Vanderbilt Kennedy Center News Friday, March 24, 2023

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved DAYBUE™ (trofinetide) for the treatment of Rett syndrome in adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older. DAYBUE is the first and only drug approved for the treatment of Rett syndrome.

Acadia Pharmaceuticals announces U.S. FDA approval of trofinetide for treatment of Rett syndrome

Last Updated: 3/20/2023 9:20:24 AM

Researchers in the labs of Laurie Cutting, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor and professor of special education at the Peabody College of education and human development, and Bennett Landman, professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the School of Engineering, recently published a study in Magnetic Resonance Imaging exploring a new tool for imaging the brains of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients and its significance in assessing their symptoms.

Automated tool can link brain scans to cognitive deficits in people with neurofibromatosis 1

Last Updated: 3/20/2023 9:19:26 AM

When a parent needs to cook dinner or take a shower, often they will place their baby in a bouncy seat, swing, exersaucer, or similar seating device intended to protect the baby and grant a degree of independence to both the parent and infant. For many parents, these devices represent a helpful extra set of hands; for babies, the freedom to safely explore their immediate surroundings. As useful as these devices are to both parents and infants, they may present trade-offs regarding their effect on infant’s exposure to adult language, which is critical for language development. That’s according to a new study by researchers at the Stress and Early Adversity Lab at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.

Infant seating devices may reduce language exposure

Last Updated: 3/7/2023 12:23:52 PM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently appointed Velma McBride Murry to the National Advisory Mental Health Council. The council advises the current U.S. secretary of health and human services and the director of the National Institute for Mental Health.

Velma McBride Murry appointed to national advisory board for mental health

Last Updated: 1/23/2023 1:42:15 PM

Physical health disparity conditions in autistic adults have not been the focus of any research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the last four decades, an analysis of a federal database found.

Federally funded studies into treatment for chronic conditions overlook efficacy in adults with autism, analysis finds

Last Updated: 1/23/2023 1:14:19 PM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the VKC Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the Division of Developmental Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center announce that Jeffrey Hine has been named DDM and TRIAD Director of Primary Care Outreach and Training.

Hine tapped as DDM,TRIAD Director of Primary Care Outreach and Training

Last Updated: 1/17/2023 10:26:27 AM

The early childhood years are critical as children are rapidly developing the social, emotional, cognitive and language skills necessary for social-emotional competence. Vanderbilt Peabody College Professor Mary Louise Hemmeter has received an $11.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) to expand the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in pre-kindergarten (PreK) and kindergarten (K) classrooms in diverse districts across the country.

Hemmeter receives $11.9 million grant to expand Pyramid Model in pre-K and kindergarten classrooms nationally

Last Updated: 1/12/2023 12:02:05 PM

Healing Begins With Hope [Art Exhibit]

Healing Begins With Hope [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 1/11/2023 11:28:39 AM

Kathryn Edwards, MD, an internationally recognized Vanderbilt University Medical Center physician who has made countless contributions to vaccine evaluation and implementation, public health advocacy, and the mentorship and training of new generations of experts in infectious disease over the past four decades, retired on Dec. 31, 2022.

Infectious disease expert Edwards ends storied career

Last Updated: 1/10/2023 9:39:57 AM

Armed with a two-year, $141,444 grant from the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research, Elisabeth Dykens, professor of psychology and human development at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, is developing the first psychometrically sound self-report survey of hyperphagia for people with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Notably, this project is the first to include people with PWS as collaborators in the research process, using the method, Participatory Action Research.

Dykens receives Foundation for Prader-Willi Research grant to engage people with Prader-Willi Syndrome in developing new self-report survey

Last Updated: 1/4/2023 3:47:41 PM

New News Item

VKC celebrates Special Education professor Erik Carter's student mentorship, community impact ahead of departure

Last Updated: 12/19/2022 8:58:51 AM

Research Ethics Grand Rounds Panel Discussion: "Benefits and Challenges of Pragmatic Trials for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities"

Benefits and Challenges of Pragmatic Trials for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Last Updated: 12/16/2022 10:54:01 AM

Experts from the Institute for Scientific Information identified 13 faculty at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center as among the top one percent of cited researchers worldwide.

Vanderbilt University, VUMC faculty named Highly Cited Researchers, rank in top 1 percent by citations

Last Updated: 12/15/2022 2:40:04 PM

Virtual reality may help smooth out disconnects between vision and hearing.

Brain's Sensory Processing Often Struggles in Autism

Last Updated: 12/15/2022 2:37:21 PM

Engaging infants with a song provides a readymade means for supporting social development and interaction, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Study finds sensitivity to musical rhythm supports social development in infants

Last Updated: 11/11/2022 8:49:03 AM

Centering Autistic Perspectives in Applied Behavior Analysis

Centering Autistic Perspectives in Applied Behavior Analysis

Last Updated: 11/4/2022 2:01:25 PM

A little over 10 years ago, a group of motivated and caring people formed what they chose to call TennesseeWorks, and this group had one goal in mind: to increase the number of young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are employed in Tennessee.

A Lot Has Happened in 10 Years of TennesseeWorks

Last Updated: 11/3/2022 8:35:59 AM

President Joe Biden has appointed Vanderbilt Peabody College research professor Douglas Fuchs to serve on the 15-member National Board for Education Sciences. The appointment was announced Oct. 27.

Vanderbilt special education researcher receives White House appointment

Last Updated: 11/3/2022 8:34:56 AM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center held its 13th annual VKC Science Day on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Vanderbilt University’s Student Life Center. It was the first time since January 2019 that Science Day participants were able to meet in-person to celebrate collaboration and innovation among VKC-affiliated research labs.

2022 VKC Science Day Poster Competition winners announced

Last Updated: 11/2/2022 11:16:06 AM

TRIAD’s Response to Association for Behavior Analysis International Draft Report and Recommendations on Contingent Electric Skin Shock

TRIAD’s response to ABAI’s Draft Report/Recommendations on CESS

Last Updated: 10/19/2022 7:44:41 AM

The first large-scale genomic study of musicality — recently featured on the cover of Nature Human Behaviour — identified 69 genetic variants associated with beat synchronization, meaning the ability to move in synchrony with the beat of music.

Research shows genetic link to moving to the beat of music

Last Updated: 10/18/2022 9:31:31 AM

Three Vanderbilt University faculty members have been elected this year to membership in the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), a prestigious, non-governmental organization that advises the nation and the world on important aspects of medical science, health care and public health.

Vanderbilt’s Carpenter, Monteggia and Rathmell elected to National Academy of Medicine

Last Updated: 10/18/2022 9:29:35 AM

down the road [Art Exhibit]

down the road [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 10/13/2022 2:09:07 PM

Educate to Advocate Virtual Public Policy Workshop

Educate to Advocate Virtual Public Policy Workshop

Last Updated: 10/5/2022 2:04:22 PM

VKC Special Lecture: "Designing Multi-User Collaboration and Learning Technology for Neurodiverse Groups"

Designing Multi-User Collaboration and Learning Technology for Neurodiverse Groups

Last Updated: 9/22/2022 10:00:59 AM

Millions of children worldwide are under legal guardianship of the state, often due to abuse, neglect, parental death or other circumstances—leaving governments to determine how best to care for them. The Bucharest Early Intervention Project has shed light on ways to improve the quality of caregiving for children. Initiated in 2000, the BEIP is a randomized controlled trial of foster care as an alternative to institutional care for children who experienced severe psychosocial deprivation.

Foster family placement leads to sustained cognitive gains after severe early deprivation, Humphreys’ study finds

Last Updated: 9/13/2022 3:12:26 PM

Process must be customized to meet needs of individuals who have trouble naming and sharing emotions.

Suicide Safety Plans Customized for Autistic Youth

Last Updated: 8/26/2022 1:36:33 PM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment & Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders announces the hiring of Holly Gover, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, as a TRIAD Behavior Analyst and Researcher.

VKC TRIAD welcomes Holly Gover as Behavior Analyst and Researcher

Last Updated: 8/24/2022 11:00:33 AM

Special Lecture: "A New Concept: Neurodevelopmental Etiology of Huntington’s Disease"

A New Concept: Neurodevelopmental Etiology of Huntington’s Disease

Last Updated: 8/24/2022 9:53:43 AM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) is pleased to announce that Pablo Juárez, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, has been named Director of Behavior Analysis within the VKC and the Division of Developmental Medicine (DDM) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Juárez is a senior associate in Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Special Education, and serves as co-director of the Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (VKC TRIAD).

Pablo Juárez named Director of Behavior Analysis

Last Updated: 8/23/2022 11:17:43 AM

New SPARK study identifies a novel group of inherited genes of moderate effect, shows links to other behavioral conditions

Last Updated: 8/16/2022 2:52:27 PM

Promising cures for Huntington’s Disease have resulted in more genetic testing at Vanderbilt’s clinic, which serves a multi-state region. The rare neurological disease is often viewed as a death sentence, which scares people from even wanting to know.

With Huntington’s Disease, renewed hope for a cure draws more interest in testing at Vanderbilt

Last Updated: 8/15/2022 12:15:43 PM

VKC introduces new toolkits promoting neurodiversity, self-determination in early childhood services

Last Updated: 7/29/2022 9:56:07 AM

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Human Development Kathryn Humphreys, BS’05, has been recognized with the 2023 Boyd McCandless Award by the American Psychological Association’s Division 7 (Developmental Psychology). The award “recognizes a young scientist who has made a distinguished theoretical contribution to developmental psychology, has conducted programmatic research of distinction, or has made a distinguished contribution to the dissemination of developmental science.”

Humphreys wins 2023 Boyd McCandless Award from American Psychological Association

Last Updated: 7/25/2022 7:56:34 PM

The Academy for Excellence in Education was established in November 2006. The founding membership was comprised of 44 distinguished medical educators. The Academy provides a forum to foster higher levels of participation and promote excellence and scholarship in the delivery of education to health professionals.

Vanderbilt Academy for Excellence in Education elects 26 new members

Last Updated: 7/6/2022 10:42:06 AM

The Today Show’s Maria Shriver spotlighted a landmark, years-long study into the connection between heart health and Alzheimer’s disease, and the urgency to boost study enrollment—particularly among people of color who are disproportionally impacted yet historically underrepresented in research.

Today Show: Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center makes national push for clinical study enrollment. You can help.

Last Updated: 6/30/2022 12:11:34 PM

Moving in time to musical rhythm is so automatic that people are often not conscious of the exquisite coordination that it demands of our brains, minds and bodies.

Scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and 23andMe find genetic link to people’s ability to move to a musical beat

Last Updated: 6/21/2022 12:25:35 PM

Arie Nettles, PhD, NCSP, HSP, professor of Clinical Pediatrics and director of the Office of Inclusion and Health Equity (OIHE), was presented with a State Resolution from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) passed in honor of her work as chair of the Statewide Planning and Policy Council (SPPC).

Nettles presented with State Resolution from Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Last Updated: 6/9/2022 2:49:06 PM

In the 2010 film, “The King’s Speech,” a speech therapist helps the king of England overcome a significant stutter so that he can address the nation at the outbreak of World War II. If only it were that straightforward.

When Words Fail

Last Updated: 6/7/2022 10:52:44 AM

This month, Vanderbilt University Graduate School named three faculty members as recipients of their first Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Awards.

Three Graduate School faculty honored with first-ever mentor awards

Last Updated: 6/7/2022 10:43:00 AM

I am Determined! Photographs of Strengths, Commitment, and Passion [Art Exhibit]

I am Determined! Photographs of Strengths, Commitment, and Passion [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 5/24/2022 3:23:41 PM

Studying the Connection Between Reading Comprehension and Math Word-Problem Solving [Webinar]

Studying the Connection Between Reading Comprehension and Math Word-Problem Solving [Webinar]

Last Updated: 5/18/2022 1:26:03 PM

For the first time, graduates from the Next Steps at Vanderbilt program for students with developmental disabilities will walk in the full campus Commencement ceremony.

Next Steps at Vanderbilt graduates to join their peers at Commencement

Last Updated: 5/9/2022 1:14:12 PM

They say motherhood is the toughest job you’ll ever love. That’s true for this group of Vanderbilt researchers, who’ve built successful careers around researching various aspects of parenthood while raising their own children.

Moms who research moms: Spotlighting VU research on motherhood

Last Updated: 5/9/2022 1:12:26 PM

Depression among adults in the United States is on the rise — partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic — with some estimates putting the rate of depression at one in every three people. Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at higher risk for depression than the general population, and research into risk factors for depression in autism is ongoing.

ASD study explores link between repetitive motion, depression

Last Updated: 5/5/2022 1:19:26 PM

Two Vanderbilt professors were awarded Pathfinder seed funding for a project that could benefit soldiers by optimizing their neurological performance through suggested behavior protocol and by improving aircraft design and equipment to reduce the effects of in-flight vibration and percussion.

Army Futures Command awards Pathfinder seed funding to Tonia Rex, Doug Adams

Last Updated: 5/5/2022 1:17:45 PM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment & Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders announces the hiring of Adithyan Rajaraman, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, as Director of Behavior Analysis Research. As an assistant professor in Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a VKC investigator, Dr. Rajaraman will lead the research and dissemination of TRIAD’s innovative behavior analytic services and the growing portfolio of related projects.

VKC TRIAD welcomes Adithyan Rajaraman as Director of Behavior Analysis Research

Last Updated: 4/19/2022 10:09:29 AM

Velma McBride Murry, University Professor of Human and Organizational Development and University Professor of Health Policy, will be an expert panelist discussing the impact of pandemic-era policies on children and families at a high-level government conference. McBride Murry will join panelists April 25–26 at the virtual event sponsored by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation in the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

McBride Murry to speak at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services panel on impact of pandemic-era policies

Last Updated: 4/15/2022 3:22:39 PM

Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: "Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience in the Era of Big Data"

Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: "Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience in the Era of Big Data"

Last Updated: 4/11/2022 9:50:08 AM

April marks Autism Awareness Month. In 2022, neurodiversity in the workplace is an issue capturing attention, as conversations on how to create more inclusive spaces for all continue among business leaders.

Q&A: Vanderbilt expert discusses inclusive workplaces for people on the autism spectrum

Last Updated: 4/7/2022 11:23:16 AM

VKC introduces toolkits to mitigate stress caused by needlesticks in patients with IDD

Last Updated: 3/30/2022 11:08:27 AM

Lifting Lives® has supported the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center since 2012. Learn about the programs and research it helps fund to improve lives through the power of music.

Music Mends

Last Updated: 3/29/2022 1:39:59 PM