Depression linked to stressful life events rather genes

Much touted ‘depression risk gene’ may not add to risk after all — New look at data confirms strong association between depression and stressful life events. – Stressful life events are strongly associated with a person’s risk for major depression, but a certain gene variation long thought to increase risk in conjunction with stressful life events actually may have no effect.

Depression may increase Alzheimer’s disease risk

Depression may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with memory problems – People with memory problems who are depressed are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease compared to people who are not depressed, revealed by US researchers.

Psoriasis linked to increased heart disease risk

Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality – Psoriasis skin disease is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death, revealed by researchers.

Inadequate sleep may lead to depression

Later parental-mandated bedtimes for teens linked to depression and suicidal thoughts – Earlier parental-mandated bedtimes could help protect teens from depression and suicidal thoughts by lengthening sleep duration, according to a research presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Primitive lifestyle elements ease depression

Embracing your primitive nature can help in fight against depression – KU researcher finds primitive lifestyle elements ease depression. – He doesn’t care for the term “caveman therapy.” But Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Kansas, has turned to our hunter-gatherer ancestors for clues about how to best combat major depressive disorder.

Positive clinical trial results of vilazodone for depression

Clinical Data, Inc. Announces Positive Results from Second Phase III Trial of Vilazodone for Depression – Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) announced positive top-line results from the second of two Phase III trials of its investigational compound, vilazodone, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Intervention helps reduce pain and depression

Optimized antidepressant therapy followed by a pain self-management program resulted in substantial improvement in depression as well as moderate reductions in pain severity and disability. – For patients who experience pain and depression, common co-existing conditions, an intervention that included individually tailored antidepressant therapy and a pain self-management program resulted in greater improvement in the symptoms of these conditions than patients who received usual care, according to a study in the May 27 issue of JAMA.

Genetic factors may predict depression in heart disease patients

Genetic variations contribute to depression in heart disease patients. – Individuals with heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from depression as the general population, an association the medical community has largely been unable to explain. Now, a new study by researchers at The Miriam Hospital, in conjunction with The Montr?al Heart Institute, University of Montr?al and McGill University, reveals there may be genetic variations that contribute to depression in heart disease patients.

Postpartum depression is top priority

Dr. Joseph, new ACOG President, announced that postpartum depression is the theme of his presidential initiative. – Today Gerald F. Joseph Jr, MD, of Louisiana, became the 60th president of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), based in Washington, DC. During his inaugural speech at ACOG’s Annual Clinical Meeting, Dr. Joseph announced that postpartum depression is the theme of his presidential initiative.

Hypertensive kids have learning and attention problems

Hypertensive kids more likely to have learning/attention problems – Children who have high blood pressure are more likely to have learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than children who are not hypertensive. They are also more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI), an indicator of body fat.

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