Depression is associated with disturbances to sleep and the 24-hour sleep-wake pattern, or rest-activity rhythm (RAR). However, there remains a need to identify the specific sleep/RAR correlates of depression symptom severity in population subgroups, such as strained dementia caregivers, who are at elevated risk for major depressive disorder. In a five-year study led by Dr. Smagula’s mentor, Martica Hall, PhD...

Mary Torregrossa, PhD focuses her research on examining the factors that can lead to vulnerability to drug addiction and relapse. Using animal models to understand how drugs of abuse co-opt learning and memory systems, she seeks to identify interventions that target these underlying neurobiologic substrates in an effort to reduce substance use and relapse. Combining behavioral, molecular, and sophisticated self...

Maria Jalbrzikowski, PhD has been recognized as a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science (APS) for her innovative research. This designation is presented to outstanding psychological scientists in the earliest stages of their research careers post-PhD and whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions. The APS Board of Directors...

One of the most significant contributions to the field by Department of Psychiatry investigators is the development and testing of diagnostic tools for research and clinical practice. Assessment of children and adolescents can present unique challenges. For example, mood symptoms are more challenging to evaluate in children than in adults. In 1978 the late Joachim Puig-Antich, MD, a distinguished researcher and...

Findings of long-term substance use risk for children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are generally inconsistent. This observational follow-up of the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) provided an opportunity to assess long-term outcomes in a large, diverse, carefully diagnosed sample. The multi-site study led by Brooke Molina, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry...

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) opened its brand new Behavioral Health Intensive Care Unit (BHICU) to provide expert care and intensive psychiatric medication management for patients with high clinical acuity. The unit opened in November 2017 as part of a massive redesign of WPIC’s 7th floor and serves as an adjoining, seven-bed sister unit to a general adult unit. The safe, therapeutic environment...

Funding is now available for selected one-year pilot projects through the Department’s Clinical Value Project (CVP) Program. The program aims to improve care in a cost-effective way through quality or safety of care delivered, patient engagement and satisfaction, improved clinical outcomes, access to services, and efficiency of service delivery. Applicants must be physician clinician-educators who are either dually...

Colleen McClung, PhD is a pioneer in the study of how manipulations of limbic circuitry and circadian genes within this circuitry can lead to the development and treatment of psychiatric diseases. She combines molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral studies, incorporating new technologies, and these cutting-edge research activities have earned her a superb reputation in her field. Dr. McClung has...

Disruptive behaviors, including aggression, tantrums, and self-injury, are estimated to occur in 20% to 50% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Atypical antipsychotic medications are one of the most common pharmacologic treatments for such behaviors in the ASD population, but significant increases in weight are frequently reported. There also is evidence of an increased risk of diabetes in children...

Department faculty members Gina Perez, MD and Keith Stowell, MD have accepted associate chief roles in the Behavioral Health Services Line. Dr. Perez, Assistant Professor, has been appointed Associate Chief, Behavioral Health Network, and Dr. Stowell, Assistant Professor, is Associate Chief, Emergency & Crisis Services. In her new role, Dr. Perez will oversee the Behavioral Health Services at UPMC Network hospitals...