Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

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
Del Ray Zimmerman, left, André Churchwell, MD, and Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, pose with the portrait of John Fryer, MD.
December 18, 2019

Portraits honor education, science, medicine pioneers

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine honored two pioneers for their historic contributions to education, science and medicine during a formal portrait unveiling at Langford Auditorium this week.

By Kathy Whitney
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
October 10, 2019

Study examines pain processing in co-occurring cancer, Alzheimer’s disease

A new multisite study will examine whether co-occurring Alzheimer’s disease and stage 4 breast or prostate cancer alters pain perception, potentially leading to undertreated cancer pain.
By Kelsey Herbers
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 18, 2019

How proteins spread linked to Alzheimer’s disease sex differences

The ways certain proteins spread may help explain why the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is higher in women than in men.
By Kelsey Herbers
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
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