Department: Psychiatry & Behavioral Science

Language impairments affect up to 19% of school age children and these deficits are predictive of long-term problems affecting learning, academic achievement, and behavior. My primary research goal is to understand the neurobiological foundations of language impairments. Specifically, I am interested in how the perception and neural coding of speech impact language and other behavioral deficits in children, with a focus on children with reading disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

My research is focused on disorders of human feeding including the eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Ongoing or recently completed studies include: A controlled trial of the implementation of interpersonal psychotherapy for eating disorders and depression on college campuses across the U.S. A multisite controlled study of two types of family therapy for the treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa. Early prevemtion of overweight and obesity.

Teaching & clinical interests include: Supervision, training, and mentoring of postdoctoral fellows and residents; consultation. Brief and long-term therapy: CBT, IPT, mood regulation & psychodynamic approaches.

Current research interests include treatment outcome for major depression, particularly treatment refractory and chronic forms of major depression, as well as mediators and moderators of outcome; the epidemiology of chronic pain and depression; relationships between child maltreatment and adult sequelae, including psychiatric, medical and health care utilization.

My research interests have focused on the neural bases of eating disorders and obesity. I am particularly interested in the way emotion and reward is processed in the brain and how that may contribute to eating behavior and food restriction. I hope to eventually translate biological research findings into treatments.

I earned my Ph.D. in physiology and physiopathology in 2008 at the University Pierre & Marie Curie (UPMC) in Paris. My research interests were initially oriented on the brainstem neural circuits governing sleep/wake transitions with a particular focus on the serotonin (5-HT) signaling. As I joined Luis de Lecea's lab as a postdoc fellow, I pursued studying the dynamic of arousal systems across vigilance states and in response to environmental & behavioral challenges that threaten and disrupt ho..

Translational interdisciplinary research investigating neurocognitive correlates and potential biomarkers of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders and fragile X syndrome, with the goal of advancing clinical care and health policy.

I am interested in establishing evidenced based interventions for neurobehavioral disorders. I currently work in the Psychosocial, Anxiety, and Neuropsychiatry outpatient clinics and direct a monthly Neurobehavioral Clinic. I am focused on the development of nonpharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric illnesses. My current work is investigating the application and efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for conversion disorder.

Positive Airway Pressure devices for central sleep apnea

Examines the interplay between brain development and stress vulnerability via a multi-method approach that includes psychophysiology, neuroimaging, neuroendocrinology and phenomenology. Treatment development that focuses on individual and community-based interventions for stress related conditions in children and adolescents that experience traumatic stress.

The neuropeptide oxytocin has been implicated in a wide range of social behaviors including attachment bonds, emotion recognition, eye gaze to social cues, and memory for social information. My research aims to determine the underlying biological mechanisms of oxytocin's action on both brain and behavior and to determine the effectiveness of its use in treating autism. My research is conducted using translational methodology including both preclinical animal models and clinical treatment trials.

Alterations in brain morphology and organization during starvation and anorexia nervosa

Dr. Chang conducts research into various facets of bipolar disorder. He is currently conducting phenomenologic, biologic, pharmacologic, and genetic studies of bipolar disorder in adults and children. These studies include brain imaging (MRI, MRS, fMRI) and medication and therapy trials.

Primary interests are mood disorders and cognition - specifically PTSD, Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

What distinguishes us humans from other animals is our ability to undergo complex behavior. The synapses are the structural connection between neurons that mediates the communication between neurons, which underlies our various cognitive function. My research program aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie synapse function during behavior in the developing and mature brain, and how synapse function is altered during mental retardation.

Dr. Cosgrove studies putative roles for life and family stress as well as inflammatory and neurotrophic pathways in the etiology and development of bipolar disorder.