Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews - Volume 21, Issue 4, 2025

Adolescence is an important stage of life between childhood and adulthood. The shift in lifestyle, physical inactivity, high expectations of family/friends/teachers, and continuous exposure to social media and the internet have created physical, social, emotional, and mental imbalances in adolescents. The individuals of this age group are vulnerable and exposed to these stressful factors, leading to psychological complications. Most psychological problems diagnosed in the later stages of life begin in adolescence. The purpose of this mini-review was to identify mental health problems and available non-pharmacological interventions to manage the overall well-being of adolescents. A literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies, including research, review, and other articles/data available on PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, WHO, GHDx, and AACAP. Search keys included essential keywords like adolescence, yoga, mental health, anxiety, depression, and a combination of these words. The literature search identified several mental disorders like emotional, behavioral, identity, psychosis, dietary, and other risky behaviors. Most of the non-pharmacological interventions adopted focused on improving the mental and physical well-being in school and community settings. Among all the interventions, we found yoga to be the most popular and widely accepted effective tool that reduces anxiety, depression, and psychological problems. Yoga also improved resilience, attention, and other well-being parameters. Yoga helps manage physical and mental health in adolescence.

New technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), are not only of interest to gamers but are increasingly being used in health care as well. Visual content is used in everyday life to enhance the user's visual input. Its medicinal uses have been extensively studied. It can be a promising surgical technique that requires considerable accuracy. Furthermore, the emotional engagement and sensation of participation in the AR program impact the level of the customer experience. These experiences may enhance the efficacy of AR in the management of psychiatric problems. This paper presents an overview of AR and reviews the latest medical applications in diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders. However, it is fair to say that VR systems have easy delivery with well-controlled sensory motives. The prospect of VR systems is that they could be a new clinical tool for patients with certain psychiatric symptoms. Besides the lack of big observational studies and cost-effectiveness research, it appears that physicians will soon adopt this new technology.

With an ageing global population, understanding the potential links between mental health and neurodegenerative disorders has become increasingly crucial for comprehensive patient care. A comprehensive search of electronic databases yielded a selection of studies encompassing clinical trials, longitudinal cohorts, and cross-sectional analyses, published between 2000 and 2023. Key inclusion criteria focused on investigations involving both Alzheimer's disease and depression, encompassing a range of methodologies, including neuroimaging, epidemiological surveys, and clinical assessments. The analysis reveals compelling evidence of a bidirectional relationship, where depression serves as a potential precursor to Alzheimer's disease, and vice versa. Neurobiological mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter imbalances, and genetic predispositions, emerge as significant contributors to this complex association. Furthermore, psychosocial factors, such as chronic stress and social isolation, are identified as potential accelerators of cognitive decline in individuals with co-occurring depression and Alzheimer's. Additionally, therapeutic interventions targeting both conditions concurrently exhibit promising outcomes in mitigating cognitive decline and ameliorating depressive symptoms. Approaches encompassing cognitive behavioural therapy, pharmacological interventions, and lifestyle modifications demonstrate potential avenues for integrated treatment strategies. This review underscores the imperative for a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention for individuals presenting with symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment. Future research avenues should prioritize longitudinal studies with larger cohorts to delineate the causal pathways and further elucidate effective treatment modalities for this intricate comorbidity. By unravelling the complexities of the Alzheimer's-depression nexus, we pave the way for more targeted and comprehensive interventions to improve the lives of those affected by these debilitating conditions.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising frontier in the field of drug delivery, offering unprecedented opportunities for precise and targeted interventions in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. This review explores recent advancements in nanotechnology-based delivery systems designed to enhance drug transport across the blood-brain barrier and facilitate targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system. The unique challenges posed by the intricate central nervous system architecture, particularly in the context of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, necessitate innovative solutions to improve therapeutic outcomes. The review comprehensively discusses various nanocarrier platforms, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and exosomes, and their potential applications in drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). Special emphasis is placed on addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as the need for sustained drug release, protection of therapeutic agents from enzymatic degradation, and the efficient crossing of the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, the review highlights recent breakthroughs in nanotechnology-driven diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, ranging from early detection of disease biomarkers to the targeted delivery of neuroprotective agents. The potential of personalized medicine and the integration of advanced imaging techniques with nanotechnology for precise disease monitoring are also discussed. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in nanotechnology-based delivery systems tailored for CNS targeting, with a specific focus on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The synthesis of current research findings underscores the transformative potential of nanotechnology in reshaping the landscape of therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and the development of novel treatment modalities.

The continual deterioration of the structure and function of the nervous system is a major global health problem associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Gut-brain axis plays a significant role in linking gut microbiota to neurological function. Live microorganisms that benefit the host's health are called probiotics. These probiotics are increasingly recognized as beneficial for treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review investigates the impact of probiotics on neurodegenerative disorders, specifically focusing on conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. According to studies, probiotics have the power to alter the host's neuroimmune response, lower inflammation, and modify the composition of the gut microbiota. Studies have indicated a potential relationship between the stomach and the brain by connecting variations in the gut microbiota to neurodegenerative diseases. Probiotics can influence the gut flora, which leads to a reduction in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and other pathological processes linked with these conditions. This review also discusses how probiotics impact the central nervous system through mechanisms such as altered blood-brain barrier function, neurotrophic factor regulation, and neurotransmitter production. Based on preclinical and clinical data, probiotics are also highlighted as an adjunctive or prophylactic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. More research is needed to find the exact strains, dosages, and duration of probiotic therapies required to have the greatest neuroprotective effects, despite the good results thus far. It is also acknowledged that translating findings from animal studies to human applications can be challenging. With the ability to reduce the neuropathological features of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, probiotics provide a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative illnesses.

The influence of media on body image and the development of eating disorders (EDs) has gained increasing attention in contemporary society. This article offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between media exposure, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating behaviors. We commence by elucidating the foundational concepts of body image, EDs, and positive body image, underlining their significance for both mental and physical well-being. The three most common EDs: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (BED), provide an overview of their distinct characteristics. The article delves into the profound impact of media in shaping contemporary beauty ideals and propagating unrealistic body expectations. The cause-and-effect relationship between media messages and body dissatisfaction, with specific attention to the prevalence of this issue among females in Western cultures has been covered. Furthermore, we explore the potential predisposing factors associated with media exposure that contribute to the development of EDs. This review highlights the critical role of media literacy education in empowering individuals to critically analyse and interpret media content, enabling them to make informed decisions about their media consumption. In addition, an attempt has been made to provide insights into the future of media and its impact on body image, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to better understand the evolving media landscape. Educators are recognized as pivotal in nurturing healthy body image among students, and school-based interventions can significantly contribute to promoting self-esteem, positive body image, and healthy lifestyle choices.