Mental Disorders Commons^™

Neuroinflammation And Its Role In Depression– A Review Of Emerging Biomarkers And Therapeutic Targets, Sophia M. Valerino

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental illness that affects millions globally. Traditionally, the pathophysiology of MDD was thought to be due primarily neurotransmitter imbalances. However, emerging research highlights the role of neuroinflammation in MDD pathogenesis. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, microglial activation, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction have been implicated in the etiology of MDD. Additionally, biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and neuroimaging findings further support the neuroinflammatory hypothesis. This growing body of evidence has led to increased interest in novel treatment approaches, including anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle interventions, as potential therapeutic strategies. While selective serotonin reuptake …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Increasing Participation Through Online Focus Groups With Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Emily L. Cary, Chris A. Taylor, Susan Havercamp, Andrea Witwer

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The aim of this study was to develop and describe methods on how to conduct virtual focus groups with adults with intellectual disability. Using a community-engaged research approach, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities helped develop virtual focus group methods. We report on the implementation of these methods through an illustrative application of applying these adaptations to virtual focus groups with 13 adults with intellectual disability in a study assessing their perspectives on mental health therapy.

This work resulted in several adaptations that can enhance inclusivity of focus group research to individuals with intellectual disability. Adaptions broadly included: involving guardians …

Clinical, Imaging And Blood Biomarker Outcomes In A Phase 3 Clinical Trial Of Tau Aggregation Inhibitor Hydromethylthionine Mesylate In Mild Cognitive Impairment And Mild To Moderate Dementia Due To Alzheimer’S Disease, Claude Wischik, Richard G. Stefanacci, Peter Bentham, Serge Gauthier, Henrik Zetterberg, Gordon Wilcock, Lutz Froelich, Alistair Burns, Emer Macsweeney, Clive Ballard, Jin-Tai Yu, Tay Siew Choon, Vahe Asvatourian, Natalia Muehlemann, Jan Priel, Karin Kook, Tenecia Sullivan, Diane Downie, Sonya Miller, Carol Pringle, John Storey, Tom Baddeley, Charles R Harrington, Lewis Penny, Mohammad Arastoo, Roger Staff, Anca-Larisa Sandu, Helen Shiells, Serena Lo, Nafeesa Nazlee, Emily Evans, Claire Hull, Bjoern Schelter

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) targets tau pathology and has tau-independent symptomatic activity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of HMTM in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD).

SETTING: 82 centres in Canada, European Union, United Kingdom and United States of America.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 598 amyloid β-PET positive participants were included; 44% (263) met clinical criteria for MCI due to Alzheimer's disease and 56% (335) were diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia due to AD.

INTERVENTION: HMTM 16 mg/day and 8 mg/day were compared with methylthioninium chloride (MTC) …

Elevated Trna Halves In Olfactory Epithelial Cells Of Patients With Schizophrenia, Justin T. Gumas, Megumi Shigematsu, Karin E. Borgmann-Winter, C. G. Hahn, Yohei Kirino

Computational Medicine Center Faculty Papers

Schizophrenia patients' olfactory epithelial cells contain abundant immune-activating tRNA fragments, linking small RNA biology to inflammation and suggesting avenues for diagnostics.

Brief Exposure Therapy With Exercise For Ptsd: A Pilot Study Using Single Case Experimental Design, Troy J.J. Hubert

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and often disabling psychiatric disorder associated with an increased risk of multiple mental and physical health conditions. Exposure therapy is a gold standard treatment for PTSD, but attrition rates and treatment response are notable limitations. Animal and human research collectively indicate that aerobic exercise can enhance preclinical and experimental models of exposure by improving consolidation of fear-extinction memories. To date, only one clinical trial has attempted to translate exercise augmented exposure therapy for PTSD. The current study is an open-label pilot clinical trial aiming at gauging the effectiveness of a brief eight-session PTSD …

Reward Deficits In Co-Occurring Social Anxiety And Depression: The Roles Of Anhedonia, Boredom, Loneliness, And Covid-19 Social Restriction, Nathan M. Hager, Alicia L. Milam, Hannah C. Hamrick, Benjamin Swanson, Matt R. Judah

Psychology Faculty Publications

Prior research points toward reward deficits as crucial to the link between social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. However, studies have not explored specific types of reward deficits or how social-environmental factors may impact them. The current study examined whether the indirect effects of three reward deficits (anhedonia, boredom, and loneliness) accounted for the connection between social anxiety and depression. Questionnaires were collected in a sample of college students (N = 523) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing examination of environmental stressors (i.e., remote learning and current friend network size) on reward deficits. Indirect effect models …

Efficacy Of Zuranolone In The Treatment Of Postpartum Depression: An Evidence-Based Review, Shana-Kay Lambert-Johnson, Tasaduq Mir

North Texas GME Research Forum 2026

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and potentially severe condition frequently managed in primary care, where delayed treatment adversely affects maternal and infant outcomes. Neuroactive steroid therapies targeting γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors represent a novel therapeutic class. Brexanolone, the first FDA-approved treatment for PPD, required prolonged inpatient administration and was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 2025. Zuranolone is currently the only FDA-approved medication specifically indicated for PPD, offering a short-course oral treatment suitable for outpatient use. This review evaluated the efficacy of zuranolone and its applicability in primary care practice.

METHODS: This evidence-based review was conducted in …

Harmonizing Healing: Examining Music Therapy As An Adjunctive Treatment For Mental Health, Shalin Patel, Karen Foote

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Low Energy Availability And Dietary Factors In High School Runners, Natalie E. Allik

All Master's Theses

Context: Low energy availability (LEA) is associated with adverse health and performance outcomes in athletes and may be particularly concerning during adolescence when growth and bone development are ongoing. Although inadequate carbohydrate (CHO) intake has been proposed as a contributor to LEA, limited research has examined this relationship in adolescent endurance athletes. Objective: To examine dietary intake, bone mineral density (BMD), and eating disorder (ED) risk in adolescent distance runners with and without LEA. Methods: Eighteen adolescent distance runners (15.7 ± 1.2 years; 7 males, 11 females) completed baseline assessments including anthropometrics, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a 24-hour dietary recall, …

The Effects Of Stress-Related Hormones On Excitatory Synapse Formation, Autumn C. Garvey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Stress profoundly influences brain function through neuromodulatory hormones that regulate synaptic plasticity, yet how temporal patterns of hormone exposure shape excitatory synapse formation remains poorly understood. This study investigates how exposure to stress hormones, norepinephrine and cortisol, affects excitatory synapse development. While existing research primarily compares concentration models, real-world stress occurs in variable patterns that may produce distinct neural outcomes. To address this gap, differentiated Neuro2A neuronal cells are exposed to norepinephrine or cortisol under a continuous treatment paradigm designed to model chronic stress conditions. Following treatment, immunofluorescence imaging is utilized to quantify excitatory synapse formation through analysis of presynaptic …

Exploring Associations Between Mental Disorder And Creativity, David A. Romero Mora

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mental disorder has been misunderstood and misrepresented throughout history, leading mental health research to be severely behind where it needs to be. Years of misinformation, over-medicalization, negative rhetoric, and stigmatization at the hands of the very same institutions that were believed to care for mental disorder have kept this misunderstanding alive. Further, studies throughout history have failed to look at the nuances of mental health, prioritizing generalizability. This thesis explores the relationship between mental disorder and creative expression, how other factors like cultural discourse and cognitive processes inform this relationship, as well as how analyzing this relationship can provide a …

Understanding The Progression Of Borderline Personality Disorder During Adolescence: A Clinical Case Study, Anjali Chandak, Megha Sadashiv, Bhawna Sharma, Bhargav Mulpuru

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often emerges during adolescence, but remains relatively understudied in this population. This case report explores the sociobiological factors shaping symptom expression in an adolescent girl. Longitudinal clinical evaluation revealed hallmark features, including affective instability, identity disturbance, interpersonal relations, and self-harming behaviour. Early attachment disruptions, emotional regulation difficulties, and heightened sensitivity to relational stressors were identified as key developmental risk factors. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations are presented, highlighting the need for prompt, developmentally informed, and evidence-based interventions. The case further emphasises how prognosis and chronicity may be significantly influenced by an adopting developmental approach, providing insight into …

Family Mental Health – A Case Report, Vikrant Arora, Medha Kosireddy, Mathumitha Ananth, Kishor M. Manohar Rao

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Psychiatric illness in India is estimated to be 15% as per National Mental Health Survey 2015-16.  Mental health challenges within families, especially depression, anxiety disorders that are not common and when unaddressed exert cascading effects on all members, disrupting emotional cohesion, relational functioning, and socioeconomic stability. There are few case reports on entire family presenting to psychiatry department.

With informed consent a city-based middle-class family of non-consanguineous origin, where the 40-year-old female, presented with intractable limb pains and health anxiety, she had multiple consultation in last few months and her 48-year-old husband also had with episodic pains, irritability and her …

Finding Harmony: Music Therapy As An Adjunct In Acute Psychosis, Brandon Szwydky, Rebecca Low, Nelay Govan, Marcus Decarvalho

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

A National Evaluation Of A Novel Quality Measure Of Emergency Behavioral Health Care., Martin Wegman, Marshall Johnson, Hannah Cortero, Natalia Badillo-Velez, Crystal Bharat, Sanket Patel, Caroline Mills, Des'ree Garvin

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Quick Improvement In Delirium In A Patient With Parkinson's Disease Through Rectally Administered Carbidopa/Levodopa: A Case Report, Emil Philip, Carol Elsakr, Tyler Kilgore

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Substitution Of Cannabis For Prescribed Medications In The Management Of Anxiety And Depression Among Midlife Women: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jocelyn Mueller, Jamia Sapp, Jennifer Attonito, Aditya Chakraborty, Karina Villalba

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background and Aims

Given the rising prevalence of cannabis use as an alternative strategy for managing mental health symptoms, there is a crucial need to understand the determinants of substitution behavior, particularly among midlife women who may experience distinct psychosocial and clinical profiles. This study examined the predictors of cannabis substitution among midlife women by comparing profiles of women who substituted cannabis for antidepressant medications versus those who substituted for anxiolytic medications.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 172 women who reported substituting cannabis for either anxiety or depression medications was conducted. Measures included the PHQ-8, OASIS, AUDIT, and ACEs. Logistic …

Racial Bias In Collateral Report Of Adhd Symptom Endorsement, Teresa Mejia

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed mental health condition among children in the United States. However, prevalence rates in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD are unequal across populations. Specifically, the literature has demonstrated consistent variability in symptom endorsements and diagnosis dependent on a child’s demographic factors (i.e., race, gender, age). A diagnosis of ADHD requires that the diagnostic criteria be met in at least two aspects of a child's life, usually the school and home environments. As such, teacher reports are commonly used in the assessment of ADHD for children and adolescents. Given the challenges in obtaining …

From Molecules To Minds: Integrative Multi-Omics In Psychiatry, Hossein Abbasi, Sage E. Hawn, Arash Javanbakht, Soraya Seedat, Kyle Bourassa, Sinead M. Sinnott, Antonia V. Seligowski, Sian Hemmings, Nathan A. Kimbrel, Alicia K. Smith, Leslie Brick, Divya Mehta

Psychology Faculty Publications

Psychiatric disorders are biologically complex conditions arising from interactions across genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and metagenomic layers. Single-omics approaches rarely capture more than a fraction of the variance in complex conditions, underscoring the importance of integrative multi-omics frameworks. This mini-review summarizes key methodologies and their application in psychiatric research, with a focus on systems-level integration of genomic risk scores, transcriptomic networks, and neuroimaging data to advance biological understanding of disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease. We also outline the infrastructural requirements for effective multi-omics research, including standardized biobanking, Laboratory Information Management Systems, adherence to FAIR data principles, …