M.D., Ph.D. Sayaka Yoshimura
The main focus of our laboratory is developmental disorders, especially autistic spectrum disorders. We conduct clinical and research work from the perspectives of 1. child and adolescent psychiatry, 2. cognitive neuroscience research, and 3. child judicial psychiatry. In addition, for those with experience supporting people with developmental disorders, we offer an educational program to train highly specialized personnel with expertise in developmental disorders.
Research and Education
Elucidating the characteristic psychophysiology and cognitive processing of developmental disorders is the foundation for establishing correct understanding and rational support. However, the proper academic knowledge has yet to be fully accumulated. Our laboratory aims to conduct research that will provide important clues in considering support for developmental disorders and to give back to practice. In addition to medical professionals, people from various backgrounds, such as psychology and music therapy, are studying in graduate school, and undergraduates can also be exposed to multiple research methodologies during the senior thesis stage. The Department of Advanced Occupational Therapy, centered on our laboratory, conducts a certificate program, “Solving National Health Issues through Interventions for Developmental Disorders,” and an e-learning course, “ASD project Basic course,” which is the essence of the program, to train advanced professionals with a deep understanding of the psychophysiology and cognitive processing of developmental disorders.
Recent Publications
- Zhao, S., Uono, S., Hu, R.Q., Yoshimura, S., & Toichi, M. Self-referential and social saliency information influences memory following attention orienting. (2023). Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 10092512.
- Yoshimura, S., Shibata, M., Kyuragi, Y., Kobayashi, K., Aki, M., Murai, T., & Fujiwara, H. (2022). The Japanese version of the generalized problematic internet use scale 2 (GPIUS2): Psychometric evaluation and analysis of the theoretical model. PLOSONE, 22, e0273895.
- Uono, S., Sato, W., Kochiyama, T., Yoshimura, S., Sawada, R., Kubota, Y., Sakihama, M., & Toichi, M. (2022). The structural neural correlates of atypical facial expression recognition in autism spectrum disorder. Brain imaging and behavior, 16(3), 1428–1440.
- Uono, S., Yoshimura, S., & Toichi, M. (2021). Eye contact perception in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder. Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 25(1), 137–147.
- Yoshimura, S., Kobayashi, K., Ueno, T., Miyagi, T., Oishi, N., Murai, T., & Fujiwara, H. (2020). Autistic traits are associated with the functional connectivity of between-but not within-attention systems in the general population. BMC neuroscience, 21(1), 49.
Laboratory
Sayaka Yoshimura M.D., Ph.D.