Social determinants of health are non-medical factors of daily life that influence health outcomes. A review of factors influencing cognitive impairment in older adults presented a range of community-level structural and social determinants of health, distinguished from individual risk and protective factors. Investigators led by Mary Ganguli, MD, MPH (Professor of Psychiatry, Epidemiology, and Neurology), analyzed...

Congratulations to Sarah Pedersen, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical and Translational Science, and Psychology), who has received the American Psychological Association Division 50 (Society of Addiction Psychology) Nancy Petry Mid-Career Award. The award was presented at the Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction (CPA) conference, which brings together Society of Addiction Psychology and American...

Intravenous ketamine produces reliable, fast-acting, and potent antidepressant effects even among individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine can also be a powerful experimental tool to provide a more precise evaluation of neurocognitive mechanisms underlying reduction in depression symptoms. Cognitive theorists of depression have long posited that systematic alterations in attentional bias (giving...

Please join us in congratulating Jatinder Babbar, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Nadeem Ahmed, MD (UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Adult Services physician), who have received 2024 UPMC Award for Commitment to Excellence in Service (ACES). The prestigious ACES, received by less than 1% of UPMC staff annually, honors individuals who routinely go above and beyond. Dr. Babbar is medical director of the...

Among older adults who successfully achieve clinical remission from depression, 35%-45% will experience a new depressive episode within two years. The factors that contribute to the emergence of recurrent depressive episodes in older adults are not well understood. Psychological stress may play a role in depression remission and recurrence, yet important questions remain about the brain and physiological profiles...

Please join us in congratulating Karen Jakubowski, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who has received a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Medical Student Research Mentoring Merit Award. This prestigious award is presented to a Longitudinal Research Project (LRP) mentor of a graduating Pitt Med student in recognition for outstanding mentorship over the course of the LRP. Dr. Jakubowski’s research...

Abnormal tau phosphorylation is a key pathophysiological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, infectious agents, such as Herpes Simplex Virus 1, may be associated with the onset or progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. However, outstanding questions remain regarding the contribution of viruses in the etiology of...

We are pleased to announce that Hader Mansour, MD, PhD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Mansour received his medical degree and PhD in psychiatric genetics from Mansoura University in Egypt, then came to the University of Pittsburgh for postdoctoral training. He serves as medical director of the Addiction Medicine Services Dual Diagnosis...

Please join us in congratulating Trevor Baker (Computer Programmer and Team Lead), who has received a 2024 UPMC Award for Commitment to Excellence in Service (ACES) for his outstanding work in the Department’s Office of Academic Computing. The prestigious ACES award, received by less than 1% of UPMC staff annually, honors individuals who routinely go above and beyond. Trevor’s nominators included the following...

Congratulations to David Yankura, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who has completed the UPMC Physician Leadership Essentials Program! Physician Leadership Essentials is designed to equip physician leaders with the skills necessary to successfully identify and leverage personal and team strengths, build community among physician leaders across UPMC, and monitor progress throughout their leadership journey...