Neuroscience Core

Staff

Michael Decker, PhD, RN, RRT

Director and Co-Investigator
Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Brain Imaging

Anthony Jack, PhD

Associate Professor
Case Western Reserve University

Chris A. Flask, PhD

Associate Professor
Department of Radiology 
Case Western Reserve University

David Fresco, PhD

Associate Professor, Kent State University
Adjunct Professor, Case Western Reserve University

Cortical Network Activity

Michael Decker, PhD, RN, RRT

Director and Co-Investigator
Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

David Fresco, PhD

Associate Professor, Kent State University
Adjunct Professor, Case Western Reserve University

HPA Axis\Stress

Michael Decker, PhD, RN, RRT

Director and Co-Investigator
Professor
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Rebecca Darrah, PhD

Associate Professor 
Director of Genetics Laboratory
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

Mark Laudenslager, PhD

Director of the Behavioral Immunology and Endocrinology Laboratory
University of Colorado

Purpose

The Neuroscience Core provides expertise in collection, analysis and interpretation of neuroimaging data. The core members offer training in the application of neuroscience technologies best suited to address specific hypotheses proposed by SMART Center investigators. Core faculty provide scientific consultation and directly participate in the measurement and subsequent analyses of neurophysiologic variables. The Neuroscience Core is led by Michael Decker, PhD, RN.

Drs. Anthony Jack, Chris Flask and David Fresco work with SMART Center investigators to acquire and analyze fMRI-derived measured of blood-oxygen dependent (BOLD) brain activity. They collect, analyze and interpret EEG-derived measures of cortical neural network activity in relationship to self-management behaviors. Drs.Michael Decker and Rebecca Darrah work with SMART Center faculty to acquire and analyze peripheral markers of hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) function and stress as well as hair cortisol measures of chronic stress. Dr. Mark Laudenslager supports in the examination of the measures of chronic stress.