Research Interests
A. Neuroimaging Studies of Executive Function
Our primary research interests center around using state-of-the-artÌýneuroimaging techniquesÌýto examine the role of the prefrontal cortex, as well as other brain regions, in executive function. Across the laboratory we utilize MR specstroscopy to examine levels of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and GABA; structural MR to examine grey matter morphology (e.g., cortical thickness, surface area) and diffusion methods to examine white matter morphology; resting-state functional MRI to examine brain connectivity and function via both ICA and graph theory approaches, and task-based functional MRI.
The majority of our work employs an interdisciplinary approachÌýusing MRI techniques in conjunction with genetics, neurocognitive assesment, and machine learning methods, to evaluate the neural substrate of executive control with an emphasis on the contributions of complex brain networks to behavioral performance.Ìý
Some publications related to this workÌýinclude:
Kim, H., Smolker, H. R., Smith, L. L., Banich, M. T., & Lewis-Peacock, J. A. (2020).ÌýChanges to information in working memory depend on distinct removal operations.ÌýNature Communications,Ìý11(1).Ìý
Banich, M. T., Smolker, H. R., Snyder, H. R., Lewis-Peacock, J. A., Godinez, D. A., Wager, T. D., & Hankin, B. L.(2019).ÌýTurning down the heat: Neural mechanisms of cognitive control for inhibiting task-irrelevant emotional information during adolescence.ÌýNeuropsychologia,Ìý125, 93-108.Ìý
Smolker, H. R., Friedman, N. P., Hewitt, J. K., & Banich, M. T. (2018).ÌýNeuroanatomical Correlates of the Unity and Diversity Model of Executive Function in Young Adults.ÌýFrontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12, 283.Ìý
Depue, B. E., Orr, J. M., Smolker, H. R., Naaz, F., & Banich, M. T. (2016).ÌýThe Organization of Right Prefrontal Networks Reveals Common Mechanisms of Inhibitory Regulation Across Cognitive, Emotional, and Motor Processes.ÌýCerebral Cortex,Ìý26(4), 1634–1646.Ìý
Reineberg, A. E., & Banich, M. T. (2016).ÌýFunctional connectivity at rest is sensitive to individual differences in executive function: A network analysis.ÌýHuman Brain Mapping,Ìý37(8), 2959–2975.Ìý
De la Vega, A., Brown, M.S., Snyder, H.R., Singel, D., Munakata, Y., Banich, M.T. (2014).ÌýÌýJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 26(11), 2490-2502.Ìý
B. Cognition-EmotionÌýInteractions
In addition to studying executive function, we also have a research program aimed at understanding the interface between cognition and emotion. These studies have two foci. One is to investigate how attentional regulation is the same or different for emotional as compared to non-emotional materials. ÌýThe other investigates how personality influences executive functioning and emotional processes.
Some publications related to this workÌýinclude:
Mackiewicz Seghete, K. L., Kaiser, R. H., DePrince, A. P., & Banich, M. T. (2017).ÌýGeneral and emotion-specific alterations to cognitive control in women with a history of childhood abuse.ÌýNeuroImage: Clinical,Ìý16, 151–164.Ìý
Godinez, D. A., McRae, K., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Smolker, H., & Banich, M. T. (2016).ÌýDifferences in frontal and limbic brain activation in a small sample ofÌýmonozygotic twin pairs discordant for severe stressful life events.ÌýNeurobiology of Stress,Ìý5, 26–36.Ìý
Kaiser, R. H., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Spielberg, J. M., Warren, S. L., Sutton, B. P., Miller, G. A.,ÌýHeller, W., &ÌýBanich, M. T. (2015).ÌýDistracted and down: neural mechanisms of affective interference in subclinical depression.ÌýSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience,Ìý10(5), 654–663.Ìý
C. Adolescent Neurodevelopment
AdolescenceÌýis a developmental time period in which the brain is undergoing important changes related to executive function and cognitive control as well as a period of heighted emotion. ÌýOur lab examines how such changes in the brain are linked to executive and emotional processes. ÌýCurrently thisÌýwork is being performed in our lab, in conjunction withÌýÌýof the University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignÌýandÌýÌýof Brandeis University.
Another portion of our work involves being one of the over twenty leading universities nationally that serves asÌýa site for the ground-breakingÌýAdolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, which is examining brain development over a 10 year periodÌýin over 11,000 individuals starting ages 9-10, and the factors, ranging from exercise to social interactions, that influence such brain development. ÌýThis work, which a joint-venture with ourÌýInstitute for Behavioral Genetics, is focused, along with three other universities,Ìýon examining brain development in twins. ÌýSuch an approach provides a powerful approach to disentangling genetic and environmental contributions to brain development. Ìý
Some publications related to this work are:
Iacono, W. G., Heath, A. C., Hewitt, J. K., Neale, M. C., Banich, M. T., Luciana, M. M., Madden, P. A., Barch, D. M., &ÌýBjork, J. M. (2018).ÌýThe utility of twins in developmental cognitive neuroscience research: How twins strengthen the ABCD research design.ÌýDevelopmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 32, 30–42.Ìý
Luciana, M., Bjork, J. M., Nagel, B. J., Barch, D. M., Gonzalez, R., Nixon, S. J., & Banich, M. T. (2018).ÌýAdolescent neurocognitive development and impacts of substance use: Overview of the adolescent brain cognitive development (ABCD) baseline neurocognition battery.ÌýDevelopmental Cognitive Neuroscience,Ìý32, 67–79.Ìý
Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Mackiewicz Seghete, K. L., Claus, E. D., Burgess, G. C., Ruzic, L., & Banich, M. T. (2011).Ìý.ÌýPloS one, 6(6), e21598.Ìý
D. Atypical Neurocognitive Functioning in Clinical Populations
In addition to studying normative executive function in typically developing populations, we are also interested in characterizing the neural mechanisms behind atypical executive functioning related to clinical issues. Some of our projects investigating executive dysfunction and/or brain morphology in clinical populations have included studies on inhibitory processes in adults with ADHD, decision-making deficits in adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems, and decision-making and brain morphologyÌýin combat veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injuries. ÌýWe do so by successfully collaborating with a number of treatment providers and clinical researchers.
Some publications related to this work are:
Crowley, T. J., Dalwani, M. S., Sakai, J. T., Raymond, K. M., McWilliams, S. K., Banich, M. T., & Mikulich-Gilbertson, S. K. (2017).ÌýChildren’s brain activation during risky decision-making: A contributor to substance problems?ÌýDrug and Alcohol Dependence,Ìý178, 57–65.Ìý
Fogleman, N. D., Naaz, F., Knight, L. K., Stoica, T., Patton, S. C., Olson-Madden, J. H.,ÌýBarnhart, M. C., Hostetter, T. A., Forster, J., Brenner, L. A., Banich, M. T., &ÌýDepue, B. E. (2017).ÌýReduced lateral prefrontal cortical volume is associated with performance on the modified Iowa Gambling Task: A surface based morphometric analysis of previously deployed veterans.ÌýPsychiatry Research: Neuroimaging,Ìý267, 1–8.Ìý
Godinez, D. A., Willcutt, E. G., Burgess, G. C., Depue, B. E., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., & Banich, M. T. (2015).ÌýFamilial risk and ADHD-specific neural activity revealed by case-control, discordant twin pair design.ÌýPsychiatry Research: Neuroimaging,Ìý233(3), 458–465.Ìý
Tanabe, J., Reynolds, J., Krmpotich, T., Claus, E., Thompson, L. L., Du, Y. P., & Banich, M. T. (2013).Ìý.ÌýAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 170(11), 1356–1363.Ìý
Banich, M. T., Burgess, G. C., Depue, B. E., Ruzic, L., Bidwell, L. C., Hitt-Laustsen S., Du, Y. P., Willcutt, E. G., (2009).Ìý.ÌýNeuropsychologia, 47(14), 3095-3104.Ìý