The first meeting of the SYNAPSE Center will be held both virtually and in UMSON, Room 535 at 1 p.m., June 12.
The SYNAPSE Center’s founding principle is to view medical symptoms as mental states (that is, subjective, first-person moments of consciousness). This perspective complements traditional views that symptoms are direct consequences of tissue damage or a particular medical condition. We hope that by applying theories and methods from psychology, sociology, anthropology, neuroscience, sensation and perception, and other fields in basic and clinical research alongside other scientists, patients, caregivers, and others, we can better predict, prevent, and treat symptoms to ultimately allow people to live the lives they want to live.
The goals of our first meeting are to meet who is interested in these topics and to start brainstorming topics and learning together.
The goals of our first year are to write a collaborative theoretical manuscript; brainstorm data-based papers we can write together; consider new studies we can run; and consider grants we can apply for.
All faculty, students, staff, patients, and community members are welcome.