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Mental Health
First new schizophrenia drug in decades approved by FDA
No new treatments for schizophrenia have been approved in nearly three decades, but last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cobenfy for the...
Prescription amphetamine tied to higher psychosis risk – US study
Amphetamine use has risen steadily in the US over the past few years – up 70% between 2011 and 2021 – with a recent...
How to tackle South Africa's high suicide rate
Not only does South Africa have the third highest suicide rate in Africa, but Africa itself has higher rates of suicide than any other...
MIND diet slows cognitive decline for women, black people – US study
Sticking to the MIND diet for 10 years produced a small but significant decrease in the risk of developing thinking, concentration and memory problems,...
Collaborative study on a quest to find Parkinson’s cure
A three-year research programme will investigate Parkinson’s disease in unprecedented detail, with the aim of discovering a cure for the condition.
The Landmark programme will...
Steady rise in antidepressant-linked OD deaths over 20 years
Recent data have revealed that overdoses involving antidepressants have been climbing each year from 1999 until 2022 in the US, but the experts say...
Diabetes drug linked to lower dementia risk – Korean study
A drug used to treat type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of dementia by 35%, according to a large study carried out by...
US Surgeon-General flags pressure of parenting
Nearly half of all American parents feel overwhelming stress on any given day, compared with 25% of non-parents, and it's time to do something...
Questions remain on weight loss drugs' suicide risk – US study
A recent study of an international drug safety database – suggesting people taking semaglutide are likelier to think about suicide than those taking other...
Cape teens struggle with depression – SA study
Western Cape researchers are concerned after findings that 33% of 10- to 14-year-olds had experienced symptoms like sadness and hopelessness, with more than 80%...
South African workers overly stressed, global poll finds
A recent report by Gallup reveals South African employees are suffering from extremely high stress levels, with 36% of the workforce experiencing excessive stress daily, and...
Some antidepressants may be tied to weight gain – Harvard study
Recent studies have suggested that weight gain may be an unwanted side effect of certain antidepressants, with the researchers highlighting the importance of full...
Approval at last for Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug
After decades of trying to develop a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, and several hiccups along the way, Eli Lilly has finally won FDA approval...
Breakups tied to emotional trauma in students – SA study
A romantic breakup can be devastating and traumatic during emerging adulthood (between 18 and 25), a critical stage in the life course, especially for...
High incident of PTSD in patients post ICU stay – SA study
The burden of mental health diseases in ICU survivors is substantial, a recent study has found, and can have lasting effects on well-being, and...
Risk of fatal side effects from Alzheimer’s drug, warn experts
Some potentially fatal complications linked to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi (lecanemab) have raised concerns among health professionals, who question whether its risks are worth its...
Millions for NPO rehab centre diverted to Life Healthcare account
A forensic investigation by Gauteng’s Department of Social Development (DSD) department has found that R112m of taxpayers’s money meant for drug recovery patients was...
‘Internet addiction’ and neurological changes in teens – systematic review
A study in in PLOS Mental Health suggesting that in teens with “internet addiction”, there is a disruption of the signalling between brain regions important...
Positive effect of intensive lifestyle changes on Alzheimer’s – small US trial
Intensive lifestyle changes improved cognitive outcomes and slowed disease progression in a phase II trial of early Alzheimer’s, with the patients’ scores in cognition and...
Gender-affirming healthcare matters in SA
Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth has sparked intense debate globally. In South Africa, we need to significantly improve accessibility countrywide, ensure services are well-resourced,...
Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms common – meta-analysis
At least 15% of people who stop taking antidepressants will suffer from withdrawal symptoms, suggests a recent analysis, which found dizziness, headache and nausea...
FDA says no to ecstasy for PTSD treatment
US Food and Drug Administration advisers have voted against a therapy based on the mind-altering drug MDMA, known as “ecstasy”, for patients with post-traumatic...
Premenstrual disorders tied to higher suicide risk – Swedish study
Women with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) have been associated with a higher risk of death from non-natural causes, a study in Sweden has suggested, with...
Multi-million-rand Gauteng rehab centres under investigation
Two large drug rehabilitation centres in Randfontein and Witpoort, operated by Life Healthcare, are under investigation by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, while...
Mental health admissions on the rise – Netcare
Netcare, which owns 14 mental health hospitals with 1 007 beds, has said that paid patient days grew 7% in the half-year to March,...
Medical community at a crossroads on child gender-affirming care
The release of a major review of gender identity services for children has sparked debate about the best approach to providing care for young...
Depression risk ‘40% higher’ in perimenopause – UK meta-analysis
British researchers have suggested that women who are approaching menopause have a 40% higher risk of suffering from anxiety and depression than those with...
UK issues side effect alert for men on hair loss, prostate drug
Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will introduce a patient alert card to boost awareness among men taking finasteride, warning about potential...
Pollution linked to stress, heart disease deaths – US study
A study in more than 3 000 US counties, involving more than 315m residents, has suggested that air pollution is linked with stress and...
Top job for disgraced former hospital CEO
Former Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital CEO Dr Nozuko Mkabayi, slammed by former Health Ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba for her appalling performance during her...
Impact of second victim syndrome on surgeons
Nearly 50% of healthcare providers face second victim syndrome (SVS) – the trauma after a medical complication or error – at least once, and...
Does what you eat affect your brain health?
Researchers, who have long been interested in finding out what diets optimise brain function, which is affected by dietary patterns and food choices, have...
FDA clears digital app for depression treatment
The US Food and Drug Administration is allowing the use of Rejoyn, the first prescription digital treatment for major depressive disorder that involves an innovative approach...
NHS gender treatment model slammed in damning report
Children given NHS transgender treatment have been set on a path of irreversible change despite scant medical data, and based on “remarkably weak evidence” according to...
Diabetes drug shows promise in slowing Parkinson’s – French study
Researchers say findings that diabetes drug lixisenatide may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease could be a major step forward, and provide hope for...
Autism and ADHD can co-exist and cases are growing, says expert
A British expert on the subject is spreading the awareness of what was once an unbelievable message: that both autism and ADHD can co-exist...
Focus on children, urges psychiatrists' society head
Concerned experts have pointed out the serious gaps in psychiatry regarding the treatment, prevention and care for children and adolescents in South Africa, saying...
US analysis confirms dementia risk halved with Viagra
The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra could soon be recommended as a therapy to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and help reduce the alarming...
Doctors take strain from staff shortages
Staff shortages in South Africa pose a “significant threat” to patient safety, according to 91% of doctors who responded to a recent survey, with...
Eating disorders not uncommon among MDs
More doctors have unhealthy eating habits than thought, with the stress of the job – and more recently, Covid-19 – among the factors likely...