Human Neurobehavioral Core

Overview of Services

Assessment and consultation for translational neuroscience research
Translational research requires appropriate, reliable and valid measurement of outcomes. For neurological, neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders, studies often require careful measurement of cognitive functioning and behavioral phenotyping. The Translational Neuroscience Center’s Human Neurobehavioral Core Service provides expertise in these assessments, including the collection of behavioral and cognitive data for multi-site studies and trials.

Consultations
Our research psychologists are available to consult on the design and implementation of clinical research studies involving neurocognitive and neurobehavioral outcomes, including the development of protocols and grant applications. Consultation is facilitated by Drs. Charles A. Nelson and Deborah Waber.

Assessments
The Core provides centralized and efficient behavioral assessment services for clinical research studies. We assess typically developing individuals and those with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders, from infants to young adults. Assessments are managed by two clinical psychologists with extensive experience in clinical and developmental research, Ellen Hanson, PhD, and Susan Faja, PhD. Cynthia Martin, PsyD, staff psychologist, also provides assessments, as do our trained study coordinators/research assistants and psychometricians.

Services provided
Consultations with senior faculty and guidance on:
➢ study conceptualization and design
➢ grant development
➢ IRB protocol development
➢ instrument selection to provide the best translation from animal to human studies
➢ identifying specialized laboratories/programs that may provide novel neurobehavioral testing, at Boston Children’s and beyond
➢ developing new neurobehavioral tests.

Phenotypic characterization, including direct observation, testing, and parent-reported measures of:
➢ autism diagnosis and symptoms
➢ adaptive functioning and behavior
➢ intelligence and cognitive function
➢ behavioral functioning/psychosocial adjustment
➢ neuropsychological outcomes(including NIH Toolbox)

Our experience
The Core has assisted multiple studies, including industry-sponsored clinical trials, involving children and adults with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. To date, these include the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network, industry-sponsored Fragile X and Down syndrome clinical trials, the Neuroplasticity Mechanisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder project and the Maternal Outcomes and the Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (MONEAD) project.

Leadership

Stephanie Jo Brewster, MS, CGC, Co-Director, Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs Service
617-919-4551
stephanie.brewster@childrens.harvard.edu

Charles Nelson, PhD, Co-Director, Human Neurobehavioral Core
617-355-0401
charles.nelson@childrens.harvard.edu

Deborah Waber, PhD, Co-Director, Human Neurobehavioral Core
617-355-6523
deborah.waber@childrens.harvard.edu

Cynthia Martin, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist
857-218-5215
cynthia.martin@childrens.harvard.edu

Ellen Hanson, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
617-355-4212
ellen.hanson@childrens.harvard.edu

Haley Medeiros, BS, Research Assistant
857-218-5203
haley.medeiros@childrens.harvard.edu

Jolie Straus, MA, Researcher Assistant
857-218-5222
jolie.straus@childrens.harvard.edu

Getting Started with the Human Neurobehavioral Core

Step 1. Navigate to the 'Request Services' tab to initiate a Work Request

Step 2. Core Staff will review your Work Request and drafted a Budget Proposal for your project. You will be contacted by a staff member if a consultation is needed to discuss your project further. 

Step 3. Once the core has begun work on your project, you can schedule staff time. To view all staff calendars and availability, navigate to the 'Reservations' tab. 

Step 4. To schedule with a staff member, navigate to the 'Staff Calendars' tab and follow instructions

You will be billed monthly for work performed by the Human Neurobehavioral Core.

Location and hours of operation

Contacts