Neurobiological Mechanisms Of Depression Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is among the most pervasive and debilitating neuropsychiatric sequelae experienced by patients following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While the individual mechanisms underlying depression and TBI have been widely studied, the neurobiological bases of depression after TBI remain largely unknown. This article highlights the potential mechanisms of action implicated in depression after TBI. RESULTS: We review putative mechanisms of action including neuroinflammation, neuroendocrine dysregulation, metabolic abnormalities, and neurotransmitter and circuitry dysfunction. We also identify the current limitations in the field and propose directions for future research. CONCLUSION: An improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms will aid the development of precision-guided and personalized treatments for patients suffering from depression after TBI.

Moving from Cultural Competence to Cultural Humility in Psychiatric Education.

Given the significant, persistent health care inequities encountered by minority populations, health care organizations and training programs have sought to incorporate cultural competency training initiatives. However, the variety of pedagogical models demonstrate the current lack of a uniform standardized curriculum. Limitations of knowledge-based cultural competence initiatives have resulted in a shift toward attitude- and behavior-based "cultural humility." Cultural humility, the ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is open in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the patient, expands on cultural competence, which is essential to improving patient care in mental health care settings.