Searching for Biomarkers of Stress-Related Mental Illness and Suicidality
Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 2:00 pm EDT
Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are important precursors to death by suicide. They occur much more often than completed suicides, yet relatively little is known about their pathophysiology. This is especially so in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence that trauma and stress impair connectivity in the brain yet there is a specific need for neurobiologically-based studies of suicidal ideation and attempts in individuals with PTSD. Dr. Averill’s current work aims to identify biomarkers of suicidal ideation and attempts, to inform the development of new medicines and other interventions, which could alleviate the suffering of millions struggling with suicidality.
Watch webinar recording:
Please use #BBRFWebinar when sharing or posting about our Meet the Scientist Webinars on social media.
Dr. Lynnette Averill is experienced in translational clinical neuroscience, and is an expert in the evaluation of neurocognitive symptoms and the clinical assessment and treatment of PTSD, suicidality, and other trauma- and stress-related psychopathology. Her work focuses on pharmacoimaging trials evaluating rapid-acting glutamatergic-based drugs (e.g., ketamine) on reductions in suicidal ideation and cognitive function and the neural underpinnings (e.g., synaptic connectivity) of these behavioral changes.
Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., serves as the President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the largest private funder of mental health research grants. Dr. Borenstein developed the Emmy-nominated public television program “Healthy Minds,” and serves as host and executive producer of the series. The program, broadcast nationwide, is available online, and focuses on topics in psychiatry in order to educate the public, reduce stigma and offer a message of hope. Dr. Borenstein served as Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric News, the newspaper of the American Psychiatric Association from 2012 - 2023.
Dr. Borenstein is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and serves as the Chair of the Section of Psychiatry at the Academy. He also has served as the President of the New York State Psychiatric Association. Dr. Borenstein earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard and his medical degree at New York University.
