The association of telomere length and religiosity: A systematic review.

Objective: Religiosity is a complex construct comprised observance, intrinsic beliefs, meditative practice, and communal elements. Religiosity has been associated with reduced mortality and improved overall health, but understanding the underlying biological associations is evolving. As increased telomere length has been associated with increased longevity, this project presents a systematic review of studies investigating the relationship between religiosity and telomere length.

The association between religious beliefs and values with inflammation among Middle-age and older adults.

Dimensions of religion and spirituality are associated with better emotional, physical, and cognitive health. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms are not well known. We investigated the relationship between dimensions of religion and spirituality with levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of systematic inflammation, in middle-aged and older adults in the United States.

Religiosity & mental health seeking behaviors among U.S. adults.

Objectives: The association between religiosity and secular mental health utilization is unclear. Evidence suggests that religious and spiritual leaders (R/S leaders) may be more trusted than secular mental health therapists (SMHTs) and are often the first point of contact for individuals with mental health problems who identify as religious.

Methods: Generalized equation estimate (GEE) analyses were used to examine the association between religiosity and mental health seeking behaviours in 2,107 participants using t Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS) data collected between 1995 and 2014.

Hippocampal volume is associated with physician-reported acute cognitive deficits after electroconvulsive therapy.

Predicting memory problems in older depressed patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is difficult. In this study, hippocampal volume and acute memory outcomes were examined in 15 patients following an index course of ECT. Smaller hippocampal volume was associated with poorer ECT-related memory outcomes.

Hippocampal volume as a predictor of short-term ECT outcomes in older patients with depression.

Objective: The authors examined the relationship between hippocampal volume and acute electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) outcomes.

Methods: Depression was measured by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores, and hippocampal volume was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: After controlling for baseline MADRS score, larger right-hippocampal volume was associated with higher MADRS scores after an index course of ECT.