Rates of autism diagnoses are on the rise. While no one knows for sure why, a new study explores whether the increased use of antidepressants during pregnancy might be one of the causes.

Catching patients early in the course of their psychotic disorders may improve outcomes. A new NIMH-funded study compared a very comprehensive treatment program with treatment as usual, and the results were promising.

Geriatric depression often presents with apathy, low energy and motivation, and cognitive decline, so theoretically stimulants are a natural choice. Past studies of combining stimulants with antidepressants have been mainly small open trials, with mostly positive results. But we haven’t seen the kind of rigorous double-blind methodology we’d like. A new study fills that gap.

Review of this study regarding the effects of a Mediterranean diet on age-related cognitive decline: Valis-Pedret C et al, JAMA Intern Med 2015. 11.doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.1668. Epub ahead of print.

Quitting smoking requires a lot of motivation—something our patients don’t always have. Since money is a great motivator, various programs that pay patients to quit have been tried over the years. But how well does this technique work?

Patients with schizophrenia often stop taking their medications, so long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are potentially good ways to make sure these patients have some medication in their systems over the long term.

For better or worse, we are prescribing atypical antipsychotics more frequently in children. Some of this is due to new FDA indications for kids (autism, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorder), but much of the increase is driven by off-label use (Tourette’s, ADHD, OCD, depression, conduct disorder and impulse control disorders).

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other psychedelic drugs have been associated with psychosis in some studies, and most psychiatrists would dissuade their patients from using such drugs. But a new population study casts some doubt on this received wisdom.

More and more smokers are trying out electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in the hopes of quitting smoking. Is this an effective tool for smoking cessation and should you be recommending it to patients?

When kids come to us with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), we know that first-line treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). But then what? What about the kids who don’t respond to CBT or SSRIs? This research update discusses studies measures, treatments and medications for to take to help your younger OCD patients.