Heather Burrell Ward

(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
After connecting the dots between cognitive impairment and brain network organization in people diagnosed with psychotic disorders, researchers discovered the same link in those who hadn’t had their first psychotic episode.
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
February 29, 2024

Study targets nicotine craving in schizophrenia

Vanderbilt’s Heather Burrell Ward, MD, has received a five-year, $928,000 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to test whether an externally applied magnetic field can reduce nicotine craving in people with schizophrenia.

By Bill Snyder