A phase II randomised controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin in anorexia nervosa.

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder (ED) with high mortality rates and limited response to existing treatments, prompting the need to identify effective agents and adjuncts. There is evidence for an emerging role for the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the pathophysiology of AN, with studies showing a perturbed oxytocinergic system in patients with AN. Preliminary evidence has demonstrated that intranasal OT (IN-OT) can produce anxiolytic effects in AN, as well as reducing concern about eating, and dysfunctional attentional biases related to the disorder.

Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medication Use in People Living with Dementia in the Community: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There has been considerable focus on the use of psychotropic agents in people living with dementia in long-term care. However, psychotropic use often commences well before transitioning to long-term care.

Objectives: To synthesize the available literature to identify factors associated with psychotropic medication use in people living with dementia in the community.

Oxytocin and eating disorders: Knowledge gaps and future directions.

Eating disorders continue to be a major public health issue and important cause of morbidity and premature mortality, particularly for young people. Yet in a concerning dialectic, this occurs in the context of an epidemic of obesity which, with its medical complications, constitutes another vexing public health challenge. While it is not an eating disorder per se obesity is often comorbid with eating disorders.

Conducting Systematic Reviews of the Quality and Psychometric Properties of Health-Related Measurement Instruments: Finding the Right Tool for the Job.

Many health-related measurement instruments have been developed to measure psychological constructs and whilst several instruments are usually available for a particular study, finding the right tool for the job is important. Systematic reviews of measurement properties of instruments have long been identified as a valuable strategy to ensure that we select the right tool to assess mental health. There are many important steps and procedures to guide these types of systematic reviews to find the "best fit" and this paper summarizes some of these key processes and steps.

Bridging the gap: A new integrated early intervention service for young people with complex mental health issues.

Aim: Two integrated headspace Early Intervention Teams (hEITs) were established in 2017 to bridge gaps between headspace, the national primary care youth mental health programme in Australia, and the state funded secondary and tertiary mental health services. This study aims to describe functioning and outcomes of patients referred to hEIT over a 6-month period.

Methods: A retrospective file audit was conducted for all patients accepted into the service over a 6-month period in 2018.

A Qualitative Systematic Review of Caregivers' Experiences of Caring for Family Diagnosed with Schizophrenia.

To synthesise qualitative research that explored caregivers' experiences of caring for family diagnosed with schizophrenia. Electronic databases including PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus were searched to identify relevant journal articles published from 2000 to March 2019. Quality was assessed and thematic synthesis of the qualitative research evidence undertaken.

Prevalence of comorbid substance use in major depressive disorder in community and clinical settings, 1990-2019: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Comorbidity between Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and major depression is highly prevalent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of SUDs in subjects diagnosed with a major depressive disorder (MDD) in community, inpatient and outpatient settings.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases was conducted from 1990 to 2019.

Evaluation of an Educational Intervention for Clinicians on Self-Harm in Older Adults.

Clinicians may lack knowledge and confidence regarding self-harm in older adults and hold attitudes that interfere with delivering effective care. A 1-hour educational intervention for hospital-based clinicians and general practitioners (GPs) was developed, delivered, and evaluated. Of 119 multidisciplinary clinicians working in aged care and mental health at two hospitals, 100 completed pre/post-evaluation questions.

Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse.

Background: Even low levels of substance misuse by people with a severe mental illness can have detrimental effects.

Objectives: To assess the effects of psychosocial interventions for reduction in substance use in people with a serious mental illness compared with standard care.

Search Methods: The Information Specialist of the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group (CSG) searched the CSG Trials Register (2 May 2018), which is based on regular searches of major medical and scientific databases.

Mental health of animal hoarders: a study of consecutive cases in New South Wales.

Objective The aim of this study was to review animal hoarding cases referred to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in New South Wales (NSW) to examine mental health factors that influence the development of animal hoarding and to consider strategies for dealing with such cases. Methods Data were gathered by RSPCA inspectors regarding consecutive cases referred to the agency over 2 years. Result Details were provided about animals and 50 identified hoarders (11 male, 39 female; mean age 57 years) on 48 properties.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Emergency Department Presentations with Methamphetamine Intoxication or Dependence: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Methamphetamine intoxication presentations to emergency departments (EDs) including trauma centres, general EDs and psychiatric emergency services have risen world-wide. A review of the clinical characteristics of patients presenting to a trauma centre or ED with methamphetamine intoxication or dependence to aid development of health service policy and training for health personnel. PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus (1990-2017) were searched.

Intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: Randomized controlled trial during re-feeding.

Background: Nutritional rehabilitation in anorexia nervosa (AN) is impeded by fear of food, eating and change leading to treatment resistance. Oxytocin (OT) exerts prosocial effects and modulates trust, fear, anxiety and neuroplasticity. The current placebo-controlled RCT examined the effects of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OT) in AN.

Service and infrastructure needs to support recovery programmes for Indigenous community mental health consumers.

Mental health is a major concern in Indigenous communities, as Indigenous people experience poorer health outcomes generally, and poorer social and emotional well-being throughout their lives, compared to non-Indigenous populations. Interviews were conducted with 20 mental health workers from a housing assistance programme for Indigenous clients with mental illness. Service and infrastructure needs identified to support clients were classified under the following overarching theme 'supports along the road to recovery'.

Regional c-Fos expression induced by peripheral oxytocin administration is prevented by the vasopressin 1A receptor antagonist SR49059.

Peripherally administered oxytocin induces a wide range of behavioural and physiological effects that are thought to be mediated by the oxytocin receptor (OTR). However, oxytocin also has considerable affinity for the vasopressin 1A receptor (VR), such that various oxytocinergic effects may in fact be mediated by the VR rather than the OTR. Here we used c-Fos immunohistochemistry to determine the extent to which the regional pattern of neuronal activation produced by peripheral oxytocin involves the VR.

Prevalence of comorbid bipolar and substance use disorders in clinical settings, 1990-2015: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Comorbidity between substance use disorders (SUDs) and bipolar disorder (BD) is highly prevalent to the extent it may almost be regarded the norm. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence rates of SUDs in treatment seeking patients diagnosed with BD in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of Medline, EMBASE, psychINFO and CINAHL databases was conducted from 1990 to 2015.