NIMH: A Night’s Sleep Gives Emotional Memories Their Staying Power

For the first time, researchers have found that following a night's sleep, emotional components of scenes are remembered at the expense of neutral components. In contrast, memories of both emotional and neutral components decayed equally following 12 hours of wakefulness. Sleep also promoted memory for generality over detail, says NIMH grantee Robert Stickgold, Ph.D., of Harvard University, who co-authored the recent study of memory consolidation.

Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/a-nights-sleep-gives-emotional-memories-their-staying-power.shtml

NIMH: Borderline Personality Disorder: Brain Differences Related to Disruptions in Cooperation in Relationships

Different patterns of brain activity in people with borderline personality disorder were associated with disruptions in the ability to recognize social norms or modify behaviors that likely result in distrust and broken relationships, according to an NIMH-funded study published online in the August 8, 2008 issue of Science.

Science update:  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/borderline-personality-disorder-brain-differences-related-to-disruptions-in-cooperation-in-relationships.shtml

NIMH: Depression Patients’ Brain Circuitry Makes Them Vulnerable to Relapse

Using brain imaging, NIMH researchers have produced direct evidence that people prone to depression — even when they're feeling well — have abnormal mood-regulating brain circuitry. This makes them vulnerable to relapse when levels of certain key brain chemical messengers plummet.  NIMH researchers and colleagues reported on their positron emission tomography (PET) scan study in the May 2008 Archives of General Psychiatry.

Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/depression-patients-brain-circuitry-makes-them-vulnerable-to-relapse.shtml

NIMH: “Signatures” of Errant Gene Expression in Autism Eyed for Diagnostic Test

Researchers have launched an effort to detect profiles of gene expression associated with autism that could some day form the basis of a diagnostic test for the disorder. The study, supported by a new grant from NIMH's Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science, is searching for "signatures" in patterns of such expression in autism that could be clues to underlying abnormalities in the machinery that turns genes on and off in response to experience, as the brain is wired up during the first years of life.

Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/signatures-of-errant-gene-expression-in-autism-eyed-for-diagnostictest.shtml

NIDA: Anti-HIV "Drug Cocktails" Equally Effective in Patients with or without History of Injection Drug Use

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been extremely effective at slowing the progression of HIV infection to AIDS as well as extending the lives and improving the quality of life for those with HIV. However, some doctors have been reluctant to prescribe HAART to HIV-infected injection drug users because of concern that they may not fully benefit from the therapy. A new study by investigators funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and led by the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS in Canada, suggests that this is not the case: in their large, community-based study of HIV-infected people, injection drug users and people who did not inject drugs had equivalent survival rates seven years after initiating HAART. These results will be published August 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Press release: http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/08/NR8-06.html

SAMHSA Funding Announcements

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the recent awards of Knowledge Dissemination Conference grants to be used to disseminate information about best practices within the mental health services, substance abuse prevention and substance treatment fields at regionally and/or nationally significant conferences.

SAMHSA Awards Funds for Tennessee: Conference on Integrated Health Care

SAMHSA announced the award of a Knowledge Dissemination Conference grant totaling $25,000 to Cherokee Health Systems to support an upcoming conference on integrating behavioral and primary care in Knoxville, TN. The conference will provide a forum for health care providers, educators, consumers, policy experts, administrators, and researchers to share information, build supportive networks, and help shape public health policy in the integration of primary care medicine, behavioral health and substance abuse services. The conference will take place in the spring of 2009.

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0808074333.aspx

SAMHSA Awards Funds for West Virginia: Conference on Drug-Endangered Children

SAMHSA awarded a Knowledge Dissemination Conference grant totaling $25,000 to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Institute of Charleston, West Virginia to support the upcoming conference titled, “Drug-Endangered Children: Meth and Beyond.”

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0808073559.aspx

SAMHSA Awards Funds for Maryland: Conference on Prevention and Intervention

SAMHSA announced the award of a Knowledge Dissemination Conference grant totaling $25,000 to the Danya Institute, Inc to support a conference that will address effective substance abuse prevention, mental health intervention, and the overlap between these issues and the HIV and hepatitis epidemic.

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0808074929.aspx

SAMHSA Awards Funds for Pennsylvania: Conference on Recovery-based Research Agenda

SAMHSA announced the award of a Knowledge Dissemination Conference grant totaling $25,000 to the Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions and the Northeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center to support a working symposium designed to produce a national recovery-based research agenda and a working platform. The goal is for participants to understand successful recovery-oriented systems change efforts and how various stakeholders at many different levels can play a role in that change.

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0808075416.aspx

FDA Alert: Naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension (marketed as Vivitrol) Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying healthcare professionals of the risk of adverse injection site reactions in patients receiving naltrexone (Vivitrol). Physicians should instruct patients to monitor the injection site and contact them if they develop pain, swelling, tenderness, induration, bruising, pruritus, or redness at the injection site that does not improve or worsens within two weeks. Physicians should promptly refer patients with worsening injection site reactions to a surgeon.

Alert: http://www.fda.gov/Cder/drug/infopage/naltrexone/default.htm

NIMH Strategic Plan

The PDF version of the NIMH Strategic Plan is now available.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports/

Director’s Update: Dr. Nakamura to Become Scientific Director for the Division of Intramural Research Programs

Twenty two years after serving in the NIMH intramural program, Richard Nakamura, PhD, has accepted the appointment of Scientific Director for the Division of Intramural Research Programs. He will leave his position as Deputy Director for NIMH effective September 28, 2008 to assume this new post.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/updates/2008/nakamura-to-become-scientific-director-for-the-division-of-intramural-research-programs.shtml

When Fear Overwhelms: Panic Disorder

This new easy-to-read booklet on panic disorder that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help is now available online and in a printed version.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-a-real-illness/summary.shtml

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The new easy-to-read booklet about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is now available online (previously available in print).
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-look-at-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/summary.shtml

Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático

The Spanish language translation of the easy-to-read booklet on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is now available online.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/trastorno-de-estres-postraumatico.shtml

Cuando Pensamientos Indeseados Toman Control: Trastorno Obsesivo-Compulsivo

The Spanish language translation of the new easy-to-ready booklet, When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, is now available online and in a printed version.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/cuando-pensamientos-indeseados-toman-control-trastorno-obsesivo-compulsivo.shtml

NIH Research Matters: New Genetic Quirks Linked to Schizophrenia

Three new studies by international research teams provide the most complete picture to date of the genetic glitches that may contribute to schizophrenia. The studies confirm what recent smaller studies have hinted: that rare and diverse variations, at multiple locations in a person’s genome, raise the risk of schizophrenia.

http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/august2008/08042008genes.htm

Latest NIDA NewsScan Available

The latest NIDA NewsScan features summaries from the latest research from NIDA.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/08/NS-8.html

SAMHSA: Sustaining Grassroots Community-Based Programs: A Toolkit for Community and Faith-Based Service Providers

SAMHSA has released a new toolkit designed to help grassroots community and faith based organizations develop sustainable program services. The kit contains six separate books: Introduction, Organizational Assessment and Readiness, Effective Marketing Strategies, Financial Management, Sustainability Strategies, and Results-Oriented Evaluation.

http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17868

ONDCP: 2008 Marijuana Sourcebook

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released its largest-ever compilation of data relating to marijuana. The 2008 Marijuana Sourcebook contains important data on marijuana in the United States including the latest use patterns and trends, health effects, criminal justice aspects, supply sources, and information regarding so-called “medical marijuana.” The publication draws from a wide variety of national scientific and research-based data sources.

http://www.ondcp.gov/news/press08/072908.html

SAMHSA: New Reports on Office of Applied Studies

First-Time and Repeat Admissions Aged 18 to 25 to Substance Abuse Treatment, 2006

Based on SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) on substance abuse treatment admissions in 2006, repeat admissions aged 18 to 25 were more likely than first-time admissions of the same age group to report heroin and other opiates as the primary substance of abuse and to report the use of multiple substances. The criminal justice system was the principal referral source to substance abuse treatment for all admissions aged 18 to 25 whether first-time substance abuse treatment admissions or repeat substance abuse treatment admissions.

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/timesTX/timesTX.cfm

Frequency of Use among Alcohol-Only Treatment Admissions: 2006

Based on substance abuse treatment admissions in 2006 reported to SAMHSA's TEDS, 49 percent of the alcohol-only treatment admissions reporting daily use were referred to substance abuse treatment by themselves, a family member or a friend. Over half of alcohol-only treatment admissions reporting less than daily use were referred to treatment by the criminal justice system. Alcohol-only treatment admissions in 2006 reporting daily use were more likely than those reporting less frequent use to be "not in the labor force" and less likely to be employed full-time.

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/alcTX/alcTX.cfm

NIH COPR 2009 Nomination Process Is Now Open

The Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking nominations to fill vacant appointments to the 2009 Council of Public Representatives (COPR) roster. The COPR is designed to (1) obtain the broadest public input for the NIH Director on matters of public importance concerning biomedical research and (2) conduct the broadest outreach to increase the public’s understanding of the NIH and its programs.

NIH will host a teleconference to present information on NIH and the COPR from the perspectives of the staff and current Council members on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.  You must register to participate in this teleconference.

Nominations are due Friday, September 26, 2008.

For more information about COPR and the nomination process: http://copr.nih.gov/nomination.asp

Health Observance: National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

September 2008

The 2008 Recovery Month recognizes the impact that real people and real stories have on recovery, and celebrates those who have worked to advance the treatment and recovery landscape. The 2008 Recovery Month Kit is now available.

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2008/kit/default.aspx

Health Observance: National Suicide Prevention Week

September 7–13, 2008

The goal of Suicide Prevention Week is to globally promote awareness and advocacy about suicide prevention. Significant efforts have been in place for many years to address the problem of suicide, but all those involved recognize that there is much work still to be done. This year’s theme, “Embracing Diversity in Research and Practice,” acknowledges that efforts are underway and focuses attention on the critical issue of better preparing all those who are in a position to respond to those at risk for suicide.

http://beta.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp?year=2008#476

AHRQ's 2008 Annual Conference: Promoting Quality — Partnering for Change

September 7-10, 2008, Bethesda, Maryland

The Agency for Healthcare Research Quality’s (AHRQ) 2008 Annual Conference will again bring together the best of the Agency's research and provide examples of how that research is being implemented at all levels in health care delivery. http://www.ahrq.gov/about/ahrqconf08.htm

3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery

September 15-17, 2008, Tampa, Florida

SAMHSA’s 3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery brings together the leaders, directors and other stakeholders in women’s services to hear current research, discuss implementation and promote effective leadership to professionals and stakeholders to assist women with substance use disorders and their families.

http://www.samhsa.gov/spotlights/WomenConference.aspx

Building Capacity for School Mental Health

September 18, 2008 1-2:30 PM ET

This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health will feature efforts underway in states and communities to build the capacity of schools, communities and states to initiate and sustain quality system change. Discussion will also include the economic benefits of integration of mental health and education, and ways that communities, states and tribal entities have built strategies for shared language and priorities between the distinctly different cultures in education and mental health. http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2008.html

The 13th Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health

September 25-27, 2008, Phoenix, Arizona

Sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Center for School Mental Health and the IDEA Partnership, this year’s conference theme is “School Mental Health for All Students: Building a Shared Agenda for Youth, Families, Schools, and Communities.”

http://csmh.umaryland.edu/conf_meet/AnnualConference/index.html

The 14th NIMH Biennial Research Conference on the Economics of Mental Health: Toward Building a High Performance Mental Health System

September 25–26, 2008, Washington, DC

This biennial economics conference is an integral part of the dissemination and research portfolio development activities of the Division of Services and Intervention Research of NIMH. These scientific conferences are convened exclusively for presentation and discussion of original, rigorous and innovative technical research papers in mental health economics.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/announcements/2008/the-14th-nimh-biennial-research-conference-on-the-economics-of-mental-health-toward-building-a-high-performance-mental-health-sy.shtml

22nd Annual National Meeting on ATOD and Violence Prevention in Higher Education

November 16-19, 2008, St. Paul, Minnesota

The U.S. Department of Education will convene its 22nd Annual National Meeting on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention in Higher Education and the National Forum for Senior Administrators. This is the national conference for examining issues around alcohol and other drug abuse and violence prevention on college campuses and in their surrounding communities. "Ensuring the Safety and Well-Being of Our Students: Widening the Lens of Prevention," provides an opportunity for participants to consider the wide array of issues that face college campuses in prevention today, including alcohol and other drug abuse, violence, mental health, and emergency preparedness and management.

http:www.higheredcenter.org/natl/2008/

NIH Summit: The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities

December 16-18, 2008, National Harbor, MD

Join the NIH Institutes, Centers, Offices, and their many partners engaged in research on minority health and health disparities to: (1) highlight the research progress of the NIH on health issues among racial/ethnic minority and medically underserved populations; (2) increase awareness and understanding of disparities in health; (3) showcase best-practice models in research, capacity-building, outreach, and integrated strategies to eliminate health disparities;

(4) identify strengths and gaps in health disparities research; (5) network and dialogue with the nation’s leading experts on minority health and health disparities.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/announcements/2008/nih-summit-the-science-of-eliminating-health-disparities.shtml

NIMH Funding Opportunity: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Returning Combat Veterans in the Community

This NIMH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications to study the impact of existing national, state, and/or local community-based programs addressing the adjustment and mental health needs of recent combat veterans, including returning National Guard, Army Reserve, and newly separated active duty personnel. Research projects supported through this FOA will produce new information concerning effective strategies for fostering successful transition from combat to civilian roles for returning service members. NIMH expects that knowledge gained will benefit service members and their families, employers, and relevant federal, state, and local agencies, and will inform future initiatives for recently returned combat veterans.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-09-070.html

NIH Announces Drug Abuse Prevention Intervention Research Grant Competition

The purpose of this FOA is to encourage Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/organizations that propose to advance the science of drug abuse and drug-related HIV prevention through: 1) the development of novel prevention approaches; 2) the testing of novel and adapted prevention intervention approaches; 3) the elucidation of processes associated with the selection, adoption, adaptation, implementation, sustainability, and financing of empirically validated interventions; and 4) the development of new methodologies suitable for the design and analysis of prevention research studies.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-217.html

HRSA: State Protection and Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury Program

https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=5B96FE2F-418D-4B57-A6C1-CB4849358917

Selected NIH Program Announcements (PAs)

[Full listing of NIH PAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/index.html]

Using Systems Science Methodologies to Protect and Improve Population Health (R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-224.html

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-226.html (T32)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-227.html (T35)

National Cooperative Drug Discovery and Development Groups (NCDDDG) for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction (U01/U19)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-238.html

Selected NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)

[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html]

None.

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