Department of Psychiatry

April 8, 2020

Self-care crucial for providers during pandemic

High levels of stress and anxiety can be debilitating, especially for health care providers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are ways they can protect themselves and their ability to provide the best and most compassionate care.

By Bill Snyder
March 23, 2020

Report sheds light on U.S. behavioral health crisis

A growing need for behavioral health services compounded by limited access to care has created a health crisis in the United States, according to a report issued by leaders of academic health centers across the country.

By Kelsey Herbers
February 13, 2020

VUMC-led study set to explore risk factors for depression recurrence

VUMC researchers are conducting a five-year multisite trial to explore potential methods for predicting which patients may have a worse course of depression or are most vulnerable to recurrent episodes.

By Kelsey Herbers
February 12, 2020

Study seeks link between menopause, Alzheimer’s

Beginning this month, researchers from VUMC and the University of Vermont are launching a study to examine whether cognitive changes that occur at menopause for some women are related to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

By Kelsey Herbers
January 15, 2020

VUMC study to use artificial intelligence to explore suicide risk

Investigators will use computational methods to shed light on suicidal ideation and its relationship to attempted suicide, predict suicidal ideation and suicide attempt using routine electronic health records (EHRs) and explore the genetic underpinnings of both.

By Paul Govern
January 15, 2020

Study sheds light on link between cannabis, anxiety and stress

A molecule produced by the brain that activates the same receptors as marijuana is protective against stress by reducing anxiety-causing connections between two brain regions.

By Kelsey Herbers
December 20, 2019

Reversing stress-related anxiety

Inhibiting COX-2 — an enzyme associated with inflammation — could provide a novel therapeutic approach for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
By VUMC News and Communications
November 27, 2019

Study finds ‘frozen’ fear response may underlie PTSD

To explore how fear becomes entrenched, VUMC researchers traveled down the precise neuronal pathways in the brains of mice that trigger fear responses, and which normally extinguish the behaviors once the danger has passed.
By Bill Snyder
September 10, 2019

Relational memory in early psychosis

Studies of relational memory function may reveal novel mechanisms for therapeutic intervention for patients in the early stages of psychosis.
By Kelsey Herbers
August 7, 2019

Psychiatric Hospital debuts new inpatient unit for psychotic disorders

Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital has opened a new inpatient unit focused primarily on patients in the early stage of a psychotic disorder and on patients who need the most comprehensive diagnostic clarity and close monitoring.
By Kelsey Herbers
July 24, 2019

Defective transporter linked to autism

A first-of-its-kind mouse model may help reveal mechanistic underpinnings for the altered behaviors of autism spectrum disorder.
By Bill Snyder
July 11, 2019

Working memory in psychotic disorders

Functional MRI studies have revealed that targeting activation of certain brain regions may improve working memory and cognition in psychotic disorders.
By Kelsey Herbers
June 24, 2019

Early detection of schizophrenia

Inhibited temperament — a tendency to respond to novelty with wariness, fear or caution — may be a risk factor for schizophrenia that could be targeted for preventative interventions.
By Leigh MacMillan