Issue 4

Department of Neuroscience

First Look 2025

Photo by Bryan Werner

First, we want to say thank you. The response to our call for volunteers to join our research program in 2024 was fantastic. Your support, by participating in our research studies and sharing your experiences, helps further our understanding of the corpus callosum and its role in cognition.

We look forward to working together with you as we continue moving forward with our research. We thank you again for participating in our research projects, we could not undertake this work without you.

Gratefully,

The Brain Development and Disorders Laboratory

The 2024 NODCC (National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum) conference held in Chicago, IL was a fantastic gathering, fostering connections among new friends and families within the community. (continue)

The Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building, officially opened in January 2024, is the state-of-the-art neuroscientific research institute our research team calls home.To learn more about the facility click here.

This past year, we had to say goodbye to a very important person on our team—Lisa Mackenzie, our wonderful study coordinator. Though it was hard to see her go, we are so grateful for all the great times and hard work she shared with us over the years. (continue)

Using cutting-edge 7 Tesla diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, one of our most recent studies revealed surprising insights into the role of the anterior commissure in support interhemispheric communication in individuals with corpus callosum dysgenesis (CCD).

Explore these unexpected findings and their implications in the latest issue of NeuroImage: Clinical. 

Author Dr Ryan Dean Explains

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

We would like to highlight Dr. Emran Hossen, a dedicated member of the laboratory of Dr. Linda Richards at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, where he serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Emran's research focuses on identifying and characterizing key protein signaling pathways that are disrupted in disorders of the corpus callosum, a critical brain structure responsible for interhemispheric communication. Disruptions here can lead to various neurological disorders, emphasizing the significance of his studies. (continue)

Scientist / Instructor

We are also excited to introduce Dr. Fujun Chen, one of the most recent additions to our laboratory staff. Dr Chen’s research is at the forefront of understanding the function of early neural activity patterns during development and higher cognitive functions in small animals, such as the fat-tailed dunnart. (continue)

We are excited to share our plans for the upcoming year! 

This coming year we will be commencing new research activities that will include functional magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to further our research into corpus callosum disorders.

fMRI is a form of radiological imaging that measures changes in blood oxygenation over time. We can use fluctuating patterns of brain oxygenation as an indicator of brain activity, and determine how the different parts of the brain communicate with each other based on similarities in their patterning.

While individuals with CCD have fewer structural connections between the left and right sides of the brain, their brain activity patterns tend to appear highly neurotypical. This indicates that information is still being communicated across the brain. Using fMRI, we will investigate how the CCD brain adapts its neural circuitry to maintain interhemispheric communication.

In our upcoming summer issue, we will feature a special section where participants and their families can anonymously share their experiences of living with corpus callosum disorders (CCD). This is a unique opportunity to connect with others in the community.

If you would like to share your story in the upcoming issue, please reach out to us. Your experiences can make a significant difference by fostering connection and engagement within our participant community.

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing these inspiring stories in our summer issue.

If you're already part of our research, we want to make sure you have the support you need. You can update your information and check your status. Accurate details help us keep you informed.

I would love to talk with you! Let's set up a Zoom meeting to catch up. This will be a great chance to discuss your participation and what comes next. We can also talk about any questions or concerns you might have regarding your participation.

Meeting face to face, even virtually, helps us maintain a strong connection and ensures that I can support you better. Please reach out to set up a convenient time for us to meet.

You can reach me at corpuscallosumresearch@wustl.edu or 314-337-3380.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in our research.

Warmly,

Tiffany

Objective: The goal of our research is to understand how brain connectivity underpins its function and the role the corpus callosum plays in high-level cognition.

Participant Recruitment: We are currently seeking individuals with CCD, as well as eligible neurotypical individuals with no history of cognitive disorders, to participate in our study.

Getting Started...

When we receive an inquiry, we'll schedule a time to speak with you to discuss your eligibility and provide important information about the research.  This process involves a phone screening, completing onboarding paperwork, and eventual enrollment. For more, click here.

Please contact Tiffany Earle at corpuscallosumresearch@wustl.edu or 314-337-3380. If you reach our voicemail, kindly leave a message, and Tiffany will return your call as soon as possible.

Visit the Brain Development and Disorders Lab website to learn more about our work, our team, and opportunities for involvement.

Thank you for your interest!

This story was co-created with assistance from ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI.

Daisy was a dunnart. A small, furry marsupial with large ears and a long tail, who lived in a sandy burrow in the Australian outback.  Each morning, Daisy would greet the bright sun with an equally bright smile full of excitement for the day. (continue)

Check out this meditative coloring picture created by artist, Jessie Parker. Her intricate designs bring a sense of calm and creativity to all who engage with them. To download the printable PDF version of this artwork, simply click on the picture.

For more inspiring coloring pages for both adults and children, please visit Jessie's website: @jessieparker.co. 

Discover the top picks and personal favorites of our lab members, ranging from tasty treats to favorite pastimes and everything in between.

When Nathan isn't working hard here at the lab, you'll likely find him enjoying the outdoors with his family—wife Leigh Compton, and their two children, Juniper and Brooks. From gardening to exploring scenic hiking trails, they create lasting memories while soaking up nature's beauty.

 Photo Album

Favorite Hobbies:
Nathan and Leigh are a creative powerhouse duo, passionate about reviving the past and breathing new life into forgotten treasures. They enjoy rebuilding vintage stereos, renovating old houses, and diving into woodworking and custom design projects.

Notable Project:
One particularly delightful project they've tackled together is their squirrel-proof garden, ingeniously designed and built for protection against curious critters.

Adapted Recipe:
Reviving treasures isn’t limited to furniture or old homes—it extends deliciously into the kitchen, too! Leigh warmly invites you to try her family's favorite White Chicken Chili. A dish inspired by Tieghan Gerard's recipe on halfbakedharvest.com and lovingly adapted over the years. Leigh's version has become a beloved staple at family gatherings. (Leigh's version PDF)

For the original recipe and more tasty variations by Tieghan, please Click Here.

Brain Development and Disorders Lab