| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Family Involvement
and Focused Intervention May be Key to Helping Teens with Bulimia
Family-based treatment for adolescent bulimia nervosa (FBT-BN) is
more effective than an individual-based therapy called supportive
psychotherapy (SPT) in helping teens overcome bulimia according to
an NIMH-funded study. Participants who received FBT-BN also showed
faster treatment effects than those who received SPT. The study was
published in the September 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/family-involvement-and-focused-intervention-may-be-key-to-helping-teens-with-bulimia.shtml |
NIMH: Manic Phase of Bipolar
Disorder Benefits from Breast Cancer Medication— Tamoxifen Treats
Mania Faster than Some Standard Medications
The medication tamoxifen, best known as a treatment for breast cancer,
dramatically reduces symptoms of the manic phase of bipolar disorder
more quickly than many standard medications for the mental illness,
a new study shows. NIMH researchers who conducted the study also explained
how: Tamoxifen blocks an enzyme called protein kinase C (PKC) that
regulates activities in brain cells. The enzyme is thought to be over-active
during the manic phase of bipolar disorder. By pointing to PKC as
a target for new medications, the study raises the possibility of
developing faster-acting treatments for the manic phase of the illness.
Results of the study are published online in the September issue of
Bipolar Disorders.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/tamoxifen-mania.cfm |
NIMH Funds Additional New
Research on Autism
NIMH is funding several new grants that will further our understanding
of autism spectrum disorder, which is marked by a pervasive impairment
in communicating, expressing emotion, and relating to others socially.
Two grants aim to better understand how the brains of people with
autism differ from those who do not have the disorder. Another grant
will develop a program designed to help adolescents with high-functioning
forms of the disorder, such as Asperger's syndrome, successfully transition
into adulthood. A fourth and fifth grant will further understanding
of the genetics the disorder, and a sixth grant will develop a targeted
therapy for children with autism.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/asd_grants.cfm
|
NIMH: New Research to Help
Youth with Mental Disorders Transition to Adulthood
As young people with mental health disorders transition from adolescence
to adulthood, they frequently face new and difficult challenges such
as the loss of state-issued benefits like Medicaid and foster care,
or loss of family-based insurance coverage. Unfortunately, many are
not prepared for the abrupt transition and may not be able to effectively
manage their disorder on their own. They may experience a relapse,
be hospitalized, or end up homeless or in prison. Several new NIMH-
funded grants will examine these issues, and work toward developing
better ways to help young people with mental disorders successfully
enter adulthood.
Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/transition_grants.cfm |
NIMH: Global Survey Reveals
Significant Gap in Meeting World's Mental Health Care Needs
Mental disorders rank among the top ten illnesses causing disability—more
than 37 percent worldwide—with depression being the leading
cause of disability among people ages 15 and older, according to the
Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors published in 2006. Yet,
the world's mental health care needs are largely going unmet, especially
in less developed nations but also in high-income countries, according
to results from a new survey of 17 countries conducted as part of
the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Mental Health Survey Initiative.
The results of the initiative, partially funded by NIMH, are published
in The Lancet in September 2007.
Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/wang_globalhealth.cfm |
NIDA: NIH Scientists Demonstrate
Genetic Variant is Linked to Greater Effectiveness of Smoking
Cessation Medication
A genetic variant present in nearly half of Americans of European
ancestry is linked to greater effectiveness of the smoking cessation
medication bupropion (Zyban), according to research by scientists
supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National
Cancer Institute (NCI). People with this variant were less likely
than those without it to have resumed smoking six months after treatment
with bupropion. The study, published in the September issue of the
journal Biological Psychiatry, is a step toward the goal of being
able to tailor smoking cessation treatment to individuals based on
their unique genetic make-up.
Press release: http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/07/NR9-10.html |
NIH: Genes, Environment and
Health Initiative Invests in Genetic Studies, Environmental Monitoring
Technologies—Studies Focus on Common Conditions, Personal Environmental
Exposures
NIH has selected the first projects to be funded as part of the Genes,
Environment and Health Initiative (GEI), a unique collaboration between
geneticists and environmental scientists. This new initiative will
use innovative genomic tools as well as new instruments for measuring
environmental factors — from diet and physical activity to stress
and substance addiction — in order to begin sorting out how
these different factors affect a person’s risk for a number
of health conditions.
Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2007/nhgri-04.htm
|
SAMHSA Announces First Science
and Service Award Winners
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
has selected 20 organizations to receive the agency’s inaugural
Science and Service Awards. These awards recognize exemplary implementation
of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat mental illnesses
and substance abuse. The new annual awards program provides recognition
to public sector organizations and community-based groups and coalitions
that have worked to improve their communities and the lives of individuals
by providing the best services possible.
Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0709104444.aspx |
SAMHSA: New National Survey
Reveals Drug Use Down Among Adolescents in U.S.—Successes
in Substance Abuse Recovery Highlighted—But Officials Express
Concern over Rising Prescription Drug Abuse
Current illicit drug use has declined among the nation’s adolescents,
according to SAMHSA’s initial report from the 2006 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health. The rate of adolescents ages 12 to
17 acknowledging drug use in the past month dropped from 11.6 percent
in 2002 to 9.8 percent in 2006. This level is similar to the level
in 2005.
Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0709043102.aspx
Report: http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUHLatest.htm |
CDC Report Shows Largest
One-Year Increase in Youth Suicide Rate in 15 Years
Following a decline of more than 28 percent, the suicide rate for
10- to-24-year-olds increased by 8 percent, the largest single-year
rise in 15 years, according to a report released in the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report (MMWR). The report is an analysis of annual data from the CDC's
National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). NVSS data are comprised of
birth, death, marriage, divorce, and fetal death records in the United
States. Researchers looked at trends during the 15-year period by
gender, age group and suicide method. It did not examine reasons for
the changes in suicide rates.
MMWR: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5635a2.htm
Press release:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070906.htm |
| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
Newly Redesigned NIMH Web
Site
NIMH’s new web site design provides new navigation tools to
assist users in finding information and resources from the Institute.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml |
New NIDA Web Resources
NIDA Networking Project—New Web Site
The NIDA Networking Project (NNP) provides opportunities for information
sharing and research collaboration among NIDA’s networks across
the country. The project’s new site has been created for researchers
and clinicians to exchange information and collaborate on research.
http://nnp.drugabuse.gov/
Scholastic - Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body
NIDA has teamed up with Scholastic, a leading provider of educational
materials for children and teachers, to bring science-based information
about drug abuse to millions of U.S. school children in grades 6-10.
The compilations of Adobe PDF downloads contain information and activities
created to educate students on the repercussions of drug use. Articles
distributed in Scholastic magazines during the 2006/2007 school year
are now available on the NIDA web site.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/scholastic.html
|
NIA Offers New Spanish-Language
Website
Accurate, up-to-date information on health issues affecting Hispanic
seniors is now available online in Spanish from the National Institute
on Aging (NIA). The user-friendly website has information on a wide
range of health topics, including diseases such as Alzheimer’s,
cancer and diabetes. Helpful tips on choosing a doctor and maintaining
a healthy lifestyle also are available
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol |
SAMHSA: New Reports from
the Office of Applied Studies
Cocaine Route of Administration Trends, 1995-2005
This short report is based on the Drug and Alcohol Services Information
System, the primary source of national data on substance abuse treatment.
It highlights trends in admissions to substance abuse treatment for
cocaine and cocaine route of administration were examined with annual
data from SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/crackTX/crackTX.cfm
Worker Substance Use by Industry
This short report, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and
Health, provides data on alcohol and illicit drug use by industry
for currently employed full-time workers aged 18 to 64, as well as,
data on their awareness of their workplace having substance use policies
and programs.
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/industry/worker.cfm |
SAMHSA: Drugs, Alcohol and
HIV/AIDS—A Consumer Guide for African Americans
This guide for African Americans from SAMHSA is a companion piece
to Drugs, Alcohol and HIV/AIDS: A Consumer Guide. It focuses on the
issue of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS as they specifically impact
the African American community. It is designed for substance abuse
treatment counselors to use with or distribute to African American
clients who may be involved in risk behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS.
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17632
|
VA: Continuing Education
Credits are Now Available for National Center for PTSD Online Courses
The Veterans Administration (VA) National Center for PTSD is now offering
continuing education credits for PTSD 101, a web-based curriculum
of diverse topics focusing on issues related to combat stress/PTSD.
It is available on-demand for professionals who provide services to
individuals who have experienced trauma. Courses are presented by
a faculty of recognized experts in the field of traumatic stress.
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ptsd101 |
ACF: New Resources
Abuse-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Child Physical Abuse
This issue brief from Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
is intended to build a better understanding of the characteristics
and benefits of Abuse-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT).
It was written primarily to help child welfare caseworkers and other
professionals who work with at-risk families make more informed decisions
about when to refer children and their parents and caregivers to AF-CBT
programs.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/cognitive/
Addressing the Needs of Young Children in Child Welfare—
Part C - Early Intervention Services
Enactment of the Part C referral provisions in the Child Abuse Prevention
and Treatment Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act of 2004 opens the door to a powerful partnership with
great potential benefits for children under age 3 involved in substantiated
cases of abuse or neglect and their families. This bulletin provides
examples of state efforts to implement the new referral provisions
and provides lessons learned to child welfare administrators and practitioners
in accessing early intervention services for children and families
identified by the child welfare system.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/partc/index.cfm
|
New ONDCP Media Campaign
Initiatives
Media Campaign Launches Phase II of Parent Chronicles—New Phase
Encourages Parents to Get Involved
As part of its continuing Parent Chronicles initiative, the Office
of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) National Youth Anti-Drug Media
Campaign has developed a new set of action items and quiz questions
that encourage parents to further explore their teens’ lives
and help to bridge the generation gap.
http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/chronicles-home.aspx
Media
Campaign Launches New Meth Prevention Initiative—Print Ads,
Photo Exhibit, and Other New Resources Help Communities Fight Meth
The ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has launched its
Anti-Meth Campaign in conjunction with National Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Recovery Month. The new campaign highlights the dangers associated
with meth use—for the individual, families, and communities—and
delivers a message of hope, with stories from people in recovery and
community leaders who are making progress in the fight against meth.
The effort includes advertising, news media outreach, and online resources.
http://www.methresources.gov |
| Calls
for Nominations |
| Calls
for Public Input |
2008 NIH Director's Council
of Public Representatives Application Process—DEADLINE EXTENDED
NIH is pleased to announce the open Application Process for the 2008
Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR) Roster.
The COPR is designed (1) to obtain the broadest public input to the
NIH Director on matters of public importance concerning biomedical
research, and (2) to conduct the broadest outreach to increase the
public’s understanding of the NIH and its programs. The COPR
maintains a balanced composition of public members from the local,
regional, and national levels with a range of professions and backgrounds,
including but not limited to community leaders, patient advocates,
health educators, media, medical and public health professionals,
science administrators, and academicians who have a broad public perspective.
Deadline for applications has been extended through September 28,
2007.
http://copr.nih.gov/application.asp |
HHS: Secretary’s Advisory
Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives
for 2020 Established by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Nominations
Sought
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment
of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion
and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020 and is soliciting nominations
for appointment to the Committee. The Department seeks nominees with
expertise across a broad range of areas related to health promotion,
disease prevention, and public health benchmarking. The Advisory Committee
shall provide advice, assistance, and consultation to the Secretary
and HHS in the development of health promotion and disease prevention
objectives to improve the health of Americans by 2020. The announcement
can be found in the Federal Register notice published August 21, 2007.
Nominations are due September 20, 2007.
http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/
|
SAMHSA: Call for Manuscripts
for a Special Issue of the Journal of Rural Mental Health
The Journal of Rural Mental Health is seeking manuscripts for a SAMSHA
special issue, Innovations in the Rural Behavioral Health Workforce
for Children and Families, which seeks to identify innovative and
promising approaches to developing and maintaining a rural behavioral
and mental health workforce for children and families in state, tribal,
and local communities. The journal will showcase innovative workforce
programs and practices in areas of recruitment and retention of a
behavioral health workforce; financing of behavioral health services
and programs; training a new or existing behavioral health workforce;
use of evidence-based interventions; school-based mental health practices;
and linkages of children's behavioral health with primary care. Deadline
for submissions is November 30, 2007.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/listserv/081307.asp |
| Calls
for Applications |
| Calendar
of Events |
Health Observance: National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
September 2007
The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of
substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers
and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all
its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to
take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective
substance abuse treatment for those in need. This year's theme is
"Saving Lives, Saving Dollars."
http://www.recoverymonth.gov |
Third Annual NIH Director's
Pioneer Award Symposium
Bethesda, Maryland, September 19, 2007
The event will feature research talks by the 2006 NIH Pioneer Award
recipients; a poster session by 2004, 2005, and 2006 awardees and
members of their labs; and announcement of the 2007 Pioneer awardees.
The NIH Director's Pioneer Award program—a key component of
the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research—supports exceptionally
creative scientists who take highly innovative, and potentially transformative,
approaches to major challenges in biomedical research. Attendance
is free and no registration is required.
The event will also be available via videocast at: http://videocast.nih.gov
http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/pioneer/symposium2007/index.aspx |
Broadcast: Supporting Caregivers
across the Lifespan
September 19, 2007, 1:00 - 3:30 pm EST
This satellite broadcast is presented by the New Freedom Initiative
Subcommittee on Caregiving in partnership with the Centers for Medicaid
and Medicare Services Office of External Affairs. It is designed to
bring awareness to the range of HHS programs and services that support
caregivers across the lifespan. Panel members will provide information
about these programs to increase knowledge of partners and providers,
and improve service delivery for caregiving Americans.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/20_CaregiverBroadcast.asp |
Methamphetamine Abuse in
American Indian/Alaska Native Populations
Washington DC, September 20-21, 2007
According to national datasets, methamphetamine abuse in American
Indians and Alaska Natives is higher than in any other subgroup. In
addition, due to their rural nature, reservations have been prime
locations for clandestine labs and the production of methamphetamine
on these lands leads to many health risks. The primary goals of this
NIDA-sponsored meeting are to assess what data are currently available
to characterize this problem; determine what data collection plans
are underway; identify existing infrastructures that might be tapped
to collect data on this issue; and begin to plan a research agenda.
http://www.sei2003.com/nida/1014005/ |
Teleconference: Countering
Internalized Stigma among People with Mental Illnesses
September 26, 2007, 12:00 – 1:30 pm EST
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services this
training teleconference will explore the different types of internalized
stigma and factors that may lead to internalized stigma; address how
internalized stigma impacts the recovery process; and provide an overview
of successful strategies that have been used to recognize and counter
internalized stigma.
http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/teleconferences.htm
|
Webcast: Child Trauma, Race,
and Urban Poverty
September 27, 2007, 2:00 – 3:30 pm EST
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network
this free webcast will provide information on child trauma as it relates
to race and urban poverty.
http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_train_tele_culsched
|
21st Annual National Meeting
on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention in Higher
Education
Omaha, Nebraska, October 18-21, 2007
This U.S. Department of Education-sponsored meeting examines issues
around alcohol and other drug abuse and violence prevention on college
campuses and in their surrounding communities. The National Meeting
includes keynote speakers, workshops, showcases, town meetings, poster
presentations, and exhibits.
http://www.higheredcenter.org/natl/2007/ |
Frontiers in Addiction Research
– NIDA Mini Convention at the Society for Neuroscience Annual
Meeting
San Diego, California, November 2, 2007
Outstanding scientists will present recent findings and discuss future
directions in the neurobiology of drug abuse and addiction. The NIDA-sponsored
mini-convention includes four symposia, the SfN Jacob Waletzky Memorial
Lecture, and a poster session for early career investigators.
http://www.sei2003.com/
nida/frontiers2007/ |
| Funding
Information |
NIH: Notice of Intent to
Publish a Request for Applications for the NIH Partners in Research
Program
The purpose of the NIH Partners in Research Program is to support
two-year pilot and/or feasibility studies of innovative activities
designed to improve public understanding of biomedical and behavioral
research, develop strategies for promoting collaboration between scientists
and the community to improve the health of the public, and to identify
the conditions (e.g., settings and approaches) that will enhance the
effectiveness of such activities. The Partners in Research Program
will call for partnerships between a science/research institution
and a community organization.
This RFA is expected to be published in September 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-089.html |
SAMHSA Conference Grants
SAMHSA is accepting applications for SAMHSA Knowledge Dissemination
Conference Grants. The purpose of the Conference Grant program is
to disseminate knowledge about practices within the mental health
services and substance abuse prevention and treatment fields and to
integrate that knowledge into real-world practice as effectively and
efficiently as possible. Application deadline is October 31, 2007.
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=1614&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW |
| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
DOEd: Rehabilitation of Individuals
Who Are Mentally Ill CFDA 84.129H
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=15525&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW |
| 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]
Epidemiology and Prevention in Alcohol Research (R01)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-448.html
Epidemiology and Prevention in Alcohol Research (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-449.html
Epidemiology and Prevention in Alcohol Research (R03)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-450.html
|
