The Denison University psychology department presents "Origins of Mental Illness: Focus on Schizophrenia," an All College Convocation from research scientist Pamela D. Butler at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (March 28) in Slayter Auditorium.

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder affecting more than two million Americans. Butler will also present a psychology colloquium on "Perceptual Processing Deficits in Schizophrenia: A Window on Brain Function" at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday (March 29) in Higley Auditorium. Both lectures are free and open to the public.

Butler's Tuesday evening convocation will include a description of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, and a brief history of what people have considered the prominent symptoms. She also will discuss the origins of schizophrenia including developmental, genetic, and diathesis stress models.

Cognitive impairment is considered to be one of the most enduring problems in schizophrenia and Butler will review origins of cognitive impairment including her work on basic perceptual deficits in the Wednesday afternoon session. This talk also will highlight the scientific process because there are a number of controversies regarding the origins of cognitive impairment in mental illness.

Butler, a 1978 Denison psychology graduate, is a research scientist in the Program in Cognitive Neuroscience and Schizophrenia at the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (New York State Office of Mental Health). She is currently researching the visual processing deficits associated with schizophrenia with a five-year, $1.6 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. "Butler's pioneering work holds promise for identifying some of the earliest markers of the disease, perhaps offering new avenues for diagnosis and treatment," says Dr. Robert Cancro, director of the Kline Institute. Butler earned her doctorate in neuropsychology from City University of New York. She also received postdoctoral fellowships at Duke University Medical Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Denison University,The psychology department presents a colloquium from Denison graduate and research scientist Pamela D. Butler, "Perceptual Processing Deficits in Schizophrenia: A Window on Brain Function"; 3:30 p.m., Wednesday (March 29), Higley Auditorium (100 Ridge Road). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6338 to confirm information.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- The psychology department presents Denison graduate and research scientist Pamela D. Butler's lecture "Origins of Mental Illness: Focus on Schizophrenia"; 7:30 p.m., Tuesday (March 28), Slayter Auditorium (200 North Road). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6338 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575