Nei Podcast

What exactly is brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF? What is the relationship between neuroinflammation, BDNF, and depression? What are ways that we can naturally stimulate increases in BDNF? In this exciting interview, psychiatric nurse practitioner, Michelle Novella answers all these questions and more! Michele Novella, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, is the owner and medical director of Star Psychiatric Healthcare, LLC, in Danbury, CT. She was educated at Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT, and received her Master's Degree in Adult Psychiatric Nursing from Yale University, graduating with high Honors. Additionally, Ms. Novella is an inductee into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and is an active member of the ANA, APNA, and CTAPRNS. She is also a past recipient of the American Cancer Society's prestigious "Excellence in Onocology" Nursing Award for the State of CT.  She is a national speaker for several pharmaceutical companies, including Takeda and Lundbeck.

Healthcare workers on the frontline, working to save patients with the COVID-19 virus, during this pandemic have been especially vulnerable to mental health consequences and trauma. In the early stages of the global shut-down, Dr. Mona Masood launched the Physician Support Line, a volunteer hotline to support physicians and healthcare providers who were on the frontlines, battling the virus, and the traumatic consequences of doing so, simultaneously. Doctors, nurses, EMTs and other health care workers have been under extremely stressful conditions, increased patient loads without necessary staffing, a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and overtime hours, placing them at high risk for contracting the virus themselves. Many have lost colleagues to the virus.  In this episode, learn what inspired her to create this hotline, what it has done for physicians, and how you can get involved. Dr. Mona Masood is board certified in general adult psychiatry and is an outpatient psychiatrist in the Ivyland, Penn

Methamphetamine is an extremely serious problem in the United States, and it remains one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world. There are severe psychological, and medical consequences from methamphetamine misuse and abuse. This poses a particular challenge for clinicians treating patients for mental health conditions that are comorbid with substance use disorder (SUD). This is especially challenging when there are also interactions that can alter or influence psychiatric medications used to treat these patients. Questions such as the following arise: Given the high comorbidity of SUD with ADHD, how often should you check drug screens, and what is the threshold for discontinuing the stimulants if tests come back positive? In this podcast episode, Dr. William Sauve’ addresses these concerns, and much more. He also employs strategies to improve communication with patients about being transparent when it comes to using substances. Optional CME credits / certificate instructions: After listeni

What is the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the pediatric population and does this change, depending on age? What are important tips for recognizing hypomania in children, and diagnosing children with mixed depression? In this episode, we address these questions and more with pediatric psychiatrist, Dr. Manpreet Singh.  Dr. Singh is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, and leads a program aimed to accelerate understanding and treatment in youth with or at high risk for developing lifelong mood disorders. She is the director of the Pediatric Mood Disorders Program and the Pediatric Emotion and Resilience Program at Stanford University. Dr. Singh earned her MD at Michigan State University and her MS at University of Michigan. She completed her combined residency training in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. After two years of T32 postdoctoral training at Stanford’s Center for Interdisciplin

Healthcare disparities occur around the world, due to a complex, multifaceted situation that results from socioeconomic hardships, psychosocial stress, and cultural differences. In the United States, these disparities are often seen in minority communities, such as Hispanics and Black Americans. When a pandemic, such as COVID-19 occurs, it can expose these disparities in the most tragic ways. Current statistics surrounding healthcare disparities during the pandemic are staggering, suggesting that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the Black American community. In this important and timely interview with Dr. Napoleon Higgins, we address your most pressing questions on why this is occurring, and how awareness can improve this situation for future generations. Dr. Napoleon Higgins, Jr., is a psychiatrist in the Houston/Clear Lake City Area. He currently serves as Owner, CEO and President of Bay Pointe Behavioral Health Service, Inc., and South East Houston Research Group, Inc. He also practices as the Medi

Food and beverages interact with certain psychiatric medications to alter their pharmacokinetic properties, resulting in potentially unintended health outcomes. In this podcast episode, Dr. Rajnish Mago describes common food and beverages that interact with psychiatric medication and provides recommendations for avoiding unintended food-drug interactions. Optional CME credits / certificate instructions: After listening to the podcast, to take the optional posttest and receive CME credit, click HERE.  Learning Objectives: After completing this educational activity, you should be better able to: Describe the effects of food on the bioavailability of certain psychotropic medications Discuss current evidence of the brain-gut connection’s impact on mental health Describe the effects of vitamin C, caffeine, and grapefruit on the pharmacokinetics of certain psychotropic medications  Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements: The Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) is accredited by the Accreditation Coun

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, mental health concerns are on the rise. What do we know about the relationship between suicide risk and previous pandemics or natural disasters? How do we distinguish between behavior that seems like appropriate coping during this time and behavior that should raise a red flag? What are some protective factors against suicide, and how can we capitalize on these, especially during this challenging time?  Join us, as we interview the Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Dr. Christine Moutier. Dr. Moutier knows the impact of suicide firsthand. After losing colleagues to suicide, she dedicated herself to fighting this leading cause of death. 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 men

What is the evidence that exercise is at least as effective as medications for the treatment of mental health disorders, such as depression? Can you share any research findings on the effects of exercise for patients with traumatic brain injury?  If you have questions like these, you won't want to miss this episode with psychiatrist and renowed author, Dr. John Ratey! Best selling author, John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books published in 17 languages, including the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. With the publication of  "Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection.  His most recent book, “Go Wild” explores how we can achieve optimal physical and mental health

Given the recent COVID-19 virus pandemic, how is pediatric anxiety influenced by things like the media, parental attitudes, and the family environment? How effective is telepsychiatry for pediatric patients? If you have these types of questions you won't want to miss this timely and important interview with psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Strawn! In this episode, we discuss issues like effective communication strategies for parents during this time, and how to best meet the needs of pediatric patients with anxiety. Dr. Strawn is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He directs the University of Cincinnati Anxiety Disorders Research Program. His ongoing research explores the pathophysiology and psychopharmacology of anxiety disorders, using functional neuroimaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. His research further aims to identify early predictors of treatment response in anxiety and to identify which patients may respond best

What is our current understanding of the gut-brain connection? What is the difference between the microbiome and microbiota? How is dysbyosis of the gut associated with certain psychiatric disorders? In this CME podcast, we address these questions and more in this captivating interview between Dr. Andrew J. Cutler and Dr. Roger S. McIntyre! Optional CME credits / certificate instructions: After listening to the podcast, to take the optional posttest and receive CME credit, click HERE. Learning Objectives: After completing this educational activity, you should be better able to: Explore the relationship between the brain-gut-microbiome axis and chronic inflammation Discuss current evidence of the brain-gut connection’s impact on mental health Consider potential implications of the gut-brain connection for the treatment of various mental illnesses Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements: The Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Educat

How do you manage billing and insurance for telepsychiatry? What are some challenges to treating patients who may not be tech saavy? In part 2 of this episode, we address these questions and more, providing you with the most current information on the practical implications of telepsychiatry in our interview with psychiatric nurse practitioner, Michele Novella.  Michele Novella, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, is the owner and medical director of Star Psychiatric Healthcare, LLC, in Danbury, CT. She was educated at Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT, and received her Master's Degree in Adult Psychiatric Nursing from Yale University, graduating with high Honors. Additionally, Ms. Novella is an inductee into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and is an active member of the ANA, APNA, and CTAPRNS. She is also a past recipient of the American Cancer Society's prestigious "Excellence in Onocology" Nursing Award for the State of CT.  She is a national speaker for several pharmaceutical companies, including Tak

In this episode, we discuss the importance and practical implications of telepsychiatry in the field of mental health, with psychiatric nurse practioner, Michele Novella. Has your practice been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? In part 1 of this episode, Michele takes you step-by-step through the process of implementing telepsychiatry into your practice. Learn about the "do's" and "don'ts", and important information that you will need to know to better treat your patients during this challenging time!  Michele Novella, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, is the owner and medical director of Star Psychiatric Healthcare, LLC, in Danbury, CT. She was educated at Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT, and received her Master's Degree in Adult Psychiatric Nursing from Yale University, graduating with high Honors. Additionally, Ms. Novella is an inductee into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and is an active member of the ANA, APNA, and CTAPRNS. She is also a past recipient of the American Cancer Society's prestig

In this episode, we raise awareness about a forgotten, yet extremely vulnerable population at high risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). What are ways that we can better screen for patients who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV)? How are types of brain injuries unique in this population? Are there neuroimaging techniques that can more accurately detect IPV-related TBIs?  Deb York is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practicing in Colorado Springs, CO.  She completed her research certification as a Certified Clinical Research Associate at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Deb has a clinical focus in endocrine psychiatry for the treatment of a variety of psychiatric illnesses with specialized expertise in treatments for mood disorders involving menopause, andropause, PMS, PMDD and post-partum depression.  Her research focuses on conducting clinical trials to identify and evaluate novel psychopharmacological and neuroradiological interventions for tra

What are ketones and how are they related to mental health? What is the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and the ketogenic diet? What is the carnivore diet? If these are some of your questions when it comes to nutrition and mental health, you won't want to miss Part II of this exciting interview with Dr. William Sauve'!

Are carbohydrates bad for me? Is the ketogenic diet good for the brain? What is the carnivore diet? These are questions that concern many people today, especially if you're interested in nutrition and the brain. In Part I of this episode we dive into this hot topic with Dr. William Sauve', where we discuss many of these questions and more!   Dr. William M. Sauve' is a psychiatrist in Virginia. He received his medical degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and has been in practice between 11-20 years.

In Part II of this interview with Dr. Rona Hu, we discuss the most effective ways of assessing and preventing violence in the healthcare setting. Learn how to protect yourself, how to cope with such experiences, and how to support one another in the aftermath. 

In this episode, we dive into a topic that is not talked about enough, yet many clinicians experience assault by patients. Here, we address how to identify risks, how to decrease escalation from agitation to aggression, and how to cope after a violent event has occurred with a patient. Dr. Rona Hu is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is a Clinical Professor at Stanford University, and she was the formal Medical Director of the Acute Psychiatric Unit at Stanford for 20 years.

In Part II of this episode, we continue to take a look back at 2019 with Dr. Andrew Cutler, as we reflect on the most FDA approvals, exciting research findings and all the important updates in psychopharmacology that could impact your practice.  Dr. Andrew Cutler is Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI). He has deeply rooted knowledge in clinical practice, academic experience, and emerging science in psychiatry through clinical trials. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University and previously served as Courtesy Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at University of Florida. He has been the principal investigator on more than 400 psychiatric and medical clinical trials.

In this episode, we take a look back at 2019 with Dr. Andrew Cutler, as we reflect on the most FDA approvals, exciting research findings and all the important updates in psychopharmacology that could impact your practice.  Dr. Andrew Cutler is Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI). He has deeply rooted knowledge in clinical practice, academic experience, and emerging science in psychiatry through clinical trials. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University and previously served as Courtesy Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at University of Florida. He has been the principal investigator on more than 400 psychiatric and medical clinical trials. Stay tuned for more exciting reflections from 2019, in Part II of this episode. 

Join Dr. Andy Cutler through this lightning-speed review of how to manage antipsychotic medications and treat psychosis. Tune in for the latest information from this year's Congress!