This research team investigates the role of early adversity during development. The effects of early adversity, such as child maltreatment, may impact the individual’s stress vulnerability lacing them at risk for anxiety and mood disorders later in life. This laboratory explores the links between genetic vulnerability, predisposing factors and early adversity in the development of emotional deregulation. Using early life stress as an anchor, Dr. Carrion is currently investigating through longitudinal studies the effect of child maltreatment in brain development and function. Specifically, his current research looks at:

• The development of behavioral and emotional symptoms.
  
  
• Cognitive effects, such as learning, attention and memory.
  
  
• Physiological correlates of a sensitized system, such as cortisol and heart rate.
  
  
• Morphological brain alterations during development via structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI).
  
  
• Brain function via functional MRI.

The specific aim of this laboratory is the aggregation of data that should facilitate the development of more comprehensive treatments for children that suffer from the experience of traumatic events. To this effect, Dr. Carrion and his team are currently developing a multi-modal structured manualized treatment protocol. A major goal of this lab is to develop pre and post treatment multi-method evaluations to empirically test developing treatment protocols.

What is PTSD?

When someone experiences or witnesses an overwhelmingly traumatic (frightening) event, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may result. Within months to years symptoms begin to appear. Some symptoms include frightening dreams, acting or feeling as if the event was recurring, distress when exposed to reminders of the event, efforts to avoid discussing the event, difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability and difficulty concentration.

What is a Traumatic Event?

A traumatic event can be a natural disaster such as an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, fire or flood. It can also be an ongoing unsafe experience such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Even though some adults may not consider an event to be traumatic, it may qualify as such if the child experienced it as threatening or frightening.

Ongoing Projects

The Brain Function in Pediatric PTSD Study

This is an indepth evaluation of children exposed to interpersonal violence (physical abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing violence). To participate in this study, see Volunteering for the PTSD Study

More Information

For more information about how we use MRI in PTSD research, please see Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. For more information about joining a study, please see Participating.

Studies

Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Early Life Stress.

Functional Frontostriatal Deficits in Pediatric PTSD-Go-NoGo Task

fMRI Response to Facial Expression in Adolescent PTSD.

Studies

Publications

Participating