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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the green light earlier this month for a new non-invasive treatment for depression that relies on a magnetic device to stimulate the brain by sending magnetic pulses through the skull.

Depression symptoms are associated with significantly higher use of healthcare services following a heart attack, according to a new study released today by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). With approximately 70,000 Canadians experiencing a heart attack each year, this new data may help thousands of people get the care they need and reduce hospital visits.

In a prospective study of over 1800 interviewed young Finnish twins, early-onset depressive disorders at age 14 significantly predicted daily smoking, smokeless tobacco use, frequent illicit drug use, frequent alcohol use and recurrent intoxication three years later, even among those adolescents who were not users at baseline.

Teen suicide gets plenty of airtime, but a new U.S. study finds that middle-aged whites are an emerging high-risk group. Before 1999, white middle-aged men were the least likely to kill themselves.

CeNeRx BioPharma, Inc., a clinical stage company developing and commercializing innovative treatments for diseases of the central nervous system, announced that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial for its lead product candidate Tyrima(TM) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Wyeth Europa Ltd of its decision to withdraw the application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine Ellefore (desvenlafaxine) 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg prolonged-release tablets. Ellefore was expected to be used for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Researchers in the Laboratory of Structural Sciences at Van Andel Institute (VAI) have determined how the hormone corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) precisely binds to its receptor. This detailed structural information can help drug developers design new drugs for anxiety, depression, and related disorders.

Northstar Neuroscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSTR) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted conditional approval of a second clinical study of its Renova™ Cortical Stimulation System for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that in the U.S., the prevalence of major depression is closely correlated with ethnic status — Whites have a higher rate of depression, whereas Hispanics generally have lower rates.

Millions of patients with treatment-resistant clinical depression, who have struggled for years with disability and how to cope with their condition, now have an option that could help them lead more productive and successful lives. The NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Therapy system, developed by Neuronetics, Inc.