News and Announcements

Marian Sigman, Ph.D. 1941-2012 - In Memoriam

Marian Sigman, Ph.D., a valued colleague and friend to many at the Semel Institute at UCLA died on April 30, 2012; she was 70 years old. Marian Sigman was a developmental and child clinical psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and of Psychology. She was an internationally acclaimed scholar, generous teacher and colleague, and a pioneer in the fields of autism and developmental risk. Dr. Sigman has left her mark on the field with a rich legacy of significant scientific contributions.

Please see attached document below for a copy of a memorial tribute to Dr. Sigman.

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Previous news and announcements

Conference Room Scheduling AY 2012-2013

Faculty who require classroom space for the coming academic year should complete a “Conference Room Request Form” and return it directlyto Janice Ephriam (B8-248 or Jephriam@mednet.ucla.edu) by May 25th. Forms can be dowloaded here or picked up from the Office of Education #38-216, Semel. Space has become somewhat limited due to pending construction projects.

UCLA study identifies genes linked to post-traumatic stress disorder

Why do some people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while others who suffered the same ordeal do not? A new UCLA study may shed light on the answer. UCLA scientists have linked two genes involved in serotonin production to a higher risk of developing PTSD. Published in the April 3 online edition of the Journal of Affective Disorders, the findings suggest that susceptibility to PTSD is inherited, pointing to new ways of screening for and treating the disorder.

Does the brain 'remember' antidepressants?

Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) often undergo multiple courses of antidepressant treatment during their lives. This is because the disorder can recur despite treatment and because finding the right medication for a specific individual can take time. While the relationship between prior treatment and the brain's response to subsequent treatment is unknown, a new study by UCLA researchers suggests that how the brain responds to antidepressant medication may be influenced by its remembering of past antidepressant exposure. Interestingly, the researchers used a harmless placebo as the key to tracking the footprints of prior antidepressant use.

UCLA to launch unique, comprehensive Alzheimer's and dementia care program

Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated 5.4 million people in the U.S., some 480,000 of them in California. Nearly half of all people 85 and older will be stricken with the disease. The overall burden of dementia is still higher, with Alzheimer's accounting for only 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Yet as devastating as these disorders are to the afflicted, they also have a tremendous impact on family members, friends and caregivers. And while many health systems provide excellent care, and community-based organizations offer supportive services, no comprehensive programs exist to meet patients' health needs andthe needs of those around them. Family members are often at a loss to find appropriate care and services for their loved ones, and they typically have few, if any, resources to help them navigate their way through the complex health care system.