October WKW Frontiers in Neuroscience: Dr. Jennifer Blackford

Jennifer Blackford, Ph.D. - October 6, 2020

"What Causes Anxiety?  Building a Reverse Translational Model"

William K. Warren, Jr.  Frontiers in Neuroscience Lecture 
Virtual Presentation via Zoom 
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm     Program

Dr. Blackford is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, and a Research Scientist at the Tennessee Valley VA. Dr. Blackford obtained her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University, followed by training in neuroimaging and genetics, supported by a National Institute of Mental Health Mentored Career Development Award. Dr. Blackford's research is focused on identifying and characterizing the neurobiological basis of anxiety and the role of anxiety neurocircuitry in psychiatric disorders including PTSD, alcohol use disorders, and schizophrenia. She uses multi-modal and multi-level approaches. Multiple imaging methods are used to characterize brain structure, function, and connectivity. To provide a comprehensive assessment of anxiety, data are collected at the level of the brain, physiology, and behaviors. The long term goal of this research program is to use these discoveries to develop new prevention strategies for children at high-risk for developing psychiatric disorders and new treatments for individuals suffering with these disorders.
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Learning objectives: 

1.  Compare the difference between fear and anxiety.
2.  State challenges for translating rodent findings to humans.
3.  Discuss the BNST's role in anxiety and addiction.