Risk-EAT Spin-Off
Principal Investigator: Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D. and Annie Haynos, Ph.D.
VCU Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology

Recurrent engagement in high-risk eating disorder behaviors (e.g., purging, fasting) is central to the morbidity and mortality of eating disorders.1 These severe psychiatric disorders commonly onset during late adolescence and young adulthood2, when the cognitive underpinnings of risk-taking undergo dramatic change.3 Yet, the mechanisms through which high-risk eating disorder behaviors emerge and become entrenched are understudied. To address this gap, the overarching aim of this IRBEH pilot proposal is to leverage recent advances in computational psychiatry to test (1) whether the cognitive underpinnings of risk-taking differ between Spit for Science participants with and without eating disorders and (2) how risk-taking parameters are linked to eating disorder and other high-risk (e.g., substance use) behaviors. Additionally, Spit for Science participants identified as having an eating disorder will be invited to complete a semi-structured eating disorder diagnostic interview to assess diagnostic concordance between diagnoses generated from self-reports and interviews. Establishing diagnostic concordance will bolster external grant applications and publications using Spit for Science data. The results of this pilot Spit for Science spin-off project will set the stage for external funding to further investigate the cognitive mechanisms of risk-taking in future Spit for Science cohorts.

Utility of Adaptive Design Optimization for Developing Rapid and Reliable Behavioral Paradigms for Substance Use Disorders
Principal Investigator: Jasmin Vassileva, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Psychiatry

A key problem in substance use disorders (SUD) is their etiological and functional heterogeneity, which is not well captured by the current psychiatric nosology. An influential neuroscience-based heuristic framework, Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA), proposes that to address this heterogeneity, the assessment of addictions should be multi-dimensional and focus on three key domains: executive function (EF), incentive salience (IS), and negative emotionality (NE), assessed with comprehensive batteries of self-report and neurobehavioral tasks. While computational tools have increased the knowledge extracted from these tasks, we still have surprisingly few reliable, precise, and rapid assays for monitoring and characterizing these domains. The burden of administration of current assessment batteries may take up to 10 hours and most assessment instruments lack precision in identifying underlying etiological mechanisms. Critically, most neurobehavioral and neuroimaging tasks have low test-retest reliability, which limits their utility for biomarker discovery. To address these limitations, we propose to apply Bayesian adaptive design optimization (ADO; Myung & Pitt, 2009) to established tasks that index the three ANA domains, with the goal of developing rapid, robust, and reliable neurobehavioral probes of these domains. ADO is a general-purpose computational (active-learning) algorithm that optimizes data collection and extracts the maximal information from participant responses in the fewest possible trials. The current study proposes to develop and evaluate a battery of ADO-based tasks, software, and mobile apps using state-of-the-science computational approaches that will significantly reduce the time for neurocognitive task administration, while increasing task reliability, precision, and efficiency. To capture the heterogeneity of addiction, this battery will be tested with several diverse populations with different types of SUD (opioid, stimulant, cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco) in 3 different countries (USA, South Korea, Bulgaria) where we have developed solid infrastructure for this type of research. This value-added perspective builds in a replication in our design and allows us to address not only the generalizability of the ANA domains to different types of SUD, but also the cultural generalizability of the ANA domains, which has never been explored. In this study, we will: (1) Develop a battery of reliable and efficient ADO-based neurobehavioral tasks of the ANA domains and test it in 400 neurotypical individuals in 3 countries; (2) Assess the predictive utility of the newly developed ADO tasks for SUD outcomes by testing 400 patients with different types of SUD in 3 countries; and (3) Design web-based platforms and mobile apps for measuring cognition with the newly developed ADO tasks, and open-source software platforms with the ADO and other computational methods we develop. 

Facilitating a Higher Education Response to Exploitation on Campus: Exploring Internet-Facilitated Exploitation and Sex Trafficking Among College Students
Principal Investigator: Abigail Conley, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Counseling and Special Education

The proposed study seeks to better understand sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, and the grooming process of college students and the ways in which universities can provide an “exit ramp” out of trafficking.  This project will be conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a Minority Serving Institution in the southeastern U.S. located off the I-95 corridor south of Washington, D.C.—a known trafficking pathway—where there is also data documenting sex trafficking of current undergraduate and graduate students as well as high involvement in arrangement relationships. This project aims to provide survivor-informed recommendations for sex trafficking policy changes on college campuses, facilitating improved coordination among colleges, law enforcement, and anti-violence community organizations, as well as increase the potential for the primary prevention of the crime of sex trafficking.

Towards Precision Psychiatry: Leveraging Machine Learning to advance the Understanding of Polygenic Risk for Major Depression across Diverse Ancestries
Principal Investigator: Eva Lancaster, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Psychiatry

Major depression (MD) is a highly prevalent yet debilitating psychiatric disorder. Genome-wide association studies have demonstrated the role of genetics in depression etiology, however, only a small amount of variance in MD liability has been accounted for. These studies have primarily relied on broadly-defined depression phenotyping in cohorts of European descent, seriously limiting the understanding of MD etiology. Addressing the lack of diversity in genomic research is paramount for both scientific and ethical reasons. The proposed project will address limitations of current research to improve cross-population genetic risk prediction and advance understanding of MD etiology. These goals will be accomplished through targeted data collection and the application of novel machine learning techniques that leverage extant data available in the VCU Spit for Science (S4S) study to generate an ancestrally diverse cohort in which to investigate strictly-defined MD. As women exhibit higher MD prevalence than men, and genetic risk factors only partially overlap between sexes (rG= 0.55), these aims will primarily explore female-specific sources of MD liability. Specifically, this proposal aims to (1) develop cross-ancestry phenotypic algorithms for clinically-relevant measures of MD, (2) determine cross-population genetic contributions to MD risk with onset during a critical developmental period, and (3) provide a deeper understanding of underlying processes by assessing genetic correlations across understudied female-specific comorbidities (e.g., psychological premenstrual symptoms).

Neuroscience Informed Psychoeducation Program for College Student Substance Use
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jasmin Vassileva, Ph.D.
VCU Psychiatry, Psychology, Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies

Aims to test the feasibility of a novel, psychoeducational neurocognitive program for college students, designed to enhance metacognitive awareness, increase cognitive resilience, and promote the use of specific neurocognitive skills to help students cope with stress and prevent substance misuse.

S4S Pilot Examining HPV and Oral Health
Principal Investigator: Tegwyn Brickhouse, Ph.D.
VCU School of Dentistry

Differences in substance use and oral health quality of life have been found between social class, ethnic identities, regional location, and level of educational attainment (DSouza et al., 2014; Mersky et al., 2013; Olusanya et al., 2020; Rogers et al., 2018). Multiple studies have pointed towards the need to explore the impact of socio-demographic factors on substance use and oral health (Jeudin et al., 2013; Mersky et al., 2013). Preliminary research conducted using Spit for Science (S4S) sample, indicated that ethnic identity and adverse childhood experiences both impact substance use and risky health behaviors (Crayton et al., 2021). These findings were supported by previous research focused on college students’ substance use behavior, oral health literacy, HPV literacy, and adverse childhood experiences (Albright et al., 2018; Filipkowski et al., 2016; Marchand et al., 2013).The aims of this study are to expand upon current research by focusing on how risky health behaviors (RHBs) such as sexual activity, tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol predict HPV knowledge, HPV vaccination status, awareness of HPV’s linkage to OPC, and oral health quality of live (OHQL). A secondary aim of this study is to explore how psychosocial and environment constructs such as adverse childhood events (ACEs) and discrimination predictor HPV vaccination status, HPV knowledge, awareness of HPV’s linkage to OPC, and OHQL. We hypothesize that RHBs will negatively impact HPV knowledge, HPV vaccination status, awareness of HPV’s linkage to OPC, and OHQL. Additionally, we hypothesize that ACEs and discrimination will be linked to RHBS and negatively impact HPV knowledge, HPV vaccination status, awareness of HPV’s linkage to OPC, and OHQL.

Alcohol Use and Emotional Health: Investigating Shared Risk Factors (ACES)
Principal Investigator: Kaitlin Bountress, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Psychiatry

Traumatic events are common. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common disorders resulting from trauma, tending to co-occur with increased alcohol consumption (i.e., alcohol quantity x frequency [AQF]) and AUD. As increased consumption of alcohol is associated with AUD, research is needed to determine whether the same etiologic processes underlying PTSD-AUD comorbidity are those underlying PTSD and AQF. Although the pathways by which shared risk for these phenotypes unfolds is unclear, longitudinal and experimental research suggests effects of distress tolerance (DT), the perceived ability to withstand negative emotional states, and anxiety sensitivity (AS), cognitive appraisal of anxiety symptoms as having harmful physical, mental, or social consequences, on PTSD and alcohol phenotypes. Additionally, genetic influences on PTSD and AQF/AUD may underlie risk for DT and AS. Thus, the current study will investigate the associations between DT and AS, and risk for PTSD, AUD, and comorbid PTSD-AUD. It will also examine whether genetic risk for AQF, AUD, and PTSD are associated with DT and AS, and if socioeconomic status and social support moderate these effects. 

#DoesAnybodyCare: Encouraging Suicide-Related Bystander Behavior on Instagram
Principal Investigator: Jeanine Guidry, Ph.D.
VCU School of Media and Culture

The goal of this study is to explore the potential for social media in promoting mental health among college students. We will begin by assessing the relationships between students’ current social media use patterns and mental health indicators using the most recent available Spit for Science survey results. We then will probe the ways in which students use social media to seek out health information and social support, as well as their perspective on the most effective ways to utilize these platforms to promote mental health and well-being among college students, using focus groups. In addition, we will carry out an in-depth analysis on 20 students’ weekly social media use using digital ethnography.

Development of a Personalized Feedback Program for College Students
Principal Investigator: Danielle Dick, Ph.D., Josh Langberg, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Psychology

Participants are asked to complete an on-line survey about substance use, mental health and wellbeing, and utilization of campus resources. All responses to this survey will be kept strictly confidential. Participants will be automatically directed to the newly developed Personalized Feedback Program and will be instructed to go through the program, which aims to provide them with personalized recommendations for success based on their unique traits. After completing the program, they will be directed to answer the final survey questions. 

PTSD and Alcohol Misuse: Examining Shared Genetic & Fear-based Risk Factors
Principal Investigator: Kaitlin Bountress, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Psychiatry

Following trauma, individuals are at risk for stress-related problems including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol misuse, which co-occur. Although the pathways by which propensity for these phenotypes unfolds are unclear, emerging work suggests that shared genetic risk may account for this comorbidity. It is unclear, however, if the shared risk can be demonstrated in molecular work. There is a need to test novel pathways by which genes exert effects, translating genetic data into clinically-meaningful studies. One method of engaging in translational work is conducting genetically-informed laboratory studies of putative risk factors. One factor that has been linked to PTSD is fear conditioning (FC). The research on FC and addiction-related phenotypes is more scarce. One reason for the dearth of research is that lab administration is time- and cost-intensive. Technological advances, such as smartphone-based apps, help bring neuroscience constructs such as FC traditionally measured in a laboratory setting into large-scale data collection efforts.
Our study proposal has three aims. First, we will explore the feasibility of a novel, application-based fear conditioning paradigm among individuals with interpersonal trauma exposure and comorbid PTSD-risky drinking, PTSD only, risky drinking only, and controls. Second, we will generate effect sizes for the association between FC and group, and test for differences on FC between the four groups. Finally, we will use measures of aggregate genetic risk generated through genomic Structural Equation Modeling, to generate effects sizes for associations between aggregate genetic risk for AUD and PTSD, and FC.

Life Experiences and Alcohol Use
Principal Investigator: Ananda Amstadter, Ph.D. and Sage Hawn
VCU Department of Psychology