Among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), substance use impacts medication adherence and treatment outcome. Research has shown that stimulants—with cocaine as one of the most commonly used in this population—are associated with the greater risk for poor medication adherence. Impairments in executive functioning are often seen in individuals with HIV who use cocaine, as both cocaine and HIV...

Congratulations to Jack Rozel, MD, MSL (Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor of Law), who has received the Allegheny County Medical Society Ralph C. Wilde Leadership Award. The Award recognizes a physician who demonstrates exceptional skill in clinical care of patients and dedication to the ideals of the medical profession as a teacher or leader. Dr. Rozel is a recognized expert on emergency...

In late July, the University of Pittsburgh Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion hosted their 2021 Diversity Forum, “Dismantling Oppressive System: Building Just Communities.” The three-day Forum was designed to engage and equip participants with the knowledge, skills and resources to identify sources of systemic oppression, consider strategies for dismantling that oppression, and identify actions critical in...

Parkinson's disease, a nervous system disorder that affects movement, is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the midbrain. By contrast, the midbrain ventral tegmental area does not experience loss of dopaminergic neurons, though the explanation for the neurons’ resilience in this region has not been sufficiently studied. One possible explanation...

The Department of Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to four new faculty members: Traci Kennedy, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) Dr. Kennedy earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan, having completed her psychology internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She then received postdoctoral training in child & adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine...

In 2018, an international group of scientists founded the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Clinical High Risk for Psychosis Working Group to improve understanding of brain differences in individuals with clinical high risk for developing psychosis, who later develop a psychotic disorder, compared with those who do not. In an international multisite neuroimaging study published in JAMA...

Congratulations to Eric Zimmerman, MD, PhD, PGY3 psychiatry resident, who has received a 2021 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Outstanding Resident Award. The award recognizes residents with outstanding research and academic potential. Dr. Zimmerman earned his MD and PhD in neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the Psychiatry Research Pathway, which enables residents to...

Please join us in congratulating Mary Amanda Dew, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Clinical and Translational Science, and Acute and Tertiary Care (Nursing). Dr. Dew has received the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 38: Society for Health Psychology 2021 Excellence in Health Psychology Research Award. The Award highlights the accomplishments of psychologists...

Psychological Medicine: Experimentally Imposed Circadian Misalignment Alters the Neural Response to Monetary Rewards and Response Inhibition in Healthy Adolescents During adolescence, circadian rhythm and natural sleep and wake times shift later, which can conflict with early school-start times. This incongruence commonly results in circadian misalignment (mismatch between the behavioral sleep-wake schedule and the...

We are delighted to announce that Jody Glance, MD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Glance earned her MD from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) before joining the Department of Psychiatry as assistant professor. Dr. Glance was also recently...