Research Interests and Publications:

Dr. Tucker is interested in how cognition is regulated by emotional arousal. His research uses methods of cognitive psychology to assess the influence of specific forms of emotional arousal, such as anxiety and depression. To assess the neural activity associated with emotional states and cognitive operations, this research includes computerized analysis of the electrical activity of the brain with dense array EEG measures.

A particular interest now is mechanisms of the limbic system that seem to regulate learning and memory according to strategic motivational controls. For example, anxiety may engage the amygdala and ventral limbic networks that not only focus immediate attention, but facilitate continuing consolidation of threat-related information.

For more information, visit Dr. Tucker's websites: Brain Electrophysiological Lab and Electrical Geodesics, Inc.

Selected Publications:

Tucker, D. M. (2007). Mind From Body: Experience From Neural Structure. New York: Oxford University Press.

Tucker, D. M., & Moller, L. (2007). The Metamorphosis: Individuation of the adolescent brain. In D. Romer & E. F. Walker (Eds.), Adolescent psychopathology and the developing brain: Integrating brain and prevention science. New York: Oxford.

Tucker, D. M., Frishkoff, G. A., & Luu, P. (2007). Microgenesis of Language: Vertical integration of neurolinguistic mechanisms across the neuraxis. In B. Stemmer & H. A. Whitaker (Eds.), Handbook of the Neuroscience of Language. New York: Oxford

Tucker, D. M., & Luu, P. (2006). Adaptive Binding. In H. Zimmer, A. Mecklinger & U. Lindenberger (Eds.), Binding in Human Memory: A Neurocognitive Approach. New York: Oxford University Press.

Tucker, D. M., Luu, P., & Derryberry, D. (2005). Love hurts: The evolution of empathic concern through the encephalization of nociceptive capacity. Dev Psychopathol, 17(3), 699-713.

Tucker, D.M., P. Luu, et al. (2003). Frontolimbic response to negative feedback in clinical depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112(4):667-78.

Tucker, D.M., P. Luu, et al. (2003). Corticolimbic Mechanisms in Emotional Decisions. Emotion, 3:127-149.