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Benjamin L. Handen, Ph.D

Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Director of Research, Training and Clinical Services
Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Contact Information:
Merck Program
1011 Bingham St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 235-5445
(412) 235-5446 (fax)
handenbl@upmc.edu

Research Interests:
Dr. Handen is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years experience in the field of autism and developmental disorders. His research includes examination of psychopharmacology and psychosocial treatments in autism and developmental disabilities. Dr. Handen has also been working in the area of dementia and Down syndrome for the past eight years. This includes participating in psychopharmacology trials as well as the use of PET methodologies to study the deposition of amyloid plaque in the brains of adults with Down syndrome and its affect on cognitive functioning.

Representative Publications:

Kishnani, PS, Sommer, BR, Handen, BL, Seltzer, B, Capone, GT, Spiridigliozzi, GA, Heller, JH, Richardson, S, McRae, T. The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of donepezil for the treatment of young adults with Down syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A, 2009, 149A,1641-1654.

Handen, BL, Johnson, CJ, McAuliffe-Bellin, S, Murray PJ, Hardan AY. Safety and efficacy of donepezil in children and adolescents with autism: Neuropsychological measures. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, in press.

Handen, BL Melmed RD, , Hansen RL, Aman MG, Burnham D, Bruss J, McDougle CJ. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Human Immunoglobulin for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Children with Autistic Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2009, 39, 796-805.

Handen, BL, Sagady, AE, McAuliffe-Bellin, S. Methylphenidate and play skills in children with intellectual disability and ADHD. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2009, 2, 1-10.

Aman, MG, McDougle, CJ, Scahill, L, Handen, BL, et al. Medication and parent training in children with pervasive developmental disorders and serious behavior problems, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2009, 48, 1143-1154.