The University of Toledo

The Ohio Army National Guard Mental Health Initiative
Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program: W81XHW-07-1-0409
Principle Investigators:  Joseph Calabrese, MD (Case Medical Center), Marijo Tamburrino, MD (UT Medical Center)

Description: This 10-year longitudinal study is a clinical epidemiology and health services project that began enrollment in October 2008. Annual telephone and in-person surveys are conducted to explore risk and resilience factors for combat-related posttrauamatic psychopathology and post-combat adjustment. DNA saliva samples are also collected. 

Feasibility of ACT Against Violence program in Community Health Centers
Investigator: Michelle Knox, PhD

Description: This study examines the feasibility of the ACT program in community health center settings.

Characteristics, Beliefs and Attitudes of Kidney Donors
Investigators: Michael Rees, MD (UT Urology), John M. Wryobeck, PhD (UT Psychiatry) 
Residents: Kannan P. Samy, MD, Elise A. Weinberger, MD; Medical Student: Dave Fumo

Description: Assessing characteristics of individuals who are considering live donation of a kidney. Comparing differences in those who follow through with donation, those who donate to family or friends versus altruistic donors - providing a kidney to a stranger.

Neuroimaging and Genetic Investigation of Resilience and Vulnerability to PTSD in the Ohio National Guard and Army Reserve Cohort
Investigators:Xin Wang, PhD and Marijo Tamburrino, MD

Description:This study is an extension of ongoing collabration among Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, Case West Reserve University, and University of Toledo on Ohio National Gruard Project. We will explore the brain and genetic mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability of PTSD in veterans.

ACT Against Violence Raising Safe Kids Program: Parent and Child Outcomes
Investigator: Michelle Knox, PhD

Description:This multi-site study examines the effects of the ACT RSK program on parenting and child behaviors.

Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Adherence to Cardiac Rehabilitation
Investigators: Angele McGrady, PhD, Daylnn Badenhop, PhD  (UT Cardiac Rehabilitation), Ron McGinnis, MD

Description: This study examines the role of depressive and anxious symptoms on adherence to structured cardiac rehabilitation and the potential of a brief stress management intervention to increase adherence.

Computer Aided Relaxation for Pediatric Anxiety
Investigators: Michelle Knox, PhD, Angele McGrady, PhD

Description: Using an experimental design with randomization to treatment and control groups, this study examines the efficacy of biofeedback-assisted training in relaxation for children and youths with anxiety.

Utilization of a Prescription Reporting System Among Residents and Attending Physicians
Investigators:  Kristi Williams, MD, Michelle Knox, PhD, Residents: Lance Feldman, MD, John Coates, MD 

Description:  We are examining the use of an automated prescription reporting system by attending and resident physicians.  We are looking at current utilization patterns of physicians - both residents and attending - and potential benefits from, or barriers to, accessing an automated data base.

Longitudinal MRI study of PTSD Development within Weeks after Trauma
Supported by Translational Research Stimulation Award (TRSA) of the University of Toledo and ProMedica Health System, and William Bauer fMRI Research Fund.
Investigator:Xin Wang, PhD

Description: this study explores the risk factors for PTSD development in the early post traumatic period in order to design effective approaches to prevent PTSD. The trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accident) survivors are examined using psychological questionnaires and MRI techniques. Patient’s psychological conditions, as well as brain functions and structures, in the days to weeks after trauma are used to predict the PTSD symptoms in the long-term.  

Characteristics of Mental Health Treatment Seeking Children and Youths
Investigators: Michelle Knox, PhD, Kimberly Hunter, PhD

Description: This study examines the characteristics of children and youths who seek outpatient mental health treatment, with a focus on sleep issues, media violence exposure and parental discipline practices.

Virtual Patient Technology in Medical Student and Resident Education
Investigators:Walter Edinger, PhD, Angele McGrady, Ed, Mary Kay Smith, MD, Kristi Williams, MD, John Wryobeck, PhD

Description: Adapted virtual patient technology for use in psychiatry to determine its usefulness in assessing the learners diagnostic and clinical decision making skills.

Wellness Program for Medical Students
Funded by the David and Lura Lovell Foundation
Investigators: Angele McGrady, PhD, Julie Brennan, PhD (St Luke's Family Medicine) Dan Rapport, MD, Paul Shaefer, MD (UT Family Medicine)

Description: Research focused on the effects of a structured stress management wellness program in first and third year medical students.

The Effects of Training in Child Advocacy and Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention for First Year Medical Students
Investigator: Michelle Knox, PhD

Description: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of training in child advocacy on students' preparedness to prevent and intervene in cases of suspected child maltreatment.

Recent Faculty Publications 

Knox, M., Burkhart, K., & Khuder, S. (In press). Parental hostility and depression as predictors of young children’s aggression and conduct problems. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.

Knox, M., Burkhart, K., & Howe, T. (In press). Effects of the ACT Raising Safe Kids parenting program on children’s externalizing problems. Family Relations.

Wryobeck JM, Rubenfire M. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension:psychosocial implications and treatment. in M. Riba, L. Wulsin & M. Rubenfire, (editors). Psychiatry and Heart Disease: the Mind, Brain, and Heart. Wiley-Blackwell, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. West Sussex, UK (in press).

Knox M, Burkhart K, Hunter K. ACT Against Violence Parents Raising Safe Kids Program: Effects on maltreatment-related parenting behaviors and beliefs. Journal of Family Issues 2011:32:55-74

 Brennan, J., McGrady, A., Lynch, D.J., & Whearty, K. Stress management intervention for first year medical students. Annals of Behavioral Science and Medical Education 16(2), 15-19, 2010.

McGrady, A., Lynch, D.J., Nagel, R.W., & Tamburrino, M.   Coherence between physician diagnosis and patient self reports of anxiety and depression in primary care. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 198(6):420-424, 2010.

Wang X, Gerken M, Dennis M, Mooney R, Kane J, Khuder S, Xie H, Bauer WR, Apkarian AV, Wall JT. Profiles of Precentral and Postcentral Cortical Mean Thicknesses in Individual Subjects over Acute and Subacute Time-Scales. Cerebral Cortex. 2010;20(7):1513-22. (feature article)

Wang X, Garfinkel SN, King AP, Angstadt M, Dennis MJ, Xie H, Welsh RC, Tamburrino MB, Liberzon I. A multiple-plane approach to measure the structural properties of functionally active regions in the human cortex. Neuroimage. 2010;49(4):3075-85.

Kim P, Leckman JF, Mayes LC, Feldman R, Wang X, James E. Swain. The plasticity of human maternal brain: longitudinal changes in brain anatomy during the early postpartum period. Behavioral Neuroscience. 2010:124(5):695-700.