Featured Research

Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology

ADHD & Attention Research Program

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 5 percent of school-aged children worldwide with boys being twice as likely as girls to develop the disorder. No socioeconomic group, nation or culture is excluded. ADHD is often characterized by symptoms such as inattention and disorganization, impulsivity and hyperactivity, persisting over time and situation that is not consistent with developmental level or age. Since current treatments only suppresses symptoms, our program at OHSU seeks to identify better diagnostic tools, discover causes, and inform improved assessment, treatment of prevention.

Developmental Brain Imaging Lab (DBIL)

The Developmental Brain Imaging Lab has been studying brain development in healthy and at-risk youth for several years. Studying this crucial time in development is necessary to enhance our understanding of changes in the developing brain and ways to prevent and treat such things as substance abuse and mood disorders that emerge during adolescence.

Attention, Emotion, and Neurosphysiological Development Lab (ATTEND)

The ATTEND lab uses a multi-method approach that combines behavioral ratings, cognitive tests, and physiological measures to understand the basic processes contributing to ADHD. We are especially interested in the unique differences between individuals with ADHD. Our long-term goals are to improve clinical assessment and diagnosis and inform development of new treatments that directly target the causes of impairment. 

Addiction

Portland Alcohol Research Center (PARC)

PARC supports the coordinated research efforts of 15 scientists at the Portland Veteran Affairs Medical Center and Oregon Health &Science University in areas ranging from behavioral neuroscience to molecular biology.

Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center (MARC)

The Methamphetamine Abuse Research Center (MARC) at OHSU and the Portland Health Care System (VAPHCS)  is a new NIDA center approaching drug research at all these levels, in a truly translational context. This means we study meth addiction "from bench to bedside" — all the way from the genetics or pharmacology lab to the patient who comes in for treatment.

Translational Research of Adolescent Change (TRAC) Lab

The TRAC Lab aims to increase understanding of the links between basic biological mechanisms, effective interventions for reducing risky behaviors, and adolescent health outcomes.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Psychoneuroimmunology Research Lab

Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of interactions between the immune and central nervous systems, and particularly how these interactions contribute to psychiatric function and health. Our program is a “real time,” translational research program that integrates human, animal, and in vitro experiments to examine how neuroimmune factors contribute to the neuropsychiatric effects of medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders.

Trauma and Mental Health

Stress, Cognition, Affect, & Neuroimaging (SCAN) Lab

We are interested in understanding the development of cognitive and affective brain processes and how these processes are affected by stressful events.

Behavioral Medicine and Outcome Research

Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC)

CIVIC's mission is to conduct research that empowers Veterans to improve their health by enhancing active participation of Veterans and their supports in healthcare. CIVIC investigators will, in particular, focus on patients who have psychological challenges or other vulnerabilities that impact self-management and recovery.