NEI Podcast

What are the most common mistakes in psychopharmacology, where clinicians could benefit from improvement in these areas? What are some ways in which clinicians can avoid malpractice lawsuits? In this podcast episode, Dr. Thomas Schwartz discusses the biggest mistakes that can be made in psychopharmacology, as well as best practices for clinicians to avoid malpractice in psychiatry. You won’t want to miss this episode! Dr. Thomas L. Schwartz is a professor and the Interim Chair for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Senior Associate Dean for Education at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. He is active on many teaching, administrative and curriculum committees at SUNY, he also provides direct resident supervision, lectures in several courses, and directs and organizes continuing medical education events for the psychiatry department. Dr. Schwartz received his medical degree from and completed his residency in adult psychiatry at the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Schwartz’s abilities as a medical educator have been recognized with the Marc H. Hollander, MD, Psychiatry Award, Teacher of the Year, and Mentor of the Year awards from SUNY Upstate Medical University; Nancy Roeske, MD, Irma Bland, Certificates of Recognition for Excellence in Medical Student and Resident Education from the American Psychiatric Association, the SUNY Upstate President’s and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Teaching. Dr. Schwartz is the author of Practical Psychopharmacology: Basic to Advanced Principles, "Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology” Case Studies Volume 2, Integrating Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy, Antipsychotic Drugs: Pharmacology, Side Effects and Abuse Prevention, Second and Third Generation Antipsychotics. He is the editor of Depression: Treatment Strategies and Management, 1st and 2nd Eds. and is the Deputy Editor for the journal CNS Spectrums.

What do we know about the world suicide rate and the national suicide rate? What are the differences and how might they be explained? How does the role of medications help or hinder suicide prevention? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Cutler interviews Dr. Christine Moutier and Dr. Stephen Stahl on their Suicide Prevention Handbook, where they address timely questions like these and so much more. Dr. Moutier is the Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).  Throughout her career she has focused on fighting stigma related to mental health and help seeking. Training healthcare leaders, physicians, and advocacy groups, Dr. Moutier has sought to change the healthcare system’s approach to mental health, in order to optimize care for those suffering from mental health conditions. As a leader in the field of suicide prevention, Dr. Moutier joined AFSP in 2013, and has revitalized AFSP’s Education team, re-launched its Loss & Healing department, and expanded AFSP’s support to include those with lived experience of suicide. Moutier has authored Suicide Prevention, a Stahl's series handbook, articles and book chapters for publications such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Lancet, Academic Medicine, the American Journal of Psychiatry, the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Depression and Anxiety, and Academic Psychiatry. She has testified before the U.S. Congress and spoken at the White House, she was the host of AFSP’s documentary on surviving suicide loss, The Journey, and has appeared as an expert in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time magazine, The Economist, The Atlantic, the BBC, NBC, CNN, and other print and television outlets. You can follow Dr. Moutier on Twitter at @cmoutierMD. For more information on the AFSP please visit: asfp.org With this special series, brought to you by the NEI Podcast we will address a different theme in psychopharmacology every 3 months. Each theme is split into 3 parts, with one part released each month. The second theme is treatment-resistant depression and suicide prevention. Episodes to be released under this theme include: Part 1: Treatment Resistant Depression and Suicide Prevention: Hot Off the Press Ketamine Guidelines with Dr. Roger McIntyre Part 2: Shelter-In-Place During the Storm: Mental Health Consequences and Suicide Prevention During the COVID-19 Pandemic with Dr. Roger McIntyre Part 3: Beyond the Storm: An Update on Suicide Prevention and The Suicide Prevention Handbook with Dr. Christine Moutier Subscribe to the NEI Podcast, so that you don’t miss another episode!

What are the positive and negative consequences surrounding self-diagnosis programs for mental health? What can you say about the trend on TikTok to take L-tyrosine? It’s apparently been nicknamed the “natural Adderall”. What is wrong with this, or potentially dangerous about this? In this episode, Dr. Kojo Sarfo, discusses the positive and negative consequences of the mental health trends on TikTok and social media. Dr. Kojo Sarfo, DNP, PMHNP-BC is a Ghanaian-American Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, entrepreneur, and writer. He graduated from The University of West Alabama with his Associate’s Degree in Nursing and then obtained his Bachelor’s in Nursing from Western Governors University. He went on to obtain his Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree from Augusta University with a specialty in Psychiatry. Dr. Sarfo is dedicated to increasing awareness about mental health conditions and reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health on social media platforms, such as TikTok. His mission has been received with growing popularity, particularly in the adolescent/youth community- as he has over one million followers on TikTok. He has three years of teaching experience as an adjunct faculty professor with the College of Nursing at his alma mater, Augusta University. He has a passion for treating and caring for persons with severe mental health conditions. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Abrantie & Signora, LLC, which is a clothing company dedicated to spreading positivity and mental health awareness for teenagers and college students. For more information on Dr. Sarfo: https://www.kojosarfo.com/ Dr. Sarfo’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kojo-sarfo-podcast/id1477749374 Dr. Sarfo’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/kojosarfo Dr. Sarfo’s Clothing Company: https://abrantiesignora.com/ Dr. Sarfo’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Already-Won-Education-Awareness/dp/1692141805/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dr.+kojo+sarfo&qid=1603218480&sr=8-1

What are the most frequent comorbidities of schizophrenia? Is there any scientific reason to use any antipsychotic in twice-a-day dosing? In this episode, Dr. Leslie Citrome addresses these questions and more of your unanswered questions from the NEI Synapse Half-Day on Novel Strategies to Treat Schizophrenia in this special NEI Podcast Bonus episode! Dr. Leslie Citrome is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York and has a private practice in Pomona, New York. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Clinical Practice, published by Wiley. Dr. Citrome was the founding Director of the Clinical Research and Evaluation Facility at the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in Orangeburg, New York, and after nearly two decades of government service as a researcher in the psychopharmacological treatment of severe mental disorders, Dr. Citrome is now engaged as a consultant in clinical trial design and interpretation. Dr. Citrome is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Main areas of interest include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. He is a frequent lecturer on the quantitative assessment of clinical trial results using the evidence-based medicine metrics of number needed to treat and number needed to harm. Dr. Citrome is the author or co-author of over 400 research reports, reviews, and chapters in the scientific literature, is on the editorial board of 13 different medical journals, reviews for over 90 journals, and has lectured extensively throughout the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

What unique risk factors surround the COVID-19 pandemic and potential heightened risk of suicide? What populations have been most vulnerable to mental health consequences, substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, and self-harm during the pandemic and why? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Cutler interviews Dr. Roger McIntyre and Dr. Stephen Stahl on the suicide risk and prevalence during this challenging time. Dr. Roger S. McIntyre is currently a Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto and Head of the Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Dr. McIntyre is also Executive Director of the Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation in Toronto, Canada. Dr. McIntyre was named by Thomson Reuters in 2014 and 2015, as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds”. This distinction is given by publishing the largest number of articles that rank among those most frequently cited by researchers globally in 21 broad fields of science and social science during the previous decade. Dr. McIntyre is involved in multiple research endeavors which primarily aim to characterize the association between mood disorders, notably cognitive function and medical comorbidity. His works broadly aims to characterize the underlying causes of cognitive impairment in individuals with mood disorders and their impact on workplace functioning. This body of work has provided a platform for identifying novel molecular targets to treat and prevent mood disorders and accompanying cognitive impairment. With this special series, brought to you by the NEI Podcast we will address a different theme in psychopharmacology every 3 months. Each theme is split into 3 parts, with one part released each month. The second theme is treatment-resistant depression and suicide prevention. Episodes to be released under this theme include: Part 1: Treatment Resistant Depression and Suicide Prevention: Hot Off the Press Ketamine Guidelines with Dr. Roger McIntyre Part 2: Shelter-In-Place During the Storm: Mental Health Consequences and Suicide Prevention During the COVID-19 Pandemic with Dr. Roger McIntyre Part 3: Beyond the Storm: An Update on Suicide Prevention and The Suicide Prevention Handbook with Dr. Christine Moutier Subscribe to the NEI Podcast, so that you don’t miss another episode!

What are some mental health challenges for Asian Americans today? Can you share your thoughts on the most recent acts of violence against Asian Americans and where it comes from? In this timely and important episode, we interview Dr. Rona Hu on mental health in the Asian American community. Dr. Hu is Medical Director of the Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at Stanford Hospital, specializing in the care of those with serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar and depression. She completed medical school and residency in psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and fellowships in Pharmacology and Schizophrenia Research through the National Institutes of Health. She is also active in  minority issues and cultural psychiatry, and has received regional and national recognition for her clinical care, research and teaching. Dr. Rona J. Hu received her medical degree in 1990 from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and completed her residency at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center in 1994. She received her board certification in psychiatry in 1995 from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Hu completed two fellowships while at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 1994-1998. She completed the PRAT (Pharmacology Research Associate Training) program from 1994-1996, and a schizophrenia research fellowship from 1996-1998. Dr. Hu received the 2016 APA Nancy Roeske award for Excellence in Medical Student Education, the 2017 Faculty Award from Stanford University's Asian American Activities Center, and the 2017 Community Engagement Award from Stanford Department of Psychiatry.

What is the evidence that obesity leaves one vulnerable to bipolar disorder? Which of your patients with bipolar disorder would you refer for TMS and what has been the outcome in your experience? Have you seen development of mania with this treatment? What impact or changes have you seen in your bipolar patients who have suffered with COVID? In this Bonus episode of the NEI Podcast, Dr. Roger McIntyre addresses these questions and more unanswered questions from the Q&A session for our NEI Synapse Half-Day on The Cutting-Edge of Mood Disorders. Dr. Roger S. McIntyre is currently a Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto and Head of the Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Dr. McIntyre is also Executive Director of the Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation in Toronto, Canada. Dr. McIntyre is involved in multiple research endeavors which primarily aim to characterize the association between mood disorders, notably cognitive function and medical comorbidity. His works broadly aims to characterize the underlying causes of cognitive impairment in individuals with mood disorders and their impact on workplace functioning. This body of work has provided a platform for identifying novel molecular targets to treat and prevent mood disorders and accompanying cognitive impairment. Dr. McIntyre is a contributor to the “Florida Medicaid Drug Therapy Management Program for Behavioral Health: Guidelines for the treatment of adults with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder”. Dr. McIntyre is also the co-chair of the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Task Force on the Treatment of Comorbidity in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar Disorder and as well a contributor to the “CANMAT Guidelines for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders and Bipolar Disorders”. Dr. McIntyre has published hundreds of peer-reviewed articles and has edited and/or co-edited several textbooks on mood disorders. To register for Synapse Half-Days go to: https://www.neiglobal.com/Synapse/SynOverview/tabid/468/Default.aspx

What do clinicians need to know about the pharmacokinetics of ketamine, especially when it comes to drug-drug interactions? What is the abuse potential for ketamine and for esketamine? What are some ways that clinicians can mitigate the risk of abuse? At this time, what is the consensus, in comparing the efficacy of ketamine and esketamine for treatment resistant depression? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Cutler interviews Dr. Roger McIntyre and Dr. Stephen Stahl on their recent publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry. To access the article click on the link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33726522/ Dr. Roger S. McIntyre is currently a Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto and Head of the Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Dr. McIntyre is also Executive Director of the Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation in Toronto, Canada. Dr. McIntyre was named by Thomson Reuters in 2014 and 2015, as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds”. This distinction is given by publishing the largest number of articles that rank among those most frequently cited by researchers globally in 21 broad fields of science and social science during the previous decade. Dr. McIntyre is involved in multiple research endeavors which primarily aim to characterize the association between mood disorders, notably cognitive function and medical comorbidity. His works broadly aims to characterize the underlying causes of cognitive impairment in individuals with mood disorders and their impact on workplace functioning. This body of work has provided a platform for identifying novel molecular targets to treat and prevent mood disorders and accompanying cognitive impairment. With this special series, brought to you by the NEI Podcast we will address a different theme in psychopharmacology every 3 months. Each theme is split into 3 parts, with one part released each month. The second theme is treatment-resistant depression and suicide prevention. Episodes to be released under this theme include: Part 1: Treatment Resistant Depression and Suicide Prevention: Hot Off the Press Ketamine Guidelines with Dr. Roger McIntyre Part 2: Shelter-In-Place During the Storm: Mental Health Consequences and Suicide Prevention During the COVID-19 Pandemic with Dr. Roger McIntyre Part 3: Beyond the Storm: An Update on Suicide Prevention and The Suicide Prevention Handbook with Dr. Christine Moutier Subscribe to the NEI Podcast, so that you don’t miss another episode!

What has the research shown in terms of the relationship between THC and sleep and nightmares in patients with PTSD? What are your thoughts on the recent study by LaFrance et al. that claimed that PTSD symptoms were reduced by more than 50% after cannabis use? In this fascinating interview with Dr. Kari Franson, we discuss the evidence for and against the use of cannabis to treat PTSD. Kari L. Franson PharmD, PhD, BCPP joined the University of Southern California in 2020 as the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy. Dr. Franson received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of California, San Francisco, trained at the University of Illinois, Chicago Hospital and Clinics as a resident in adult internal medicine and a fellow in clinical research/drug development, and received her PhD in Medical Education from Leiden University, the Netherlands. Dr. Franson is an educator with more than 25 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has focused on two areas: health professions education/workforce development and psychopharmacology. She is an international leader in interprofessional practice, education and advocacy and workforce development to address health disparities in both the US and abroad. Dr. Franson has experience in campus and distance-based curriculum development and assessment, technology-enhanced assessment/learning, experiential education, and continuing professional education and development. Dr. Franson is also a US Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist and Dutch-Certified Clinical Pharmacologist. She worked with geriatric psychiatric patients for 10 years and has performed a variety of clinical studies spanning those in early-phase clinical pharmacology to post-marketing clinical efficacy studies. She is interested in cannabinoid clinical pharmacologic effects and cannabis user safety. She has guided national and international professional, legislative, media and commercial groups on the wise study and use of cannabis.  

What exactly is reconsolidation? How does disrupting this process work to neutralize fear conditioning? How has hallucinogen-assisted psychotherapy been implemented as an attempt to block reconsolidation of activated memories during psychotherapy sessions In this episode, as part of our special series, the PsychopharmaStahlogy Show, Dr. Andrew Cutler asks Dr. Stephen Stahl these questions, and so much more! Don’t miss Part 3 of this interview.  With this special series, brought to you by the NEI Podcast we will address a different theme in psychopharmacology every 3 months. Each theme is split into 3 parts, with one part released each month. The first theme is on psychedelic assisted psychotherapy as a novel approach to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Episodes to be released under this theme include: Part 1: Now You See It, Now You Don’t: The Power of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Part 2: Forgetting to Be Addicted: Altering Compulsivity in the Addiction Process Part 3: Forgetting Your PTSD: Using Reconsolidation to Forget Traumatic Memories Subscribe to the NEI Podcast, so that you don’t miss another episode!