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Science Corner
February 15, 2007
I.
Science and Service News Updates
II. Resources: Publications,
Toolkits, Other Resources
III. Calls for Public Input
IV.
Calls for Applications
V. Calendar of Events
VI. Funding Information
VII. Programmatic Funding Opportunities
VIII. Research Funding
Opportunities (PAs and RFAs)
Print Version
| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Study Tracks Prevalence
of Eating Disorders
Results from a large-scale national survey suggest that binge-eating
disorder is more prevalent than both anorexia nervosa and bulimia
nervosa. The study, published in the February 1, 2007, issue of Biological
Psychiatry, was based on data gleaned from the NIMH-funded National
Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationally representative
survey conducted between February 2001 and December 2003. Researchers
analyzed data from 2,980 adults who were asked about eating disorders.
They found that 0.9 percent of women and 0.3 percent of men reported
having anorexia at some time in their lives, and 1.5 percent of women
and 0.5 percent of men reported having bulimia. In contrast, 3.5 percent
of women and 2 percent of men reported having binge-eating disorder
at some point in their lives. The study also found that people with
eating disorders, regardless of the type, often have coexisting mood,
anxiety, impulse-control, or substance use disorders. Full science
update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/prevalence-of-eatingdisorders.cfm
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NIMH: Common Gene Version
Optimizes Thinking - But with a Possible Downside
Most people inherit a version of a gene that optimizes their brain’s
thinking circuitry, yet also appears to increase risk for schizophrenia,
a severe mental illness marked by impaired thinking, NIMH scientists
have discovered. The seeming paradox emerged from the first study
to explore the effects of variation in the human gene for a brain
master switch, DARPP-32. Results of the study were published online
February 8, 2007 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Full press
release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/darpp-32variations.cfm
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NIMH: Half of Adults with
Anxiety Disorders Had Psychiatric Diagnoses in Youth
About half of adults with an anxiety disorder had symptoms of some
type of psychiatric illness by age 15, a NIMH-funded study shows.
Researchers also found that some of the specific illnesses detected
in youth were clues as to what kinds of anxiety disorders - there
are several - the youth would have as adults. The results underscore
the importance of early diagnosis and prevention of anxiety disorders,
and suggest that different anxiety disorders may have different roots.
Results of the study were published in the February issue of the Archives
of General Psychiatry. Full science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/anxietyhistory.cfm
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NIMH: Autism Research Efforts
Highlighted in Biological Psychiatry Special Issue
The February 15, 2007 special issue of Biological Psychiatry is dedicated
to recent advances in autism research, including many studies funded
by NIMH. The articles in this issue cover a wide range of topics related
to autism, including potential treatments, growth and functioning
of the brain, deficits in cognitive skills, and new research tools.
Full science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/autism_biolpsychiatry.cfm
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CDC Releases New Data on
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) from Multiple Communities in the
United States: Majority of Children with ASDs in the Areas Studied
had Developmental Concerns Before Age Three
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported findings
from the first and largest summary of prevalence data from multiple
U.S. communities participating in an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
surveillance project. The results showed an average of 6.7 children
out of 1,000 had an ASD in the six communities assessed in 2000, and
an average of 6.6 children out of 1,000 having an ASD in the 14 communities
included in the 2002 study. All children in the studies were eight
years old because previous research has shown that most children with
an ASD have been identified by this age for services. Full press release:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070208.htm
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| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
SAMHSA Releases Two New
Guides on Assisting Suicide Attempt Survivors
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: After an Attempt. A Guide
for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency
Department. This guide provides resources for family members of
suicide attempt survivors. http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0159/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: After an Attempt.
A Guide for Medical Providers in the Emergency Department Taking
Care of Suicide Attempt Survivors
The purpose of this brochure is to provide tips to enhance care
in the emergency department for people who have attempted suicide,
while also providing information on the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act, patient discharge, and resources about suicide
for medical professionals, patients, and their families.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0161/
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SAMHSA: New Resources
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes
of
Professional Practice
This guide contains updated competencies that are essential to
the effective practice of counseling for substance use disorders.
Under each competency, the guide lists updated knowledge, skills,
and attitudes that counselors need to become proficient in that
competency.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=13283
Competencies for Substance Abuse Treatment Clinical Supervisors
This research- and consensus-based publication provides practical,
clear lists of the competencies necessary for effective supervision
in substance abuse treatment programs. It also provides administrators
with step-by-step guidelines to implementing a structured supervision
component in both state and private treatment systems.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17601
The National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network Awards
for Excellence 2004, Submitted and Award-Winning Papers
This report presents seven papers describing effective and innovative
models of treatment and prevention services in rural populations.
This publication seeks to promote and showcase research addressing
the unique and special challenges of providing treatment services
to individuals in rural areas and their families.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17493
The Enhancing Motivation for Change Inservice Training Manual
This manual includes materials for substance abuse treatment supervisors
to provide inservice staff training for clinicians and other treatment
professionals on the basic concepts of motivational enhancement.
Participants will learn about change theory and motivational strategies,
learn to assess clients’ readiness for change, and develop
skills for enhancing client motivation.
http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/manuals/tip35c/index.htm
Primary Alcohol Admissions Aged 21 or Older: Alcohol Only
vs. Alcohol plus a Secondary Drug, 2005
In 2005, over one third of all TEDS admissions (36 percent) were
both aged 21 or older and reported alcohol as the primary substance
of abuse. This report examines these admissions, comparing about
374,000 admissions (56 percent) where alcohol was the only substance
of abuse (alcohol only) with about 289,000 admissions (44 percent)
that reported alcohol plus a secondary drug. The report also states
that: 1) Admissions aged 21 or older in 2005 that were for alcohol
only were more likely than admissions for alcohol plus a secondary
drug to be White (68 vs. 58 percent); 2) Admissions aged 21 or older
for alcohol only were more likely than admissions for alcohol plus
a secondary drug to have been referred to treatment by the criminal
justice system (41 vs. 33 percent); and 3) Among admissions aged
21 or older, admissions for alcohol only were more likely than admissions
for alcohol plus a secondary drug to be first-time admissions (50
vs. 39 percent).
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/alcTX/alcTX.cfm
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National Center for PTSD
Launched Redesigned Website
The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has redesigned
its website. Along
with fact sheets, videos, manuals and other training materials, the
site offers: 1) basic
information about trauma and PTSD; 2) Audience specific sections for:
veterans and
their families, mental health care providers, other health care providers,
researchers, and
the press; and 3) enhanced searching capabilities.
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp
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| Calls
for Public Input |
CMS: Request for Public Comment—Proposed
Decision Memorandum for Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Resistant
Depression.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting
public comments concerning the Proposed Decision Memorandum for Vagus
Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Resistant Depression. CMS is proposing
that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that vagus nerve stimulation
is not reasonable and necessary for treatment of resistant depression.
Accordingly, they propose to issue a national noncoverage determination
for this indication. They are requesting public comments on this proposed
determination pursuant to Section 731 of the Medicare Modernization
Act. They are particularly interested in comments that include new
evidence they have not reviewed. After considering the public comments
and any additional evidence, they will make a final determination
and issue a final decision memorandum. The deadline for comments is
March 7, 2007. To view the memorandum and submit comments:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdraftdecisionmemo.asp?id=195
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| Calls
for Applications |
New SAMHSA Science to Service
Awards Will Honor Implementation of Evidence-Based Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Interventions
SAMHSA has issued a call for applications for its Science to Service
Awards, a new national program that will recognize community-based
organizations and coalitions that have shown exemplary implementation
of evidence-based mental health and substance abuse interventions.
A maximum of three awards will be made in each of four categories:
substance abuse prevention, treatment of substance abuse and recovery
support services, mental health promotion, and treatment of mental
illness and recovery support services. To be eligible for an award,
an organization must have successfully implemented a recognized evidence-based
intervention, including those that are published in scientific literature
and/or appear on a Federal and/or state registry of evidence-based
intervention. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2007.
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0612112518.aspx
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| Calendar
of Events |
Health Observance: National
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
February 25-March 3, 2007
The National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2007, in its 20th year,
will highlight the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced
by biological factors – such as genetics, while also calling
attention to some of the new discoveries surrounding the role of genetics
in the development of eating disorders.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp?year=2007#349
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Conference: Pain, Opioids
and Addiction: An Urgent Problem for Doctors and Patients
Bethesda, MD, March 5-6, 2007
The purpose of this meeting is to bring together the research and
clinical practice communities - through its co-sponsorship with the
American Medical Association, and supported by the NIH Pain Consortium
- to draw attention to the growing problem of prescription opioid
misuse by patients with chronic non-malignant pain conditions. The
goal of the meeting will be to inform practitioners and scientists
on the emerging research on pain and addiction and what we are learning
about how to most effectively and compassionately treat these conditions,
while minimizing the risk of abuse and addiction in these patients.
http://conferences.masimax.com/opioid
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Conference Call: Integrating
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
March 15, 2007, 1:00-2:30PM ET
SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s
Mental Health is sponsoring a conference call with substance abuse,
mental health and family representatives from several states and tribes.
Many of these representatives are grantees of the SAMHSA’s Child
and Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Abuse State Infrastructure
Grant program. This grant program currently supports six states and
one tribal government in building the collaborative partnerships,
infrastructure, workforce and culturally and linguistically competent
supports to improve services for children and their families. The
challenges of implementing infrastructure to support policy and practice
reforms will be discussed along with the strategies grantees are using.
http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2007.html
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Conference: The 16th National
Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect—Protecting Children, Promoting
Healthy Families, and Preserving Communities
Portland, Oregon, April 16- 21, 2007
This conference is sponsored by the Children’s Bureau of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The conference
theme promotes the idea of communities joining to establish collaborative
relationships and strategies to prevent child maltreatment and provide
responsive services and treatment.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/calendar/cbconference/
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Conference: Charting New
Frontiers in Rural Women’s Health
Washington, DC, August 13 -15, 2007
This conference is a collaborative effort amongst the DHHS Office
on Women’s Health’s multidisciplinary models of care for
women and will offer an opportunity for these models, and others developed
by community-based organizations, hospitals and academic health centers,
to share best practices, lessons learned, strategies for implementing
comprehensive, multidisciplinary models of care, and effective evaluation
methodologies focused on women living in rural and frontier areas.
http://www.esi-bethesda.com/ruralfrontier2007
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Conference: 2007 Minority
Women’s Health Summit Women of Color—Addressing Disparities,
Affirming Resilience, and Developing Strategies for Success
Washington, DC, August 23-26, 2007
This summit sponsored by the DHHS Office on Women’s Health is
the third to address health disparities among women of color living
in the United States. The goal of this summit is to focus on the often
unrecognized threats to health experienced by women of color by 1)
building on knowledge gained in previous conferences and identifying
distinct health issues disproportionately impacting minority women;
and 2) highlighting successful models of health promotion and prevention.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/mwhs/
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| Funding
Information |
SAMHSA Will Fund Up to 7
Grants in 2007 for Adolescents at Risk for Suicide
SAMHSA is soliciting applications for the FY 2007 Adolescents at Risk
for Suicide. This grant program evaluates voluntary school-based programs
that focus on identification and referral of high school youth who
are at risk for suicide or suicide attempts. Annual awards are expected
to continue for up to two years. The actual awards may vary, depending
on the availability of funds. Grant funds may not be used to pay for
direct treatment services. Applications must be received by April
6, 2007.
http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sm_07_006.aspx
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Request for Proposals—Take
Action: Healthy People, Places and Practices in Communities Project
The HHS Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion and the Regional Health Administrators are requesting
proposals from community-based organizations and others to evaluate
the impact of a unique set of healthy lifestyles activities in local
settings. As part of the Take Action: Healthy People, Places and Practices
in Communities Project, the proposed activities should address one
or more of the four parts of the initiative: 1) be physically active,
2) eat a nutritious diet, 3) get preventive screenings, and 4) make
healthy choices/avoid risky behaviors. Not-forprofit, community-based
organizations including faith-based groups, after school programs,
coalitions and others are encouraged to submit proposals. The deadline
for receipt of proposals is March 30, 2007.
http://www.osophs.dhhs.gov/ophs/healthypeople
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| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
CDC: Improving Public Health Practice
through Translation Research
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12558&mode=VIEW
SAMSHA: Mental Health Data Infrastructure Grants for Quality Improvement
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12557&mode=VIEW
SSA Early Identification and Intervention Demonstration
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12418&mode=VIEW
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| Research
Funding Opportunities (PAs and RFAs) |
NIH Program Announcements
(PAs)
[Full listing of NIH PAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/index.html]
Alcohol Use Disorders: Treatment, Services Research, and Recovery
(R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-215.html
Drug Abuse, Risky Decision Making and HIV/AIDS (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-07-324.html
Drug Abuse, Risky Decision Making and HIV/AIDS (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-07-325.html
Drug Abuse, Risky Decision Making and HIV/AIDS (R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-07-326.html
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