Popular GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs (GLP-1 RAs) for weight loss appear to be similarly effective among patients of different ages, races, and starting weight, with women benefiting somewhat more than men, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The latest issues of two American Psychiatric Association journals (The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services) are now available online.

About The Study: The findings of this study show a broad increase in insufficient sleep across all demographic groups, driven largely by increasing reports of very short sleep (5 hours or less). Notably, insufficient sleep increased as much or more among students without behavioral risks, suggesting that structural and environmental factors affecting most adolescents, rather than specific behaviors such as electronic media use, substance use, or sedentary activity, are contributing to wide spread sleep loss. These trends highlight the need for population-level rather than targeted interventions.

About The Study: This study found stark disparities in birth outcomes by poverty status, with inequities growing for low birth weight in recent years. These disparities point to the need for more support during pregnancy and birth for low-income families. Antipoverty policies can provide needed resources to promote better maternal and child health, although the availability and generosity of these programs vary across states. 

About The Study: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) produced greater weight loss among women than men; however, their efficacy was consistent across other important subpopulations. These findings may inform clinical decision-making. 

About The Study: Per the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis, daily screen time has a small but significant within-person correlation with later sleep onset; however, short-term daily fluctuations in screen time appear to have minimal impact on sleep duration, efficiency, or quality. Screen time may delay bedtime but is not inherently detrimental to other aspects of sleep health in youth, contrasting with between-person studies showing stronger adverse associations. 

About The Study: This pilot randomized clinical trial established feasibility, confirmed safety and tolerability, and generated effect size estimates for future trials of low-dose lithium in mild cognitive impairment. None of the coprimary outcomes met the prespecified significance threshold.

About The Study: In patients with atrial fibrillation and a recent stroke history, standard therapy plus catheter ablation did not significantly reduce the risk of the primary composite end point. The observed event rate was lower than anticipated, suggesting that the study was underpowered to detect clinically meaningful differences.

An exploratory clinical trial from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that low‑dose oral lithium may help slow the decline of verbal memory, or ability to remember and recall words and sentences, in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, particularly among those with evidence of amyloid beta—one of the hallmark biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.