UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center : JCCC Member Directory

Leah Fitzgerald, R.N., F.N.P., Ph.D.

Affiliation(s):

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing

Member, JCCC Healthy and At-Risk Populations Program Area

Contact Information:

Phone:	(310) 206-1065
Email:	lfitzgerald@mednet.ucla.edu

Scientific Interest(s):

Dr. Leah Fitzgerald's research focuses on the assessment of the association between pro-inflammatory cytokine genotype and production and the responsiveness in human disease. She also studies the interaction between the neuroendocrine system and cytokines. Fitzgerald integrates psychological, physiological processes and gene expression dynamics to understand the basis for IL-6 "super-producer" phenotype that has recently been established as a risk factor for several forms of cancer.

Selected Cancer-Related Publications:

Naliboff BD, Mayer M, Fass R, Fitzgerald LZ, Chang L, Bolus R, Mayer EA. The effect of life stress on symptoms of heartburn. Psychosom Med. 2004 May-Jun;66(3):426-34.

Chang L, Berman S, Mayer EA, Suyenobu B, Derbyshire S, Naliboff B, Vogt B, FitzGerald L, Mandelkern MA. Brain responses to visceral and somatic stimuli in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with and without fibromyalgia. Am J Gastroenterol. 2003 Jun;98(6):1354-61.

Berman SM, Chang L, Suyenobu B, Derbyshire SW, Stains J, Fitzgerald L, Mandelkern M, Hamm L, Vogt B, Naliboff BD, Mayer EA. Condition-specific deactivation of brain regions by 5-HT3 receptor antagonist Alosetron. Gastroenterology. 2002 Oct;123(4):969-77.

Berman SM, Naliboff BD, Chang L, Fitzgerald L, Antolin T, Camplone A, Mayer EA. Enhanced preattentive central nervous system reactivity in irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Nov;97(11):2791-7.

Sach J, Bolus R, Fitzgerald L, Naliboff BD, Chang L, Mayer EA. Is there a difference between abdominal pain and discomfort in moderate to severe IBS patients? Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Dec;97(12):3131-8.