Bita Moghaddam
@bita137.bsky.social
Ketamine Karen, Dopamine Dame
Here via Tehran/KU/Yale/Pitt
author of KETAMINE https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542241/
and a lot of good papers https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WNB2KvkAAAAJ&hl=en
Here via Tehran/KU/Yale/Pitt
author of KETAMINE https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542241/
and a lot of good papers https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WNB2KvkAAAAJ&hl=en
Pinned
Bita Moghaddam
@bita137.bsky.social
· Jan 16
An amazing honor to give NIH’s WALS lecture today as the last speaker under the leadership of NIH Director Dr Monica Bertagnolli
What were the best fictions you read in 2025?
My top 3:
Orbital
Martyr!
Intermezzo
My top 3:
Orbital
Martyr!
Intermezzo
December 28, 2025 at 9:58 PM
What were the best fictions you read in 2025?
My top 3:
Orbital
Martyr!
Intermezzo
My top 3:
Orbital
Martyr!
Intermezzo
My mom’s olive oil cake smothered with whipped cream. Today is her birthday and the first one we are without her 💔
Miss her so much and think of her every single day (as I should ❤️) but grateful for all she taught me including how to make a proper whipped cream smothered cake
Miss her so much and think of her every single day (as I should ❤️) but grateful for all she taught me including how to make a proper whipped cream smothered cake
December 28, 2025 at 2:06 AM
My mom’s olive oil cake smothered with whipped cream. Today is her birthday and the first one we are without her 💔
Miss her so much and think of her every single day (as I should ❤️) but grateful for all she taught me including how to make a proper whipped cream smothered cake
Miss her so much and think of her every single day (as I should ❤️) but grateful for all she taught me including how to make a proper whipped cream smothered cake
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
Postdoctoral fellowship available in structure guided drug discovery in @RothLabUNC
Please RT
Please RT
December 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Postdoctoral fellowship available in structure guided drug discovery in @RothLabUNC
Please RT
Please RT
Reminder that Ritalin floods the brain with dopamine & norepinephrine for 10-14 hrs. Any neuron anywhere in the brain with any of the subtypes of DA or NE receptor is gonna feel it regardless of arbitrarily assigned network
Hmmm. Puzzling. I wish the authors would have discussed how these results might be reconciled with ones reporting that Ritalin influences the neural and behavioral correlates of attention in a predictable way. e.g. I don't think this paper showing such is cited?
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
December 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reminder that Ritalin floods the brain with dopamine & norepinephrine for 10-14 hrs. Any neuron anywhere in the brain with any of the subtypes of DA or NE receptor is gonna feel it regardless of arbitrarily assigned network
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
Just a thing about this: a common statement in writing is that you can fix crap, but you can't fix a blank page.
I have heard AI apologists claim that this is why it's fine to generate a first draft.
Now, to be clear, fuck this.
But also: an AI draft is a fucking blank page.
I have heard AI apologists claim that this is why it's fine to generate a first draft.
Now, to be clear, fuck this.
But also: an AI draft is a fucking blank page.
I know I don’t talk about writing much. It is because I am writing so slowly.
But I want you to know that I am taking a part of this story that absolutely sucked and took me months to produce four of the worst chapters I have ever written and in the edit I figured out how to fix it.
But I want you to know that I am taking a part of this story that absolutely sucked and took me months to produce four of the worst chapters I have ever written and in the edit I figured out how to fix it.
December 24, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Just a thing about this: a common statement in writing is that you can fix crap, but you can't fix a blank page.
I have heard AI apologists claim that this is why it's fine to generate a first draft.
Now, to be clear, fuck this.
But also: an AI draft is a fucking blank page.
I have heard AI apologists claim that this is why it's fine to generate a first draft.
Now, to be clear, fuck this.
But also: an AI draft is a fucking blank page.
Noodles and eggs to soothe the soul and bring good luck at the midpoint between winter solstice and Christmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Noodles and eggs to soothe the soul and bring good luck at the midpoint between winter solstice and Christmas
Timely and interesting perspective but if I may disagree with an absolute "fallacy of unique function" concept by way of an analogy used by the authors: "almost all American hazelnuts are grown in Oregon but we learn very little about the culture of Oregon by knowing this"
1/
1/
New Perspective from myself, Sarah Heilbronner and @myoo.bsky.social . “Rethinking the centrality of brain areas in understanding functional organization” in Nature Neuroscience. 🧵
rdcu.be/eVZ1A
rdcu.be/eVZ1A
Rethinking the centrality of brain areas in understanding functional organization
Nature Neuroscience - Parcellation of the cortex into functionally modular brain areas is foundational to neuroscience. Here, Hayden, Heilbronner and Yoo question the central status of brain areas...
rdcu.be
December 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Timely and interesting perspective but if I may disagree with an absolute "fallacy of unique function" concept by way of an analogy used by the authors: "almost all American hazelnuts are grown in Oregon but we learn very little about the culture of Oregon by knowing this"
1/
1/
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
Must say, while interviews with established PIs with deep cuts to their funding are important, the principal and longest term effects are on the trainees. An entire generation wiped of confidence.
December 23, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Must say, while interviews with established PIs with deep cuts to their funding are important, the principal and longest term effects are on the trainees. An entire generation wiped of confidence.
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
Number of BME faculty job opening is noticeably down this year.
We just had this question at a faculty meeting and @pratted.bsky.social has the visualization for the answer.
We just had this question at a faculty meeting and @pratted.bsky.social has the visualization for the answer.
December 22, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Number of BME faculty job opening is noticeably down this year.
We just had this question at a faculty meeting and @pratted.bsky.social has the visualization for the answer.
We just had this question at a faculty meeting and @pratted.bsky.social has the visualization for the answer.
PSA: if you are new to doing pushups please work with a trainer to learn proper technique. Bad form like dropping hips or letting your head droop can strain your shoulders, neck, hips, lower back etc causing all sorts of issues (rotator cuff, lower back pain…) especially if you’re middle age
If you are wondering what the NIH "leadership" is doing instead of learning about NIH programs and tending to important matters...here you go...
Performative Fitness!
www.youtube.com/shorts/E84dg...
Performative Fitness!
www.youtube.com/shorts/E84dg...
Jay Bhattacharya & Matt Memoli Join the Pete & Bobby Fitness Challenge! 💪🔥#MAHA
YouTube video by National Institutes of Health (NIH)
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
PSA: if you are new to doing pushups please work with a trainer to learn proper technique. Bad form like dropping hips or letting your head droop can strain your shoulders, neck, hips, lower back etc causing all sorts of issues (rotator cuff, lower back pain…) especially if you’re middle age
maybe a naive question: what happened to the search for NIMH leadership? the position link remains inactive
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
December 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
maybe a naive question: what happened to the search for NIMH leadership? the position link remains inactive
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
🤦♀️
“unsanctioned polygraph test was coordinated by staff” and the incoming Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Mahdhu Gottumukkala took it and failed it
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
“unsanctioned polygraph test was coordinated by staff” and the incoming Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Mahdhu Gottumukkala took it and failed it
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Acting CISA director failed a polygraph. Career staff are now under investigation.
At least six career staff were placed on leave after DHS opened an investigation into whether they misled the agency’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, into taking the test.
www.politico.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
🤦♀️
“unsanctioned polygraph test was coordinated by staff” and the incoming Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Mahdhu Gottumukkala took it and failed it
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
“unsanctioned polygraph test was coordinated by staff” and the incoming Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Mahdhu Gottumukkala took it and failed it
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Happy last Friday before the solstice
December 20, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Happy last Friday before the solstice
whenever I complained about how I looked in a picture, my late mother (whose memory is truly a blessing 🙏) would say, but that is how you actually looked when the picture was taken 😁
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
December 18, 2025 at 12:49 AM
whenever I complained about how I looked in a picture, my late mother (whose memory is truly a blessing 🙏) would say, but that is how you actually looked when the picture was taken 😁
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
Simply outrageous!
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Simply outrageous!
NSF will dismantle National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder 😡🤦♀️
Trump administration to dismantle key climate research center - “Maybe if Colorado had a governor who actually wanted to work with President Trump, his constituents would be better served,” said a senior White House official. wapo.st/4p3YwDx
Trump administration to dismantle key climate research center
Russell Vought, who directs the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced plans to split up the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, citing concerns about “clima...
wapo.st
December 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
NSF will dismantle National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder 😡🤦♀️
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
My friend @alexchesler.bsky.social has left the NIH to become VP of Pain Research at Vertex. I am glad to welcome him to San Diego. Exciting for him and for Vertex. But NIH loses one of its superstars. Can’t help but wonder whether this government’s anti-science policies made that decision easier.
Some news. Exciting new challenges and opportunities ahead.
December 17, 2025 at 4:20 AM
My friend @alexchesler.bsky.social has left the NIH to become VP of Pain Research at Vertex. I am glad to welcome him to San Diego. Exciting for him and for Vertex. But NIH loses one of its superstars. Can’t help but wonder whether this government’s anti-science policies made that decision easier.
PS: fancy journal and podcast bro infatuation with “plasticity” and increasing synaptic/dendritic connectivity explaining all good things about psychedelics can also explain brain tumor growth because well, glioma=growth
This is an important study but psilocybin potentially promoting brain tumor growth is consistent with human studies suggesting SSRIs may worsen survival outcomes in glioma
🐁 Very concerning finding: Psilocybin promotes brain tumour growth
Authors caution against use of 5-HT2A agonists like psilocybin in patients with glioma, "given the profound and sustained tumor growth-promoting effects observed."
Extends to other serotonergic drugs like LSD.
Authors caution against use of 5-HT2A agonists like psilocybin in patients with glioma, "given the profound and sustained tumor growth-promoting effects observed."
Extends to other serotonergic drugs like LSD.
December 17, 2025 at 3:11 AM
PS: fancy journal and podcast bro infatuation with “plasticity” and increasing synaptic/dendritic connectivity explaining all good things about psychedelics can also explain brain tumor growth because well, glioma=growth
This
December 17, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
Just decline the peer review invitation.
What are you people even doing?
What are you people even doing?
More than half of researchers now use AI for peer review — often against guidance
A survey of 1,600 academics found that more than 50% have used artificial-intelligence tools while peer reviewing manuscripts.
www.nature.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Just decline the peer review invitation.
What are you people even doing?
What are you people even doing?
TBH, I find this figure misleading because while we have some new Rx for the conditions on the right, we have had more effective ones for the ones on the left. Examples: >50-60% of depression cases are treatable and same with anxiety (beta blockers, benzos, CBH..) but only 10-20% of migraine cases
Important summary of recent success stories by @alexkwan.bsky.social!
If you've heard me speak recently (or you've read Elusive Cures), you'll recognize that Alex's piece focuses on the right side of this slide. I want to highlight that he also does very important research focused on the left 👏.
If you've heard me speak recently (or you've read Elusive Cures), you'll recognize that Alex's piece focuses on the right side of this slide. I want to highlight that he also does very important research focused on the left 👏.
December 16, 2025 at 6:06 PM
TBH, I find this figure misleading because while we have some new Rx for the conditions on the right, we have had more effective ones for the ones on the left. Examples: >50-60% of depression cases are treatable and same with anxiety (beta blockers, benzos, CBH..) but only 10-20% of migraine cases
Thanks Alex for writing this (& acknowledging AI help) but if I may be a contrarian for a change😂 rumors that many think basic science has not advanced treatment are highly exaggerated and are advanced to increase podcast listeners or sell books
And to this list I'd add Xanomeline-Trospium for SZ
And to this list I'd add Xanomeline-Trospium for SZ
“Basic neuroscience hasn’t produced new drugs.” 💊
Not true - zuranolone (PPD), suzetrigine (pain), gepants (migraine), and more... were born out of a long arc of studies in the lab.
I wrote a Perspective on why this matters. @thetransmitter.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/drug-develop...
Not true - zuranolone (PPD), suzetrigine (pain), gepants (migraine), and more... were born out of a long arc of studies in the lab.
I wrote a Perspective on why this matters. @thetransmitter.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/drug-develop...
How basic neuroscience has paved the path to new drugs
A growing list of medications—such as zuranolone for postpartum depression, suzetrigine for pain, and the gepants class of migraine medicines—exist because of insights from basic research.
www.thetransmitter.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Thanks Alex for writing this (& acknowledging AI help) but if I may be a contrarian for a change😂 rumors that many think basic science has not advanced treatment are highly exaggerated and are advanced to increase podcast listeners or sell books
And to this list I'd add Xanomeline-Trospium for SZ
And to this list I'd add Xanomeline-Trospium for SZ
This is an important study but psilocybin potentially promoting brain tumor growth is consistent with human studies suggesting SSRIs may worsen survival outcomes in glioma
🐁 Very concerning finding: Psilocybin promotes brain tumour growth
Authors caution against use of 5-HT2A agonists like psilocybin in patients with glioma, "given the profound and sustained tumor growth-promoting effects observed."
Extends to other serotonergic drugs like LSD.
Authors caution against use of 5-HT2A agonists like psilocybin in patients with glioma, "given the profound and sustained tumor growth-promoting effects observed."
Extends to other serotonergic drugs like LSD.
December 16, 2025 at 3:54 AM
This is an important study but psilocybin potentially promoting brain tumor growth is consistent with human studies suggesting SSRIs may worsen survival outcomes in glioma
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
I'm sad that these kinds of critiques of foundational science routinely lead people to demonstrate how they are incorrect, but never a lead to a retraction of the basic premise. It's almost as if that wasn't really the point....
“Basic neuroscience hasn’t produced new drugs.” 💊
Not true - zuranolone (PPD), suzetrigine (pain), gepants (migraine), and more... were born out of a long arc of studies in the lab.
I wrote a Perspective on why this matters. @thetransmitter.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/drug-develop...
Not true - zuranolone (PPD), suzetrigine (pain), gepants (migraine), and more... were born out of a long arc of studies in the lab.
I wrote a Perspective on why this matters. @thetransmitter.bsky.social
www.thetransmitter.org/drug-develop...
How basic neuroscience has paved the path to new drugs
A growing list of medications—such as zuranolone for postpartum depression, suzetrigine for pain, and the gepants class of migraine medicines—exist because of insights from basic research.
www.thetransmitter.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
I'm sad that these kinds of critiques of foundational science routinely lead people to demonstrate how they are incorrect, but never a lead to a retraction of the basic premise. It's almost as if that wasn't really the point....
Reposted by Bita Moghaddam
I’m going to put this image out here to combat the ugliness of this day…because it captures the pure joy that emanated from his great big smile. RIP Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner💔
December 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I’m going to put this image out here to combat the ugliness of this day…because it captures the pure joy that emanated from his great big smile. RIP Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner💔