Center for the Neuroscience of Embodied Cognition (A-Z lab)

The gut has three times more neurons than the spinal cord, and most of those connections send information from the gut to the brain. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome, the brain, and behavior is poorly understood. Here we try to better understand this relationship in both typically developing individuals as well as individuals with autism.  We also incorporate the oral microbiome in our projects.

While the advent of AI will undoubtedly result in numerous benefits, it also brings growing concerns. This project addresses a subset of concerns from the perspective of neurobiology in the form of experimental studies and analyses. Projects include the neuroscience of human-AI interactions and utilizing AI for positive behavioral change.

Belonging is a fundamental relationship grounded in the interaction between an organism and its world. For human beings, belonging is a critical factor both in the creation and in the perception of meaning in life. Belonging and meaning are fundamental human needs (Maslow, 1943) and a lack in either constitutes an existential break in one’s relationship to others and the environment. In a series of projects, we explore the neurobiology of otherness, belonging, and meaning in life.

Most of our metaphors are embodied: we “handle” situations; we “kick-off” a new year; we “chew over” decisions. Using fMRI and behavioral studies we explore how literal and metaphorical language processing involves sensorimotor brain representations.

Children with ASD often have both motor and sensory deficits in addition to the social deficits that are the hallmark of the phenotype. However, the neurological basis of how those sensorimotor difficulties relate to the core social phenotypes is poorly understood. Here we compare motor functioning in ASD to Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). In this way, we hope to better understand the relationship between sensory-motor and social processing in ASD.