By Brae Anne McArthur
5/07/18
Mood and Cognition Lab 2018-2019 research team
Alloy Lab 2018-2019 research team: (from top left) David Siegel, Laura McLaughlin, Amber Graham, Naoise MacGiollabhui, Issar Daryanani, Tommy Ng, Patrick Downey, Rory McNicholl, Samuel Seidman, and Taylor Hamilton. (From front left) Allison Stumper, Corinne Bart, Marin Kautz, Madison Titone, Jeneen Bryant, Dr. Lauren Alloy, Erin Curley, Caroline O'Brien, Adela Scharff, Angelique Frazier, and Jasmine Lam. Not pictured: Evan Burdette, Taylor Burke, Brae Anne McArthur, and Daniel Moriarity.

By: Brae Anne McArthur, Postdoctoral Fellow

The Mood and Cognition Lab, led by Dr. Lauren Alloy, is studying the cognitive, psychosocial, developmental and neurobiological processes involved in mood disorders. We are interested in the onset and course of depression and bipolar disorders in adolescents and adults. The lab focuses on two large longitudinal studies: the Adolescent Cognition and Emotion project (ACE) and the Teen Emotion and Motivation project (TEAM). In addition to these major projects, the Lab also engages in research examining emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, non-suicidal self-injury and suicide, depression and anxiety comorbidity, parent and child interactions, memory, executive functioning/attention, stressful life events and reward motivation.

Project ACE is a longitudinal study examining the onset and course of depression. Youth from the Philadelphia area (13 years at baseline) have been followed for eight years. At each yearly visit, adolescents complete clinical diagnostic interviews, as well as questionnaires and behavioral tasks and blood, draws to assess their social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and immune system functioning. We also collect measures of maternal functioning at each time point.

Project TEAM is a longitudinal study examining the onset and course of bipolar disorder in young adults. Participants (17 years at baseline) have been followed for 10 years. Participants complete yearly assessments of their social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. We also have a subset of participants who have completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) - where their daily activities were monitored for a three-week period.

In some of our newest research, the lab has expanded to incorporate neurobiological and physiological data methods to our assessment of mood disorders. The lab uses EEG/EKG (brain activity and heart rate), fMRI (brain imaging), immune measures (cytokine assessments via blood draws), cortisol, actigraphy, skin temperature, and melatonin (circadian rhythm) assessments.  

Patrick Downey, one of our phlebotomists, drawing blood (no actual blood was drawn, nor did we use a real subject).

The Mood and Cognition Lab is a scientifically stimulating collaborative environment. Dr. Alloy mentors graduate, postbaccalaureate, and undergraduate student research assistants. The lab generally takes on 2-3 honors students each year. There is a role for all members of the team and lab members can learn a wide variety of skills including: clinical interviewing, data entry, data analysis, and research design and implementation. Research in the lab can often result in poster presentations and publications.

Undergraduate Lab Volunteers (from left to right): Brittany John, Caroline O'Brien, Rory McNicholl, Madeleine Frazier, and Rachel Corr.