Vanderbilt Kennedy Center News Tuesday, August 11, 2020

The ancient Egyptians were the first to mention the brain in writing—preserved on a 2,700-year-old papyrus that details the symptoms of head injuries—but the importance of the organ escaped them. They believed it was the heart, not the head, that controlled human thought and emotion.

Vanderbilt Brain Institute has emerged as a hub of discovery as neuroscience’s influence expands

Last Updated: 8/6/2020 8:05:58 AM

When Amy Ladd first began taking her 5-year-old son, Wesley, to SeRenade, a music class at Vanderbilt providing parent training and peer inclusion for kids with autism spectrum disorder, he had difficulty doing everything from putting on clothes in the morning to

Music Cognition Lab is dedicated to the scientific study of how music affects the brain and behavior

Last Updated: 8/6/2020 8:00:03 AM

New News Item

‘Brave in the Attempt’: Early history of TN Special Olympics closely tied to Peabody, Vanderbilt

Last Updated: 7/30/2020 8:54:50 AM

The pandemic is having profound effects on mental health for people around the world. One of the first longitudinal studies to assess COVID-19 related stressors and mental health symptoms led by Autumn Kujawa, assistant professor of psychology and human development, shows that many people will recover as the situation improves.

Early empirical study on COVID-19 related depression and anxiety gives reason for optimism

Last Updated: 7/24/2020 11:54:55 AM

Science has proven that biodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems and that diverse thinking yields better decision making in business. To follow the logic, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently launched the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Awards program to build more diverse talent pools within undergraduate students. Vanderbilt is among a select number of universities with a significant number of mentors with NIH or other extramural research support to win this award.

Vanderbilt receives NIH award to enhance student diversity in biomedical sciences

Last Updated: 7/23/2020 11:10:48 AM

Daniel Lookabaugh, a 20-year-old electrical engineering student who has epilepsy, has never driven a car because of violent seizures and had to put his schooling on hold last year.

ROSA technology helps ease patient’s violent seizures

Last Updated: 7/16/2020 2:27:32 PM

Limited vocabulary development in children from families of low socio-economic status can delay learning and create a word gap that widens as they reach school age.

Enhanced e-book helps close the word gap in children from families of low socio-economic status

Last Updated: 7/1/2020 8:54:41 AM

The Tennessee Department of Education announced members and objectives of the statewide COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force, which was convened to support the holistic needs of Tennessee children in response to extended school building closures.

Brown, Webster named to statewide COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force

Last Updated: 6/19/2020 11:59:04 AM

Statement on the Death of George Floyd

Statement on the Death of George Floyd

Last Updated: 6/12/2020 1:55:17 PM

Finding the best ways to support people with disabilities, and the people who work with them, defines the culture of Peabody’s Department of Special Education. In recent years a cadre of energetic, productive faculty members have joined the department, building on the legacy of high-caliber research and teaching that began in the 1950s with Lloyd Dunn and developmental psychologists Nicholas Hobbs and Susan Gray.

Peabody Special Education applies best-in-class academic research to solve real-world challenges

Last Updated: 6/1/2020 12:39:14 PM

“The Promise of Discovery” is a new podcast hosted by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) that highlights research in intellectual and developmental disabilities in plain language, making it accessible to the general public. The podcast launched May 8, with the premiere of the first three episodes.

Communicating disabilities research in plain language

Last Updated: 5/28/2020 10:23:18 AM

For people with disabilities, the impact of COVID-19 brings new challenges, including increased barriers to healthcare, information and much needed support systems. Additionally, practicing social distancing and taking preventive measures can be more difficult for those with disabilities, who may be at greater risk of disability-related complications if they were to get the virus.

Ask an Expert: What do people with disabilities face during the pandemic?

Last Updated: 5/21/2020 2:33:03 PM

Parents with greater depression symptoms report experiencing less empathy—even toward their own children, according to a new Vanderbilt report published in PLOS ONE. This phenomenon could lead to significant long-term negative impacts for these children, the researchers say.

Parent depression linked to reduced empathy, putting kids at risk for adverse outcomes

Last Updated: 5/19/2020 9:00:47 AM

As Next Steps at Vanderbilt marks its 10th anniversary throughout 2020, the year also brings another significant milestone: The first class of Next Steps at Vanderbilt students will graduate from its expanded four-year program.

Next Steps at Vanderbilt celebrates first four-year class, 10th anniversary

Last Updated: 5/6/2020 1:27:05 PM

Early behavioral intervention — often delivered by parents — appears to improve outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies show, however, that the parents are experiencing high levels of psychological stress. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), which can reduce stress and improve sleep, health and life satisfaction, may be useful for parents of children with ASD.

Reducing stress in parents of children with autism

Last Updated: 4/30/2020 11:33:47 AM

Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center are investigating whether participation in a specially designed theatre program can improve social competence in adults with autism.

Study seeks to improve social competence in adults with autism

Last Updated: 4/24/2020 3:58:43 PM

With daycares, schools, and most places of employment being closed right now while many caregivers work from home, you may be wondering how to best support your children during this unusual time. This may be a particular concern if your child has autism, knowing that this abrupt change in routine may be even harder for them and may be more difficult for you to explain. Below are a few tips for supporting you and your child during this time.

How to support your child with autism during this uncertain time

Last Updated: 4/14/2020 1:55:10 PM

Prevalence of autism rising in the U.S., new report finds

Prevalence of autism rising in the U.S., new report finds

Last Updated: 3/26/2020 2:54:02 PM

A Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) partnership with Special Olympics Tennessee and the Strong Minds program teaches athletes coping strategies to reduce stress while providing trainees with hands-on learning opportunities.

Building mental health muscles in Special Olympians and bridging learning opportunities for VKC trainees

Last Updated: 3/25/2020 1:33:10 PM

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder resources for COVID-19 and disaster relief

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder resources for COVID-19 and disaster relief

Last Updated: 3/9/2020 9:07:10 AM

Nilanjan Sarkar, Ph.D., a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator and mechanical engineering professor is leading an ambitious pilot project that will develop prototypes of new, artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology and tools to train, connect, and support people with autism spectrum disorders in finding jobs and succeeding in the workforce.

Sarkar leads $1 million NSF pilot to develop tech for workforce inclusion of people with autism

Last Updated: 3/6/2020 8:35:46 AM

The idea of simultaneously analyzing medical diagnosis codes with electronic medical records has been much like knowing valuable treasure is buried under miles of rock but lacking the tools to mine it.

VU engineers mine EMRs, clinical journals for novel disease associations and new research paths

Last Updated: 2/25/2020 1:47:32 PM

Protein interactions and brain function

Protein interactions and brain function

Last Updated: 2/21/2020 11:11:40 AM

Next Steps at Vanderbilt, TN’s first inclusive higher ed program, celebrates 10 years of impact

Next Steps at Vanderbilt, TN’s first inclusive higher ed program, celebrates 10 years of impact

Last Updated: 2/20/2020 10:22:28 AM

VKC at 2020 Tennessee Partners in Education Conference

VKC at 2020 Tennessee Partners in Education Conference

Last Updated: 1/31/2020 9:09:03 AM

Educate to Advocate 2020

Last Updated: 1/21/2020 3:47:49 PM

<p><strong>(January - July at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center)</strong></p> <p>This free exhibit features photographs of Tennesseans with disabilities and their families who are using their voices to vote, to educate legislators and policymakers, and to stand up for their own rights and for the rights of others. </p><p>The advocates shared their civic engagement stories with Vanderbilt graduate students as part of the <a href=" https://vkc.vumc.org/kindredstories/ "> TN Kindred Stories of Disability </a> project. The project produces topical booklets that are shared with elected officials each year to educate them about disability issues. In 2019, participants engaged in photo sessions with photographer and parent advocate Jen Vogus, whose powerful images combine with the stories to amplify the voices of the advocates as they are taken to Capitol Hill. </p><p>Jen Vogus is the founder of <a href="https://www.jenvogus.com/able-voices"> AbleVoices</a>, a non-profit organization that teaches participants with disabilities to use photography as a tool for communication, advocacy, and empowerment. </p><p>Photographer Assistants: Bryant Welch, Ashley Shouse, Kyler Grissom, Sami Zinni, and Eric Wilson</p><p>Preparator: Lain York</p>

Kindred Stories: Civic Engagement and Disability

Last Updated: 1/10/2020 4:19:11 PM

Arie Nettles, PhD, NCSP, HSP, associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics, has been reappointed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to serve a new two-year term as chair of the Planning and Policy Council for the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).

Nettles reappointed as chair of statewide planning and policy council

Last Updated: 1/2/2020 2:54:29 PM

Eight Vanderbilt faculty elected AAAS fellows for 2019

Eight Vanderbilt faculty elected AAAS fellows for 2019

Last Updated: 12/2/2019 1:50:21 PM

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have taken a major step that could ultimately facilitate development of a new class of antidepressants which may relieve symptoms more rapidly and effectively and with fewer side effects than current medications.

Study explores potential new class of antidepressants

Last Updated: 11/25/2019 3:27:25 PM

Kathryn Edwards, MD, who holds the Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Endowed Chair in Pediatrics and is a professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, is the recipient of the 2020 John Howland Award, the highest honor given by the American Pediatric Society (APS).

Edwards receives American Pediatric Society’s top award

Last Updated: 11/15/2019 10:09:45 AM

Proteins that move electrically charged ions of sodium, potassium and chloride across the cell membrane are vital for the control of cell volume — the amount of water inside the cell and regulation of intracellular chloride.

Blueprint for treating epilepsy

Last Updated: 11/15/2019 10:09:15 AM

Study explores genetic risk profiling of insomnia in autism

Last Updated: 11/12/2019 10:40:10 AM

Sleep experts and chronobiologists advocate eliminating outdated policy.

Daylight Savings Time: Bad for the brain?

Last Updated: 11/8/2019 11:05:49 AM

Researchers from the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center and the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University School of Medicine are partnering to study musical rhythm synchronization as a part of social development and how it’s disrupted in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in hopes of developing music interventions for improving social communication.

Autism study tracks musical rhythm as possible treatment

Last Updated: 11/7/2019 2:00:01 PM

Bunmi Olatunji, professor of psychology and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, has been appointed associate dean of academic affairs at the Graduate School, effective Jan. 1, 2020. He succeeds Richard Hoover, professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology and associate professor of pediatrics, who is stepping down after 18 years in the role and will retire from Vanderbilt on Dec. 31.

Olatunji appointed associate dean of academic affairs at Graduate School

Last Updated: 10/22/2019 9:12:54 AM

Vanderbilt University’s No. 1 ranked Department of Special Education has been awarded more than $19 million in federal funding to support intensive interventions for children, young people and adults with a wide array of disabilities.

Vanderbilt earns $19M in federal funding for special education training and research

Last Updated: 10/22/2019 9:11:46 AM

This month, a committee within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published its review of NASA’s updated Science Plan. Among those named to the exclusive committee responsible for reviewing the plan is Keivan Stassun, Stevenson Endowed Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt.

National Academies committee including Vanderbilt astrophysicist publishes review of latest NASA Science Plan

Last Updated: 10/22/2019 9:11:03 AM

A new multisite study funded by the National Institute on Aging will examine whether co-occurring Alzheimer’s disease and stage 4 breast or prostate cancer alters pain perception, potentially leading to undertreated cancer pain.

Study examines pain processing in co-occurring cancer, Alzheimer’s disease

Last Updated: 10/15/2019 2:57:34 PM

The International Rett Syndrome Foundation appoints three to the board.

Monteggia appointed to International Rett Syndrome Foundation Board of Directors

Last Updated: 10/4/2019 3:40:35 PM

Mutations in a subunit of a receptor that binds the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABAA in the brain have been linked, through a common mechanism, to epilepsy, autism and intellectual disability, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and colleagues report.

Team discovers one more piece to the autism puzzle

Last Updated: 10/4/2019 3:39:19 PM

<p>(October - December at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center)</p> <p>Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, this free annual exhibit features works of art in a variety of media by artists with a wide range of abilities/disabilities and ages on the theme of “Art is for All.”</p>

Creative Expressions XXV

Last Updated: 9/20/2019 9:44:56 AM

Two faculty members from Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences have been recognized with annual awards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), VUMC’s credentialing organization.

Tharpe, Woynaroski honored by speech sciences association

Last Updated: 9/16/2019 9:07:45 AM

Vanderbilt University will train a new generation of engineers and scientists to develop innovations that connect 21st-century workforce needs to the talents and abilities of neurodiverse individuals, such as those living along the autism spectrum, thanks to a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

NSF funds Vanderbilt graduate trainee program to develop workplace innovations for those with autism

Last Updated: 9/13/2019 9:42:50 AM

A residential community that brings together Vanderbilt Divinity School students and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is celebrating the opening of its third house.

Third Friendship House connects young adults with disabilities and Divinity School students

Last Updated: 9/9/2019 6:00:23 PM

2019 VKC Science Day registration open through Sept. 12

2019 VKC Science Day registration open through Sept. 12

Last Updated: 9/5/2019 3:49:10 PM

Vanderbilt University has been awarded a $3.2 million grant by the National Institutes of Health to better understand how children who are deaf or hard of hearing excel at reading. Millions of children are hearing impaired and these individuals tend to have below-average reading skills. Only about 10 percent of DHH individuals attain age-appropriate reading levels by high school graduation.

$3.2M grant to fund Vanderbilt study of reading skills in children who are deaf or hard of hearing

Last Updated: 9/5/2019 3:14:19 PM

A team led by an engineering professor who specializes in techniques to analyze functional neuroimaging data and a neurosurgeon-scientist has received a $3 million NIH grant for epilepsy research.

Chang, Englot receive $3 million NIH grant for epilepsy imaging work

Last Updated: 8/30/2019 9:56:26 AM

Preschoolers are capable of learning more complicated math concepts than most parents realize, according to a new Vanderbilt study. What’s more, these concepts can be easily introduced through simple games and tasks at home.

Preschoolers can do more math than you think

Last Updated: 8/19/2019 10:19:02 AM