Episodes 31-32 | Biomarkers of Accelerated Aging in Severe Mental Illness – With Dr. Lisa Eyler (Parts 1 and 2)
Episode 31:
Severe mental illness (SMI) refers to mental disorders that result in significant functional impairment (e.g., schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). In this episode, we bring you Part 1 of our conversation with Lisa Eyler, Ph.D., about inflammation in individuals with SMI, how inflammation is associated with accelerated aging and other health problems, and the clinical utility of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in this population. We also contrast the approaches of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC).
Episode 32:
We are bringing you the second part of our conversation with Lisa Eyler, Ph.D., on age-related changes in the functional connectivity of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). Dr. Eyler also summarizes the literature on the biomarkers of SMI in accelerated aging and the clinical utility of these biomarkers independently and in combination with behavioral strategies. After the conversation, we provide our own commentary and discuss the use of biomarkers in clinical practice.
Episode 11 | The Human Microbiome and Mental Illness: The Gut-Brain Axis – With Dr. Tanya Nguyen
In our bodies, microbial genes outnumber human genes by about 100 to 1. The human microbiome (the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in us) has been linked to gastrointestinal diseases, immune functioning, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and more recently cognitive and psychiatric functioning. Today we speak with Tanya Nguyen, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist whose research is helping to clarify this link.
Episodes 03-04 | Neuroimaging and Neuropsychology, Friends or Foes? – With Dr. Steve Correia (Parts 1 and 2)
We interviewed Stephen Correia, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, a neuropsychologist with extensive research and clinical training in the use of imaging techniques. In this two-part episode, we cover clinical neuroimaging, with a focus on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
Episode 15 | Interventional Neuropsychology: Compensatory Cognitive Training – With Dr. Beth Twamley
Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) is a growing area of research and clinical practice for neuropsychologists in academic and rehabilitation settings. CCT leverages intact brain networks in order to teach skills that can improve someone’s ability to function independently in day-to-day life, despite the presence of other disrupted brain networks. CCT has wide-reaching applications and can be beneficial for many of the clinical populations neuropsychologists already work with, including individuals with traumatic brain injury, severe mental illness, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. In this episode, we will talk to Elizabeth Twamley, Ph.D., about CCT: how it is applied, similarities to cognitive rehabilitation, who benefits most, where the field is going, and much more.
Episode 41 | Teleneuropsychology – With Dr. Munro Cullum
The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting every corner of our world, and neuropsychology is certainly not immune from its effects. In particular, many neuropsychological clinics have temporarily shut down operations in response to the widespread call for social distancing. With this as the backdrop, we speak with Munro Cullum, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, about teleneuropsychology and telemedicine in general. We distinguish between pre-COVID-19 teleneuropsychological evaluations, conducted in clinics and other controlled environments, and the current push for home-to-home teleneuropsychology. We then dive into the details of teleneuropsychology, including topics such as research evidence for feasibility, reliability, and validity of this methodology, patient acceptability, environmental challenges, patient privacy and informed consent, and trainee clinical hours, among others. Throughout the interview, Dr. Cullum summarizes the current literature and provides advice, tips, and guidance for interested researchers and clinicians.
Episode 29 | The Art and Science of Delivering Feedback – With Dr. Karen Postal (Part 2)
Karen Postal, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, talked with us about neuropsychological feedback in episode 17 (click here to go to that episode). Today, she graciously returns to continue the discussion of how to best deliver feedback and talk about her new book, Testimony That Sticks: The Art of Communicating Psychology and Neuropsychology to Juries. We also spend time talking to Karen about her training and supervision style, as well as her perspective on professional development based on her experience as American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology President and in many other leadership and service roles.
Episode 17 | The Art and Science of Delivering Feedback – With Dr. Karen Postal (Part 1)
Effective communication of neuropsychological test results and recommendations is a nuanced practice that is considered both a science and an art. Today we bring you our conversation with Karen Postal, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, the past president of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology and the lead author of the book Feedback that Sticks: The Art of Effectively Communicating Neuropsychological Assessment Results. We talk with Dr. Postal about how to provide effective feedback as a neuropsychologist and how we can refine the communication of findings to maximize the benefit to our patients and referral sources.