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 Founder: Henri Begleiter Director: Bernice Porjesz Numerous novel methods of brain research have flourished in the last decade, increasing our knowledge of human information processing in the human brain. Experimental studies have utilized techniques such as EEG, MEG, fMRI, MRS, PET and SPECT. In our laboratory we place much emphasis on the dynamic properties of brain oscillations in the human brain. These oscillations have a superb time resolution, and are especially effective for studying the temporal interactions of brain processes involved in neural networks. Over the years we have been studying electrophysiological features that are involved in brain processing in response to various information processing tasks. We have identified electrophysiological features that are aberrant in alcoholics and individuals at risk for alcoholism, that precede alcohol abuse and can be taken as markers of risk. These electrophysiological events consist of an amalgam of oscillations at various frequencies. We are currently studying the simultaneous occurrence of specific oscillations such as theta, alpha, beta, and gamma in the human brain to understand information processing and human cognition. These studies are carried out in normal individuals, substance abusers, individuals at risk, and schizophrenic patients. These oscillations are known to carry information, which require the coupling of digital methods of signal analysis and of brain imaging. Finally, it should be noted that because these oscillations are highly heritable, we are attempting to identify genes responsible for the production of those fundamental brain oscillations. Alcoholism and Genetics studies in our lab Group Members Group Publications EXTERNAL LINKS: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) The Collobarative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) web site on NIAAA COGA page at the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University, St. Louis |
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