Research Focused on Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The Schmitt Lab focuses on using translational methods to identify brain-based biomarkers to inform the mechanistic understanding and speed treatment development in neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Although Dr. Schmitt has a background in clinical psychology, she is very much guided by a systems neuroscience perspective to investigate neurodevelopmental disorders from brain to protein to brain function to behavior. With a particular interest in cognitive and intellectual functioning, the lab uses multiple methods to interrogate brain functioning, including performance-based cognitive tasks and electroencephalography (EEG). However, with Dr. Schmitt’s involvement in the Neurobehavioral Treatment Discovery Team, the lab has widespread interest across areas of functioning including sensory processing, social anxiety and speech production in neurodevelopmental disorders.