Recent Publications

Orbitofrontal cortex drives predictive filtering of sensory responses.

Reduced sensory habituation—the brain’s ability to filter out repetitive, irrelevant stimuli— is commonly found in neurodevelopmental disorders. We found that predictive signals from the orbitofrontal cortex to the primary auditory cortex actively drive this process, providing insights into the neural basis of impaired habituation.

Remission is insufficient: predictors and mechanistic models of recurrence in late-life depression

This review examines factors influencing the recurrence of depressive episodes following remission in LLD, focusing on cognitive, behavioral, social, environmental, and neuroimaging influences. It further proposes possible mechanisms contributing to recurrence, including physiological and behavioral responses to stressors, the influence of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology, and conceptualizing repeat depressive episodes within the accelerated aging hypothesis of … Read more

Pilot randomized controlled trial of Bolster, an mHealth intervention for caregivers to young people with early psychosis.

In this pilot randomized controlled trial, our team evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention for caregivers to youth at risk for psychosis, called Bolster. Results suggested that Bolster was feasible to deliver, acceptable to this population, and demonstrated promising effectiveness in improving family communication, reducing caregiver distress, and increasing … Read more

Characterizing the spectrum of distress symptoms in midlife women with perimenopausal depression

This study compared late-perimenopausal women with and without perimenopausal-onset major depressive disorder (PO-MDD) to examine patterns of depression, anxiety, temperament, and menopausal symptoms. Women with PO-MDD showed significantly higher levels of irritability, anxiety, negative temperament, and overall menopausal distress, suggesting that screening for anxiety and related symptoms is important when assessing depression during perimenopause.

Seven Desiderata for Ethical Frameworks for AI Mental Health Agents

We offer 7 observations regarding use of AI chatbots for mental health and emotional support and 7 desiderata that any ethical framework for monitoring and regulating such chatbots should meet. We then illustrate how these desiderata help in assessing frameworks by using them to assess a recent paper by Serife Tekin and Megan Delehanty on … Read more

Associations Between Neurobehavioral Symptoms During Breast Cancer Chemotherapy and Patient-Reported Cognitive Impairment 3 or More Years After Chemotherapy

Many women treated for early-stage breast cancer report ongoing problems with memory and thinking years after chemotherapy. In this study, nearly 40% of survivors reported long-term cognitive concerns, and those who experienced depression, anxiety, or fatigue during chemotherapy were significantly more likely to have these difficulties years later—highlighting the importance of monitoring and addressing these … Read more

Brexanolone infusion produces sustained anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects in patients with postpartum depression that predict symptom improvement

Postpartum depression (PPD) is linked to neuroimmune dysregulation. Brexanolone, an intravenous formulation of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone and the first FDA-approved treatment for PPD, produces rapid and sustained antidepressant effects. However, its long-term mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study evaluated brexanolone’s prolonged impact on two groups of biomarkers in whole blood: inflammatory mediators and growth/differentiation/neurotrophic … Read more

Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state is associated with increased posttraumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as an accident or assault. Symptoms can include flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress, which significantly impact daily life. This study explores how changes in brain activity after trauma can predict future symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS). We examined data from 275 … Read more

Novel methods for detecting hormone sensitive affective dysregulation in regularly cycling women: A proof-of-concept study

This proof-of-concept study examined whether simpler, less invasive methods could identify women who are sensitive to normal fluctuations in ovarian hormones, a factor believed to contribute to mood disorders such as perinatal depression. Researchers tested a shortened seven-day hormone challenge and prospective menstrual cycle mood tracking, finding that these approaches may offer practical alternatives to … Read more

Translational Team Science (TTS) Award: Congratulations, Dr. Wu!

Dr. Guorong Wu was part of an interdisciplinary team that was just awarded a SOM Team Science grant for the project “Energy allocation between brain and periphery in children with and without obesity.” Pediatric obesity is increasingly viewed as a brain-related condition, as higher BMI in children is linked to structural and functional brain differences, … Read more