Dr. Maria Oquendo Receives the Gerald L. Klerman Young Investigator Award from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Atlanta, Georgia, May 23, 2005 – The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) was honored to present Dr. Maria Oquendo, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, with the 2005 Klerman Young Investigator Award at the American Psychiatric Association’s 158^th Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia today.

The Gerald L. Klerman Senior Investigator Award is given annually to a senior investigator with lifetime contributions to understanding the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of depressive and bipolar illnesses. Dr. Oquendo has made remarkable contributions to the clinical and neurobiological understanding of mood disorders with a focus on suicidal behavior. One of her studies involves following up with bipolar patients two years after their discharge from the hospital to assess the risk factors for suicidal behavior during this high risk period.

Dr. Oquendo also performed the first randomized clinical trial in this country that focused specifically on suicide prevention that utilized patients with a history of attempted suicide. In addition to numerous published peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Oquendo is one of the leading authorities on the presence of psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior in the Latino population in this country.

Her knowledge and experience has made her a much-sought-after investigator in her field. Currently she is the principal investigator on a study that examines the clinical and biological testing as a way to predict suicidal behavior. In 2004, the Developing Center for Intervention to Prevent Suicide was funded at Columbia University where she is the Principal Investigator to examine suicidal behavior. Dr. Oquendo is not only a gifted researcher and author, she is also dedicated educator at Columbia University.

The Gerald L. Klerman Awards are the highest recognition given by DBSA. The awards are named after Gerald L. Klerman, M.D., one of DBSA's earliest supporters. A major figure in psychiatry, he lead the first multi-site study to understand the diagnosis, clinical course, and genetics of major depression. This 30-year longitudinal study is still on-going and has provided the baseline information on the course of depression.

Dr. Klerman conducted the first clinical trial showing the efficacy of medication and psychotherapy in the prevention of recurrent depression. For this trial he developed interpersonal psychotherapy, an evidence- based treatment widely used today and modified for the adjunct treatment of medicated patients with bipolar disorder.

For more information on the Klerman Award winners, or information on depression and bipolar disorder, please contact DBSA by calling 800/826-3632 or by visiting www.DBSAlliance.org.