Francisco A. Tausk, M.D.

Head of the nation's only Center for Integrated Dermatology, Dr. Tausk specializes in skin diseases that interface between dermatology and psychiatry. He has a particular interest in skin diseases exacerbated by stress and emotional problems, such as "skin picking syndrome." Dr. Tausk also conducts all NIH-sponsored clinical trials of psoriasis and is currently recruiting patients. He received his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires.

Research

Two major research projects are ongoing.
Classical Conditioning in the Pharmacotherapy of Psoriasis: Placebo arms are required in clinical trials in order to evaluate the non-specific effects of drug administration. One mechanism by which these are believed to work is Classical Conditioning. Our hypothesis is that patients exposed to a successful treatment, will subsequently benefit from the administration of a placebo through the mechanism of expectancy. We are conducting a study in which subjects with severe psoriasis will be treated with cyclosporine until remission, at which point we will maintain them clear with significantly lower doses of the drug by interspersing placebo with their schedule of cyclosporine.

Effects of Stress on UV induced carcinogenicity: We have recently shown that psychological stress significantly accelerates the development of UV induced Squamous Cell Carcinomas in SKH mice. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of stress on the biology of the skin, in particular, wound healing, as well as the generation of skin cancer

Credentials

Specialties

Clinical and Laboratory Dermatological Immunology - American Board of Dermatology
Dermatology - American Board of Dermatology

Education

1977
MD | Arg-Fac Medical University Buenos Aires
Medicine

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

07/01/1985 - 06/30/1986
Fellowship in Dermatology at University of California (San Diego) Medical Cente

07/01/1984 - 06/30/1988
Residency in Dermatology at University of California (San Diego) Medical Cente

09/01/1978 - 05/30/1982
Internship in Dermatology at Ramos Mejia Hospital

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Awards

2004
Recognition Award for Commitment to the Education and Well-being of the Residents of the Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University

2004
The Israel Zeligman Annual Lectureship: "Stress and the Skin" , Johns Hopkins University

1997
Faculty of the year award, for outstanding patient care and teaching, by theResidents of the Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University

1985
Dermatology Foundation: Award from the Society for Investigative Dermatology

1985
American Academy of Dermatology: Bronze Award for Original Investigation

1985
Nelson Paul Anderson Memorial Prize, Pacific Dermatological Association

1984
Dermatology Foundation: Roche Pharmaceuticals Award

1984
Henry Stelwagon Award, American College of Physicians of Philadelphia: Best original work presented by Residents/Fellows at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology

1981
First Prize. Residents' and Fellows' Forum, University of Buenos Aires, Department of Dermatology.

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Publications

Journal Articles

2/2018
Vegas O, Poligone B, Blackcloud P, Gilmore ES, VanBuskirk J, Ritchlin CT, Pentland AP, Walter SA, Nousari Y, Tausk F. "Chronic social stress Ameliorates psoriasiform dermatitis through upregulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis." Brain, behavior, and immunity.. 2018 Feb 0; 68:238-247. Epub 2017 Nov 07.

12/2017
Prezzano JC, Reddy SC, Tausk FA. "Image Gallery: Acquired palmoplantar keratoderma due to hypothyroidism." The British journal of dermatology.. 2017 Dec 0; 177(6):e352.

11/1/2017
Kwon CW, Stephens DM, Gilmore ES, Tausk FA, Scott GA. "Cutaneous Pseudolymphoma Arising as Wolf's Post-Herpetic Isotopic Response." JAMA dermatology.. 2017 Nov 1; 153(11):1198-1200.

Books & Chapters

2014
Chapter Title: Psychoneuroimmunology in Dermatology
Book Title: Integrative Dermatology
Author List: Denby K, N Dufy and F Tausk
Published By: Weil Integrative Medicine2014

2009
Chapter Title: Stress and Immunology
Book Title: Clinical Immunodermatology
Author List: Tausk F, Elenkov I, Paus R and Label M
Edited By: A Gaspary and S Tyring
Published By: Springer2009 in London

2008
Book Title: Clinical Management in Psychodermatology
Author List: Wolfgang Harth, Uwe Gieler, Daniel Kusnir, and Francisco Tausk
Published By: Springer2008

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