Category: Research Publications

Little prior research has linked blood biomarkers of traumatic brain injury with brain imaging assessment of white matter tracts. In the current study, we discovered two TBI biomarkers in white matter microstructural integrity, as assessed by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) gathered 2 weeks post trauma. The blood biomarker GFAP was associated...

A remotely-delivered telehealth intervention using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) improved mental health outcomes and psychological flexibility in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a degenerative condition affecting vision. After participating in a 6-week intervention, individuals with NMOSD and their caregivers reported better psychological functioning and ability to cope...

We find that these GLP-1 receptor agonist medications blunt the interoceptive effects of alcohol (i.e., the feelings one experiences when drinking) in rats. This could could contribute to reduced alcohol drinking that individuals report while on these medications.

Changes in an infant’s pupil size in response to social stimuli are associated with adaptive behaviors used for daily life.

This study found that female mice drank more alcohol and were more motivated to work for it than males, likely due in part to reduced sensitivity to alcohol’s sedative effects. Despite these behavioral differences, both sexes showed equal dependence on glutamate AMPA receptor activity for alcohol reinforcement, suggesting a shared...

This study found that voluntary alcohol drinking boosts the levels and activity of a specific glutamate receptor subunit (GluA2) in the brain’s reward center, the nucleus accumbens, strengthening the drug’s positive reinforcing effects. Blocking the function of these GluA2-containing receptors reduced alcohol-seeking behavior, suggesting a possible new target for treating...

Drugs of abuse, such as alcohol, can hijack the brain’s fundamental mechanisms for learning and memory to drive addiction. This study shows that a key protein in this process, TARP γ-8, is required for the rewarding effects of alcohol, identifying it as a promising new target for developing medications to...

The past decade has seen a 60% increase in the number of programs providing peer mental health support to college students and there is wide variation in availability, nature, and training requirements of these programs. This study aims to inform future development of peer mental health support for college students.

Telepsychiatry ”where doctors provide mental health consults remotely can effectively support emergency and inpatient care across rural hospitals. The program improved access, reduced wait times, and was well-received by both patients and providers.

This study explored how well the Patient Health Questionnaire-Adolescent (PHQ-A)—a common tool for detecting depression—works for adolescents in Malawi, especially those living with HIV. Through interviews, researchers found that while Malawian teens could answer the PHQ-A, some questions were confusing, highlighting the need to adapt depression screening tools to better...