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  Neuroimaging in the Psychology Department at PSU
           
 

 

Currently, my research occurs within the Department of Psychology at University Park and with collaborators at off-site campuses (Hershey Medical Center and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School). While MRI scanning happens within one of these hospital settings, much of the work is done at the Department of Psychology in my laboratory.

This laboratory provides the technological infrastructure for analyzing multiple types of imaging data including, but not limited to functional MRI, PET, MR spectroscopy, and diffusion tensor imaging. This lab includes high-speed computer equipment including high capacity workstations (e.g., 700 GB RAM, 3.6 mgHz processors) with imaging softwares capable of in-house data analysis (e.g., LCModel, SPM5, AFNI). In addition, this laboratory requires connections to both the Psychology network as well as the PSU Computer Building for data storage and transferring data to and from outside laboratories (e.g., Hershey, UMDNJ-NJMS). This laboratory has the capacity to allow investigators within my lab, and even throughout the department, to store and analyze various types of imaging data collected elsewhere.

 
  Overall Goals of Current Research
    


1. One over-arching goal of the work conducted in my laboratory is to examine how neural systems adapt to neurological insult. Recently, our work has focused on determining the nature of “neural recruitment” that has been consistently observed in the clinical imaging literature examining memory disorders (commonly in prefrontal cortex). What remains unclear is the role of neural recruitment in recovery of cognitive function.

Methods:


- Integration of functional and structural imaging to measure cognitive deficits and behavioral outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

- Plasticity is evoked during trials that bring about new learning in the disrupted neural system (e.g., task practice). In addition, we work with individuals early after injury/diagnosis in order to observe the natural trajectory of neural network change during recovery. To do so, behavioral, imaging and electrophysiological methods are used.

2. A second goal is to examine long-term cognitive, psychiatric, and functional outcomes in individuals sustaining traumatic brain injury.

Methods:


- Conducting mailings and telephone interviews to reach under-represented TBI populations, specifically individuals of low socioeconomic status and/or individuals of ethnic minority status.


- Surveys of cognitive, psychiatric, and personality factors that influence functional outcome.


- In addition with mailings and phone interviews, the Hillary lab is currently in the process of creating a comprehensive database to examine clinical and demographic factors influencing long-term outcome following traumatic brain injury spanning over 30 years. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Hershey Medical Center, within the departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The database will provide a long-term overview of head injury outcome and recovery at the Hershey Medical center.
                 
                 
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