Paula Zimbrean, MD, FAPA, FACLP
Professor of PsychiatryCards
Additional Titles
Director, Transplant Psychiatry Services at Yale New Haven Hospital
Director, Inpatient Psychological Medicine, Psychiatry
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Additional Titles
Director, Transplant Psychiatry Services at Yale New Haven Hospital
Director, Inpatient Psychological Medicine, Psychiatry
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View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAppointments
Additional Titles
Director, Transplant Psychiatry Services at Yale New Haven Hospital
Director, Inpatient Psychological Medicine, Psychiatry
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View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAbout
Titles
Professor of Psychiatry
Director, Transplant Psychiatry Services at Yale New Haven Hospital; Director, Inpatient Psychological Medicine, Psychiatry
Biography
BOARD CERTIFICATION: Psychiatry, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry
CLINICAL INTERESTS: Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Transplant Psychiatry,
RESEARCH INTEREST: intensive psychiatric interventions in general hospital, psychiatric disease and organ transplantation, graduate medical education
Appointments
Psychiatry
Associate Professor on TermPrimaryTransplant & Immunology Surgery
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Adult Psychiatry
- Global Health Studies
- Psychiatry
- Psychological Medicine Section
- Transplant & Immunology Surgery
- Transplantation Center
- Yale Global Mental Health Program
- Yale Medicine
Education & Training
- Fellow
- Yale School of Medicine (2005)
- Resident
- Yale University School of Medicine (2004)
- Resident
- Columbia University, St. Luke's - Roosevelt Hospital (2003)
- MD
- Iuliu Hatieganu University (1998)
Research
Overview
My main area of research is that of psychiatric disease and organ transplantation. My publication on patients with psychotic disorder and organ transplantations has significantly influenced the discussion about the candidacy of this group towards not excluding patients with severe mental illness from transplantation listing. The description of eating behaviors in transplant patients is important given the obesity epidemics and the increased prevalence of non-alcoholic-steatosis-hepatitis (NASH), one of the main indications for liver transplantation. There is a significant need for a better understanding of eating habits, beliefs and behavioral strategies to address obesity in these patients. Understanding body image concerns is becoming relevant in the transplantation world as more non-urgent transplantation are becoming available (face and hand transplantation). I was recently interviewed for the European journal Science et vie about the impact of regenerative medicine upon body image concerns . In addition to studying psychiatric aspects of organ recipients, I am also PI for a study that evaluates prospectively the psychological status of liver donor candidates at Yale Transplantation Center. The study is performing psychiatric assessments of living donor candidates at their initial visits and follow up assessments including in candidates do not donate.
I am also evaluating the impact of the Transplant psychiatry rotation upon the trainees’ knowledge level and communication skills.
My work with Wilson Disease patients is a unique opportunity to study the psychiatric aspects of a rare genetic disease and to further inquire about mechanism of psychiatric symptoms. Being theat the underlying physiology of WD revolves around the role of copper in the organism, understanding the psychiatric presentations in WD can lead to a better appreciation of the role of microelements in the human brain.
Wilson Disease Registry is a longitudinal multidisciplinary evaluation study that follows patients with this rare disease with hepatology, neurological and psychiatric assessments. In addition to providing information on the psychiatric aspects of Wilson disease, the project can also serve as an inspiration for multidisciplinary registries for other rare diseases in which psychiatry can play a role. Overseeing the longitudinal psychiatric monitoring of these patients at 5 research centers in the US and Europe has allowed me to focus on shared and accepted views of psychiatric evaluation and care.
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Michael Schilsky, MD
Uyen To, MD
Amar Patel, MD
Paul Desan, MD, PhD
Ricarda Tomlin
Susan Rubman , PhD
Mental Health Services
Publications
2024
Depression and anxiety management in cirrhosis
Zimbrean P, Jakab S. Depression and anxiety management in cirrhosis. Hepatology Communications 2024, 9: e0600. PMID: 39670879, PMCID: PMC11637748, DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000600.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAnxiety disordersAnxiety symptomsPrevalence of generalized anxiety disorderDiagnosis of depressionPrevalence of depressionGeneral populationAnxietyScreening instrumentAnxiety managementTreatment interventionsDepressionPsychotherapyDisordersHealth-related quality of lifeLiver diseaseIntegrated care approachSymptomsHealth-related qualitySevere symptomsPharmacological agentsStand-alone therapyQuality of lifeCare approachAntidepressantsDose adjustmentPsychosocial Evaluation of Living Kidney Donors: A Survey of Current Practices in the United States
Clifton E, Winder G, Lentine K, Zimbrean P, Yadav A, Rubman S, Kalil R, Kumar V, Prashar R, Gan G, Deng Y, Joyce M, Holmes R, Laflen J, Bakhai D, Liapakis A, Doshi M. Psychosocial Evaluation of Living Kidney Donors: A Survey of Current Practices in the United States. Transplantation 2024, 108: e382-e389. PMID: 38867351, DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000005095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersUse disorderActive anxiety disorderMental healthPosttraumatic stress disorderPsychosocial teamAnxiety disordersStress disorderActive suicidalitySelf-harmActivity depressionDisordersPsychosocial assessmentDepressionPsychosocial evaluationPost-donationUnited StatesClinical toolPsychosisLiving kidney donorsCannabisAnxietySuicideAbsolute contraindicationBest practicesExamining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and psychosocial factors on disparities in access to liver transplantation: A retrospective analysis
Aniruddha D, Schilsky M, Zimbrean P. Examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and psychosocial factors on disparities in access to liver transplantation: A retrospective analysis. Journal Of Psychosomatic Research 2024, 181: 111714. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111714.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWilson Disease and the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring patients’ mental health and vaccination attitudes in a longitudinal study
Coskun A, Aydin A, Tosun S, To U, Rubman S, Schilsky M, Zimbrean P. Wilson Disease and the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring patients’ mental health and vaccination attitudes in a longitudinal study. Frontiers In Psychology 2024, 15: 1326802. PMID: 38803830, PMCID: PMC11129684, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1326802.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental healthMental health of individualsMental health scalesCognitive functionVaccination ratesHealth of individualsQuality of lifeCOVID-19 pandemicStudy investigated stressLevels of stressHealth scaleChronic conditionsCOVID-19 perceptionsVaccine attitudesIncreased depressionIncome lossCOVID-19Exacerbate anxietyPositive attitudesLongitudinal studyEssential workersActive initiatorsAnxietyWD patientsDepressionPsychometric Analysis for a Standardized Approach When Evaluating Liver Transplant Candidates with Acute Alcohol-Related Hepatitis
Zimbrean P. Psychometric Analysis for a Standardized Approach When Evaluating Liver Transplant Candidates with Acute Alcohol-Related Hepatitis. Current Transplantation Reports 2024, 11: 63-76. DOI: 10.1007/s40472-024-00433-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute alcoholic hepatitisLiver transplantationPatients' mental health statusAlcohol-related hepatitisRisk of relapseMental health statusPost-transplant factorsPsychometric instrumentsManagement of patientsCare of patientsSustained alcohol abstinenceLiver transplant candidatesLT patientsTransplant settingChronic painAlcohol relapseAlcohol abstinenceAlcoholic hepatitisLT candidatesHealth statusDiagnostic accuracyTransplant candidatesPsychometric analysisRisk factorsPatients
2023
Through the Lens of Our Patients – Disparities in Organ Transplant
Wong T, Weinrieb R, Zimbrean P. Through the Lens of Our Patients – Disparities in Organ Transplant. Journal Of The Academy Of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2023, 64: s126. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2023.11.255.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExamining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis
Deka A, Pegram D, Schilsky M, Zimbrean P. Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis. Journal Of The Academy Of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2023, 64: s115. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2023.11.233.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPsychosocial evaluation of living liver donors—State of current practices in the United States
Zimbrean P, Rubman S, Andacoglu O, Bakhai D, Clifton E, Deng Y, Doshi M, Emamaullee J, Gan G, Holmes R, Jaber L, Jackson W, Joyce M, Kalil R, Kumar V, Laflen J, Lentine K, Prashar R, Winder G, Yadav A, Liapakis A. Psychosocial evaluation of living liver donors—State of current practices in the United States. Liver Transplantation 2023, 30: 505-518. PMID: 37861339, DOI: 10.1097/lvt.0000000000000288.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDonor liver transplant programLiver transplant programPsychosocial evaluationTransplant programsPsychosocial contraindicationsAbsolute contraindicationLiver donationDonor candidatesOpioid use disorderSelf-injurious behaviorActive suicidalityProvider teamPsychosocial assessmentContraindicationsUse disordersMental healthPsychosocial teamPostdonationSignificant differencesDisordersUnited StatesDonationMultidisciplinary processDonorsCurrent practiceACLP Best Practice Guidance: Evaluation and Treatment of Depression in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Zimbrean P, Andrews S, Hussain F, Fireman M, Kuntz K, Niazi S, Simpson S, Soeprono T, Winder G, Jowsey-Gregoire S. ACLP Best Practice Guidance: Evaluation and Treatment of Depression in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Journal Of The Academy Of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2023, 64: 357-370. PMID: 37003570, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2023.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsOrgan transplant recipientsSolid organ transplant recipientsTransplant recipientsDepressive disorderFirst-line antidepressantsTreatment of depressionMental health carePosttransplant depressionSOT recipientsTransplant patientsTreating providerClinical evaluationPositive screeningTreatment interventionsPatientsRecipientsHealth careDepressionDisordersConsensus processFrequent problemSpecial Interest GroupTreatmentPractice guidanceBest practice guidance
2022
Major Depressive Disorder in an International Multisite Wilson Disease Registry
Camarata M, Ala A, Coskun A, Deng Y, Embel V, Gonzalez-Peralta R, Maciejewski K, Patel A, Rubman S, To U, Tomlin R, Schilsky M, Zimbrean P. Major Depressive Disorder in an International Multisite Wilson Disease Registry. Journal Of The Academy Of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2022, 64: 106-117. PMID: 36521682, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2022.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMajor depressive disorderWilson's diseaseDepressive disorderLifetime major depressive disorderMental health QOLPhysical health QoLMajor depressive episodeMental health qualityStructured psychiatric evaluationSignificant differencesCross-sectional reportsLiver testsLiver diseaseNeurological assessmentLife scoresClinical correlatesDepressive episodePsychiatric symptomsPsychiatric evaluationDisease RegistrySevere anxietyLaboratory testsLifetime historySignificant associationPatients
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A Phase I/II Study of VTX-801 in Adult Patients With Wilson's Disease (GATEWAY)
HIC ID2000028887RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date07/31/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 60 yearsWilson Disease Registry
HIC ID1609018429REGRoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date10/01/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBoth
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity Wilson Disease International
Public ServiceMemberDetailsMember Medical Advisory Board10/15/2015 - Presentactivity European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine
Professional OrganizationsScientific CommitteeDetailsScientific program committee- annual meeting02/28/2017 - Presentactivity Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
Professional OrganizationsChairDetailsChair, Transplant Psychiatry Special Interest Group11/12/2020 - Presentactivity Yale School of Medicine
CommitteesMemberDetailsMedical Students Elective Committee12/01/2022 - Presentactivity Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
Professional OrganizationsChairDetailsChair, Evidenced Based Medicine Subcommittee11/09/2016 - 11/12/2020
Clinical Care
Overview
Paula Zimbrean, MD, is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating patients with adjustment disorders, mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol addiction, and delirium. She specializes in evaluation and treatment of patients with co-morbid medical illness and psychiatric symptoms. Among them, she has a special interest in organ transplant candidates and recipients and in organ donors.
“One of the most satisfying parts of my job is seeing patients who are hospitalized in critical condition improve and go back to their lives,” Dr. Zimbrean says. “Sometimes I don’t recognize them at a follow-up appointment because they look so much better.”
“For my organ transplant patients, I often have to reassure them that strong emotions are expected and transient,” Dr. Zimbrean says.
Her research focuses on intensive psychiatric interventions for hospitalized patients and mental health disorders associated with organ transplantation
Dr. Zimbrean is the director of transplant psychiatry services at Yale New Haven Hospital and an associate director of the Consultation Liaison Psychiatry fellowship.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Mood Disorders
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Addiction Psychiatry
- Certification Organization
- AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
- Original Certification Date
- 2018
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- Certification Organization
- AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
- Original Certification Date
- 2018
Psychiatry
- Certification Organization
- AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
- Latest Certification Date
- 2016
- Original Certification Date
- 2006
Yale Medicine News
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News
- December 12, 2023
Psychosocial Evaluation of Living Liver Donors - State of Current Practices in the United States
- July 10, 2023
Zimbrean, Deka, Pegram Honored by Academy of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
- April 24, 2023
ACLP Best Practice Guidance: Evaluation and Treatment of Depression in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
- February 15, 2023Source: The Carlat Report
Q&A With Dr. Paula Zimbrean: Psychiatric Issues in Organ Transplantation
Related Links
- Perioperative Psychiatry Textbook
- Psychiatric presentations in Wilson Disease educational video
- Transplant psychiatry APA course
- Wilson Disease: The Great Masquerader
- Wilson Disease: A Challenging Diagnosis in the Neurology Setting
- Think Wilson: Psychiatric presentations in Wilson Disease
- Transplant Psychiatry textbook
- Expert interview- The Carlat Report
Get In Touch
Contacts
Locations
Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.