Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Spatial And Temporal Characteristics Of Error-Related Activity In The Human Brain, Maital Neta, Francis M. Miezin, Steven M. Nelson, Joseph W. Dubis, Nico U.F. Dosenbach, Bradley L. Schlaggar, Steven E. Petersen

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

A number of studies have focused on the role of specific brain regions, such as the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during trials on which participants make errors, whereas others have implicated a host of more widely distributed regions in the human brain. Previous work has proposed that there are multiple cognitive control networks, raising the question of whether error-related activity can be found in each of these networks. Thus, to examine error-related activity broadly, we conducted a meta-analysis consisting of 12 tasks that included both error and correct trials. These tasks varied by stimulus input (visual, auditory), response output (button …

Exposure To Kynurenic Acid During Adolescence Increases Sign-Tracking And Impairs Long-Term Potentiation In Adulthood, Nicole E. Deangeli, Travis P. Todd, Stephen E. Chang, Hermes H. Yeh, Pamela W. Yeh, David J. Bucci

Dartmouth Scholarship

Changes in brain reward systems are thought to contribute significantly to the cognitive and behavioral impairments of schizophrenia, as well as the propensity to develop co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Presently, there are few treatments for persons with a dual diagnosis and little is known about the neural substrates that underlie co-occurring schizophrenia and substance abuse. One goal of the present study was to determine if a change in the concentration of kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan metabolite that is increased in the brains of people with schizophrenia, affects reward-related behavior. KYNA is an endogenous antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptors and …

Integrating Basic Research With Prevention/Intervention To Reduce Risky Substance Use Among College Students, Danielle M. Dick, Linda C. Hancock

Psychiatry Publications

Too often basic research on etiological processes that contribute to substance use outcomes is disconnected from efforts to develop prevention and intervention programming. Substance use on college campuses is an area of concern where translational efforts that bring together basic scientists and prevention/intervention practitioners have potential for high impact. We describe an effort at a large, public, urban university in the United States to bring together researchers across the campus with expertise in college behavioral health with university administration and health/wellness practitioners to address college student substance use and mental health. The project “Spit for Science” examines how genetic and …

Stress Reactivity To An Electronic Version Of The Trier Social Stress Test: A Pilot Study, Sage E. Hawn, Lisa Paul, Suzanne Thomas, Stephanie Miller, Ananda B. Amstadter

Psychiatry Publications

Social stressors that rely on the inclusion of confederates (i.e., Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) are often used in clinical laboratory research paradigms to elicit a measurable stress response in participants. Although effective, the TSST is labor intensive and may introduce error variance as a function of confederate race, gender, and/or response characteristics. The present study aimed to develop and validate an electronic version of the TSST (e-TSST). The primary aim was to compare the e-TSST to an e-neutral control condition; the exploratory aim was to compare the magnitude of stress response elicited by the e-TSST to that elicited by …

Distmix: Direct Imputation Of Summary Statistics For Unmeasured Snps From Mixed Ethnicity Cohorts, Donghyun Lee, T. Bernard Bigdeli, Vernell S. Williamson, Vladimir I. Vladimirov, Brien P. Riley, Ayman H. Fanous, Silviu-Alin Bacanu

Psychiatry Publications

Motivation: To increase the signal resolution for large-scale meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies, genotypes at unmeasured single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are commonly imputed using large multi-ethnic reference panels. However, the ever increasing size and ethnic diversity of both reference panels and cohorts makes genotype imputation computationally challenging for moderately sized computer clusters. Moreover, genotype imputation requires subject-level genetic data, which unlike summary statistics provided by virtually all studies, is not publicly available. While there are much less demanding methods which avoid the genotype imputation step by directly imputing SNP statistics, e.g. Directly Imputing summary STatistics (DIST) proposed …

Stress Reactivity To An Electronic Version Of The Trier Social Stress Test: A Pilot Study, Sage E. Hawn, Lisa Paul, Suzanne Thomas, Stephanie Miller, Ananda B. Amstadler

Psychiatry Publications

Social stressors that rely on the inclusion of confederates (i.e., Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) are often used in clinical laboratory research paradigms to elicit a measurable stress response in participants. Although effective, the TSST is labor intensive and may introduce error variance as a function of confederate race, gender, and/or response characteristics. The present study aimed to develop and validate an electronic version of the TSST (e-TSST). The primary aim was to compare the e-TSST to an e-neutral control condition; the exploratory aim was to compare the magnitude of stress response elicited by the e-TSST to that elicited by …

Genetic Network Properties Of The Human Cortex Based On Regional Thickness And Surface Area Measures, Anna R. Docherty, Chelsea K. Sawyers, Matthew S. Panizzon, Michael C. Neale, Lisa T. Eyler, Christine Fennema-Notestine, Carol E. Franz, Chi-Hua Chen, Linda K. Mcevoy, Brad Verhulst, Ming T. Tsuang, William S. Kremen

Psychiatry Publications

We examined network properties of genetic covariance between average cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) within genetically-identified cortical parcellations that we previously derived from human cortical genetic maps using vertex-wise fuzzy clustering analysis with high spatial resolution. There were 24 hierarchical parcellations based on vertex-wise CT and 24 based on vertex-wise SA expansion/contraction; in both cases the 12 parcellations per hemisphere were largely symmetrical. We utilized three techniques—biometrical genetic modeling, cluster analysis, and graph theory—to examine genetic relationships and network properties within and between the 48 parcellation measures. Biometrical modeling indicated significant shared genetic covariance between size of several …

Behind The Scenes Of The Nas: Human Factors Taxonomy For Investigating Service Integrity Events, Katherine A. Berry, Michael W. Sawyer, Jordan Hinson

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) deployed the Service Integrity Risk Analysis Process (SI-RAP) with the goal of assessing the risk of technical occurrence events where the ability to provide safe air traffic management technical services is compromised. As a post-event tool, SI-RAP assesses the risk associated with an occurrence based on severity and repeatability. The SI-RAP taxonomy was developed to provide a consistent framework for supporting the assessment of event repeatability. The SI-RAP taxonomy synthesizes existing human factors taxonomies with customized factors representing the technical operations domain. The SI-RAP taxonomy is comprised of four tiers: Personnel Factors, Contextual Factors, Equipment …

Techniques For The Human Centered Evaluation Of Designs For The Future Aviation System, Philip J. Smith, Kathy Abbott, Lawrence J. Prinzel, Amy Pritchett, Tanya Yuditsky

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

In order to evaluate new operational concepts, system designs, procedures and technologies for the future aviation system, we need to develop and validate a range of techniques to ensure the safe and effective performance of human-machine systems. This becomes increasingly important as such systems incorporate increasing levels of automation and autonomy for technologies, and as they attempt to integrate increasingly complex subsystems. It is challenging to evaluate the individual components of such systems relative to meeting their design requirements. It is orders of magnitude more challenging to evaluate performance when they are embedded in the larger system context. While there …

Pupillary Response As An Indicator Of Processing Demands Within A Supervisory Control Simulation Environment, Ciara Sibley, Joseph Coyne, Akshith Doddi, Phillip Jasper

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

Current Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operator task demands are highly variable and unbalanced across team members, resulting in sub-optimal operator utilization which leads to mishaps. This has driven the Department of Defense’s desire for more flexible team structures and task allocation tools. Unobtrusive and continuous measures of operator state are needed to effectively allocate tasking to operators and prevent errors. Twenty participants completed two twenty minute supervisory control sessions where task load was manipulated by varying event frequency (e.g., information requests) and eye tracking data was collected. Pupillometry data revealed increased mean and maximum pupil sizes with increased task load …

The Effects Of Bright Light Intervention On Flight Crew Behavioral Alertness And Cognitive Fatigue, Lori Brown, Geoffrey Whitehurst

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of bright light intervention to improve behavioral alertness and reduce cognitive fatigue in flight crew-members. During the four week study, crewmembers wore actigraph bands to monitor sleep behaviors. Self-assessed levels of sleepiness were recorded using the Karlosinska Sleepinees Scale (KSS), and self-assessed fatigue was measured using the Samn-Perelli (SP) fatigue scale. Participants completed psychomotor vigilance tests (PVT) to measure behavioral alertness. On the third and fourth weeks of the study, participants were exposed to short wavelength bright light (465nm blue) light intervention. The results show that there was a significant difference in alertness …

Integrating Mrna And Mirna Weighted Gene Co-Expression Networks With Eqtls In The Nucleus Accumbens Of Subjects With Alcohol Dependence, Mohammed Mamdani, Vernell Williamson, Gowon O. Mcmichael, Tana Blevins, Fazil Aliev, Amy Adkins, Laura Hack, Tim Bigdeli, Andrew D. Van Der Vaart, Bradley Todd Webb, Silviu-Alin Bacanu, Gursharan Kalsi, Coga Consortium, Kenneth S. Kendler, Michael F. Miles, Danielle Dick, Brien P. Riley, Catherine Dumur, Vladimir I. Vladimirov

Psychiatry Publications

Alcohol consumption is known to lead to gene expression changes in the brain. After performing weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA) on genome-wide mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) of subjects with alcohol dependence (AD; N = 18) and of matched controls (N = 18), six mRNA and three miRNA modules significantly correlated with AD were identified (Bonferoni-adj. p≤ 0.05). Cell-type-specific transcriptome analyses revealed two of the mRNA modules to be enriched for neuronal specific marker genes and downregulated in AD, whereas the remaining four mRNA modules were enriched for astrocyte and microglial specific marker genes and …

Integrating Mrna And Mirna Weighted Gene Co-Expression Networks With Eqtls In The Nucleus Accumbens Of Subjects With Alcohol Dependence, Mohammed Mamdani, Vernell Williamson, Gowon O. Mcmichael, Tana Blevins, Fazil Aliev, Amy Adkins, Laura Hack, Tim Bigdeli, Andrew D. Van Der Vaart, Bradley Todd Web, Silviu-Alin Bacanu, Gursharan Kalsi, Coga Consortium, Kenneth S. Kendler, Michael F. Miles, Danielle Dick, Brien P. Riley, Catherine Dumur, Vladimir I. Vladimirov

Psychiatry Publications

Alcohol consumption is known to lead to gene expression changes in the brain. After performing weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA) on genome-wide mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) of subjects with alcohol dependence (AD; N = 18) and of matched controls (N = 18), six mRNA and three miRNA modules significantly correlated with AD were identified (Bonferoni-adj. p≤ 0.05). Cell-type-specific transcriptome analyses revealed two of the mRNA modules to be enriched for neuronal specific marker genes and downregulated in AD, whereas the remaining four mRNA modules were enriched for astrocyte and microglial specific marker genes and …

Brief Consultation To Families Of Treatment Refusers With Symptoms Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Does It Impact Family Accommodation And Quality Of Life?, Melanie M. Vandyke, C. Alec Pollard, Jacob Harper, Kyle E. Conlon

Faculty Publications

Family members are often directly and significantly impacted by the restrictive demands of OCD, a frequently disabling disorder. Family accommodation behaviors (i.e., doing things for or because of the OCD sufferer that a person would not normally do) are associated with dysfunction, including poorer treatment responses in OCD sufferers and greater distress in family members. Although evidence suggests family-based intervention can reduce symptoms in OCD sufferers who participate in treatment, there is a lack of research documenting the impact of interventions designed for the families of OCD treatment refusers (TR). Brief Family Consultation (BFC) was developed by our clinical team …

Mental Health Disorders In Child And Adolescent Survivors Of Post-War Landmine Explosions., Mohammad Ali Hemmati, Hamid Shokoohi, Mehdi Masoumi, Shahriar Khateri, Mohammadreza Soroush, Ehsan Modirian, Mahtab Poor Zamany Nejat Kermany, Maryam Hosseini, Batool Mousavi

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: To describe the mental health status of 78 child and adolescent survivors of post-war landmine explosions.

METHODS: Child and adolescent survivors of landmine explosions who were younger than 18 years old at the time of the study were identified and enrolled in this study. The mental health status of the participants was assessed by general health assessment and psychiatric examinations. Psychiatric assessment and diagnosis were undertaken using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. A psychiatrist visited and interviewed each survivor and identified psychiatric disorders.

RESULTS: Seventy-eight child and adolescent survivors with a mean age of …

Insistence On Sameness Relates To Increased Covariance Of Gray Matter Structure In Autism Spectrum Disorder., Ian W Eisenberg, Gregory L Wallace, Lauren Kenworthy, Stephen J Gotts, Alex Martin

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by atypical development of cortical and subcortical gray matter volume. Subcortical structural changes have been associated with restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB), a core component of ASD. Behavioral studies have identified insistence on sameness (IS) as a separable RRB dimension prominent in high-functioning ASD, though no simple brain-behavior relationship has emerged. Structural covariance, a measure of morphological coupling among brain regions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has proven an informative measure of anatomical relationships in typical development and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we use this measure to characterize the relationship between brain …

Treating The Cognitive And Social Dysfunctions Related To Type 2 Diabetes, Joseph Indelicato

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

While much has been written about the effects of diabetes on cardiovascular functioning, less attention has been paid upon the role of diabetes on cognitive functioning. While researchers are still debating the pathophysiology of the cognitive dysfunction triggered by diabetes, including the possibility that Alzheimer’s being Type III diabetes, among other possibilities. Less research has targeted addressing these problems among those with diabetes. Social problems associated with having cognitive dysfunctions in diabetics, have received very little attention. Social activities are perhaps the most difficult and complicated behaviors humans engage in, Even the concept of measurable Social Intelligence comes relatively new …

Default Mode Network Segregation And Social Deficits In Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence From Non-Medicated Children., Benjamin E Yerys, Evan M Gordon, Danielle N Abrams, Theodore D Satterthwaite, Rachel Weinblatt, Kathryn F Jankowski, John Strang, Lauren Kenworthy, William D. Gaillard, Chandan J Vaidya

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Functional pathology of the default mode network is posited to be central to social-cognitive impairment in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Altered functional connectivity of the default mode network's midline core may be a potential endophenotype for social deficits in ASD. Generalizability from prior studies is limited by inclusion of medicated participants and by methods favoring restricted examination of network function. This study measured resting-state functional connectivity in 22 8-13 year-old non-medicated children with ASD and 22 typically developing controls using seed-based and network segregation functional connectivity methods. Relative to controls the ASD group showed both under- and over-functional connectivity within …

Cognitive Engineering: What's Old Is New Again, Ronald John Lofaro

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

This paper presents what began as a specific task analysis methodology developed in the context of what then was called knowledge engineering. The resultant model was based on Fleishmann's concept of underlying abilities coupled Delphi techniques and small group dynamics. Core features were the use of small groups of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and, a highly structured workshop environment. The model was termed the Small Group Delphi Paradigm (SGDP). As time past, its usage in a variety of aviation venues, ranging from selection to training proficiency, resulted in modifications and refinements. Thus, it became more than just a task analysis …

Social Complexity: The Missing Link In A Critical Incident Reporting System, Jaco Van Der Westhuizen, Karel Stanz

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

The safe operation of complex socio-technical systems depends on the reporting of safety critical incidents by operators within a system. Through the action of reporting, systems develop the capability as learning organizations to improve human and organizational performance. The research paper will provide a social construction understanding of reporter behavior that is influenced by the safety management system and the context of reporting, within an Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in Africa. A case study methodology was applied with complementing inductive coding and thematic content analysis to explore underlying explanations for underreporting behavior. Four main themes emerged: Knowledge Management, Decentralized …

Training Manned-Unmanned Teaming Skills In Army Aviation, Susan R. Flaherty, Martin L. Bink

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

Current Army Aviation combat operations utilize an employment strategy that teams a rotary wing aircraft with an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), thereby leveraging strategic advantages of each aircraft’s unique capabilities, endurance, and payloads. Clear and effective communications between the airborne helicopter pilot and the ground-based UAS operator are critical for successful Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) missions. Previous studies have recommended additional training in tactical communications for the UAS payload operator in order to support precision and timeliness in teaming engagements. In accordance with Army Learning Model 2015, an engaging, skills-adaptive, computer game was developed to train critical MUM-T skills for the …

Saccade Detection Using Polar Coordinates – A New Algorithm, Matt Middendorf, Christina Gruenwald, Lucas Stork, Samantha Hoepf, Scott Galster

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

Over the past few decades substantial research has been conducted regarding saccades (rapid eye movements). There are two components of this research. First there is the detection of the saccades, and second how to interpret the saccades features (amplitude, length, and velocity) to inform specific areas of research. This involves both experimental research and clinical applications. The detection of saccades is typically accomplished using two approaches, including cameras and the electrooculogram (EOG). Both of these approaches require algorithms to process the raw data, detect saccades, and calculate the saccade features. The current effort focuses on detecting saccades in the EOG …

Conceptual And Procedural Training For Situation Awareness And Performance In An Instrument Holding Task, Andrew R. Dattel, Jennifer E. Thropp

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

An exploratory approach that investigated the differences between conceptually and procedurally trained participants in situation awareness (SA) and performance of instrument holds was conducted. The step-by-step actions required to fly instrument holds were emphasized in the procedural training group. The interrelationship of elements in a dynamic environment was emphasized in the conceptual group. Participants were tested in two simulated instrument holding pattern scenarios. The second holding pattern was designed to be more complex. A trend was found where the conceptual group showed less altitude deviation (M = 399.22) than the procedural group (M = 599.74). Participants were asked six SA …

Effect Of Control Latency On Unmanned Aircraft Systems During Critical Phases Of Flight, Carolina M. Zingale, Eric G. Taylor

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are controlled remotely via terrestrial or satellite-based radio link rather than by a pilot in the cockpit. The remote nature of the transmission results in latencies (time between pilot input and feedback indicating aircraft response) that are typically longer than those in manned aircraft. Researchers from the FAA Human Factors Branch conducted a simulation to investigate the effect of control latencies during takeoff and landing scenarios in UAS with low levels of automation. We evaluated one of four latencies (180, 494, 750, 1026 ms) in each test scenario. Half of the scenarios included crosswinds. Data obtained …

Toward A Human Performance Standard Of Excellence In Air Traffic Management, Paul Krois, Damien Armenis, Rémi Joly, Barry Kirwan, Claire Marrison, Neil May, Dino Piccione, Michaela Schwarz

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2015

Air Traffic Management (ATM) is a 24/7 industry that strongly depends on people and needs its frontline staff to be on top performance to maintain safety and efficiency of the air transport system. However, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) too often downplay the integration of human performance against higher priority operational and business issues. At the same time, human factors experts are sometimes challenged in communicating their tools and methods in ways that are seen as pertinent to ANSP issues. In order to bridge these organizational stove pipes, an international approach is being harmonized for ANSPs to gauge their maturity …

Which Methods Of Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Are Most Effective And Most Closely Match Patient Lifestyle?, Yehudit Erlbaum

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

ADHD, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, is a disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattentiveness, inability to remain on task, fidgetiness, and impulsivity. An over absorption of dopamine by the dopamine transporters leads to a lack of dopamine, the inhibiting neurotransmitter in the brain, resulting in the inability for the individual to inhibit their impulses. The disease is most likely seen in children but may continue into adulthood. The length of the disease across the individual’s life span, results in expensive treatment, whether it be medication or Cognitive Behavior Therapy, CBT. Therefore, these medical costs have caused researchers to find the most efficient …

Neuroimaging And Neuromodulation Approaches To Study Eating Behavior And Prevent And Treat Eating Disorders And Obesity, D. Val-Laillet, E. Aarts, B. Weber, M. Ferrari, V. Quaresima, L. E. Stoeckel, M. Alonso-Alonso, M. Audette, C. H. Malbert, E. Stice

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Faculty Publications

Functional, molecular and genetic neuroimaging has highlighted the existence of brain anomalies and neural vulnerability factors related to obesity and eating disorders such as binge eating or anorexia nervosa. In particular, decreased basal metabolism in the prefrontal cortex and striatum as well as dopaminergic alterations have been described in obese subjects, in parallel with increased activation of reward brain areas in response to palatable food cues. Elevated reward region responsivity may trigger food craving and predict future weight gain. This opens the way to prevention studies using functional and molecular neuroimaging to perform early diagnostics and to phenotype subjects at …

The Evolving Role Of Dendritic Spines And Memory: Interaction(S) With Estradiol, M. Frankfurt, V. Luine

Journal Articles

This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and Cognition". Memory processing is presumed to depend on synaptic plasticity, which appears to have a role in mediating the acquisition, consolidation, and retention of memory. We have studied the relationship between estrogen, recognition memory, and dendritic spine density in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex, areas critical for memory, across the lifespan in female rodents. The present paper reviews the literature on dendritic spine plasticity in mediating both short and long term memory, as well as the decreased memory that occurs with aging and Alzheimer's disease. It also addresses the …

The Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor As A Potential Treatment Target In Alcohol Use Disorder: Evidence From Human Genetic Association Studies And A Mouse Model Of Alcohol Dependence, P. Suchankova, J. Yan, M. L. Schwandt, B. L. Stangl, E. C. Caparelli, R. Momenan, E. Jerlhag, J. A. Engel, C. A. Hodgkinson, M. Egli, M. F. Lopez, H. C. Becker, D. Goldman, M. Heilig, V. A. Ramchandani, L. Leggio

Psychiatry Publications

The hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates appetite and food intake. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activation also attenuates the reinforcing properties of alcohol in rodents. The present translational study is based on four human genetic association studies and one preclinical study providing data that support the hypothesis that GLP-1R may have a role in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Case–control analysis (N=908) was performed on a sample of individuals enrolled in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) intramural research program. The Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE) sample (N=3803) was used for …

Qtc Prolongation In Veterans With Heroin Dependence On Methadone Maintenance Treatment, Sameer Hassamal, Antony Fernandez, Hossein Moradi Rekabdarkolaee, Ananda Pandurangi

Psychiatry Publications

Background:

QTc prolongation and Torsade de Ppointes have been reported in patients on methadone maintenance.

Objectives:

In this study, QTc was compared before and after the veteran (n = 49) was on a stable dosage of methadone for 8.72 ± 4.50 years to treat heroin dependence. Risk factors were correlated with the QTc once the veteran was on a stable dose of methadone. Differences in the clinical risk factors in subgroups of veterans with below and above mean QTc change was compared.

Patients and Methods:

ECG data was obtained from a 12-lead electrocardiogram (pre-methadone and on methadone) on 49 veterans. …