depression

Scans of brain activity in seven-year-olds are helping Northeastern researchers predict symptoms of depression, anxiety, and attentional problems in teenagers. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

What do the brains of children tell us about their mental health as teens?

Psychiatrists don’t fully understand the neurological basis of mental illness, says Northeastern psychology professor Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli. Her team is presenting a new way to use brain imaging to anticipate the problems of teen anxiety and depression during childhood

by Roberto Molar Candanosa January 2, 2020

Minhal Ahmed, a fifth-year bioengineering student, was named the winner of the Harold D. Hodgkinson Achievement Award for 2019. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

‘Star Wars’ inspired him to fight disease

Minhal Ahmed was entranced watching Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace at the age of 7, not realizing at the time that he was absorbing an idea that would later propel him to study the gut microbiome as a bioengineering student at Northeastern.

by Khalida Sarwari March 30, 2019

The general concept of delivering bacteria or manipulating gut bacteria to improve brain health is still new, said Phil Strandwitz. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

In search of the key to treating clinical depression

A study led by researchers at Northeastern shows that there is a potential link between the bacteria that live in our gut and clinical depression.

by Laura Castañón December 10, 2018

Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, professor of psychology at Northeastern, poses for a portrait on Sept. 5, 2018. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

This neuroscientist wants to change how we diagnose and treat mental illness

Imagine that a doctor could know which treatment would best help a patient with depression, anxiety, or some other mental illness by taking a picture of their brains, not unlike the way people get an X-ray for a broken bone. That will be in the future of clinical psychiatric practice, said Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, who started this semester as a psychology professor at Northeastern.

by Christine Regan Davi - contributor September 19, 2018

Psychology expert offers advice for less stress, more joy during the holidays

The holidays are billed as a time of joy, but they can also be a time of increased stress for many people. We asked psychology professor Lisa Feldman Barrett about that stress and what we can do to minimize the feelings that result.

by Thea Singer December 21, 2016

What's the difference between sad and angry?

Photo by Toni Birrer via Flickr How are you feeling right now? Can you pinpoint the specific emotions? Maybe a…

by Angela Herring September 28, 2012