Do psychiatric disorder genes overlap with their drug targets? And does this matter?

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Psychiatric disorders are highly heritable, but are the genes we identify in GWAS the same ones our medications target? This new study digs into the overlap and raises questions about how we develop treatments.

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Feeding the mind: early signs that keto could help with bipolar disorder

Emerging research into the effects of a ketogenic diet have reported neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms along with a positive metabolic effect

This pilot study explored how a ketogenic diet affects mood, metabolic health, and brain chemistry in people with bipolar disorder. The results are early, but they offer food for thought.

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One therapy, many disorders: the strengths and limitations of CBT across mental health conditions

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CBT is a cornerstone of mental health care, but how well does it really work across different disorders? This massive new meta-analysis offers some answers and raises new questions.

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Unravelling bipolar disorder: insights from the biggest genetic study to date

Bipolar disorder is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease with significant impact on quality of life, functioning and suicide risk.

A massive new multi-ancestry genetic study of bipolar disorder has uncovered hundreds of risk loci and highlighted biological pathways that may guide more precise treatments and prevention strategies in the future.

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Increased risk of respiratory disease in bipolar means it’s time to breathe new life into physical healthcare

The mental elf holding a phone with the words equality, lung health and fairness

Risk of respiratory disease is greatly heightened for people with bipolar disorder but we are missing opportunities to intervene to improve lung health.

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Cast no shadow: how common are psychiatric conditions among people with intellectual disability?

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Shuichi Suetani and Melanie Johnston review new data on the prevalence of psychiatric conditions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. How can psychiatrists support person-centred care for those with intellectual disabilities?

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Can sleep and activity changes really predict mania in bipolar disorder?

A pair of open eyes lit but surrounded by darkness.

Alyson Dodd reports on a year long study of digital mood monitoring in people with bipolar disorder, which suggests that sleep and activity changes precede hypomanic episodes by three days. This data could be a useful clinical tool, but more research is needed.

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Probiotics for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

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Mary Butler explores a recent randomised controlled trial of probiotic formulations for patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

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We need to improve sleep assessment and treatment in patients with severe mental illness

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Emiliana Tonini looks at how sleep is recorded and treated in people with serious mental illness—and how it affects their engagement with services. The study finds that sleep is rarely part of routine clinical assessment, and recommended sleep treatments are hardly ever used.

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Lithium is best at decreasing the risk of depression-related hospitalisation in bipolar disorder, according to new cohort study

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This Swedish cohort study, blogged by Duncan Swiffen, is yet more evidence for lithium as an excellent treatment for people with bipolar disorder. This time it comes out on top in terms of preventing depression-related hospitalisation.

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