News releases
February 2021
American College of Psychiatrists honor Francis Lu with Distinguished Service Award, Helen Kales with research award
February 26, 2021
Two UC Davis psychiatrists were recently honored by the American College of Psychiatrists: Francis Lu for his outstanding achievements and leadership in the field, and Helen Kales for her contributions to geriatric psychiatry.
Bold new initiative helps address California’s shortage of mental health providers
February 24, 2021
UC Davis Health advanced practice providers work to address mental health disparities in California.
UC Davis School of Medicine scored a record year of NIH funding
February 23, 2021
In 2020, the UC Davis School of Medicine secured its highest-ever level of National Institutes of Health research funding at more than $181 million.
Fragile X premutation registry launches internationally (video)
February 3, 2021
The UC Davis MIND Institute and the National Fragile X Foundation have launched an international registry of people carrying the fragile X premutation. The goal is to facilitate and encourage research about the genetic condition to improve understanding and treatment.
January 2021
MIND Institute and psychiatry researcher receives ‘early career’ honor
January 11, 2021
UC Davis’ Angela John Thurman has received the Early Career Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The honor recognizes her considerable research contributions in the development of language, cognition and behavior.
Caring for your mental health in 2021: 10 tips
January 4, 2021
The new calendar year presents a great opportunity to refocus on our mental health, according to UC Davis Health experts. They offer 10 tips to help you better handle stress and find joy despite the stress of the coronavirus pandemic.
December 2020
Big brains and white matter: New clues about autism subtypes
December 17, 2020
Researchers found that a long-accepted theory about brain size in some children with autism may not be true. In a separate study, they linked development of white matter with changes in autism symptom severity.
Saying no to holiday gatherings during COVID-19 can be painful
December 16, 2020
New COVID-19 infections continue to explode and health officials warn that holiday gatherings can be dangerous and even deadly. But how do you tell people you love to stay away? Psychiatrist Shannon Suo has some answers.
Gestational age linked to ADHD in children with Down syndrome
December 4, 2020
A new study by the UC Davis MIND Institute finds a connection between gestational age and ADHD in children with Down syndrome. An earlier gestational age is linked to higher ADHD symptoms later in childhood.
Striving to improve care for people experiencing homelessness - locally and statewide
December 3, 2020
UC Davis Health clinical professor Angela Drake is taking part in a new learning community with providers, insurers and health systems throughout California. She’s also joined the Project Review Committee of Sacramento Steps Forward, a nonprofit addressing homelessness.
October 2020
For toddlers with autism, more intervention hours are not necessarily better
October 19, 2020
Two prominent early intervention models for toddlers with autism show a very similar impact, whether delivered at 15-hours or 25-hours per week intensities.
September 2020
COVID-19 is wrecking our sleep with coronasomnia – tips to fight back
September 23, 2020
COVID-19 may be causing a second pandemic of insomnia – or “coronasomnia.” Sleep experts offer tips to improve sleep and ease the stress.
August 2020
Pregnant mother's immunity tied to behavioral, emotional challenges for kids with autism
August 14, 2020
Children with autism born to mothers who had immune conditions during their pregnancy are more likely to have behavioral and emotional problems, a UC Davis Health study has found. Offspring sex may also interact with maternal immune conditions to influence outcomes, particularly in terms of a child's cognition.
UC Davis MIND Institute event draws thousands of people from 15 countries
August 12, 2020
The UC Davis MIND Institute’s first virtual Summer Institute breaks records, reaching thousands of people in at least 15 countries.
GI symptoms linked to behavioral problems in children, especially those with autism
August 10, 2020
Common gastrointestinal symptoms are linked to troubling sleep problems, self-harm and physical complaints in preschool children. These symptoms are more common and potentially disruptive in young kids with autism.
July 2020
Advice from UC Davis experts to calm the anxieties of back-to-school during COVID-19 (video)
July 31, 2020
Kids get anxious when their lives are uncertain, and in this coronavirus era, almost everything is uncertain. Two experts help families work through the stress of an unprecedented back-to-school year.
UC Davis Health leads in research and coordination of early psychosis programs in California
July 30, 2020
Tara Niendam has received a $2.8 million contract from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health in support of EPI-CAL, a network of early psychosis programs in California.
Toy or therapy device? UC Davis Health researchers study effectiveness of fidget tools
July 29, 2020
A new UC Davis MIND Institute Study explores whether a high-tech fidget device increases focus and relieves anxiety in adults with ADHD, which is particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. News names UC Davis Medical Center among the nation’s best
July 28, 2020
U.S. News & World Report's rankings are out. UC Davis Medical Center is again the #1 hospital in Sacramento, and in the Top 10 in California -- distinctions it has earned for many years in a row.
Major grant for UC Davis Health center focused on disabilities research
July 24, 2020
An engine for interdisciplinary research: The UC Davis MIND Institute’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center is renewed with a $6.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
UC Davis Health study seeks better detection of depression in children with autism
July 21, 2020
UC Davis Health researchers are hoping to create better interventions for children with autism who struggle with depression.
June 2020
Pilot grants open door to better mental health care
June 24, 2020
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at UC Davis recented awarded seed funding to three projects designed to improve mental health research in California and strengthen collaborations with community, regional and statewide partners.
NIH grant funds a new study of infants at higher risk for ADHD and ASD
June 11, 2020
A $3.65 million grant from NIH to fund Meghan Miller’s study of autism and ADHD markers in babies.
UC Davis Health adapting from lessons of telehealth
June 2, 2020
UC Davis Health adapted to telehealth at an unprecedented rate because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s using lessons learned to adapt for the future an even fuller experience for patients.
May 2020
Autism severity can change substantially during early childhood
May 28, 2020
Kids with autism may have a change in their symptom severity during childhood. Around 30% of them have less symptoms by age 6.
Depression symptoms linked to reduced cognitive control in people with autism
May 19, 2020
Symptoms of depression in young adults with autism were linked to less proactive cognitive control, a new UC Davis MIND Institute study has found.
April 2020
New study suggests ways to alleviate social withdrawal symptoms in mental illnesses
April 27, 2020
UC Davis researchers studied the role of oxytocin, a neurotransmitter produced in the hypothalamus, which is known to play an important role in social behavior across species. By analyzing the behavior of mice receiving different treatments, they gained insight into whether oxytocin may be a good target for future pharmacological therapies that could alleviate social withdrawal in mental illness.
Behavioral intervention, not lovastatin, improves language skills in youth with fragile X
April 22, 2020
A UC Davis Health study found more evidence for the efficacy of behavioral intervention in treating language problems in youth with fragile X syndrome (FXS), but not for lovastatin as a treatment for FXS.
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