Investigating the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying motor function and social cognition
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Psychology
Abstract
Experimental studies of human behaviour and the difficulties experienced in developmental and neurodegenerative conditions have evidenced a relationship between social cognition and motor function. Current research findings imply an important concept: the mechanisms underlying certain socio-cognitive processes are integrated with information held by motor systems. However, the extent of the relationship is yet to be fully uncovered. For example, it is not known whether the relationship is present for the wide variety of abilities encapsulated within socio-cognitive and motor processes or whether specific mechanisms are involved. Further research is needed for the development of mechanistic explanations for co-occurring socio-cognitive and motor differences within the general population.
This interdisciplinary project at the University of Birmingham will integrate expertise in cognitive psychology, motor control and genetics from a number of research groups to elucidate the fundamental biological mechanisms that underpin covariation in social cognition and motor function. The project will be comprised of 3 approaches: (1) a battery of behavioural, cognitive and self-report measures combined with sophisticated statistical models to uncover the mechanisms underpinning shared variation in motor and socio-cognitive abilities, (2) the employment of novel measurement strategies utilising physiological measurements with hierarchical regression models to quantify the extent to which the relationship between socio-cognitive and motor ability is mediated by alexithymia, and (3) a genetic investigation comparing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parkinson's Disease, two conditions in which motor and social differences are prevalent, in an attempt to uncover overlapping genetic and biological pathways to provide further insight into biological processes underlying the relationships observed.
This interdisciplinary project at the University of Birmingham will integrate expertise in cognitive psychology, motor control and genetics from a number of research groups to elucidate the fundamental biological mechanisms that underpin covariation in social cognition and motor function. The project will be comprised of 3 approaches: (1) a battery of behavioural, cognitive and self-report measures combined with sophisticated statistical models to uncover the mechanisms underpinning shared variation in motor and socio-cognitive abilities, (2) the employment of novel measurement strategies utilising physiological measurements with hierarchical regression models to quantify the extent to which the relationship between socio-cognitive and motor ability is mediated by alexithymia, and (3) a genetic investigation comparing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parkinson's Disease, two conditions in which motor and social differences are prevalent, in an attempt to uncover overlapping genetic and biological pathways to provide further insight into biological processes underlying the relationships observed.
People |
ORCID iD |
Jennifer Cook (Primary Supervisor) | |
Lydia Hickman (Student) |
Publications
Hickman L
(2020)
The relationship between heartbeat counting and heartbeat discrimination: A meta-analysis.
in Biological psychology
Hickman LJ
(2022)
Skin Conductance as an Index of Alexithymic Traits in the General Population.
in Psychological reports
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M01116X/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
2265115 | Studentship | BB/M01116X/1 | 29/09/2019 | 30/12/2023 | Lydia Hickman |
Description | U21 Autism Research Network |
Organisation | University Libre Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles ULB) |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a founding member of the U21 Autism Research Network. The Network brings together 6 autism research groups from U21 universities and aims to make a starting point in addressing challenges to collaboration across borders as well as the lack of diversity and inclusion in autism research. My role has involved applying for initial funding, setting up an international autism database, managing projects alongside communicating with collaborating sites, and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Collaborator Contribution | Members of the U21 Autism Research Network at other sites have been involved in assisting in project management and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Impact | Let's talk about autism: diversity and inclusion. U21 Autism Research Network, March 2021. A 3 hour public engagement event focused on diversity and inclusion in autism research. Keating, C. T., Hickman, L., Geelhand, P., Takahashi, T., Leung, J., Schuster, B., ... & Sowden, S. (2021). Global perspectives on autism acceptance, camouflaging behaviours and mental health in autism spectrum disorder: A registered report protocol. Plos one, 16(12), e0261774. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | U21 Autism Research Network |
Organisation | University of Auckland |
Country | New Zealand |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a founding member of the U21 Autism Research Network. The Network brings together 6 autism research groups from U21 universities and aims to make a starting point in addressing challenges to collaboration across borders as well as the lack of diversity and inclusion in autism research. My role has involved applying for initial funding, setting up an international autism database, managing projects alongside communicating with collaborating sites, and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Collaborator Contribution | Members of the U21 Autism Research Network at other sites have been involved in assisting in project management and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Impact | Let's talk about autism: diversity and inclusion. U21 Autism Research Network, March 2021. A 3 hour public engagement event focused on diversity and inclusion in autism research. Keating, C. T., Hickman, L., Geelhand, P., Takahashi, T., Leung, J., Schuster, B., ... & Sowden, S. (2021). Global perspectives on autism acceptance, camouflaging behaviours and mental health in autism spectrum disorder: A registered report protocol. Plos one, 16(12), e0261774. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | U21 Autism Research Network |
Organisation | University of Connecticut |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a founding member of the U21 Autism Research Network. The Network brings together 6 autism research groups from U21 universities and aims to make a starting point in addressing challenges to collaboration across borders as well as the lack of diversity and inclusion in autism research. My role has involved applying for initial funding, setting up an international autism database, managing projects alongside communicating with collaborating sites, and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Collaborator Contribution | Members of the U21 Autism Research Network at other sites have been involved in assisting in project management and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Impact | Let's talk about autism: diversity and inclusion. U21 Autism Research Network, March 2021. A 3 hour public engagement event focused on diversity and inclusion in autism research. Keating, C. T., Hickman, L., Geelhand, P., Takahashi, T., Leung, J., Schuster, B., ... & Sowden, S. (2021). Global perspectives on autism acceptance, camouflaging behaviours and mental health in autism spectrum disorder: A registered report protocol. Plos one, 16(12), e0261774. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | U21 Autism Research Network |
Organisation | University of New South Wales |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a founding member of the U21 Autism Research Network. The Network brings together 6 autism research groups from U21 universities and aims to make a starting point in addressing challenges to collaboration across borders as well as the lack of diversity and inclusion in autism research. My role has involved applying for initial funding, setting up an international autism database, managing projects alongside communicating with collaborating sites, and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Collaborator Contribution | Members of the U21 Autism Research Network at other sites have been involved in assisting in project management and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Impact | Let's talk about autism: diversity and inclusion. U21 Autism Research Network, March 2021. A 3 hour public engagement event focused on diversity and inclusion in autism research. Keating, C. T., Hickman, L., Geelhand, P., Takahashi, T., Leung, J., Schuster, B., ... & Sowden, S. (2021). Global perspectives on autism acceptance, camouflaging behaviours and mental health in autism spectrum disorder: A registered report protocol. Plos one, 16(12), e0261774. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | U21 Autism Research Network |
Organisation | Waseda University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a founding member of the U21 Autism Research Network. The Network brings together 6 autism research groups from U21 universities and aims to make a starting point in addressing challenges to collaboration across borders as well as the lack of diversity and inclusion in autism research. My role has involved applying for initial funding, setting up an international autism database, managing projects alongside communicating with collaborating sites, and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Collaborator Contribution | Members of the U21 Autism Research Network at other sites have been involved in assisting in project management and organising an online international public engagement event. |
Impact | Let's talk about autism: diversity and inclusion. U21 Autism Research Network, March 2021. A 3 hour public engagement event focused on diversity and inclusion in autism research. Keating, C. T., Hickman, L., Geelhand, P., Takahashi, T., Leung, J., Schuster, B., ... & Sowden, S. (2021). Global perspectives on autism acceptance, camouflaging behaviours and mental health in autism spectrum disorder: A registered report protocol. Plos one, 16(12), e0261774. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Birmingham Psychology Autism Research Team Consultancy Committee Presentations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Presentations to the Birmingham Psychology Autism Research Team Consultancy Committee on research plans and methods. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021,2022 |
Description | Let's talk about autism: diversity and inclusion |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An international panel discussion to address diversity and inclusion in autism research. The event provided a platform to a diverse range of autistic people and autism researchers. Over 1000 people across the globe have viewed the panel discussions, ranging from autistic people, those from research, education and clinical sectors, to interested members of the public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.u21autismresearchnetwork.co.uk/events |
Description | MQ's Data Science Meeting: Top Takeaways |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Article written for the mental health charity MQ: "Four takeaways from the 2021 Data Science meeting". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/data-science-takeaways-2021/ |
Description | Patient and Public Involvement Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Presented to Parkinson's UK prospective Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) volunteers (approximately 10) on my experience of using Parkinson's UK PPI platform, as part of their training. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | School Visit (Didcot) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Invited careers talk at Didcot Sixth Form College. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Talk to The Autism Play Project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Talk to volunteers at the Autism Play Project: "The mismatch between emotion production and recognition in autistic and non-autistic individuals." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |