Current Research:

Dr Amico's research interests are focused upon the physiology of the posterior pituitary hormone, oxytocin, in mammals. Oxytocin is released not only into the peripheral circulaytion but also within the brain. Within the brain oxytocin functions as a neuropeptide and is believed to influence certain behaviors, namely stress, anxiety, and affiliative and ingestive behaviors. She has assisted with the development of a genetically engineered mouse that is deficient in oxytocin and is currently using this model to explore the role of oxytocin in these conditions. The findings from animal studies have direct clinical applicability to disorders in humans e.g., stress, anxiety, mother-infant attachment, social affiliation and eating disorders. In addition she has developed and utilized a radioimmunoassay for measurement of oxytocin in mammalian body fluids (including humans), during physiological and pathophysiological states.

Bio:

Janet Amico is a Professor who has joint appointments in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a postdoctoral fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Pittsburgh prior to joining the faculty in 1980.

Her research interests are focused upon the physiology of posterior pituitary hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, in mammals. Her research has focused upon the gonadal steroid and neurosteroid modulation of central oxytocin expression in reproductive-related behaviors (pregnancy, lactation, and maternal behavior) as well as the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in disorders of addiction, affiliation, and affect. In addition she has assisted with the development of mice deficient in oxytocin and is currently using this animal model to explore the role of oxytocin in stress, cardiovascular regulation, and ingestive behaviors. The findings in the animal studies have direct clinical applicability to disorders in humans.

She has published numerous articles and chapters in her area of
esearch. She is the recipient of grants from the NIH, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. She has served on peer review panels for the NIH, Department of Veterans Affairs, and New Zealand Research Council. She is also a member of several scientific societies, including the Endocrine Society, The Society for Neuroscience, The American Association for the Advancement of Science, and was elected a Fellow in the American College of Physicians. She has held elected offices in the American Federation for Clinical Research and the Endocrine Society.

In addition to her research activities she directs the Endocrine Disorders Course for the second year medical students and the selective in Clinical Endocrinology for the fourth year medical students in the School of Medicine. She has also served as the Director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Thyroid Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 1995 – 20001. She has been selected to the list of Best Doctors in North America in Endocrinology and Metabolism.