PODCAST · science
PsyQ: Journal Club
by Stay updated on the foundational research shaping our field.
This is an AI generated podcast. Stay updated on the foundational research shaping our field. Psych Bytes provides concise, expert-reviewed summaries of landmark papers for busy psychiatry residents and clinicians. We leverage AI tools like NotebookLM to kickstart the summary process, followed by human review and contextualization to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance. Your quick guide to essential psychiatric literature. These are merely summaries meant to improve access through convenience, please be mindful that inaccuracies may be present - please refer to original source material for the most accurate and representative information. upathak.substack.com
Episodes
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Dementia in Severe Schizophrenia - PsyQ Episode 41
In this episode of PsyQ, we critically examine the etiology of cognitive decline in severe, extremely treatment-resistant schizophrenia (SETRS) through the lens of a 2026 JAMA Psychiatry cohort study. By analyzing clinical and genetic data from 155 chronically institutionalized patients, the...
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Metabolic Psychiatry: Ketosis for TRD - PsyQ Episode 40
In this episode of PsyQ, we critically evaluate the recent randomized clinical trial by Gao et al. published in JAMA Psychiatry investigating the ketogenic diet (KD) as an adjunctive treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The study randomized 88 adults with TRD to either a 6-week,...
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Brain and Blood Biomarkers in MDD - PsyQ Episode 39
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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In-Utero Antipsychotic Medication Exposure - PsyQ Episode 38
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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The Psychic Tourniquet: Ultra-Low-Dose Buprenorphine for Acute Suicidality - PsyQ Episode 37
In this episode of PsyQ, we confront the "zone of danger" in acute suicidality—the critical lag period where standard antidepressants often fail to address immediate "psychache". Anchored by the seminal Yovell et al. (2016) randomized controlled trial, we explore the neurobiological overlap…
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Cannabis Use Disorder and Adolescent Suicide Risk - PsyQ Episode 36
In this episode of PsyQ, we review a large national inpatient study examining the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and suicide attempts/self-harm among hospitalized adolescents in the United States. Using data from more than 800,000 adolescent hospitalizations, the study…
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STEP-BD: The Efficacy of Adjunctive Antidepressants in Bipolar Depression
In this episode of PsyQ, we review the landmark STEP-BD randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression. We analyze the study's methodology, specifically the use of equipoise-stratified randomization to mirror routine clinical...
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TMS in Older Veterans with MDD - PsyQ Episode 34
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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Switch vs. Augment: Rewriting the Rules for Geriatric TRD - PsyQ Episode 33
In this episode of PsyQ, we perform a forensic analysis of the landmark OPTIMUM trial, a study that fundamentally reshapes the treatment algorithm for resistant depression in older adults. We dissect the head-to-head battle between switching antidepressants versus augmentation, revealing why...
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Combination Antidepressants in Acute MDD: How Much Better Is “Better”? - PsyQ Episode 32
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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Childhood ADHD Is Not Benign: What 30 Years of Data Reveals - PsyQ Episode 31
In this episode, we break down a major longitudinal synthesis of seven North American cohort studies following children with ADHD into adulthood over 10–30 years. The data are striking: while full diagnostic persistence varies, the majority of individuals continue to experience clinically...
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Event-Driven Dosing: Rethinking Binge Drinking Treatment - PsyQ Episode 30
In this episode, we dissect a landmark 2022 randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Psychiatrythat challenges the traditional "daily dose" paradigm for treating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). We review the efficacy of targeted, event-driven oral naltrexone—taken only in...
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Ketogenic Psychiatry: Mental Health, Ketones, and Clinical Implications - PsyQ Episode 29
In this episode, we unpack the psychiatric relevance of the ketogenic diet through the lens of a recent and compelling systematic review and meta-analysis from JAMA Psychiatry. Join us as we explore how ketogenic diets may modulate mood, inflammation, neurotransmission, and energy...
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Antidepressant Discontinuation: Separating Data from Dogma - PsyQ Episode 28
Antidepressant discontinuation is one of the most contentious topics in psychiatry, fueling both patient fear and clinical uncertainty. But what does the highest quality, placebo-controlled evidence actually say? In this episode, we dive deep into the 2025 JAMA Psychiatry systematic review and...
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Bush Francis Made Simple - PsyQ Episode 27
In this episode of PsyQ, our psych journal club dives deep into the Bush–Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), guided by the 2022 BFCRS Training Manual and its original 1996 validation study. We walk through each of the 23 items in the scale, clarifying their definitions, how to observe and…
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Journal Club - Ketamine for Depression: Relief at a Price? - PsyQ Episode 26
In this week’s episode of PsyQ, we break down the American Journal of Psychiatry review “Ketamine for Depression, but at What Cost?” by Li and colleagues. Here we explore the balance between ketamine’s rapid antidepressant benefits and its potential neurotoxic risks. We’ll discuss what animal and...
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Psychedelic Psychiatry: MDMA, Psilocybin, and What Comes Next - PsyQ Episode 25
In this episode, we take a clinical look at psychedelic-assisted therapy — what it is, how it works, and where it’s headed. We cover MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression, break down the science behind how these drugs work with therapy, and review key trial data, safety concerns, and how...
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STAR*D Struck: Remission and the Future of Depression Treatment - PsyQ Episode 24
In this episode of PsyQ, we take a critical look at the evolution of major depression treatment over the past two decades. We start with the foundational Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial, a study that has shaped clinical practice for years with its widely…
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Six Days to Liftoff: BrainsWay’s 6-Day Accelerated Deep TMS (SWIFT Protocol) - PsyQ Episode 23
In this episode, we break down BrainsWay’s 6-day accelerated Deep TMS for major depression—how its iTBS, 5-sessions-per-day schedule compresses a month of treatment into 6 days with non-inferior outcomes to standard daily TMS—then stack it up against conventional 4–6 week TMS and Stanford’s SAINT...
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Profit Over Patients: Private Equity in Psychiatry - PsyQ Episode 22
In this episode, we dissect the alarming 75.6% rise in private equity (PE) ownership of US psychiatric hospitals and unpack the central paradox from a landmark 2025 JAMA Psychiatry study: how do these facilities operate with significantly fewer nurses and social workers, yet report better…
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Violence in America: Implications for Psychiatric Training and Practice - PsyQ Episode 21
In this week’s episode of PsyQ, we explore psychiatry’s role in decreasing violence in America. While mental illness is often blamed for violent acts, research shows it accounts for only a small fraction of overall violence. Instead, substance use, social stressors, and access to firearms are far...
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The CATIE-AD Trial: A Cognitive Cost for Calm? - PsyQ Episode 20
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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Ketamine for Resistant Catatonia: A Promising New Avenue: PsyQ Episode 19
In this episode we’ll orient listeners to catatonia’s core features and standard pathways (lorazepam → ECT), then pivot to emerging third-line options when Ativan is ineffective and ECT isn’t feasible. Using a recent systematic review and a bipolar-catatonia case report as anchors, we’ll cover…
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Managing Racist Patient Behavior in Psychiatric Settings - PsyQ Episode 18
How should psychiatrists respond when patients use racist language or refuse care based on a clinician’s identity? In this episode, we translate the NEJM five-factor framework into psychiatry’s day-to-day reality—balancing EMTALA obligations and patient autonomy with Title VII protections and...
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Palliative Psychiatry: Comfort, Capacity, and Care - PsyQ Episode 17
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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Balancing Efficacy and Metabolic Risk: Olanzapine/Samidorphan (OLZ/SAM) in Clinical Practice - PsyQ Episode 16
In this episode, we explore the role of olanzapine/samidorphan (OLZ/SAM) in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. While olanzapine is one of the most effective second-generation antipsychotics, its use has long been limited by substantial weight gain and metabolic side effects.…
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The Dopamine Dialogues: Combining D2 Full and Partial Agonists - PsyQ Episode 15
Combining aripiprazole and haloperidol presents a clinical and pharmacological puzzle. On one hand, you have haloperidol, a potent D₂ antagonist that fully blocks dopamine; on the other, aripiprazole, a partial agonist with high affinity that displaces the antagonist only to provide a weaker...
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Gut Feelings: How Microbes Shape Your Mind - PsyQ Episode 14
In this episode of PsyQ, we journey from the historical notion of "gut feelings" to the cutting edge of psychiatric research: the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This episode unravels the paradigm shift that recast the gut's microbial inhabitants as a dynamic metabolic organ, actively shaping our…
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Unmasking Non-Catatonic Mutism in Schizophrenia - PsyQ Episode 13
This episode of PsyQ delves into the rare and puzzling condition of non-catatonic mutism in individuals with schizophrenia, a profound silence that is not attributable to the physical inability to speak or the classic signs of catatonia. We explore the case of "Mr. X," a man who was mute for…
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AI in Psychiatry: The Promise and the Peril - PsyQ Episode 12
The field of psychiatry is at a technological crossroads, with Artificial Intelligence promising to revolutionize care delivery amidst a global mental health crisis. But does this new frontier offer a solution or a source of new, profound harm? This episode of PsyQ: Journal Club takes a critical,...
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The Essentials of Violence Risk Assessment - PsyQ Episode 11
Public perception often creates a direct and frightening link between mental illness and violence, but what does the evidence actually show? In this episode of PsyQ, we challenge common assumptions by exploring the complex reality of violence risk assessment. Using a case study of a patient…
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Retraining the OCD Brain: ERP and Beyond - PsyQ Episode 10
In this episode, we tackle one of psychiatry's most complex challenges: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. We begin with a deep dive into the landmark 2005 Foa et al. trial, a methodologically rigorous study that definitively established the superior efficacy of intensive Exposure and Ritual…
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The Bipolar Blueprint: Translating Genetic Discoveries into Clinical Care - PsyQ Episode 9
We dive into two landmark studies that have dramatically expanded the genetic map of bipolar disorder, identifying nearly 300 risk loci from over 150,000 patients. We explore the game-changing discovery of the AKAP11 gene, which provides a direct molecular link to lithium's mechanism, and unpack...
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Focused Ultrasound and the Future of Mood Disorders - PsyQ Episode 8
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit upathak.substack.com
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The TADS Trial: A Playbook for Adolescent Depression - PsyQ Episode 7
Treating adolescent depression is one of the most significant challenges in mental health, a landscape complicated by the FDA's black box warning about antidepressant-associated suicide risk. This episode dives deep into the landmark Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS), the...
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ADHD Treatment Over the Long Term: The MTA Study - PsyQ Episode 6
In this episode we explore the landmark MTA study, unraveling its insights into ADHD treatment from childhood to adulthood. We'll cover the initial trial's findings on medication and combined therapy, then trace how these effects evolved, highlighting the surprising persistence of impairment...
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GLP-1s in Psychiatry: Beyond Weight Loss - PsyQ Episode 5
This episode, we delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of GLP-1 receptor agonists in psychiatry. We'll critically appraise Hendershot et al.'s (2025) JAMA Psychiatry study on once-weekly semaglutide for Alcohol Use Disorder, examining its efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption and craving…
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Clozapine: Atypical Origins & Clinical Pearls - PsyQ Episode 4
This two-part episode takes a comprehensive look at clozapine, one of psychiatry's most impactful and complex medications. The two parts are (1) context, and (2) clinical pearls. We explore its challenging history, landmark clinical trials, unique pharmacology, practical prescribing guidelines…
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Olanzapine + Benzos: Rethinking the Risk - PsyQ Episode 3
This week on PsyQ, we dive into the controversial practice of co-administering parenteral olanzapine and benzodiazepines for agitation. We revisit the 2005 FDA warning prompted by post-marketing reports (Marder et al., 2010) and critically examine the causality behind the reported fatalities....
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Peripartum Bipolar Disorder Management - PsyQ Episode 2
This is an AI generated podcast with human review. This episode provides guidance on the prophylactic management of bipolar disorder during pregnancy and postpartum, referencing the Uguz et al. (2023) review. We cover the high relapse risks (particularly postpartum), the core dilemma of balancing...
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The CATIE Trial - PsyQ Episode 1
Timestamps (0:00) Context & Rationale (11:25) Methods & Findings (27:06) Critical Appraisal (43:26) Impact & Clinical Takeaway This is a journal club discussion on the CATIE trial. We cover the study's background and methodology to its critical appraisal and clinical impact. Keep in mind this...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This is an AI generated podcast. Stay updated on the foundational research shaping our field. Psych Bytes provides concise, expert-reviewed summaries of landmark papers for busy psychiatry residents and clinicians. We leverage AI tools like NotebookLM to kickstart the summary process, followed by human review and contextualization to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance. Your quick guide to essential psychiatric literature. These are merely summaries meant to improve access through convenience, please be mindful that inaccuracies may be present - please refer to original source material for the most accurate and representative information.
upathak.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Stay updated on the foundational research shaping our field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does PsyQ: Journal Club have?
PsyQ: Journal Club currently has 41 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is PsyQ: Journal Club about?
This is an AI generated podcast. Stay updated on the foundational research shaping our field. Psych Bytes provides concise, expert-reviewed summaries of landmark papers for busy psychiatry residents and clinicians. We leverage AI tools like NotebookLM to kickstart the summary process, followed by...
How often does PsyQ: Journal Club release new episodes?
PsyQ: Journal Club has 41 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to PsyQ: Journal Club?
You can listen to PsyQ: Journal Club on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts PsyQ: Journal Club?
PsyQ: Journal Club is created and hosted by Stay updated on the foundational research shaping our field..
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