Minority racial groups are exposed differentially to environmental risk factors (e.g., early life adversity) that are known to play a role in a variety of psychiatric disorders. According to a paper in the July 2020 issue of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, a significant potential for racial disparities in environmental risk factors to moderate the relationship between neurobiology and psychiatric disorder development currently is unexplored. Early life events, such as childhood trauma, maternal stress, immune system activation, and other risk factors show clear effects on the neural substrates of emotion and stress regulation. Minority racial groups also have lower family income and wealth, and often live in areas with greater disadvantage compared with non-minority racial groups. Recent research further suggests minority racial groups have increased exposure to toxins throughout life which can have potentially deleterious effects on physical and mental health. Racial discrimination also can be damaging psychologically and further alter the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders.
Viewed from a different perspective, neuropsychiatric symptoms are a core feature of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Successful information exchange between clinicians and family caregivers is critical for facilitating effective management of these symptoms. This communication often is challenging, however, due to inconsistent terminology and classification of symptoms, and limited understanding of how family caregivers recognize and describe symptoms. A study reported in the August 2020 issue of the journal The Gerontologist examined the language family caregivers’ use to describe and contextualize neuropsychiatric symptoms. Family caregivers of patients with dementia use a wide range of terminology in their descriptions. Their nomenclature and sense-making appear to contrast with clinical and research classification of neuropsychiatric symptoms that is predominantly deficit-oriented. Thus, reliance on effective communication between caregivers and their clinical teams for effective symptom management may require adopting caregivers’ language or explicit development of shared nomenclature.
More July-August 2020 TRENDS Articles
ANHEDONIA AND MORE PLEASURABLE TIMES
Indicates the kinds of changes that have occurred since COVID-19 made its appearance, including the flood of scientific papers about this disease that have been produced since January of this year. Read More
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
ASAHP President Phyllis King presents some reflections on impacts that the coronavirus has had on the health workforce. Read More
LEGISLATION VS. EXECUTIVE ORDERS
contains information about steps taken by the Trump Administration in response to Congressional deadlock in reaching agreement on a new coronavirus relief package. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Points out how disparities can result from housing policies outside the health domain that entail historic redlining and its effects on birth outcomes. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes financial aspects related to closing schools because of COVID-19, mental health services for students, and a new grant program aimed at enabling higher education institutions to emerge from the current pandemic better able to expand educational opportunities for students. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
The COVID-19 Pandemic And Exacerbation Of Intimate Partner Violence
Mental Health, Substance Use, And Suicidal Ideation During The Coronavirus Pandemic
Digital Biomarker Of Diabetes From Smartphone-Based Vascular Signals
Using Smartphone Accelerometers To Sense Gait Impairments Due To Alcohol Intoxication Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
Sharing Clinical Trial Data: Challenges And A Way Forward
National Inpatient Hospital Costs: The Most Expensive Conditions By Payer, 2017
Racial And Ethnic Disparities Among COVID-19 Cases In Workplace Outbreaks Read More
RACIAL DISPARITIES AND NOMENCLATURE IN NEUROSCIENCE
Early life adversity, exposure to toxins throughout life, and racial discrimination are factors contributing to psychiatric disorders, while differences in how nomenclature is used by clinicians and family caregivers may compromise the quality of treatment for Alzheimer’s patients. Read More
AUTOPSIES, HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND INFORMED CONSENT
Differences in autopsy rates between blacks and whites may reflect health disparities while the incorporation of genetic testing in the performance of autopsies raises important questions pertaining to informed consent by relatives of decedents. Read More