The Integrative Neuroscience, Psychopathology, and Personality Research (INSPIRE) Lab

At the INSPIRE lab, led by Dr. Takakuni Suzuki, we investigate individual differences in cognitive, emotional, and social processes through multiple data collection and analytic methods. In clinical research, we examine the transdiagnostic and dimensional nature of these processes across in individuals affected by different forms of psychopathology, as well as those who are not. Our research goals are (1) to improve our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying psychological experiences and (2) to ultimately develop trainings and treatments to improve day-to-day well-being and functioning. 

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Why use multiple methods? Human experiences are very complex and cannot by fully captured by a single method. Therefore, we employ multiple measurement methods to gather insights into such experiences, particularly using questionnaires to capture subjective experiences (what you tell us) and electroencephalogram (EEG) to analyze brain activities (what your brain is doing). We also collect data at various times, both in the laboratory and in real-life settings (ambulatory assessment). We then apply various analytic methods to understand the nuances of these experiences.

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What do we mean by transdiagnostic and dimensional? Traditionally, psychopathology has been defined conceptualized in a categorical model, using labels that you may have heard, such as schizophrenia and personality disorder. However, research consistently shows that there are no clear boundaries across such categorical diagnoses and, rather, they overlap (transdiagnostic). Further, these psychopathology difficulties are better characterized as extreme versions of normative experiences, that everybody one experiences to a certain extent (dimensional), and not by whether you have or do not have a psychopathology. The dimensional perspective enables a more integrated approach, bridging the basic and clinical research to efficiently enhance the full spectrum of psychological experiences.

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Why research? Our research focuses on assessing and understanding psychological experiences with the goals of furthering our theoretical understanding of neural mechanisms as well as to translate these findings into treatment or training programs to help improve the functioning of individuals affected by various forms of psychopathology.