Faculty

Robert H Howland, MD

Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Contact Details

3811 O'Hara St.
Pittsburgh
 
PA
 
15213
Email
Assistant
Crystal Spotts
SpottsCR@upmc.edu

Education & Training

MD
University of Minnesota, School of Medicine
General Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC
Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Specialty Certifications

Board Certification
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Geriatric Psychiatry)

Professional Affiliations

Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
Fellow, International Society for Affective Disorders
Member, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
Fellow, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Member, American Medical Association
Member, Society of Biological Psychiatry

Selected Honors & Awards

Excellence in Patient Experience-Top Physician by Specialty Award, UPMC
Distinguished Service Award, Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc.
Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
Marie H. Eldredge Award, American Psychiatric Association
New Investigator Award, National Institute of Mental Health New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit

Research Interests

Neuromodulation therapies in psychiatry; Novel psychopharmacological therapies
Selected Research Publications & Products
  1. Eken HN, Spotts C, Panny B, Griffo A, Degutis M, Cruz N, Bell E, Do-Nguyen K, Wallace ML, Mathew SJ, Howland RH, Price RB. Improved implicit self-esteem is associated with extended antidepressant effects following a novel synergistic intervention. Mol Psychiatry. 2024; 29(11):3431-3439. PMID: 38755245
  2. Rengasamy M, Mathew S, Howland R, Griffo A, Panny B, Price R. Neural connectivity moderators and mechanisms of ketamine treatment among treatment-resistant depressed patients: a randomized controlled trial. eBioMedicine. 2024 Jan;99:104902. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104902. PMID: 38141395
  3. Price RB, Spotts C, Panny B, Griffo A, Degutis M, Cruz N, Bell E, Do-Nguyen K, Wallace ML, Mathew SJ, Howland RH. A novel, brief, fully automated intervention to extend the antidepressant effect of a single ketamine infusion: A randomized clinical trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2022; 179:959-968. PMID: 36128684
  4. Price RB, Wallace ML, Mathew SJ, Howland RH. One-year outcomes following intravenous ketamine plus digital training among patients with treatment-resistant depression: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 May 1;6(5):e2312434. PMID: 37155171
  5. Kopelman J, Keller TA, Panny B, Griffo A, Degutis M, Spotts C, Cruz N, Bell E, Do-Nguyen K, Wallace ML, Mathew SJ, Howland RH, Price RB. Rapid neuroplasticity changes and response to intravenous ketamine: a randomized controlled trial in treatment-resistant depression. Transl Psychiatry. 2023 May 9;13(1):159. PMID: 37160885

Clinical Interests

Clinical psychopharmacology; Adult mood and anxiety disorders; Geriatric psychiatry
Selected Clinical Publications & Products
  1. Howland RH. Can declinining rates of dementia be explained by the increased and widespread use of psychotropic medications? J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2016;54(3):25-29. PMID: 26935187.
  2. Howland RH. Methylene blue: The long and winding road from stain to brain: Part 2. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2016;54(10):21-26. PMID: 27699422.
  3. Howland RH. Methylene blue: The long and winding road from stain to brain: Part 1. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2016;54(9):21-24. PMID: 27576224.
  4. Howland RH. Hey Mister Tambourine Man, play a drug for me: Music as medication. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2016;54(12):23-27. PMID: 28001283
  5. Howland RH. Deprescribing to reduce medication use: Will this help your patient? J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2016;54(11):21-24. PMID: 27805712.

Education Interests

Medical student & resident education; Contnuing education for community physicians
Selected Education Publications & Products
  1. Howland R. Anxiety Disorders: OCD (Core Lecture 2.1-2.38). A Model Psychopharmacology Curriculum for Teachers of Medical Students and Primary Care Clinicians, in association with the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6th Edition, 2023.
  2. Glick ID, Orr DG, Balon R, Adler L, Ahmed S, Cohen L, Espejo G, Faden J, Hernandez E, Fukuda A, Howland R, Leifer M, Macaluso M, Markota M, Mattioli M, Olagunju A, Raedler T, Schwasinger-Schmidt TE, Shad M, Zuschlag ZD (Editors). A Model Psychopharmacology Curriculum for Teachers of Medical Students and Primary Care Clinicians, in association with the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6th Edition, 2023.
  3. Howland R. GAD & PTSD/Social Anxiety/Phobias/Panic Disorder (Core Lecture 3.1-3.40). A Model Psychopharmacology Curriculum for Teachers of Medical Students and Primary Care Clinicians, in association with the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6th Edition, 2023.
  4. Dube B, Howland RH. Hallucinogens (Full Course Lecture 25.1-25.65). A Model Psychopharmacology Curriculum for Teachers of Medical Students and Primary Care Clinicians, in association with the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6th Edition, 2023.
  5. Goldberg JF, Howland RH. Evaluating and Managing Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications (Core Lecture 16.1-16.42). A Model Psychopharmacology Curriculum for Teachers of Medical Students and Primary Care Clinicians, in association with the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6th Edition, 2023.

Molecular Psychiatry: Improved Implicit Self-Esteem Is Associated With Extended Antidepressant Effects Following a Novel Synergistic Intervention

Dr. Eken and Dr. Price

The most effective treatments for depression include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, but a pressing need remains for rapid, efficacious treatments. While the administration of ketamine can reduce depressive symptoms within two to 24 hours, these effects dissipate in a brief period following a single infusion. Rebecca Price, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology), and colleagues wanted to see...

Robert Howland, MD, Recognized for Excellence in Patient Experience

Dr. Robert Howland

Congratulations to Robert Howland, MD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry), who has been recognized with a 2023 Excellence in Patient Experience Award. Dr. Howland was honored at the 2023 Loren Roth Quality and Patient Safety Awards Celebration. The awards are based on patient ratings and are presented to top UPMC providers in recognition of their dedication to the population they serve and their compassionate care...

A Novel, Brief, Fully Automated Intervention to Extend the Antidepressant Effect of a Single Ketamine Infusion: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Dr. Rebecca Price

Depression is one of the most prevalent and costly mental health conditions. Though effective treatments have been available for decades, remission rates are low, relapse rates are high, and disorder prevalence rates remain notably consistent or increased, with only 12.7% of patients receiving minimally adequate treatment. In recent years, two potential breakthroughs have ignited hopes for turning a corner in the...