Treating mental illness with electricity marries old ideas with modern tech and understanding of the brain – podcast

Deep brain stimulation and trasncranial magnetic stimulation treat mental illness by sending electrical currents into parts of the brain. Every new patient provides researchers with a wealth of information. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Gemma Ware, Editor and Co-Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Nov. 24, 2022 ~6 min

Air pollution harms the brain and mental health, too – a large-scale analysis documents effects on brain regions associated with emotions

In a systematic review of existing studies, researchers found that air pollution such as fine particulate matter can interfere with regions of the brain responsible for emotional regulation.

Clara G. Zundel, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University • conversation
Nov. 21, 2022 ~5 min


Doctors often miss depression symptoms for certain groups – a routine screening policy for all adult primary care patients could significantly reduce the gap

Men, older adults, people with language barriers and racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to be screened for depression.

Maria Garcia, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Nov. 18, 2022 ~6 min

Lack of computer access linked to poorer mental health in young people during COVID-19 pandemic

Cambridge researchers have highlighted how lack of access to a computer was linked to poorer mental health among young people and adolescents during COVID-19

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Nov. 14, 2022 ~6 min

Climate change's impact on mental health is overlooked and misunderstood – here's what can be done

It has psychological consequences for those affected now, but also for those who expect to be in future.

Nidhi Nagabhatla, Research Fellow, Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) and Adj Prof McMaster University, Canada, United Nations University • conversation
Nov. 8, 2022 ~6 min

AI could help predict suicides – but rushing the technology could lead to big mistakes

Artificial Intelligence has great potential to save the lives of mental health patients.

Joseph Early, PhD Candidate in Artificial Intelligence, University of Southampton • conversation
Oct. 20, 2022 ~7 min

UK policing: psychological damage among officers heightened by bad working conditions

Nationwide study of over 12,000 officers suggests rates of trauma-induced disorder Complex PTSD are exacerbated by factors such as too little time and support,

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Oct. 19, 2022 ~6 min

Anxiety detection and treatment in early childhood can lower risk for long-term mental health issues – an expert panel now recommends screening starting at age 8

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue facing children and adolescents. But research shows that early screening – including in school settings – can identify children who are at risk.

Elana Bernstein, Assistant Professor of School Psychology, University of Dayton • conversation
Oct. 17, 2022 ~11 min


Building ‘bravery muscles’ to fight rising youth anxiety

Harvard psychologist says pandemic worsened trend and screening, early intervention key to avoiding bigger problems.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Oct. 7, 2022 ~10 min

Deep brain stimulation can be life-altering for OCD sufferers when other treatment options fall short

This rare procedure is offered by only a handful of centers in the US and around the world and should be used only when less invasive treatment options for OCD have been tried.

Rachel A. Davis, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Sept. 28, 2022 ~13 min

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