News

Daniel Buysse, MD, UPMC Professor of Sleep Medicine and Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical and Translational Science, has been elected to the Association of American Physicians (AAP). He will be recognized at a formal dinner held during the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago, IL. “I am honored to be elected to such a prestigious organization,” he said. “Even...

Pictured (left to right): Crystal Doran, Carol VanZile, and Drs. Camellia Herisko and Ken Nash The Joint Commission arrived on March 12 for the triennial survey of the UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) facilities. The Joint Commission survey is an unannounced event that occurs every three years and focuses on the environment, processes, and clinical records. A...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a devastating psychiatric disorder and leading cause of disability worldwide. It affects women approximately twice as often as men, and incidence and symptoms differ between the sexes, affirming the importance of studying brain pathology of depression in both men and women. Women are three times as likely to have atypical depression, with hypersomnia and weight gain, suggesting...

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) Clinical Services is very pleased to announce two additions to our inpatient physician leadership. Candace Fraser, DO and Wynne Lundblad, MD have accepted roles as inpatient medical directors for the Adult Mood and Anxiety Services Atrium Inpatient Unit and the Center for Overcoming Problem Eating, respectively. Candace Fraser, DO – Medical Director, Atrium Inpatient...

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with combat service, but not everyone realizes that sleep disturbances are just as common in soldiers. It is estimated that 54% of those who have served in combat since 9/11 have insomnia, according to Anne Germain, PhD , who is an international leader in the field of sleep disturbances in trauma-related disorders, particularly PTSD. Dr. Germain is...

Understanding the mechanisms by which N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) regulate cortical circuit function is crucial for testing hypotheses that NMDAR hypofunction is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Recent studies reveal that presynaptic NMDARs control transmitter release at cortical synapses, suggesting novel mechanisms of NMDAR action in cortical circuits. If presynaptic NMDARs enhance...