The Promise of Discovery Season 5, Episode 5 It’s important for speech language pathologists to learn about children’s grammar because grammar deficits are often a sign of a language impairment. For this experiment, researchers had parents and speech language pathologists fill out a checklist (Children’s Communication Checklist-2), to report on children communication skills, and then we compared the results. We learned that parents and speech language pathologists both identified speech deficits in children but that parents are not sensitive to differences in their children’s grammar. Featuring: Jane (Janie) Sommer Eppstein, Ph.D. Student; Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Melanie Schuele, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 5, Episode 4 This research explored how combining visual perception with motor practice—specifically drawing unfamiliar symbols—leads to lasting brain changes that support learning. Participants trained by drawing new letter-like symbols over four days while researchers tracked their brain activity using fMRI scans before, immediately after, and one-week post-training. The after-training scans revealed significant differences in activity within several brain regions—including the motor cortex—during the perception of trained compared to untrained symbols that were greater one-week post-training. This suggests that hands-on, visual-motor learning builds long-term changes in how the brain processes visual information, with potential implications for educational strategies and interventions. Featuring: Shelby Buettner, Graduate Student, Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Sophia Vinci-Booher, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology & Human Development and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 5, Episode 3 Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a neurodevelopmental disease which affects about 100,000 people in the US. Around 80% of these patients experience cognitive and intellectual impairments which are unaffected by currently approved therapies for NF1. A recent genetic study from our lab identified an association between the NF1 disease and a receptor protein called metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGlu7). This project investigates how using small molecules to augment mGlu7 function could help identify new therapies for NF1 patients struggling with cognitive impairments. Featuring: Harrison Parent, Ph.D. Candidate- Niswender Lab, Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Interviewer: Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmacology; Director of Molecular Pharmacology, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 5, Episode 2   Although children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) more often experience mental health concerns, they do not always receive mental health services. This episode outlines a study that examined the barriers of caregiver familiarity with services.   Featuring: Verity Rodrigues, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; TRIAD Educational Consultant Interviewer: Robert Hodapp, Ph.D., Professor of Special Education and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 7 While public attitudes towards many stigmatized groups have improved in recent years, the same has not been true for people living with schizophrenia, making those with the disorder particularly at risk for social exclusion. The research presented in this episode explores how people with schizophrenia experience and respond to social exclusion, as well as what can be done to promote inclusion. Featuring: Lauren Weittenhiller, M.A., Clinical Psychology Intern, Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Julia Sheffield, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Jack Martin, M.D., Research Professor in Psychopharmacology; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 5 The needs of siblings of individuals with disabilities are under studied. The research presented in this episode highlights theme areas of support as raised by 446 siblings of individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. It asks and answers the question: What would have been beneficial to you growing up as the sibling of a person with a disability? Featuring: Gillian Neff, graduate student, Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Alexandra Da Fonte, Ph.D., associate professor of the practice, Special Education; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 4 This research examines mGlu7, a transmembrane receptor involved in several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome, ADHD, schizophrenia, and Neurofibromatosis Type 1. The project discussed studies the mechanism of mGlu7 activation by allosteric modulators to develop new treatments and help guide drug discovery efforts. Featuring: Xia Lei, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Colleen Niswender, Ph.D., associate professor of Pharmacology; Director of Molecular Pharmacology, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 3 Many people with autism experience executive functioning (EF) impairments, and its widely acknowledged that these challenges play a significant role in autism. Anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent and impairing challenges for autistic youth, and emerging evidence suggests EF impairments exacerbate anxiety. This study examines how everyday EF impairments are related to specific anxiety symptoms in autistic youth. Featuring: Christina Burroughs, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Blythe Corbett, Ph.D., James G. Blakemore Chair and Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Professor of Psychology; Associate Director, Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and VKC Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 2 Manganese is essential for brain development and human health. However, excess manganese can be toxic. The Harrison lab discusses how manganese exposures can alter the response to some drugs currently used to treat intellectual and developmental disabilities. Featuring: Adriana Tienda, Lab Manager, Harrison Lab Interviewer: Fiona Harrison, Ph.D., assistant professor of Medicine; Director, IDDRC Behavioral Phenotyping Core (Core D); Mouse Behavioral Phenotyping Faculty Coordinator; VKC Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 1 Adults with Down syndrome have a greatly increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life. Ongoing research focuses on investigating different markers of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down Syndrome. These studies are specifically examining a neurotransmitter system called the cholinergic system that is vitally important for cognition and known to decline early in Alzheimer's disease in the neurotypical population. Understanding the progression of these different markers associated with Alzheimer's disease will provide essential data for future therapeutic trials in adults with Down Syndrome. Center for Cognitive Medicine website: https://www.vumc.org/ccm/welcome Trial Ready Cohort for Down Syndrome: https://www.vumc.org/ccm/trcds Featuring: Jason Russell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychiatry Interviewer: Paul Newhouse, M.D., Jim Turner Professor of Cognitive Disorders; Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology, and Medicine; Director, Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine; VKC Member

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 4 In 2022, VKC UCEDD Co-Director Erik Carter announced he would be leaving Vanderbilt and taking a position at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Carter to discuss some of his highly impactful research, training and technical assistance in the areas of adolescent transitions to adult life and employment; social interaction and friendships, school and community inclusion; faith and disability, and belonging. VKC Researcher: Erik Carter, Ph.D., Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair and Professor of Special Education; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications and Dissemination, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 3 In this podcast we discuss our research using mice with a genetic deletion similar to a human neurodevelopmental disorder to understand how brain regions important for memory are affected. We discuss the methods we use in mice to study a memory region called the hippocampus and talk about how our research might lead to new treatments for neurodevelopmental conditions. VKC Researcher: Alan Lewis, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Neurology Interviewer: Leann Seañez, research assistant

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 2: Rates of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) have increased, and prenatal opioid exposure is thought to have profound effects on the developing nervous system and lead to long-term impairments in functioning, potentially including increased rates of educational and developmental disabilities. This research examines whether preschool-aged children with and without NOWS differ in neural and behavioral indicators of cognitive control and evaluates the extent to which associations between NOWS and cognitive control persist. VKC Researcher: Autumn Kujawa, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology and Human Development Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 3, Episode 1: Community participation is important for family well-being but many families of autistic children report more difficulties and more negative experiences with recreational activities. The Serenade Parent-Child Music Class Program is specifically designed to support neurodiverse children and families during the classes, as well as provide parenting support through home musical activities. In this mixed-methods study, researchers investigated the mechanisms by which parent–child music classes can support community participation and well-being. Resources: Serenade Parent-Child Music Class Program YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFcRe6UOi_veyfb3Hh3bacA Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab: https://www.vumc.org/music-cognition-lab/ VKC Researchers: Miriam Lense, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Otolaryngology, Co-Director Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab Interviewer: Courtney Taylor, M.Div., Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 8: The Tennessee Disability Services Study surveyed more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, providers, agency staff, and health care workers in TN. Questions examined what matters most to disability and professional communities across the state, how they currently find needed information, and solicited their recommendations for making this process easier. Responses are informing recommendations for addressing enduring needs related to accessing information and services that enable people with disabilities to flourish. View transcript at: https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/transcripts/PromiseDiscovery_S2Ep08.txt VKC Researchers: Erik Carter, Ph.D., Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair and Professor of Special Education; Co-Director, VKC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VKC UCEDD) Elise McMillan, J.D., Co-Director, VKC UCEDD; Director of Community Engagement and Public Policy; Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Emily Lanchak, M.Ed., Educational Consultant, Transition Tennessee

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 7: This episode features a discussion of the need for meaningful therapies in Rett syndrome (RTT), and highlights the Lavender™ study, a phase 3, 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the drug trofinetide in 187 young females, ages 5 to 20, with Rett syndrome. Investigators discuss public, top-level results of the potential first-of-its-kind drug to treat the symptoms of RTT, and share the hope that this trial paves the way for other successful trials in RTT and related disorders. VKC Researchers: Jeffrey L. Neul, M.D., Ph.D., Annette Schaffer Eskind Chair and Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center; Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Pharmacology, and Special Education Cary Fu, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 6: This episode features discussion of a national survey of special education teachers to assess the level of training they received in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and to collect their reflections and recommendations to support students who use AAC in their classrooms. VKC Researcher: Alexandra Da Fonte, Ph.D., associate professor of the Practice, Director of Professional Studies, Vanderbilt University Guest Researcher: Miriam Boesch, Ph.D., associate professor of Special Education, University of North Texas

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 5: The estimated prevalence of children in the U.S. with autism spectrum disorder has increased in 2021. Principal investigators from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s TRIAD lead tracking in Tennessee through a grant from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. The national tracking study is discussed in this episode. https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/triad/autismdata/ VKC Researchers: Zachary E. Warren, Ph.D., Director, Division of Developmental Medicine, Vanderbilt Department of Pediatrics; Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Special Education; Executive Director, VKC TRIAD Alison Vehorn, M.S., Clinical Research Coordinator, TRIAD

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 4: The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researchers in this episode are studying the connection of Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease. The Trial-Ready Cohort-Down Syndrome Study will identify individuals over age 35 with Down syndrome, obtain information about how they are functioning, and evaluate their brain activity and structure. This work will identify individuals with Down syndrome who may be eligible for a future medication study with the goal of reducing their risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. VKC Researcher: Paul Newhouse, M.D., Jim Turner Professor of Cognitive Disorders; Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology, and Medicine; Director, Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine Interviewer: Elise McMillan, J.D., Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; Director of Community Engagement and Public Policy; and Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

The Promise of Discovery Season 2, Episode 3: The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center researchers in this episode are studying how technology (wearable sensors, new apps, and machine learning) might improve how we understand, predict, and treat problem behaviors in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They also dig into the ethical considerations of their study and of behavioral interventions more broadly. VKC Researchers: Amy Weitlauf, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics; VKC TRIAD Associate Director of Research John Staubitz, M.Ed., BCBA, TRIAD Behavior Consultation Coordinator; Behavioral/Educational Consultant; Assistant in Pediatrics, School of Medicine