M.D.
University of Maryland School of Medicine - 1983
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John Hart, Jr.
Distinguished Chair in Neuroscience
Professor - Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Clinical Psychology (UTSW)
Medical Science Director of the Center for BrainHealth
Professional Preparation
B.A. - Psychology
The Johns Hopkins University - 1979
The Johns Hopkins University - 1979
Research Areas
Research Interests
My research interests have focused on the neural basis of semantic memory in the human brain. My work, spanning several decades, has focused on identifying the organization of semantic memory in the human brain by proposing that there is both a categorical and featural structure to object memory that exists in multiple memory systems in the brain. My laboratory's recent studies have used functional neuroimaging and electrophysiological investigations to explore the neural mechanisms underlying combining these components of an object together to form an integrated object memory. They recently reported that one neural mechanism by which object recall can occur is via synchronizing gamma brain rhythms that are modulated by the thalamus and proposed the Neural Hybrid Model of Semantic Memory. I am now investigating object memory and word finding deficits in multiple disease states in terms of both diagnosing and designing treatment options based on this model.
Publications
Anand, R., Chapman, S., Rackley, A., Keebler, M., Zientz, J., Hart, J. Gist Reasoning Training in Cognitively Normal Seniors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, in press. ? - Publication
Xu, F., Uh, J., Brier, M., Hart, J., Yezhuvath, U., Gu, H., Yang, Y., Lu, H. The influence of carbon dioxide on brain activity and metabolism in conscious humans. The Journal of Cerebral Blood flow and Metabolism, in press. ? - Publication
Calley, C.S., Buhl, V., Tillman, G.D., Green, T.A., Hart, J. Jr., Haley, R.W., Kraut, M.A. Impaired word finding in ill Gulf War veterans. Brain Imaging and Behavior, in press. ? - Publication
Calley, C., Tillman, G., Womack, K., Moore, P., Hart, J., Jr., Kraut, M. Subjective Report of Word-Finding and Memory Deficits in Normal Aging and Dementia. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, in press ? - Publication
Tillman, G., Kimbrell, T., Calley, C., Li, J., Kraut, M., Freeman, T., Hart, J., Jr. Selective Reduction of Combat Threat Memory P300 Response after Right Frontal Lobe rTMS in PTSD. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences , in press ? - Publication
Appointments
Director - University of Texas at Dallas [2006–Present]
Medical Science Director - University of Texas at Dallas [2005–Present]
Professor/ Jane and Bud Smith Distinguished Chair/Cecil Green Chair in Systems Biology - University of Texas at Dallas [2005–Present]
- University of Texas at Dallas [2005–Present]
Professor - University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center [2005–Present]
Associate Director - GRECC of CAVHS [2004–2005]
Associate Professor - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences [2003–2005]
Physician Researcher - GRECC, CAVHS [2002–2005]
Director - Geriatric Memory Disorders Clinic, CAVHS [2002–2005]
Staff Physician - Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System [2002–2005]
Projects
A distinct form of thalamic aphasia due to a semantic feature-Binding deficit.
2002–2002 Segal, J.B., Moo, L., Kraut, M., Hart, J. Cognitive Neuroscience Society, March, 2002.Cortical rhythms during semantic object recall in Mild Cognitive Impairment
2006–2006 Hart, J,Li, J, Pitcock, J, Calhoun, V, Kraut, M American Academy of Neurology, April, 4, 2006.Neural hybrid model of semantic object recall.
2004–2004 Hart, J International Neuropsychological Association and Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment, Brisbane, Australia, 2004. (Brain Impairment 2004; 5: 27).Thalamocortical evidence for a constructive memory framework.
2003–2003 Slotnick, S. & Hart, J Society for Neuroscience, 2003.Absence of anterior cingulate activation in schizophrenic individuals during a semantic feature-binding task.
2004–2004 Rivkin, P., Yassa, M, Hart, J, Kraut, M, Kanaan, R., Calhoun, V, & Pearlson, G. Society of Biological Psychiatry, 2004.Additional Information
Certification
- Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, UCNS, 10/23/06
Editorial Activities
- 1998- Editorial Board, Neurocase
- 2006-2009 Editorial Board, Neuropsychology
- 2007- Editorial Board, Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences
- 2009- Editorial Board, World Journal of Radiology
- 2010- Review Editorial Board, Frontiers in Neuropsychiatric Imaging and Stimulation
Medical Licensure
- Maryland D46185 (exp. 9/30/2012); Arkansas E-3591 (exp. 5/31/11); TX NO583 (exp.11/30/2011) ; DEA BH 412 0870 (10/31/2012); MD CDS M38304 (exp. 4/30/2012) ; TX TCSRC F0152446 (exp. 4/30/2011)
News Articles
Neuroscientists Use Magnetic Stimulation to Amplify PTSD Therapy
Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas have found that a standard therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more effective when paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain.Dr. John Hart Jr., Dr. Michael Motes and a team of researchers examined whether the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in treating PTSD could be boosted by adding repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) just prior to the CPT sessions.
Study Finds Cognitive Impairment in Some Retired NFL Players
A study led by the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth examining the neuropsychological status of former National Football League players has found heightened incidence of cognitive deficits and depression among retired players.But researchers from the center and from UT Southwestern Medical Center say their study, published online Monday in JAMA Neurology, also is significant for what it did not find: evidence of cognitive impairment in the majority of ex-players.
New BrainHealth Test May Detect Who Is Most at Risk for Alzheimer's
Researchers at Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas have developed a test that may help detect who is at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
In a study published in the Journal ofAlzheimer’s Disease, scientists found that individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) have twice the risk of others in their age group of progressing to Alzheimer’s after identifying a specific variation in their brain waves.
PTSD Researchers Win Nearly $7.4M Department of Defense Grant
A University of Texas at Dallas neuroscience research team led by Dr. John Hart Jr. has received a nearly $7.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense for a multisite study on a novel treatment protocol for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The researchers are seeking up to 330 military veterans with combat-related PTSD for the study, which will include both repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). The funding comes four months after publication of the team’s Journal of Affective Disorders study, which indicated that CPT for PTSD is more effective when paired with rTMS.