Vanderbilt Kennedy Center News Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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

Associate Professor of Pharmacology Colleen Niswender, who also is director of molecular pharmacology for the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD), was awarded the ASPET Scientific Achievement Award in Drug Discovery and Development and three separate grants for her Rett syndrome research.

Colleen Niswender lands national award, several grants for Rett syndrome research

Last Updated: 3/29/2022 8:39:52 AM

Research Ethics Grand Rounds Panel Discussion: "Ethical Applied Behavior Analysis in Practice"

Research Ethics Grand Rounds Panel Discussion: "Ethical Applied Behavior Analysis in Practice"

Last Updated: 2/28/2022 5:01:25 PM

The Vanderbilt Center for Tourette Syndrome and Other Tic Disorders has been designated a Tourette Association of America (TAA) Center of Excellence.

VUMC designated a Tourette syndrome center of excellence

Last Updated: 2/25/2022 2:45:12 PM

The brain is constantly firing and controlling purposeful action potentials—electronic messages used by neurons to communicate with each other and allow the brain to function. Conversely, the way spontaneous neural communication happens in the brain has been found to make use of a different process. Ege Kavalali, William Stokes Chair in Experimental Therapeutics and chair of pharmacology, and postdoctoral researcher Baris Alten worked with Heidi Hamm, Aileen M. Lange and Annie Mary Lyle Chair of Cardiovascular Research and professor of pharmacology, to discover the mechanism of one of the modulation pathways involved in spontaneous signaling, which has therapeutic potential for several neurological diseases.

Research Snapshot: Vanderbilt researchers discover new spontaneous signaling pathway in the brain

Last Updated: 2/23/2022 10:05:21 AM

Stressful experiences can lead to adaptive or detrimental behaviors. Understanding how stress can affect our brains can help understand basic brain function and is also essential to discerning causes and treatments for some diseases. A group of researchers led by Jeffrey Conn, professor of pharmacology at Vanderbilt, explored how specific types of neurons within the prefrontal cortex, the brain area involved in decision-making, mood and motivation, responded to acute stress in models.

Research Snapshot: Understanding the molecules and brain circuits recruited by stressful experience

Last Updated: 2/23/2022 10:03:13 AM

Three faculty members of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine have been elected this year to membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), an elite honor society of physician-scientists from the upper ranks of academic medicine and industry.

Halasa, Jordan, Wilkins elected members of ASCI

Last Updated: 2/23/2022 9:53:29 AM

Richard Sando awarded 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship in neuroscience

Richard Sando awarded 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship in neuroscience

Last Updated: 2/16/2022 9:51:32 AM

Educate to Advocate 2022 Public Policy Workshop

Educate to Advocate 2022 Public Policy Workshop

Last Updated: 2/14/2022 1:12:37 PM

Ege T. Kavalali, William Stokes Professor of Experimental Therapeutics, has been named chair of the Department of Pharmacology in Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences. National leaders in pharmacology, members of the pharmacology department at Vanderbilt and Lawrence J. Marnett, dean of the?School of Medicine Basic Sciences, all provided input in his selection.

Ege Kavalali to lead pharmacology department in School of Medicine Basic Sciences

Last Updated: 2/7/2022 11:38:08 AM

ou can now find Tennessee Disability Pathfinder on the State of Tennessee mobile app MyTN.

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder now on MyTN moble app

Last Updated: 2/4/2022 1:28:01 PM

A new comprehensive data set featuring neural images from children ages 5, 7 and 9 has been made available for cross-disciplinary research purposes. Led by James Booth, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Educational Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt, the brain imaging initiative includes structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, as well as extensive psychoeducational assessments and in-depth parental questionnaires.

Vanderbilt researchers make extensive brain imaging data set available for cross-disciplinary study

Last Updated: 1/24/2022 2:47:53 PM

Government agencies, employers large and small and various nonprofits have all been churning out messages that address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. But most of these public service announcements left Vanderbilt University Medical Center neurologist Beth Ann Malow, M.D., singularly unimpressed. She was determined to create something better.

Facts on vaccine decision examined by people with IDD and their families

Last Updated: 1/18/2022 9:10:19 AM

Grants will go towards creating new inclusive higher education programs and expanding opportunities at current programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

DIDD awards Tennessee Believes Grant to Next Steps at Vanderbilt, three additional higher ed institutions

Last Updated: 1/14/2022 9:16:03 AM

Threads of Identity [Art Exhibit]

Threads of Identity [Art Exhibit]

Last Updated: 1/13/2022 12:47:02 PM

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities has produced three brief videos to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence in the disability community. These videos feature an adult with an intellectual disability and a parent and her daughter with autism, who share their personal experiences, hesitancy and decision-making related to getting themselves or their child vaccinated.

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center produces videos on COVID-19 vaccine and individuals with intellectual disability

Last Updated: 12/29/2021 3:07:40 PM

Vaccine Confidence Videos

Vaccine Confidence Videos

Last Updated: 12/16/2021 10:16:03 AM

VKC IDDRC Data Sciences Core (Core E) Webinar: "A Reproducible and Automated EEG Data Processing Pipeline"

VKC IDDRC Data Sciences Core (Core E) Webinar:
"A Reproducible and Automated EEG Data Processing Pipeline"

Last Updated: 12/14/2021 4:22:41 PM

A potential first-of-its-kind drug to treat the symptoms of Rett syndrome received positive top-line results from a phase 3 trial sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. and led by investigators from Vanderbilt University Medical Center to evaluate efficacy and safety.

Potential Rett syndrome drug shows promising results in phase 3 trial

Last Updated: 12/8/2021 11:44:02 AM

Researchers across four health care systems, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, have found that increased depression polygenic scores are associated with increased white blood cell count, highlighting the importance of the immune system in the etiology of depression.

Study links depression scores, white blood cell count

Last Updated: 12/8/2021 11:40:42 AM

For the parents of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, stressful days often bleed into exhausting nights. Efforts to help neurodiverse children sleep are often complicated by their limited or absent verbal abilities.

Neurodiversity and sleep

Last Updated: 12/3/2021 11:39:34 AM

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) researchers, as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) network, report an increase in the number of children in Tennessee with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

VKC data shows increase in autism spectrum disorder prevalence, provides new data on 4-year-olds

Last Updated: 12/3/2021 11:37:13 AM

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is collaborating with Oregon State University’s STEM Research Center and Vanderbilt University’s Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) to support the “Modeling Zoos and Aquariums as Inclusive Communities of Science” or MoZAICS project.

Association of Zoos and Aquariums receives funding to support modeling zoos, aquariums as Inclusive Communities of Science

Last Updated: 11/30/2021 9:04:01 AM

Jon Kaas, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in Social and Natural Sciences, Distinguished Centennial Professor of Psychology and associate professor of cell and developmental biology, received the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience, the highest recognition from the Society for Neuroscience, for his pathbreaking work in illuminating the structure and function of the cerebral cortex and plasticity in the developing and adult brain.

Jon Kaas receives Society for Neuroscience’s highest honor for pathbreaking cerebral cortex research

Last Updated: 11/29/2021 2:28:15 PM

Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: "Digital Equity in Autism Screening and Assessment"

Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: "Digital Equity in Autism Screening and Assessment"

Last Updated: 11/22/2021 10:59:37 AM

VKC Conversation Series on Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: "Understanding How Research Works"

VKC Conversation Series on Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: "Understanding How Research Works"

Last Updated: 11/16/2021 10:10:00 AM

Nerve cells in the brain establish connections or synapses to form complex electrical circuits that keep people thinking and moving. Despite the importance of these synapses in mediating the flow of charged particles between neurons, not much is understood about how these connections are created.

Research Snapshot: Discovery shows how synapses are built and function in the nervous system

Last Updated: 11/11/2021 8:43:01 AM

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center hosts first-ever virtual Science Day; winners announced

Last Updated: 11/10/2021 8:29:32 AM

Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: "Down Syndrome and ADHD"

Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: "Down Syndrome and ADHD"

Last Updated: 11/8/2021 10:29:48 AM

Two Vanderbilt faculty have received an $8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health as part of a groundbreaking, multi-institutional overview of variables influencing infant and child brain development, including substance exposure.

$8 million NIH grant awarded to Vanderbilt researchers for study of infant/child brain development

Last Updated: 11/4/2021 1:36:48 PM

How do most of us get our job? It is often through personal relationships and networking that we find out about openings or others connect us to a job of interest. Or, in other words, social capital is often the pathway to work.

Putting Faith to Work: How Faith Communities Can Support Employment for People with Disabilities

Last Updated: 11/1/2021 3:41:42 PM

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health care practitioners have relied on COVID-19 testing to tell them what safety precautions to follow with each patient. Carl Johnson, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Biological Sciences, wondered how the virus might act differently depending on the time of day and the body’s circadian rhythms.

Research Snapshot: COVID-19 virus test sensitivity varies with body’s circadian rhythm

Last Updated: 10/28/2021 9:20:23 AM

Ketamine has been gaining interest over the past several years as a fast-acting antidepressant. Past research shows that ketamine has antidepressant effects, especially for those who have treatment-resistant depression. Lisa Monteggia, professor of pharmacology and director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, furthered her prolific research on the topic by investigating a specific mechanism of action for ketamine’s antidepressant action within the brain.

Research Snapshot: Professor discovers signaling pathway that lets ketamine act as a rapid antidepressant

Last Updated: 10/28/2021 9:19:35 AM

Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS, chief of the Division of General Pediatrics and William K. Warren Foundation Professor of Pediatrics, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the organization announced Oct. 18.

Barkin elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Last Updated: 10/19/2021 1:25:37 PM

An electrical and computer engineering professor has received a $2.6 million NIH grant to improve the understanding of structural changes in the brains of people who have Alzheimer’s Disease.

Landman awarded $2.6 million grant to improve Alzheimer’s patient management

Last Updated: 10/15/2021 8:20:28 PM

Erik Carter, Ph.D., was honored with the 2021 Champion of Inclusion Community Award at the All Belong Center for Community Inclusion

Carter awarded 2021 Champion of Inclusion Community Award from All Belong Center for Inclusive Education

Last Updated: 10/7/2021 3:15:09 PM

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) is collaborating with Oregon State University’s STEM Research Center and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to support the Modeling Zoos and Aquariums as Inclusive Communities of Science (MoZAICS) project.

Project seeks to make zoos more autism-friendly

Last Updated: 10/4/2021 4:24:36 PM

Jeffrey Conn, Lee E. Limbird Chair and professor of pharmacology, is among 16 scientists named 2021 fellows of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Selection as a fellow of ASPET is an honor bestowed on members who have demonstrated excellence in their efforts to advance pharmacology through scientific achievements, mentorship and service to the society.

Jeffrey Conn named 2021 fellow of American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Last Updated: 9/28/2021 8:25:41 AM

Pioneering research shows that dopamine levels increase in response to stressful stimuli, and not just pleasurable ones, potentially rewriting facts about the “feel-good” hormone—a critical mediator of many psychiatric diseases. This discovery is cause to rethink treatment for psychiatric disease and addiction.

Research Snapshot: True behavior of the ‘pleasure molecule’ will reshape how we treat psychiatric diseases and addiction

Last Updated: 9/16/2021 8:44:31 AM

Artful Imitation and Interpretation: Inspired by Great Masters

Artful Imitation and Interpretation: Inspired by Great Masters

Last Updated: 9/7/2021 12:41:04 PM

Researchers are one step closer to understanding the physiology of antidepressant action in the brain. They have confirmed that even when brain cells are not active, they trigger protein production that affects the function of cells and neural circuits. The work was conducted in the labs of Ege Kavalali, professor and acting chair of the Department of Pharmacology and William Stokes Chair in Experimental Therapeutics, and Lisa Monteggia, professor of pharmacology.

Research Snapshot: Novel finding shows that brain cells conduct antidepressant action even in the absence of activity

Last Updated: 8/31/2021 8:57:30 AM

The National Science Foundation has awarded a Faculty Early Career Development Grant to Kathryn L. Humphreys, assistant professor of psychology at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.

Vanderbilt’s Humphreys awarded Faculty Early Career Development Grant from the National Science Foundation

Last Updated: 8/31/2021 8:56:38 AM

Velma McBride Murry, University Professor of education and human development and health policy at Vanderbilt University, was recently invited to present her research on equity in evaluation for the Office of Management and Budget at the White House.

Vanderbilt faculty gives talk on equity in evaluation for POTUS Executive Office

Last Updated: 8/23/2021 10:34:29 AM