Press Release · Health Policy Podcast
Dr. Augustus John Rush Discusses Advances in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Published · Featuring Dr. Augustus John Rush of National University of Singapore
Dr. Augustus John Rush of the National University of Singapore discusses advances in treatment-resistant depression in a recent Health Policy Podcast episode.
Dr. Augustus John Rush, a leading expert in treatment-resistant depression, discusses advancements in mental health policy, neuromodulation treatments, and psychotherapy in a recent episode of the Health Policy Podcast. This episode features insights from Rush, a Professor Emeritus at the National University of Singapore.
WASHINGTON — September 8, 2026 — Dr. Augustus John Rush, a prominent psychiatrist and researcher, joined the Health Policy Podcast to discuss the complexities of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and the evolving landscape of mental health treatment. He shared his expertise on the diagnostic challenges, the significance of personalized treatment approaches, and the impact of neuromodulation therapies.
Rush emphasized that treatment-resistant depression is not a singular condition but a spectrum of disorders that require tailored interventions. "There's no the depression, there are the depressions, in my view," he stated. He noted the importance of accurate diagnosis, explaining that many patients have been misdiagnosed and may not receive the appropriate treatment. "When I was running a depression clinic, one of the things we found is that a number of these individuals had not been properly diagnosed," he added.
The discussion also highlighted the role of neuromodulation treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), in managing TRD. Rush pointed out that these therapies can provide significant benefits for patients who have not responded to traditional medications. "If you get one of these patients better, it is life-changing," he said. He also expressed optimism about the future of depression treatment, noting that "depression itself, even very treatment-resistant depression, eventually will... get better."
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a leading global university located in Singapore. It is renowned for its research excellence and commitment to education in various fields, including medicine and mental health.
About the Health Policy Podcast
The Health Policy Podcast focuses on critical issues in health policy, energy, infrastructure, and economic growth. The show features expert guests who discuss the latest research and developments impacting public health and policy decisions.
About National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) traces its origins to a medical school founded in 1905, making it Singapore’s oldest higher-education institution. Its main campus is located at Kent Ridge, where it offers programs spanning fields such as medicine, engineering, business, law, computing, and the humanities.
About the Guest
Dr. Augustus John Rush — Professor Emeritus
A. John Rush, MD is Professor Emeritus of the National University of Singapore. His research has focused on the development and testing of innovative treatments for mood disorders, including medications, medication combinations, somatic treatments, psychotherapy, and disease management protocols. As the author of over 800 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books, his work has received international recognition with awards from many professional organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American College of Psychiatrists, the American Psychopathological Association, the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders, and the Society for Biological Psychiatry. In 2014, Thomson Reuters recognized Dr. Rush as one of the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.” He is also CEO of Curbstone Consultant LLC, which provides research consultation to commercial and academic organizations and career development mentoring to individual academicians.
About the Health Policy Podcast
The Health Policy Podcast hosts conversations on energy, infrastructure, policy and economic growth — interviewing the operators, regulators, and innovators powering America's grid, gas, nuclear, and industrial future. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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