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Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Email: franke@upmc.edu
Phone: 412-246-5550
Fax: 412-246-5530
Assistant:
MaryAnne Hall, 412-246-6274

Research Program
Dr. Lotrich is interested in genetic vulnerability and resilience to major depression, specifically
depression that is directly related to medical illness.  In particular, he is conducting research
on interferon-induced depression in humans and investigating the interaction of genes,
personality, and cytokine exposure in the etiology of depression.  More broadly, he is interested
in genetic vulnerability to a broad array of potentially depression-related hormones and cytokines,
including cortisol, estrogen, and TNF-alpha. He has similarly been using pharmacogenetic tools
to examine genetic influences on the efficacy of antidepressant interventions.
.
Leadership Positions and Honors
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Travel Award, 2004
International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology Travel Award, 2004
NIMH Travel Award for American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology workshop, 2002
Resident Teaching Award, 2002
Psychiatry Award of Excellence; Janssen, 2002
Adult Chief Resident of Psychiatry, UPMC, 2001-2002

Representative Publications 
Finn DA, Roberts AJ, Lotrich F, Gallaher EJ. Genetic differences in behavioral sensitivity to a
neuroactive steroid. J Pharmacol Exp Therapeut 280:820-828, 1997.
Lotrich FE, Pollock BG, Ferrell RE: Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism:
Allele frequencies and implications for treatment of depression in African Americans.
Am J Pharmacogenomics 3:145-147, 2003.
Smith GS, Lotrich FE, Malhotra AK, Lee A, Ma Y, Kramer E, Gregersen P, Eidelberg D,
Pollock BG: Effects of serotonin transporter promoter polymorphisms on serotonin function.
Neuropsychopharmacology 29:2226-2234, 2004.
Lotrich FE, Pollock BG: Candidate genes for antidepressant response to selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treatment 1:17, 2005.
Lotrich FE, Pollock BG: Aging and clinical pharmacology: Implications for antidepressants.
J Clin Pharmacol 45:1106-1122. 2005.
  Revised 10/1/2006  la/tc

 

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