This summer, six science students will be helping with our ongoing Gulf War and Post-traumatic Stress DisorderPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)A complex psychiatric syndrome that develops in response to trauma exposure. Individuals with PTSD experience intrusive recollections or reexperiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. In addition, PTSD is associated with high rates of concomitant physical and mental health problems, increased health care use, and impairment in social and occupational functioning. Almost 7% of the general population and up to 30% of veterans meet lifetime criteria for PTSD. Indeed, PTSD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, representing a significant and costly public health concern. projects, plus assisting Drs. Shikha Jain Goodwin and Adam Carpenter with their study of multiple sclerosis.Elsa Mattson (University of Minnesota/neuroscience minor) is interested in the neural mechanisms and gender differences in psychopathology.Lindsey Wanberg (Washington University, St. Louis/pre-med, biology) is also performing her own research on secondary traumatic stress.Kha Lor (University of St. Thomas/neuroscience major) has explored the computational and physical surface-induced collisions of polypeptides. Her main research project will be with Dr. Brian Engdahl, looking at PTSDPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)A complex psychiatric syndrome that develops in response to trauma exposure. Individuals with PTSD experience intrusive recollections or reexperiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. In addition, PTSD is associated with high rates of concomitant physical and mental health problems, increased health care use, and impairment in social and occupational functioning. Almost 7% of the general population and up to 30% of veterans meet lifetime criteria for PTSD. Indeed, PTSD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, representing a significant and costly public health concern. and Quality of Life as outcome variables. She will also be working under Drs. Lisa James and Jennifer Heath Mathison with the Brain Resilience Project and Gulf War IllnessGulf War Illness (GWI)Shortly after the Gulf War (1990-91), veterans started to report a variety of health problems that began during, or soon after returning from, deployment, prompting investigation into the epidemiology and etiology of the complaints. Those investigations revealed that diffuse symptoms such as fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, mood and neurocognitive complaints, gastrointestinal problems, and rashes were most commonly reported. The constellation of symptoms, now commonly referred to as Gulf War Illness (GWI), has affected a substantial number of Gulf War veterans. Several population-based studies have demonstrated that these symptoms occur at significantly higher rates in deployed Gulf War veterans relative to their nondeployed peers and other veterans, raising the issue about possible in-theater exposures and stress as contributing factors. However, these symptoms are also present in non-deployed military personnel, leading some to suspect other causes, including reactions to vaccine adjuvants. In summary, GWI is now a recognized constellation of symptoms of unclear etiology, also co-occurring with psychiatric disorders. studies.Michaela McGonigle (Macalester College/psychology major, biology minor with neuroscience emphasis) has studied facial expression processing in the human brain and measured the visual capacity of neurotypical adults in comparison to autistic adults using an eye tracker and MRI scans.Abhismitha Ramesh (University of Minnesota/pre-med, psychology) has been active in the Physician Mentorship/Shadowing program at the VA Medical CenterVA Medical Center (VAMC) and has volunteered at the East Bank Oncology Unit, University of Minnesota Medical Center.Katie Martin (University of Minnesota/neuroscience major) is investigating psychological dysfunctions, as well as how plasticity allows our brains to adapt to our needs.