Neuropsychology

Overview

The Laboratory of Neuropsychology is one of several laboratories in the Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, an independent degree-granting Program affiliated with the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. In addition to the Laboratory of Neuropsychology, other laboratories in the Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. Program include the Aphasia Research Center and the Language and the Aging Brain program (both directed by Dr. Martin Albert), the Memory Disorders Research Center (Dr. Mieke Verfaille, Director), the neuroimaging program in language disorders (Dr. Margaret Naeser), the Center for Behavioral Development and Mental Retardation (Dr. Janina Galler, Director), and the Behavioral Pharmacology laboratory (Dr. Conan Kornetsky, Director).

The research conducted in Dr. Berman’s laboratory continues a longstanding program of neurobehavioral and neuroimaging projects aimed at understanding the full extent of functional and structural brain deficits and intact skills in neurological populations, including alcoholics with and without clinical signs of Korsakoff s syndrome (severe amnesia for events occurring since the onset of extensive brain damage).

By analyzing the ways in which motivational/emotional variables influence behavior, we contribute to a better understanding of alcoholism, aging, and their interaction. Further, improved characterization of the affective and conative changes observed in the cognitive decline associated with alcoholism and aging have important clinical and theoretical benefits. Clinically, the research findings can provide caregivers and family members with information about the patients’ emotional changes and intact skills, including the social consequences of the symptoms. Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the brains of alcoholics have helped to clarify anatomically-defined brain systems that are abnormal in alcoholism. In turn, the findings may suggest brain regions to be targeted for pharmacological treatment by clinicians.

In future studies, we will continue to examine alcoholism-related frontal-system and right-hemispheric dysfunction, with an emphasis on possible synergistic effects of alcoholism and aging in both genders. Theoretical benefits. Clinically, the research findings can provide caregivers and family members with information about the patients’ emotional changes and intact skills, including the social consequences of the symptoms. Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the brains of alcoholics have helped to clarify anatomically-defined brain systems that are abnormal in alcoholism. In turn, the findings may suggest brain regions to be targeted for pharmacological treatment by clinicians.

Publications

Our research, supported by grants from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), addresses issues related to alcoholism’s serious repercussions for the functioning of the brain, particularly in older individuals. Recent publications reflect the results of this work.

Oscar-Berman, M., Kirkley, S.M., Gansler, D.A. & Couture, A. (2004). Comparisons of Korsakoff and non-Korsakoff alcoholics on neuropsychological tests of prefrontal brain functioning. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 28(4), 667-675.

Oscar-Berman, M. & Marinkovic, K. (2004). Alcoholism and the brain: An overview of techniques for assessing damage, and implications for treatment. Alcohol Research & Health 27: 125-133.

A. Bowirrat, A. & Oscar-Berman, M. (2004). Relationship between dopaminergic neurotransmission, alcoholism, and reward deficiency syndrome. Journal of Medical Genetics: Neuropsychiatric Genetics 27: 125-133.

Howard, J., Oscar-Berman, M., Marinkovic, K., O’Reilly, C., & Harris, G. (2003). Affective and cognitive changes in alcoholism: Recognition of faces and words. Program No. 419.15. Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience.

Methodology

Neurobehavioral Studies

These studies employ sensitive experimental paradigms to detect subtle differences in the behavior of alcoholics compared to that of healthy nonalcoholic controls and neurological patients who have incurred brain damage from other than alcohol-related etiologies. Behavioral data are integrated with brain imaging findings conducted with colleagues from Harvard Medical School.

MRI Studies

These studies employ structural and functional MRI technology to acquire scans on clinical and healthy populations in order to determine what abnormalities can be associated with long-term chronic alcoholism. For the most part, research participants in the Neurobehavioral Studies described above are also scanned in order to integrate behavioral and brain findings.

Among the ongoing projects are the following:

• “Affective and cognitive changes in alcoholism: Recognition of faces and words.”
• “Effects of alcoholism and aging on facial emotional discrimination abilities.”
• “Comparisons of Korsakoff and non-Korsakoff alcoholics on neuropsychological tests of prefrontal brain function.”
• “Relationship between dopaminergic neurotransmission, alcoholism, and reward deficiency syndrome.”

People

Marlene Oscar Berman, Ph.D.
Dr. Berman is the Director of the Laboratory of Neuropsychology, and Director of the Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, Boston University School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Berman is a Research Scientist with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Boston, MA. Dr. Berman’s research interests include, but not limited to, memory disorders, aging, developmental disorders, and alcoholism.

Rose Razzino
Ms. Razzino is the Administrative Manager for the Behavioral Neuroscience Program, and the Laboratory of Neuropsychology.