Directed by Dr. Caitlin Hudac at the University of South Carolina, the Brain Research Across Development (B-RAD) Lab aims to gain a greater understanding of the human brain as it relates to social attention, sociocognitive skills, and attitudes about others! She is a proud faculty member at the University of South Carolina Department of Psychology.
What do we study?
Our research is predominately focused on understanding the social brain!
Understanding the social brain:
Our research explores brain development across all ages, focusing on the social brain's evolution, from basic processes like social attention and motivation to complex social cognition, such as understanding goals and reasoning about others.
Neurotypical and neurodiverse development - dynamic (moment-to-moment) and long-term changes:
We study neurotypical populations to understand how the social brain responds dynamically and identify biomarkers for targeted treatments in neurodiverse individuals, such as those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID). Our goal is to identify unique subgroups based on genetic etiology or behavioral profiles by examining patterns across multiple biomarkers.
Addressing disparities:
We study brain development in historically underrepresented populations, such as rural and minoritized groups. To increase inclusivity, we conduct off-site EEG studies and address barriers like travel limitations. Our recent work includes papers on rurality and autism treatment, and emotion regulation studies with predominantly Black participants. (see recent papers: rurality and ASD treatment and off-site EEG testing on emotion regulation with a predominantly Black/African-American participants). We are committed to overcoming participation barriers through community engagement and innovative solutions, such as using portable EEG equipment for testing.
What is EEG?EEG stands for "electroencephalography". It uses a wet net to measures electrical activity. Because your brain sends out electrical signals when you think, we can record your brain waves as you watch movies, listen to sounds, and interact with other people! |
|
|
Check out this video of our team placing the net on a study participant!
|
Research studies
|
|
Latest Blog PostEmotional Interpretation and Anxiety in Autistic AdolescentsAdolescence is a period of emotional complexity, filled with social interactions that shape a young person's identity and relationships. For autistic adolescents, one of the core challenges during this time involves interpreting emotional cues, especially facial expressions. This difficulty in reading emotions doesn't just impact social understanding—it can also intensify feelings of anxiety and isolation... Read More |
Archived Studies
|
|
