Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 7

While public attitudes towards many stigmatized groups have improved in recent years, the same has not been true for people living with schizophrenia, making those with the disorder particularly at risk for social exclusion. The research presented in this episode explores how people with schizophrenia experience and respond to social exclusion, as well as what can be done to promote inclusion.

Featuring: Lauren Weittenhiller, M.A., Clinical Psychology Intern, Vanderbilt University

Interviewer: Julia Sheffield, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Jack Martin, M.D., Research Professor in Psychopharmacology; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 6

Autistic LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk of experiencing negative social experiences and associated psychological distress. This episode discusses a study that examined the effects of gender minority status and sexual minority status on negative social experiences (defined by frequent peer victimization and low degrees of authenticity) and depressive symptoms among autistic transition-age youth and explored whether the associations between negative social experiences and depressive symptoms differed across gender/sexual identity. This work highlights the need for immediate intervention to improve the mental health of autistic gender minority youth.

Featuring: Natalie Libster, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pediatrics., Vanderbilt University

Interviewer: Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 5

The needs of siblings of individuals with disabilities are under studied. The research presented in this episode highlights theme areas of support as raised by 446 siblings of individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. It asks and answers the question: What would have been beneficial to you growing up as the sibling of a person with a disability?

Featuring: Gillian Neff, graduate student, Vanderbilt University

Interviewer: Alexandra Da Fonte, Ph.D., associate professor of the practice, Special Education; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 4

This research examines mGlu7, a transmembrane receptor involved in several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome, ADHD, schizophrenia, and Neurofibromatosis Type 1. The project discussed studies the mechanism of mGlu7 activation by allosteric modulators to develop new treatments and help guide drug discovery efforts.

Featuring: Xia Lei, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Vanderbilt University

Interviewer: Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., associate professor of Pharmacology; Director of Molecular Pharmacology, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 3

Many people with autism experience executive functioning (EF) impairments, and its widely acknowledged that these challenges play a significant role in autism. Anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent and impairing challenges for autistic youth, and emerging evidence suggests EF impairments exacerbate anxiety. This study examines how everyday EF impairments are related to specific anxiety symptoms in autistic youth.

Featuring: Christina Burroughs, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Vanderbilt University

Interviewer: Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., James G. Blakemore Chair and Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Professor of Psychology; Associate Director, Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and VKC Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 2

Manganese is essential for brain development and human health. However, excess manganese can be toxic. The Harrison lab discusses how manganese exposures can alter the response to some drugs currently used to treat intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Featuring: Adriana Tienda, Lab Manager, Harrison Lab

Interviewer: Fiona Harrison, Ph.D., assistant professor of Medicine; Director, IDDRC Behavioral Phenotyping Core (Core D); Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Faculty Coordinator; VKC Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 1

Adults with Down syndrome have a greatly increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life. Ongoing research focuses on investigating different markers of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down Syndrome. These studies are specifically examining a neurotransmitter system called the cholinergic system that is vitally important for cognition and known to decline early in Alzheimer's disease in the neurotypical population. Understanding the progression of these different markers associated with Alzheimer's disease will provide essential data for future therapeutic trials in adults with Down Syndrome.

Center for Cognitive Medicine website: https://www.vumc.org/ccm/welcome

Trial Ready Cohort for Down Syndrome: https://www.vumc.org/ccm/trcds

Featuring: Jason Russell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychiatry

Interviewer: Paul Newhouse, M.D., Jim Turner Professor of Cognitive Disorders; Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology, and Medicine; Director, Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine; VKC Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 4

In 2022, VKC UCEDD Co-Director Erik Carter announced he would be leaving Vanderbilt and taking a position at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Carter to discuss some of his highly impactful research, training and technical assistance in the areas of adolescent transitions to adult life and employment; social interaction and friendships, school and community inclusion; faith and disability, and belonging.

VKC Researcher:

Erik Carter, Ph.D., Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair and Professor of Special Education; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications and Dissemination, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 3

In this podcast we discuss our research using mice with a genetic deletion similar to a human neurodevelopmental disorder to understand how brain regions important for memory are affected. We discuss the methods we use in mice to study a memory region called the hippocampus and talk about how our research might lead to new treatments for neurodevelopmental conditions.

VKC Researcher:

Alan Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Neurology

Interviewer: Leann Seañez, research assistant

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 2:

Rates of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) have increased, and prenatal opioid exposure is thought to have profound effects on the developing nervous system and lead to long-term impairments in functioning, potentially including increased rates of educational and developmental disabilities. This research examines whether preschool-aged children with and without NOWS differ in neural and behavioral indicators of cognitive control and evaluates the extent to which associations between NOWS and cognitive control persist.

VKC Researcher:

Autumn Kujawa, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology and Human Development

Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center