Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms of Psychopathology in Context and Application
The Weekly Seminar explores RDoC-inspired approaches to studying neurodevelopmental mechanisms of psychopathology across different domains and constructs, such as: Negative Valence, Positive Valence, Cognitive, Social, Arousal & Regulation, and, Sensorimotor.
Throughout the seminar, fellows examine these approaches and their real-world applications from transdiagnostic perspectives and using multiple methods. Through participation in the seminar, fellows expand their understanding and analysis of RDoC within developmental and environmental contexts with an emphasis on computational methods, the intersection of physical and mental health, as well as intervention, prevention, and implementation. Seminar used a flipped classroom method combining both synchronous and asynchronous materials.
What is RDoC?
RDoC, or Research Domain Criteria, was developed in 2009 by the National Institute for Mental Health as a research framework rather than diagnostic guideline(s) or an application for diagnostics in clinical practice.
The RDoC framework is used to support biobehavioral approaches for studying mental disorders by integrating, “many levels of information (from genomics and circuits to behavior and self-reports) in order to explore basic dimensions of functioning that span the full range of human behavior from normal to abnormal.”
RDoC was launched with the goals of better, ” understand[ing] mental disorders by focusing on mechanisms, components, and processes that make up human behavior, and what happens when they go awry. [And] The long-term goals of RDoC are to help improve diagnosis and shed light on potential new treatments for mental disorders.” (1)
Get Involved
The NU-MHE T32 Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Seminar are facilitated under the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci). The Seminar is open to Post-Doctoral and Advanced Graduate students, both external university and external university students welcome. Contact devsci@northwestern.edu to find out how to join the Seminar.
If you are interested in learning about DevSci’s Graduate Student Cluster, Medical Student AoSC Cluster, or how to get involved as a Faculty Affiliate please explore our institute home page.
Past Programs
Get a glimpse at what our NU-MHE T32 Post-Doctoral Training Fellowship offers! See an overview of our Kick-off Series, conferences, community events and more!
