Our Faculty

Paul Zarkowski, M.D.

Paul Zarkowski, M.D.

Clinical Associate Professor

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington

Biography

Dr. Paul Zarkowski is a Senior Psychiatric Supervisor at Sound Health in Seattle and serves as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. He has published articles and chapters on various topics, including using EEG in psychiatric applications, improving suicide risk assessment, and addressing the clinical needs of special populations. Ongoing research interests include strategies for improving psychiatric medication regimens for optimum outcomes.

Publications of Paul Zarkowski, M.D.

Quick Take Vol. 81

0.50 CMEs
Can ondansetron improve negative symptoms in schizophrenia? Will lithium orotate prevent or reverse Alzheimer's disease? What predicts treatment response in bipolar disorder? Should we increase SSRI doses or try alternative strategies for inadequate response? Is trazodone safe for treating insomnia in alcohol use disorder?
Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Kristin Raj, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M.
36.33 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 78

0.50 CMEs
Can pramipexole help treatment-resistant bipolar depression? Does semaglutide work for clozapine-induced obesity? Which antipsychotics best prevent hospitalization after cannabis-induced psychosis? What treatments rank highest for treatment-resistant depression? How do gut microbiota differ in depression versus anxiety disorders?
Faculty: Kristin Raj, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D., David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M.
34.08 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 77

0.75 CMEs
What is the best antipsychotic for first-episode psychosis? Can lurasidone treat bipolar depression with severe anxiety? How much do SSRIs increase bleeding when combined with anticoagulants? Is adding salt to meals associated with depression and anxiety?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Kristin Raj, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
39.21 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 76

0.75 CMEs
Can lumateperone effectively treat depression with mixed features? Can GLP-1 agonists manage antipsychotic-induced weight gain? Is quetiapine superior to lithium for treatment-resistant depression? Do antidepressants accelerate cognitive decline in dementia patients? How do probiotics and prebiotics affect depression, anxiety, and cognition?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Kristin Raj, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
44.56 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 75

0.75 CMEs
What are the main considerations when choosing an antipsychotic for first-episode psychosis? How do side effects of antidepressants change over time? Do combinations of psychiatric medications increase Torsades risk? Is there sufficient evidence for psychedelics in treating substance use disorders? Can tea compounds benefit mood and sleep disorders through neurotransmitter modulation?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
40.11 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 74

0.75 CMEs
What are the main reasons disulfiram is underutilized for alcohol use disorder? How do different antipsychotics compare regarding QT prolongation risks? What is the optimal dosage of lurasidone for bipolar depression ? How does clozapine's effectiveness compare to other antipsychotics? Which non-benzodiazepine medication options show the best balance of efficacy and side effects for insomnia in psychiatric patients?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Kristin Raj, M.D.
41.07 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 72

0.50 CMEs
Can GLP-1 receptor agonists effectively treat alcohol use disorder? Which antidepressants cause the most weight gain? Do antidepressants increase fall risk in older adults? How effective and safe is ketamine for bipolar depression? Is aripiprazole truly a lower metabolic risk antipsychotic compared to olanzapine?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Kristin Raj, M.D.
35.04 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 71

0.75 CMEs
What are the major risks of antipsychotic pneumonia and which medications increase this risk? How effective is metformin combined with lifestyle changes for managing antipsychotic-induced weight gain? What are the optimal lithium levels for maintenance treatment and acute mania? How does exercise potentially help improve depression symptoms through biological mechanisms? What role do B-complex vitamins play in cognitive function among depressed patients?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
39.46 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 70

0.50 CMEs
How does clozapine affect OCD behaviors in schizophrenia patients? What is the relationship between valproate dosage and weight gain? Which dopamine agonist works best for treatment-resistant depression? Does delirium increase dementia risk in elderly patients? What treatment approaches show the strongest evidence for stimulant use disorder?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D., Derick E. Vergne, M.D.
36.51 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 68

0.50 CMEs
What are the main benefits of long-acting injectables for women with schizophrenia? How might vitamin D impact dementia risk? What effect does lithium have on bone mineral density? How common is alcohol withdrawal syndrome? What are the long-term outcomes for patients with psychotic disorders?
Faculty: David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., F.A.S.A.M., Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D.
31.4 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 66

0.75 CMEs
Can donanemab slow Alzheimer's progression? Does clozapine's agranulocytosis risk persist beyond the initial treatment period? Can antipsychotics cause both catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome? What is the suicide risk in Parkinson's disease patients? Can AI predict antidepressant response and remission in major depression?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D., Oliver Freudenreich, M.D.
38.15 minutes in 5 audio sections

Quick Take Vol. 65

0.75 CMEs
Can SSRIs be safely combined with oral anticoagulants? Do long-term benzodiazepine users typically escalate doses over time? Are antidepressants effective for cognitive symptoms in late-life depression? How should psychosis, agitation and depression be managed in dementia patients? Which antidepressants perform best for efficacy, tolerability and outcomes in geriatric depression?
Faculty: Scott R. Beach, M.D., Paul Zarkowski, M.D.
38.25 minutes in 5 audio sections
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