Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

November 6, 2025

Inflammatory marker could predict response to therapy in bladder pain syndrome

Patients with chronic bladder pain syndrome who had higher baseline levels of the inflammatory molecule IL-1beta had greater overall improvement following cognitive behavioral therapy.

By Georgia Caso
October 22, 2025

Behind the curtain: Secrets of the volatile, delusional brain 

The VUMC approach, based on the “Feeling Safe Program” developed by British psychologist Daniel Freeman, targets specific factors that contribute to persecutory delusions, including worry, safety behaviors, avoidance and hallucinations (such as hearing voices).

By Bill Snyder
(iStock)
June 25, 2025

Study unravels the neurobiological mechanism of psychomotor disturbance in psychiatric disorders

Key takeaways of the new study include grip strength as an important metric of cognitive health and default mode network connectivity as a marker of well-being — both in early psychosis.

By Danny Bonvissuto
June 6, 2025

New study highlights potential boost to brain stimulation therapy through targeted symptom provocation

This is the first large-scale meta-analysis to examine whether deliberately triggering symptoms immediately before administering rTMS enhances treatment outcomes.

By Danny Bonvissuto
June 2, 2025

Landmark bequest from Charlotte and Donald Test Jr. to advance psychiatry research

Named for Donald Test’s late sons, and Charlotte’s stepsons, the Henry and William Test Endowment Fund will bolster the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences’ expansive research portfolio, promising a secure funding source for pathbreaking discoveries in areas such as schizophrenia, coordinated care models, brain imaging and neuromodulation.

By Sarah Wolf
Patient Sekou Toure works on a painting during a Recovery Art Workshop at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
May 16, 2025

Healing Through Expression: Young Adults’ Journey in Recovery Art Workshop (slideshow)

The class was created by a specialty team that works with young adults who have experienced their first hospitalization or episode of psychosis within the past two years.

By Danny Bonvissuto
February 13, 2025

VUMC mourns loss of George Bolian, MD, professor emeritus of Psychiatry

He served in many capacities in the department, including residency training director, medical director of the Psychiatric Hospital, division director, vice chair and interim chair.
By Danny Bonvissuto
January 3, 2025

AI tested for alerting clinicians of suicide risk at three VUMC clinics

At neurology clinics the system was used to flag 8% of arriving patients as having relatively high risk for suicide attempt in the next 30 days.
By Paul Govern
December 31, 2024

Harold Jordan, VUMC’s first African American resident, who forged a career in academia and public service, dies at 87

Dr. Jordan was "a Vanderbilt and a civil rights legend."
By Wayne Wood
December 5, 2024

Academy for Excellence in Clinical Medicine selects 25 new members

The AECM was formed in 2021 to “honor exemplary clinicians who combine humanism, professionalism and a passion for patient care with a scholarly approach to improving patient health and establish a community of leaders to promote clinical excellence.”
By VUMC News and Communications
November 14, 2024

Four elected to American Pediatric Society

The APS was the first North American honorary society for academic pediatricians. Members are recognized for leadership, teaching, research and contributions at an international level.
By Christina Echegaray
November 8, 2024

People with schizophrenia show distinct brain activity when faced with conflicting information

Researchers introduce a biomarker to indicate whether someone is struggling with the inflexible thinking associated with the disorder.
By Joseph Caputo
September 4, 2024

Groundbreaking study links cognition and brain networks before the first psychotic break

Early detection opens the door to intervention via noninvasive neuromodulation for those with treatment-resistant symptoms of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
By Danny Bonvissuto
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