DR. GREGORY T. GINSBURG, M.D.

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This study looked at how anxious parents’ mental health issues affect their children’s risk for depression and thoughts of suicide. Researchers found that children's feelings of how much control they have in their lives were important; specifically, parents' anxiety did not directly cause their children's depression or suicidality, but it influenced these outcomes through children’s perceived control. This is important because it highlights that helping children feel more in control can be a key part of preventing depression and suicidality for kids with anxious parents. Who this helps: This research benefits children of anxious parents and mental health professionals working with families.

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This study looked at two anxiety-reducing programs led by school nurses for elementary school kids: CALM, which teaches cognitive behavioral skills, and CALM-R, which focuses on relaxation techniques. Researchers found that the CALM program costs about $560 per child and led to better results, with 60% of the kids showing improvement, compared to just 35% for CALM-R. In addition, schools and families saved more money on other supports with CALM, making it a valuable and effective approach to help children manage anxiety. Who this helps: This helps students with anxiety and the schools that support them.

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The study looked at ways to improve participation in a health research program to better represent the US population. Researchers created new strategies, like offering compensation for participation and providing flexible appointment times for blood donations, which led to increased task completion and higher donation rates from underrepresented groups. For example, offering compensation significantly boosted task completion rates, and more evening and weekend donation slots helped engage more diverse participants than before. Who this helps: This benefits patients, especially those from underrepresented communities, and health researchers looking to include more diverse populations in their studies.

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The International Health Cohorts Consortium (IHCC) was created in 2018 to enhance research on health and genetics by uniting different health study groups. It includes 69 different cohorts that together provide data from over 34 million people. This large-scale collaboration enables better understanding of health trends and genetic factors, which can lead to improved health strategies worldwide. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and public health officials looking to improve health outcomes globally.

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Researchers studied how well a machine learning model can predict long COVID by combining different types of information, including electronic health records, surveys, and genetic data from over 17,200 people infected with COVID-19. They found that their model, which used this combined information, improved prediction accuracy from an area under the curve (AUROC) score of 0.736 to 0.748. This is important because better predictions can help doctors identify who is at higher risk for long COVID and tailor treatments accordingly. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk for long COVID and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at children and teens with anxiety, comparing those who also have asthma to those who do not. It found that young people with both asthma and anxiety often experience more negative self-talk, but their response to treatments like therapy or medication was similar to those without asthma. This matters because it shows that both groups can benefit from the same treatments for anxiety. Who this helps: This helps patients with asthma and anxiety, as well as their doctors.

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This study looked at how well community doctors diagnosed anxiety disorders in young people compared to independent evaluators using a structured interview method. They found that independent evaluators identified significantly more cases than the doctors did, with the agreement on diagnoses being very low for many types of anxiety disorders. For instance, there was almost no agreement on anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, with some diagnoses not detected at all by clinicians. Who this helps: This research helps patients suffering from anxiety disorders by highlighting the need for better diagnostic practices.

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Researchers studied how to improve a computer model that predicts long COVID, a condition affecting over 200 million people who had COVID-19. By adding data from health surveys, mobile devices, and genetic information from 17,755 individuals, they found that this improved the model's accuracy significantly, achieving better predictions than the original model. This is important because it helps identify those who might develop long COVID earlier, allowing for faster care and treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients who may be at risk for long COVID.

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This study looked at how using a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) approach in digital health research can lead to imbalances in participant demographics. Researchers found that many studies using this method often attract only certain groups of people, which can skew results and affect the development of new technologies; for example, specific age or income groups may be underrepresented. Addressing these imbalances is crucial to ensure that health technologies meet the needs of all patients effectively. Who this helps: This helps patients by improving the accuracy and effectiveness of health technologies developed from these studies.

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This study looked at a new way to improve COVID-19 testing by using data collected from wearable devices like smartwatches. The researchers developed a method that helped identify individuals who were more likely to be infected, leading to a potential increase in positive test results by up to 6.5 times in certain groups. This approach could streamline testing during outbreaks, making it more efficient and reducing the strain on diagnostic resources. Who this helps: This benefits patients and healthcare providers by ensuring that diagnostic tests are used more effectively.

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This study looked at young people with anxiety disorders to see if a factor called the "p factor," which represents shared symptoms across mental health issues, could predict their long-term mental health and daily functioning. The research followed over 200 kids and teens for an average of 10 years after treatment and found that those with higher p factor scores faced worse mental health outcomes and greater difficulties in their daily lives. This matters because it highlights that kids with a broader range of mental health issues at the start are likely to struggle more in the long run, suggesting that early assessment and targeted help may improve their futures. Who this helps: This helps kids and teens with anxiety disorders, their families, and mental health professionals.

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This study looked at young people who had previously been treated for anxiety disorders to see how many continued to use mental health services as they grew older. They found that 65.1% used some form of anxiety treatment over the years, but only 35.2% consistently used services. Importantly, those with ongoing severe anxiety were more likely to keep using services, showing that many young people still need support even after initial treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients with anxiety disorders and the doctors who treat them.

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The National Academies' Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health studied how genetics can improve healthcare and set new goals for the future. They updated their focus to include innovation, conversation, fairness, and how to adopt these new technologies more widely. This matters because it aims to ensure that everyone has access to the benefits of advancements in genomics, ultimately improving public health. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers by promoting equitable access to genomic technologies.

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This research studied how expectations about treatment outcomes impact real results for young people with anxiety, using information from 488 children aged 7 to 17, along with their parents and therapists. The study found that having positive treatment expectations was linked to better anxiety outcomes, regardless of the type of treatment—whether therapy, medication, or a placebo—showing that this connection was consistent across different age groups. Understanding how these expectations work can help improve treatment strategies for anxious youth. Who this helps: This helps children with anxiety and their families.

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This study looked at how different treatments for anxiety in children and teenagers—like therapy, medication, or a combination of both—affected their everyday lives years later. Researchers followed 319 families for an average of 6.5 years after treatment and found that those who fully responded to treatment had better overall functioning, less impairment in areas like academics and social relationships, and greater life satisfaction over time. Kids who received cognitive-behavioral therapy, in particular, showed significant improvements compared to those who only took a placebo, especially in their life satisfaction and academic performance. Who this helps: This research benefits children and adolescents with anxiety and the healthcare professionals treating them.

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This study looked at sleep problems in children and teenagers with anxiety disorders and how different treatments for anxiety affected their sleep. Researchers found that children receiving therapy or medication had better sleep than those given a placebo, with the most significant improvements seen in those receiving both. Specifically, the treatment containing the medication sertraline or therapy showed reductions in sleep issues reported by parents, which is important as better sleep can improve overall well-being for these youth. Who this helps: This benefits children and teenagers with anxiety disorders and their parents.

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This study looked at how social phobia (SoP) affects young people as they grow older, particularly in social, academic, and family areas. Researchers found that both the youths with SoP and their parents reported an increase in difficulties related to social interactions and schoolwork as age increased; specifically, issues worsened in 400 youths with SoP, even when accounting for the severity of their anxiety. This matters because understanding these trends can help identify and provide support to young people with SoP before their challenges become more severe as they get older. Who this helps: This helps patients with social phobia and their families.

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This study looked at how young people's ability to cope with anxiety and their negative thoughts influenced the success of different treatments for anxiety disorders. Researchers followed 488 kids aged 7 to 17 who received various treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. They found that improvements in coping skills were linked to reduced anxiety symptoms in those treated with CBT or medication, but negative self-talk didn’t play a role in mediating these gains. Who this helps: This helps children and teens with anxiety disorders, as well as their parents and therapists.

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This study looked at how having Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects the treatment of anxiety in young people aged 7 to 17 from various backgrounds. It found that kids with ADHD who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) showed poorer results in terms of improvement and achieving remission compared to those without ADHD. However, the presence of another disorder called Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) didn't seem to impact treatment success. Who this helps: This information benefits clinicians and mental health professionals who work with anxious youth, particularly those with ADHD.

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This study looked at how different parts of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) affect anxiety in young people aged 7 to 17. Researchers found that using techniques to change negative thoughts and gradually face fears helped young patients improve more quickly in managing their anxiety symptoms, while relaxation training had little effect. This is important because it shows that certain CBT strategies can be more effective in helping young people feel better. Who this helps: This helps children and teenagers dealing with anxiety, along with their therapists.

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This study looked at how well a specific part of a behavior checklist, called the CBCL-A, can predict anxiety disorders and their severity in children and teens. Researchers found that while the CBCL-A is good at identifying general symptoms of anxiety, it doesn't do a better job than other parts of the checklist at pinpointing specific disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or social phobia. This matters because it helps us understand that while physical symptoms are often linked to anxiety, they don't necessarily improve the accuracy of diagnosing different anxiety disorders. Who this helps: This helps doctors and mental health professionals who assess and treat children and adolescents for anxiety issues.

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This study looked at how well the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) works to identify anxiety disorders in young people. It involved 488 kids aged 7 to 17 and found that while parents and children often have different views on anxiety, the MASC proved effective in measuring key areas like social anxiety and panic. Specifically, the scale reliably predicted social phobia and separation anxiety, helping to better understand the severity of these conditions. Who this helps: This benefits children with anxiety disorders and their families by providing accurate tools for assessment.

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This study looked at a tool called the Child Anxiety Impact Scale (CAIS), which measures how anxiety affects children's everyday activities at school, home, and in social settings. Researchers analyzed data from 488 children aged 7 to 17 and confirmed that the scale accurately reflects the impact of anxiety, with scores showing strong reliability and links to other well-established measures of anxiety. These findings confirm that the CAIS is a dependable way to assess how anxiety disorders affect children's lives, which can help improve their treatment and support. Who this helps: This benefits children with anxiety and their parents, as well as doctors and therapists working with these families.

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This study looked at how physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches, affect young people with anxiety disorders. The research found that these symptoms decreased after 12 weeks of treatment, which included therapy, medication, or a placebo, showing no difference between the treatments in reducing physical complaints. Understanding this helps improve how we treat anxiety in kids and teens, highlighting the need to address both mental and physical symptoms. Who this helps: This helps young patients dealing with anxiety and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at ways to predict how well different treatments will work for young people with anxiety disorders. Researchers created charts that take into account the severity of a child's anxiety and what kind of treatment they might receive, such as therapy or medication. These charts can help doctors and families make more informed decisions about which treatment might be best for each individual child, potentially improving their chances for success. Who this helps: This helps patients with anxiety disorders and their families by guiding treatment choices.

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This study looked at how effective different treatments for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents were over 24 and 36 weeks. Researchers found that more than 80% of the young patients who responded well to treatment continued to show improvement over time, with the combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication (COMB) performing better than therapy alone or medication alone. This is important because it shows that combining treatments can lead to lasting benefits for young people with anxiety. Who this helps: This helps patients with anxiety disorders and their families, as well as clinicians treating these patients.

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This study looked at how well doctors could collect fresh tumor samples from lung cancer patients for research. In a trial with advanced lung cancer, they successfully collected samples from 60.2% of patients, mostly using a method called CT-guided lung biopsy. In a trial for early-stage lung cancer, they achieved a success rate of 85.7% by using leftover tissue after surgery. This research is important because it shows that obtaining fresh tumor samples is possible and can help improve testing for better treatments. Who this helps: This helps patients by enabling doctors to develop more effective therapies for lung cancer.

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This study looked at how different types of parental involvement in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can affect treatment outcomes for anxious children. Researchers found that while CBT is effective regardless of parental involvement, children whose parents were actively involved and focused on specific strategies showed better long-term results. Specifically, 73% of children with active parental involvement emphasized on strategy management showed decreased anxiety diagnoses after a year, compared to lower rates in less involved groups. Who this helps: This benefits anxious children and their parents by highlighting the importance of active involvement in their treatment.

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This study looked at how well the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale (PARS) can measure treatment success in children and teens with anxiety disorders. Researchers found that a reduction of 35% in PARS scores indicated a positive treatment response, while a 50% reduction meant the patient was in remission. Additionally, scores between 8 and 10 on the PARS after treatment correctly predicted if a patient had fully recovered from their anxiety. Who this helps: This benefits children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, their caregivers, and mental health professionals.

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This study looked at how age affects the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety in children and teenagers. Researchers analyzed data from 1,171 young patients across 17 studies and found that age did not significantly change how well CBT worked; both younger children and adolescents benefited similarly from the therapy. This matters because it indicates that the standard CBT approach can be effective across a wide age range, although tailored programs for adolescents may enhance treatment in real-world settings where therapists may not always have specialized training. Who this helps: This helps patients and therapists working with children and teens experiencing anxiety.

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This study looked at how the quality of relationships between young patients and their therapists affects treatment outcomes for anxiety. Researchers found that, among 488 kids aged 7-17, those who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) had better results when they felt a strong bond with their therapist—specifically, a stronger relationship led to better outcomes. In contrast, this therapeutic connection did not impact results for those receiving medication or a placebo. Who this helps: This benefits anxious youth undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy.

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Researchers developed a new method to analyze patient information in electronic medical records, focusing on emergency department visits. They found that their approach created groups of patients with similar health issues more effectively than existing methods, producing clearer and more useful categories of patients. This is important because it can help healthcare providers better understand patient needs and improve treatment plans, with tests showing their model was more consistent in grouping patients than other methods. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers improve care for patients.

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This study looked at whether treating depression in teenagers helps prevent them from developing problems with alcohol or drug use later on. Researchers followed 192 adolescents for five years and found that teens who responded positively to depression treatment had a lower rate of developing substance use disorders (11.65% compared to 24.72% for those who didn’t respond positively), but treatment did not affect the likelihood of alcohol use disorders. Understanding how treatment for depression relates to future substance use is important because it informs how doctors can better support young patients’ overall health. Who this helps: This benefits adolescents struggling with depression and their healthcare providers.

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This study focused on how adolescents with major depression recover and whether they experience future episodes after treatment. Almost all (96.4%) of the 196 participants recovered from their initial depressive episode within five years, but nearly half (46.6%) had a relapse. The research found that females are more likely to have a recurrence (57%) compared to males (32.9%), highlighting the need for targeted support for this group. Who this helps: This helps adolescents recovering from depression, especially young women at risk of relapse.

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This research looked at how to effectively collect and use family health history in primary care settings to improve patient care. The study involved a computerized system that gathers family health information on 48 conditions, with particular support for breast, ovarian, and colon cancers, as well as thrombosis. After one year, the study will evaluate if the use of this system increases appropriate cancer screenings and genetic testing, helping doctors provide better personalized care. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by enhancing risk assessment and screening for hereditary health issues.

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This study looked at nearly 500 young people aged 7-17 seeking treatment for anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, or social phobia. It found that over half (55.3%) of these children also had at least one other mental health issue, indicating that anxiety disorders often occur with other problems. Understanding these patterns is important because it helps doctors develop better treatment plans that address the multiple challenges these young individuals face. Who this helps: This benefits patients and their therapists or doctors.

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This research focuses on a new two-volume book set that delves into genomic medicine, discussing both the science behind it and the practical, ethical, legal, and social issues involved. The book spans over 1500 pages and includes contributions from many top experts, making it a comprehensive resource for understanding this evolving field. This is important because it provides valuable insights and guidelines that can help improve personalized healthcare approaches for patients. Who this helps: This benefits patients, doctors, and healthcare professionals in the field of genomic medicine.

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This study examined a home-visiting program called "Family Spirit" for young American Indian mothers living on reservations. Researchers found that mothers who participated in this program gained significantly more parenting knowledge—about 13.5 points at 6 months and 13.9 points at 12 months compared to mothers who received a nutrition education program. Additionally, the infants of mothers in the Family Spirit program showed better behaviors, with lower levels of externalizing issues and separation distress. Who this helps: This benefits young American Indian mothers and their infants by improving parenting skills and child behavior.

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This study looked at how a specific muscle relaxant, rocuronium, affects a woman with neuromyotonia, a condition that makes her nerves overly active. The researchers found that she was more sensitive to this muscle relaxant than most people, meaning she needed smaller doses to achieve the same level of muscle relaxation. This finding is important because it helps doctors adjust anesthesia practices for patients with neuromyotonia, ensuring they get the right amount without experiencing complications. Who this helps: Patients with neuromyotonia undergoing surgery.

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This study looked at how effective the medication fluoxetine, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and their combination are for treating depression in teenagers aged 12 to 17. After a year without any TADS treatments, researchers found that 66% of the participants still showed improvements in their depression and suicidality measures. This is significant because, unlike many short-term treatments, this longer approach not only helped adolescents during the study but also had lasting benefits even after treatment ended. Who this helps: This benefits teenagers dealing with depression and their families.

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This study looked at how pediatric primary care can better support children's mental health by using skills that help with emotional and behavioral issues right away, even before a formal diagnosis is made. Researchers found that focusing on common factors, such as building relationships and using effective communication, can enhance treatment outcomes for children. This approach is important because it allows primary care providers to help more children who might not fit into strict diagnostic categories, ultimately increasing access to mental health support. Who this helps: This benefits children and their families by improving early access to mental health care.

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This study examined how certain genetic variations in a specific part of the immune system, known as HLA-DRB1, affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk and severity. Researchers found that a gene variation called D70 significantly lowers the risk of developing RA, with a strong protective effect (52% lower risk), while another variation known as the shared epitope (SE) increases the risk (2.43 times higher). Understanding these genetic influences is crucial for better predicting who might develop RA and tailoring more effective treatments. Who this helps: This helps patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their doctors by providing insights into genetic risk factors.

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This study looked at a new surgical method, called transpedicular hemiepiphysiodesis with short segment instrumented spinal fusion, for treating congenital scoliosis, a condition where the spine is curved due to a bone defect. Researchers evaluated 9 patients and found that the average curvature of the spine improved by about 15% overall, and by about 28% in the specific segments treated. This method is important because it offers a safe and effective option to prevent the condition from worsening in young patients. Who this helps: This helps children and teens with congenital scoliosis.

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This study looked at how effective various treatments were for young people with major depression. Out of 439 participants, only 23% achieved full remission after 12 weeks, but those receiving a combination of medication (fluoxetine) and therapy (CBT) had a higher success rate at 37%, compared to as low as 16% in other treatment groups. Even though many young people no longer showed full signs of depression, half of those who improved still had some lingering symptoms like trouble sleeping and low energy. Who this helps: This research is valuable for doctors treating adolescents with depression, as it highlights the benefits of combined treatments.

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This study looked at how different factors affect the success of treatments for depressed teenagers. It involved 439 adolescents and found that those who were younger, less severely depressed, and had fewer other mental health issues were more likely to improve with treatment. In particular, combining medication with therapy was more effective for those with mild to moderate depression. Who this helps: This helps patients and their doctors choose the best treatment options for depressed adolescents.