depression

December 5, 2019

Study reveals mysteries of critical brain receptor complex

Poorly functioning AMPARs have been linked to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders including seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, major depression and autism spectrum disorder. Understanding how AMPARs are formed and operate is essential for the rational design of pharmacological compounds that, by tuning AMPAR activity up or down, could improve treatment of these conditions.

By Bill Snyder
Max Joffe, PhD, left, P. Jeffrey Conn, PhD, and colleagues are studying a new class of antidepressants that may relieve symptoms more rapidly and with fewer side effects.
November 21, 2019

Study explores potential new class of antidepressants

Researchers at VUMC have taken a major step that could ultimately facilitate development of a new class of antidepressants which may relieve symptoms more rapidly and effectively and with fewer side effects than current medications.

By Bill Snyder
July 25, 2019

Study ‘ignites’ link between genes and drug response

A national study is seeking to determine whether genetic testing can help physicians choose the best drugs for their patients to relieve pain and depression.

By Bill Snyder
March 28, 2019

Treatment resistance of mental disorders studied

With the aid of a four-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) will apply new techniques to investigate treatment resistance of two devastating mental disorders — major depressive disorder, which befalls 15 percent of people at some point in their lives, and schizophrenia, which affects approximately 1 percent.

By Paul Govern
October 1, 2018

Cytokine-cognition connection

Targeting the immune system may provide a new avenue for therapeutic intervention in psychiatric diseases characterized by motivational and cognitive deficits.

By Laura Daniel
September 6, 2018

Nicotine patch shows promise in treating late-life depression

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center pilot study of treating late-life depression in nonsmokers with transdermal nicotine (nicotine patch) has yielded some promising results, but the study’s author cautions that more study is needed.

By Nancy Humphrey
June 14, 2018

Shared genetics may shape treatment options for certain brain disorders

Symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including psychosis, depression and manic behavior, have both shared and distinguishing genetic factors, an international consortium led by researchers from Vanderbilt University and Virginia Commonwealth University is reporting.
By Bill Snyder
March 29, 2018

Becker driven to help improve quality of patients’ lives

Jonathan Becker, DO, the medical director overseeing Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital’s electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) program, spends a fair amount of time explaining to patients what electroconvulsive therapy is not.
By Nancy Humphrey
September 5, 2017

Pain and Alzheimer’s disease

Clinicians should use a structured interview in people with Alzheimer’s disease to identify pain that might be otherwise overlooked.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 2, 2017

Clues found to recurrent depression

Women who have had repeated depressive episodes tend to pay more attention to negative emotional information, suggesting that they may benefit from cognitive therapy to build new, more positive pathways in their brains.
By Bill Snyder
January 13, 2017

Learn how to help older adults with mental health issues Jan. 18

If you care for parents or elders and are concerned they may be dealing with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, you’ll want to attend January’s Boomers, Elders & More session.
By VUMC News and Communications
November 23, 2016

Reducing antidepressants’ side effects

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered how antidepressant medicines that block serotonin uptake can increase bleeding risk.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 13, 2016

Antidepressants’ heart impact less than expected: study

A Vanderbilt University study published today in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry may help patients prescribed higher doses of certain antidepressants feel better about attributed cardiac risks.
By Paul Govern
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