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A blood test that predicts suicide?

Dorothy L. Tengler Mental Healthcare

There are other variables, however, that affect suicide rates, such as socioeconomic status, employment, occupation, sexual orientation and gender identity. But there may be more; it could be that changes in gene expression can indicate heightened risk for self-harm. Alexander Niculescu, a psychiatrist at Indiana University in Indianapolis, has been looking for biological signs of suicide risk in an effort to prevent these tragedies. Because of the brain's complexity and inaccessibility, he has focused on molecular signs, such as biomarkers.

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act: The basics for providers

Jessica Belle Healthcare Administration

On Nov. 13, the departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services issued the final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). This Act requires that group health plans that offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits apply the same type of financial requirements (deductibles, co-insurance) and treatment limitations (number of visits, scope of treatment) that the plan applies to medical and surgical benefits.

Why HealthCare.gov should have been a mobile app

Alex Bratton Healthcare Administration

Of all the problems with the HealthCare.gov site, perhaps the most baffling is why it was created as a website in the first place. The main target of the HealthCare.gov website is young, healthy millennials, those aged 18 to 29 years old. Since millennials don't run up big healthcare bills, their monthly premiums will subsidize the insurance benefits of nearly 4.3 million older and less healthy Americans.

Clock is ticking: New acetaminophen combo limitations coming soon

Jason Poquette Pharmaceutical

Beginning next month, manufacturers of combination prescription products containing acetaminophen are expected to limit their APAP content to no more than 325 mg per dose. The significance of this is that many narcotic combination products currently being dispensed will soon no longer be compliant with these guidelines. The guidelines do not impact any OTC acetaminophen products or combinations.

Traumatic brain injury: Prevalence, diagnosis and treatment

Rosemary Sparacio Medical & Allied Healthcare

Recognition over the last several years regarding the prevalence and seriousness of traumatic brain injury has led to more attention in the media, among physicians, trainers, athletes (adults and children, professional and amateur) and the general population. The reality is that even a single concussion may cause lasting damage to the brain, and that even after symptoms fade, the brain is still injured.

Private website touted as interim alternative to HealthCare.gov

Pamela Lewis Dolan Medical & Allied Healthcare

Despite doubts from many, including people within his own administration, President Barack Obama remains confident that the technical glitches that overshadowed the launch of the federal health insurance exchange in October will be fixed by Nov. 30. Those working on the site are feeling pressure after a Nov. 13 report from the Department of Health and Human Services found that the technical glitches had the effect the administration feared — people visiting the site got frustrated and left as opposed to buying a plan. Just 108,185 plans had been sold.

Brainstorming: What is the aftermath of a brain injury?

Colleen Butler Mental Healthcare

Colleen Butler, author of "Concussion Recovery: Rebuilding the Injured Brain," is offering practical advice to help with the recovery from brain injury. We hope you find this Q&A helpful, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you have a question or comment, we want to hear from you at colleen@brainnavigators.com.

Infant study highlights need for early identification of autism

Dr. Denise A. Valenti Mental Healthcare

A diminished ability to socially interact with eye contact is recognized as a diagnostic marker for autism. A study published Nov. 6 in Nature reported that social engagement using eye contact starts at birth for all infants, but can start to decline as early as two months of age in children later identified with autism.

Identifying symptoms of acute depression

Dr. Abimbola Farinde Mental Healthcare

Depression can develop in any individual regardless of age or gender. It is a common mental disorder, and the incidence of depression increases each day. In order to improve the changes of a positive outcome, the symptoms should be identified almost immediately upon onset, but there are cases where it can sometimes take years to identify.

Food for thought: Continuous career development

Karen Childress Medical & Allied Healthcare

Watching medical dramas unfold on television, one might conclude that doctors are never bored. How could they be when they're constantly solving rare and complex medical mysteries, sharing their wealth of knowledge with eager medical students and residents, and duking it out with administration as they advocate for patients in need?

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