Deane Aikins

Deane Aikins is a Professor of Psychiatry at Wayne State University School of Medicine. His research and clinical work focus on novel treatments for combat stress disorders, with particular emphasis on understanding both resilience and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans and military families.

Dr. Aikins' research interests include PTSD, psychophysiological markers of deployment stress risk and resilience, and deployment stress and emotion regulation in Active Duty military families. His research methodology incorporates psychophysiological markers of autonomic nervous system activation, fMRI/MRI, and diagnostic interviews.

His recent publications examine stigma in military behavioral healthcare utilization, with particular focus on understanding barriers to treatment among U.S. soldiers. His work demonstrates a consistent pattern of investigating the intersection between military service, mental health, and treatment access.

• Research on dementia risks in aging Veterans
• Neuroplasticity as a model for conceptualizing traumatic stress responses
• Risk and resilience models of PTSD
• Potential approaches for PTSD treatment

Dr. Aikins teaches PYC7150 - Fundamentals of Neuropsychiatric Disorders in both Fall 2023 and Fall 2024 terms, indicating his active role in medical education. His key research collaborator is Dr. Julie Wargo Aikins.