| Lee E. Wachtel, M.D. Psychiatrist, Kennedy Krieger Institute Lee E. Wachtel, M.D., is Medical Director and an attending child psychiatrist of the Neurobehavioral Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She also directs consultation-liaison psychiatry services for the Rehabilitative Unit. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. |
Biographical Sketch:
Dr. Wachtel received her undergraduate degree in Romance Languages and Literatures from Princeton University with a major in French Language and Literature. She graduated in 1993 Summa Cum Laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She received her M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD in 1998. She completed her general psychiatry training at the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry in Topeka, KS, and at the University of Maryland/Sheppard Pratt Psychiatry Residency Training Program in Baltimore, where she also completed a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She joined Kennedy Krieger Institute in 2003 as a medical staff member and attending psychiatrist and became Medical Director of the Neurobehavioral Unit in 2004.
Dr. Wachtel is licensed by the State of Maryland as a Physician and Surgeon and is board-certified in Child, Adolescent and Adult psychiatry. She is a member of the KKI Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
Dr. Wachtel is licensed by the State of Maryland as a Physician and Surgeon and is board-certified in Child, Adolescent and Adult psychiatry. She is a member of the KKI Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
Research Summary:
Dr. Wachtel’s recent research has focused largely on CHARGE syndrome, a genetic pattern of birth defects that can cause extensive medical and behavioral difficulties. She is currently studying the behavioral phenotype in CHARGE syndrome, including the review of multiple cases of children with CHARGE syndrome treated for severe behavioral disturbance, as well as a review of psychotropic medications prescribed nationally to children with CHARGE.
In addition, Dr. Wachtel is investigating the intriguing concomitance of autism and catatonia, a neurobiological condition characterized by motor, speech and behavioral abnormalities. Traditionally associated with mood and psychotic disorders, catatonic symptoms may occur in up to 17% of patients with autism, and necessitate rapid recognition and treatment. Dr. Wachtel is particularly interested in the role of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the resolution of catatonia in autism.
Dr. Wachtel is also pursuing with colleagues at Kennedy Krieger the combined usage of psychopharmacological and behavioral treatment modalities in the resolution of severe problem behaviors, such as self-injury and aggression, in children and adults with various forms of developmental disabilities.
In addition, Dr. Wachtel is investigating the intriguing concomitance of autism and catatonia, a neurobiological condition characterized by motor, speech and behavioral abnormalities. Traditionally associated with mood and psychotic disorders, catatonic symptoms may occur in up to 17% of patients with autism, and necessitate rapid recognition and treatment. Dr. Wachtel is particularly interested in the role of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the resolution of catatonia in autism.
Dr. Wachtel is also pursuing with colleagues at Kennedy Krieger the combined usage of psychopharmacological and behavioral treatment modalities in the resolution of severe problem behaviors, such as self-injury and aggression, in children and adults with various forms of developmental disabilities.
Recent Publications/Presentations:
Wachtel LE, Hagopian LP. Psychopharmacology and Applied Behavioral Analysis: Tandem Treatment of Severe Problem Behaviors in Intellectual Disability and a Case Series. Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 2007; 43(4): 265-274.
Wachtel LE, Hartshorne TS. Psychiatric Diagnoses and Psychotropic Medications in CHARGE syndrome: A Pediatric Survey. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, in press.
Wachtel LE, Kahng SW, Cascella N, Dhossche DM & Reti IM. Electroconvulsive Therapy for Severe Catatonic Deterioration in an Autistic Girl with Mental Retardation and Self-injury: A Case Report. (in progress)
Paclawskyj TM, Wachtel LE. Psychopathology II: Psychoses and related disorders. Handbook of assessment in intellectual disabilities. San Diego, Elsevier, in press.
Dhossche DM, Wachtel LE. Catatonia in Psychiatric Illness. The Medical Basis of Psychiatry, eds. Hossein Fatemi & Paula Clayton. In press.
Wachtel LE, Hartshorne TS. Psychiatric Diagnoses and Psychotropic Medications in CHARGE syndrome: A Pediatric Survey. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, in press.
Wachtel LE, Kahng SW, Cascella N, Dhossche DM & Reti IM. Electroconvulsive Therapy for Severe Catatonic Deterioration in an Autistic Girl with Mental Retardation and Self-injury: A Case Report. (in progress)
Paclawskyj TM, Wachtel LE. Psychopathology II: Psychoses and related disorders. Handbook of assessment in intellectual disabilities. San Diego, Elsevier, in press.
Dhossche DM, Wachtel LE. Catatonia in Psychiatric Illness. The Medical Basis of Psychiatry, eds. Hossein Fatemi & Paula Clayton. In press.
Contact Information:
Lee Wachtel, M.D.
Medical Director and Attending Child Psychiatrist, Neurobehavioral Unit
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist, Rehabilitative Services Unit
Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205
Telephone: (443) 923-7732
Pager: (410) 307-2421
Email: wachtel@kennedykrieger.org
Medical Director and Attending Child Psychiatrist, Neurobehavioral Unit
Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist, Rehabilitative Services Unit
Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205
Telephone: (443) 923-7732
Pager: (410) 307-2421
Email: wachtel@kennedykrieger.org