Farb, Norman Dr.
Dr. Norman Farb
Research Focus
My current research focuses on changes in brain connectivity found in normal aging and in patients with dementia. I am interested in the interplay between two distinct ways of looking at the world, and the neural systems supporting these “modes” of awareness. On one hand there is a conceptual world which most of us inhabit throughout the day, full of descriptions of events, memories, attitudes, and evaluations of people and things. On the other hand there is an experiential world, tracking how our bodies, thoughts and feelings change from moment to moment, a judgment-free awareness of current experiences and intentions. Developing techniques for measuring bias in how people see the world is important for understanding the brain in everyday life, but also for appreciating the different brain systems that may be compromised in cases of dementia.
My past research projects include: the neural predictors of relapse in depression, how mindfulness training reduces the relapse risk by changing access to these two modes of awareness, and more generally how biases in self-regulation are created and altered, predicting reactions in both body and mind.
I am excited to be working as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Tiffany Chow in the Frontotemporal Dementia Workgroup, and am dedicated to advancing both public understanding of the disorder and developing new techniques for the assessment and care of patients with dementia and their caregivers.
My past research projects include: the neural predictors of relapse in depression, how mindfulness training reduces the relapse risk by changing access to these two modes of awareness, and more generally how biases in self-regulation are created and altered, predicting reactions in both body and mind.
I am excited to be working as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Tiffany Chow in the Frontotemporal Dementia Workgroup, and am dedicated to advancing both public understanding of the disorder and developing new techniques for the assessment and care of patients with dementia and their caregivers.
Publications
| Title | Source (Journal/Book/Conference) | Authors/Presenters | Published On | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abnormal network connectivity in frontotemporal dementia: Evidence for prefrontal isolation | Cortex | Farb NA, Grady CL, Strother S, Tang-Wai DF, Masellis M, Black S, Freedman M, Pollock BG, Campbell KL, Hasher L, Chow TW | 1348459200 | Journal Article |
| The Impact of the Right Insula on Behavior and Cognition in Frontotemporal Dementia | Neurology | Farb N, Chow TW, Tang-Wai D, Masellis M | 1302580800 | Presentation |
| The Impact of the Right Insula on Behavior and Cognition in Frontotemporal Dementia Neurology | American Academy of Neurology | Farb N, Chow TW, Tang-Wai D, Masellis M | 1302580800 | Abstract |
| The Role of Overt Attention in Emotion-Modulated Memory | Emotion | Riggs L, McQuiggan DA, Farb N, Anderson AK, Ryan JD | 1301976000 | Journal Article |
| Minding one's emotions: mindfulness training alters the neural expression of sadness. | Emotion | Farb NA, Anderson AK, Mayberg H, Bean J, McKeon D, Segal ZV | 1262322000 | Journal Article |
| Memory for general and specific value information in younger and older adults: measuring the limits of strategic control. | Memory & Cognition | Castel AD, Farb NA, Craik FI | 1180670400 | Journal Article |
| Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference. | Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience | Farb NA, Segal ZV, Mayberg H, Bean J, McKeon D, Fatima Z, Anderson AK | 1167627600 | Journal Article |
| The influence of self-regulatory focus on encoding of, and memory for, emotional words. | Social Neuroscience | Touryan SR, Johnson MK, Mitchell KJ, Farb N, Cunningham WA, Raye CL | 1167627600 | Journal Article |
Education
- 2003: Joint Honours B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy, Cognitive Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- 2005: M.A. in Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Academic Appointments
- 2007–2009: Course Instructor, Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Professional Affiliations
- 2010–Present: Member, Society for Neuroscience
- 2010–Present: Member, Cognitive Neuroscience Society
- 2010: Member, American Psychological Association
Reviewership
Consulting
- 2010–Present: Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience
- 2010–Present: Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
- Neuroimage
- 2010–Present: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review
- 2010: Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
- Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
- 2010–Present: Nature Neuroscience
Distinctions and Awards
- 2010: Ph.D. Graduate Scholarship (3 Year PGSD), NSERC
- 2009: Varela Award, Mind and Life Institute, Examining attention network changes following Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training compared to an active control group: a pre-post active control fMRI study
- 2009: Student Fellowship, Ontario Mental Health Foundation
- 2009: Best Poster Award (Program in Neuroscience Poster Day), University of Toronto, Collaborative Program in Neuroscience
- 2007: Varela Award, Mind and Life Institute
- 2005: APA Advanced Training Institute Fellowship, American Psychological Association
- 2004: M.A. Graduate Scholarship (1 Year PGSM), NSERC
Research Projects
External
-
2009–2011:
Varela Award
Supervisor: Adam K. Anderson
Collaborators: Adam K. Anderson, Zindel V. Segal
Institutions: Dept. Psychology, University of Toronto; Dept. Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)Sponsors: Mind and Life Foundation Research Grant
Internal
-
2010–2012:
Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Tiffany Chow
Institutions: Rotman Research InstituteSponsors: Women of Baycrest Fellowship
Contact
3560 Bathurst St.Toronto, Ontario
Canada M6A 2E1
Phone: 416 785 2500 x2737 Email: nfarb
rotman-baycrest.on.ca
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