Mission. The Mission of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, as part of the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA School of Medicine, is to develop and maintain an environment in which education and research are integrated with exemplary patient care.
UCLA has been a national leader in geriatric psychiatry since 1977, when we opened the first University-hospital based geriatric psychiatry inpatient unit (3-South) in the USA. That unit was soon joined by an intensive outpatient program (the GDTS) and several outreach programs in the community. We also had one of the first National Institute of Mental Health-funded Fellowship programs in Geriatric Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology. Our first Fellow was Gary Small, M.D., who began his training in 1981, and we have trained scores of others since, many of whom have gone on successful careers in academia and the public and private sectors. Division status was conferred in 1998, and we continue to provide training for general psychiatry residents, medical students, and Fellows in geriatric psychiatry and clinical psychology. Division faculty also treat patients in a number of venues, and conduct cutting-edge research in the key mental disorders of old age.
Major Research Areas
Investigators from the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry are focusing on better ways to diagnose and treat the major mental illnesses of old age. Studies in the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias and more precise diagnosis of late-onset mood disorder are complemented by prevention and treatment studies aimed at these and related illnesses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) related techniques such as MR Spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetization transfer (MT) are utilized to examine the status of myelin; membranes and macromolecular proteins in neocortical and subcortical regions of the brain. The relationship of biological changes to behavioral and cognitive components of late-life depression is also examined systematically.
Current research programs:
- Late-life depression, stress, and wellness program: www.npi.ucla.edu/latelife
Training Programs
The division is extensively involved in teaching, including the education of medical students, psychiatry residents, fellows in geriatric psychiatry and doctoral and postdoctoral trainees in geropsychology. We have one of the few psychology training programs in southern California that focuses on the elderly.In response to the growing need for quality geriatric healthcare a ssociated with the "graying of America," UCLA has emerged as a leader in education and training in geriatric psychiatry and medicine.
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship - UCLA offers a one-year program for psychiatrists at the PGY V level, which is accredited by the American Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Graduates are eligible to sit for the examination to receive Subspecialty Certification in Geriatric Psychiatry. For psychiatrists with interest in academic career paths, an additional fellowship year is available with training enhanced by individual research projects, collaboration with faculty in ongoing investigations, and supervised teaching and administrative experience. (Download brochure)
A two-year post-doctoral fellowship for psychologists provides specialized clinical and research training. Clinical assessment and treatment, case management, and research activities are emphasized. Specialty training in neuropsychological assessment of the older adult is also available. The program provides trainees with clinical experience that can be counted toward the hours required for California licensure as well as research training in preparation for an academic career.
Areas of training in both programs include:
- phenomenology of mental health in older adults
- psychiatric syndromes in older adults: cognitive disorders, psychosis, mood syndromes, anxiety, and others
- age-related physiological changes affecting clinical phenomenology and pharmacotherapy
- age-related psychosocial changes
- neuropsychology and the healthy psychology of aging
- community health issues and health service delivery research and administration
Clinics and Services
- Geriatric Adult Psychiatry Inpatient Unit. The focus of hospitalization in this acute care setting will be evaluation and stabilization to optimize an individual's health. The 4 North Staff provide a multidisciplinary approach to care and will educate regarding tests, treatments, and aspects of care with the appropriate discharge plans to ensure a smooth transition back to the community. (Download patient information document)
- Geriatric Evaluation (GAP).
This outpatient program offers comprehensive outpatient psychiatric evaluation and treatment of patients with depression, anxiety, psychosis, sleeplessness, chronic pain and other disorders.
Medication management and individual psychotherapy are available.
Contact: (310)825-8441 - UCLA Memory Clinic. Offers advanced care for people concerned about memory and cognitive decline. Expert diagnosis and treatment of mild and moderate memory changes, memory training, and opportunities to participate in research projects are available.
Contact: (310) 825-9897 - ECT Service. Electroconvulsive Therapy - Contact: Resnick NPH Access Center (800) or (310) 825-9989
Gary Small, MD Director Geriatric Psychiatry
Warren Thomson,Division Administrator
760 Westwood Plaza, C9-948B
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1759
