The overarching goals of Dr. Fonzo's work are:

A) To develop a brain-based scientific framework to characterize the emotional disturbances arising from trauma and stress, utilizing cutting-edge scientific non-invasive techniques;

B) To link affective symptoms (e.g., depressed mood, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, excessive fear and anxiety) and evidence-based treatments (e.g., psychotherapy, medications, brain modulation) to mechanisms that span units of analysis, including brain circuits, information-processing computations, and behavior;

C) To leverage this knowledge to design, implement, and establish efficacy of novel treatments and intervention approaches;

D) Most importantly, to contribute to the alleviation of suffering arising from mental illness.

Our primary methodological tools include non-invasive neuroimaging with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); clinical assessment with structured clinical interviews and self-report measures; and behavioral assessment with standardized computerized paradigms. We utilize these measures to characterize the information processing and brain circuit dynamics that underlie particular symptoms arising from trauma and stress.