On the twelfth day of Christmas, Division of Psychiatry gave to me... a snapshot of the incredible work published by colleagues throughout 2025. 

  1. Social disadvantage accelerates aging
    This large-scale study demonstrated that socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to faster biological aging, reinforcing the role of social determinants in health and longevity.

    Kivimäki M et al. Published in Nature Med, May 2025. 

  2. Mortality and hospital admissions in people with eating disorders: longitudinal cohort study
    This study reports elevated mortality and hospitalisation rates among individuals with eating disorders, stressing the urgency for early detection and comprehensive care.

    Jeffery A, Hayes JF et al. Published in BJPsych, June 2025. 

  3. Examining the feasibility of a crisis-focused CBT-informed psychological intervention for inpatients experiencing psychosis (CRISIS study)
    The pilot RCT demonstrated that crisis-focused CBT is feasible and acceptable for inpatients with psychosis, suggesting potential for improving acute care interventions.

    Wood L, Johnson S et al. Published in E Clinical Medicine, July 2025. 

  4. Assisted dying, complex systems, and global equity in palliative care
    The article argues that assisted dying debates must consider global inequities in palliative care access, advocating for systemic improvements before policy changes.

    Sallnow L et al. Published in The Lancet, January 2025

  5. The association between relapse and the outcome of schizophrenia and recurrent psychotic disorders
    This clinical trial found that relapse significantly worsens long-term outcomes in schizophrenia and related disorders, underscoring the need for relapse prevention strategies in treatment planning.

    Moncrieff J, et al. Published in BJPsych, October 2025. 

  6. Mapping the pathway and support offered to children with an intellectual disability referred to specialist mental health services in the UK
    This study revealed fragmented care pathways and inconsistent support for children with intellectual disabilities, highlighting the need for integrated and equitable mental health services.

    Totsika V, Yang Z et al. Published in BJPsych, June 2025.

  7. Longitudinal association between neighborhood-level social capital and incidence of major psychiatric disorders in Sweden
    Results show that higher social capital at the neighbourhood level is associated with lower incidence of psychiatric disorders, emphasising community factors in mental health prevention.

    Song-Chase A, Dykxhoorn J, Kirkbride JB et al. Published in Nature Mental Health, October 2025.

  8. A multiperspective investigation of the underrepresentation of minoritized ethnic participants in dementia research and strategies to improve inclusive recruitment
    The paper identified systemic barriers to participation and proposed actionable strategies such as targeted recruitment campaigns and inclusive research programmes, to enhance diversity in dementia research.

    Marchant, N et al. Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, April 2025. 

  9. Sex and gender in palliative and end-of-life care: A service evaluation and qualitative analysis
    Findings show gender-related disparities in palliative care experiences, suggesting services need to adopt more inclusive and tailored approaches.

    F Hudson B, White N et al. Published in Palliative Care and Social Practice, July 2025. 

  10. Polygenic risks and cardiovascular treatment effects in severe mental illness
    This study found that genetic risk profiles may influence cardiovascular treatment outcomes in patients with severe mental illness, pointing toward personalised medicine approaches.

    Yao K, McQuillin A et al. Published in Psychiatric Genetics, December 2025. 

  11. Cut-points and gray zones: Challenges of integrating Alzheimer’s disease plasma biomarkers into clinical practice
    Authors emphasise the complexity of applying plasma biomarkers clinically due to variability and diagnostic uncertainty, calling for standardised protocols before widespread adoption.

    Hazan J, Liu KY, Howard R. et al. Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, March 2025. 

  12. Patient and clinician perspectives on pharmacogenetic testing for antipsychotics
    The research highlights strong interest but mixed confidence in pharmacogenetic testing, indicating a need for education and evidence-based implementation in psychiatry.

    Richards-Brown M, Wei Y, et al. Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, October 2025.