The primary purpose of this study is to characterize a pattern of cognitive performance across multiple domains during adulthood in severe mental illness. Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in several severe mental illnesses. Although cognitive dysfunction is thought to be related to poor outcome and the underlying pathophysiology of these disorders, the developmental course of cognitive dysfunction during adulthood is poorly understood. This project will assess cognitive processing utilizing behavioral testing and questionnaires.

The primary purpose of this study is to explore the role of a specific part of the brain in treatment resistant depression using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The World Health Organization reports that Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common causes of disability in the world. Accumulating evidence suggests the lateral habenula is a key brain region in the pathophysiology of depression; this project will assess neural activations to punishment-related cues in treatment-resistant depression using fMRI.

The purpose of this study is to explore social cognitive processes relevant to community functioning in substance use disorder. Problems in processing social information are common in substance use disorder and may affect social relationships with family and friends. However, the exact nature of these problems is not well understood. This project examines social cognitive processes of individuals with problematic substance use using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

This project examines perceptual plasticity in bipolar disorder using functional magnetic resonance imaging.