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...

Many University of Pittsburgh Psychiatry faculty and trainees attended the recent American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annal meeting to learn about and present new research and to connect with colleagues. Below is a recap of Pitt Psychiatry News from the meeting: ACNP Council Susanne Ahmari, MD, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry), was elected to a three-year term on the ACNP Council. Dr. Ahmari...

The annual Center for Sleep and Circadian Science Research Day presents new research in the field, with more than 160 individuals attending the event. Following opening remarks presented by Daniel Buysse, MD (Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Clinical and Translational Science UPMC Endowed Chair in Sleep Medicine), a clinical symposium presented “Hot Topics in Treatment of Sleep Apnea,” featuring...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to Francesco Donati, MD, PhD (Research Instructor in Psychiatry). Dr. Donati received his MD and his PhD from the University of Milan (Italy). He completed psychiatry residency training at San Paolo Hospital in Milan, where he worked with individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis. In 2023, Dr. Donati came to Pittsburgh to conduct postdoctoral research training with Fabio...

Suicide rates among adolescents have been increasing for more than 15 years. One strategy for reversing this disturbing trend is to screen for depression and suicidal risk in the pediatric primary care setting. The Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), a self-report screen for depression in adults and adolescents during outpatient visits, has been shown to effectively detect major depression. In addition, item 9...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to new faculty member Mei-Chuan (Holden) Ko, PhD (Professor of Psychiatry). Dr. Ko received his PhD in biopsychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he additionally completed postdoctoral research training in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology. Before joining the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Ko held academic appointments at the University of...