The Serotonin Basis of Depression: Unraveling the Neurochemical Web
Written By: Dr. Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Depression, a pervasive and debilitating mental health disorder, has long been a subject of scientific inquiry. Among the myriad factors contributing to its complex etiology, serotonin, a neurotransmitter, has emerged as…
Pharmacogenetics-Guided Treatment for Depression: A Personalized Approach to Mental Health
Written by: Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD Depression is a complex mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide, with a myriad of contributing factors ranging from genetic predispositions to environmental stressors. Traditional approaches to treating depression often involve a trial-and-error method,…
FDA Approval of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Written by: Joao L. de Quevedo, MD, PhD The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of neuromodulation and mental health care….
Youth suicidality: What is it and what is UTHealth Houston Department of Psychiatry doing about it?
Written By: Meaghan Cowles, LCSW-S The month of September is known as suicide awareness month and a lot of attention is brought to the topic. Youth suicidality is when a young person, typically between the ages of 10 to 24…
Post-Concussive Depression – It’s real, it’s serious, and it happens a lot.
Written by: Deborah M. Little, PhD Scope of the problem: In the United States alone, there are an estimated 2.5 million new brain injuries each year. This number continues to increase as our surveillance of injuries continues to improve. Background:…
May the 4th be with you!
Written by: Katherine Miner, LCSW Yoda [points to a cave opening beneath a large tree] “That place… is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go.” Luke: “What’s in there?”…
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood
Written by: Amy K. Izuno-Garcia, PhD NCSP, Katherine A. Loveland, PhD Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood April is Autism Acceptance month. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by differences in social communication and interaction as well as…
Behavioral Therapy Plus Naltrexone-Bupropion Combination May Reduce Binge Eating
Written By: Dr. Luca Lavagnino Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It is characterized by recurrent (i.e. weekly) episodes of overeating with a sense of loss of control. It is often associated…
ECT and Brain Stimulation Programs
Written by: Dr. Luis Fernandez Depression is a real and tangible condition to an outside observer (I.E. the psychiatrist). The sufferer, however, might experience it as a sense of failure, lack of will, or something to blame on the self. …
Mental Health and Climate Change
Written By: Jose A. Arriola Vigo, MD, MPH Climate change is recognized as one of the top threats to global health in the 21st century. Its scale is massive and with inaction it continues to grow. Extreme weather events such…