Student Presentations

Question 0

Brain-Based Theories of ASD

Main Points

Answer 0

Three prominent theories include:

1. Extreme male brain–children with ASD are exposed to more fetal androgens, leading to brains that are more systemizing and more extremely male
2. Mirror Neuron Dysfunction–children with ASD have dysfunction in mirror neurons which are important for learning imitation, language, emotion recognition, etc.
3. Underconnectivity–Children with ASD have volumetric differences in white matter, leading to degreased efficiency of cortico-cortical connectivity

Question 1

Brain-Based Theories of ASD

Main Question/Problem

Answer 1

What are some of the prevailing theories about brain-based causes of ASD?

Question 2

Brain-Based Theory of ASD

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 2

Are these theories mutually exclusive, or could these mechanisms be working in conjunction?
Which came first-the different brain functioning, or behavior?

Question 3

Sickle Cell Disease

Main Question/Problem

Answer 3

Executive functioning deficits in children and adolescents with SCD

Question 4

Sickle Cell Disease

Main Points

Answer 4

SCD is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder that results in the sickling of red blood cells
Sickling of RBCs leads to obstruction through blood vessels and results in vaso-occlusive crises or pain crises
High percentage of children and adolescents with SCD experience stroke
Stroke leads to EF deficits and is seen through lowered academic functioning, working memory deficits, and attentional difficulties

Question 5

Sickle Cell Disease

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 5

Since SCD has such an impact on cognitive, neuropsychological, and academic functioning, why is it not explored more in literature?
What interventions could be in place to address EF deficits, or should we address treatment of the disease instead?

Question 6

Neurofeedback and ADHD

Main Question/Problem

Answer 6

Wht is Neurofeedback, how is it being used as an intervention for children with ADHD, and is it effective?

Question 7

Neurofeedback and ADHD

Main Points

Answer 7

EEG neurofeedback gives participants moment-to-moment information regarding the functioning of the brain, especially with regard to theta waves (associated with “tuning out”), alpha waves (a resting, daydreaming mindset), and Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) waves (calm, but alert mental state)
Individuals are supposed to learn to elicit mental states through operant conditioning
Traditionally used for clinical populations, but recent research with healthy people to see if it improves cognitive functioning (most research done with ADHD)
Initial results were promising, but a recent doubleblind study indicates not much difference between NF and placebo

Question 8

Neurofeedback and ADHD

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 8

Can neurofeedback be used to identify profiles of functioning that could be used diagnostically? (Ex: certain profile for ADHD-I, ADHD-C, etc.)
Can neurofeedback be used to help children with other disorders (ex: emotion regulation for kids with ASD?)

Question 9

Depression and Adolescence

Questions/Problems

Answer 9

How does depression manifest in the adolescent brain?
Why is adolescence a vulnerable time for depression?
What is the current research on SSRIs for treatment of adolescent depression?

Question 10

Depression and Adolescence

Main Points

Answer 10

Brain activity in depressed adolescents - reduced hippocampal volume, greater activation in amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in response to negative stimuli
Best line of treatment is CBT for 4-6 sessions then coupled with fluoxetine if no response

Question 11

Depression and Adolescence

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 11

Are there any structural or chemical differences that could be used to predict who will be responsive to CBT alone vs. CBT + fluoxetine (to potentially allow for earlier administration of fluoxetine)?

Question 12

Mindfulness and Brain Structure

Question/Problem

Answer 12

Mindfulness programs appear to be useful in reducing symptoms related to a variety of disorders, but less is known about underlying neural mechanisms of these changes

Question 13

Mindfulness and Brain Structure

Main Points

Answer 13

Initial studies suggest mindfulness training reduces activity in the amygdala and may even reduce the size of the amygdala
This structural change correlates with less perceived stress, suggesting that by changing thoughts, participants were able to change the physical structure of their brain, and consequently reduce the level of stress they perceived

Question 14

Mindfulness and Brain Structure

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 14

Could mindfulness protect against stress-related disorders such as PTSD?

Question 15

Cultural Neuroscience

Questions/Problems

Answer 15

How does culture influence our brain?

Question 16

Culture Neuroscience

Main Points

Answer 16

Perception and attention differences among Westerners and East Asians that may result from cultural differences in social orientation
Westerners have narrow focus in visual attention and focus on salient objects and details, while East Asians focus more on contexts, backgrounds, and have more holistic perception
Studies like the frame-line test, change blindness paradigm, and eye movement studies have demonstrated differences
Neuroimaging studies show frontal and parietal regions associated with attentional control are activated during tasks incongruent with cultural modes of perception
Neuroimaging studies show Americans activate more object-processing regions in the temporal and parietal lobes of the brain

Question 17

Cultural Neuroscience

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 17

Have there been studies in which individualism/collectivism have been measured on a continuum and how those differences interact with perception and attention?
How much do these differences have to do with genetics?

Question 18

Comorbidity in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Questions/Problems

Answer 18

What kinds of comorbidities are found in children with ASD?

Question 19

Comorbidity in ASD

Main Points

Answer 19

Psychiatric and medical comorbidities exist with ASD
Not very well studied or documented
Epilepsy is especially highly comorbid, occurring in up to 38% of children with ASD
Epilepsy and ASD show similarities in EEGs and compromised amygdala

Question 20

Comorbidity in ASD

Questions/Problems to be Addressed

Answer 20

What are evidence-based treatments for children with ASD and epilepsy?