Brain Matters
Blog

In-depth discussion summarizing some of the most important findings to date about the possibility of using psychedelic compounds to treat individuals with psychiatric illness. We feature comments from experts in the field (several of them members of BBRF’s Scientific Council), who have been generally supportive, but careful, stressing what is known and what remains unknown about psychedelic-assisted psychiatric treatments. They have raised important questions about who should and should not be considered a candidate for such therapy and about the optimal conditions in which psychedelics should be administered.

In an in-depth Q&A, Dr. David Miklowtiz, one of the world’s leading clinical authorities on treating bipolar disorder, offers a wealth information about this complexdisorder, including its range of manifestations. He also addresses the signs parents should pay attention to if they are concerned that their adolescent may have bipolar disorder; how to distinguish unipolar depression from depression that occurs in bipolar disorder; and how family-focused therapy can help patients and families reach better outcomes.

We offer A RESEARCHER’S PERSPECTIVE, based on a presentation given by Lisa M. Monteggia, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University, at a zoom event hosted by BBRF. The topic of her presentation was “Studying Ketamine’s Rapid Effects to Unlock Secrets for Developing Better Antidepressants.” Dr. Monteggia reflects on what she has learned about antidepressant mechanisms from the therapeutic results obtained with the experimental drug ketamine.

Our PATHWAYS TO THE FUTURE story is about an unconventional approach to developing new psychiatric drugs. Based on an initiative by the National Institute of Mental Health, it’s called “Fast-Fail” and is designed to weed out the weakest drug candidates early in the process, to save time and money. In its first comprehensive test, a team led by two BBRF grantees and including 11 other BBRF grantees, Scientific Council members and prize winners, demonstrated the approach using a potential drug to treat anhedonia—the inability to experience or seek pleasure—which is seen in a number of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

View all of the presentations from our 2020 International Mental Health Research Virtual Symposium including Dr. Myrna M. Weissman, Ph.D.'s Keynote Presentation and research updates from our Outstanding Achievement Prizewinners.