A bipolar Ph.D. neuroscientist explores the neural basis of suicidal thoughts and behaviors — The shocking suicide of attorney and former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst a little over a month ago has prompted renewed attention to mental health issues, both generally and within the legal profession. I know the pressures of the job. …

Individualized neuromodulation could help sufferers of major depression who don’t respond to traditional treatments. — As the doctor gave her a physical exam, Mary* was unable to maintain eye contact. Although her depression had left her with a limited range of emotions, she still struggled to keep from crying. “Restricted and tearful affect,” wrote the examining physician. The results of her physical examination and routine…

If you don’t have carbs on you you’re no good to me — Like many people in the time of COVID-19, I’d put on a few pounds. I’d gone beyond adding my normal layer of winter padding to having to rotate between the two outfits I had left that fit. And when I say they didn’t fit, I mean they physically hurt to…

And shame on you for suggesting them. — You’ve seen the articles. “15 Foods That Are Bad for You,” or “Stop Eating This You Fat Slob.” They’re usually written by a registered dietitian or nutritionist and contain such groundbreaking revelations as “too much sugar is bad for you,” and “bacon is a bullet that you eat.” They then…

A guided mindfulness-based stress reduction program was found to be comparable in efficacy to Escitalopram (Lexapro®) for treating anxiety disorders. — Deep inside our brains lies an almond-shaped structure called the amygdala. It lies at the center of primordial circuitry designed to help us respond to danger. Unfortunately, the same circuitry that primed our hominid ancestors for responding to a lion jumping out of the brush now kicks off the same…

Professor Remus Lupin’s lycanthropy is an apt metaphor for bipolar disorder — It’s Halloween again. When thoughts turn to witches, ghosts, and fantastic creatures. The sorts of preternatural beings that make up the world of Harry Potter. And among them, one of my favorite characters: Remus Lupin. Lupin is a wizard who was attacked by a werewolf as a child. The attack…

A subclass of adrenergic agonists provide pain relief without addiction or sedation. — Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took steps to foster the development of non-addictive alternatives to opioids by issuing a draft guidance to companies developing non-opioid analgesics with recommendations for how to best approach their drug development and labeling strategies. “Opioid misuse and abuse remain a…

Targeting IL2, IL12, and IL13 in the brain may be key to treating “COVID brain.” — COVID-19 patients can develop a number of neurological symptoms during the acute phase of the disease. These include loss of smell, cognitive problems, headaches, dizziness, and even delirium, which is characterized by severe cognitive disturbances such as altered consciousness, altered attention, and confusion. In fact, 20–30 percent of COVID-19 patients…

Findings may improve understanding of depression and lead to better treatments. — The rapidly developing field of neuromodulation has provided hope for alternatives to traditional drug-based treatments for mood disorders. Research has shown that these noninvasive procedures can be effective in relieving symptoms of depression and improving quality of life. Unfortunately, uncertainty remains about which brain areas to target.