Research Snapshot

Nearly 10 Percent of U.S. Youth Depressed
A federal report indicates that during the past year more than 2 million American teens – 12.7 percent of girls and 4.6 percent of boys, or 8.5 percent of all teens – report they had serious bouts of depression. Nearly half the teenagers who had major depression said it severely impaired their ability to function on a disability scale, which measures impact on family, friends, chores at home, work and school. “Fortunately, depression responds very well to early intervention and treatment,” said Terry Cline, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which reported the findings. (Reuters, 5/13/08).

International Survey Highlights Prevalence, Cost of ADHD Among Adults
The results of an international study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine indicate that, on average, 3.5 percent of adult workers in several countries have ADHD, resulting in an average loss of 22.1 “role performance” days. In the United States, the study’s researchers estimated that roughly 4.5 percent of workers have ADHD, resulting in a loss of 28.3 “role performance” days. The researchers suggest it might be cost-effective for employers to screen workers for ADHD and provide treatment. ADHD is an “enormous impairment,” said Harvard University’s Ronald Kessler, co-author of the report. “People don’t come for treatment for this ... it’s kind of one of those hidden things.” (USA Today, 5/27/08).

Schizophrenia Source Found to Be Widespread Genetic Problem
Researchers report in Science that schizophrenia may not be caused by just one or two genes, but instead is a result of problems in several genes, many of which are critical for brain development and how brain cells communicate with each other. According to National Institute of Mental Health Director Thomas Insel, the identification of the genes holds promise for treatment and prevention of schizophrenia, as well as a wide range of other brain disorders. (MSNBC, Reuters 3/27/08)

Metabolic Syndrome Could Be a Risk Factor for Depression
A Finnish study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry indicates that metabolic syndrome might be a factor that leads to the development of clinical depression. The study’s researchers at Finland’s Kuopio University speculate that by preventing and treating the syndrome, physicians might be able to reduce depression in some cases. (Reuters, 3/11/08)

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