Psychosis, an impairment that manifests as hallucinations and/or delusions, is a defining feature of schizophrenia and highly prevalent in bipolar disorder. Individuals suffering with these illnesses also have major disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms, which can precipitate or exacerbate psychotic symptoms. A group of investigators including Kyle Ketchesin, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), Madeline...

Major depressive disorder is among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, affecting nearly 300 million people worldwide, and exacting a substantial personal, social, and economic toll. Antidepressant treatment typically involves an individualized trial-and-error approach with an inconsistent success rate. Given the negative outcomes associated with depression, there is a pressing need for the development of...

We are pleased to announce that Cecile Ladouceur, PhD (Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology), has been elected to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) Scientific Council. The BBRF is the top non-governmental funder of mental health research grants. The Scientific Council reviews and selects the most promising research proposals with the greatest potential to lead to breakthroughs in mental health...

It is our great pleasure to announce that Boris Birmaher, MD (Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Endowed Chair in Early Onset Bipolar Disease), has been honored with two major prizes in the field of psychiatry: the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Ruane Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, and the Institute of Living’s 2022 C. Charles Burlingame Award. The Ruane...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to three new research faculty members: Candice Biernesser, PhD, LCSW (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) Dr. Biernesser earned her PhD from the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, then joined the Pitt Department of Psychiatry as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department’s National Institute of Mental...

Adolescence is a sensitive window for the development of depressive and social anxiety disorders, particularly among girls. Models of depression and social anxiety suggest that individuals with or at high risk for these conditions may exhibit interpersonal behaviors in early adolescence—such as social avoidance and withdrawal—that can evoke negative reactions from others and lead teens to miss out on potential...

Disruption to a predictable 24-hour activity pattern, in which humans are active during the day and rest at night, is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Instead, such disruption in older adults is linked with diseases such as depression and dementia. Loss of robust activity and rest patterns throughout the day and night may be a contributor to, marker of, and/or consequence of underlying disease. To improve...

The October 2022 Behavioral Health and Aging Conference addressed helping patients and families make informed decisions about late-life and end-of-life psychiatric care. The conference was attended by a diverse group of physicians, nurses, front-line staff, case managers, service coordinators, and therapists serving the aging population. Ellen Whyte, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry; Service Chief & Medical...

We are delighted to announce that Priyanka Amin, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), Claudia Chapa, MD (Medical Director, Behavioral Health, UPMC Northwest), Caroline Franke, MD (PGY3), Darcy Moschenross, MD, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Joseph Pierri, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), were honored at the 2022 Dr. Loren Roth Quality and Patient Safety Awards Celebration. Dr. Amin and Dr...

We are pleased to announce that Ana Lupu, PharmD, has received the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists 2022 Annals of Clinical Psychiatry Winokur Award for her article, “Less is more: Deprescribing anticholinergic medications in persons with severe mental illness.” K.N. Roy Chengappa, MD (Professor of Psychiatry), is Dr. Lupu’s mentor, and is a corresponding author on the paper. The team of scientists...