Researchers from the Florida State University College of Medicine found that physiological changes in the brain due to Alzheimer's disease are common in some people with specific personality traits.

Alzheimer's disease is one of the common causes of dementia among the elderly. It is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the irreversible destruction of neural networks in the brain that affects memory. The potential of non-biological factors is beginning to be discovered; an example is the current study that suggests certain personality traits have higher risks of developing the condition.

New research led by Florida State University (FSU) has found a link between an individual’s sense of purpose in life, cognitive function, and autobiographical memory. The study suggests that individuals with a higher sense of purpose in life experience more vivid autobiographical memories. While both a sense of purpose and cognitive function make memories easier to recall, only the sense of purpose seems to increase memories’ vividness and coherence.

Jacob Goetz, Staff Writer

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Florida State University has many programs and resources that provide tools and resources in spreading awareness. 

With suicide being declared a health epidemic by the World Health Organization, experts at Florida State shared their input and the accessibility of suicide prevention resources offered at FSU. Many of these resources are free and available at any time. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide among college students is the second leading cause of death. College students are affected by suicide for many different reasons, some of the most common being depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, sexual assault and financial stress. 

Looking for the signs of poor mental health or suicidal tendencies can be an important factor as well. According to the Center for Disease Control, individuals who are experiencing suicidal tendencies have similar indicators. These include increased alcohol or drug use, extreme mood swings, visible signs of anxiety, withdrawal from a class or other social engagements and giving away valued possessions.  

With college being a high-stress environment, these individual units of measurement for a change in mental health can occur almost instantaneously. To prevent these negative thoughts and behaviors, FSU offers many tools and resources for suicide prevention.  

According to the Noles C.A.R.E. page, a suicide prevention program both online-based and in-person, FSU students have several different tools and resources available for them. 

Resources available for confidential communication include the FSU Counseling and Psychology Services, who are available to talk 24/7 at 850-644-8255. University Health Services can be reached at 850-644-6230. Students in an emergency are encouraged to contact the Florida State Police Department at 850-644-1234. These resources for mental health and suicide prevention can be used to refer a friend as well. 

An expert of mental health at Florida State University shared his insight on the services offered at Florida State University for depression and suicide prevention. Dr. Andrew Kozel is a Professor and the Mina Jo Powell Endowed Chair in Neurological Sciences at Florida State University who works in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine. Dr. Kozel first shared his insight on the causes of suicidal thoughts and helpful prevention techniques.  

“Depression as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors do not have a single cause," Kozel said. "They are the result of a complex mixture of biology, psychology and environment. Sometimes these episodes appear to have clear precipitants like a trauma or significant loss but can occur without these obvious precipitants as well.” 

Dr. Kozel then went on to share helpful tools and techniques for preventing depression and suicidal thoughts. Dr. Kozel said that several tools have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing a person's likelihood of experiencing negative thoughts. 

“Engaging in healthy behaviors will benefit your brain similar to the rest of your body," Kozel said. "These include regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, keeping a regular sleep-wake cycle, maintaining social connectedness, limiting toxins such as alcohol or marijuana, and seeking help when symptoms occur.” 

Dr. Kozel was able to add insight on the effectiveness of the mental health resources Florida State University offers. 

“FSU provides many effective tools for treating depression and dramatically reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Depression cannot currently be cured but can be managed so that people can live very productive and happy lives". Dr. Kozel said that many of the free or reduced cost resources available at Florida State are effective in reducing depression and suicide prevention. 

"These treatments such as psychotherapy and medications will work for the majority of patients. There are some patients, however, who cannot either tolerate these treatments or for whom they are not effective. We are leading several research efforts to study new treatments at FSU including various forms of neuromodulation.”

According to the association, treating your mental health is just as important as treating your physical health. Many different resources and techniques proven by the association have been successful in helping others prevent suicidal tendencies. 

Individuals who want to prevent suicidal tendencies in others also have access to many mechanisms. Five suggestions according to the Center for Disease Control are to ask someone about their mental health and regularly check-up with friends to ensure they are okay, keep them safe by trying your best to reduce triggers of depression or limit their access to lethal objects, listen to their experiences and what they need at that moment, help them connect and socialize and stay connected and follow up on their mental health status.

The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic can take its toll on mental health. The Apalachee Center and Florida State University have teamed up to help bring the necessary mental health to better serve the community.

The FSU Behavioral Health at Apalachee Center clinic is the first of its kind in the state and helps provide mental health services to anyone in the community.

Two physicians with ties to the Florida State College of Medicine were honored at the Capital Medical Society's Celebration Awards Dinner. Dr. Sergio Ginaldi, a former clinical assistant professor, was posthumously presented the I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award. Dr. David Saint, who taught cardiac physiology to Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) students at FSU, was presented the Outstanding Physician Award at the Sept. 14 event held at the FSU University Center Club.

By NBC2 NewsSept. 14, 2021

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalization numbers have steadily dropped over the past three weeks in Florida, but infections disease experts said the reprieve could very well be short-lived.

Daily case averages are at their lowest point since late July and hospitalizations are lower than they’ve been since early August. That comes as great news to Governor Ron DeSantis.

“The fortunate news is we’re seeing the declines all across the state,” said Governor DeSantis at a Tuesday press conference.

The Delta wave brought the highest daily case numbers and hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic.

Infectious disease experts said while they knew Delta would be bad, they didn’t predict it would be as devastating as it has proven to be.

“Three out of our 10 deaths that have been recorded in Florida have been since Delta,” said Dr. Christopher Uejio, a public health expert at Florida State University.

And while recent numbers may be painting an optimistic picture, UF epidemiologist Dr. Cindy Prins pointed to last year’s winter spike as a reason Floridians shouldn’t let their guard down.

“I think we’re still going to see another peak associated with that Thanksgiving and also winter holiday travel,” said Dr.Prins. “So it’s a worry. We’re much closer to that than we were last year and we may not get a really good break from this.”

Last year’s winter spike was worse than that seen over the summer. Experts said individual decisions will determine whether this year follows the same path.

“If everyone is trying to see their family members in the state over the holiday break, we should expect another increase again,” said Dr. Uejio.

CDC models project Florida’s current Delta wave will bottom out in October, roughly the same time period the state began experiencing its winter wave last year.

Both scientists we spoke with agreed COVID isn’t likely going away any time soon. 

They said ultimately vaccinations and natural immunity will hopefully reduce caseloads and improve health outcomes to a tolerable level.

A former top scientist with the National Institutes of Health has been hired by Florida State University to coordinate research partnerships between the university and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

The hiring of Joseph Frascella as chief clinical research officer for the FSU/TMH research collaboration advances plans by both institutions to strengthen their clinical research programs. Both TMH and FSU have also expressed interest in long-term planning for an academic medical center.  Enhancing clinical research would be a key part of that process.

Florida State University, which is increasingly stepping up its appeal for students to get vaccinated, is now offering cash and gift incentives to move the needle.

With the start of the fall semester around the corner and Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus especially virulent - it accounts for more than 90% of the local cases and one person can infect another eight - boosting vaccination numbers may be the only way to stem the surge. 

“It doesn’t mean each person will infect eight, it is an average,” FSU College of Medicine Dr. Daniel Van Durme said. “If you put 100 people with Delta and they’re milling about the city of Tallahassee, then we might expect that they will shortly infect 800.”

The Florida State University Colleges of Medicine and Social Work, with support from Tallahassee business leader and philanthropist Rick Kearney, are developing plans to tackle widespread mental health and substance use issues across the Big Bend.

The Florida State College of Medicine is one of the collaborating partners in the "Resurrecting a Healthier You" project in Gadsden County. The campaign aims to raise awareness and deliver on-site health care services throughout the summer to unincorporated communities in the county.

Joseph Gabriel, associate professor in the College of Medicine's Behavioral Science and Social Medicine department, discusses the importance of the announcement that the U.S. will support waiving patent protections on COVID-19 vaccines in an article published in The Conversation .

Florida State College of Medicine's Dr. Christie Alexander shares some ideas of how to approach those who may be COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant in a story published in Fatherly .

As public health officials across the United States scramble to counter a drop in demand for COVID-19 vaccines, another concern is quickly emerging: hundreds of thousands of doses already distributed to states could soon expire if they are not used.

Florida State College of Medicine's Dr. Christie Alexander was among several experts addressing the issue.

"We need to start bringing the vaccine to the people instead of expecting people to come get the vaccine," Alexander said.

Restoration of protections for transgender people shines light on health inequities within the LGBTQ community according to College of Medicine professor Jonathan Appelbaum. 

College of Medicine's Daniel Van Durme among members of a task force addressing problems in an effort to boost vaccination rates in Florida's Black communities.

The Florida State University College of Medicine, in partnership with Jackson Hospital, Sunshine Health and Badcock Corporation hosted an open house event to celebrate the first housing program for medical students on a rural track of study at the Marianna, Florida hospital.

College of Medicine's Dr. Daniel Van Durme was one of a half-dozen leading public health figures cited in a national story discussing the reevaluation of indoor mask wearing requirements.

Dominique Catena, a rising fourth year College of Medicine student at the Fort Pierce campus, poignantly shares her experience with organ procurement and donation following a trauma rotation. 

The College of Medicine, in partnership with Jackson Hospital, Sunshine Health and Badcock Corporation will host an open house to celebrate the first rural track housing program in Mariana for medical students.

A New York Times article delves into the issue of families separated at the Southern Border of the U.S. through the story of a Guatemala family, whose teenage son Adelso is living in Boca Raton with an aunt.

College of Medicine child psychologist Natalia Falcón-Banchs , with FSU’s Center for Child Stress and Health, meets monthly with Adelso. She is currently treating eight children, five of whom have been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and-or depression, who were separated from a parent in 2017 or 2018.

In the largest study of its kind, researchers led by Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee found that individuals who scored high on neuroticism were significantly more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

People with neuroticism - abnormally sensitive, obsessive, or tense and anxious personalities - are more like to get Parkinson's disease. A new study from Florida State University College of Medicine has concluded that the data collected by the UK Biobank show a correlation between people who have anxiety and depression and Parkinson's disease.

Research by Florida State University College of Medicine Professor of Geriatrics Antonio Terracciano and his team has found that the personality trait neuroticism is consistently associated with a higher risk of developing the brain disorder Parkinson's disease.

With the number of medical school applicants hitting an all-time high in 2020, likely due to the coronavirus pandemic, gaining admission can be a challenge.
Medical school acceptance rates range widely from about 20% at their highest to under 3% at the most selective institutions, according U.S. News data. The most selective
medical school is once again Florida State University, with a 2.1% acceptance rate in fall 2020.

New research from the Florida State University College of Medicine has found that the personality trait neuroticism is consistently associated with a higher risk of developing the brain disorder Parkinson's disease. The research by Professor of Geriatrics Antonio Terracciano and team, published in Movement Disorders, found that adults in the study who scored in the top quartile of neuroticism had more than 80% greater risk of Parkinson's, compared to those who scored lower on neuroticism.

New research from the Florida State University College of Medicine has found that the personality trait neuroticism is consistently associated with a higher riskof developing the brain disorder Parkinson’s disease. “Some clinicians think that the anxiety and depression is just the result of Parkinson’s,” said Professor of Geriatrics Antonio Terracciano. “However, our findings suggest that some emotional vulnerability is present early in life, years before the development of Parkinson’s disease.”

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and the Florida State University College of Medicine are discussing the establishment of an academic medical center, which would strengthen the 20-year relationship between the two institutions. An academic medical center is a hospital that partners with teaching institutions to offer a combination of clinical care, research and education. Such partnerships are desired because they can lead to new technologies, therapies, and clinical trials not always available at other hospitals.

Bay County officials have long discussed the need for a medical facility at Panama City Beach. Naturally, they are ecstatic over the recent news that The St. Joe Company, with the help of Tallahassee Memorial Health Care and Florida State University College of Medicine, are building a medical campus to meet those needs.

Florida State University College of Medicine is partnering with The St. Joe Co. and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to build a health care campus in Panama City Beach. The news was announced April 8 in a release from St. Joe. The health campus is planned to complement the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community, a "55-and-better community" underway by St. Joe and its partners.

For more than 20 years, Florida State University has recognized undergraduate students who exhibit a tremendous commitment to service through its annual President’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Program.

Marjorie “Maggie” Fitzsimmons, the nominee from the College of Medicine, received the 2021 President’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award. As a person living with epilepsy, Fitzsimmons has devoted hundreds of hours of service to the Epilepsy Foundation of North Florida, the Epilepsy Services Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House. She’s also personally assisted in the Seizure First Aid certification of more than 100 individuals. 

Fitzsimmons is a senior in the interdisciplinary medical sciences program majoring in clinical professions. 

The Al Lawson Center vaccinated 278 people on Monday, April 5, the first day all adults in Florida were eligible to receive COVID vaccines. As more people line up to get vaccinated, there's a new question; just how long will the shot keep them protected. The CDC says 6 months of protection are guaranteed. Daniel Van Durme with Florida State University's College of Medicine says as scientists collect more data, that number could grow.

An article from Newsweek  explored the El Chaparral migrant camp in Tijuana, Mexico, just across the border from the San Ysidro border crossing near San Diego, which more than 2,000 people call home. About 25% of the camp residents are children. The article tells the stories of some of those children and the adults who teach and care for them.

Elena Reyes, director of the Center for Child Stress & Health at the Florida State University College of Medicine, which focuses on the treatment and prevention of toxic stress during childhood, commented on the opening of a new school that offers the children routine and a safe place to go.

Alice Pomidor, Professor of Geriatrics at the College of Medicine, spoke to MoneyGeek.com about when older adults should stop driving. Her advice was featured in MoneyGeek.com's safe driving guide for seniors and older adult drivers. She commented on specific challenges seniors face behind the wheel, methods for easing a senior driver off the road, and other useful tips.

Scientists peering into the beating heart have solved a decades-old, fundamental mystery about how the heart works. The revelation could herald the development of new treatments for heart diseases — the leading cause of death worldwide.

Researchers from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Florida State University and the University of Virginia have observed a tiny muscle filament during a crucial stage in a beating heart for the first time. The research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

One year ago, Floridians saw their worlds flipped upside down as Governor Ron DeSantis announced the stay-at-home executive order.

Florida State University College of Medicine’s Dr. Christie Alexander says the past year has taught us a lot.

“Just looking back, it’s just incredible to think about the number of things that of happened in one year and how far we’ve come, but yet how far left we have to go,” Dr. Alexander said.

Several of Florida State University’s graduate and professional programs - including the College of Medicine - ranked among the best in the country in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 edition of “Best Graduate Schools.”

Researchers at Florida State University have helped locate and understand a thin filament inside the heart muscle, which is the first that science has known of this piece of the cardiovascular puzzle.

Working with other researchers from Eastern Virginia Medical School and the University of Virginia, Professor Bryan Chase and Professor Jose Pinto of FSU have a better understanding of the complicated muscular processes of the heart.

The Leon County Sheriff's Office is going all-in for this year's Autism Awareness Month in April with a partnership with Florida State University's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

LCSO will be participating in FSU CARD's "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Law Enforcement: Recognition and Response" training for the second year in a row.

Fourth-year medical student Ian Motie was on the American Medical Association's daily COVID-19 update panel providing insights about the pandemic. He and other medical students shared their stories about getting involved in advocacy and the power of students to shape health care policy during the pandemic and beyond. 

Watch the video:  https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/federal-advocacy/power-medical-student-advocacy

Les Beitsch, professor in the department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine was quoted in the Herald-Tribune article about criticisms surrounding Florida’s pop-up vaccine clinics.

The Autism Society of America celebrates April as Autism Acceptance Month as part of the organization’s efforts to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms and realities of autism. Amy Wetherby is the director of the Autism Institute in the College of Medicine at FSU as well as a fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association with more than 35 years of clinical experience. Her research interests include early detection of autism and parent-implemented early intervention for children with autism.

The American Academy of HIV Medicine strongly supports the reintroduction of the HIV Epidemic Loan-Repayment Program (HELP) Act. The bill, which would bring up to $250,000 in loan repayment over five years to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists and dentists for providing HIV care and treatment-related services, is needed to address the shortage of clinicians and allied health professionals in the HIV field as we seek to end the epidemic. 

“The American Academy of HIV Medicine thanks Representatives Barbara Lee and Lisa Blunt Rochester for their deep commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and for reintroducing the bill,” stated Dr. Jonathan Appelbaum, the Academy’s Board Chair and chair of Clinical Sciences at the College of Medicine. “Their initiative will help ensure that everyone with HIV will receive the professional and effective care that they need.”

The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced that College of Medicine alumnus Myron Rolle (M.D. '17) was named to the organization's Academic All-America Hall of Fame, placing him among the most accomplished student-athletes in history.

Rolle, a safety for the FSU football program, graduated from Florida State in 2 1/2 years with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and played his final two years while enrolled in a master’s program in public administration. Rolle went on to play in the NFL in 2010 and later retired to attend med school. He then completed a neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He is currently a Global Neurosurgery Fellow at Harvard Medical School.

Florida State University’s graduate and professional programs continue to rank among the best in the nation, according to  U.S. News & World Report’s  2022 edition of “Best Graduate Schools.”

The College of Medicine tied for No. 13 in diversity with 26 percent of students identifying as an underrepresented minority. The college also came in at No. 42 in primary-care production, with Nova Southeastern being the only Florida school producing more primary-care physicians during the time period measured.

The college, founded on a mission to serve underserved populations with a focus on primary care, ranked No. 13 for percent of graduates practicing direct patient care in health professional shortage areas. The latest  U.S. News  data is based on 2012-2014 graduates, and more than 50 percent of the college’s M.D. graduates in that span are practicing in health professional shortage areas.

Graduating med students from the FSU College of Medicine recently matched into residency programs across the country.