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Hooked on Patterns

Demystifying statistics, machine learning, and “Big Data” in mental health and substance abuse

Psychiatry
Being Bayesian in Insane Places

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on July 12, 2017

Can we really make progress in improving reliability of detecting problematic psychiatric events using computational tools?

Can we really make progress in improving reliability of detecting problematic psychiatric events using computational tools?

Addiction
Understanding Addiction With Electronic Registries

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on November 18, 2015

We want rigorous science that can guide treatment in substance abuse, but Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) are very expensive. Can we uber-fy clinical trials to make research, implementation and quality assessment a seamless process?

We want rigorous science that can guide treatment in substance abuse, but Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) are very expensive. Can we uber-fy clinical trials to make research, implementation and quality assessment a seamless process?

Intuition
Optimal Time for Fund Raising and Grant Writing

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on November 5, 2015

How many hours should I spend preparing a grant application or a VC funding pitch? Does this depend on how large the grant is? Is there a way to optimally allocate time/effort given different grants have different funding rates? I might get some partial credit...

How many hours should I spend preparing a grant application or a VC funding pitch? Does this depend on how large the grant is? Is there a way to optimally allocate time/effort given different grants have different funding rates? I might get some partial credit...

Alcoholism
American Masculinity and Drugs

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on August 25, 2015

Reading, coffee, waiting, camera: how American men and their relationship with mind-altering substances allegedly changed throughout the last 100 years.

Reading, coffee, waiting, camera: how American men and their relationship with mind-altering substances allegedly changed throughout the last 100 years.

Fantasies
Fantasize about Commercializing Precision Medicine

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on June 2, 2015

Some rough criteria for success in developing Precision Medicine products, as applied to mental health and substance abuse treatment, that can improve treatment outcome and be commercially viable.

Some rough criteria for success in developing Precision Medicine products, as applied to mental health and substance abuse treatment, that can improve treatment outcome and be commercially viable.

Psychopharmacology
Precision Medicine’s Cultural Limits

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on March 26, 2015

"Everyone is different." This is the fundamental tenant of Precision Medicine: to utilize this difference to improve outcome. Real life is more complicated, and there is a lot that is not yet worked out before this approach will yield benefits.

"Everyone is different." This is the fundamental tenant of Precision Medicine: to utilize this difference to improve outcome. Real life is more complicated, and there is a lot that is not yet worked out before this approach will yield benefits.

Career
Can We Pay People to Quit Drugs?

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on January 5, 2015

A number of empirical studies have shown that direct cash payment can alter human behavior, and more specifically drug use behavior. However, this treatment is not effective for everyone. Finding out for whom cash would work in changing behavior may require combining artificial intelligence techniques with neuroscience and clinical intuition.

A number of empirical studies have shown that direct cash payment can alter human behavior, and more specifically drug use behavior. However, this treatment is not effective for everyone. Finding out for whom cash would work in changing behavior may require combining artificial intelligence techniques with neuroscience and clinical intuition.

Addiction
This Is NOT Your Brain on Drugs

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on November 2, 2014

Popular coverage of neuroimaging of substance abuse is often woefully unsophisticated: this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs. This creates completely false impressions of how these studies are done, what they really say and what they really mean. This practice really needs to stop.

Popular coverage of neuroimaging of substance abuse is often woefully unsophisticated: this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs. This creates completely false impressions of how these studies are done, what they really say and what they really mean. This practice really needs to stop.

Forgiveness
Picking the Right Horse

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on October 5, 2014

When we talk about "Big Data" and healthcare, we are usually talking about observational data: things like electronic medical records and case records. Is there a way to plug that data into clinical trials to figure out what the best treatment is? The answer is probably Bayesian.

When we talk about "Big Data" and healthcare, we are usually talking about observational data: things like electronic medical records and case records. Is there a way to plug that data into clinical trials to figure out what the best treatment is? The answer is probably Bayesian.

Depression
The End of the Road

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on September 9, 2014

Some people who suffer from Major Depressive Disorder do not respond to medications or psychotherapy. They are left with very few options. Is there an opportunity for a "Big Data" solution?

Some people who suffer from Major Depressive Disorder do not respond to medications or psychotherapy. They are left with very few options. Is there an opportunity for a "Big Data" solution?

SSRIs
Can We Predict Who Will Respond to Antidepressants?

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on August 22, 2014

Many millions of people take antidepressants to get relief from their depression. For some, these medications can do wonders. For others, they don't seem to do much. Is there a way to figure out whether a specific patient would respond or not respond to antidepressants? "Big Data" studies have lofty ambitions. Perhaps the answer is hiding in the data we already have.

Many millions of people take antidepressants to get relief from their depression. For some, these medications can do wonders. For others, they don't seem to do much. Is there a way to figure out whether a specific patient would respond or not respond to antidepressants? "Big Data" studies have lofty ambitions. Perhaps the answer is hiding in the data we already have.

Addiction
Can Computers Help You Quit?

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on August 8, 2014

We use computers and smartphones to stay in touch with each other, buy things and conduct serious business. Can they also help us with drug and alcohol problems?

We use computers and smartphones to stay in touch with each other, buy things and conduct serious business. Can they also help us with drug and alcohol problems?

Comparing CBT, MET and TSF
Alcoholism
12 Steps to Abstinence? Not for Everyone

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on July 10, 2014

There are a number of effective treatment strategies for alcohol use disorders. Is there a way to find out which treatment is the best one for a particular patient? Not yet, but maybe soon.

There are a number of effective treatment strategies for alcohol use disorders. Is there a way to find out which treatment is the best one for a particular patient? Not yet, but maybe soon.

Adolescence
Cool at 13, Not Necessarily Adrift at 23

Sean X. Luo M.D., Ph.D. on June 26, 2014

A closer read of "Long-Term Sequelae of Early Adolescent Pseudomature Behavior" reveals significant variance in outcomes for this longitudinal study. Popular media like to conflate testing a hypothesis to making a prediction.

A closer read of "Long-Term Sequelae of Early Adolescent Pseudomature Behavior" reveals significant variance in outcomes for this longitudinal study. Popular media like to conflate testing a hypothesis to making a prediction.