Geriatric Psychiatry Journal Gets New Editor in Chief

The American Association of Geriatric Psychiatrists (AAGP) has named Dilip Jeste, M.D., as the new editor in chief of its flagship journal, the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (AJGP). Jeste is professor of psychiatry and neurosciences and chief of the geriatric psychiatry division at the University of California, San Diego, and the Veterans Affairs San Diego Health Care System. He will assume his new post on July 1 upon completing a year of transition with the journal’s founding editor in chief, Gene Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.

Jeste, a past president of AAGP, has an extensive background in publishing, having served as a reviewer for more than 20 journals, including such prestigious publications as the Journal of the American Medical Association, New England Journal of Medicine, and Archives of General Psychiatry.

In addition, he serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Psychiatry, and APA’s American Journal of Psychiatry. He has written nearly 300 articles and numerous chapters in psychiatric texts.

Jeste and the journal’s editorial board have some significant changes in mind for the publication, which currently publishes quarterly. “The frequency of the journal,” he said, “will be increased to bimonthly as soon as is feasible. Then, we would like to publish monthly.”

In addition, beginning with the fall 2001 issue, the journal will put together theme-oriented issues. “The fall issue later this year will be focused on interventions in geriatric psychiatry, pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and ECT,” Jeste said. In addition, guest editorials are planned including ones written by Thomas Laughren, M.D., team leader for psychiatric drug products in FDA’s division of neuropharmacological drug products, and Stephen Hyman, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Future theme issues are also in the works, covering topics such as brain-imaging techniques and bioethics in geriatric psychiatry. Each theme issue will likely have about half of its content focused on the theme, with the remainder of the content being of more general interest.

Noting that estimates indicate that between now and 2030 the population of elderly people with psychiatric disorders will double, Jeste said that the journal will need to focus on a multimodal approach to treatment of geriatric psychiatric disorders.

“There have been remarkable drug advances,” Jeste said, “in cholinesterase inhibitors, SSRIs, and antipsychotic medications. But we need long-term treatments; pharmacotherapy by itself is not enough. We need to see articles on such things as cognitive-behavior therapy, skills training, case management, and caretaker training. We want and expect to see broader articles.”

“I see as part of the mission of the journal,” Jeste emphasized, “both education and training for general psychiatrists and primary care physicians, and research not only into treatment, but also into prevention of geriatric psychiatric disorders.” ▪