Faculty researcher, Scott Langenecker PhD, is helping to investigate whether nicotine, when administered correctly, could be effective delaying or preventing memory loss in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's.... Read More
Lowry Bushnell, department faculty member and UNI's Clinical Director of ECT/Neuro-Stimulation services, works with a collaborative research team on an investigational pilot study utilizing the IV anesthetic Propofol for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. ... Read More
Anne Asman, Gerontologist and the Department's Director of Advancement and Outreach, along with Briana Sisofo, Master of Science student in Gerontology, co-authored and presented at the GSA Annual Meeting a poster about addressing older adult issues in rural communities. ... Read More
New physician, Elizabeth Gargaro, MD, joins the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Gargaro works with adolescent patients at UNI’s Girls Transition Center and provides pediatric care and mental health integration services at the UofU Health South Main Clinic.... Read More
Faculty researchers, Amanda Bakian, PhD and Scott Langenecker PhD, are conducting an on-going study that looks into how pollutant particles in the air affects mental health in Utah. ... Read More
The Mountain West has some of the highest rates of depression and suicide. Researchers, including faculty member Brent Kious, MD, PhD, think the mountains, with a lack of oxygen at high altitude, could be interfering with people's mental health. (NPR Morning Edition Interview) ... Read More
The Mountain West has disproportionately high rates of depressive disorders and suicide. Researchers are trying to find out why. Turns out, the mountains themselves might have something to do with it.... Read More
Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, joined UofU Health suicide prevention experts at a news conference on Monday, July 8, 2019, to discuss the need for funding suicide crisis prevention and the local efforts made so far to raise awareness. Experts included Department of Psychiatry professor, Doug Gray, and Ross VanVraken, Executive Director of the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI). ... Read More
Dr. Scott Langenecker, a clinical neuropsychologist and professor of psychiatry, discusses ways people can strengthen their resilience during a free presentation titled “Images of Resilience,” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Park City Library’s Community Room. The event that honors Mental Health Awareness Month is sponsored by CONNECT Summit County.... Read More
Faculty researchers, Perry Renshaw and Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, have been studying medicinal marijuana in local double-blind studies that are the first of their kind in the country. They told lawmakers that it seems to be having an effect and will present more data to the Health and Human Services Committee in six months.... Read More
When James Morris, MD, speaks to providers in Rexburg this May, he’ll be talking to people who know first-hand about the challenge of preventing suicide. The Idaho town has had eight suicides over recent months.... Read More
The SafeUT app, established in 2015, has seen record usage this year. From July 2017 to October 2018, the app, which relies heavily on the use of text messages, has had nearly 1500 tips about people considering taking their own lives. The free app is statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through live chat and a confidential tip program – right from your smartphone. It connects users to a licensed clinical social worker at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI). The app is run by the Safe U.T. commission with representation from officials with the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, Utah Attorney Generals Office, The Utah State Legislature, Utah System of Higher Education, Utah System of Higher Education, Utah State Office of Education, University of Utah Health IT Department and Utah Department of Human Services.... Read More
Study by faculty researcher, Shami Kanekar, PhD, indicates that women may be more affected by brain chemistry issues caused by altitude. Her animal tests show that females are actually more vulnerable to behavioral changes caused by a lack of oxygen at higher altitudes, and therefore may be at higher risk for suicide. ... Read More
We all strive to be happy, but sometimes events in your life can bring you down. Did last year not go as well as you were hoping? Wondering how you could be happier in the new year? Psychiatrist Anne Lin says a negative outlook will set you up for failure, so it’s important to stay positive when that calendar changes. Dr. Lin shares some helpful strategies to avoid dangerous thinking errors, and keep your outlook positive and productive this year.... Read More