Major developments in mental health research from the 20th century

The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) announced 2024 leading research achievements from fellows, award winners and members of the BBRF Scientific Advisory Board. It includes important research on suicide, childhood anxiety, depression, eating disorders, cocaine addiction and other aspects of brain and behavioral disease.

Leading research achievements in 2024 include:

The risk of suicide varies with the menstrual cycle and affects different women differently
Tory Anne Eisenlohr-Moul, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago

Preliminary testing of the psychoactive drug ibogaine provides “preliminary evidence” of powerful therapeutic potential
Nolan R. Williams, MD, Stanford University

Studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy helps treat anxiety in children by normalizing hyperactive brain circuits
Simone P. Haller, D. Phil, National Institute of Mental Health

How immune activation can alter the brain and trigger depression-related behaviors during chronic social stress
Scott J. Russo, M.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Flurin Cathomas, MD, Mount Sinai/Zurich Psychiatric University Hospital

A food-seeking circuit in the brain that can overwhelm hunger or “fullness” signals may shed light on eating disorders
Dr. Fernando MCV Reis, University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Avishek Adhikari, University of California, Los Angeles

A stem cell-based “rescue strategy” has been developed to treat Timothy syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder
Sergiu P. Pasca, MD, Stanford University

A new, first-in-class drug for schizophrenia reduced positive and negative symptoms in pivotal Phase 3 trials
Steven M. Paul, MD, Karuna Therapeutics
Carol A. Tamminga, MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

Study of one psychedelic drug suggests how it could be modified to eliminate psychedelic effects while retaining therapeutic effects
Dr. Lyonna F. Parise, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Experiments point to possible next-generation drug therapies for bipolar disorder, including in people unresponsive to lithium
Dr. Anouar Khayachi, McGill University

The team is developing an innovative, implantable ultrasound device to stimulate neurons in deep areas of the brain
Dr. Canan Dağdeviren, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Network Connectivity Patterns in High-Risk Adolescents Correctly Predicting Depressive Symptoms 2 Years Later
Dr. Dylan G. Gee, Yale University

Scientists develop measures of ‘mood instability’ to rethink how best to care for patients with bipolar disorder
Sarah H. Sperry, Ph.D., University of Michigan

There is increasing evidence of the effectiveness of rapid-acting brain stimulation in the treatment of depression in bipolar disorder
Nolan R. Williams, MD, Stanford University
Yvette I. Sheline, M.D., University of Pennsylvania

A probable biomarker of cocaine abuse and a new treatment for cocaine addiction based on a compound in rosemary
Kevin T. Beier, M.D., University of California, Irvine School of Medicine

Non-invasive tDCS brain stimulation is performing well in trials for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression
Mascha van ‘t Wout-Frank, PhD, Brown University
Cynthia HY Fu, M.D., Ph.D., King’s College London, United Kingdom

A strategy that involves sharply blunting the addictive reward of opioids while retaining their pain-relieving properties
Francis S. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Weill Cornell Medicine

For journal citations and more information about Leading Research Achievement 2024 researchers and their projects, click HERE.

About the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards research grants to develop improved treatments, cures, and prevention methods for mental illness. These diseases include addiction, ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD and schizophrenia, as well as suicide prevention research. Since 1987, the Foundation has awarded more than $461 million in funding to more than 5,600 leading scientists around the world. 100% of every research dollar donated is invested in research. BBRF’s operating costs are covered by separate foundation grants. BBRF produces the Emmy®-nominated public television series Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borensteinwhich aims to remove the stigma of mental illness and show that there is hope with help.

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