News Mentions for the week of February 20, 2023

Our experts are often called upon to provide insight on current events and topics in the news. Here are some of the articles Stanford Psychiatry faculty have been interviewed for in recent weeks.

  • American Psychiatric Assocation

    Sepideh Bajestan selected as a recipient of the 2022-2023 Irma Bland, MD Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Residents

    The Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents recognizes American Psychiatric Association members who have made outstanding and sustaining contributions to resident education in psychiatry. Congratulations, Dr. Bajestan!

  • TRT World Now

    Türkiye earthquakes: The impact of earthquakes on children

    For over a million victims of the earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria, the future remains uncertain. From the battle to secure housing and employment to losing out on critical education, the trail of trauma left behind in the ruins is yet to be fully assessed. Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed.

  • From Our Neurons to Yours

    Is Addiction a Disease?

    What makes addiction a disease? We all know at this point that addiction is another major epidemic that is sweeping our country and the world, but there are few topics that are more misunderstood than addiction. In fact, some people question whether addiction is even truly a disease. To delve into this question of why neuroscientists and health policy experts do think of addiction as a disease, the "From Our Neurons to Yours" podcast team spoke with Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, who is a leading expert on the addiction epidemic.

  • Earth.com

    Do animals have "mirror neurons" that spark aggression?

    Now, a team of researchers led by Stanford University has found that, in male mice, mirror neurons located in the hypothalamus – an evolutionary ancient part of the brain – play a fundamental role in structuring aggressive behaviors. The experts discovered that the same neurons become activated when mice are fighting and when they are watching a fight. These findings hint at a more primal origin for these types of neurons than previously thought. Nirao Shah, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of neurobiology, and by courtesy of obstetrics and gynecology, is quoted.

  • News-Medical.net

    Study may elucidate metformin's potential role in longevity through DNA methylation

    Metformin, a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic medication, has repeatedly been shown to hinder aging in pre-clinical models and to be associated with lower mortality for humans. It is, however, not well understood how metformin can potentially prolong lifespan from a biological standpoint. In a recent study, researchers hypothesized that metformin's potential mechanism of action for longevity is through its epigenetic modifications. Gen Shinozaki, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is a co-author.

  • The Stanford Daily

    Stanford researchers find oxytocin receptors not necessary for social attachment

    In a recent study of prairie voles, researchers found that oxytocin — long thought to play a vital role in social attachment — is not necessary for this behavior and saw that the rodents still exhibited social monogamy, even without oxytocin receptors. Nirao Shah, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of neurobiology, and by courtesy of obstetrics and gynecology, and Shah lab members are quoted.

  • The Washington Times

    Polydrug use with fentanyl on the rise, study finds

    Most fentanyl users have meth, heroin or some other drug in their systems, according to a massive study of drug tests released Tuesday that reveals the complex nature of the crisis. Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

  • 90 Seconds w/ Lisa Kim - Stanford Medicine News

    How cyclic breathing can relieve stress

    Feeling anxious? You're far from alone. During the pandemic, rates of anxiety and depression soared around the globe, resulting in a shortage of mental health care providers and long wait times for therapy. But, according to a new study from Stanford Medicine, there's an easy, at-home way to help lower your stress level: It's called cyclic sighing, a controlled breathing exercise that emphasizes long exhalations. David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor and associate chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is featured.

  • Health

    How Common Is Depression After a Stroke?

    Depression following a stroke—sometimes known as post-stroke depression—is common among stroke survivors, but is often overlooked or mistaken for other cognitive or behavioral changes that can occur after a stroke. Here’s what to know about the risk of depression after a stroke, and how to manage a diagnosis. David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor and associate chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

  • KTVU FOX 2

    What is the appropriate age range for kids to join social media?

    The U.S. Surgeon said recently that 13 is too young to be on social media. Yet, Meta and Tik Tok allow users to join their social media sites as young as 13. KTVU FOX 2 speaks with Bradley Zicherman, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, who says social media has the power to impact brain development if exposed to it too soon.

  • Stanford Magazine

    Falling for Psychedelics

    People are trying them. The media is touting them. But scientists say we need to know more about how they work and when they can help. Trisha Suppes, Leanne Williams, Giancarlo Glick, Laura Hack, and Robert Malenka from psychiatry and behavioral sciences are featured along with colleague Boris Heifets in anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine, in this article by Stanford Magazine.

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