Could that “dementia” be liver-related and reversible? A large VA study reveals how often cirrhosis goes undiagnosed in older adults with cognitive decline and why checking a simple fibrosis score might change your diagnosis and your treatment plan.

Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have significant side effects, which has led us at Carlat to recommend conservative use. This research update adds to concerns about increased mortality, especially at higher doses, making conservative use of SGAs a necessity.

What is the impact of alcohol use in teens on their risk for developing depression? Spoiler alert: If it were a clear linear relationship, there would be no story here. Read this research update and use it to improve your process for screening for alcohol use.

Does physical activity help relieve depression in children and adolescents? We know it helps adults, but what is the evidence in kids? This research update looks at a study that tries to elucidate the effectiveness of exercise on depression in kids and teens, and how much to emphasize exercise with your own patients.

This trial tests whether mobile apps improve prospective memory in MCI.

This study compares the MoCA to neuropsychological testing in identifying mild cognitive impairment.

Drinking a proprietary ketogenic drink appears to improve cognition in mild cognitive impairment.

Physical activity may slow cognitive decline, especially in older adults with biomarkers of neurodegeneration. 

We worry about the detrimental effects of social media on mental health, but can social media attention be used to promote positive health outcomes? The media attention surrounding a hip-hop song about suicide prevention was associated with a significant drop in suicides in the days that followed.

This study revealed no signal that trazodone protects against neurodegeneration.