Research

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In addition to helping patients find the optimal therapeutic approach to their mental health concerns, we provide patients and other mental healthcare providers with resources and research to expand their knowledge of effective treatment methods and groundbreaking developments in the world of psychiatry. Explore our library of content below.

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The Science and Pseudoscience of Women’s Mental Health Sharna Olfman, PhD

In this article, the interviewer speaks with Dr. Kelly Brogan, a leading voice in natural approaches to women’s mental health. With degrees from MIT and Weil Cornell Medical College, triple board certification in psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine and integrative holistic medicine, and direct experience practicing within the parameters of conventional psychiatry, Dr. Brogan is uniquely qualified to challenge the pseudoscience of the chemical imbalance theory and the drug regimens that it spawned. This conversation addressed Dr. Brogan’s grave concerns about the recent rollout of Zulresso (brexanolone), a drug specifically designed, and approved by the FDA for the treatment of Postpartum Depression.

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Advice to Young Psychiatrists From a Very Old One Allen Frances, MD

Dr. Allen Frances, former Chair of Department of Psychiatry, gives the 50 most important things he has learned in his 50 years studying psychiatry. This list is to better help young psychiatrists better advocate for their patients.

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The Best Foods for Vitamins and Minerals Matthew Sloan

The best approach to ensure you get a variety of vitamins and minerals, and in the proper amounts, is to adopt a broad healthy diet. This involves an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, low-fat protein, and dairy products. The good news is that many common foods contain multiple mineral and vitamin sources, so it is easy to meet your daily needs from everyday meals.

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How to End Migranes Mark Hyman , MD

More than 10 million Americans have migraines creating a burden of mostly unnecessary suffering. These severe, nearly disabling headaches can occur anywhere from once a year to three to four times a week. They can last from hours to days. Dr. Mark Hyman reveals that proper nutrition and gut health can have positive effects on reducing migraines. Food allergies, hormonal imbalances, chemical triggers, or a magnesium deficiency are often root causes of consistent migraines.

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Vitamin D and Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder Hajar Mazahery

A randomized-controlled trial conducted by Mazahery, Hajar, Conlon, Kathryn, et al evaluated the efficacy of vitamin D (VID), omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LCPUFA, OM), or both (VIDOM) on core symptoms of ASD. New Zealand children with ASD (n = 73; aged 2.5-8.0 years) received daily 2000 IU vitamin D3, 722 mg docosahexaenoic acid, both, or placebo. Outcome measures were Social Responsiveness Scale and Sensory Processing Measure. Of the 42 outcome measures comparisons, two showed greater improvements and four showed trends for greater improvements. Omega-3 LCPUFA with and without Vitamin D may improve some core symptoms of ASD but no definitive conclusions were made in this study.

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Open Dialogue: A New Approach to Mental Healthcare | Psychology Today Dr. Tom Stockmann, Psychiatrist

The development of Open Dialogue is linked to evidence of its superiority to normal treatment of acute psychosis. After 5 years (1992–1997) of Open Dialogue treatment in Lapland, 81 % of participants had no remaining psychotic symptoms and 81% had returned to full employment. Only 35 % had used antipsychotic drugs (Seikkula et al., 2006). Similar results emerged from Tornio between 2003 and 2005. In the UK, only 20% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia would be expected to be symptom free after 5 years, with close to 100% of all patients with psychosis receiving antipsychotics.

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Questions and Answers about the NIMH Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) Study — All Medication Levels

The overall goal of the STAR*D trial, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, was to assess the effectiveness of depression treatments in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, in both primary and specialty care settings. It is the largest and longest study ever conducted to evaluate depression treatment. Each of the four levels of the study tested a different medication or medication combination. The primary goal of each level was to determine if the treatment used during that level could adequately treat participants’ major depressive disorder (MDD). Those who did not become symptom-free could proceed to the next level of treatment.

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Long-term antipsychotic treatment and brain volumes: a longitudinal study of first-episode schizophrenia Dr. Beng-Choon Ho

Progressive brain volume changes in schizophrenia are thought to be due principally to the disease. However, recent animal studies indicate that antipsychotics, the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia patients, may also contribute to brain tissue volume decrement. Because antipsychotics are prescribed for long periods for schizophrenia patients and have increasingly widespread use in other psychiatric disorders, it is imperative to determine their long-term effects on the human brain.

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Nutraceuticals for Depression Robert D. McMullen, MD

Dr. Robert McMullen discusses the impact of a variety of well-known supplements and nutraceuticals and their impact on patients with depression.

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How Antipsychotics Work From Receptor to Reality Shitij Kapur

How does a small molecule blocking a few receptors change a patients’ passionately held paranoid belief that the FBI is out to get him? Normal dopamine transmission has a role in predicting novel rewards and in marking and responding to motivationally salient stimuli. Abnormal dopamine transmission alters these processes and results in an aberrant sense of novelty and inappropriate assignment of salience leading to the experience of psychosis. Antipsychotics improve psychosis by diminishing this abnormal transmission by blocking the dopamine D2/3 receptor (not D1 or D4), and although several brain regions may be involved, it is suggested that the ventral striatal regions (analog of the nucleus accumbens in animals) may have a particularly critical role.

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Benzodiazepine Equivalence Table Professor C Heather Ashton, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology at the University of Newcastle
This Benzodiazepine Equivalence Table is based on the extensive research and clinical experience of Professor C Heather Ashton, DM, FRCP, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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Non-ionizing Radio Frequency Radiation’s Affect on Learning
New research links non-ionizing radio frequency radiation from wireless devices we use to biologic harm and adverse effects on behavior, memory and learning.
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