Upcoming Events

CEREBBRAL Symposium

April 17th, 2019 from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Stewart Center room 214

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Registration is required for Lunch

Registration closes April 5, 2019

9:00 to 9:30 am Sign In
9:30 to 11:00 am  First Speaker: Dr. Todd Braver's talk WHAT IF? WE COULD MASTER OUR THOUGHTS
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Poster Session
12:00 to 1:15 pm Lunch Provided
1:30 to 3:00 pm Second Speaker: Dr. Sheila Fleming's talk WHAT IF? WE COULD CURE PARKINSON'S DISEASE
3:00 to 5:00 pm Opportunity to meet with Dr. Todd Bravor and Dr. Sheila Fleming

Speaker: Dr. Todd Braver, Professor in Psychological and Biological Sciences at Washington University, St. Louis

WHAT IF? WE COULD MASTER OUR THOUGHTS

Abstract:

Research in my lab investigates the neural mechanisms that give rise to successful cognitive control:  the ability to regulate thoughts and actions in an intelligent, goal-directed manner.  We have argued that such mechanisms, which involve a network of brain regins centered on the lateral prefrontal cortex, can operate in either a proactive (i.e., anticipatory / sustained) or reactive (i.e., transient and stimulus-triggered) mode.  This framework thus emphasizes the importantance of examining temporal dynamics in the neural mechanisms of cognitive control.

I will discuss recent studies focusing on the interaction of motivation and cognitive control.  These studies will focus on: a) the productive utility of motivationally focused cognitive control studies; b) motivationally based distinctions between proactive and reactive control; and c) a theoretical perspective that treats cognitive control engagement as an enconomic decision-makeing process.  I will end by focusing on the clinical implications of these findings.

Location: Stewart Center Room 214 from 9:30 to 11:00 am

Speaker:  Dr. Sheila Fleming, Assistant Professor Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Northeast Ohio Medical University

WHAT IF? WE COULD CURE PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Abstract:

Parkinson's disease is characterized pathologically by the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and the development of alpha-synuclein containing Lewy bodies in neurons and neurites.  Clinical diagnosis is based on the development of motor symptoms that include bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability.  However, in addition to the cardinal motor signs there are a host of non-motor symptoms that can develop and significantly worsen quality of life for patients.  The non-motor sysptoms of Parkinson's disease involve a wide range of behavioral systems including olfactory, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and autonomic.  Many of these sysptoms are reported to occur in the early, prodromal period of the disease making them attractive targets for biomarker motor impairments in rodent models of Parkinson's disease and incorporating them as necessary outcome measures in preclinical drug testing.

Location: Stewart Center room 214 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm