Julian R. Keith, Ph.D.

Professor, Psychology

Home: Welcome

Bio

I attended the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where I was a double major studying Psychology and Philosophy and Religion.

I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where I studied with Steven Maier and Jerry Rudy for my MA and Ph.D. degrees, respectively.

My graduate education was in neuroscience and experimental psychology, with an emphasis on behavioral- and neuroplasticity.

Home: About Me

Previous Research

A Sample

Heart Surgery Effects on Brain Function

Cognitive decline after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery has been a concern since the advent of CPB procedures. A primary focus of many studies on this topic has been to quantify the incidence of post-CPB cognitive impairment. However, studies that have used traditional parametric statistics have generally failed to confirm that long-lasting (􏰋1 month) cognitive declines occur reliably after CPB surgery. Our research revealed preoperative memory impairments in the CPB patients and new postoperative impairments of attention.

a. Keith, J. R., Puente, A. E., Malcolmson, K. L., Tartt, S., Coleman, A. E., & Marks, H. F. (2002). Assessing postoperative cognitive change after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Neuropsychology, 16, 411-421.

b. Keith, J.R., Cohen, D.J., and Lecci, L. (2007). Why serial assessments of cardiac patients’ neurobehavioral performances are misleading. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.83, 370-373.

c. Keith, J.R. (2001). On the reliability of neuropsychological changes following cardiac surgery and a deeper problem posed by practice effects. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, 15, 666-668.

Neuroplasticity

Much of my early research investigated mechanisms of neuroplasticity and their relationship to learning, memory, and recovery of function after brain injury. This area of research provided me with an in-depth understanding of basic mechanisms of neuroplasticity. These studies were supported by a R01 from NIMH and used a broad variety of methods, including electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscopy, neurosurgery, and sophisticated behavioral analyses to investigate complex brain-behavior relationships.

a. Keith, J.R., Priester, C.P., Ferguson, M., and Salling, M. (2008). Persistent increases in the pool of doublecortin-expressing neurons in the hippocampus following spatial navigation training. Behavioural Brain Research, 188, 391-397.

b. Keith, J.R., Wu, Y., Epp, J.R., Williams, P.T., and Sutherland, R.J. (2007). Fluoxetine and the dentate gyrus: memory, recovery of function, and electrophysiology. Behavioural Pharmacology, 18, 521-531.

c. Keith, J. R. and Rudy, J. W. (1990). Why NMDA Receptor-Dependent Long-term Potentiation May not be a Mechanism of Learning and Memory: Reappraisal of the NMDA Receptor Blockade Strategy. Psychobiology, 18,251-257.

Brain Biofeedback

Attention deficits are prevalent among individuals with substance use disorders and may interfere with recovery. Our research team developed a program to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback system in for adults with attention deficit disorders and in recovering illicit substance users who had attention deficits upon admission to a comprehensive residential treatment facility. In our publication in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, we demonstrated that automated neurofeedback can effectively improve attention in recovering illicit substance users in the context of a comprehensive residential substance abuse treatment facility. Using similar methods, and a sham neurofeedback control condition, we also conducted a randomized clinical trial assessing neurofeedback effects on symptoms of attention deficit disorder in young adults.

a. Keith, J., Rapgay, L. Theordore, D., Schwartz, J., and Ross, J.L. (2015). An Assessment of an automated EEG biofeedback system for attention deficits in a substance use disorders residential treatment setting. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29, 17-25.

b. R15 AT007226-01Keith (PI) 2012-2015. A Placebo-Control Evaluation of Neurofeedback Efficacy in Adults with ADHD

Grant Support

R15 AT007226-01 Keith (PI) 2012-2015

A Placebo-Control Evaluation of Neurofeedback Efficacy in Adults with ADHD

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback for symptoms of ADHD in adults.

ROLE: PI

Completed Research Support

Cape Fear Memorial Foundation Grant Keith (PI) 2012-2014

The Seahawk Brainwave and Attention Training Clinic

The goal of this project was to establish a clinic and research facility to treat ADHD symptoms in children using neurofeedback.

Alzheimer’s North Carolina (AlzNC) Keith (PI) 2012-2013

A New Approach at Identifying Patterns of Cognitive Decline in Patients with Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type

The goal of this project was to develop a large database that included neuropsychological measures taken from patients at all stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

NSF Kinsey (PI) 2005

Proposal to obtain laser scanning confocal microscope

The purpose of this project was to obtain imaging technology to study neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.

ROLE: Co-I

R01 MH067156 Keith (PI) 2003-2008

Functional Aspects of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

The purpose of this project was to test hypotheses regarding the functional roles of new neurons added to the hippocampus during adulthood.

Canadian Stroke Network Sutherland (PI) 2003-2005

Title: Stimulating Plastic Processes to Facilitate Functional Restitution after Cortical Stroke

ROLE: Co-I

The purpose of this project was to develop methods to promote recovery of function after brain injury.

R15 Galizio (PI) 2000-2003

Drugs of Abuse and Complex Behavior

Purpose

Role: Co-I

The purpose of this project was to develop new methods for assessing drug effects on behavior.

R15 KEITH (PI) 1996-1999

CPB Effects on Neuropsychological Performance

Purpose

ROLE: PI

The purpose of this project was to determine if cardiopulmonary bypass surgery caused persistent cognitive impairment.

Home: Publications

Teaching and Public Presentations

Knowledge for Every Level

Lifelong Learners

I enjoy and give frequently give presentations to local organizations such as the Osher Life-Long Learning Institute at UNCW, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UNCW, Cucalorus Connect, Rotary & Kiwanis Clubs, etc. Topics range from Exercise, Stress, and the Brain, Buddhism and Modern Psychology, and Artificial Intelligence.

Graduate Courses

In past semesters I have taught;

Cognitive Psychology
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Memory
Professional Development

Undergraduate Courses

I teach Experimental Psychology and an undergraduate course on Buddhism and Modern Psychology.