Make STRIDEs In Mental Health with Neuroscience Research!

Who We Are and What We Do

We are Team STRIDE, a highly motivated team of undergraduate honors students that have been pursuing neuroscientific research for the past three years. Many mental disorders characterized by a deficit in empathy, such as autism spectrum disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and schizophrenia, cause social difficulties that impact the daily lives of affected individuals and their loved ones.

We are investigating the neurological significance of dopamine and oxytocin, both naturally-occurring hormones that affect social bonding and empathy between individuals. Using an innovative research model, we are developing insights into the inner workings of the brain’s fundamental system for understanding the emotions of others.

Finding the neurobiological basis of empathy will provide a foundation for future research and treatment options for these disorders. Be a part of the solution - donate today!

How Does This Impact You?

Disorders characterized by a deficit in empathy, such as autism, antisocial personality disorder, and schizophrenia, are widespread and can be very debilitating and cause stress for families and caretakers. Treatment focuses on symptoms rather than causes.

• 1 in 4 American adults has a severe mental disorder, and this affects their families and loved ones as well.

• 1 in 68 American children are diagnosed with autism, and over 3.5 million Americans live with autism today. Prevalence is increasing by 6-15% each year.

• Schizophrenia ranks as one of the top ten causes of disability worldwide. There are about twice as many cases of schizophrenia as of alzheimer's, and 6 times as many cases of schizophrenia as of insulin-dependent diabetes. It costs about $62.7 billion total to treat every year.

• Antisocial personality disorders is one of the most difficult disorders to treat, and 9.1% of Americans suffer from it. People with antisocial personality disorder typically suffer from other debilitating disorders as well, such as anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse.

• Due to lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these disorders related to empathy, treatment in this area suffers.

How Will Your Donation Contribute?

With your donation, our research will continue to develop and increase in productivity. Specifically, we will:

• Buy additional equipment used for behavioral training.

• Buy lab supplies including pipettes, syringes, gauze, swabs, chemicals for sterilization, gloves, saline, fixative, stain, gloves, and glass slides.

• Buy recording supplies for fabrication of disposable voltammetric microsensor electrodes, including custom parts, wires, epoxies and connectors.

• Increase our sample size so that we can report our work to the scientific community via publication in high quality journals.

• Attend conferences in order to share and receive feedback on our research, which will help us to refine and improve our work.

Thank You!

Without your support, this research would not be possible. Please share our efforts with friends and family, and help us continue to make strides in mental health research.

Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents.  Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Please see your tax advisor for details.