Una D. McCann

Last updated
Una Deirde McCann
Born1958
Citizenship American
Spouse George A. Ricaurte
Education
TitleDirector Anxiety Disorders Program

Associate Program Director JHBMC GCRC

Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Professor of Neurology
Awards Phi Beta Kappa Society (1980)

Sigma Xi Award in Psychology (1980)

U.S. Army Commissioned Officers Award (1995)
Scientific career
FieldsPsychiatry
Institutions Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Una D. McCann (born 1958) [1] is a board certified psychiatrist and researcher at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry. [2] She is also the Director of the Anxiety Disorders Program, and Co-Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Sleep Medicine and Research, and Associate Program Director at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. [2] [3] McCann is considered to be an expert in anxiety and stress disorders and her primary areas research revolves around amphetamine-induced monoamine neurotoxicity [4] and neurobiology of anxiety disorders. [5] [6]

Contents

Education

McCann graduated from Princeton University in 1980 with a Bachelors of Science while on a four year academic scholarship. [7] After graduating, McCann went on to attended Duke University school of Medicine in 1984 and completed residency at Stanford University School of Medicine and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1988. [2] [3] In 1985, she became board certified in California and in 1990 in Maryland. [3]

Career

Prior to working at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, McCann was a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was Chief of the Unit on Anxiety at the National Institute of Mental Health at the NIH. [6] Currently she is a practicing physician, professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, and holds many executive roles within Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. [2] She is an editorial board member of the Journal of Women’s Health and Gender Based Medicine, Women in Medicine, Adicciones, Journal of Addiction, Journal of Sleep Disorders: Treatment and Care, WebmedCentral Plus, and Psychotherapy and Psychological Disorders and also holds a membership with the Society for Neuroscience, since 1988. [2]

MDMA research

McCann has written many research articles studying the effects of MDMA, including adverse reactions of MDMA and how it leads to serotonin neuron damage. [8] She and her husband, fellow Johns Hopkins Professor and Physician George A. Ricaurte, [9] have also linked abnormalities such as altered sleep, neuroendocrine function, altered behavior to 5-HT receptor drugs, and increased impulsiveness with MDMA users. [10] In addition, she has also done research on neurotoxicity MDMA using functional magnetic resonance imaging comparing the neurocognitive capabilities of MDMA users and nonusers, as studies on animals using MDMA have shown negative effects. [11] McCann and her husband Ricaurte have had one study published in the journal Science subject to retraction. In 2002, Ricaurte's primate study of MDMA usage and brain damage did not use ecstasy and that ten squirrel monkeys and baboons were injected with overdoses of methamphetamine, instead of MDMA, resulting in two animals dying and the withdrawal of four other academic papers. [12] [13] Ricaurte, McCann, and other scientist involved wrote a response to the retraction addressing the errors made in their research. [14]

Anxiety and stress research

McCann has been involved in a broad array of stress and anxiety research revolving around PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury. In regards to depression, McCann has worked on studying on the neuroanatomical markers of depression after traumatic brain injury through the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) which measures the translational motion of water molecules and on individuals with depression after suffering from myocardial infarction. [15] [16] She has investigated assessing depression symptoms among patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, coming to the conclusion that depression screening should be utilized in order to prevent depression among patients. [17] She has also been involved with associating a link between heart hart and posttraumatic stress disorders with severe burn patients. [18] McCann has investigated the association between mild traumatic brain injury and sleep disturbances through the use of sleep polysomnograms (PSG) and sleep EEG power spectra (PS), which could become a possible diagnostic marker for brain injury. [19]

Psilocybin research

McCann has been a part of psilocybin research, a naturally occurring psychedelic drug, in partnership with other Johns Hopkins scientist, including working with Roland Griffiths, [20] [21] who was featured on 60 Minutes regarding the studies done. [22] [23] The psilocybin research has focused on the mystical experiences associated with individuals taking psilocybin for religious purpose and observing the psychological effects. [20] McCann has also contributed to studies regarding psilocybin's use among cancer patients and healthy volunteers in two separate studies, investigating whether the use of this psychedelic increased psychological coping and decreased depression due to spirituality being associated with the two. [24]

Awards

McCann has published more than 140 peer-reviewed manuscripts and over 9,000 citations. [25]

Her awards include:

Related Research Articles

An anxiolytic is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxiety disorders and their related psychological and physical symptoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MDMA</span> Psychoactive drug, often called ecstasy

3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, and molly, is a potent empathogen–entactogen with stimulant and minor psychedelic properties. In studies, it has been used alongside psychotherapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety in autism spectrum disorder. The purported pharmacological effects that may be prosocial include altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. When taken by mouth, effects begin in 30 to 45 minutes and last three to six hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Causes of mental disorders</span> Etiology of psychopathology

A mental disorder is an impairment of the mind disrupting normal thinking, feeling, mood, behavior, or social interactions, and accompanied by significant distress or dysfunction. The causes of mental disorders are very complex and vary depending on the particular disorder and the individual. Although the causes of most mental disorders are not fully understood, researchers have identified a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can contribute to the development or progression of mental disorders. Most mental disorders result in a combination of several different factors rather than just a single factor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mood disorder</span> Mental disorder affecting the mood of an individual, over a long period of time

A mood disorder, also known as an affective disorder, is any of a group of conditions of mental and behavioral disorder where the main underlying characteristic is a disturbance in the person's mood. The classification is in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

"Severe dopaminergic neurotoxicity in primates after a common recreational dose regimen of MDMA ("ecstasy")", is an article by George A. Ricaurte that was published in September 2002 in the peer-reviewed journal Science, one of the world's top academic journals. It was later retracted; instead of using MDMA, methamphetamine had been used in the test.

Psychedelic therapy refers to the proposed use of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ayahuasca, to treat mental disorders. As of 2021, psychedelic drugs are controlled substances in most countries and psychedelic therapy is not legally available outside clinical trials, with some exceptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heffter Research Institute</span> Nonprofit organization

The Heffter Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes research with classic hallucinogens and psychedelics, predominantly psilocybin, to contribute to a greater understanding of the mind and to alleviate suffering. Founded in 1993 as a virtual institute, Heffter primarily funds academic and clinical scientists and made more than $3.1 million in grants between 2011 and 2014. Heffter's recent clinical studies have focused on psilocybin-assisted treatment for end-of-life anxiety and depression in cancer patients, as well as alcohol and nicotine addiction.

George A. Ricaurte is a neurologist and researcher who works at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology.

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is major depressive disorder in which an affected person does not respond adequately to at least two different antidepressant medications at an adequate dose and for an adequate duration. Inadequate response has most commonly been defined as less than 25% reduction in depressive symptoms following treatment with an antidepressant. Many clinicians and researchers question the construct validity and clinical utility of treatment-resistant depression as currently conceptualized.

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS), also known as persisting symptoms after concussion, is a set of symptoms that may continue for weeks, months, or years after a concussion. PCS is medically classified as a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). About 35% of people with concussion experience persistent or prolonged symptoms 3 to 6 months after injury. Prolonged concussion is defined as having concussion symptoms for over four weeks following the first accident in youth and for weeks or months in adults.

The Beckley Foundation is a UK-based think tank and UN-accredited NGO, dedicated to activating global drug policy reform and initiating scientific research into psychoactive substances. The foundation is a charitable trust which collaborates with leading scientific and political institutions worldwide to design and develop research and global policy initiatives. It also investigates consciousness and its modulation from a multidisciplinary perspective, working in collaboration with scientists. The foundation is based at Beckley Park near Oxford, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1998, and is directed by Amanda Feilding, Countess of Wemyss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis S. Charney</span> American medical researcher

Dennis S. Charney is an American biological psychiatrist and researcher, with expertise in the neurobiology and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. He is the author of Neurobiology of Mental Illness, The Physician's Guide to Depression and Bipolar Disorders and Molecular Biology for the Clinician, as well as the author of over 600 original papers and chapters. In 2022, he was listed #49 on Research.com's "Top Medicine Scientists in the United States," with an h-index of 218 with 173,960 citations across 887 publications. Charney is known for demonstrating that ketamine is effective for treating depression. Ketamine's use as a rapidly-acting anti-depressant is recognized as a breakthrough treatment in mental illness.

α-Methyldopamine Chemical compound

α-Methyldopamine (α-Me-DA), also known as 3,4-dihydroxyamphetamine or as catecholamphetamine, is a research chemical of the catecholamine and amphetamine families. Its bis-glutathionyl metabolite is slightly neurotoxic when directly injected into the brain's ventricles.

PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a psychiatric disorder characterised by intrusive thoughts and memories, dreams or flashbacks of the event; avoidance of people, places and activities that remind the individual of the event; ongoing negative beliefs about oneself or the world, mood changes and persistent feelings of anger, guilt or fear; alterations in arousal such as increased irritability, angry outbursts, being hypervigilant, or having difficulty with concentration and sleep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Role of serotonin in visual orientation processing</span>

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood, eating, sleeping, arousal and potentially visual orientation processing. To investigate its function in visual orientation, researchers have utilised MDMA, or as it is commonly referred to, Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). MDMA is known to affect serotonin neurons in the brain and cause neurotoxicity. Serotonin has been hypothesised to be involved in visual orientation because individuals who use MDMA exhibit an increase in the magnitude of the tilt aftereffect (TAE). The TAE is a visual illusion where viewing lines in one direction, for an extended period of time, produces the perception of a tilt in the opposite direction to vertical lines subsequently viewed. This effect is proposed to occur due to lateral inhibition to orientation sensitive neurons in the occipital lobe. Lateral inhibition is where neurons that become activated to a particular orientation send inhibitory signals to their neighbouring neurons. The degree of orientation that each neuron becomes maximally excited to is referred to as the tuning bandwidth. Lateral inhibition consequently plays a pivotal role in each neuron's tuning bandwidth, such that if lateral inhibition no longer occurs, a greater number of neurons will become stimulated to the same orientation. This results in the activated neurons becoming adapted to the same orientation stimulus, if the stimulus is viewed for a period of time. As a consequence, if those neurons are subsequently 'shown' another stimulus that differs slightly in its orientation, those neurons are no longer able to achieve the same level of response as compared to other non-adapted neurons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psilocybin therapy</span> Experimental use of psilocybin to treat anxiety & depression

Psilocybin therapy is the use of psilocybin in treating a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, addictions, obsessive compulsive disorder, and psychosis. It is one of several forms of psychedelic therapy under study. Psilocybin was popularized as a psychedelic recreational drug in the 1970s and was classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA. Research on psilocybin as a medical treatment was restricted until the 1990s because of the sociocultural fear of dependence on this drug. As of 2022, psilocybin is the most commonly researched psychedelic due to its safety and low potential for abuse and dependence. Clinical trials are being conducted at universities and there is evidence confirming the use of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, PTSD and end of life anxiety.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is the use of prescribed doses of MDMA as an adjunct to psychotherapy sessions. Research suggests that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including Complex PTSD, might improve treatment effectiveness. In 2017, a Phase II clinical trial led to "breakthrough therapy" designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for potential use as a treatment for PTSD.

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Psychedelic treatments for trauma-related disorders are the use of psychedelic substances, either alone or used in conjunction with psychotherapy, to treat trauma-related disorders. Trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have a lifetime prevalence of around 8% in the US population. However, even though trauma-related disorders can hinder the everyday life of individuals with them, less than 50% of patients who meet criteria for PTSD diagnosis receive proper treatment. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for trauma-related disorders. A meta-analysis of treatment outcomes has shown that 67% of patients who completed treatment for PTSD no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. For those seeking evidence-based psychotherapy treatment, it is estimated that 22-24% will drop out of their treatment. In addition to psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy (medication) is an option for treating PTSD; however, research has found that pharmacotherapy is only effective for about 59% of patients. Although both forms of treatment are effective for many patients, high dropout rates of psychotherapy and treatment-resistant forms of PTSD have led to increased research in other possible forms of treatment. One such form is the use of psychedelics.

References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Una D McCann, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences".
  3. 1 2 3 "Dr. Una McCann, MD – Baltimore, MD | Psychiatry on Doximity". Doximity. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  4. McCann, Una D; Ricaurte, George A (2004-01-01). "Amphetamine neurotoxicity: accomplishments and remaining challenges". Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Foundations and Innovations in the Neuroscience of Drug Abuse. 27 (8): 821–826. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2003.11.003. ISSN   0149-7634. PMID   15019431. S2CID   24410018.
  5. "Alumni Profile: Una McCann '80, alleviating the effects of trauma". Princeton Alumni Weekly. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  6. 1 2 "In the Ladies' Room with Dr. Donnica: 108: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Una D. McCann MD on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  7. 1 2 "The Center for Mind-Body Research | Una McCann". Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  8. McCann, Una D.; Slate, Shiyoko O.; Ricaurte, George A. (1996-08-01). "Adverse Reactions with 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'Ecstasy')". Drug Safety. 15 (2): 107–115. doi:10.2165/00002018-199615020-00003. ISSN   1179-1942. PMID   8884162. S2CID   28491811.
  9. "George A Ricaurte, Jr, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neurology". Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  10. McCann, Una D.; Eligulashvili, Victoria; Ricaurte, George A. (2000). "(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy')-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Clinical Studies". Neuropsychobiology. 42 (1): 11–16. doi:10.1159/000026665. ISSN   0302-282X. PMID   10867551. S2CID   37436219.
  11. Garg, Aayushi; Kapoor, Saloni; Goel, Mishita; Chopra, Saurav; Chopra, Manav; Kapoor, Anirudh; Behera, Chittaranjan; McCann, Una D. (2015-03-31). "Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Abstinent MDMA Users: A Review". Current Drug Abuse Reviews. 8 (1): 15–25. doi:10.2174/1874473708666150303115833. PMID   25731754 . Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  12. McNeil, Donald G. Jr (2003-12-02). "Research On Ecstasy Is Clouded By Errors (Published 2003)". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  13. Holden, Constance (2003-09-12). "Paper on Toxic Party Drug Is Pulled Over Vial Mix-Up". Science. 301 (5639): 1454. doi:10.1126/science.301.5639.1454b. ISSN   0036-8075. PMID   12970527. S2CID   36895308.
  14. Ricaurte, George A.; Yuan, Jie; Hatzidimitriou, George; Cord, Branden J.; McCann, Una D. (2003-09-12). "Retraction". Science. 301 (5639): 1479. doi:10.1126/science.301.5639.1479b. ISSN   0036-8075. PMID   12970544. S2CID   220097819.
  15. Fauerbach, James A.; Bush, David E.; Thombs, Brett D.; McCann, Una D.; Fogel, Joshua; Ziegelstein, Roy C. (2005-07-01). "Depression Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Relationship With Ongoing Health and Function". Psychosomatics. 46 (4): 355–361. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.46.4.355 . ISSN   0033-3182. PMID   16000679.
  16. Rao, Vani; Mielke, Michelle; Xu, Xin; Smith, Gwenn S.; McCann, Una D.; Bergey, Alyssa; Doshi, Vishal; Pham, Dzung L.; Yousem, David; Mori, Susumi (2012). "Diffusion Tensor Imaging Atlas-Based Analyses in Major Depression After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury". The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 24 (3): 309–315. doi:10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11080188. ISSN   0895-0172. PMC   5646269 . PMID   23037644.
  17. Ziegelstein, Roy C.; Kim, So Young; Kao, David; Fauerbach, James A.; Thombs, Brett D.; McCann, Una; Colburn, Jessica; Bush, David E. (2005). "Can Doctors and Nurses Recognize Depression in Patients Hospitalized With an Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Absence of Formal Screening?". Psychosomatic Medicine. 67 (3): 393–397. doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000160475.38930.8d. ISSN   0033-3174. PMID   15911901. S2CID   20873672.
  18. Gould, Neda F.; McKibben, Jodi B.; Hall, Ryan; Corry, Nida H.; Amoyal, Nicole A.; Mason, Shawn T.; McCann, Una D.; Fauerbach, James A. (2010-10-19). "Peritraumatic Heart Rate and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Patients With Severe Burns". The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 72 (4): 539–547. doi:10.4088/JCP.09m05405blu. ISSN   0160-6689. PMID   21034691.
  19. Rao, Vani; Bergey, Alyssa; Hill, Hugh; Efron, David; McCann, Una (2011-04-01). "Sleep Disturbance After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Indicator of Injury?". The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 23 (2): 201–205. doi:10.1176/jnp.23.2.jnp201. ISSN   0895-0172. PMID   21677251.
  20. 1 2 Griffiths, R. R.; Richards, W. A.; Johnson, M. W.; McCann, U. D.; Jesse, R. (2008-05-30). "Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 22 (6): 621–632. doi:10.1177/0269881108094300. PMC   3050654 . PMID   18593735.
  21. Griffiths, Roland R.; Johnson, Matthew W.; Richards, William A.; Richards, Brian D.; McCann, Una; Jesse, Robert (2011-12-01). "Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects". Psychopharmacology. 218 (4): 649–665. doi:10.1007/s00213-011-2358-5. ISSN   1432-2072. PMC   3308357 . PMID   21674151.
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