Dr. Michael Alosco's lab at Boston University focuses on understanding the effects of repetitive head impacts, commonly experienced in contact sports, on brain health. The lab investigates conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), cognitive impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, using advanced imaging and biomarker analysis. Their goal is to identify the relationship between head impacts, brain changes, and mental health issues to develop preventive strategies and interventions for affected athletes.

Dr. Maya Rosen's lab at Smith College investigates how the interactions between caregivers and children affect the development of executive functions, which are crucial for learning and problem-solving. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the lab studies how different parenting styles, such as scaffolding and intrusiveness, influence children's cognitive growth, especially during the transition to kindergarten. The research aims to develop insights that can enhance educational interventions to support children's cognitive development.

Dr. A David Redish's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how mammals make decisions by studying the brain's action-selection systems. The research explores how different cognitive processes interact to influence behavior, specifically in the context of mental health disorders like OCD and addiction. By employing advanced neural recording techniques and computational analysis, the lab seeks to dissect the mechanisms that drive decision-making, particularly when internal goals conflict with external influences.

Dr. Eyal Yaacov Kimchi's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding delirium in older adults, particularly its causes and effects. They are researching how disturbances in sleep patterns and circadian rhythms contribute to episodes of delirium, which can lead to long-term cognitive decline. By using innovative monitoring technologies and artificial intelligence, the lab aims to identify specific factors that can improve treatment and intervention strategies for delirium in hospitalized patients, ultimately enhancing the health outcomes of older adults.

Dr. Helen S. Mayberg's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for patients with treatment-resistant depression using a technique called deep brain stimulation (DBS). By studying how the brain's electrical signals relate to patients' moods and behaviors, the lab aims to create a method that allows doctors to make more objective treatment decisions. This research could help improve the effectiveness and personalization of depression therapies, potentially benefiting many who struggle with this condition.

Dr. Junxuan Lu’s lab at Penn State Hershey focuses on developing a natural herbal supplement from Angelica gigas Nakai (Korean Angelica) as a potential safer and more effective way to prevent prostate cancer progression in patients. The lab conducts clinical trials to study how this herbal extract may work better than traditional treatments and to understand how it impacts immune response and inflammation in the body.

David A. Hafler's research lab at Yale University focuses on understanding the immune system, particularly how T cells function in the context of autoimmune diseases and cancers like glioblastoma. They explore the roles of co-inhibitory pathways, especially TIGIT and PD-1, in regulating immune responses, aiming to develop innovative therapies to treat diseases caused by immune system dysfunction. The lab conducts both basic and translational research, integrating animal models and clinical trials to advance our understanding of immune mechanisms and identify new treatment strategies.

Dr. Tristan T. Sands' lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding and treating complex neurological disorders in children, specifically Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEE). The lab studies the genetic aspects of these disorders and utilizes genetically engineered mice to explore new gene therapy techniques. By investigating when and how gene changes affect neuron development, the lab aims to create effective therapies that can help manage DEE symptoms for affected families.

Dr. Fabricio Hoffmann Do Monte's lab studies how the brain responds when expected rewards are suddenly taken away. They investigate specific brain circuits involved in changing behavior under these conditions, focusing on how different neuron types in the thalamus signal changes in reward availability. This research could enhance our understanding of disorders like anxiety and depression that can arise from such reward omissions.

Dr. Hey-Kyoung Lee's research lab focuses on understanding how the brain adapts to sensory loss, especially in cases of vision and audition. By investigating neural circuits and synaptic mechanisms in the adult brain, the lab aims to reveal how one sense can compensate for another following deprivation. This work has implications for developing therapies to enhance sensory function in individuals with sensory impairments.

Dr. Jason D. Shepherd's lab at the University of Utah studies how brain cells communicate and change at the synapse—the connections between neurons—specifically focusing on the protein Arc, which plays a crucial role in learning and memory. The lab investigates how Arc forms virus-like structures that can carry genetic messages from one neuron to another, potentially impacting synaptic strength and memory formation. By understanding this process, the research aims to uncover new insights into the cognitive functions of the brain and the underlying mechanisms of various mental disorders.

Dr. John E. Desmond's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on how the cerebellum contributes to cognitive processes, particularly in understanding sequences in memory and language. The research aims to explore the cerebellum's role in cognitive functions through functional and structural neuroimaging studies in patients with cerebellar damage. By applying techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the lab investigates the brain mechanisms that support sequence prediction and violations, enhancing our knowledge of cognitive functions and related disorders.

Dr. Sheng-Han Kuo's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding and developing therapies for cerebellar disorders such as ataxia and essential tremor. The lab investigates how specific changes in brain cell function and structure contribute to these disorders, aiming to restore normal brain circuit activity. By utilizing mouse models and human brain samples, the research seeks to uncover new treatment options for patients who currently have limited therapies available.

Dr. Javier F. Medina's lab investigates how the cerebellum, a region of the brain essential for motor control and cognitive processes, learns from errors to improve functioning. The research focuses on understanding how error signals impact cerebellar activity during various tasks, which could lead to new therapies for disorders linked to cerebellar dysfunction, such as ataxia, autism, and schizophrenia. By using advanced techniques like optogenetics and high-density neural probes, the lab aims to uncover how the cerebellum processes sensory information to enhance both movement and cognitive abilities.

Dr. Marta San Luciano's lab focuses on developing innovative treatment strategies for children and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP), particularly through the use of cerebellar deep brain stimulation (DBS). This research aims to improve movement disabilities and muscle tightness associated with CP by targeting the cerebellum, a brain region that often remains intact in these patients. The lab combines advanced neurotechnology with clinical assessments and brain imaging to enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from movement disorders related to CP.

Dr. Nathaniel Sawtell's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding brain circuits, particularly the cerebellum's role in feeding behaviors and internal modeling for sensory predictions. The research aims to identify how these circuits regulate body weight and manage sensory-motor functions, providing insights that could inform treatments for obesity and neurological disorders. Through innovative experimental techniques, the lab investigates the cerebellum's involvement in cognition and motivative behaviors.

Dr. Konstantinos Arfanakis leads a research lab at Rush University Medical Center focused on understanding cerebral small vessel disease, a condition that affects brain health and cognition in older adults. The lab aims to validate biomarkers that can help in diagnosing and monitoring cognitive decline and dementia associated with this disease. By studying diverse populations, including African American and Latino older adults, the team strives to improve preventative strategies and treatment options for brain health as we age.

Dr. Randolph S. Marshall's lab focuses on understanding how blood flow issues in the brain can affect cognitive function in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. They're investigating whether interventions like carotid revascularization could help prevent cognitive decline in these patients. Their work combines advanced imaging techniques with clinical trials to explore treatment options that could improve brain health and potentially establish new guidelines for managing cognitive impairment related to vascular conditions.

Dr. Costantino Iadecola's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding the links between cerebrovascular health and cognitive function, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The research explores how genetic factors, such as the ApoE4 allele, and environmental factors, like dietary salt intake, contribute to neurovascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. By using advanced techniques in live animal models, the lab aims to uncover new insights into brain health and develop potential therapeutic strategies for dementia.

Dr. Rita Cervera Juanes' lab studies how genetic and epigenetic factors in the brain influence the risk of developing alcohol use disorders. By analyzing the brains of alcohol-naive primates, the lab aims to uncover molecular signatures that may predict future drinking behavior. The research could lead to better identification of individuals at risk and contribute to personalized prevention strategies.