Research E-Newsletter
March 2021

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Spring is beginning to wrestle with winter in Ann Arbor, providing some fresh air for trying times. Challenged by the many stressors of the past year, the faculty, staff and trainees of Michigan Psychiatry have risen to the occasion, providing outstanding clinical care and training across our hospital and ambulatory operations, using virtual platforms to enhance safety and access wherever possible. Read more in the 2020 annual department newsletter - you can view an electronic version here.

I am particularly proud of our research achievements, garnering over $32 million in NIH funding in FY 2020, publishing 435 manuscripts, and, for the first time, achieving a top 10 ranking in NIH funding among departments of psychiatry in the US.

In this research brief, we highlight just a sample of the impactful research conducted by our faculty and their research teams. We are proud of this work, and determined to do more to create new knowledge and improve the lives of patients, families, and our communities.

Please don’t forget to consider us when you cast your vote via Doximity.com for the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospital” rankings. Thank you for your support of Michigan Psychiatry.

Sincerely,
Gregory Dalack, M.D.
Daniel E. Offutt, III Professor & Chair
Follow me at @DalackMD
To help primary care clinics, the U-M Department of Psychiatry created a FREE ONLINE TOOLKIT that draws on the expertise of our researchers.
Addiction and Substance Use
Telehealth interactions with substance use disorder specialists and support groups could open treatment and recovery to many, but key changes will be needed, experts say
Minority experience worsening of symptoms over time, especially younger people
Read the latest U-M Addiction Center quarterly e-newsletter here.
Suicide Risk
Researchers develop universal screening tool used during emergency care visits that reliably predicts an adolescent or teen’s suicide risk
Study finds prevalence of suicidal thoughts and self-harm among childbearing women nearly tripled over a decade, with an estimated 24,000 individuals at potential suicide risk
Geriatric Psychiatry 
From opioids and antipsychotics to antidepressants and anxiety medicines, study looks at prescriptions among community-dwelling older adults with dementia
Despite guidelines, 14% are on three or more drugs that act on the brain and nervous system; families and providers should review prescriptions regularly.
OCD 
Key differences seen in brains of patients who responded to exposure-based therapy or stress-reduction therapy; new study seeks children and teens for further research
Light & Sleep
The more variation in wake up and sleep time, the worse mood and more chance of depression symptoms.
A psychologist explains how to boost your mood, and your sleep, on a cloudy day with light therapy
Increased light exposure can have positive and negative effects on your health — depending on the time of day
A new survey of more than 800 health care workers finds reason to increase support for front line employees as the pandemic continues
For those able to work remotely, experts say it’s a good time to address your sleep habits to improve your health
Telepsychiatry
Most opted for video, but the future of virtual mental health visits is less certain due to reimbursement.
Videos & Podcasts
Dr. Gregory Dalack, chair of the department of psychiatry, discusses the challenges of leading an academic department in the midst of a pandemic in this Psychiatric Times video. 
Seeing, hearing or perceiving things that aren’t really there may seem like something to hide, but seeking help early can make a big difference, explains Dr. Stephan Taylor.
Video Q&A featuring Jonathan Morrow, M.D., Ph.D., from the U-M Addiction Center. He explains the strains that social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic place on those struggling with addiction, and provides suggestions for getting help and prioritizing recovery during this challenging time.
Michelle Riba, M.D., shares her thoughts in this Psychiatric Times video: "Patients with depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems are going to need us more than ever in the days ahead."
This online guide has been developed by our faculty members with extensive expertise in many of the issues affecting you and your families during this critical “stay at home” period. Please share these resources with your family, friends, and those we treat and educate.

We hope that you all stay safe during this pandemic.
Our achievements are enabled and enhanced by your support and we are grateful. The recent establishment of a professorship designated for the chair of Psychiatry is just one example of that support. Thank you to all our donors and friends -- your continued engagement is important now more than ever as we face the challenges of the COVID pandemic.
Please join us in making a brighter future possible by supporting our efforts across patient care, research, and training. Together, we can accomplish so much!
Contact Courtney Metzger for more information.