Center’s Mission

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to deepen the understanding of how sensory mechanisms and their intricate interplay with the brain’s complex systems contribute to the pathology of psychiatric disorders and to pioneer innovative approaches for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Center Objectives: 

At the Center for Sensory and Systems Psychiatry, our primary objective is to prevent and treat psychiatric diseases by unraveling the sensory mechanisms that underlie these conditions and  understanding their intricate interplay with the brain’s complex systems. Our research focuses on the fundamental cognitive and affective mechanisms involved in emotion processing, such as sensory processing, perception, appraisal, decision-making, and the neural responses to threats, rewards, and hedonic experiences. By exploring these mechanisms, we aim to uncover the roots of
psychiatric disorders and develop novel strategies to combat them. To achieve these objectives, we employ a range of advanced neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques. Functional  magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), EEG/event-related potentials (ERPs), MEG/event-related fields (ERFs), autonomic physiology, and sensory psychophysics are central to our investigations.  These tools enable us to investigate brain activity and unravel the intricate interplay between sensory inputs and cognitive processes that contribute to psychiatric conditions. Our center is committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in this field, with the goal of translating our findings into tangible benefits for people suffering from psychopathological disorders. We believe that by advancing our understanding of the brain’s sensory and cognitive systems, we can develop more effective interventions for psychiatric disorders, improving the quality of life for those  affected. Our focus is to conduct translational research exploring how disruptions in cognitive-affective interactions contribute to psychopathology, particularly anxiety disorders. We study
a range of populations, including typical individuals, active-duty military personnel, those at varying levels of risk for anxiety, and people whose primary concern is anxiety. In addition to our scientific endeavors, our center is dedicated to training the next generation of researchers. We provide a supportive environment where trainees can gain the skills and knowledge necessary to  advance their careers, whether in academia, clinical practice, or industry. Our faculty members, with their extensive experience in neuroscience, statistics, and psychology research and mentorship, are committed to guiding trainees through the complexities of psychiatric research, helping them to become leaders in the field. Through these efforts, we aim to make a positive impact not only in the scientific community but also in society at large.