Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Archive

January 9, 2014

Brain-gut connection in autism

An association between rigid-compulsive behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder may point to a common biological pathway that impacts both the brain and the gut.

By Leigh MacMillan
December 16, 2013

Cancer drug enhances cognition

The breast cancer drug tamoxifen improves cognitive performance in post-menopausal women.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 27, 2013

Autism narrows brain’s reward response

MRI brain scans reveal that children with autism spectrum disorders respond to a narrower range of familiar rewards.

By VUMC News and Communications
September 5, 2013

Study examines physician behaviors

A study of 381 non-Vanderbilt physicians referred to the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Assessment Program has shown that those referred for mental health, substance abuse and improper sexual boundary issues are less likely to receive a fit for duty recommendation than those referred for disruptive behavior.

By Nancy Humphrey
August 27, 2013

Study examines problem physician behaviors

A study of 381 non-Vanderbilt physicians referred to the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Assessment Program (VCAP) in the Department of Psychiatry has shown that those referred for mental health, substance abuse and improper sexual boundary issues are less likely to receive a fit for duty recommendation than those referred for disruptive behavior.

By Nancy Humphrey
David Street, M.D.
June 27, 2013

National Alliance on Mental Illness honors VU’s Street

David Street, M.D., assistant professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has received an Exemplary Psychiatrist award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

By Nancy Humphrey
June 7, 2013

Autism speeds motion perception

Children with autism spectrum disorder are better at perceiving the motion of certain objects than are typically developing children their age.
By Bill Snyder
April 18, 2013

Clinic helps foster recovery from initial psychotic breaks

Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital’s Psychotic Disorders Clinic has become a leader in the region for the initial assessment and treatment of young adults suffering from their first psychotic break.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 21, 2013

New holders of endowed chairs honored

Seven Vanderbilt University faculty members named to endowed chairs were honored for outstanding academic achievements March 19 during a celebration at the Student Life Center.
By Bill Snyder
March 4, 2013

Gene ‘dose’ may be key to autism

Individuals with overexpression of the gene MECP2 have core features of autism spectrum disorder.
By Bill Snyder
February 16, 2012

Memory intact in early psychosis

Brain deficits are not present in the early stages of schizophrenia, suggesting it may be possible to delay or prevent the development of brain abnormalities.
By Leigh MacMillan