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Methylphenidate stabilizes dynamic brain network organization during tasks probing attention and reward processing in stimulant-naïve children with ADHD

January 12, 2026
This study finds that when children with ADHD take stimulant medication for the first time the cross-talk between different parts of their brain becomes more stable and this is related to them paying better attention during a challenging task. This work helps us understand how stimulant medication for children with...

Factor Structure of RRBs in Verbal and Non-Verbal Preschoolers With ASD or Related Characteristics

January 12, 2026
Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core symptom of autism. The current diagnostic system separates RRBs into four domains. These findings suggest that, based on data driven methods, RRBs may be best understood as 3 domains in verbally-able individuals and 2 domains in non-verbal individuals.

Laying the groundwork for a culturally sensitive pediatric primary care eating disorders intervention for the Latino community: insights from focus groups

January 12, 2026
To improve access to care, we are developing and testing First Approach Skills Training- Disordered Eating (FAST-DE), a brief intervention to treat disordered eating in primary care settings. In this study, we conducted focus groups with adolescents and caregivers from the Latino community who had lived experience with disordered eating...

Youth Risk Index: Psychometrics, Predicting Initiation of Early Adolescent Substance Use, and Breadth of Liability Detected

January 12, 2026
This paper reported on a new screening tool for children that measures their risk for problematic substance use and other risky behaviors in adolescence. This screening allows children with high risk to receive prevention potentially years before they would otherwise begin problematic behavior.

Cross sectional multi-sample study of nonfatal overdose in adolescents and young adults in the fentanyl era

January 12, 2026
Levels of risk factors for opioids misuse and rates of substance use are reported for four distinct samples of adolescents and young adults from studies of the Helping End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative.

Open-label study of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Brexanolone in the treatment of adult women with postpartum psychosis

January 12, 2026
We trialed the use of a novel neuroactive steroid for the treatment of PPP.

The psychedelic psilocin suppresses activity of central amygdala corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 neurons and decreases ethanol drinking in female mice

January 12, 2026
This study reveals that psilocin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, reduces alcohol consumption in female mice by suppressing specific stress-related neurons in the brain. These findings offer new insight into the biological mechanisms that may allow psychedelic therapies to effectively treat alcohol use disorder.

Welcome Julia Taylor, LCSW!

January 7, 2026
Julia Taylor is a licensed clinical social worker who joined the department of psychiatry as a clinical instructor in 2025.  In her role as Psychoeducational Consultant with the Child and Family Guidance Program and Multidisciplinary Child Psychiatry Collaborative, Ms. Taylor works in conjunction with the child’s multidisciplinary treatment team and partners with the child, their families, and the child’s school. In this role, Ms. Taylor advocates for the child in...

Treating comorbid post-traumatic stress and depression in perinatal populations: findings from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

December 8, 2025
Post-traumatic stress (PTS) often occurs with depression but isn’t well studied in pregnant or postpartum people. This study looked at over 1,100 perinatal patients with depression and found that nearly 70% showed signs of PTS, especially those with lower income, less education, and more severe mental health symptoms. After an...

Implementing a Social Work–Led Hepatitis C Treatment Model for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders in Primary Care

December 8, 2025
This study found that a social work–led hepatitis C treatment program in a primary care clinic serving people with substance use disorders led to nearly half of eligible patients initiating treatment and over 85% achieving cure. The impact of social worker engagement, harm reduction counseling, and treatment-first approaches to care...