Biography

Cristian Patrick Zeni, MD, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who specializes in pediatric mood disorders, particularly pediatric bipolar disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As the director of the Mood Disorders and ADHD Clinics for Children and Adolescents and the Pediatric Mood Disorders Second Opinion Clinic, his aim is to help children and their families in dealing with mental and emotional conditions so that they lead healthy and productive lives. Zeni’s clinical practice is based on the combination of comprehensive developmental assessment of the child and the family and the integration of multi-modal treatment approaches. He is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish.

His research areas of interest are on the biological basis of mental disorders in children and adolescents, especially mood disorders and ADHD. Zeni is also interested in differential diagnosis of mood conditions in pediatric patients and pharmacological treatment of those. He received awards by the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) and The International Society of Bipolar Disorders for his work with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.

Education

Medical Degree
Universidade de Caxias do Sul
Residency
General Psychiatry, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Fellowship
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Master of Science (M.Sc)
Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Graduate Degree
Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Areas of Interest

Clinical Interests

  • ADHD/ADD
  • Autism
  • Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
  • Child General Psychiatry
  • Pediatric Depression
  • Pediatric Second Opinion

Research Interests

  • Attention Deficit Disorders
  • Genetics
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Mood Disorders
  • Psychopharmacology