Stephan Heckers, MD, MSc, William P. and Henry B. Test Professor of Schizophrenia Research and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, was recently recognized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) with a 2018 Exemplary Psychiatrist Award.  

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center pilot study of treating late-life depression in nonsmokers with transdermal nicotine (nicotine patch) has yielded some promising results, but the study’s author cautions that more study is needed. Late-life depression — depression that occurs in adults 60 years or older — is characterized by poor response to antidepressant medications and often memory issues. About half of those treated for late-life depression fail to respond to initial treatments.

Two Vanderbilt University researchers have been awarded Blake A. Jenkins Discovery Awards in support of basic and/or translational research into bipolar disorder and related conditions with an emphasis on early detection, intervention and utilizing brain imaging.  

Kathey Gracey, M.Ed., Programs Director, Vanderbilt Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody, received the Community Professional Excellence & Innovation Award in Social & Emotional Learning at the eighth annual Socail & Emotional Learning Conference in Nashville. Gracey has dedicated more than 25 years of service in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences serving children and families at risk of going into state custody. View her recognition here.

D. Catherine Fuchs, M.D., professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, was recently named a Distinguished Fellow by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. This honor was given in recognition of Fuchs' high level of training, skill, and experience in child and adolescent psychiatry. She will receive special recognition at the next AACAP Annual Meeting in November.

Kara Lindquist, MD, a 3rd year VUMC Psychiatry Resident, has co-authored "A Practical Guide to Treating Trauma and Adversities in Youth - A Focus on Psychotropic Medications" for the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Stress Points. Lowen, K., & Williamson, E. (2018, May). A Practical Guide to Treating Trauma and Adversities in Youth - A Focus on Psychotropic Medications. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Stress Points,Vol 32; Issue 3.

Catherine Fuchs, MD, has been named co-chair of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Admissions Committee effective July 1. Fuchs will succeed Alice Coogan, MD, professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, who is completing her four-year term as co-chair. Coogan was recently appointed to serve as the vice chair for Anatomic Pathology; executive medical director of Anatomic Pathology and director of the Division of Anatomic Pathology in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology.

Ariel Y. Deutch, Ph.D., James G Blakemore Chair and Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and professor of Pharmacology, has had a new paper, "(Micro)Glia as effectors of cortical volume loss in schizophrenia" published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin. Mallya AP, Deutch AY (2018) (Micro)Glia as effectors of cortical volume loss in schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia Bulletin, In press.  (no DOI yet received)

Neil Woodward, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, was recently awarded NIMH funding to study the development of brain circuits underlying cognitive function in healthy individuals and youth at risk for developing psychosis.  Serving as oo-principal investigator alongside Dr. Woodward is Alan Anticevic, Ph.D., at Yale University.

Yi Deng, M.D., resident in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Warren Taylor, M.D., professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, have worked together to publish a paper titled "Predictors of recurrence in remitted late-life depression" in the journal Depression and Anxiety. The paper examines factors in older adults that may predict the return of depression after successful antidepressant treatment.  Click here to view the abstract.