Janet L. Shucard PhD

Janet Shucard

Janet L. Shucard
PhD

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology

Department of Neurology

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Behavioral Health; Brain Research; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Electrophysiology; Neuropsychiatric Disorders; Neuroscience; Psychology

Contact Information
Sherman Hall Annex
room 111
3435 Main St.
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: 716-829-2099
shucard@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and a cognitive neuroscientist. My clinical psychotherapy practice within the Department of Neurology focuses on the treatment of the psychological consequences that an individual experiences as a result of a neurological disorder or other chronic medically related problem. I use an eclectic approach that includes cognitive behavioral techniques to treat stress disorders, insomnia, depression and other emotional or behavioral problems that arise as a result of a medical condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a short-term and effective method that helps people identify and change thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that affect their feelings and behaviors. By restructuring patterns of thoughts, people are able to develop more effective coping skills, problem-solving strategies and emotional responses. I see patients in my office at the medical school on UB’s south campus. Neurologists or other health care professionals may refer patients to me or the patient may call my office directly using the contact information on my profile.

I am the associate director of the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences in the Department of Neurology. In our research laboratory, we apply electrophysiological (event-related brain potentials), neuropsychological and behavioral measures to the study of cognitive functions such as working memory/information processing speed, cognitive control and response inhibition. Specifically, the research areas include: neuropsychological and electrophysiological aspects of attention, inhibitory, cognitive control and other executive functions in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); memory/processing speed deficits in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS); ; and the relationships among cognitive function, psychological function and quality of life in patients with SLE and MS.

I mentor and train undergraduate and graduate students from the neuroscience program and UB’s Department of Psychology. Undergraduates and beginning graduate students learn about electrophysiological, behavioral, and cognitive testing methods, and they gain an understanding of the field of cognition and brain function. More advanced students conduct research projects in our laboratory, leading to undergraduate honors theses, master’s theses, and PhD dissertations.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Clinical Psychology, University at Buffalo (1995)
  • Internship, Clinical Psychology Internship, Buffalo Veterans Administration Hospital (1994)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Neurology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Awards and Honors:

  • Honors Research Award (1972)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • January 2018–December 2021
    The effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms on behavioral, psychological, and neurophysiological measures of decision making in police officers
    National Institutes of Justice
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $814,158
  • June 2017–December 2021
    The effects of working memory training on brain function, structure, and cognition in MS
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $622,839
  • September 2014–December 2016
    Does working memory training improve brain function and cognition in MS?
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $44,000
  • August 2014–April 2016
    Does working memory training improve brain function and cognition in healthy individuals and in patients with Multiple Sclerosis?
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $60,000
  • January 2006–January 2011
    Neurological indices of CNS involvement in non-CNS SLE
    NIH
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,200,000
  • January 2006–December 2006
    Neurological Indices of CNS Involvement in SLE
    James H. Cummings Foundation
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $179,267
  • June 2003–June 2004
    Electrophysiological Measures of Processing Speed and Working Memory Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $39,600
  • January 1998–October 2000
    Neurocognitive Indices of Attention in PTSD
    NIH
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $152,000

Journal Articles:

See all (37 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Shucard DW, Shucard JL, Thomas D.G. (1987) Language, Gender and Sex In Comparative Perspective. In: Sex differences in the patterns of scalp-recorded electrophysiological activity in infancy: Possible implications for language development. Cambridge University Press, 278-295.
  • Shucard DW, Shucard JL, Thomas D.G. (1984) Continuities and Discontinuities in Development. In: The development of cerebral specialization in infants: Electrophysiological and behavioral studies. Plenum Publishing Corp., 293-314.

Abstracts:

  • Ciupak GL, Quattrin T, Shucard JL, Shucard DW. (1997) Further Delineation of Cognitive Abilities in Turner Syndrome: Does Estrogen Play a Role?. J Int Neuropsychol Soc, (Jan) 35-35
  • Quattrin T, Ciupak GL, Shucard DW, Shucard JL, Clopper RL, Voorhess ML. (1995) Turner Syndrome: Further Delineation of Visual Spatial Abilities and the Role of Estrogen Replacement Therapy. Pediatr Res, (Jan) 96A-96A

Professional Memberships:

  • Society for Neuroscience
  • American Psychological Association
  • Society for Psychophysiological Research

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

Sherman Hall Annex
room 111
3435 Main St.
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: 716-829-2099
shucard@buffalo.edu