Welcome to SCANlab

Our lab examines the development of large scale brain networks in children. Our theoretical thrust follows from what developmental psychologists have long noted: that cognitive and affective operations improve in parallel and that complex high-order operations are reliant upon foundational improvements in more basic, general, and distributed processes. We use fMRI and structural MRI technologies to advance network level hypotheses of neural development.

Using multi-modal brain imaging we are working to uncover the connectional architecture of the developing human brain. We examine relationships between aspects of functional connectivity and white matter integrity (measured using diffusion tensor imaging) to better understand parallel processes of anatomical and functional maturation.

We also study how genetic information can be used to test specific hypotheses about how neurotransmitter systems or growth factors can enhance or impede the processes of development.

Results from our work suggest that the complex neural organization that underlies cognitive and affective advances in children is distributed and multifaceted. Neural and behavioral development rely upon both the strengthening of task-relevant connections or responses, and also the weakening of task-irrelevant connections or responses.