34 episodes
The Promise of Discovery Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
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- Science
“The Promise of Discovery” is a podcast hosted by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) that highlights research in intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goals of the podcast are to host conversations about research in plain language and to highlight “real world” implications. The discussions cover why the research matters in the lives of people with disabilities and families, how the research impacts and enhances what we know already and/or raises additional questions in the field, and what implications the research might have for policy.
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Social Exclusion and Schizophrenia
The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 7
While public attitudes towards many stigmatized groups have improved in recent years, the same has not been true for people living with schizophrenia, making those with the disorder particularly at risk for social exclusion. The research presented in this episode explores how people with schizophrenia experience and respond to social exclusion, as well as what can be done to promote inclusion.
Featuring: Lauren Weittenhiller, M.A., Clinical Psychology Intern, Vanderbilt University
Interviewer: Julia Sheffield, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Jack Martin, M.D., Research Professor in Psychopharmacology; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member -
Negative social experiences, mental health, and autistic LGBTQ+ youth
The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 6
Autistic LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk of experiencing negative social experiences and associated psychological distress. This episode discusses a study that examined the effects of gender minority status and sexual minority status on negative social experiences (defined by frequent peer victimization and low degrees of authenticity) and depressive symptoms among autistic transition-age youth and explored whether the associations between negative social experiences and depressive symptoms differed across gender/sexual identity. This work highlights the need for immediate intervention to improve the mental health of autistic gender minority youth.
Featuring: Natalie Libster, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pediatrics., Vanderbilt University
Interviewer: Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member -
Support needs of siblings who have brothers and sisters with disabilities
The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 5
The needs of siblings of individuals with disabilities are under studied. The research presented in this episode highlights theme areas of support as raised by 446 siblings of individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. It asks and answers the question: What would have been beneficial to you growing up as the sibling of a person with a disability?
Featuring: Gillian Neff, graduate student, Vanderbilt University
Interviewer: Alexandra Da Fonte, Ph.D., associate professor of the practice, Special Education; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member -
Activation Mechanisms for Context-Dependent Allosteric Modulation of the mGlu7 receptor
The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 4
This research examines mGlu7, a transmembrane receptor involved in several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome, ADHD, schizophrenia, and Neurofibromatosis Type 1. The project discussed studies the mechanism of mGlu7 activation by allosteric modulators to develop new treatments and help guide drug discovery efforts.
Featuring: Xia Lei, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Vanderbilt University
Interviewer: Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., associate professor of Pharmacology; Director of Molecular Pharmacology, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member -
Associations Between Executive Functioning Impairments and Anxiety Symptoms among Youth with Autism
The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 3
Many people with autism experience executive functioning (EF) impairments, and its widely acknowledged that these challenges play a significant role in autism. Anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent and impairing challenges for autistic youth, and emerging evidence suggests EF impairments exacerbate anxiety. This study examines how everyday EF impairments are related to specific anxiety symptoms in autistic youth.
Featuring: Christina Burroughs, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Vanderbilt University
Interviewer: Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., James G. Blakemore Chair and Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Professor of Psychology; Associate Director, Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and VKC Member -
Chronic developmental manganese exposure alters response to amphetamine and methylphenidate
The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 2
Manganese is essential for brain development and human health. However, excess manganese can be toxic. The Harrison lab discusses how manganese exposures can alter the response to some drugs currently used to treat intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Featuring: Adriana Tienda, Lab Manager, Harrison Lab
Interviewer: Fiona Harrison, Ph.D., assistant professor of Medicine; Director, IDDRC Behavioral Phenotyping Core (Core D); Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Faculty Coordinator; VKC Member