David A. Axelson, M.D. Dr. Axelson's research interests include pediatric bipolar disorder, metabolism of psychiatric medications in the pediatric population, the neurobiological basis of mood disorders, and medication treatment of mood disorders in children and adolescents.

Positions

• Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA
• Director, Child and Adolescent Bipolar Services, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA

Education

• M.D., 1992, Duke University School of Medicine

Relevant Publications

• Whalen, D. J., Silk, J. S., Semel, M., Forbes, E. E., Ryan, N. D., Axelson D. A., et al. (2008). Caffeine consumption, sleep, and affect in the natural environments of depressed youth and health controls. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 33(4), 358-367.
• Birmaher, B., Axelson, D., & Strober, M. (2006). Clinical course of children and adolescents with bipolar spectrum disorders. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(2), 175-183.
• Goldstein, T. R., Birmaher, B., & Axelson, D. (2005). History of suicide attempts in pediatric bipolar disorder: Factors associated with increased risk. Bipolar Disorders, 7, 525-535.
• Clark, D. B., Birmaher, B., & Axelson, D. (2005). Fluoxetine for the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders: Open-label, long-term extension to a controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 44, 1263-1270.
• Kaur, S., Sassi, R. B., & Axelson, D. (2005). Cingulate cortex anatomical abnormalities in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 1637-1643.

Contributed Content

• Challenges in Studying Children with Bipolar Disorder
• How Family Dynamics Effect Research
• The Challenge of Heritability in Bipolar Research
• These Children are Suffering
• Transitioning to Independence