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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

Nature Neuroscience @natneuro.nature.com · 6d

Hormonal milieu influences whole-brain structural dynamics across the menstrual cycle using dense sampling in multiple individuals

@carinaheller.bsky.social, @uni-jena.de,
@umn-midb.bsky.social, @icsantabarbara.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Hormonal milieu influences whole-brain structural dynamics across the menstrual cycle using dense sampling in multiple individuals - Nature Neuroscience

Heller et al. showed dense longitudinal imaging in four females, including one with endometriosis and one using oral contraceptives, and the finding that different hormonal milieus influence widespread brain volume changes linked to progesterone or estradiol.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

Carina Heller, Ph.D. @carinaheller.bsky.social · Aug 21

Thrilled to share that I have been awarded a @bbrfoundation.bsky.social Young Investigator Grant!

The Ann S. Bowers Women's Brain Health Initiative @bowers-wbhi.bsky.social · Aug 21

Congrats, Dr. Carina Heller, PhD @carinaheller.bsky.social & thanks to @bbrfoundation.bsky.social. Carina received the 2025 BBRF Young Investigator Grant, enabling her to further investigate the impact of hormonal contraceptives use in adolescence, especially for mental health. #Neuroscience

A woman is pointing to her wall poster presentation about her neuroscience research while looking over her shoulder.

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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics @umnbioethics.bsky.social · 20d

Please join us for our upcoming Ethics Grand Rounds webinar, “Public Perceptions of Health Equity and How Communication Can Shape Understanding and Action” featuring Sarah Gollust, PhD.

🗓️: Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
⏱️: 12-1 p.m. (CDT)

Register Now! It’s free: z.umn.edu/ap9m

Ethics Grand Rounds webinar featuring speaker Sarah Gollust, PhD, on Friday, Oct. 3 from 12-1 p.m. CDT.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · 15d

Join us for a free Mood Disorders Sprint, part of our larger Project ECHO webinar series!

🗓️ Thursdays, Sept. 25-Oct. 16, 12-1 p.m.

Ideal for primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, mental health & educational providers!

Register ➡️ z.umn.edu/mdsprint

Graphic with the title 'Mood Disorders Sprint.' On the left, a smiling woman hugs a young girl. On the right, four teenagers stand outside together, smiling with backpacks, notebooks, and headphones

Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · 19d

🚀 Big news: With a $3.3M NIH grant, MIDB members Meghan Swanson, PhD, and Mark Schleiss, MD, are leading a first-of-its-kind study of infants born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV).

Learn more ➡️ med.umn.edu/news/univers...

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Sep 5

Inspired by a personal health journey, our teammate Russell is competing in the Madison Ironman on Sept. 7 to raise funds for the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Join him in supporting brain health ➡️ z.umn.edu/RussellIronmanMIDB

Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Aug 20

Dr. Damien Fair, co-director of MIDB, is part of a team making breakthroughs in mental health. His work is helping to show how a personalized brain "pacemaker" gave a man with severe depression relief, allowing him to experience joy again. Read more ➡️ www.newscientist.com/article/2493...

Brain implant lets man 'experience joy' for the first time in decades

A device that has been likened to a pacemaker for the brain has given a man with severe depression great relief

www.newscientist.com

Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Aug 20

Are you a provider or care connector? Help us better understand community needs and experiences in accessing children’s mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral health by participating in a series of surveys. Learn more about the research study ➡️ z.umn.edu/BHSurvey

Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Aug 19

Inspired by a personal health journey, our teammate Russell is competing in the Madison Ironman on Sept. 7 to raise funds for the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Join him in supporting brain health ➡️ z.umn.edu/RussellIronmanMIDB

A man (Russell) wearing a light blue button-up shirt, green hiking pants, sunglasses, and a hat smiles at the camera. He is holding two hiking poles and stands on a rocky mountain path. In the background, there is a large, snow-capped mountain peak.

A family of three smiles at the camera for a portrait. A man in a dark blue shirt (Russell) stands on the right, with a woman in a black floral dress on the left. A young girl with reddish-blonde hair stands in front of them, smiling. They are standing in front of a body of water at sunset.

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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

Carina Heller, Ph.D. @carinaheller.bsky.social · Aug 13

We wrote a piece for @naturemedicine.bsky.social 🧠

Menstrual cycle irregularities can be both cause and consequence of wide-ranging health issues.
Embracing this complexity could reveal novel brain–body interactions and advance neuroscience.

Check out our commentary www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Why menstrual cycle irregularities belong in brain research - Nature Medicine

The menstrual cycle requires tight orchestration between the brain and body, and irregularities can be both the cause and the consequence of wide-ranging health issues. Embracing this complexity, inst...

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

Damien Fair @drdamienfair.bsky.social · Aug 10

I still get chills

Meet Mike
*30+ years severe depression
*first hospitalized @ 13y
*20 meds
*3 rounds of ECT
*2 near-fatal suicide attempts

Mike felt joy for the first time in decades after we turned on his new brain pacemaker or PACE

see videos, read paper, follow thread
doi.org/10.31234/osf...

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Jul 24

Spending time outside isn’t just enjoyable—it’s good for your health 🌳 Cathy Jordan, PhD, a member of MIDB, joined @mprnews.org to talk about the science behind nature and wellbeing.

Listen here 🎧 www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

The healing benefits of nature

Did you know that simply taking a walk in a park can lower your blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol? MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about the mental and physic...

www.mprnews.org

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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

Damien Fair @drdamienfair.bsky.social · Jun 30

🙌 Shout out to the

ABCD consortium @theabcdstudy.bsky.social

NBDC Data Hub and @lassoinfo.bsky.social cial

@umn-midb.bsky.social and and UMN’s MSI (file-based data host)

NIDA leadership

and all researchers enabling this next wave of discovery.

Start exploring now via 👉 nbdc-datahub.org

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Jun 18

The Mental Health Action Festival at MIDB was a vibrant celebration of science and community!

Thanks to the CEEd Hub and the Strong Body Strong Mind Foundation, and to all who joined us for performances and meaningful conversations with MIDB experts 🧠

Dr. Damien Fair speaking at the Mental Health Action Festival at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Dr. Fair is accompanied by an interpreter, name unknown.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Jun 12

This past month, Dr. Katie Cullen hosted a celebration at MIDB for participants of Imagination Central—a research study that incorporated a 9-month weekly arts and science after-school program. Guests enjoyed a short film, conversation & an exhibit of teen-created work! 🎨

Paper mache dolls displayed in a wooden box with flowers and greenery.

Paper mache crafts displayed in a wooden box with flowers and greenery.

A wall with youth-created artwork pieces, as well as a wooden like sculpture.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · May 12

Dr. Michael Georgieff joined Ken Freed on The Kindness Chronicles to discuss how music literacy shapes brain development in children 🎶

Have a listen ➡️ www.iheart.com/podcast/269-...

The Kindness Chronicles | iHeart

We live in a world dominated by stories of divisiveness. The Kindness Chronicles hopes to give the world a dose of the 'Minnesota Nice' it desperately needs. Hosted by Fox Sports North's Kevin Gorg, S...

www.iheart.com

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · May 2

Jessica Simacek, PhD, recently presented at the 2025 Military Mental Health Conference in Little Falls, Minn., sharing insights in a talk titled "Improving Access to Pediatric Behavioral Health Care for Military-Connected Children and Families" 🧠

Dr. Simacek presents at the 2025 Military Mental Health Conference at Little Falls, Minnesota. She stands beside a podium and gestures while speaking. A screen behind her displays a slide about the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, including a photo of the MIDB building and a diagram of its collaborative focus areas.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · May 1

MIDB is excited to partner with the Strong Body Strong Mind Foundation's Youth Community Journalism Institute on "Brain Health Solutions for All"—a new, youth-led project to make brain science more accessible, inclusive, and community-driven. Learn more ➡️
www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-p...

Youth community journalists at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain in Minneapolis.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Apr 30

April is the Month of the Military Child! Military families often face added challenges when seeking support for developmental, emotional or behavioral health. MIDB is proud to partner with the Department of Defense make care more accessible through telehealth ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy

A Black woman in military camouflage embraces her young daughter as they look at a laptop together. The woman is smiling warmly and leaning in close, while the girl, wearing a light purple shirt, smiles softly.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Apr 28

New research, led by MIDB members, sheds light on early development in children with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC), a condition where the brain’s two sides are not fully connected 🧠

Learn more ➡️ z.umn.edu/ACCStudy

Smiling young child holding colorful plastic toys, including blue and green rings, while interacting with an adult. The background shows part of a playpen with bright green accents.

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Apr 25

Frequent moves. Complex systems. Limited access. Military families face unique challenges when seeking care for their children’s behavioral health. MIDB is working to change that—by improving telehealth and making services easier to find and access ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Apr 22

Cathy Jordan, PhD, a member of MIDB, is partnering with the Children & Nature Network to strengthen the connection between kids and the natural world 🌎

“This work is about getting kids outside—for their health, and for the good of the planet."

More ➡️ z.umn.edu/BenefitsOfNature

The Benefits of Nature | Children & Nature Network

Kids need to be outside. A joyful childhood, a healthy adulthood and a thriving planet depend on it. Spending time in nature makes kids healthier, happier and smarter. It also […]

z.umn.edu

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Apr 15

Jed Elison, PhD, a member of MIDB, was recently named a Distinguished McKnight University Professor! This prestigious title recognizes outstanding University of Minnesota faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status.

Congratulations, Dr. Elison! 👏

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Reposted by Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain

5 Eyewitness News @kstptv.bsky.social · Apr 10

Brain scans may be able to detect autism in children as young as six months old, according to a first-of-its-kind study happening in Minnesota.

Brain scans may detect autism at 6 months old, research participants needed in Minnesota

Brain scans may be able to detect autism in children as young as six months old, according to a first-of-its-kind study happening in Minnesota.

kstp.com

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Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain @umn-midb.bsky.social · Apr 3

April is the Month of the Military Child. With over 1.6 million military children facing unique challenges, MIDB is proud to partner with the Department of Defense to support them. Learn more about our study ➡️ z.umn.edu/MIDBDoDStudy

Celebratory graphic for "Month of the Military Child" with photos of military families and themed text.

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