Lauren E. Ethridge
Associate Professor, Psychology Dale Hall Tower 739 ethri at ou dot edu https://brainandbiomarkerlab.com/ Ph.D., Neuroscience, University of Georgia, 2011RESEARCH:
The Brain and Biomarker Laboratory, under the direction of Dr. Lauren Ethridge, is a multidisciplinary, translational neuroscience laboratory focusing on applications of basic science to clinical outcomes, particularly in neurodevelopmental disorders.
The BABL group centers on the use of dense-array EEG as a translational tool for learning more about brain function in neurodevelopmental disorders. The ultimate goal of our research is to establish non-invasive biological markers for changes in brain function that not only elucidate neural and molecular pathways affected by disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder but also serve as aids for early identification, early predictors for response to individualized treatment protocols, and reliable indicators of treatment effects.
Research in the lab is highly collaborative, with a large network of investigators across the country. Current research includes:
1. EEG as a translational, treatment sensitive, biomarker in rare genetic disorders associated with autism, including Fragile X Syndrome and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
2. Neural correlates of face processing in toddlers at risk for autism
3. Characteristics of EEG activity related to variation in ASD symptoms across the full spectrum, including subclinical characteristics in the typically developing population
4. Dense phenotyping of biologically based subtypes (“biotypes”) across the schizo-bipolar spectrum of psychosis
Selected Publications:
Kornfeld-Sylla, S., Gelegen, C., Norris, J. E., Chaloner, F., Lee, M., Kela, M., Heinrich, M. J., Finnie, P. S. B., Ethridge, L. E., Schmitt, L. M., Cooke, S. F., Wilkinson, C., and Bear, M. F. (2026). A human electrophysiological biomarker of Fragile X Syndrome is shared in V1 of Fmr1 KO mice. Nature Communications 17: 1497.
Hansen, H. A., Norris, J. E., Bain. C. M., Ethridge, L. E., and Tardif, C. L. (2026) Selective disruption of salience-network anterior insular connectivity in misophonia: A disorder-specific neural signature. Human Brain Mapping 47: e70468.
Arledge, B. T., Bell, S. B., Chapple, C., Maher, E., Norris, J. E., Auger, E., and Ethridge, L. E. (2026) Adverse childhood experiences and protective factors impact neural response to social rejection in rural communities. Adversity and Resilience Science 7(5).
Liu, Y., Siekierski, P., De Stefano, L. A., Westerkamp, G., Ethridge, L., Blank, E., Miyakoshi, M., Thorpe, R. V., Jones, S. R., Erickson, C., Horn, P. S., and Pedapati, E. V. (2026) Elevated gamma spectral event peak power during auditory chirp is associated with neuropsychiatric features in Fragile X syndrome. Clinical Neurophysiology 185: 2111713.
Norris, J. E., Berry-Kravis, E. M., Harnett, M. D., Reines, S. A., Reese, M. A., Auger, E. K., Outterson, A. H., Furman, J., Gurney, M. E., and Ethridge, L. E. (2025) ROC analysis of biomarker combinations in Fragile X syndrome-specific clinical trials: evaluating treatment efficacy via exploratory biomarkers. Translational Psychiatry 15: 323.
Smith, M. R., Berry-Kravis, E., Thaliath, A., Isenstein, E., Durkin, A. R., Foss-Feig, J., Siper, P. M., Nelson, C. A., Baczewski, L. M., Levin, A. R., Powell, C. M., White, S. P., Mosconi, M. W., Kolevzon, A., and Ethridge, L. E. (2025) Phenotypic variation in neural sensory processing by deletion-size, gender, and age in Phelan McDermid Syndrome. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 17: 51.
Bain, C. M., Norris, J. E., Conley, A., Manapat, P. D., and Ethridge, L. E. (2025) A psychometric analysis of the Duke Misophonia Questionnaire. Psychological Assessment 81: 1195-1212.
Naghash, F., Casey, E., and Ethridge, L. E. (2025) Play across neural spaces. In E. Casey and C. Dewhirst (Eds), Play Across All Spaces: Why the Brain Needs Play and How to Foster Play in Any Context, Kendall Hunt Publishing Group.
Miyakoshi, M., Kim, H., De Stefano, L., Schmitt, L., Norris, J., Ethridge, L., Erickson, C., Pedapati, E. (2025) Hyper-extralemniscal model of Fragile X Syndrome. Cerebral Cortex 35: bhaf141.
Pedapati, E.V., Ethridge, L.E, De Stefano, L., Liu, Y., Miyakoshi, M., Sweeney, J.A., Schmitt, L.M., Gilbert, D.L., Wu, S.W., Liu, R., Smith, E., Shaffer, R.C., Dominick, K.C., Horn, P.S., Binder, D., and Erikson, C.A. (2025) Frontal cortex hyperactivation and gamma desynchrony in Fragile X Syndrome: Correlates of auditory hypersensitivity. PLoS ONE 20: e0306157.