When we talk about the brain, it is anything but unidimensional or simplistic or reductionistic. Thomas R. Insel brainreductionisticsimplistic Change image and share on social
Most of our brain cells are glial cells, once thought to be mere support cells, but now understood as having a critical role in brain function. Glial cells in the human brain are markedly different from glial cells in other brains, suggesting that they may be important in the evolution of brain function. Thomas R. Insel braincellcritical share on social
I trained in psychiatry in the 1970s, and much of our training was about what was then psychoanalytic theory, with a little bit of theory from Jungian psychology and a few other places. Thomas R. Insel 1970sbitejungian Change image and share on social
A National Database on Autism Research is fostering sharing of data and collaborations. Scientists are also making great strides at the interface of biology and engineering with new technologies that are laying the groundwork for future advances. Thomas R. Insel advanceautismbiology share on social
I was sure I was going to be a doctor of global health or tropical medicine in some underdeveloped country. Thomas R. Insel countrydoctorglobal Change image and share on social
As a scientist leading a funding agency for autism research, I think of autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Thomas R. Insel agencyautismdisorder Change image and share on social
After a century of studying schizophrenia, the cause of the disorder remains unknown. Thomas R. Insel centurydisorderremain Change image and share on social
We need to ask whether, in the long term, some individuals with a history of psychosis may do better off medication. Thomas R. Insel historyindividuallong Change image and share on social
With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, more people will have insurance coverage and, in principle, be eligible for more care. Thomas R. Insel actaddictionaffordable Change image and share on social
What do we know about autism in 2013? Autism symptoms generally emerge before age three and usually much earlier, often as language delays or lack of social engagement. Recent research suggests that autism can be detected during the first year of life, even before classic symptoms emerge. Indeed, the symptoms may be a late stage of autism. Thomas R. Insel ageautismclassic share on social