Doctors will often collect information on a depressed patient's daily activities and various moods. For the first time, a blood test will give doctors relevant biological and physiological data linked to an individual's depression.

Adolescents who start smoking are probably trying it to take a step on the wild side and leave their childhood behind, while adults who become addicted to nicotine tend to be managing their stress.

For the first time, science has been able to show the role that the synapsin (SYN1) mutation plays in both autism and epilepsy.

Having a traumatic brain injury is a scary, life changing event. It is now known that the risk of developing major depression during the first year after a brain injury is quite high.

Illegal street drugs are not the only drugs associated with violent behavior.  Various prescription drugs have been linked to violent outbursts, even homicide, by mental health patients.

Diagnosing schizophrenia has been difficult. A previously unidentified gene has been discovered that could lead to diagnosis prior to the onset of symptoms and could help patients and parents know if they are susceptible to this disease.

Proper diagnosis of bipolar disorder and depression should include an extensive patient evaluation.  Doctors need access to information regarding details about one's moods, psychotic thoughts, manic periods and family history.

Why one person is inclined to drink more than another, isn't because they are just thirstier. Until now, alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the liver, was the only gene known to contribute to drinking style.

Patients who end up in the hospital because of their heart disease often have a long road to recovery in front of them. Unfortunately, depression can make that road more difficult.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug Invega to be prescribed to children. Invega is an anti-psychotic time release tablet that helps treat schizophrenia. Until now, Invega was only FDA approved to be prescribed to adults.