Faculty Advisor
Contact Information
Email
Lab Website
(615)-343-8720
Hobbs 310
Research Area
Education
Sc.B., Brown University
M.A., Vanderbilt University
Societies
American Psychological Association
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
International Neuropsychological Society
Charissa Andreotti
Graduate Student
Research Area: Clinical Science
attention, stress, coping, emotion regulation, executive function, cortisol
My current research, supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship that I received in 2009, relies on a multimethod approach using a combination of neuropsychological, psychobiological, and neuroimaging techniques to study the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in selective attention aspects of emotion regulation. With my advisor, Dr. Bruce Compas, I examine psychobiological responses to analogues of acute stress in the laboratory, including altered heart rate and salivary cortisol levels, in addition to measuring hypervigilance to threat, and symptoms of psychopathology. My dissertation draws on allostatic load theory (McEwen & Stellar, 1993), which accounts for the link between chronic stress exposure and heightened disease risk through interruptions in neuroendocrine feedback loops. This project investigates the possible role of chronic stress in alterations in automatic attentional and stress reactivity processes that may increase stress-related disease vulnerability in young adult women.
A broader goal of this research is to bring to light novel points of intervention for affective disorders in chronically stressed populations, including cognitive remediation paradigms that could be adapted for attentional retraining. Experience with experimental design and outcomes of this research enhance my understanding of the mechanisms through which neural functioning is affected and how therapeutic strategies may help individuals compensate for and overcome these difficulties.
This research has laid the foundation for my clinical training experiences, which have primarily focused on neuropsychological evaluations of individuals across the lifespan. I have conducted comprehensive assessments for candidates of epilepsy surgery and other patients with referral questions of neurodegenerative disorders and complicating psychiatric illnesses. I have also administered diagnostic assessments for autism spectrum disorders as well as learning and developmental disabilities related to genetic syndromes with children. Therapeutically, I have conducted individual and group interventions for adults and children with diabetes, cancer, and other chronic medical conditions.
Representative Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications:
Andreotti, C., Champion, J. E., Dunn, M. J., Watson, K., Potts, J., Reising, M. M., Robinson, K. E., Rodriguez, E., Roubinov, D., Luecken, L. L., & Compas, B. E. (2011). Coping, emotion regulation, and executive function in older adolescents, Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, In press.
Zald, D. H., & Andreotti, C. F. (2010). The Neuropsychiatry of the Orbitofrontal Cortex. Neuropsychologia, 48, 3377-3391.
Robinson, K. E., Kuttesch, J., Champion, J. E., Andreotti, C. F., Hipp, D. W., Bettis, A., Barnwell, A., & Compas, B. E. (2010). Neurocognitive Sequelae in Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Quantitative Meta-Analysis. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 55, 525-531.
Petersen T. J., Andreotti C. F., Chelminski I, Young D, & Zimmerman M. (2009). Do Cormorbid Anxiety Disorders Matter? The Impact of Comorbid Anxiety Disorders on Treatment Planning in Depressed Outpatients. Psychiatry Research, 169, 7-11.
Huffman, J. C., Petersen, T. P., Andreotti, C. F., Baer, L., Solway, S., & Birnbaum, R. J. (2008). Outcomes Measurement in a National Multimedia Continuing Medical Education Program: Challenges and Opportunities. CE Measure, 2, 50-57.
Petersen, T. J., Perlis, R. H., Ticknor, C., Lohr, J., Solvason, H. B., O'Reardon, J. P., Wohlreich, M. M, Andreotti, C. F., Wilson, M., & Fava, M. (2008). Efficacy of duloxetine for the treatment of depression: relationship to most recent antidepressant trial. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 41, 34-45.
Petersen, T. J., Huffman, J. C., Weiss, A. P., Blais, M. A., Andreotti, C. F., Horwitz, M. B., & Birnbaum, R. J. (2008). Reach of Benchmark Psychiatric Trial Results to Community-Based Providers: A Case Study of CATIE. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69, 1081-1086.
Presentations:
Andreotti, C. F, Champion, J. E, Dunn, M. J, Haker, K., Potts, J. E, Reising, M. M, Robinson, K. E., Rodriguez, E., Roubinov, D., Luecken, L. J. & Compas, B. E. (2011, April). Exposure to Conflict in the Early Family Environment, Coping, and Executive Function in Risk for Depression and Anxiety. Poster presented at Biennial Meeting of Society for Research in Child Development, Montreal, Quebec.
Reising, M. M., Andreotti, C. F., Champion, J. E, Dunn, M. J, Haker, K., Potts, J. E, Robinson, K. E., Rodriguez, E., Roubinov, D., Luecken, L. J. & Compas, B. E. (2011, April). Long Term Effects of Childhood Trauma on the Development of Executive Function and Emotion Regulation. Poster presented at Biennial Meeting of Society for Research in Child Development, Montreal, Quebec.
Robinson, K. E., Andreotti, C. F., Reising, M. M., Champion, J. E., Campbell, L. K., Potts, J. E., Haker, K. A., & Compas, B. E. (2011, February). Neurocogntiive Deficits in Survivors of Pediatric ALL: Implications for Long-Term Coping and Emotion Regulation. Poster presented at International Neuropsychological Society Annual Conference, Boston, MA.
Andreotti, C. F., Robinson, K. E., Reising, M. M., Champion, J. E., Campbell, L. K., Potts, J. E., Haker, K. A., & Compas, B. E. (2011, February). Cognitive and Executive Functioning in Childhood Survivors of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Correspondence Between Assessment Data and Parent Perceptions. Poster presented at International Neuropsychological Society Annual Conference, Boston, MA.
Andreotti, C. F, Champion, J. E, Dunn, M. J, Haker, K., Potts, J. E, Reising, M. M, Robinson, K. E., Rodriguez, E., & Compas, B. E. (2010, November). Emotion Regulation, Coping, and Executive Functioning in Risk for Depression: An Integrative Approach.Poster presented at Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA.
Andreotti, C. F., Berlin, K., and Compas, B. E. (2010, April). Psychological and Biological Stress During Mother-Daughter Communication About Breast Cancer Risk. Abstract presented at Biomarkers of Stress Reactivity in Families with Medical Diagnoses, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Developmental Disabilities Symposium, Gatlinburg Conference for Developmental Disabilities, Annapolis, MD.
Petersen, T. J., Andreotti, C. F., Huffman, J. C., Birnbaum, R. J., Falk, W., & Ellison, J. M. (2008, May). Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Physicians’ Current Knowledge and Barriers to Use. Poster presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Andreotti, C. F., Bumenfeld, K., Weiss, A. P., Blais, M. A., Huffman, J. C., & Birnbaum, R. J. (2008, May). Perceived Needs and Barriers to Access of Mental Health Information: Patient, Family Member, and Provider Views. Poster presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Petersen, T. J., Birnbaum, R. J., Weiss, A. P., Huffman, J. C., & Andreotti, C. F. (2007, December). Dynamic Integration of Outcome Metrics into Multi-Platform Educational Programs. Workshop presented at Alliance for Continuing Medical Education Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.
Petersen, T. J., Papakostas, G. I., Lietz, A., Andreotti, C. F., Birnbaum, R. J., Fava, M., Spencer, T., Wilens, T. E., & Biederman, J. (2007, May). Impact of FDA black box warning on clinicians' beliefs about the safety of antidepressant usage in pediatric patients. Poster presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Andreotti, C. F., Petersen, T. J. & Zimmerman, M. (2007, May). The Impact of Substance Abuse on Treatment Planning in Depressed Outpatients with Comorbid Anxiety Disorders. Poster presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Andreotti, C. F, Petersen, T. J. & Zimmerman, M. (2007, May). The Impact of Comorbid Anxiety Disorders on Treatment Planning in Depressed Outpatients. Poster presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Honors
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Vanderbilt Graduate Fellowship
Vanderbilt Travel Awards