News Mentions for the week of December 4, 2023

Sunk costs are investments we cannot recover, whether in time, money, effort, or even emotional energy. They drive us to irrational behaviors and decisions, making us value things more because of what we've already lost in pursuing them. Neir Eshel, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is mentioned in this article about the study.

We’ve all dealt with nightmares at some point, but what causes them to return? Learn more about the theories behind recurring nightmares and how they can be treated. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Karl Deisseroth, the D. H. Chen Professor and a professor of bioengineering and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, has created a super-charged, multidisciplinary in-patient research program and laboratory to better understand neuropsychiatric disorders — and share those discoveries with the world. Sam Vesuna, resident in psychiatry, Carolyn Rodriguez, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Robert Malenka, Nancy Friend Pritzker professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, as well as colleagues Michelle Monje, professor of neurology, the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Oncology, and Paul Nuyujukian, assistant professor of bioengineering and of neurosurgery, are quoted in this article about the new program.

As non-invasive brain stimulation—variations of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)—continues to evolve and is administered to a growing number of patients with depression (and other illnesses, including OCD), researchers seek to understand how and why it is able to help reduce symptoms in patients who respond positively. Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT) and Nolan Williams, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, are mentioned in this article on related research.

Statistics from the National Institutes of Health indicate that drug overdose deaths in the United States have more than doubled since 2015. Since 2000, they’ve increased fivefold. There’s a perception that drug overdoses primarily affect younger adults. However, the epidemic of drug overdose deaths has also affected older adults. In US adults aged 65 years and older, deaths have quadrupled in the last two decades, according to recently published research. Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

For some people, the holiday blues make them feel extra-stressed, sad or anxious during Christmastime. Here's what to know. David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Even for young adults who seemingly have every financial or educational advantage, the current economic and political climate can fuel distress. Michele Berk, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

A novel screening tool helps to identify hospitalized trauma patients at high risk for later mental health problems, and an emotional recovery program for trauma patients is feasible, according to two studies published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS). Eve Carlson, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

Daniel Mason, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, discusses his new book, "North Woods" in this Alta article.

At Quai 9 in Geneva, safe equipment and healthcare have cut overdoses and illnesses. But around the world, opinion is divided on whether such projects really work. Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

Study findings may lead to new clinical laboratory tests, as well as vaccines and immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Emmanuel Mignot, the Craig Reynolds Professor of sleep medicine in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

If you wake at night and worry, you're far from alone. But these experts say if you've ever had good sleep, you can get back to it — just steer clear of these misconceptions. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Today on AirTalk - hypnosis has been used to treat many ailments, but it still has a reputation to battle. David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed.