Multiple perspectives, assorted strategies, centralized intellect

The Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory (CNL) at the University of Rochester is a hub of groundbreaking research in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Led by principal investigators John Foxe, Ph.D., and Ed Freedman, Ph.D., the lab has made significant contributions in the areas of multisensory integration, attention, and the impact of various factors on brain development and function.

One of the lab's key tools is the MoBI platform, an exclusive technology at the University of Rochester that combines virtual reality, brain monitoring, and motion capture technology. Participants, ranging from high school students to 5th-year graduate students, can walk on a treadmill or manipulate objects on a table while being recorded by the MoBI platform. This innovative setup allows researchers to investigate brain function and connections in humans with unprecedented precision.

The lab's main interest lies in understanding how the brain integrates sensory information and generates behaviours, and how this function goes awry in neurodevelopmental disorders. For instance, a study published in Cerebral Cortex, led by Freedman, found that some young and healthy people improve performance on cognitive tasks while walking, with a change in frontal brain function.

The CNL has been one of 21 locations collecting data for the largest long-term study of brain development and child health since 2017, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study collects data from over 11,000 nine and 10-year-olds over 10 years, with over 300 participants from Rochester. The lab's success in the ABCD study and its role in the Intellectual and Developmental Disorders Research Center (IDDRC) led to a more recent partnership aiming to understand how COVID-19 impacts students and staff in schools that serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).

In addition to its work on typical brain development, the CNL is also dedicated to understanding the unique sensory experience and development of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Research Assistant Professor Lars Ross, Ph.D. is at the forefront of this effort, using his skills and expertise to help understand the sensory experience and development of this population.

Moreover, the institution is involved in a project studying the impact of COVID-19 on people with intellectual disabilities, in collaboration with a school for such students. The project, funded by the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP), applies the "Rainbow Model of Health" to empower people with intellectual disabilities to gain more self-determination over their health.

The lab's research also extends to the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) to investigate brain function and connections in humans. For example, Research Assistant Professor Tufikameni Brima, Ph.D. uses EEG to explore cognitive processing and language comprehension in non-verbal individuals with Rett Syndrome and Batten disease.

The CNL's collaborative nature and "hive-mind" culture foster a dynamic environment where ideas and knowledge are regularly shared among students and investigators from a variety of disciplines. This approach has guided scientists to identify a possible marker for 'super agers' or people who have a minimal decline in cognitive functions, as suggested by a recent study.

In conclusion, the Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory at the University of Rochester is at the forefront of research in cognitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on understanding brain development, multisensory integration, and the impact of various factors on brain function. Its collaborative nature, innovative technologies, and dedication to understanding the unique needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities make it a vital player in the field.