Edward S. Brodkin, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Dr. Brodkin is Associate Professor of Psychiatry with tenure at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and he is an attending psychiatrist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Brodkin received his A.B. Magna Cum Laude in History of Science from Harvard University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received an M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He then completed an internship in pediatrics and residency in psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Medical Center, and was chief psychiatry resident at the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit at Yale, which included a clinical and research program for diagnosis and treatment of adults with ASD. He went on to a postdoctoral fellowship in neurobiology research at Yale University School of Medicine and genetics research at Princeton University. He has been a psychiatrist and faculty member at University of Pennsylvania since 2002.
Since 1993, Dr. Brodkin has been involved in clinical assessment and care of adults with ASD, and since 1995 he has been conducting neuroscience research, genetics, and treatment research relevant to the autism spectrum. He is the author of many publications in the field of autism research. His research on autism has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Simons Foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation, and philanthropic gifts.
His expertise in the area of adult autism has been recognized by his being listed in the Philadelphia Magazine “Top Doctors” in the years 2006-2007 and 2009-2022 and in Castle Connelly Medical America’s Top Doctors in 2007-2023.
Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE)
Brodkin is co-director of ASPE, a collaborative research effort of a group of investigators at the University of Pennsylvania. The ASPE project’s goals are to 1) elucidate biological influences on autism spectrum traits, and 2) develop and test the effectiveness of programs, supports, and treatments in improving the quality of life and flourishing of individuals on the autism spectrum, including adults on the autism spectrum.
Developing electrophysiological markers for clinical trials in autistic adults
In order to develop more effective treatments autism, there is a strong need for biomarkers that can help to target treatments to subgroups most likely to benefit from specific treatments, and that can help in monitoring treatment response. In this project — a collaboration between the research groups of Edward Brodkin (U Penn) and Timothy Roberts (CHOP) — we are assessing several promising brain electrophysiological markers for their suitability and readiness to be used in clinical trials in autistic adults.
Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams syndrome (ACE for WS)
Williams syndrome is a genetic condition associated with a number of medical, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral symptoms. In the ACE for WS, Dr. Brodkin coordinates a behavioral health team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professionals in providing behavioral healthcare for individuals with Williams syndrome, across the lifespan. In addition, Dr. Brodkin will be conducting research on the genes involved in Williams syndrome, as well as the effectiveness of supports and treatments for individuals with Williams syndrome.