The candidate for this Mentored Research Scientist Development Award is researching facial signaling and its association with psychiatric morbidity in patients with facial nerve dysfunction. The environment is an excellent combination of mentor and consultants with clinical and technical expertise, and facilities for assessing large numbers of facial nerve patients. The candidate will receive advanced training in psychological assessment and clinical aspects of facial nerve disorders. A coordinated career development program with sponsor and consultants having expertise in facial expression and movement, psychiatric diagnosis, and statistical methods will contribute to training and career development of the candidate. The broad long-term objective is to understand the impact of facial nerve dysfunction and facial signaling on the psychological and social functioning of facial nerve patients. Ultimately, the goal is to understand the physical, psychological and social factors that put facial nerve patients at risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental illness. The short-term objective is to understand the nature of the relationship between impaired facial movement and current psychological symptoms and social disability. The correspondence of facial nerve dysfunction to psychiatric morbidity and social disability, and personality and social characteristics affecting this relationship, will be investigated. The research design combines objective measurement of facial movement including automated analysis of facial expression, and the analysis of social participation/integration, personality and social factors, and psychiatric symptoms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01MH067976-04
Application #
7076837
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-3 (01))
Program Officer
Mayo, Donna J
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$130,045
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Schmidt, Karen L; Neiswanger, Katherine; Cohn, Ellen et al. (2013) Nasolabial fold discontinuity during speech as a possible extended cleft phenotype. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 50:201-6
Schmidt, K; Levenstein, R; Ambadar, Z (2012) Intensity of smiling and attractiveness as facial signals of trustworthiness in women. Percept Mot Skills 114:964-78
Schmidt, Karen L; Lingler, Jennifer H; Schulz, Richard (2009) Verbal communication among Alzheimer's disease patients, their caregivers, and primary care physicians during primary care office visits. Patient Educ Couns 77:197-201
Schmidt, Karen L; Bhattacharya, Sharika; Denlinger, Rachel (2009) Comparison of Deliberate and Spontaneous Facial Movement in Smiles and Eyebrow Raises. J Nonverbal Behav 33:35-45
Santucci, Aimee K; Lingler, Jennifer H; Schmidt, Karen L et al. (2008) Peer-mentored research development meeting: a model for successful peer mentoring among junior level researchers. Acad Psychiatry 32:493-7
Denlinger, Rachel L; VanSwearingen, Jessie M; Cohn, Jeffrey F et al. (2008) Puckering and blowing facial expressions in people with facial movement disorders. Phys Ther 88:909-15
Merkel, Kathryn E; Schmidt, Karen L; Levenstein, Rachel M et al. (2007) Positive affect predicts improved lip movement in facial movement disorder. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 137:100-4
Schmidt, Karen L; Liu, Yanxi; Cohn, Jeffrey F (2006) The role of structural facial asymmetry in asymmetry of peak facial expressions. Laterality 11:540-61
Schmidt, Karen L; VanSwearingen, Jessie M; Levenstein, Rachel M (2005) Speed, amplitude, and asymmetry of lip movement in voluntary puckering and blowing expressions: implications for facial assessment. Motor Control 9:270-80