Best of: The future of depression care
The Future of Everything
Depression Is a Real Illness
Leanne argues depression is a brain-based disease, not a character flaw, and discusses societal misconceptions.
As 2026 gets underway we know that many take time around this new beginning to improve not only their physical, but also their mental health. With that in mind, we’re rerunning an episode with Leanne Williams on the future of depression care. Leanne is an expert on clinical depression and is working on new ways to more precisely diagnose depression in order to develop more effective treatment. For anyone who has suffered from depression or knows someone who has, it’s an episode that provides hope for what’s on the horizon. We hope you’ll take another listen and also share this episode with anyone who you think may benefit from the conversation.
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.
Episode Reference Links:
- Stanford Profile: Leanne Williams
Connect With Us:
- Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
- Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
- Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Leanne Williams, a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University.
(00:01:43) What Is Depression?
Distinguishing clinical depression from everyday sadness.
(00:03:31) Current Depression Treatment Challenges
The trial-and-error of traditional depression treatments and their timelines.
(00:06:16) Brain Mapping and Circuit Dysfunctions
Advanced imaging techniques and their role in understanding depression.
(00:09:03) Diagnosing with Brain Imaging
How brain imaging can complement traditional diagnostic methods in psychiatry.
(00:10:22) Depression Biotypes
Identifying six distinct biotypes of depression through brain imaging.
(00:12:31) Cognitive Features of Depression
How cognitive impairment plays a major role in certain depression biotypes.
(00:14:11) Matching Treatments to Biotypes
Finding appropriate treatments sooner using brain-based diagnostics.
(00:15:38) Expanding Treatment Options
Personalizing therapies and improving treatment outcomes based on biotypes.
(00:19:03) AI in Depression Treatment
Using AI to refine biotypes and predict treatment outcomes with greater accuracy.
(00:22:15) Psychedelics in Depression Treatment
The potential for psychedelic drugs to target specific biotypes of depression.
(00:23:46) Expanding the Biotypes Framework
Integrating multimodal approaches into the biotype framework.
(00:27:29) Reducing Stigma in Depression
How showing patients their brain imaging results reduces self-blame and stigma.
(00:29:38) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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