Brendon M. Nacewicz

E-mail: bmnacewi@wisc.edu

Research Project:

My research is focused on the contribution of volumetric, chemical, and physical connectivity differences in the limbic system to impairments in social behavior. My volumetric studies of the amygdala in individuals with autism are in line with a model of hyperactivity & allostatic load. Using new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques, I hope to validate and extend this model to better characterize the neural changes associated with social deficits in autism. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can estimate the strength of physical connections between different parts of the brain, and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) can measure some of the chemicals and neurotransmitters that contribute to brain structure and function. Through this multimodal imaging work, I hope to relate differences in social behavior and brain function to tissue-level differences in brain structure. I will also explore these systems in non-autistic siblings of individuals with autism, both to test for similar brain differences in drug naive, non-mentally retarded individuals and to evaluate the degree to which these changes are familial. This work will hopefully guide future genetics and pharmacological research into autism spectrum disorders.

Abstracts and Publications:

• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, L.A. Angelos, M.J. Sutterer, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2008. Age-related differences in neurotransmitter levels in the human amygdala during typical adolescent development. Int. Meeting for Autism Res. Abstr.
• Nacewicz, B.M. 2008. Connecting behavior, brain and biochemistry in normal and autistic amygdala development. Ped. Ther. R2K Res. Symp. Abstr.
• Dalton, K.M., B.M. Nacewicz, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2007. Gaze-fixation, brain activation and amygdale volume in unaffected siblings of individuals with autism during a facial identification task. Biol. Psychiatry. 61: 512-520.
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, L. Angelos, R. Fischer, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2007. Neurotransmitter levels in human amygdale are associated with amygdale volume during typical development. Int. Meeting for Austism Res. Abstr.
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, T.R. oakes, I.T. Johnstone, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2006. Amygdala volume and nonverbal social impairment in adolescent and adult males with autism. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 63: 1417-1428. [PDF]
• Nacewicz, B.M., E.M. McAuliff, K.M. Dalton, M.A. Lazar, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2006. Age-related microstructural differences in limbic white matter in individuals with autism. Int. Meeting. for Autism Res. Abstr.
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, I.T. Johnstone, T.R. Oakes, M.T. Long, E.M. McAuliff, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2006. Phenotyping autism using structural brain differences and their accompanying behavioral impairments in individuals and families with autism. Gatlinburg Mtg. on Res. & Theory in Intellectual & Dev. Disabilities Abstr.
• Dalton, K.M., B.M. Nacewicz, T. Johnstone, H.S. Schaefer, M.A. Gernsbacher, H.H. Goldsmith, A.L. Alexander and R.J. Davidson. 2005. Gaze fixation and the neural circuitry of face processing in autism. Nat. Neurosci. 8: 519-526. [PDF]
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, M.T. Long, E.M. McAuliff, T.R. Oakes, I.T. Johnstone, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2005. Decreased amygdala volume in non-autistic siblings of individuals with autism. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr.
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, E.M. McAuliff, M.T. Long, M.M. Nersesian, T.R. Oakes, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2005. Amygdala Volume and Visual Fixation of Unfamiliar Faces in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Int. Meeting Autism Research Abstr.
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, M. Lazar, E.M. McAuliff, M.J. Anderle, R. Fisher, A.S. Fox, T.R. Oakes, A.L. Alexander and R.J. Davidson. 2004. Aberrant white matter organization in the autistic brain. Org. Human Brain Mapping Abstr.
• Sewell, D.L., B.M. Nacewicz, F. Liu, S. Macvilay, A. Erdei, J.D. Lambris, M. Sandor, amd Z. Fabry. 2004. Complement C3 and C5 play critical roles in traumatic brain cryoinjury: Blocking effects on neutrophil extravasation by C5a receptor antagonist. J. Neuroimmunol. 155: 55-63. [PDF]
• Nacewicz, B.M., K.M. Dalton, T.R. Oakes, M.J. Anderle, R. Fisher, L. Greischer, I.T. Johnstone, A.L. Alexander, and R.J. Davidson. 2003. Amygdala volume predicts gaze avoidance and reduced ability to judge emotional facial expressions in autism. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr.
• Nacewicz, B., F. Liu, D. Sewell, D. Fee, M. Sandor, and Z.F. Fabry. 2002. The role of complement in traumatic brain injury. Amer. Assoc. Immunol. Abstr.