Neurofibrillary tangles are a defining neuropathological feature of Alzheimer’s disease. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease with little or no quantifiable insoluble brain tau neurofibrillary tangle pathology demonstrate stronger clinical benefits of therapies than those with advanced neurofibrillary tangles. The formation of neurofibrillary tangles can be prevented by targeting the intermediate soluble tau...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to Lilcelia Williams, PhD, MBA-HCM (Research Instructor in Psychiatry). Dr. Williams received her PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership from the Robert Morris University School of Nursing, Education, and Human Studies, and her MBA in healthcare management from Western Governors University. She conducted postdoctoral research training at the University of Pittsburgh...

The University of Pittsburgh’s National Institute of Mental Health-funded Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) recently hosted “From Surviving to Thriving: Lived Experiences and Practical Tips for the Autism Community,” a special event focused on thriving within the autistic community. From Surviving to Thriving featured speakers with varied connections to autism, with the goal of highlighting how to support positive...

Dopamine transmission is essential for reward processes including motivation and reinforcement. Motivation is the internal process activating and directing behavior, and reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior through stimulus–response and action–outcome associations. The nucleus accumbens medial shell within the striatum serves as a key hub for reward-related behaviors, receiving dopaminergic inputs...

Congratulations to Ann Cohen, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry), who received the Human Amyloid Imaging 2025 Conference Christopher Clark Award, honoring the late Christopher Clark, MD, a neurologist and Alzheimer’s disease researcher. The Christopher Clark Award recognizes Dr. Cohen’s outstanding work in the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease prior...

Mania/hypomania is characterized by elevated reward sensitivity and goal overvaluation, impulsivity, and sensation seeking, and is the defining symptom of bipolar disorder. However, in individuals without a clear history of mania/hypomania, bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder. Replicable neural markers of mania/hypomania risk are needed for earlier bipolar diagnosis, as well as for...

Congratulations to Priyanka Amin, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Meredith Spada, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who have completed the UPMC Physician Leadership Essentials Program! Physician Leadership Essentials is part of a multi-year comprehensive approach to physician leadership development designed to equip physician leaders with the skills necessary to successfully identify and leverage...

We are delighted to announce that Sarah Pedersen, PhD, has received conferral of tenure at the rank of associate professor by the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Pedersen is a leader in research examining the individual differences that increase the risk for alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder, as well as for cannabis use, and is recognized for her expertise in health equity research and community-engaged...

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common cause of stroke and cognitive impairment in older adults. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are the most common feature of cerebral small vessel disease. However, the magnitude of WMH’s relationship to cognition and to the rate of cognitive decline varies considerably across individuals. Sex may be an important...

Congratulations to John Rozel, MD (Professor of Psychiatry and Law), who has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, Pittsburgh Chapter. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual with longstanding service to and leadership with the Pittsburgh Psychiatric Society, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and/or the American Psychiatric Association, as well as service to the...