NYU Langone Insights on Psychiatry

Katlyn Nemani, MD, explores how autoimmune and inflammatory brain disorders can present as first-episode psychosis—and why some patients diagnosed with schizophrenia may actually have a treatable immune-mediated illness. She explains the clinical features that should prompt suspicion for autoimmune psychosis, including subacute onset, subtle neurologic signs, and poor response to antipsychotics, even when standard imaging and antibody tests are unrevealing.
Dr. Nemani also discusses the limits of current biomarkers, how to think clinically when diagnostic certainty is incomplete, and why early immunotherapy can dramatically alter outcomes. The conversation closes with a forward-looking discussion of emerging research suggesting that a meaningful subset of schizophrenia-like illness may ultimately be reclassified as autoimmune in origin.
Katlyn Nemani, MD, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a graduate of NYU’s combined Neurology-Psychiatry residency program.
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00:00 When Psychosis May Be an Autoimmune Disease
01:18 Early Psychiatric Symptoms of Autoimmune Encephalitis
02:47 Why Subtle Neurologic Clues Matter
04:00 A Case of Rapidly Reversible Psychosis
06:37 The Limits of Antibody Testing
07:51 Why Early Treatment Changes Outcomes
08:18 Rethinking the Heterogeneity of Schizophrenia
09:31 How Common Is Autoimmune Contribution to Psychosis?
10:48 Network-Level Brain Effects and Open Research Questions
This episode is intended for psychiatrists, neurologists, and other clinicians interested in psychosis, neuroinflammation, and complex diagnostic presentations at the psychiatry–neurology interface.
This discussion is for educational purposes and does not substitute for individual clinical judgment or patient care.
Senior Producer: Jon Earle

Lindsey Gurin, MD, discusses how clinicians can approach patients whose symptoms fall at the intersection of psychiatry and neurology. Drawing on her work with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and persistent post-concussive symptoms, she explains why attempts to separate psychological trauma from neurological injury often obscure what patients actually need.
The conversation explores identity disruption after brain injury, the unintended effects of rigid recovery timelines, and the importance of continuity in understanding symptoms over time. Dr. Gurin also discusses how neurodevelopmental traits such as ADHD shape vulnerability and treatment response, when stimulant medications can be appropriate after concussion, and why breaking complex presentations into treatable components often matters more than assigning a single diagnosis.
Lindsey Gurin, MD, is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Langone Health, and Director of the Neurology/Psychiatry Residency Program.
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00:00 Brain Injury and Identity
01:27 What Is the Psychiatry–Neurology Double Board?
02:41 Why PTSD and TBI Overlap
03:28 What “Shell Shock” Really Means
06:00 When Concussion Symptoms Don’t Go Away
07:25 Life Before vs After Brain Injury
08:46 ADHD as a Hidden Risk Factor
10:28 Using Stimulants After Brain Injury
12:40 Rethinking “Post-Concussion Syndrome”
13:27 The Future of Neuropsychiatric Care
This episode is intended for psychiatrists and other clinicians caring for patients with complex neuropsychiatric presentations at the intersection of psychiatry and neurology.
This discussion is for educational purposes and does not substitute for individual clinical judgment or patient care.
Senior Producer: Jon Earle

Michael Bogenschutz, MD, explains how psychedelic-assisted treatments may offer new options for patients with severe, treatment-refractory psychiatric conditions. He discusses why standard approaches often fall short for complex cases, how psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA differ from conventional medications, and what careful screening and clinical structure make these treatments safe and effective.
Drawing on randomized clinical trials and years of clinical experience, Dr. Bogenschutz describes how psychedelic treatments can produce durable symptom improvement in disorders such as alcohol use disorder and trauma-related conditions. He also explores unresolved scientific questions, including whether the psychedelic experience itself is necessary for therapeutic benefit.
Michael Bogenschutz, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Psychedelic Medicine at NYU Langone Health.
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00:00 A Remarkable Case: Sustained Sobriety After Psilocybin Treatment
00:39 Introducing Dr. Michael Bogenschutz
01:04 Why Psychiatry Is Re-Examining Psychedelics
02:50 Safety, Screening, and Managing the Psychedelic Experience
03:45 Landmark Trial: Psilocybin for Alcohol Use Disorder
06:16 How Psychedelics Work: Neuroplasticity vs. Subjective Experience
08:53 Can Non-Psychedelic Analogs Deliver the Same Benefits?
11:47 MDMA, Fear Reduction, and Emotional Processing
13:44 Who Benefits Most? A Composite of Treatment-Refractory Patients
15:45 The Future of Psychedelic Psychiatry at NYU
This episode is intended for psychiatrists, mental health clinicians, and others interested in complex and treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.
This discussion is for educational purposes and does not substitute for individual clinical judgment or patient care.
Senior Producer: Jon Earle

Lenard Adler, MD, explains how clinicians can safely and effectively treat ADHD when bipolar disorder and addiction are also in the picture. He addresses how to distinguish chronic ADHD symptoms from episodic mood disorders, why bipolar disorder is often missed in adults referred for depression or attention problems, and how substance use complicates both diagnosis and medication selection.
Dr. Adler also shares guidance on identifying red flags for diversion or misuse, setting appropriate expectations for medication trials, and navigating the limits of current treatment guidelines. The episode closes with a look toward emerging directions in ADHD treatment, including research on emotional dysregulation, executive function deficits, and next-generation neurofeedback approaches.
Lenard Adler, MD, is Pottash Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Adult ADHD Program at NYU Langone Health
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00:00 Why ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Addiction Must Be Treated Together
01:02 What Makes These ADHD Cases So Difficult
02:05 ADHD vs. Bipolar Disorder: Key Diagnostic Distinctions
04:43 The Link Between ADHD and Addiction
05:53 Using Stimulants Safely When Substance Use Is a Concern
07:57 Choosing Stimulants vs. Non-Stimulants
10:07 How Severity and Comorbidity Shape Treatment Decisions
12:06 The Limits of Guidelines and Biomarkers in ADHD Care
15:34 Executive Function and Emotional Dysregulation
16:13 Where ADHD Treatment Is Headed Next
This episode is intended for psychiatrists, mental health clinicians, and others interested in complex adult ADHD presentations.
This discussion is for educational purposes and does not substitute for individual clinical judgment or patient care.
Senior Producer: Jon Earle

Ayana Jordan, MD, PhD, discusses how precision psychiatry must expand beyond biology to address the social, cultural, and structural realities shaping addiction and mental health care for historically underrepresented patients. The conversation explores how trauma, poverty, housing instability, health literacy, and stigma interact with substance use and serious mental illness—and why traditional clinic-based models often fail to meet patients where they are.
Dr. Jordan describes the work of the Jordan Wellness Collaborative, including partnerships that integrate addiction treatment into primary care, community settings, and faith-based institutions. She explains how peer facilitators, housing support, and trusted community spaces can dramatically improve engagement, retention, and outcomes. Looking ahead, she reflects on how emerging tools—from AI-supported care models to novel treatments for addiction—may further transform access and equity in psychiatric care.
Ayana Jordan, MD, PhD, is the Barbara Wilson Professor of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Jordan Wellness Collaborative.
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TOPICS
Expanding precision psychiatry beyond biological models
Structural barriers to care: housing, literacy, and stigma
Addiction treatment for historically underrepresented communities
Integrating care into primary care, community, and faith-based settings
The role of peer facilitators and lived experience in treatment
Trust, safety, and engagement for patients with complex needs
Future directions: AI, novel addiction treatments, and workforce training

This discussion is for educational purposes and does not substitute for individual clinical judgment or patient care.
Senior Producer: Jon Earle