psychiatry

Wednesday, 10 April 2019: A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified changes in inflammation-related biochemical pathways in schizophrenia that interfere with proper brain nerve cell communication. Researchers have found the first direct evidence in support of increased kynurenic acid production in the brain, which is known to block a key glutamate receptor. This discovery paves the way for development of better targeted therapies with fewer side effects for people with schizophrenia.

The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) joins the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ (RANZCP) in condemning the recent announcement by Queensland Health to introduce ‘lock-up’ security measures to all adult mental health hospital inpatient facilities in Queensland, and the expansion of the use of ankle bracelets.

Author and Chiari Syndrome sufferer, Raphael D'Alonzo, has written a fascinating personal account and investigation of this obscure, chameleon and pervasive syndrome, which often requires neurosurgery and may be life-threatening. His style is direct, his observations detailed and scientific, his accounts of human mismanagement of his diagnosis and treatment revealing but fair. His perspective is both useful and unusual because of his own background as a pharmaceutical research scientist and his strong personality and physical stamina. He has a sophisticated understanding of the United States health insurance industry.