Sign Up to Receive the Latest Research News in Our Weekly eNewsletter Sign up for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation email list and receive weekly updates on the latest mental health research bringing us closer to improved treatments, better diagnostic tools, and ultimately cures for mental illnesses.

Sign up for our email list and receive the latest research news as well as upcoming events on mental health disorders.
.
Join our email list: https://bbrfoundation.org/email-signup
.
#anxiety #depression #schizophrenia #bipolardisorder #autism #adhd #bpd #eatingdisorders #ptsd #ocd #prevention

Personalized Accelerated TMS Therapy Targeting Brain’s Threat Circuity Significantly Reduced PTSD Symptoms | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A clinical trial led by BBRF grantees has demonstrated for the first time that personalized targeting of non-invasive TMS brain stimulation therapy can reduce the brain’s reactivity to threat in patients with PTSD.

In a clinical trial, personalized targeting of accelerated TMS #brain stimulation therapy reduced the brain’s reactivity to threat in patients with #PTSD.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/3t7j50YLfvL
.
Emory University Emory Brain Health Center

Join us today at 2pm EDT for our free webinar on depression. Follow the link to learn more and register: https://ow.ly/rVbg50YIVRv
.
Weill Cornell Medicine Cornell University

Inhalable Formulation of Psychedelic Drug Rapidly Helped Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression in Phase 2 Trial | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation An international team of researchers has published results of a preliminary clinical trial testing a formulation of 5-MeO-DMT, a potent and rapid-acting psychedelic drug, in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The results, they said, were encouraging and provide a basis for continued testing in larger trials.

Administration of an aerosol formulation of 5-MeO-DMT (mebufotenin), a potent, rapid-acting #psychedelic drug, resulted in “rapid, large, & significant reductions” in #depression symptoms.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/1shi50YH6Q1

How the Search for Genes Involved in Mental Illness Has Led to Key Insights About Reducing Medication Side Effects | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A 5-time BBRF grantee made discoveries that helped lead to a drug for tardive dyskinesia and genetic tests that match patients with medications most likely to help them.

How the search for #genes involved in #mental illness helps make it possible to find the best #medicine for each patient with a psychiatric diagnosis.
.
Read the full blog: https://ow.ly/Vi7X50YGEWI
.
CAMH University of Toronto #Pharmacogenetics

Understanding Hoarding: More Than Just Clutter | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation When most people think about hoarding, they picture homes filled with piles of belongings stacked from floor to ceiling. Television shows and sensational headlines have reinforced this image. But hoarding is far more complex than simply having too much “stuff.” It is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people and can significantly impact individuals, families, and communities. What Is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding is far more complex than simply having too much “stuff.” It is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people and can significantly impact individuals, families, and communities.
.
Read the full blog: https://ow.ly/rElc50YFJPC

Dr. Liston will present findings from a series of parallel studies in preclinical mouse models & in patients with depression aimed at developing new treatment approaches by identifying the cellular & circuit-level mechanisms

Register https://ow.ly/8UZW50YyJ9X

Weill Cornell Medicine #WorldHealthDay

Major Depression Shares Immune Signature With Inflammatory Skin Ailments, Suggesting Novel Therapeutic Possibilities, Study Indicates | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A growing body of evidence has suggested that the immune system is dysregulated in some patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Past studies, in fact, have shown that 20% to 30% of patients have low-grade systemic inflammation. Now, newly published research co-led by BBRF grantees shows one way in which links between the immune system and depression may be exploited to develop new therapeutics to reduce depression symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory medicines approved for inflammatory skin conditions like atopic #dermatitis might potentially benefit some major #depression patients due to commonalities in the way these illnesses elevate immune system activity.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/nMpI50YEzKv

Healthy Minds With Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein | Autism (Part One) | Season 10 | Episode 10 Assessing developmental history, degree of symptoms, eye contact, motor behaviors, and genetics.

Season 10 of Healthy Minds With BBRF President & CEO, Dr. Borenstein, features an episode with a focus on autism. The two part episode explores topics such as the degree of symptoms, eye contact, motor behaviors, & genetics. https://ow.ly/sszG50YCC2p
.
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay #AutismAwareness PBS

A Proof-of-Concept Test for an RNA-Based Therapy to Prevent Effects of a Devastating Autism-Related Gene Mutation | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Researchers led by a BBRF grantee have reported progress in developing an RNA-based therapy to treat neurodevelopmental disorders, including some autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). RNA, like DNA, is a fundamental biological material. In the nucleus of cells, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) carry instructions encoded in DNA to cellular factories outside the nucleus called ribosomes, which assemble the many thousands of proteins that are the basis of all living structures and which perform myriad roles in living organisms.

Researchers reported progress in developing an RNA-based therapy to treat neurodevelopmental disorders, including some autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/xu3x50YCBKw
.
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay #AutismAwareness

Helping Children With Autism Tune Into Voices | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Children learn about the social world by tuning in to the voices of parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends. Dr. Abrams' research explores why some children with autism may be less responsive to speech and how brain systems for hearing and motivation may not work together in typical ways. By understanding these brain differences, he aims to develop more targeted and effective interventions that strengthen communication and social connection. Please use #BBRFWebinar when sharing or posting about our Meet the Scientist Webinars on social media.

Last month's webinar explored why some children with autism may be less responsive to speech and how brain systems for hearing and motivation may not work together in typical ways.
.
Watch the recording: https://ow.ly/imgo50YCBfI
.
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay #AutismAwareness

Direct Evidence of Ketamine’s Antidepressant Action in Imaging Study of Excitatory Neuronal Receptors | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A team of researchers has published results of experiments in patients with treatment-resistant depression that provides direct evidence of at least one important mechanism through which ketamine exerts its powerful antidepressant effects.

Improvements in major #depression symptoms after #ketamine treatment were linked to #brain region-specific changes in density of AMPA receptors on the surface of excitatory glutamate neurons, evidence of ketamine’s potent antidepressant action.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/uyKl50YzfIV

A Heart-Brain-Immune “Loop” Is Shown to Contribute to Heart Attack Damage and Suggests New Brain & Nervous System Targets for Intervention | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A research team led by a recent BBRF Young Investigator has dissected a bi-directional pathway linking the brain, the nervous system, and the heart whose activation, they have shown experimentally, is intimately involved in damage and destabilization of the heart following a heart attack, but whose manipulation suggests various points of intervention for potential future therapeutics to limit heart damage and accelerate tissue repair post-heart attack.

Researchers identified a “loop” linking #brain, nervous system & #heart whose activation contributes to heart destabilization post-#heartattack, but whose manipulation suggests various points of intervention to limit damage and accelerate tissue repair.
.
https://ow.ly/1x1u50Yzgun
.
UC San Diego

Study Finds Evidence of a Molecular Mechanism Underlying Altered Excitatory Neurotransmission in Autism | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Using PET imaging and EEG brain recordings, investigators say they have found a potential mechanism underlying altered excitatory neurotransmission in people with autism.

Researchers identify potential mechanism underlying altered excitatory neurotransmission in #autism.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/mL2R50YyJBJ
.
Yale University Yale School of Medicine

Join us on April 14th for our next mental health webinar. https://ow.ly/8UZW50YyJ9X
.
Depression is a fundamentally episodic psychiatric disorder, but the mechanisms that drive mood-state transitions over time are not well understood.
.
Weill Cornell Medicine

We would like to offer thanks to Hike for Mental Health for their very generous donation of $60,000 in support of our mission to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness. We truly appreciate your efforts!

Meet Our 2026 Distinguished Investigators | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation In 2026, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awarded Distinguished Investigator Grants valued at $1 million to 10 senior-level scientists who are conducting groundbreaking research in neurobiological and behavioral science. Recipients of the $100,000, one-year grants are exploring critical areas of mental health, including depression, autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, cocaine use disorder, and chronic cannabis use.

Congratulations to the 2026 Distinguished Investigator Grantees!
.
Read the Press Release: https://ow.ly/YSGY50YuVoJ
.
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #neuroscience #depression #schizophrenia #autism #OCD #PTSD #BPD #bipolardisorder #substanceabuse #addiction

Join us today at 2PM EDT for our next mental health webinar. https://ow.ly/JeFt50YhFFY
.
Dr. Abrams' will share why some children with autism may be less responsive to speech and how brain systems for hearing and motivation may not work together in typical ways.
.
Stanford University

Unique Opportunity to Personalize Deep Brain Stimulation for Severe Opioid Use Disorder Yields Highly Specific Target & Clinical Remission in a Patient | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Researchers co-led by BBRF grantees have conducted a clinical test of a new way to target deep-brain stimulation (DBS)-based treatments to prevent drug craving and relapse in a patient with longstanding and severe opioid use disorder (OUD).

Unique clinical test suggests strategy for personalizing deep-brain stimulation treatment for life-threatening #opioid #addiction.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/hPHq50Yql5n
.
University of Pennsylvania

Discovery of Cells and Circuitry Linking Prior Experiences to Appetite, Providing Insights Into Eating Disorders | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A research team that included six BBRF grantees has published results of experiments that identify a brain circuit and specific cell types whose actions link our past experiences with how much we eat.

New research shows how the #brain links environments with appetite & responses to #food. This contextual linkage helps explain how healthy individuals control appetite, but in an unhealthy state, can lose control over eating.
.
Read the full study: https://ow.ly/Lbk950YpL9V
.
Harvard University

Join us on March 10th for our next #mentalhealth webinar. https://ow.ly/JeFt50YhFFY
.
Dr. Abrams' research aims to develop more targeted & effective interventions that strengthen communication and social connection for children living with autism.
.
Stanford University

Brain Health Awareness – Orioles vs. New York Yankees 5/2/26 @ 1:35 PM - Brain Health Awareness – Orioles vs. New York Yankees

Please join us during Mental Health Month! The Yankees will be featuring BBRF as part of their Brain Health Awareness Game, 5/2 at 1:35pm against the Baltimore Orioles.
.
At checkout, choose BBRF as the charity of your choice.
.
Purchase tickets here: https://ow.ly/9lMI50Ypgna

Caring for Your Mental Health: Seven Simple Steps That Make A Difference | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation In today’s fast-paced world, caring for your mental health is essential. Just as we prioritize physical health with check-ups, exercise, and nutrition, our emotional and psychological well-being requires consistent attention. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It shapes how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. The good news is that small, intentional habits can make a meaningful difference. 1. Start with Awareness The first step in caring for your mental health is simply noticing how you’re doing.

Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It shapes how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. The good news is that small, intentional habits can make a meaningful difference. https://ow.ly/HRwz50YmYex

Join us on March 10th for our next #mentalhealth webinar. https://ow.ly/ieTa50YhFFU
.
Dr. Abrams' research explores why some children with autism may be less responsive to speech & how brain systems for hearing & motivation may not work together in typical ways.

Join us today at 2pm EST for our free #mentalhealth webinar: https://ow.ly/12fQ50YcgX9
.
This webinar will focus on addiction and substance use disorders.
.
CAMH University of Toronto

Genetic Analysis Across 14 Psychiatric Disorders Suggests the Degree to Which Different Disorders Are Driven by Shared Biological Processes | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A newly published study in the journal Nature involving dozens of past and present BBRF grantees, Scientific Council members and prize winners, among hundreds of co-authors, takes an important step forward in the effort to better understand what various psychiatric illnesses have in common and what makes them distinctive—specifically, at the level of genetics, but also, perhaps, underlying biology.

A large international team has taken an important step forward in the effort to better understand what 14 psychiatric & brain illnesses have in common & what makes them distinctive—specifically, at the level of genetics, but also, underlying biology.
.
https://ow.ly/KbXQ50Y9sAL
.
Harvard University

Join us next week for our next #mentalhealth webinar. https://ow.ly/6i9j50Y4r9S
.
Dr. Tang will discuss his work on novel brain and behavior-based assessment methods that may improve our ability to detect, monitor, and predict outcomes for substance use disorders.
.
CAMH University of Toronto

Wearable Activity Sensors + AI May Help to Distinguish Adolescent Bipolar Disorder From ADHD and Other Disorders | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Bipolar disorder (BD) can be difficult to diagnose. Patients must experience at least one major depressive episode and at least one manic or hypomanic episode before a diagnosis can be confirmed. (Mania is characterized by significantly elevated and/or irritable mood as well as notably increased energy and activity; hypomania is a less intense version, but with equally important mental health implications).

Wearable activity sensors + AI may help tell apart adolescent bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. See how research is shaping mental health care: https://ow.ly/12Lb50Y6ufT #MentalHealth #ADHD #AI #BBRF

Comprehensive Study of Fetal COVID Exposure Shows No Harmful Behavioral or Neurodevelopmental Impacts a Year After Birth | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A newly published study led by BBRF grantees sheds important new light on the question of whether infants born to mothers who were infected with the COVID-19 virus during pregnancy have been negatively affected in terms of neurodevelopment and early-life behaviors.

Comprehensive new study finds that infants born to mothers who were infected with the #COVID-19 virus during #pregnancy were not negatively affected in terms of #neurodevelopment & early-life behaviors 1year after birth

https://ow.ly/qbNt50Y5zNk

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Postdoctoral Affairs

Join us on Feb 10th for our next #mentalhealth webinar. https://ow.ly/AeNI50Y4r9T
.
This presentation will focus on efforts to develop neuromodulation interventions including rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) & deep brain stimulation to treat addiction.
.
CAMH University of Toronto