https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-rss/?orgId=115279&title=Latest+News A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Pittenger Lab en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Thu, 14 May 2026 22:29:45 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/arch-hosts-department-meet-and-greet-event/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/arch-hosts-department-meet-and-greet-event/ The Yale Department of Psychiatry’s Accountability, Respect, Community, and Humanity (ARCH) Domain #3 hosted its fourth Leadership Pathway Meet and Greet event on April 23. Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/bridgeport-hospitals-reach-iop-honored-by-association-of-ambulatory-behavioral-health/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/bridgeport-hospitals-reach-iop-honored-by-association-of-ambulatory-behavioral-health/ Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH IOP program was honored as one of two finalists for the Association of Ambulatory Behavioral Health's (AABH) 2026 Program of the Year at the AABH annual conference in Las Vegas in May 2026. Tue, 05 May 2026 04:00:00 Z https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/psychedelics-brain-scans-drugs https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/psychedelics-brain-scans-drugs “This expanded integration of information across regions of the brain may be how (psychedelic therapy) can break down rigid cognitive patterns and increase flexibility of thought ...” Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry told National Geographic in a recent interview about psychedelics. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:00 Z https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-delivers-rapid-and-lasting-ocd-relief-after-a-single-treatment/ https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-delivers-rapid-and-lasting-ocd-relief-after-a-single-treatment/ At Yale School of Medicine, Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, and colleagues documented sharp symptom reductions within 48 hours among those given psilocybin, while scores in the comparison group remained largely unchanged. Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:00:00 Z https://divinity.yale.edu/news/2026-02-11-divinity-professor-leads-effort-to-strengthen-connections-between-religion?utm_source=YaleToday&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=YT_YaleToday-Staff_2-13-2026 https://divinity.yale.edu/news/2026-02-11-divinity-professor-leads-effort-to-strengthen-connections-between-religion?utm_source=YaleToday&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=YT_YaleToday-Staff_2-13-2026 A working group led by faculty from the Yale Department of Psychiatry and Yale Divinity School has convened an ongoing series of conversations exploring connections between religious practice and mental health care. The leaders from psychiatry include Anna Yusim, MD, and Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD. Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 Z https://ventures.yale.edu/news/yales-colton-center-autoimmunity-announces-2025-awardees-advancing-innovation-autoimmune https://ventures.yale.edu/news/yales-colton-center-autoimmunity-announces-2025-awardees-advancing-innovation-autoimmune The Colton Center for Autoimmunity at Yale University announces the recipients of its 2025 awards, recognizing outstanding, translationally focused research projects that aim to accelerate novel diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and technological innovations in autoimmunity. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:00:00 Z https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02189-z#Sec34 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02189-z#Sec34 A genome-wide analyses in Nature Genetics identified 30 independent loci associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder, highlighting genetic overlap with other psychiatric disorders and implicating putative effector genes and cell types contributing to its etiology. Marco Galimberti, PhD, associate research scientist, is co-first author. Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/spicer-honored-with-2025-yale-department-of-psychiatry-mental-health-advocacy-award/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/spicer-honored-with-2025-yale-department-of-psychiatry-mental-health-advocacy-award/ Angelina Spicer, a stand-up comic, producer, writer, and self-described “accidental activist,” was honored March 22, 2025 with the Yale Department of Psychiatry Mental Health Advocacy Award. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/pittenger-awarded-2025-distinguished-investigator-grant-from-bbrf/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/pittenger-awarded-2025-distinguished-investigator-grant-from-bbrf/ Christopher J. Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, has been awarded a Distinguished Investigator Grant by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF). Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/health-headlines-why-december-impacts-mental-health-more/ https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/health-headlines-why-december-impacts-mental-health-more/ Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, and Anna Yusim, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, spoke to WTNH-TV News 8 about why December is a difficult time for some people with mental health struggles. Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-center-for-the-science-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-announces-inaugural-pilot-award-winners/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-center-for-the-science-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-announces-inaugural-pilot-award-winners/ The Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (YC-SCAN²) has announced grants over $600,000 to 14 Yale School of Medicine researchers for innovative projects to understand the impact of cannabis and cannabinoids on neurodevelopment and mental health. Mon, 25 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.weku.org/npr-news/2024-10-31/this-is-what-its-really-like-to-have-ocd-according-to-4-people-living-with-it?_amp=true https://www.weku.org/npr-news/2024-10-31/this-is-what-its-really-like-to-have-ocd-according-to-4-people-living-with-it?_amp=true Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, spoke to National Public Radio for a story about misconceptions surrounding obsessive-compulsive disorder. Pittenger is director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic. Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-researchers-awarded-dollar206m-grant-for-wide-ranging-study-of-mental-illness/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-researchers-awarded-dollar206m-grant-for-wide-ranging-study-of-mental-illness/ Scientists from Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Public Health, and Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences have been awarded a $20.6 million federal grant for a five-year study of people with a wide range of mental illnesses. Thu, 29 Aug 2024 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/highlighting-yales-neuroscience-research-as-nih-budget-remains-uncertain/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/highlighting-yales-neuroscience-research-as-nih-budget-remains-uncertain/ To better understand the impact of NIH funding, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal visited Yale School of Medicine for a tour of neuroscience lab facilities and a discussion with neuroscience researchers. Wed, 10 Jul 2024 18:00:00 Z https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/innovation_summit_hosts_psychedelic_therapy_panel https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/innovation_summit_hosts_psychedelic_therapy_panel John H. Krystal, MD, Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Professor of Translational Research and professor of psychiatry, of neuroscience, and of psychology, and chair of the Yale Department of Psychiatry; and Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, were among six psychiatric researchers, entrepreneurs, and healthcare industry professionals who participated in a panel during the 10th annual Yale Innovation Summit on May 30. The panel was titled "Biotech: Exploring The Psychedelic Renaissance." Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/case-announces-newly-elected-members/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/case-announces-newly-elected-members/ Thirteen members of the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) and Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) faculties have been elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE). In all, 35 of Connecticut’s leading experts in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine were elected this year. Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/blumberg-cosgrove-pittenger-elected-to-connecticut-academy-of-science-and-engineering/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/blumberg-cosgrove-pittenger-elected-to-connecticut-academy-of-science-and-engineering/ Hilary Blumberg, MD; Kelly Cosgrove, PhD; and Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, have been elected to membership in the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering. Mon, 26 Feb 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.everydayhealth.com/alternative-health/psilocybin-therapy/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/alternative-health/psilocybin-therapy/ Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, spoke to Everyday Health about clinical treatments involving psilocybin therapy. Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-researchers-to-study-mdma-methylone-as-treatment-for-veterans-with-ptsd/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-researchers-to-study-mdma-methylone-as-treatment-for-veterans-with-ptsd/ Two Yale Department of Psychiatry scientists have been awarded a federal research grant to study the effects of the drugs MDMA and methylone as possible treatments for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/elm-city-compass-honored-at-yale-nami-conference-on-neuroscience-and-mental-health/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/elm-city-compass-honored-at-yale-nami-conference-on-neuroscience-and-mental-health/ Elm City COMPASS of New Haven was honored with the Yale Department of Psychiatry's Mental Health Advocacy Award at the 2023 Yale-NAMI Conference on Neuroscience and Mental Health held May 13 at The Anlyan Center. Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/enock-teefe-and-jose-jaime-martinez-magana-receive-2023-kavli-postdoctoral-award-for-academic-diversity/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/enock-teefe-and-jose-jaime-martinez-magana-receive-2023-kavli-postdoctoral-award-for-academic-diversity/ Enock Teefe, MD, from the laboratory of Thomas Fernandez, MD, and co-mentored by Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, and José Jaime Martínez-Magaña, PhD, from the laboratory of Janitza Montalvo-Ortiz, PhD, have been selected to receive the 2023 Kavli Postdoctoral Award for Academic Diversity. Tue, 17 Jan 2023 04:00:00 Z https://image.message.yale.edu/lib/fe3815707564047e721779/m/6/2762df10-73a4-48d3-987e-5883191b9b43.pdf https://image.message.yale.edu/lib/fe3815707564047e721779/m/6/2762df10-73a4-48d3-987e-5883191b9b43.pdf Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, spoke to National Geographic about the possibilities that psychedelic medicines can benefit people with depression, addiction, and other common disorders. Mon, 24 Oct 2022 04:00:00 Z https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2022-09-15/a-yale-doctor-says-hes-very-encouraged-that-a-psychedelic-drug-may-effectively-combat-anxiety-and-alcoholism https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2022-09-15/a-yale-doctor-says-hes-very-encouraged-that-a-psychedelic-drug-may-effectively-combat-anxiety-and-alcoholism In late August, a JAMA Psychiatry article detailed the results of the largest-ever clinical trial of a drug called psilocybin, a psychedelic found in so-called “magic mushrooms.” The study found that a combination of psilocybin and talk therapy reduced drinking by 80% after eight months of therapy. To talk about this, Dr. Christopher Pittenger, a Yale School of Medicine professor and director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, joined "All Things Considered." He says he’s not only encouraged by the study, but also by the interest Connecticut legislators have shown in one day making psilocybin therapy available to people it could help. Thu, 15 Sep 2022 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-creates-center-devoted-to-brain-and-mind-health/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/pittlab/news-article/yale-creates-center-devoted-to-brain-and-mind-health/ The center will foster transformational work that bridges existing departments, levels of analysis, and disciplinary boundaries, and will focus on areas of clinical and translational neuroscience that are broader than any single disease. Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:00:00 Z https://news.yale.edu/2022/07/19/colton-center-autoimmunity-awards-grants-six-yale-projects https://news.yale.edu/2022/07/19/colton-center-autoimmunity-awards-grants-six-yale-projects The funding is for six innovative research projects that exhibit the potential to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics and to provide new insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of autoimmune diseases. Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:00:00 Z