Director's Message from Helene M. Langevin, M.D.
October 25, 2022

The recentconference on total-body positron emission tomography (PET)in Edinburgh, Scotland was an exciting chance to engage with a research community that is playing a distinct role in the broader effort to advance the study of whole person health.

Over decades, innovations in medical imaging have added to our ability to peer into the body and understand essential functions. The emergence and evolution of ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and other approaches have helped catalyze improvements in health care, equipping researchers and clinicians to understand, diagnose, and treat countless conditions. But in each case, the imaging technology has only offered a snapshot of parts and sections of the body. The edges of images serve as artificial walls that limit the visibility of physiologic processes.

Pete Murray, Ph.D.
October 27, 2022

TheUS Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN), a network of researchers funded by the National Institute on Aging, is united by a shared interest in improving research on deprescribing for older adults. The USDeN has an exciting new initiative for pilot studies of interventions that use complementaryand integrative health approaches to support deprescribing of benzodiazepines.Benzodiazepines are a class of psychiatric drugs approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, seizures, social phobia, and panic disorder. While benzodiazepines have been shown to have efficacy in treating these conditions, there are considerable risks associated with benzodiazepine use including abuse, misuse, and addiction.

October 2022 Clinical Digest

Its important for patients to know the science of health. As you know, there is a lot of misinformation circulating about healthfrom anecdotes disguised as evidence to excessive claims made by supplement manufacturers to TV doctors touting the latest miracle cure. Reliable health information is key to making good health decisions, but it can be difficult to tell the difference between facts and myths, particularly in the area of complementary and integrative health approaches.

December 13, 2022- 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. ET; Virtual

Stress and adversity experienced during early development can exert a profound and persistent imprint on our physiology, brain, and health across the lifespan. This can lead to long-term health outcomes such as substance use, depression, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Stress and adversity may be transmitted from one generation to the next; however, protective experiences may prevent or mitigate these effects. Dr. Laura Stroud will provide examples of findings from her laboratory and of ongoing studies at the NIH-funded COBRE Center for Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) and the Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. The focus in this work is elucidating pathways and interventions to foster resilience. Other topics will include intergenerational transmission of maternal experiences and behaviors in fetuses and babies; the importance of understanding and intervening during sensitive periods; and the need for understanding the broader exposome. The critical need to build resilience and mitigate health inequities at structural and community levels will also be discussed.

This lecture series is presented by NCCIH and supported by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health with a generous gift from Bernard and Barbro Osher

Registration is now open.