CEDAR Faculty

GENETICS MODULE

Molecular and behavioral methods are employed to identify the role of genetic factors in the etiology of substance use disorder. In addition, CEDAR operates a twin-multiple registry to support research directed at disaggregating genetic and environmental factors during the course of child development.

Coordinator: Michael Vanyukov, Ph.D.

Investigators:

Bernie Devlin, Ph.D.
Robert Ferrell, Ph.D.
Mary L. Marazita, Ph.D.
Brion Maher, Ph.D.

Consultants:

Vishwajit L. Nimgaonkar, M.D., Ph.D.

NEUROCOGNITION MODULE

The neurocognition module employs neuropsychological, neurophysiological and functional imaging techniques to study brain-behavior relationships as they may impact on substance use disorder etiology. A special topic of interest pertains to the synergy between neurological maturations and sexual maturations as co-determinants of the risk for substance use disorder.

Coordinator: Ralph Tarter, Ph.D.

Investigators:

Miguel Habeych, M.D.

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY MODULE

Personality characteristics and psychiatric disturbances are evaluated from childhood to adulthood as components of the risk for substance use disorder. Much of the emphasis pertains to the role of acquisition of emotion and behavior regulation and the genetic and environmental factors, that prevent the child from acquiring this essential developmental skill.

Coordinator: Duncan Clark, Ph.D. M.D.

Investigators:

Jack Cornelius, M.D.
Ada Mezzich, Ph.D.
Tad Gorske, Ph.D.

FAMILY/SOCIAL ECOLOGY MODULE

This module is concerned with learning about how family, school, community and social network factors interact with individual vulnerability characteristics to determine the overall risk for substance use disorder. A particular topic of interest pertains to the factors that propel the child to disengage from the family and adapt the behaviors of socially deviant peers.

Coordinator: Ada Mezzich, Ph.D.

Investigators:

Ulrike Feske, Ph.D.