A 10-year study is being conducted in Singapore by the Institute of Mental Health, led by Associate Professor Daniel Fung, to address a lack of data on mental health conditions among children. The research aims to determine the prevalence of such issues and inform service planning to meet patient needs. This study is expected to facilitate a shift from reactive to proactive mental health support and intervention in Singapore.
https://channelnewsasia.com/watch/singapore-do-mental-health-study-children-4765331Researchers at the U.S. government have linked the asthma medication Singulair, originally sold by Merck & Co, to potential serious mental health issues in some patients. The study found that the active ingredient montelukast attaches to brain receptors crucial for psychiatric functioning, raising concerns about its impact on patients' mental health.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/u-s-fda-finds-widely-used-asthma-drug-impacts-the-brain-1.7119931US government researchers have found that the asthma drug Singulair, sold by Merck & Co, may be linked to serious mental health problems in some patients. The researchers discovered that the drug attaches to multiple brain receptors critical to psychiatric functioning, which could explain why thousands of reports of neuropsychiatric episodes, including dozens of suicides, have been reported in patients prescribed the medication. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a "black box" warning to the prescribing label in 2020 flagging serious mental health risks such as suicidal thinking or actions. A recent scientific presentation by FDA researchers found that laboratory tests showed significant binding of montelukast, the generic version of Singulair, to multiple receptors found in the brain. The FDA has cautioned that its studies are ongoing and results have not been finalized.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/us-fda-finds-widely-used-asthma-drug-impacts-brain-4764846The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore has launched a research project called the BRAVE study to investigate the development of mental health conditions in children. The study, supported by a S$1.5 million grant from Temasek Foundation, will focus on autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression, which are the most common conditions seen at IMH's Child Guidance Clinics. The study aims to recruit 4,000 participants aged between 7-17 years old through a random selection of households with young Singaporean citizens or permanent residents born between 2007 and 2016. Participants will undergo an online questionnaire screening for mental health issues, followed by comprehensive assessments if required, and a follow-up screening a year later to monitor their well-being. The study's findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the development of these conditions in children and inform the development of intervention programs to improve their resilience and mental health outcomes.
https://channelnewsasia.com/singapore/imh-10-year-study-track-mental-health-youths-4763991