bbrfoundation

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.
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https://ow.ly/KbXQ50Y9sAL
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Harvard University

Join us next week for our next #mentalhealth webinar. https://ow.ly/6i9j50Y4r9S
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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.
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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
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This presentation will focus on efforts to develop neuromodulation interventions including rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) & deep brain stimulation to treat addiction.
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CAMH University of Toronto

Study: Following Cannabis Commercialization, Occasional Use in Those With Psychosis History Increased Much More Than in General Population, Posing Potential Risk | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation What impact has legalization and commercialization of recreational cannabis had on people with schizophrenia and other disorders involving psychosis? It’s an important question, particularly in view of published studies reporting that those with psychotic disorders who use cannabis, on average, “have a higher symptom burden, worse functioning, more and longer hospitalizations, and higher relapse rates compared with non-users.”

Cannabis use among those with #psychosis history sharply increased where #cannabis was legalized. High-potency cannabis is especially thought to pose special risks for those with psychosis vulnerability.
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Read the full study: https://ow.ly/uBiv50Y4vG6
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Harvard University

Join us on February 10th for our next #mentalhealth webinar. https://ow.ly/AeNI50Y4r9T
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Dr. Tang will discuss his recent research on addiction and concurrent disorders (when mental illness and addiction co-occur).
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CAMH University of Toronto

Diet has implications for understanding the origins of severe mental disorders, with improved diet presenting novel pathways to treat disorders.
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Register for our free webinar & learn more: https://ow.ly/1yIZ50XTAFC
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Research at Sinai Health #psychosis #eatingdisorders

A Loss of Pleasure From High-Fat Food That Paradoxically Supports Obesity Is Traced to a Brain Signaling Pathway Involving Neurotensin | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Ready access to and excessive consumption of high-calorie foods are widely held to be key contributing factors in the development and progression of obesity. The link has been observed in people, but also tested repeatedly in animals.

New research helps explain a paradox: why individuals acclimated to high-fat food begin to get less pleasure from it yet continue to eat it.
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Read the full study: https://ow.ly/2LSW50XTAgv
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UC Berkeley #eatingdisorders #obesity

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).
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Read the full study: https://ow.ly/pIWj50XT0vX

2025 Leading Research Achievements | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation We are pleased to present you with the 2025 Leading Research Achievements by BBRF Grantees, Prize Winners & Scientific Council Members.

Honored to be named a 2025 Leading Research Achievement by the @bbrfoundation.bsky.social for the work that came from my Young Investigator Award!

bbrfoundation.org/blog/2025-le...

Honored to have our work recognized by
@bbrfoundation.bsky.social, alongside many colleagues doing important work in the field.

The newest frontier in psychiatry is understanding how the healthy bacteria & other microorganisms that normally reside in the human gut ("the microbiome") protect against inflammation in the body & the brain.
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Register & learn more: https://ow.ly/BXfB50XSu4I
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Research at Sinai Health

2025 Leading Research Achievements | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation We are pleased to present you with the 2025 Leading Research Achievements by BBRF Grantees, Prize Winners & Scientific Council Members.

We are pleased to present you with the 2025 Leading Research Achievements by BBRF Grantees, Prize Winners & Scientific Council Members. https://ow.ly/P2HU50XQ6ls

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. Wishing you all the best in the year to come. Thank you! https://bbrfoundation.org/

A Kinder Way to Think About New Year’s Resolutions | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Eat better. Exercise more. Save money. Lose weight. The idea of a fresh start can feel hopeful. But for many people, resolutions can also bring pressure — and all too often, disappointment. By February, it’s common to feel like we’ve already fallen short. The new year doesn’t have to be about drastic change or self-criticism, though. Instead, it can be an opportunity to reset expectations and focus on what truly supports our emotional well-being.

The new year doesn’t have to be about drastic change or self-criticism. It can be an opportunity to reset expectations and focus on what truly supports our emotional well-being.
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Read our latest blog entry: https://ow.ly/LE7W50XLG9v
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#mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Brain And Behavior Research Foundation - m/Oppenheim TV Leaders from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) discuss how the organization accelerates scientific discovery to improve the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.

Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein & Dr. Judith Ford participated in an interview sharing the mission and work of BBRF. Follow the link to watch the full interview: https://ow.ly/1xi950XHwEf
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#mentalhealth #neuroscience

Join us now for our free webinar: https://ow.ly/z07o50XGtmS
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Dr. Joseph will review potential signals of emerging ADHD in infants & toddlers at familial risk for ADHD. She will also share initial findings & future directions of her work with preschool-aged children at risk for childhood ADHD.

There is growing interest in identification of very young children at increased likelihood of developing ADHD to support early interventions--with the goal of reducing ADHD symptoms and associated impairments. Join us today at 2pm to learn more: https://ow.ly/AUPi50XGsna

Give to research that is making a difference! This Giving Tuesday, support mental health research aimed at improving treatments, methods of prevention, and cures for mental illness.
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Please consider making a donation: https://ow.ly/GBBB50Qc1xb
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#givingtuesday GivingTuesday 🫶

Today, on #GivingTuesday, we ask you to please help us continue funding research for better treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for mental illness – your support will have an impact.
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Please consider making a donation: ow.ly/yqoO50QcgYm
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GivingTuesday 🫶

Please consider making a donation: https://ow.ly/yqoO50QcgYm

Together, we can make a difference in advancing mental health research that will ultimately benefit those living with a mental illness and their loved ones. Please consider making a donation: ow.ly/yqoO50QcgYm
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@givingtuesday.bsky.social #GivingTuesday

Fundraising For Research Help me reach my fundraising goal! I'm raising money for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation to improve mental health research around the world.

Excited to announce RPG Crossing's 14th annual drive for #mentalhealth research! Donations will support the wonderful @bbrfoundation.bsky.social charity.More information (and a fancied up version of a photo of a cool spot I visited in Norway this summer) at drive.rpgcrossing.com/bbrf2025 #RPGX #BBRF

Thank you for supporting research for better treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for mental illness. We wish you and your family a happy holiday!
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https://bbrfoundation.org/research
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#thanksgiving #happythanksgivingday #happythanksgivng🦃🍁🍂

Deep-Brain Stimulation Gided by Brain Mapping Resulted in Rapid & Acute Reduction in Severe OCD Symptoms in Trial Patient | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation A research team led by a recent BBRF grantee has developed and tested in a first patient a novel protocol designed to identify optimal personalized brain stimulation targets for severe, treatment-resistant OCD. Once identified, the team used these targets to guide precise implantation of a deep-brain stimulation (DBS) device whose subsequent activation resulted in rapid and acute reduction of the patient’s OCD symptoms (62% lower 6 months after the procedure).

Researchers successfully tested in a 1st patient a protocol to identify personalized #brain stimulation targets for implantation of DBS device to treat severe, treatment-resistant #OCD. In this patient DBS rapidly and sharply reduced symptoms. https://ow.ly/9zHg50XvTBn

#ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting 1 in 10 children. It is associated with difficulty in peer and family relationships, academic performance, as well as health outcomes across the lifespan. Register & learn more: https://ow.ly/uBEc50XueIM

Finding Calm and Connection During the Holidays | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NEW YORK, N.Y. (November 19, 2025) — The holiday season often brings joy, gatherings, and tradition — but for many, it can also heighten feelings of stress, loneliness, or grief. Experts from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) are encouraging people to take simple, proactive steps to protect their mental well-being during this emotionally charged time of year.

“People can take practical steps to dial down their #stress and #anxiety leading up to and during the holidays.” Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/WaPT50Xuem2

Incorporating Universal Screening and School Based Mental Health Initiatives in the Classroom | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Teachers, school counselors, and other educational professionals are on the front line of interacting with children with mental health issues and can often be among some of the first people to see that a child is struggling. Enhancing the potential for early intervention is important and because educational professionals have relationships with students and their families, they are able to make appropriate referrals for evaluation.

Last chance to register! Dr. Constantino will discuss a public health approach for teachers & will provide educators with a deeper understanding of the importance of incorporating universal screening & school based mental health initiatives in the classroom. https://ow.ly/izlK50XqFrz

Join us today at 2pm EST for our free mental health webinar on #BPD! Follow the link to register and learn more: https://ow.ly/zkAv50Xq0YQ

Incorporating Universal Screening and School Based Mental Health Initiatives in the Classroom | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Teachers, school counselors, and other educational professionals are on the front line of interacting with children with mental health issues and can often be among some of the first people to see that a child is struggling. Enhancing the potential for early intervention is important and because educational professionals have relationships with students and their families, they are able to make appropriate referrals for evaluation.

Please join us on Wednesday for a special zoom presentation for parents and educators. Follow the link to register and learn more. https://ow.ly/fCw550XopBo