Jason R. Themanson, Ph.D. - US grants

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary aim of this application is to examine the influences of both cardiorespiratory fitness and acute aerobic exercise on behavioral and neuroelectric indices of action monitoring, which is one aspect of executive control function. The error-related negativity (ERN) component of the human event-related potential (ERP), reaction time, and response accuracy will be assessed while participants complete a flanker task requiring variable amounts of executive control. These data will be acquired from participants of varying levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (low-high), as measured by maximal aerobic power (VO2 peak), who will complete the flanker task on three separate sessions: at rest, following an acute bout of non-aerobic physical activity (stretching), and following an acute bout of moderately-intense treadmill exercise. The goal of this application is to gain a broader understanding of the beneficial relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, acute bouts of exercise, and executive control function. By examining varying levels of cardiorespiratory fitness as well as acute bouts of aerobic exercise, the study proposed herein may provide evidence leading to lifestyle recommendations for increasing cognitive health and effective function to adult populations. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

Social exclusion has powerful negative consequences and harmful costs affecting mental and emotional well being. This research project advances understanding of social exclusion by examining the patterns of brain activation present during social interactions that lead to exclusion in combination with self-reported emotions measured after exclusion has occurred. In order to accomplish this, the current project will vary the nature of exclusionary social interactions by altering: how frequently participants are included, how long the periods of exclusion last in each interaction, and when exclusion takes place during the social interactions. In addition, participants' social exposure to exclusion is varied prior to their own interactions by having them witness others' social exclusion. After witnessing others' social exclusion, participants engage in a social interaction with those who were previously excluded in the observed interaction or they interact with the people who caused the observed exclusion. Ultimately, this research examines the effects of the degree of exclusion and the subsequent amount of social re-inclusion on patterns of brain activation and measures of participants' feelings to learn more about how people recover from being socially excluded by others. By investigating how exclusion develops, these researchers will be able to understand and eventually predict the subtle cues or changes in social interactions that lead to perceptions of exclusion as well as the negative consequences of those perceptions over time.

Findings from this research will benefit the larger scientific community and society, and will also enhance the training and learning of the undergraduate students who are involved in the research by exposing them to opportunities to present the data, field questions, and explain the impact of the findings. Because Illinois Wesleyan University is a four-year liberal arts school, undergraduates will carry out all of the proposed research projects. At least half of these students have been women and this contributes to gender diversity in neuroscientific research. This proposal will increase awareness of the psychological impact of social exclusion as well as increase enthusiasm for graduate school and careers in science among students. These findings will be disseminated broadly through the preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations.