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Robert Pietrzak, PhD, MPH

Professor of Psychiatry and of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences); Director, Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory, Clinical Neurosciences Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD

Contact Information

Robert Pietrzak, PhD, MPH

Mailing Address

  • Psychiatry

    National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System

    West Haven, CT 06516

    United States

Research Summary

Dr. Pietrzak is Director of the Translational Psychiatric Epidemiology Laboratory of the Clinical Neurosciences Division of the National Center for PTSD. His research focuses on the epidemiology of trauma-related disorders across the lifespan. His most recent work has examined a broad range of topics related to civilian and military trauma, including health and psychosocial correlates of partial and full PTSD; dimensional structure and neurobiological correlates of trauma-related psychopathology; protective effects of psychological resilience and social support; and posttraumatic growth. He also maintains an active interest in geriatric mental health, the role of stress in dementia, and cognitive assessment methodology.

Extensive Research Description

"Risk and Resilience Factors in Iraq Combat Veterans" - This study aims to improve understanding of the needs, symptoms, and strengths of Connecticut OIF/OEF Veterans.

"Mental Health, Resilience, and Soldier's Perceptions about Psychotherapy, Medication, and Barriers to Care in the U.S. Military" - This study aims to determine characteristics that differentiate symptomatic soldiers who seek mental health treatment and symptomatic soldiers who do not seek professional mental health treatment.

"National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study" - The purpose of this NCPTSD-funded study is to characterize genetic, environmental, and gene x environmental determinants of longitudinal trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder and related mental health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans.

"Trajectories of Psychological Risk and Resilience in World Trade Center Responders" - This CDC/NIOSH-funded study aims to characterize the nature and correlates of trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms of a large cohort of World Trade Center responders.

"Biomarkers of Psychological Risk and Resilience in World Trade Center Responders" - This CDC/NIOSH-funded study aims to examine genetic, epigenetic, and neuroendocrine factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in World Trade Center responders.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Anxiety Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Resilience, Psychological

Selected Publications

Clinical Trials

ConditionsStudy Title
Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchImaging SV2A in mood disorders
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