The Neuropsychoimaging Group studies human brain functions during behavior, cognition, and emotion.  Special emphasis is given to drug addiction (crack/cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol), psychopathology (depression, post traumatic stress disorder) and other problem behaviors (aggression).

Our research is pursued in a multidisciplinary and translational manner.  We use neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and event-related potential (ERP) recordings to derive measures of brain function- blood oxygen level dependent activation, glucose metabolism, receptor availability and electrical activity.  We anchor these results within a behavioral context using neuropsychological assessment techniques. Behavioral observations, psychological questionnaires, psychological interviews, and measures of cognitive functioning are essential to our understanding of the neuropsychobiology of drug addiction and other problem behaviors.

This page will give you an overview of our research approach.  Links in the left-hand frame provide quick jumps to special topics and interests related to our research areas.   If you are interested in participating in our research, a link to contact information is available at the bottom of this page. 

Our research specifically incorporates the cutting-edge imaging technologies available for Medical Research at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL); we harvest the benefits of developing cross-modality imaging (e.g., simultaneous ERP-fMRI recordings) and sensitive behavioral and neuropsychological assays, thus creating the translational capabilities that are the cornerstone of neuropsychoimaging research.  

Our unique toolset includes BNL's 4-Tesla fMRI and PET FDG facilities, tailored neuropsychological batteries, Compumedics NeuroSCAN event-related potentials and EEG analyses, NeuroSCAN STIM and e-Prime experiment presentation software.  All stimulation and assessment systems include specialized modules for examining aggression, inhibitory control and reward processing during behavior.

The organization of our neuropsychoimaging research is represented by the pyramid above, with its foundation based on cognitive and behavioral measures.  The complementary nature of the interrelationships between the various approaches to studying the behaving human brain are emphasized by the bi-directional arrow.  

Level I data encompass a broad range of both computerized and paper-and-pencil measures of cognition (attention, memory, inhibitory control, decision-making), emotion and personality (anger, harm avoidance, depression), and behavioral tendencies  (e.g., aggression).  While this foundation is broad, all tests and measures are selected based on a-priori hypotheses about underlying neural pathways.

Level II applies the comprehensive subject base and dataset acquired at Level I to provide many answers to common neuropsychological questions.  This is accomplished mostly through non-experimental techniques (i.e., without direct or control interventions) to validate established theories and screen novel ideas.  This platform supports the continuing development and testing of behavioral assays to non-invasively target specific neural networks implicated in the core characteristics of drug addiction and other problem behaviors.

Level III provides more direct, although still correlational, studies of the interplay between behavioral measures (e.g., inhibition of prepotent response tendencies as measured by the Stroop effect, see Goldstein et al., 2001; harm avoidance/fear as measured by MPQ, see Goldstein et al., 2002) and their putative neurobiological substrates (e.g., glucose metabolism in the orbitofrontal cortex as measured by PET FDG).

Level IV: At this level, a-priori hypotheses are tested experimentally: a well-controlled study (including a control group and a control intervention/condition) is designed for the fMRI, PET, or ERP environment. 

At each level the neuropsychoimaging method can serve both exploratory and confirmatory purposes (e.g., fMRI/PET SPM voxel-by-voxel analyses vs. ROI analyses), depending on the design of the study and data analysis.  Also note that feedforward and feedback loops between levels are essential to our comprehensive research into the highly dynamic psychobiology of human behavior.

Our current research project is looking for volunteers, click here for more information. 

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