New studies on cancer and schizophrenia, depression and heart disease, trauma and autism

• Study Shows Psychotherapy Helpful in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Early Stages When treated within a month, survivors of a psychologically traumatic event improved significantly with psychotherapy. Researchers studied 248 adults with early symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event that had occurred no more than four weeks earlier.
• New Studies Suggest Brain Overgrowth in One-Year-Olds Linked to Development of Autism Brain overgrowth in the latter part of an infant’s first year may contribute to the onset of autistic characteristics. These findings support concurrent research which has found brain overgrowth in autistic children as young as two years old.
• Study Finds First-Ever Genetic Animal Model of Autism By introducing a gene mutation in mice, investigators have created what they believe to be the first accurate model of autism not associated with a broader neuropsychiatric syndrome. This animal model could help researchers better understand abnormal brain function in autistic humans, which could help them identify and improve treatment strategies.
• Study Shows New Strategy for Developing Rapid-Acting Antidepressants Researchers may be able to develop an antidepressant which takes effect almost immediately by directly targeting novel molecules in the brain instead of taking a less direct route, which can lead to longer times for medication to take effect.
• Study Finds Brain Differences in Adolescents with Mental Illness Puberty may have an impact on areas of the brain that contribute to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in youth, according to new research. Investigators found size difference in the brains of youth with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which could help identify different treatment approaches in boys and girls.
• Nicotine Addiction Might be Controlled by Influencing Pleasurable Response Mechanisms in Brain There is a clear link between GABA – a chemical substance of the central nervous system that inhibits neurons in the brain – and nicotine dependence. Researchers discovered that nicotine has significant effects on brain GABA, a finding which could potentially help curb the pleasurable effects of nicotine and help people break their addiction to it.
• Stable Sleep Patterns and Regular Routines May Improve Outcomes in Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depressive disorder, is highly influenced by the circadian system – the body’s internal clock – and a specific kind of psychotherapy may help decrease irregularities in the circadian system that can trigger key symptoms of bipolar disorder

WHEN: December 8-12, 2007, Boca Raton, Florida

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Amy Levey (202) 745-5116 or alevey@gymr.com

ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700 leading scientists, including three Nobel Laureates. The mission of ACNP is to further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric, neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment; and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances. A non-profit organization, ACNP receives revenues from a variety of sources including membership dues, publication sales, registration fees, and pharmaceutical industry grants.