Project Summary

Sarah H. Ying, M.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Johns Hopkins University, proposes studying whether dysfunction in the cerebellum alone can result in neuropsychological and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Ying suggests that the role of cerebellar dysfunction may be demonstrated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), an inherited condition primarily affecting the cerebellum. A study of affect and executive function in patients with the disorder is currently under way. In the planned project, Dr. Ying aims to use novel MRI processing techniques to visualize details of the cerebellum. The methods will then allow Dr. Ying to query the structural basis of affective and executive dysfunction, an important feature of psychiatric conditions, in the SCA6 disease model.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Mood Disorders (General)

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