More is known about the psychiatric risks than the benefits.

The movement to legalize marijuana for medical use in the United States has renewed discussion about how this drug affects the brain, and whether it might be useful in treating psychiatric disorders.

Unfortunately, most of the research on marijuana is based on people who smoked the drug for recreational rather than medical purposes. A review by researchers in Canada (where medical marijuana is legal) identified only 31 studies (23 randomized controlled trials and eight observational studies) specifically focused on medical benefits of the drug.

A separate review by the American ...

Consensus recommendations for evaluation and treatment.

Researchers have long disagreed about whether gastrointestinal problems may underlie some symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This has not stopped some researchers and celebrities from promoting theories and special "autism diets" with no scientific support. Yet these unfounded recommendations might appeal to grieving and vulnerable parents who are heartbroken about a child's sudden developmental regression.

In an effort to provide guidance for clinicians, parents, and patients, a multidisciplinary panel has published the first consensus report about gastrointestinal problems in individuals with ASDs. A companion report provides detailed advice about diagnosing and treating the ...

Exercise, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques are good first choices.

Major depression is the most common type of mood disorder in the United States, affecting about 15 million American adults (almost 7% of the population) in a typical year. For many of those affected, symptoms are mild or moderate. One nationally representative survey of Americans with depression, for example, found that symptoms were mild in 20% of people, moderate in 50%, and severe in 30%.

A meta-analysis adds to the growing evidence that antidepressants work best for people with severe symptoms of depression, as we've reported before. But this latest study ...

Easing pain early on reduces risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.

People who sustain serious and painful physical injuries are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A study of U.S. soldiers injured in Iraq — confirming the findings of two earlier studies — suggests that those who receive morphine for pain relief have a lower risk of developing PTSD later on.

All of these studies were observational and cannot prove cause and effect. They also cannot answer crucial questions about the drug's mechanism of action or whether the results are applicable to other types of people at risk ...

A survey of clinicians found that the language used to describe a person with an addiction problem affected the respondents' attitude about the person.

Another potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease failed in a randomized trial to perform better than a placebo.

My daughter has schizophrenia. The psychiatrist at her mental health center prescribed an antipsychotic. I know some of these drugs increase risk of diabetes and heart disease. What sort of clinical monitoring do you advise?

My son always seems to be in trouble at school. His elementary school teacher told me she thinks he has sensory processing disorder. What is that?