DrTalitha Ford

Autism spectrum disorder
Neurodevelopmental conditions
Social communication and processing
Brain excitation-inhibition
Neuroimaging/neuroscience
* functional MRI
* magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)
* functional MRS
* magnetoencephalography (MEG)
* electroencephalography (EEG)

Projects
Characterising the Neurobiology of Social Processes across the Autism Spectrum
(NeuroSPA)
Funded by a Dean's Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, this study utilises EEG and MRI to investigate the underlying brain processes involved in the social processing difficulties typically experienced by autistic adolescents. The outcomes of this research may be useful to inform therapeutic interventions and improve outcomes for young people on the autism spectrum.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy during Social Processing (SPfMRS)

The first investigation his functional MRS study investigates the relationship between social communication abilities and the brains main excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, during social processing.

A randomised crossover trial examining behavioural and neurophysiological effects of cannabidiol in children with autism (CBDCA)
This prospectively registered randomised placebo-controlled cross-over trial investigated the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) oil in improving social
communication and mental health outcomes in autistic children aged 5-12 years, as well as CBDs modulating effects on brain excitation-inhibition.

Examining the neurophysiological effect of cannabidiol in healthy adults (CBD-EEG)

This registered randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial investigates the acute effects if CBD on the brain via EEG, particularly in relation to how CBD modulates markers of brain excitation-inhibition. Participants are healthy adults aged 18-40 years.