Humans evolved under the regular patterns of sunlight and darkness caused by the rotation of the earth about its axis. However, in modern times we experience significantly different light exposures, exposures that differ in timing, spectral composition, and intensities. These differences in light exposure are known to disrupt multiple aspects of human function, including sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, how we feel, and how we think (Joyce & Zeitzer, 2020). Such disruptions are even known to be causal in disease mechanisms and can pose risk for obesity, diabetes, breast cancer, and multiple sclerosis (Warms et al., 2017). It is less well known how contemporary light exposures affect visual sensation and perception. Whilst devices exist to measure light exposure (‘radiometers’), they are often extremely expensive or bulky. Even fewer of these devices can be worn by humans to gather light exposure data over time and remain expensive and so are rarely deployed by the sleep clinician or psychologist (Joyce et al., 2019). The research aim is to trial a questionnaire to estimate human light exposures across the day. This questionnaire will be validated against a wearable light measuring device. We will determine differences in sleep timing and quality between participants who are exposed to different light patterns and identify light exposure behavioral patterns that are indicative of poorer quality sleep and poorer circadian (sleep-wake rhythm) performance.

Transcranial focused ultrasound is an emerging technology that may be a useful tool for enhancing mindfulness meditation by reducing activity in brain systems that may prevent people from achieving meditation goals. Sonication with different parameters has been shown to have varying effects on many brain regions, including the target for this study, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Here, we took experienced meditators and sonicated the PCC at two distinct pulse repetition frequencies (PRF), 10.5 Hz and 1000 Hz. Additionally, there was a placebo condition where the ultrasound transducer was placed to the head but no energy was emitted. Our aim was to observe how PRF differentially affects both brain activity and conscious experience that may support a deeper meditation practice. These were measured using electroencephalographic activity (EEG), heart rate variability, and self-report surveys. Research continues into fall 2022 with the goal of working with at least 20 participants. We hypothesize that the 1000 Hz PRF will provide the best condition for a deeper meditation practice exemplified by data such as increased EEG alpha waves and higher scores on self-reported mindfulness scales.

The Eriksen Flanker Task is a task compromised of tests which assess selective attention and inhibitory function. These tests provide a centered target, flanked by one or multiple nontarget stimuli which are categorized as congruent, noncongruent, or neutral. Participants are informed to press either left or right arrow keys, dependent on the direction of the target. This study uses the Dungeon Flanker Task, assessing 47 participants by simulating a dungeon game where participants press the corresponding arrows to defeat the monster. Over time, the task becomes more difficult as participants improve in order to increase the selective attention and inhibitory functions. The criterion for improving is based on both increased target accuracy and speed. This study has occasionally seen participants increase in speed but not accuracy, which is not considered to be a functional improvement. Otherwise, when both improvement in speed and accuracy are observed, the study hopes to find an improvement in brain circuitry and plasticity. Through the utilization of the flanker task and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), these tasks seek to create a generalization to novel tasks through increases in thalamocortical functional connectivity. The goal is for this to, in turn, assist with mental health and overall health issues.

Laterality has been continuously studied over the years, but a consensus as to its evolutionary role in the human species is seemingly far from being achieved. There is neuropsychological evidence of the correlation between brain lateralization, language processing, and the incidence of neuropsychological conditions such as schizophrenia. However, researchers have found conflicting results when evaluating lateralization through patterns of intelligence and behavior, epigenetic expression, in utero development, and psychopathological genealogy. This study aims to analyze the behavioral implications of lateralization and hemisphere specialization, most specifically highlighting the underlying correlations between handedness, decision-making, and neurofunction. The main goal is to understand potential correlations between cognitive development and subsequent willingness to take risks throughout life as a function of brain lateralization. Willingness to take risks will be measured through the DOSPERT test, and participants’ laterality quotients will be calculated through the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI). Laterality quotients will be crossed with behavioral patterns recorded in the DOSPERT test through statistical modeling to determine predictive factors between handedness and risk-related decision-making. Investigating the ontogenesis of laterality and its interaction with behavior can provide a further understanding of brain connectivity and function, which may facilitate the advancement of neuropsychological treatments.