We are engaged in research exploring brain mechanisms that underlie cognitive and affective processes in patients with psychiatric disorders. The probing of these brain processes is carried out using two non-invasive electrophysiological tools, digital electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs), which allow for precise monitoring of human brain activity associated with spontaneous or induced cognitive or emotional states. Although these methodologies are often employed clinically in neurological disorders, their strength in neuroscience research lies in their ability to contribute to the understanding of neural mechanisms underlying disturbances in emotion, mood and information processing.
Our research environment provides undergraduate and graduate students with a unique opportunity to combine cognitive, neuroscience and psychopharmacological research for the investigation of brain-behaviour relationships in human subjects. The training of students within this program helps produce exceptionally well-rounded researchers with diverse germinal theoretical knowledge and multiple research skills, being exposed to cognitive assessments, ERP methodologies and pharmacological challenge procedures. Experience with these empirically-based tools can enrich the investigative resources of young researchers and provide them with converging paths of information for solidifying and testing germinal research ideas.