Check out our news archive below to learn more about what’s happening in Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences!
Poor Neighborhoods Linked to Elevated Dementia Risk and Faster Brain Aging
Living in a poorer neighborhood is linked to accelerated brain aging and increased dementia risk early in life, regardless of income level or education, according to a recent study. Clinical neuropsychologist Aaron Reuben, PhD, led the study as a postdoctoral scholar in the lab of Avshalom Caspi, PhD, and Terrie Moffitt, PhD, professors of psychology and neuroscience and psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
Dr. Jane Gagliardi: Championing Civility in Medicine
Jane Gagliardi, MD, MHS, Civility Champion debrief facilitator for the Department of Medicine, is highlighted for her diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) advocacy as part of a Women's History Month series. Her journey is not just about advocating for EDI; it's about embodying these principles in every interaction, every decision, and every moment of connection within the health care ecosystem. Dr. Gagliardi is also a Duke Psychiatry faculty member.
Police Transport May Influence Restraint Use in the ED
Patients brought to the emergency department under police transport are more likely to be restrained in the ED, a new Yale study finds. And it may explain, at least in part, why racial disparities exist in the use of restraint, the researchers say. Duke Psychiatry faculty member Jane Gagliardi, MD, MHS, and med-psych residency alumnus Colin Smith, MD, MScGH, were co-authors.
Evaluating Cognitive Function in Children with Brain Tumors
Duke is one of the few places in the area where children with brain tumors can receive a full range of clinical services, including neuropsychological assessments by Melanie Bonner, PhD, and her team.
Campus Behavioral Health Partnership Enhances Capacity to Support Students
Clinicians from Duke's Counseling & Psychological Services and Duke Psychiatry are partnering to deliver high-quality counseling and behavioral health services to Duke undergraduate and graduate students. The demand for these services is higher than ever, and they’re making a big difference for students on campus.
Q&A: Mennatalla El-Mufti Reflects on her Lincoln Community Health Center Rotation
Mennatalla El-Mufti, MBBS, a fourth-year psychiatry resident at Duke, is passionate about global mental health and alleviating cultural stigmas around mental illness. She recently completed a six-month community psychiatry rotation at Lincoln Community Health Center in Durham, and she reflects on that experience in this Q&A.
Duke School of Medicine Soars to Seventh in 2023 Blue Ridge Ranking; Psychiatry Ranks 10th
Duke University School of Medicine surged to seventh place on the 2023 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) ranking based on its National Institutes of Health funding, which grew to $551 million. Duke Psychiatry ranked tenth.
Terrie Moffitt Receives Royal Honor From the British Monarchy
Terrie Moffitt, PhD, Nannerl O. Keohane University Distinguished Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, who also holds an appointment in Duke Psychiatry, has received the title Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, commonly known as the MBE. The honor was presented to Moffitt by King Charles III in recognition of her outstanding scientific achievement and service to the U.K.
Nancy Zucker’s New Book Uses Humor to Help Clinicians Treat Kids’ Abdominal Pain
In a novel intervention developed by Nancy Zucker, PhD, children with functional abdominal pain are introduced to a fun and relatable cast of characters, including Georgia the Gut Growler, Harold the Hunger Pain, and Thirsty Theo, to name just a few. She and co-authors Katharine Loeb, PhD, and Marty Gagliano, MD, recently published a book to guide primary care clinicians on delivering this treatment protocol.
Navigating the Emotional Side of Illness through Palliative Psychology
Through palliative psychology, Duke Psychiatry faculty members Katherine Ramos, PhD, and Laura Porter, PhD, are at the forefront of supporting patients in navigating the emotional complexities associated with illness and its impact on their lives.