| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: New Details in Schizophrenia
Treatment Trial Emerge
Two new studies from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials for Intervention
Effectiveness (CATIE) provide more insights into comparing treatment
options, and to what extent antipsychotic medications help people
with schizophrenia learn social, interpersonal and community living
skills. The new studies are published in the March 2007 issue of the
American Journal of Psychiatry. CATIE, a $42.6 million, multi-site
study, was funded by the NIMH. The first study compared newer antipsychotic
medications after older ones fails. The second study found that schizophrenia
patients' social and community living skills improve modestly while
on antipsychotic medications.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/new-details-in-schizophrenia-treatment-trial-emerge.cfm
More information on the CATIE trial: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/catie.cfm
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NIMH: Virtual-Reality Video
Game Helps Link Depression to Specific Brain Area
Scientists are using a virtual-reality, three-dimensional video game
that challenges spatial memory as a new tool for assessing the link
between depression and the hippocampus, the brain's memory hub. Spatial
memory is the memory of how things are oriented in space and how to
get to them. Researchers found that depressed people performed poorly
on the video game compared with nondepressed people, suggesting that
their hippocampi were not working properly. Results were published
in the March issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/3-Dvideo-game-depression.cfm
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NIMH: Weight Gain From Antipsychotics
Traced to Appetite-Regulating Enzyme, Receptor; Findings in Mice Hold
Promise for Future Medications Free of Side Effect
A likely mechanism by which antipsychotic medications trigger weight
gain — with its attendant risks of heart disease, diabetes and
treatment non-adherence — has been unraveled in mice by NIMH-funded
scientists. They demonstrated that an antipsychotic boosted activity
of an appetite-inducing enzyme four-fold in a brain region that regulates
eating, by blocking a receptor. A promising strategy for eliminating
the side effect would be to engineer medications that don't interact
with the receptor, say the researchers. Researchers reported on their
discovery online February 9, 2006 in the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/weightgain.cfm
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NIMH: Largest-Ever Search
for Autism Genes Reveals New Clues
The largest search for autism genes to date, funded in part by the
NIH, has implicated components of the brain's glutamate chemical messenger
system and a previously overlooked site on chromosome 11. Based on
1,168 families with at least two affected members, the genome scan
also adds to evidence that tiny, rare variations in genes may heighten
risk for autism spectrum disorders. The study is the first to emerge
from the Autism Genome Project Consortium, a public-private collaboration
involving more than 120 scientists and 50 institutions in l9 countries.
Their report is published online in the February 18, 2007 issue of
Nature Genetics.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/largest-ever-search-for-autism-genes-reveals-new-clues.cfm
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NIAAA: Study Finds Reduced
Brain Growth in Alcoholics with Family Drinking History
The brains of alcohol-dependent individuals are affected not only
by their own heavy drinking, but also by genetic or environmental
factors associated with their parents’ drinking, according to
a new study by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Researchers found reduced brain growth among
alcohol-dependent individuals with a family history of alcoholism
or heavy drinking compared to those with no such family history. Their
report has been published online in Biological Psychiatry as an article.
Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/feb2007/niaaa-21.htm
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FDA Asks Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder Drug Manufacturers to Develop Patient Medication
Guides
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed the manufacturers
of all drug products approved for the treatment of Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to develop patient Medication Guides
to alert patients to possible cardiovascular risks and risks of adverse
psychiatric symptoms associated with the medicines, and to advise
them of precautions that can be taken. Patient Medication Guides are
handouts given to patients, families and caregivers when a medicine
is dispensed. The guides contain FDA-approved patient information
that could help prevent serious adverse events. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ADHD/default.htm
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FDA Reports Unsafe, Misrepresented
Drugs Purchased Over the Internet
FDA informed consumers and healthcare professionals regarding the
possible dangers of buying prescription medications online. Individuals
who ordered Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan over the internet received
a product that contained haloperidol, a powerful anti-psychotic drug.
Several consumers experienced difficulty in breathing, muscle spasms
and muscle stiffness after ingesting the suspect product and had to
seek emergency medical treatment. Haloperiodol can cause muscle stiffness,
spasms, agitation and sedation.
Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01564.html
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| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
NIDA Unveils Consumer
Publication to Explain the Science of Addiction
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction is a booklet
that explains in layman’s terms how science has revolutionized
the understanding of drug addiction as a brain disease that affects
behavior. NIDA hopes this new publication will help reduce stigma
against addictive disorders. The booklet discusses the reasons people
take drugs, why some people become addicted while others do not,
how drugs work in the brain, and how addiction can be prevented
and treated.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/
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New Electronic Newsletter
from The National Center for PTSD: The Clinician's Trauma Update (CTU-Online)
CTU-Online, the Clinician's Trauma Update, is a new electronic newsletter
produced by the National Center for PTSD. CTU-Online provides summaries
of clinically relevant publications in the trauma field with links
to published abstracts or full text articles when available.
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/publications/publications/ctu_online.jsp
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SAMHSA: Updated NREPP Now
Available
The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
has been updated and is now available online. NREPP is a searchable
database of interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental
and substance use disorders. This resource was developed to help people,
agencies, and organizations implement programs and practices in their
communities.
http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/
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SAMHSA: New Report Highlights
Housing Solutions for People with Psychiatric Disabilities
Transforming Housing for People with Psychiatric Disabilities Report
offers ten detailed recommendations to improve the quality of life
of board and care home residents. In addition, the history, demographics
and common concerns of these homes are detailed in-depth. A list of
measures being implemented to improve the lives of residents and recommendations
calling for a recovery-oriented approach based on the principles of
self-direction and community integration are provided as well.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma06-4173/
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Latest SAMHSA News Available
The latest SAMHSA News features Primary Care Research in Substance
Abuse and Mental Health for the Elderly study.
http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News/VolumeXV_1/article1.htm
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SAMHSA Updates Guidance on
Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Outpatient Treatment
This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) was written to help administrators
address the changing environment in which outpatient treatment programs
operate.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17440
Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment
This TIP addresses the practical needs of treatment providers as they
design and implement Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOT) programs.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17492
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SAMHSA—New Reports
from the Office of Applied Studies
Co-Occurring Major Depressive Episode and Alcohol Use Disorder among
Adults
This report provides data on prevalence and treatment rates for adults
age 18 and older with only alcohol use disorder, only major depressive
episode, and both problems in the past year by demographic characteristics.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/alcDual/alcDual.cfm
Health Insurance and Substance Use Treatment Need
This report provides data on the prevalence and types of health insurance
coverage for adults age 18 and older in the U.S. Health coverage in
the past year among adults is also presented by demographic characteristics
as well as by need for and receipt of substance abuse treatment.
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/insurance/insurance.cfm
Treatment Episode Data Set Highlights, 2005
This report provides data on treatment admissions in 2005 by such
characteristics as the primary substance of abuse, demographics, referral
source, and treatment modality for the nation and for each state and
D.C.
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/teds2k5/tedshi2k5toc.htm
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| Calls
for Public Input |
NIGMS Seeks Input for Its
Strategic Planning
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) is engaged
in a strategic planning process that will guide its decision-making
over the next 5 years. The Institute invites input from members of
the scientific community and others on its Strategic Planning Input
website. This site will be open from February 20 to March 20, 2007.
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/About/StrategicPlan/Input.htm
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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 |
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| Calendar
of Events |
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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Webcast: Treatment 101
March 7, 2007
This Center for Substance Abuse Treatment webcast will examine the
various available treatment methods to address the problem of addiction,
including inpatient and outpatient programs, medication-assisted therapies,
and support groups for the effected individual as well as for his
or her family, friends, and coworkers. The show also will address
factors an individual will need to consider when selecting treatment
options, and the cost-effectiveness of treatment and recovery services.
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2007/multimedia/webcastmenu.aspx
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Health Observance: Brain
Awareness Week
March 12-15, 2007
Brain Awareness Week is an international effort organized by the Dana
Alliance for Brain Initiatives to advance public awareness about the
progress and benefits of brain research. The Dana Alliance is joined
in the campaign by partners in the United States and around the world,
including medical and research organizations; patient advocacy groups;
the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies;
service groups; hospitals and universities; K-12 schools; and professional
organizations.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp?year=2007#132
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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. 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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NIMH Annual International
Research Conference on the Role of Families in Preventing and Adapting
to HIV/AIDS
San Francisco, California, July 25-27, 2007
This NIMH conference is designed to present research findings on family
processes and HIV disease. This year’s conference theme is “Responding
to the Social Context of HIV Risk: The Role of Families and Support
Networks.” The deadline for the call for abstracts for submitting
a paper and workshop is: March 17, 2007.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/hivaids2007.cfm
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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 Grants in 2007 for
Adolescents at Risk for Suicide: CANCELLED
As of February 16, 2007, SAMHSA has elected to cancel this solicitation.
No proposals will be accepted.
http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sm_07_006.aspx
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ED: Series of Grant Announcements
Addressing the Needs of People with Disabilities
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research,
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, in the U.S.
Department of Education (ED) recently issued a series of grant announcements
addressing the needs of people with disabilities. See items posted
on February 12 and 14 on the following ED website for more information:
http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/announce/index.html
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ONDCP and SAMHSA: $6 Million
in New Drug-Free Communities Grants Available for 2007
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and
SAMHSA announced the availability of new, Drug-Free Communities support
program grants. ONDCP expects to award approximately 60 new grants,
totaling approximately $6 million, bringing the number of federally
funded Drug Free Community coalitions to nearly 750. The deadline
to submit applications is April 17, 2007.
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press07/021507.html
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| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Anti-Gang Training Program
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12668&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
]
CDC Grants for Public Health Research Dissertation (R36)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-231.html
Collaborative Clinical Trials in Drug Abuse (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-232.html
NIDA Research Education Grants in Drug Abuse and Addiction (R25)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-221.html
Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-228.html
Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-226.html
Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-227.html
Developmental Psychopharmacology (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-222.html
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