UI's very own Dr. John Wemmie was featured in a recent article published by the Scientific American regarding psychiatric disorders and their relationship to increased levels of acidity found in the brains of people with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This area of investigation could have novel implications for therapies for psychiatric disorders. Read the full...

Three women, each with diverse clinical and research specialties, are now at the helm of the Department of Psychiatry. The dynamic trio joins a strong leadership team that already includes another female leader, bringing the total to four women leaders with common goals of boosting mental health care and training, while keeping the department at the cutting-edge of research. Top Row: Jodi Tate...

UI faculty members discuss the new undergraduate neuroscience major approved by the state Board of Regents on June 28.The University of Iowa is elevating its strength in the health sciences to bring together numerous disciplines and create an undergraduate neuroscience major.The state Board of Regents approved the major in a June 28 telephonic meeting.Months prior to the regents’ approval of the...

The human brain is nimble. It can reorganize itself to learn new things, catalog memories, and even break old habits. So, what if our brains could be taught to suppress cravings, especially the destructive impulse to use drugs?University of Iowa researchers studying the infralimbic cortex—a region of the brain that controls addictive behavior—performed a series of experiments in which rats were...

Dr. Christopher Benson has been named the Clinical Chief of Cardiology for the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Dr. Benson is a Professor of Internal Medicine and of Pharmacology and Chief of Cardiology at the VA Medical Center. He received his MD from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine where he also did his residency. He then completed a four-year cardiovascular fellowship at...

Loss of metabolic enzyme in mouse brains impairs long-term spatial memoryACSS2 enzyme, which is required for long-term spatial memory, relocates to the cell nucleus where gene expression occurs. Image shows mouse neurons from the hippocampus. Neuron nuclei are stained blue and ACSS2 enzyme is red, so overlap is pink-purple. The axons are green. Image credit: University of PennsylvaniaWhen certain...

Sunday’s fire in Bowen Science Building has left Paul Heidger wishing he had cleared out a lot more stuff from his campus office during the five years since he became an emeritus professor.http://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2017/06/13/university-iowa-researchers-adjust-damage-bowen-science-building/392840001/

Peggy Nopoulos, MD, professor of psychiatry and vice chair of research, Department of Psychiatry, has accepted the role of interim chair and department executive officer of the Department of Psychiatry, effective July 1. Nopoulos, who has additional appointments as professor of neurology and pediatrics, joined the UI Carver College of Medicine faculty in 1994. She received her medical degree from...

Widespread news reports claim a bipartisan government spending deal has been reached to keep the government funded through the end of the fiscal year (September 30). The agreement includes a $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase consistent with what we anticipated in our note, “NIH under Trump.”This $2 billion increase builds on the $2 billion increase the...

Cerebellar stimulation restores missing brain wave in rats and corrects timing deficit“A beautiful, lobular structure,” is how Krystal Parker describes the cerebellum—a brain region located at the base of the skull just above the spinal column. The cerebellum is most commonly associated with movement control, but work from Parker’s lab and others is gradually revealing a much more complex role in...