John Devlin's Dreams of Cambridge

An article posted today by the BBC:

In the middle of an island in Nova Scotia, Canada, John Devlin has created an idyllic version of Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

But, Canadian-born John [pictured] has not actually built this dream structure. It began as the idea of a damaged mind coping with psychotic episodes.

Therapy came in the form of sketches of the colleges, as a reminder of John's days as a student in Cambridge.

These Dreams of Cambridge are on show until 25 June, 2010 at King's College.

To read the entire article, please click here.

Also see:

John Devlin: Alchemy and Architecture

Doctors and dentists who 'substance abuse' helped

An article posted on January 28th by BBC News:

A pilot project giving special help to doctors and dentists with health problems has treated 184 people in its first year.

By Jane Dreaper, Health Correspondent, BBC News

62% of them had mental health problems, while 36% were battling drink or drug addiction.

Of the 78 who weren't working when they came into contact with the scheme, 46% returned to work.

The medical director of the project said she had been surprised at the extent of substance misuse.

The project has been hailed a success and there are plans to expand it.

A third of the medics contacted the service because they were already involved in disciplinary proceedings.

Depression was the mental health problem most commonly diagnosed by the NHS Practitioner Health Programme (PHP) - but the service also uncovered six cases of psychosis that hadn't previously been treated.

Of the 67 doctors and dentists who attended the service with addiction problems, 51 were drinking too much alcohol while 16 were abusing a range of drugs - including heroin, ketamine and cocaine.

'Embarrassed'

The PHP was set up because NHS clinicians are often embarrassed to seek help for these sorts of problems.

It also has to ensure that patients aren't put at risk by doctors and dentists who are unwell.

Five of the scheme's patients removed themselves from their duties after being told they should do so - and on two occasions, the PHP contacted the regulators to express concern about its patients.

Psychiatrists, anaesthetists and paediatricians were the specialties most commonly attending the service.

The PHP's medical director, Dr Clare Gerada, said: "This has been a real eye-opener.

"I thought at first we'd see a bit of stress and burn-out. But it soon became apparent how troubled some of these doctors and dentists were.

"I've been surprised at the degree and extent of substance misuse that we've seen.

"They're not the easiest patients in the world - and behind them are patients who could potentially be harmed.

"They tend to present at a late stage, but very few dropped out of treatment, and most of them tend to do well."

'Abstinent'

More than 80% of the doctors and dentists who were treated for addiction were shown to have stayed abstinent afterwards - compared with about 10% of the general population.

The service tests their hair and blood for evidence of alcohol or substance abuse.

PHP has so far operated in Greater London. Talks have begun to set up similar NHS services in Newcastle and Avon.

The chief medical officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, had the idea for the service.

He said: "The problem is there in all medical workplaces around the world.

"Previously, doctors found it extremely difficult to access appropriate and confidential care.

"From the number of patients accessing PHP during its first year, it's clear there is a need for this highly specialised service."

Photograph courtesy of the Practitioner Health Programme.

Films attack mental health stigma

Posted online yesterday by BBC News:

To view one of the videos, please click here (the video appears after an advertisement).

To read the entire article, please click here.

Gene clues to schizophrenia risk

An article posted July 1st by BBC News:

Scientists have identified thousands of tiny genetic variations which together could account for more than a third of the inherited risk of schizophrenia.

They also showed the condition is genetically similar to bipolar disorder also known as manic depression.

The findings came from work by three separate teams, who analysed DNA from thousands of people.

The studies - the biggest ever into the genetics of schizophrenia - appear in the journal Nature.

The findings suggest that schizophrenia is much more complex than previously thought, and can arise not only from rare genetic variants, but common ones as well.

It is hoped the work could lead to new diagnostic tests and treatments for the condition.

To read the entire article, please click here.

Also see:

Common polygenic variation contributes to risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Hoopla, and Disappointment, in Schizophrenia Research

Gene 'has key schizophrenia role'

An article posted today by BBC News:

Two studies have pinpointed a single gene as key to the development and treatment of schizophrenia.

A US team from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute found that a mutated version of the DISC1 gene disrupts the growth and development of brain cells.

And a team from the University of Edinburgh showed that the gene affects how patients respond to treatment.

Both studies, published in the journals PLoS One and Cell, raise hopes of more effective treatment for schizophrenia.

To read the entire article, please click here.

Also see:

Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 Regulates Neuronal Progenitor Proliferation via Modulation of GSK3(beta)/beta-Catenin Signaling

The DISC1 Pathway Modulates Expression of Neurodevelopmental, Synaptogenic and Sensory Perception Genes

I thank John Devlin and Dr. Roger Cann for bringing this article to my attention.

Families 'fail' on schizophrenia

An article posted today by BBC News:

People with schizophrenia are more likely to experience discrimination by those closest to them than by employers or officials, a global survey suggests.

Nearly half of the 730 respondents to the King's College, London, study reported negative treatment by relatives and friends after diagnosis.

About a third said they had encountered problems when seeking or keeping a job.

Writing in the Lancet, the authors said they saw a remarkable consistency in those surveyed in 27 countries.

To read the entire article, click here.

Also see:

Global pattern of experienced and anticipated discrimination against people with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional survey

People With Schizophrenia Say Bias Is Part of Their Lives

Strengthening Families Together

Scientists probe meditation secrets

Scientists are beginning to uncover evidence that meditation has a tangible effect on the brain.

For the complete article from BBC News, click here.

Photograph courtesy of BBC News.

Thanks go to John Devlin for bringing this article to my attention.