Research in the MINDSET lab is focused on understanding the chronic effects of brain injury and psychological stress on the human brain and health outcomes. We use neuroscience tools such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) including structural T1-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and fMRI to examine potential links between trauma and neurodegenerative disease. In addition, a primary focus in the lab is to investigate the neural correlates of cognitive processes such as memory and attention, social and emotional processes. We also examine how genetic and epigenetic factors moderate outcomes after injury and through the aging process. Our research investigates the long-term consequences of injury to the brain, including links to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and interactions with mental health disorders. 

Selected Papers:

Hayes, J.P., *Pierce, M.E, *Valerio, K.E, Miller, M., Huber, B.R., Fortier, C.B., Fonda, J.R., Milberg, W. & McGlinchey, R. (in press). The association between blast exposure and transdiagnostic health symptoms on systemic inflammation. Neuropsychopharmacology.

*Pierce, M.E., Hayes, J.P., Huber, B. R., Jeromin, A., Fortier, C., Fonda, J. R., Lasseter, H., Chaby, L., McGlinchey, R. & Milberg, W. (in press). Plasma Biomarkers associated with deployment trauma and its consequences in post-9/11 era veterans: The TRACTS longitudinal cohort. Translational Psychiatry.

*Valerio, K.E., *Prieto, S., *Hasselbach, A.N., *Moody, J.N., Hayes, S.M., Hayes, J.P., (2021). Machine learning identifies novel markers predicting functional decline in older adults. Brain Communications, 3(3).

Hayes, J.P., *Moody, J.N., *Roca, J.G., Hayes, S.M. (2020). Body mass index is associated with smaller medial temporal lobe volume in those at risk for Alzheimer's disease. NeuroImage: Clinical, 25, 102156.

Hayes, J.P. (2019). PTSD and TBI comorbidity. PTSD Research Quarterly, 30, 1-18.

Hayes, J.P., Reagan, A., Logue, M.W., Hayes, S.M., Sadeh, N., Miller, D.R. et al. (2018). BDNF genotype is associated with hippocampal volume in mild traumatic brain injury. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 17, 107-117.

Hayes, J.P., Hayes, S., Miller, D.R., Lafleche, G., Logue, M.W., Verfaellie, M. (2017). Automated measurement of hippocampal subfields in PTSD: Evidence for smaller dentate gyrus volume. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 95, 247-252.

Hayes, J.P., Logue, M.W., Sadeh, N., Spielberg, J.M., Verfaellie, M., Hayes, S.M. et al. (2017). Mild traumatic brain injury is associated with reduced cortical thickness in those at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Brain, 140, 813-825.

Hayes, J.P., Bigler, E.D., Verfaellie, M. (2016). Traumatic brain injury as a disorder of brain connectivity. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 22, 120-137.

Hayes, J.P., Miller, D.R., Lafleche, G., Salat, D.H., Verfaellie, M. (2015). The nature of white matter abnormalities in blast-related mild traumatic brain injury. NeuroImage: Clinical, 8, 148-156.