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Amy Byers, PhD, MPH

Title(s)Associate Professor, Psychiatry
SchoolSchool of Medicine
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 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 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. As a clinical epidemiologist studying geropsychiatry with an expertise in mathematical epidemiology, 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.

    Dr. Byers was the recipient of an NIH K01 Career Development award that involved the application of advanced methodology to address complex clinical questions on the onset, course, and outcomes of geriatric depression. She was also the recipient of a Department of Defense grant that investigated late-life PTSD and adverse health outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, and health services utilization among US Veterans, the first comprehensive longitudinal examination of late-life PTSD and adverse health outcomes in this population. Recently, Dr. Byers has been awarded a Department of Veterans Affairs CSR&D Merit award to study suicide and suicidal behavior among older US Veterans. She has also received an NIH R01 award to study the prevalence and key predictors of suicide-related behaviors in ethnically-diverse older Americans and to examine mental health services use in older Americans at increased risk of suicide.

    Dr. Byers has had her research published in many prestigious journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Archives of Internal Medicine/JAMA Internal Medicine, and Archives of General Psychiatry/JAMA Psychiatry.

    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

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    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.
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    1. Byers AL, Li Y, Barnes DE, Seal KH, Boscardin WJ, Yaffe K. A national study of TBI and risk of suicide and unintended death by overdose and firearms. Brain Inj. 2019 Dec 11; 1-7. PMID: 31822136.
      View in: PubMed
    2. Wray CM, Vali M, Byers A, Keyhani S. 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. 2019 Nov 11. PMID: 31713034.
      View in: PubMed
    3. Morin RT, Li Y, Mackin RS, Whooley MA, Conwell Y, Byers AL. Comorbidity Profiles Identified in Older Primary Care Patients Who Attempt Suicide. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019 Dec; 67(12):2553-2559. PMID: 31469184.
      View in: PubMed
    4. Wray CM, Vali M, Walter LC, Lopez L, Austin PC, Byers A, Keyhani S. Examining the Utility of 30-day Readmission Rates and Hospital Profiling in the Veterans Health Administration. J Hosp Med. 2019 May; 14(5):266-271. PMID: 30794141.
      View in: PubMed
    5. Dismuke-Greer CE, Gebregziabher M, Byers AL, Taber D, Axon N, Yaffe K, Egede LE. Comorbid TBI-depression costs in veterans: a chronic effect of neurotrauma consortium (CENC) study. Brain Inj. 2018 Nov 07; 1-7. PMID: 30403538.
      View in: PubMed
    6. Gibson CJ, Li Y, Inslicht SS, Seal KH, Byers AL. Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Related to Diabetes and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 12; 26(12):1268-1272. PMID: 30314941.
      View in: PubMed
    7. Lai AX, Kaup AR, Yaffe K, Byers AL. High Occurrence of Psychiatric Disorders and Suicidal Behavior Across Dementia Subtypes. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 12; 26(12):1191-1201. PMID: 30392777.
      View in: PubMed
    8. Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gardner RC, Seal KH, Boscardin WJ, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 29801145.
      View in: PubMed
    9. Byers AL, Lui LY, Vittinghoff E, Covinsky KE, Ensrud KE, Taylor B, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 30094824.
      View in: PubMed
    10. Barry LC, Steffens DC, Covinsky KE, Conwell Y, Li Y, Byers AL. 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. PMID: 30146371.
      View in: PubMed
    11. Bertenthal D, Yaffe K, Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gibson CJ, Seal KH. 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. PMID: 29985653.
      View in: PubMed
    12. Gardner RC, Byers AL, Barnes DE, Li Y, Boscardin J, Yaffe K. Mild TBI and risk of Parkinson disease: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study. Neurology. 2018 05 15; 90(20):e1771-e1779. PMID: 29669907.
      View in: PubMed
    13. Seal KH, Bertenthal D, Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gibson CJ, Rife TL, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 29597083.
      View in: PubMed
    14. Byers AL, Lai AX, Nelson C, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 28774787.
      View in: PubMed
    15. Seal KH, Bertenthal D, Barnes DE, Byers AL, Strigo I, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 28455190.
      View in: PubMed
    16. Kaup AR, Byers AL, Falvey C, Simonsick EM, Satterfield S, Ayonayon HN, Smagula SF, Rubin SM, Yaffe K. Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults and Risk of Dementia. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016 05 01; 73(5):525-31. PMID: 26982217.
      View in: PubMed
    17. Beristianos MH, Maguen S, Neylan TC, Byers AL. TRAUMA EXPOSURE AND RISK OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG ETHNICALLY DIVERSE ADULTS. Depress Anxiety. 2016 06; 33(6):495-501. PMID: 26992150.
      View in: PubMed
    18. Beristianos MH, Maguen S, Neylan TC, Byers AL. Trauma Exposure and Risk of Suicidal Ideation Among Older Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 08; 24(8):639-643. PMID: 27067069.
      View in: PubMed
    19. Byers AL, Lai AX, Arean P, Nelson JC, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 26766753.
      View in: PubMed
    20. 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. Geomorphic and geologic controls of geohazards induced by Nepal's 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Science. 2016 Jan 08; 351(6269):aac8353. PMID: 26676355.
      View in: PubMed
    21. Poelke G, Ventura MI, Byers AL, Yaffe K, Sudore R, Barnes DE. Leisure activities and depressive symptoms in older adults with cognitive complaints. Int Psychogeriatr. 2016 Jan; 28(1):63-9. PMID: 26299193.
      View in: PubMed
    22. Yaffe K, Nettiksimmons J, Yesavage J, Byers A. Sleep Quality and Risk of Dementia Among Older Male Veterans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015 Jun; 23(6):651-4. PMID: 25794635.
      View in: PubMed
    23. Beristianos MH, Yaffe K, Cohen B, Byers AL. PTSD and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Aging Veterans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 Mar; 24(3):192-200. PMID: 25555625.
      View in: PubMed
    24. Barnes DE, Kaup A, Kirby KA, Byers AL, Diaz-Arrastia R, Yaffe K. Traumatic brain injury and risk of dementia in older veterans. Neurology. 2014 Jul 22; 83(4):312-9. PMID: 24966406.
      View in: PubMed
    25. Byers AL, Yaffe K. Depression and dementias among military veterans. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jun; 10(3 Suppl):S166-73. PMID: 24924668.
      View in: PubMed
    26. Meziab O, Kirby KA, Williams B, Yaffe K, Byers AL, Barnes DE. Prisoner of war status, posttraumatic stress disorder, and dementia in older veterans. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jun; 10(3 Suppl):S236-41. PMID: 24924674.
      View in: PubMed
    27. Yaffe K, Hoang TD, Byers AL, Barnes DE, Friedl KE. Lifestyle and health-related risk factors and risk of cognitive aging among older veterans. Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Jun; 10(3 Suppl):S111-21. PMID: 24924664.
      View in: PubMed
    28. Byers AL, Covinsky KE, Neylan TC, Yaffe K. Chronicity of posttraumatic stress disorder and risk of disability in older persons. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014 May; 71(5):540-6. PMID: 24647756.
      View in: PubMed
    29. Hoang TD, Byers AL, Barnes DE, Yaffe K. Alcohol consumption patterns and cognitive impairment in older women. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014 Dec; 22(12):1663-7. PMID: 24862680.
      View in: PubMed
    30. Mackin RS, Nelson JC, Delucchi K, Raue P, Byers A, Barnes D, Satre DD, Yaffe K, Alexopoulos GS, Arean PA. Cognitive outcomes after psychotherapeutic interventions for major depression in older adults with executive dysfunction. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014 Dec; 22(12):1496-503. PMID: 24378255.
      View in: PubMed
    31. Zeki Al Hazzouri A, Vittinghoff E, Byers A, Covinsky K, Blazer D, Diem S, Ensrud KE, Yaffe K. 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. PMID: 24097423.
      View in: PubMed
    32. Byers AL, Vittinghoff E, Lui LY, Hoang T, Blazer DG, Covinsky KE, Ensrud KE, Cauley JA, Hillier TA, Fredman L, Yaffe K. Twenty-year depressive trajectories among older women. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012 Oct; 69(10):1073-9. PMID: 23026957.
      View in: PubMed
    33. Byers AL, Covinsky KE, Barnes DE, Yaffe K. Dysthymia and depression increase risk of dementia and mortality among older veterans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012 Aug; 20(8):664-72. PMID: 21597358.
      View in: PubMed
    34. Barnes DE, Yaffe K, Byers AL, McCormick M, Schaefer C, Whitmer RA. 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. PMID: 22566581.
      View in: PubMed
    35. Byers AL, Arean PA, Yaffe K. Low use of mental health services among older Americans with mood and anxiety disorders. Psychiatr Serv. 2012 Jan; 63(1):66-72. PMID: 22227762.
      View in: PubMed
    36. Byers AL, Yaffe K. Depression and risk of developing dementia. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011 May 03; 7(6):323-31. PMID: 21537355.
      View in: PubMed
    37. Byers AL, Yaffe K, Covinsky KE, Friedman MB, Bruce ML. High occurrence of mood and anxiety disorders among older adults: The National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 May; 67(5):489-96. PMID: 20439830.
      View in: PubMed
    38. Sheeran T, Byers AL, Bruce ML. Depression and increased short-term hospitalization risk among geriatric patients receiving home health care services. Psychiatr Serv. 2010 Jan; 61(1):78-80. PMID: 20044423.
      View in: PubMed
    39. Byers AL, Levy BR, Kasl SV, Bruce ML, Allore HG. Heritability of depressive symptoms: a case study using a multilevel approach. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2009 Dec; 18(4):287-96. PMID: 19757480.
      View in: PubMed
    40. Gallo WT, Brand JE, Teng HM, Leo-Summers L, Byers AL. Differential Impact of Involuntary Job Loss on Physical Disability Among Older Workers Does Predisposition Matter? Res Aging. 2009 May 01; 31(3):345-360. PMID: 19924265.
      View in: PubMed
    41. Byers AL, Sheeran T, Mlodzianowski AE, Meyers BS, Nassisi P, Bruce ML. Depression and risk for adverse falls in older home health care patients. Res Gerontol Nurs. 2008 Oct; 1(4):245-51. PMID: 20077999.
      View in: PubMed
    42. Byers AL, Levy BR, Allore HG, Bruce ML, Kasl SV. 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. PMID: 18332193.
      View in: PubMed
    43. Walke LM, Byers AL, Tinetti ME, Dubin JA, McCorkle R, Fried TR. 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. PMID: 18071174.
      View in: PubMed
    44. Bruce ML, Brown EL, Raue PJ, Mlodzianowski AE, Meyers BS, Leon AC, Heo M, Byers AL, Greenberg RL, Rinder S, Katt W, Nassisi P. A randomized trial of depression assessment intervention in home health care. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Nov; 55(11):1793-800. PMID: 17916119.
      View in: PubMed
    45. Fried TR, Van Ness PH, Byers AL, Towle VR, O'Leary JR, Dubin JA. Changes in preferences for life-sustaining treatment among older persons with advanced illness. J Gen Intern Med. 2007 Apr; 22(4):495-501. PMID: 17372799.
      View in: PubMed
    46. Walke LM, Byers AL, Gallo WT, Endrass J, Fried TR. The association of symptoms with health outcomes in chronically ill adults. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Jan; 33(1):58-66. PMID: 17196907.
      View in: PubMed
    47. Fried TR, Byers AL, Gallo WT, Van Ness PH, Towle VR, O'Leary JR, Dubin JA. 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. PMID: 16636215.
      View in: PubMed
    48. Walke LM, Byers AL, McCorkle R, Fried TR. Symptom assessment in community-dwelling older adults with advanced chronic disease. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2006 Jan; 31(1):31-7. PMID: 16442480.
      View in: PubMed
    49. Fried TR, Bradley EH, O'Leary JR, Byers AL. Unmet desire for caregiver-patient communication and increased caregiver burden. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Jan; 53(1):59-65. PMID: 15667377.
      View in: PubMed
    50. Byers AL, Allore H, Gill TM, Peduzzi PN. Application of negative binomial modeling for discrete outcomes: a case study in aging research. J Clin Epidemiol. 2003 Jun; 56(6):559-64. PMID: 12873651.
      View in: PubMed
    51. Gill TM, Baker DI, Gottschalk M, Peduzzi PN, Allore H, Byers A. 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. PMID: 12362007.
      View in: PubMed
    52. Yaffe K, Haan M, Byers A, Tangen C, Kuller L. Estrogen use, APOE, and cognitive decline: evidence of gene-environment interaction. Neurology. 2000 May 23; 54(10):1949-54. PMID: 10822435.
      View in: PubMed
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