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Psychiatry
Weight management drug does not increase risk of depression or suicidal behavior
Weight management drug does not increase risk of depression or suicidal behavior
In new clinical trials, researchers from Penn Medicine find that for people without known major psychopathology, taking semaglutide for weight loss are at no increased risk of mental health issues.
New form of repetitive magnetic brain stimulation reduces treatment time for bipolar disorder
New form of repetitive magnetic brain stimulation reduces treatment time for bipolar disorder
The potential bipolar disorder therapy can be completed in five days of treatment, compared to four-to-six weeks for standard transcranial magnetic simulation treatments.
Identifying connections between adverse childhood events and substance use disorders
Identifying connections between adverse childhood events and substance use disorders
New research from Penn Medicine finds that people with anxiety and substance use disorders reported experiencing more adverse childhood experiences and lacking protective factors, such as close family connections, that can mitigate their harms.
Two-and-a-half decades of research in Malawi
Two-and-a-half decades of research in Malawi
As the country’s life expectancy has risen, the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health has shifted its current and future research to aging.
Habit circuits altered in brains of individuals with binge eating disorders
Habit circuits altered in brains of individuals with binge eating disorders
New Penn Medicine research finds that altered connectivity may make patients more vulnerable to develop binge eating disorders, and lead to stronger-developed habit circuits.
Study links air pollution, heat, carbon dioxide, and noise to reduced sleep
Study links air pollution, heat, carbon dioxide, and noise to reduced sleep
Researchers from Penn Medicine find a drop in sleep efficiency from high exposures to these environmental factors.
Restricted abortion access linked to increased suicide risk in young women
Restricted abortion access linked to increased suicide risk in young women
Research from the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia determined that this association exists for women of reproductive age, findings that hold potential clinical, policy, and ethical implications.
Managing mental health amid gun violence
Managing mental health amid gun violence
In 2021, Philadelphia saw a record number of 486 homicides by shooting as well 1,846 non-fatal shootings. According to clinical psychologist Leah Blain, exposure to trauma, including to gun violence, increases the risk of negative health outcomes.
Parental nicotine use and addiction risk for children
Parental nicotine use and addiction risk for children
In research done using rats, Penn Nursing’s Heath Schmidt and colleagues found that males that engaged in voluntary nicotine use had offspring more likely to do so, too. Some offspring also developed impaired memory and anxiety-like behavior.
Inflammation is not always linked to depression
Inflammation is not always linked to depression
A new Penn Medicine study finds that late-life depression is not linked to inflammation when other inflammatory conditions are excluded, but that depression occurs independently of inflammation.
In the News
Self
The surgeon general calls for new warning labels on alcohol—here’s the truth about how it impacts your health
Henry Kranzler of the Perelman School of Medicine says that alcohol’s effects on the brain are observed more readily because it’s the organ of behavior.
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CBC News
From vaccines to Froot Loops: Why RFK Jr.’s health-related theories have sparked so much controversy
According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, COVID vaccine-related deaths reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System are unverified. David Mandell of the Perelman School of Medicine says that numerous studies have disproven a link between child vaccination and increased risk of autism.
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The Washington Post
Is it anxiety or something else? What women should know
Lily Brown of the Perelman School of Medicine says that rates of anxiety disorders skyrocket around the time of first menstruation in puberty.
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Health.com
Can you really learn from mistakes? New research shows it's harder than you think
Yvette Sheline of the Perelman School of Medicine explains why the best way to learn is being rewarded by success.
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PhillyVoice
Magical thinking is common and often harmless—but it can be problematic, too
Daniel Chazin of the Perelman School of Medicine says that “magical thinking” can be damaging if a person worries about harming their child and they confuse that worry for an indication that they really want it.
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Huffington Post
Is the ‘3-2-1 rule’ the secret to better sleep?
Jennifer Goldschmied of the Perelman School of Medicine says that approaches like the “3-2-1” rule aren’t necessarily evidence-based.
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