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Amy Byers, PhD, MPH

Title(s)Professor, Psychiatry
SchoolSchool of Medicine
Address4150 Clement St
San Francisco CA 94121
Phone415-221-4810 ext. 3980
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    Other Positions
    Title(s)UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences


    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse Education and Training
    Scripps CollegeBAAnthropology
    Yale UniversityMPHChronic Disease Epidemiology
    Yale University PhDEpidemiology of Aging
    Cornell UniversityResearch FellowshipGeriatric Psychiatry

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse Overview
    Dr. Byers is Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences with a joint appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics. She is an epidemiologist with a background in aging research, methods, and biostatistics. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of late-life mental health and employs advanced epidemiological and biostatistical techniques to determine the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of late-life mental health disorders with the objective of reducing the burden of these disorders by informing long-term clinical care. Dr. Byers has been heavily involved in research to determine nationally representative estimates of psychiatric disorders and health care utilization among older community-dwelling adults. As a clinical epidemiologist studying geropsychiatry with an expertise in mathematical epidemiology, Dr. Byers is involved in the application of advanced methodology to address complex clinical questions at the intersection of physical and mental health in aging adults.

    Dr. Byers has been funded by several agencies, including NIH (i.e., NIMH and NIMHD), Department of Defense, and VA. She is PI of the first VA R01-level grant longitudinally investigating suicide and suicidal behavior at a national level in older U.S. Veterans. Dr. Byers’ NIH-funded research program currently focuses on suicide and suicide-related outcomes among older Veterans and individuals reentering the community from incarceration. Leveraging national databases, Dr. Byers has built large longitudinal cohorts to study how complex and salient risk factors, such as comorbidities, polypharmacy, and history of incarceration, contribute to late-life suicide and related disorders and will lead to targeted late-life risk assessment tools. Recently, Dr. Byers has been awarded a Genius Award from UCSF’s Older Americans Independence Center to provide innovative methodologic advancements to estimate associations of suicide risk linked to specific medications.

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse Research Activities and Funding
    Precursors of Suicide in Older Adults Transitioning from Prison to Community
    NIH/NIMH RF1MH117604Sep 1, 2018 - Aug 31, 2022
    Role: Principal Investigator
    The Role of Medications in Predicting Suicide-Related Outcomes and Unintended Death in Older Veterans
    VA I01CX001119Jul 1, 2015 - Sep 30, 2023
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Epidemiology of Suicidal Behavior in Racially/Ethnically Diverse Older Americans
    NIH/NIMHD R01MD007019Apr 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2015
    Role: Principal Investigator
    The Complexity of Late Life Depression: Bridging Methods and Clinical Substance
    NIH/NIMH K01MH079093Jan 1, 2007 - Dec 31, 2011
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse ORNG Applications 
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    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse Publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Methodological Progress Note: Classification and Regression Tree Analysis. J Hosp Med. 2020 09; 15(9):549-551. Wray CM, Byers AL. PMID: 32195654.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    2. A national study of TBI and risk of suicide and unintended death by overdose and firearms. Brain Inj. 2020 02 23; 34(3):328-334. Byers AL, Li Y, Barnes DE, Seal KH, Boscardin WJ, Yaffe K. PMID: 31822136.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    
    3. Examining the Association of Social Determinants of Health with Missed Clinic Visits in Patients with Heart Failure in the Veterans Health Administration. J Gen Intern Med. 2020 May; 35(5):1591-1592. Wray CM, Vali M, Byers A, Keyhani S. PMID: 31713034.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    4. Comorbidity Profiles Identified in Older Primary Care Patients Who Attempt Suicide. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019 12; 67(12):2553-2559. Morin RT, Li Y, Mackin RS, Whooley MA, Conwell Y, Byers AL. PMID: 31469184.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    5. Examining the Utility of 30-day Readmission Rates and Hospital Profiling in the Veterans Health Administration. J Hosp Med. 2019 05; 14(5):266-271. Wray CM, Vali M, Walter LC, Lopez L, Austin PC, Byers A, Keyhani S. PMID: 30794141.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Comorbid TBI-depression costs in veterans: a chronic effect of neurotrauma consortium (CENC) study. Brain Inj. 2018 Nov 07; 1-7. Dismuke-Greer CE, Gebregziabher M, Byers AL, Taber D, Axon N, Yaffe K, Egede LE. PMID: 30403538.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    7. Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Related to Diabetes and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 12; 26(12):1268-1272. Gibson CJ, Li Y, Inslicht SS, Seal KH, Byers AL. PMID: 30314941.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. High Occurrence of Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidal Behavior Across Dementia Subtypes. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 12; 26(12):1191-1201. Lai AX, Kaup AR, Yaffe K, Byers AL. PMID: 30392777.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    9. Association of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury With and Without Loss of Consciousness With Dementia in US Military Veterans. JAMA Neurol. 2018 09 01; 75(9):1055-1061. Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gardner RC, Seal KH, Boscardin WJ, Yaffe K. PMID: 29801145.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 25     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Burden of Depressive Symptoms Over 2 Decades and Risk of Nursing Home Placement in Older Women. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 10; 66(10):1895-1901. Byers AL, Lui LY, Vittinghoff E, Covinsky KE, Ensrud KE, Taylor B, Yaffe K. PMID: 30094824.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. Increased Risk of Suicide Attempts and Unintended Death Among Those Transitioning From Prison to Community in Later Life. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 11; 26(11):1165-1174. Barry LC, Steffens DC, Covinsky KE, Conwell Y, Li Y, Byers AL. PMID: 30146371.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Do postconcussive symptoms from traumatic brain injury in combat veterans predict risk for receiving opioid therapy for chronic pain? Brain Inj. 2018; 32(10):1188-1196. Bertenthal D, Yaffe K, Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gibson CJ, Seal KH. PMID: 29985653.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Mild TBI and risk of Parkinson disease: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study. Neurology. 2018 05 15; 90(20):e1771-e1779. Gardner RC, Byers AL, Barnes DE, Li Y, Boscardin J, Yaffe K. PMID: 29669907.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 28     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Traumatic Brain Injury and Receipt of Prescription Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans: Do Clinical Practice Guidelines Matter? J Pain. 2018 08; 19(8):931-941. Seal KH, Bertenthal D, Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gibson CJ, Rife TL, Yaffe K. PMID: 29597083.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Predictors of Mental Health Services Use Across the Life Course among Racially-Ethnically Diverse Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2017 Nov; 25(11):1213-1222. Byers AL, Lai AX, Nelson C, Yaffe K. PMID: 28774787.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Association of Traumatic Brain Injury With Chronic Pain in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans: Effect of Comorbid Mental Health Conditions. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 08; 98(8):1636-1645. Seal KH, Bertenthal D, Barnes DE, Byers AL, Strigo I, Yaffe K. PMID: 28455190.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    17. Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults and Risk of Dementia. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016 05 01; 73(5):525-31. Kaup AR, Byers AL, Falvey C, Simonsick EM, Satterfield S, Ayonayon HN, Smagula SF, Rubin SM, Yaffe K. PMID: 26982217.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 40     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    18. TRAUMA EXPOSURE AND RISK OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG ETHNICALLY DIVERSE ADULTS. Depress Anxiety. 2016 06; 33(6):495-501. Beristianos MH, Maguen S, Neylan TC, Byers AL. PMID: 26992150.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. Trauma Exposure and Risk of Suicidal Ideation Among Older Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 08; 24(8):639-643. Beristianos MH, Maguen S, Neylan TC, Byers AL. PMID: 27067069.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. Mental Health Service Use Across the Life Course Among Adults With Psychiatric Disorders and Prior Suicidal Behavior. Psychiatr Serv. 2016 Apr 01; 67(4):452-5. Byers AL, Lai AX, Arean P, Nelson JC, Yaffe K. PMID: 26766753.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    21. Geomorphic and geologic controls of geohazards induced by Nepal's 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Science. 2016 Jan 08; 351(6269):aac8353. Kargel JS, Leonard GJ, Shugar DH, Haritashya UK, Bevington A, Fielding EJ, Fujita K, Geertsema M, Miles ES, Steiner J, Anderson E, Bajracharya S, Bawden GW, Breashears DF, Byers A, Collins B, Dhital MR, Donnellan A, Evans TL, Geai ML, Glasscoe MT, Green D, Gurung DR, Heijenk R, Hilborn A, Hudnut K, Huyck C, Immerzeel WW, Liming J, Jibson R, Kääb A, Khanal NR, Kirschbaum D, Kraaijenbrink PD, Lamsal D, Shiyin L, Mingyang L, McKinney D, Nahirnick NK, Zhuotong N, Ojha S, Olsenholler J, Painter TH, Pleasants M, Pratima KC, Yuan QI, Raup BH, Regmi D, Rounce DR, Sakai A, Donghui S, Shea JM, Shrestha AB, Shukla A, Stumm D, van der Kooij M, Voss K, Xin W, Weihs B, Wolfe D, Lizong W, Xiaojun Y, Yoder MR, Young N. PMID: 26676355.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    22. Leisure activities and depressive symptoms in older adults with cognitive complaints. Int Psychogeriatr. 2016 Jan; 28(1):63-9. Poelke G, Ventura MI, Byers AL, Yaffe K, Sudore R, Barnes DE. PMID: 26299193.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCTClinical Trials
    23. Sleep Quality and Risk of Dementia Among Older Male Veterans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015 Jun; 23(6):651-4. Yaffe K, Nettiksimmons J, Yesavage J, Byers A. PMID: 25794635.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. PTSD and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Aging Veterans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 Mar; 24(3):192-200. Beristianos MH, Yaffe K, Cohen B, Byers AL. PMID: 25555625.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 21     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    25. Traumatic brain injury and risk of dementia in older veterans. Neurology. 2014 Jul 22; 83(4):312-9. Barnes DE, Kaup A, Kirby KA, Byers AL, Diaz-Arrastia R, Yaffe K. PMID: 24966406.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 67     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Depression and dementias among military veterans. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jun; 10(3 Suppl):S166-73. Byers AL, Yaffe K. PMID: 24924668.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    27. Prisoner of war status, posttraumatic stress disorder, and dementia in older veterans. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jun; 10(3 Suppl):S236-41. Meziab O, Kirby KA, Williams B, Yaffe K, Byers AL, Barnes DE. PMID: 24924674.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Lifestyle and health-related risk factors and risk of cognitive aging among older veterans. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jun; 10(3 Suppl):S111-21. Yaffe K, Hoang TD, Byers AL, Barnes DE, Friedl KE. PMID: 24924664.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    29. Chronicity of posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of disability in older persons. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014 May; 71(5):540-6. Byers AL, Covinsky KE, Neylan TC, Yaffe K. PMID: 24647756.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. Alcohol consumption patterns and cognitive impairment in older women. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014 Dec; 22(12):1663-7. Hoang TD, Byers AL, Barnes DE, Yaffe K. PMID: 24862680.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    31. Cognitive outcomes after psychotherapeutic interventions for major depression in older adults with executive dysfunction. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014 Dec; 22(12):1496-503. Mackin RS, Nelson JC, Delucchi K, Raue P, Byers A, Barnes D, Satre DD, Yaffe K, Alexopoulos GS, Arean PA. PMID: 24378255.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    32. Long-term cumulative depressive symptom burden and risk of cognitive decline and dementia among very old women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2014 May; 69(5):595-601. Zeki Al Hazzouri A, Vittinghoff E, Byers A, Covinsky K, Blazer D, Diem S, Ensrud KE, Yaffe K. PMID: 24097423.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    33. Twenty-year depressive trajectories among older women. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012 Oct; 69(10):1073-9. Byers AL, Vittinghoff E, Lui LY, Hoang T, Blazer DG, Covinsky KE, Ensrud KE, Cauley JA, Hillier TA, Fredman L, Yaffe K. PMID: 23026957.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 35     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    34. Dysthymia and depression increase risk of dementia and mortality among older veterans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012 Aug; 20(8):664-72. Byers AL, Covinsky KE, Barnes DE, Yaffe K. PMID: 21597358.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 33     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Midlife vs late-life depressive symptoms and risk of dementia: differential effects for Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012 May; 69(5):493-8. Barnes DE, Yaffe K, Byers AL, McCormick M, Schaefer C, Whitmer RA. PMID: 22566581.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 87     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. Low use of mental health services among older Americans with mood and anxiety disorders. Psychiatr Serv. 2012 Jan; 63(1):66-72. Byers AL, Arean PA, Yaffe K. PMID: 22227762.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 29     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    37. Depression and risk of developing dementia. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011 May 03; 7(6):323-31. Byers AL, Yaffe K. PMID: 21537355.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 188     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    38. High occurrence of mood and anxiety disorders among older adults: The National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 May; 67(5):489-96. Byers AL, Yaffe K, Covinsky KE, Friedman MB, Bruce ML. PMID: 20439830.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 128     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    39. Depression and increased short-term hospitalization risk among geriatric patients receiving home health care services. Psychiatr Serv. 2010 Jan; 61(1):78-80. Sheeran T, Byers AL, Bruce ML. PMID: 20044423.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    40. Heritability of depressive symptoms: a case study using a multilevel approach. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2009 Dec; 18(4):287-96. Byers AL, Levy BR, Kasl SV, Bruce ML, Allore HG. PMID: 19757480.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    41. Differential Impact of Involuntary Job Loss on Physical Disability Among Older Workers Does Predisposition Matter? Res Aging. 2009 May 01; 31(3):345-360. Gallo WT, Brand JE, Teng HM, Leo-Summers L, Byers AL. PMID: 19924265.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    
    42. Depression and risk for adverse falls in older home health care patients. Res Gerontol Nurs. 2008 Oct; 1(4):245-51. Byers AL, Sheeran T, Mlodzianowski AE, Meyers BS, Nassisi P, Bruce ML. PMID: 20077999.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    43. When parents matter to their adult children: filial reliance associated with parents' depressive symptoms. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2008 Jan; 63(1):P33-40. Byers AL, Levy BR, Allore HG, Bruce ML, Kasl SV. PMID: 18332193.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    44. Range and severity of symptoms over time among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Dec 10; 167(22):2503-8. Walke LM, Byers AL, Tinetti ME, Dubin JA, McCorkle R, Fried TR. PMID: 18071174.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 49     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    45. A randomized trial of depression assessment intervention in home health care. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Nov; 55(11):1793-800. Bruce ML, Brown EL, Raue PJ, Mlodzianowski AE, Meyers BS, Leon AC, Heo M, Byers AL, Greenberg RL, Rinder S, Katt W, Nassisi P. PMID: 17916119.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 28     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    46. Changes in preferences for life-sustaining treatment among older persons with advanced illness. J Gen Intern Med. 2007 Apr; 22(4):495-501. Fried TR, Van Ness PH, Byers AL, Towle VR, O'Leary JR, Dubin JA. PMID: 17372799.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 38     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    47. The association of symptoms with health outcomes in chronically ill adults. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Jan; 33(1):58-66. Walke LM, Byers AL, Gallo WT, Endrass J, Fried TR. PMID: 17196907.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    48. Prospective study of health status preferences and changes in preferences over time in older adults. Arch Intern Med. 2006 Apr 24; 166(8):890-5. Fried TR, Byers AL, Gallo WT, Van Ness PH, Towle VR, O'Leary JR, Dubin JA. PMID: 16636215.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 48     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    49. Symptom assessment in community-dwelling older adults with advanced chronic disease. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2006 Jan; 31(1):31-7. Walke LM, Byers AL, McCorkle R, Fried TR. PMID: 16442480.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    50. Unmet desire for caregiver-patient communication and increased caregiver burden. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Jan; 53(1):59-65. Fried TR, Bradley EH, O'Leary JR, Byers AL. PMID: 15667377.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 30     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    51. Application of negative binomial modeling for discrete outcomes: a case study in aging research. J Clin Epidemiol. 2003 Jun; 56(6):559-64. Byers AL, Allore H, Gill TM, Peduzzi PN. PMID: 12873651.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 44     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    52. A program to prevent functional decline in physically frail, elderly persons who live at home. N Engl J Med. 2002 Oct 03; 347(14):1068-74. Gill TM, Baker DI, Gottschalk M, Peduzzi PN, Allore H, Byers A. PMID: 12362007.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 169     Fields:    Translation:HumansCTClinical Trials
    53. Estrogen use, APOE, and cognitive decline: evidence of gene-environment interaction. Neurology. 2000 May 23; 54(10):1949-54. Yaffe K, Haan M, Byers A, Tangen C, Kuller L. PMID: 10822435.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 73     Fields:    Translation:Humans
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