Helen Lavretsky MD MS
Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Psychopharmacology, Integrative Psychiatry
Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA Directs the Late Life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program at the Semel Institute at UCLA
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760 Westwood Plaza, C9-948 NPHLos Angeles, CA 90095
Phone+1 310-794-4619
Fax+1 310-794-4619
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Summary
- Professor of Psychiatry
Education & Training
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical CenterFellowship, Geriatric Psychiatry, 1994 - 1996- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center/VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemResidency, Psychiatry, 1991 - 1995
IM Sechenov Moscow Medical AcademyClass of 1985
Certifications & Licensure
CA State Medical License 1992 - 2026
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Psychiatry- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Geriatric Psychiatry
Awards, Honors, & Recognition
- Fellow American College of Neuropsychopahrmacology, 2015
- Top 10 papers in Psychiatry 2015 New England Journal of Medicine, 2015
- Distinguished Fellow American Psychiatric Association
Clinical Trials
- Effectiveness of Methylphenidate in Improving Cognition and Function in Older Adults With Depression Start of enrollment: 2008 Feb 01
- Milnacipran for Treatment of Pain in Older Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis Start of enrollment: 2010 Nov 01
- Meditation to Reduce Caregiver Stress Start of enrollment: 2010 Mar 01
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Publications & Presentations
PubMed
- The Cognitive Profile of Older Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression: An Analysis of the OPTIMUM Randomized Controlled Trial.Nicholas J Ainsworth, Hanadi Oughli, Helen Lavretsky, Daniel M Blumberger, Patrick J Brown
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2025-04-01 - The Science of Tai Chi andand Whole Person Health Part I: Rationale and State of the Science.Peter M Wayne, Andrew Ahn, Janet Clark, Michael R Irwin, Jian Kong
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2025-03-17 - Hypertension Management in Women With a Multidisciplinary Approach.Niloofar Nobakht, Yalda Afshar, Marmar Vaseghi, Zhaoping Li, Ines Donangelo
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2025-03-01
Journal Articles
- Yoga and Meditation Can Help Improve Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and DementiaHelen Lavretsky, MD, The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neurocognitive Correlates of Resilience in Late-Life DepressionHelen Lavretsky, MD, The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Books/Book Chapters
Authored Content
- Yoga and Meditation Can Help Improve Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and DementiaNovember 2018
- Community-Based Acupunch Exercise Program Improves Physical Health and Quality of Sleep in Taiwanese Older AdultsFebruary 2018
- Community-Based Acupunch Exercise Program Improves Physical Health and Quality of Sleep in Taiwanese Older AdultsFebruary 2018
Press Mentions
Boost Brain Health with Daily Lifestyle PracticesJanuary 7th, 2025- You Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia. Here's How to Get StartedNovember 25th, 2024
- Seniors with Anxiety Frequently Don’t Get Help. Here’s WhyMarch 12th, 2023
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Grant Support
- Mentoring and Research in Translational Science of Integrative MedicineUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES2016–2029
- Remote Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis: an Embedded Pragmatic TrialTUFTS MEDICAL CENTER2023–2028
- Neurobiological Mechanisms Of Treatment Response In Geriatric DepressionNational Institute Of Mental Health2010–2012
- Methylphenidate Use To Improve Outcomes In Geriatric DepressionNational Institute Of Mental Health2008–2012
- Tai Chi Chih: Complementary Use To Achieve Remission In Geriatric DepressionNational Center For Research Resources2010
- Methylphenidate Use To Improve Clinical Outcomes In Geriatric DepressionNational Center For Research Resources2009–2010
- Tai Chi ChihNational Center For Research Resources2009
- Tai Chi Chih: Complementary Use To Achieve Remission In Geriatric DepressionNational Center For Complementary &Alternative Medicine2007–2009
- Intervention Clinical Trial For Geriatric Depression Ritalin Augmentation OfNational Center For Research Resources2005–2006
- Intervention Clinical Trial For Geriatric DepressionNational Institute Of Mental Health2001–2005
- Clinical Trial For Geriatric Depression. Ritalin AugmentNational Center For Research Resources2004
- Brain aging and treatment response in geriatric depressionNIMHPresent
Committees
- President, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 2023 - Present
Research History
- ProfessorProfessor of Psychiatry in- Residence, UCLA1999 - Present
Professional Memberships
- Fellow
Other Languages
- Russian
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