, ABC News, March 24, 2021

Medscape (3/22, Anderson, Subscription Publication) reports, “Older patients recently diagnosed with dementia are at a significantly increased risk for suicide compared to their peers without dementia,” investigators concluded after using “Medicare claims linked to the National Death Index. The researchers collected data on adults aged 65 years and older who received a dementia diagnosis within the previous year.” The study revealed that people “who were diagnosed with dementia had a 54% increased risk for suicide within the first year after diagnosis,” with “the risk…particularly high among those aged 74 years and younger.” The findings were presented at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 2021 virtual meeting.

Related Links:

— Medscape (requires login and subscription)