FY2012 Annual Report

Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit

Professor Gail Tripp

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Abstract

The research of the Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit focuses on advancing understanding of the nature, causes and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here in Japan and with our collaborators in Brazil we are studying the nature and extent of altered sensitivity to reinforcement in children with ADHD. This includes fMRI and drug studies to help elucidate the neurobiology underlying such altered processing of reinforcement.  Social interaction difficulties are common in children with ADHD.  In a new study we are investigating their social problem solving skills as a contributing factor and possible target for intervention. Psychosocial treatment options for the management of ADHD in Japan are currently limited. We have begun developing a parenting skills program for Japanese parents dealing with ADHD.l goals of developing robust and flexible solutions and fundamental discoveries in ... major achievements in this fiscal year are the following.

1. Staff

  • Dr. Gail Tripp, Professor
  • Dr. Emi Furukawa, Researcher
  • Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro, Researcher
  • Sonoko Chinen, Technician
  • Amy Lucas, Technician
  • Jaclyn Meredith, Special Graduate Student
  • Lucy Harrison, Technician
  • Aska Pluskal, Technician
  • Aya Puca, Research Administrator

2. Collaborations

  • Theme:  Altered reward sensitivity and ADHD
    • Collaborative research
    • Researchers
      • Dr Brent Alsop, Department of Psychology, University of Otago
      • Dr Emi Furukawa, OIST
      • Dr Shizuka Shimabukuro, OIST
  • Theme:  Language and social information processing in children with ADHD
    • ​Collaborative research
    • ​Researchers
      • ​Ms Jaclyn Meredith, OIST/Department of Psychology, University of Otago
  • Theme:  Cross cultural continuity of altered reward sensitivity in children with ADHD
    •  Joint research
    • Researchers
      • Dr Egas Caparelli-Dáquer, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janerio
      • Dr. Emi Furukawa, OIST
  • Theme: Experimental study of altered reward sensitivity: Examining cross-national continuity and environmental influences
    • ​Joint research
    • Researchers
      • ​Professor Casela, Erasmo Barbante, Instituo da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo
      • Dr. Emi Furukawa, OIST
  • Theme: Functional imaging of altered reward sensitivity and its relation to human behavior
    • Joint research
    • Researchers
      • Dr Jorge Moll, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Unit3. Activities and Findings
      • Dr Paulo Mattos, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Neuropsychology Center
      • Professor Jeff Wickens, OIST
      • Dr. Emi Furukawa, OIST

3. Activities and Findings

3.1 Research activities

In addition to our on-going research on altered reward mechanisms and ADHD, here and in Brazil, we have established two new research projects in our unit. Dr Shimabukuro has established the ADHD skills project that is developing and evaluating a parenting program especially for Japanese parents of children with ADHD. With Ms Jaclyn Meredith we are investigating the social problem solving and language skills of children with ADHD.

 

3.2 Systems Neurobiology Group

Once again our research group was actively involved in the OIST Open Campus with poster presentations, a computerized bilingual quiz (and answers) about ADHD, executive function skill tests and neuroscience inspired arts and craft activities.  We have continued to provide comprehensive assessments and reports for children and families in the community who participate in our research and to give talks about the nature and management of ADHD to parents and teachers.

 

3.3 Collaborative Research Activities

Our joint research projects with colleagues in Brazil have continued to move forward. Data collection for our first imaging study with Dr Jorge Moll of LABS-D’Or is complete and the results were presented at the International Neuroethics Society annual meeting in Washington in November. Participant recruitment and data collection for our studies on the cross-national continuity of altered reward sensitivity in children with ADHD (with Dr Egas Caparelli-Daquer and the University of Sate of Rio de Janerio), including the effects of medication for ADHD on reward sensitivity (with Professor Casella, Erasmo Barbante of the Instituo da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo) has progressed well in the last 12 months.

4. Publications

4.1 Journals

  1. Tripp, G. and J. Wickens (2012). "Reinforcement, dopamine and rodent models in drug development for ADHD." Neurotherapeutics 9(3): 622-634.

  2. Tangney, J. P., et al. (2012). "Reliability, validity, and predictive utility of the 25-item criminogenic cognitions scale (CCS)." CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR 39(10): 20.

  3. Cocchi, L., et al. (2012). "Altered Functional Brain Connectivity in a Non-Clinical Sample of Young Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." The Journal of Neuroscience 32(49): 8

4.2 Books and other one-time publications

Nothing to report

4.3 Oral and Poster Presentations

  1. Wampler, R. and S. Shimabukuro (2012). Mediation effect of child’s perceived maternal criticism on behavior problems of Japanese children. The National Council of Family Relations. Phoenix, Arizona.

  2. Shimabukuro, S. and G. Tripp (2012). ADHD skill project: pilot study for parenting with Japanese mothers. The Eunethydis 2nd International Conference. Barcelona, Spain.

  3. Furukawa, E., et al. (May 2012). Functional MRI evidence compatible with dopamine transfer deficits in ADHD. The Eunethydis 2nd International Conference. Barcelona, Spain.

  4. Shimabukuro, S. and R. Wampler (2012). Direct and indirect effect of maternal variables on Okinawan child outcomes. The National Council of Family Relations, Phoenix, Arizona.

5. Intellectual Property Rights and Other Specific Achievements

Nothing to report

6. Meetings and Events

6.1 OIST Public Lecture on Parenting Children with ADHD: Different children, Different problems, Similar solutions

  • Date: June 16, 2012
  • Venue: OIST auditorium
  • Speaker: Dr. David Daley (University of Nottingham, Professor of Psychological Intervention and Behavior Change)

6.2 Local Seminar: Understanding of developmental disorder and intervention at school setting: focus on ADHD and Asperger’s syndrome

  • Date: July, 2012
  • Venue: Tomishiro City, Okinawa, Japan
  • Speaker: Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro (OIST)

6.3 Local Seminar: Understanding of ADHD and support: collaborative support for children with ADHD at home and school

  • Date:  December, 2012
  • Venue: Nago City, Okinawa, Japan
  • Speaker: Dr. Shizuka Shimabukuro (OIST)

6.4 Presentation: Dopamine, Reinforcement and ADHD

  • Date: August, 2012
  • Venue: D’Or Institute of Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Presenters:
    • Dr. Gail Tripp (OIST)
    • Dr. Jeff Wickens (OIST)
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa (OIST)

6.5 Presentation: Neurobiology of ADHD and implications for treatment

  • Date: August, 2012
  • Venue: Department of Education, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Presenters:
    • Dr. Gail Tripp (OIST)
    • Dr. Jeff Wickens (OIST)
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa (OIST)

6.6 Presentation: Neurobiology of ADHD: Dopamine, Reinforcement and ADHD

  • Date: August, 2012
  • Venue:Department of Neurology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Presenters:
    • ​Dr. Gail Tripp (OIST)
    • Dr. Jeff Wickens (OIST)
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa (OIST)

6.7 Presentation:Altered Sensitivity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Date: August, 2012
  • Venue: The Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Presenters:
    • Dr. Gail Tripp (OIST)
    • Dr. Jeff Wickens (OIST)
    • Dr. Emi Furukawa (OIST)