Recent Publications

Prevalence and clinical correlates of cognitive impairment in adults with plasma cell disorders

This is one of the first studies to describe cognitive impairment in patients with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. We found that cancer-related factors and other medical conditions were associated with objectively tested cognitive impairment and psychosocial and functional factors were associated with patient-reported cognitive impairment.

Methods for characterizing ovarian and adrenal hormone variability and mood relationships in peripubertal females.

Results from the present study (funded by the Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness) demonstrated that a substantial proportion of peripubertal females (ages 11-14, within 1 year post-menarche) showed weekly mood changes tied to estrone (57%) and testosterone (37%) flux. This is an important first step in understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms … Continued

Increased alcohol self-administration following repeated Toll-like receptor 3 agonist treatment in male and female rats

This study shows that repeated activation of the neuroimmune system can drive escalations in alcohol drinking in rats.

The impact of adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure on interneurons and their surrounding perineuronal nets in adulthood

Binge drinking is a common pattern of alcohol drinking during adolescence. Using rats, we determined that binge levels of alcohol in adolescence persistently altered perineuronal nets, extracellular structures in the brain, in brain regions important for decision making. This paper adds to a growing body of knowledge around how adolescent binge drinking can be harmful … Continued

Pathological Dissociation in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R): Prevalence, Morbidity, Comorbidity, and Childhood Maltreatment

The study examines the national prevalence of pathological dissociation in a nationally representative sample (N= 6,644) of the U.S. population.

Transcriptome-wide association study for postpartum depression implicates altered B-cell activation and insulin resistance

We identified B-cell specific transcriptional changes in women with PPD compared to controls. These changes are partially mediated by genetic variation.

Exploring Mental Health and Academic Outcomes of Children Receiving Non-manualized, Transdiagnostic, Task-Shifted Mental Health Care From Their Teachers in a Low-and-Middle Income Country

In this study, children’s mental health symptoms improved after receiving mental health care from their teachers. We also see evidence to support that academic outcomes, specifically math achievement, may have improved for children after they received task-shifted care from their teachers.

Neurocognition after motor vehicle collision and adverse post-traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae within 8 weeks: Initial findings from the AURORA study

This study examined the relationship between neurocognitive performance after a car accident and the development of adverse post-traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS) within 8 weeks. Poorer processing speed and poorer short-term memory were found to be associated with the development of some APNS. These results suggest that processing speed and short-term memory may be useful to … Continued

Prior differences in previous trauma exposure primarily drive the observed racial/ethnic differences in post-trauma depression and anxiety following a recent trauma

The richness of the AURORA study offered an opportunity to understand why racial/ethnic groups show differences in the prevalence of trauma-related disorders. We observed that Black participants show reduced depression and anxiety symptoms after trauma, despite greater burden of structural inequities, suggestive of psychological resilience to trauma. However, White participants endorsed more prior traumas which … Continued

Strategies Utilized to Prevent and Control SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Two Congregate, Psychiatric Healthcare Settings During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial effect on the delivery of psychiatric healthcare. Inpatient psychiatric healthcare facilities have experienced outbreaks of COVID-19, making these areas particularly vulnerable.