Researchers mentioned in the JAMA Psychiatry viewpoint that mass quarantine and social isolation lead to an increased usage of social media and other information-based websites. It in turn increases stress, fear and the risk of fear-related disorders.
These unique pandemic-related stressors and isolation have proved to be a challenge to new moms. More than 70% of pregnant and new moms have reported anxiety issues and more than 40% reported having experienced depression during these difficult times, according to Frontiers in Global Women's Health.
U.S. News & World Report mentions that chronic depressive symptoms may be a particular threat to heart health in women suffering from HIV.
According to Rheumatology International, depression is quite particularly prevalent among those with primary systematic vasculitis too. It affects more than half of those suffering from medium vessel disease.
CNN reports that another potential risk could be of extra belly fat. There could be upto a 39% increased risk for dementia within 15 years.
In other related news, inflammatory bowel disease was tied to an increased risk for dementia. (Gut).
Aptinyx mentioned that it finished enrollment for its phase II study of NYX-783, an NMDA receptor modulator understudy for post-traumatic stress disorder and the results were expected by the end of 2020.
Could “ecstasy” or cannabis also hold promise as PTSD treatments as questioned by NPR?