Psychiatry

Restricted abortion access linked to increased suicide risk in younger women

Researchers from Penn and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have linked restricted abortion access to heightened suicide risk among younger women, with a quote from Rebecca Waller of the School of Arts & Sciences.

Women with restricted abortion access may face higher suicide risk

A new Penn study shows that abortion restriction laws may have influenced suicide rates among reproductive-aged women from 1974 to 2016.

ADHD in women: Symptoms develop in childhood, but the signs are often missed

J. Russel Ramsay of the Perelman School of Medicine says that teachers and parents are more likely to recognize ADHD classroom behaviors in young boys than in girls.

Improving mental health through social media

Jennifer Reid of the Perelman School of Medicine writes that mental health clinicians have a valuable opportunity to harness the power of social media for good.

Cigarette nicotine levels to make ‘monumental’ shift, and Pa. needs to prepare

In an Op-Ed, postdoc Teresa DeAtley of the Perelman School of Medicine urges Pennsylvania to prepare for the FDA’s new proposal to reduce the maximum level of nicotine in cigarettes.

Understanding metabolism genes might improve depression treatment

David Oslin of the Perelman School of Medicine discusses the implications of his latest research examining whether genetic testing can be used to help prescribe antidepressants.

Could brain scans bring psychiatry into the 21st century?

Dani Bassett of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Desmond Oathes of the Perelman School of Medicine are quoted on the contrast between brain imaging and the tried-and-true, low-tech clinical interview.

A large grassy area covered in a display of t-shirts erected with names of people killed by gun violence around a sign that reads MEMORIAL TO PHILADELPHIANS MURDERED BY ILLEGAL GUNS.

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.

A put-out cigarette standing on its end, next to half of another crumpled cigarette. In the background are two whole cigarettes.

Q&A

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.

Senior person lying in bed in the daytime.

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.

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