Research
Current Research Direction
Between 50-90% of people within the United States will experience a traumatic event within their lifetime. Trauma is the antecedent for the development of stress disorders such as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, not all people who experience a traumatic event go on to develop ASD or PTSD. Specifically, there is considerable individual variability in susceptibility to ASD and PTSD. Individual variability in stress disorder susceptibility may be related to variability in the neurobiology supporting cognitive-affective processes we see disrupted in stress disorder. Therefore, the objective of Nate's research is to understand the neurobiology that mediates susceptibility to trauma and stress-related disorders. Further, the long-term goal is to translate our understanding of the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress into predictive and preventative methods to reduce the incidence of stress disorders.
Between 50-90% of people within the United States will experience a traumatic event within their lifetime. Trauma is the antecedent for the development of stress disorders such as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, not all people who experience a traumatic event go on to develop ASD or PTSD. Specifically, there is considerable individual variability in susceptibility to ASD and PTSD. Individual variability in stress disorder susceptibility may be related to variability in the neurobiology supporting cognitive-affective processes we see disrupted in stress disorder. Therefore, the objective of Nate's research is to understand the neurobiology that mediates susceptibility to trauma and stress-related disorders. Further, the long-term goal is to translate our understanding of the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress into predictive and preventative methods to reduce the incidence of stress disorders.
Approach
Nate's research uses a multidimensional approach, incorporating Functional Imaging, Structural Imaging, and Biochemical Assessment to understand the human neurobiology of stress disorder susceptibility. These techniques are combined with psychophysiology and behavioral measures to investigate the relationship between the brain and (dys)functional cognitive-affective processes.
Nate's research uses a multidimensional approach, incorporating Functional Imaging, Structural Imaging, and Biochemical Assessment to understand the human neurobiology of stress disorder susceptibility. These techniques are combined with psychophysiology and behavioral measures to investigate the relationship between the brain and (dys)functional cognitive-affective processes.