Payton Cooper
Psychology & Neuroscience
Research Topic: Pupillometry as a Window into Autonomic Indices of Psychosis Risk
Research Poster Located in the Neighborhood Engagement Centers
Research Summary:
Payton's research aimed to understand the autonomic nervous system differences between individuals with schizophrenia and those at risk. By measuring pupil dilation and constriction, they found that both groups exhibited abnormal autonomic function compared to healthy individuals. However, the nature of these abnormalities differed. People at risk for schizophrenia showed issues with the "rest and digest" system, while those with schizophrenia showed problems with the "fight or flight" system. These findings suggest that the autonomic nervous system may play a crucial role in the development of schizophrenia.
