Psychiatry / Geriatric Psychiatry

DUMC 3003
Durham, NC 27710

919-684-4128

919-684-4128

919-684-8569

• MD, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, 1969

• Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, 1973-1975

• Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Montefiore Hospital (New York), 1975-1976

• PhD, Epidemiology, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, 1980

Geriatric psychiatry, mood and anxiety disorders, psychiatry and religion

I am working on four research projects. The first, the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (EPESE), included a study demonstrating that sleep complaints are more frequent in white compared to blacks, even when relevant demographic variables are controlled. In a second study, day-time napping was a significant predictor of mortality. A third study in the Piedmont of North Carolina revealed no difference in utilization or satisfaction with health services when urban elders were compared with rural elders. In a fourth study, self-rated health was not as strong a predictor of mortality, as has been found in previous studies, especially when controlling for important covariates.

A second research endeavor has been with the National Comorbidity Study. I led investigators who demonstrated that the prevalence of major depression is higher than previously estimated in national samples of persons between the ages of eighteen and fifty-five in the community and discussed the methodological issues that may contribute to this differing estimate. The risk-factor profile of pure major depression was compared with comorbid major depression. I will continue in this research during 1994/95 to look at Seasonal Affective Disorders (SAD).

I have spent considerable time during 1994/97 working on four books. I co-edited the second edition of Geriatric Psychiatry, to be published in the late winter of 1994 or early spring of 1995. I am working on a single author book, Freud vs. God: The End of the Debate/How Psychiatry Lost Its Soul and Christianity Lost Its Mind and on a research methods textbook for clinical psychiatry research. I have produced a second edition of Emotional Problems in Later Life.

• Barbas, AS; Turley, RS; Ceppa, EP; Reddy, SK; Blazer, DG; Clary, BM; Pappas, TN; Tyler, DS; White, RR; Lagoo, SA. Comparison of outcomes and the use of multimodality therapy in young and elderly people undergoing surgical resection of pancreatic cancer. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2012;60:344-350.  Abstract
• Hybels, CF; Landerman, LR; Blazer, DG. Age differences in symptom expression in patients with major depression. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2012;27:601-611.  Abstract
• Kuchibhatla, MN; Fillenbaum, GG; Hybels, CF; Blazer, DG. Trajectory classes of depressive symptoms in a community sample of older adults. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 2012;125:492-501.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Blazer, DG; Woody, GE; Burchett, B; Yang, C; Pan, JJ; Ling, W. Alcohol and drug dependence symptom items as brief screeners for substance use disorders: results from the Clinical Trials Network. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2012;46:360-369.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Wu, LT. The epidemiology of alcohol use disorders and subthreshold dependence in a middle-aged and elderly community sample. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2011;19:685-694.  Abstract
• Ganguli, M; Blacker, D; Blazer, DG; Grant, I; Jeste, DV; Paulsen, JS; Petersen, RC; Sachdev, PS. Classification of neurocognitive disorders in DSM-5: a work in progress. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2011;19:205-210.  Abstract
• Hybels, CF; Blazer, DG; Landerman, LR; Steffens, DC. Heterogeneity in symptom profiles among older adults diagnosed with major depression. International Psychogeriatrics. 2011;1-17.  Abstract
• Mosca, PJ; Blazer, DG; Wheeler, JL; Abernethy, AP. When a chance to cut is not a chance to cure: a future for palliative surgery?. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2011;18:3235-3239.  Abstract
• Pilowsky, DJ; Wu, LT; Burchett, B; Blazer, DG; Ling, W. Depressive symptoms, substance use, and HIV-related high-risk behaviors among opioid-dependent individuals: results from the Clinical Trials Network. Substance Use and Misuse. 2011;46:1716-1725.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Blazer, DG; Li, TK; Woody, GE. Treatment use and barriers among adolescents with prescription opioid use disorders. Addictive Behaviors. 2011;36:1233-1239.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Ling, W; Burchett, B; Blazer, DG; Yang, C; Pan, JJ; Reeve, BB; Woody, GE. Use of item response theory and latent class analysis to link poly-substance use disorders with addiction severity, HIV risk, and quality of life among opioid-dependent patients in the Clinical Trials Network. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2011;118:186-193.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Woody, GE; Yang, C; Blazer, DG. How do prescription opioid users differ from users of heroin or other drugs in psychopathology: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Journal of Addiction Medicine. 2011;5:28-35.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Woody, GE; Yang, C; Li, JH; Blazer, DG. Recent national trends in Salvia divinorum use and substance-use disorders among recent and former Salvia divinorum users compared with nonusers. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. 2011;2011:53-68.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Woody, GE; Yang, C; Mannelli, P; Blazer, DG. Differences in onset and abuse/dependence episodes between prescription opioids and heroin: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. 2011;2011:77-88.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Woody, GE; Yang, C; Pan, JJ; Blazer, DG. Abuse and dependence on prescription opioids in adults: a mixture categorical and dimensional approach to diagnostic classification. Psychological Medicine. 2011;41:653-664.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Woody, GE; Yang, C; Pan, JJ; Blazer, DG. Racial/ethnic variations in substance-related disorders among adolescents in the United States. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2011;68:1176-1185.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG. Protection from late life depression. International Psychogeriatrics. 2010;22:171-173.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Hybels, CF. Shortness of breath as a predictor of depressive symptoms in a community sample of older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2010;25:1080-1084.  Abstract
• Covinsky, KE; Yaffe, K; Lindquist, K; Cherkasova, E; Yelin, E; Blazer, DG. Depressive symptoms in middle age and the development of later-life functional limitations: the long-term effect of depressive symptoms. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2010;58:551-556.  Abstract
• Fillenbaum, GG; Kuchibhatla, MN; Whitson, HE; Batch, BC; Svetkey, LP; Pieper, CF; Kraus, WE; Cohen, HJ; Blazer, DG. Accuracy of self-reported height and weight in a community-based sample of older African Americans and whites. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2010;65:1123-1129.  Abstract
• Hybels, CF; Pieper, CF; Blazer, DG; Fillenbaum, GG; Steffens, DC. Trajectories of mobility and IADL function in older patients diagnosed with major depression. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2010;25:74-81.  Abstract
• Naylor, JC; Kilts, JD; Hulette, CM; Steffens, DC; Blazer, DG; Ervin, JF; Strauss, JL; Allen, TB; Massing, MW; Payne, VM; Youssef, NA; Shampine, LJ; Marx, CE. Allopregnanolone levels are reduced in temporal cortex in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to cognitively intact control subjects. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: international journal of biochemistry and biophysics. 2010;1801:951-959.  Abstract
• Sachs-Ericsson, N; Corsentino, E; Collins, N; Sawyer, K; Blazer, DG. Problems meeting basic needs moderate the association between the APOE epsilon4 allele and cognitive decline. Aging and Mental Health. 2010;14:138-144.  Abstract
• Sachs-Ericsson, NJ; Sawyer, KA; Corsentino, EA; Collins, NA; Blazer, DG. APOE epsilon4 allele carriers: Biological, psychological, and social variables associated with cognitive impairment. Aging and Mental Health. 2010;14:679-691.  Abstract
• Taylor, DH; Cook-Deegan, RM; Hiraki, S; Roberts, JS; Blazer, DG; Green, RC. Genetic testing for Alzheimer's and long-term care insurance. Health Affairs. 2010;29:102-108.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Ling, W; Burchett, B; Blazer, DG; Shostak, J; Woody, GE. Gender and racial/ethnic differences in addiction severity, HIV risk, and quality of life among adults in opioid detoxification: results from the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. 2010;2010:13-22.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Pan, JJ; Blazer, DG; Tai, B; Stitzer, ML; Woody, GE. Using a latent variable approach to inform gender and racial/ethnic differences in cocaine dependence: a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network study. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 2010;38 Suppl 1:S70-S79.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Pan, JJ; Yang, C; Reeve, BB; Blazer, DG. An item response theory analysis of DSM-IV criteria for hallucinogen abuse and dependence in adolescents. Addictive Behaviors. 2010;35:273-277.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Woody, GE; Yang, C; Blazer, DG. Subtypes of nonmedical opioid users: results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2010;112:69-80.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG. Religion, spirituality, and mental health: what we know and why this is a tough topic to research. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;54:281-282.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Lazar, AJ; Xing, Y; Askew, RL; Feig, BW; Pisters, PW; Pollock, RE; Lev, D; Hunt, KK; Cormier, JN. Clinical outcomes of molecularly confirmed clear cell sarcoma from a single institution and in comparison with data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Cancer. 2009;115:2971-2979.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Wu, LT. Nonprescription use of pain relievers by middle-aged and elderly community-living adults: National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2009;57:1252-1257.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Wu, LT. The epidemiology of at-risk and binge drinking among middle-aged and elderly community adults: National Survey on Drug Use and Health. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;166:1162-1169.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Wu, LT. The epidemiology of substance use and disorders among middle aged and elderly community adults: national survey on drug use and health. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2009;17:237-245.  Abstract
• Corsentino, EA; Collins, N; Sachs-Ericsson, N; Blazer, DG. Religious attendance reduces cognitive decline among older women with high levels of depressive symptoms. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2009;64:1283-1289.  Abstract
• Corsentino, EA; Sawyer, K; Sachs-Ericsson, N; Blazer, DG. Depressive symptoms moderate the influence of the apolipoproteine epsilon4 allele on cognitive decline in a sample of community dwelling older adults. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2009;17:155-165.  Abstract
• Fillenbaum, GG; Burchett, BM; Blazer, DG. Identifying a national death index match. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2009;170:515-518.  Abstract
• Hybels, CF; Blazer, DG; Pieper, CF; Landerman, LR; Steffens, DC. Profiles of depressive symptoms in older adults diagnosed with major depression: latent cluster analysis. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2009;17:387-396.  Abstract
• Hybels, CF; Pieper, CF; Blazer, DG. The complex relationship between depressive symptoms and functional limitations in community-dwelling older adults: the impact of subthreshold depression. Psychological Medicine. 2009;39:1677-1688.  Abstract
• Sachs-Ericsson, N; Schmidt, NB; Zvolensky, MJ; Mitchell, M; Collins, N; Blazer, DG. Smoking cessation behavior in older adults by race and gender: the role of health problems and psychological distress. Nicotine and Tobacco Research. 2009;11:433-443.  Abstract
• Sawyer, K; Sachs-Ericsson, N; Preacher, KJ; Blazer, DG. Racial differences in the influence of the APOE epsilon 4 allele on cognitive decline in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. Gerontology: international journal of experimental, clinical, behavioral, regenerative and technical gerontology. 2009;55:32-40.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Blazer, DG; Patkar, AA; Stitzer, ML; Wakim, PG; Brooner, RK. Heterogeneity of stimulant dependence: a national drug abuse treatment clinical trials network study. American Journal on Addictions. 2009;18:206-218.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Pan, JJ; Blazer, DG; Tai, B; Brooner, RK; Stitzer, ML; Patkar, AA; Blaine, JD. The construct and measurement equivalence of cocaine and opioid dependences: a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2009;103:114-123.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Pan, JJ; Blazer, DG; Tai, B; Stitzer, ML; Brooner, RK; Woody, GE; Patkar, AA; Blaine, JD. An item response theory modeling of alcohol and marijuana dependences: a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2009;70:414-425.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Parrott, AC; Ringwalt, CL; Patkar, AA; Mannelli, P; Blazer, DG. The high prevalence of substance use disorders among recent MDMA users compared with other drug users: Implications for intervention. Addictive Behaviors. 2009;34:654-661.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Parrott, AC; Ringwalt, CL; Yang, C; Blazer, DG. The variety of ecstasy/MDMA users: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions. American Journal on Addictions. 2009;18:452-461.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Ringwalt, CL; Patkar, AA; Hubbard, RL; Blazer, DG. Association of MDMA/ecstasy and other substance use with self-reported sexually transmitted diseases among college-aged adults: a national study. Public Health. 2009;123:557-564.  Abstract
• Wu, LT; Ringwalt, CL; Yang, C; Reeve, BB; Pan, JJ; Blazer, DG. Construct and differential item functioning in the assessment of prescription opioid use disorders among American adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2009;48:563-572.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG. Self-efficacy and depression in late life: a primary prevention proposal. Aging and Mental Health. 2002;6:315-324.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Burchett, BB; Fillenbaum, GG. APOE epsilon4 and low cholesterol as risks for depression in a biracial elderly community sample. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2002;10:515-520.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Hays, JC; Musick, MA. Abstinence versus alcohol use among elderly rural Baptists: a test of reference group theory and health outcomes. Aging and Mental Health. 2002;6:47-54.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Moody-Ayers, S; Craft-Morgan, J; Burchett, B. Depression in diabetes and obesity: racial/ethnic/gender issues in older adults. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2002;53:913-916.  Abstract
• Bohannon, AD; Fillenbaum, GG; Pieper, CF; Hanlon, JT; Blazer, DG. Relationship of race/ethnicity and blood pressure to change in cognitive function. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2002;50:424-429.  Abstract
• Connor, KM; Davidson, JR; Hughes, DC; Swartz, MS; Blazer, DG; George, LK. The impact of borderline personality disorder on post-traumatic stress in the community: a study of health status, health utilization, and functioning. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2002;43:41-48.  Abstract
• Fillenbaum, GG; Blazer, DG; Burchett, BM; Saunders, AM; Taylor, DH. Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 and risk of mortality in African American and white older community residents. Gerontologist. 2002;42:381-386.  Abstract
• Hybels, CF; Pieper, CF; Blazer, DG. Sex differences in the relationship between subthreshold depression and mortality in a community sample of older adults. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2002;10:283-291.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Fillenbaum, G; Burchett, B. The APOE-E4 allele and the risk of functional decline in a community sample of African American and white older adults. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2001;56:M785-M789.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Hybels, CF; Pieper, CF. The association of depression and mortality in elderly persons: a case for multiple, independent pathways. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2001;56:M505-M509.  Abstract
• Blazer, DG; Landerman, LR; Hays, JC; Grady, TA; Havlik, R; Corti, MC. Blood pressure and mortality risk in older people: comparison between African Americans and whites. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2001;49:375-381.  Abstract
• Fillenbaum, GG; Landerman, LR; Blazer, DG; Saunders, AM; Harris, TB; Launer, LJ. The relationship of APOE genotype to cognitive functioning in older African-American and Caucasian community residents. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2001;49:1148-1155.  Abstract
• Horner, RD; Cohen, HJ; Blazer, DG. Accuracy of self-reported stroke among elderly veterans. Aging and Mental Health. 2001;5:275-281.  Abstract