News Mentions for the week of November 20, 2023

Exposure to alcohol in the womb is known to increase the risk of abnormal brain development and a range of cognitive and behavioral problems known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in offspring. A study appearing in JAMA Network Open that compared the brains of a group of middle-aged people with and without FASD suggests that those with FASD are no more likely to experience accelerated brain aging in their 40s than those without FASD. Adolf Pfefferbaum, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted along with co-authors on the paper in this Psych News Alert.

Tune in to Stanford Medcast's conversation with Keith Humphreys, the Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, as they explore the ever-evolving landscape of the opioid crisis, gaining valuable insights into its current state and its intricate challenges.

Sleep can be hard to come by, but an ideal sleep environment shouldn’t be out of reach for everyone. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Hoarding disorder affects an estimated 2.5% of Americans and often goes under-recognized. It's a mental condition that makes it hard to decide what to keep and what to let go of, to the point where it can impair relationships and even safety. For those struggling to declutter, a new study from Stanford piloting a virtual reality therapy program could offer hope. To find out more, KCBS Radio news anchor Pat Thurston spoke with Carolyn Rodriguez, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and senior author of the study.

A recent study in JAMA Network Open explored a cognitive impairment subgroup in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), focusing on its symptomatology, neural dysfunction, and response to antidepressant treatment. Leanne Williams, the Vincent V.C. Woo professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Laura Hack, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, are quoted.