Research
Broadly, I explore how societal factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions influence brain function and shape health outcomes. My work focuses on unraveling the complex pathways by which these social determinants manifest in neural function, affective processing, and physiological responses. By investigating how social experiences create distinct 'internal contexts' within individuals, I aim to understand how our brains construct perceptions, emotions, and behaviors in response to social and environmental stimuli.
To study these complex questions, my work integrates theory and methods from experimental social psychology, cognitive and affective neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, and population health. By building within- and between-discipline collaborations with psychologists, neuroscientists, physicians, biologists, and anthropologists, I strive to capture the diverse spectrum of human experiences and advance efforts toward health equity and social justice.
Read below for more details about my specific areas of interest or visit my lab website to see what the Neuroscience for Health Equity Lab is currently up to.
Social Determinants of Health and Brain Function
Unveiling Connections with Brain Function and Health Disparities
In my research, I explore the understanding that race and socioeconomic status are not inherent biological markers but are deeply embedded in social structures. These social determinants are known to pattern health outcomes in complex ways. One crucial aspect of my work is to document the associations between these social determinants and changes in brain function, providing empirical evidence of their impact. I am dedicated to dissecting the specific psychological experiences and environmental stressors associated with these categories, exploring how they correlate with brain function and overall health. By identifying how these factors are embedded into our physiology through social conditions, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that manifest in health disparities.
Relevant paper: Muscatell, K. A., Alvarez, G. M., Bonar, A. S., Cardenas, M. N., Galvan, M. J., Merritt, C. C., & Starks, M. D. (2022). Brain-body pathways linking racism and health. The American Psychologist, 77(9), 1049–1060. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001084
Brain-Body Connections and Inflammation
Impacts on Psychological Processes and Health Disparities
Mounting research suggests that inflammation, a common biological response, significantly alters brain function over both acute and chronic periods. My research is centered on understanding how these changes in brain function due to inflammation could underlie variations in cognitive processes, stress perception, and social interactions. Importantly, I examine how these differences in brain function relate to social determinants of health, potentially contributing to health disparities. By exploring these connections at the neural level, I aim to elucidate how inflammation is a crucial link between physiological states and psychological experiences.
Relevant paper: Alvarez, G. M., Hackman, D. A., Miller, A. B., & Muscatell, K. A. (2020). Systemic inflammation is associated with differential neural reactivity and connectivity to affective images. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 15(10), 1024–1033. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsaa065
Brain Network Dynamics and Metabolic Health
Exploring Energy Demands and Health Disparities
The brain is a remarkably energy-intensive organ, requiring substantial resources to function optimally. In my research, I hypothesize that heightened activity within brain networks, or even their sustained efficiency, could lead to increased energy consumption. This, in turn, might result in fewer resources available for the recovery and regeneration of other vital organs. I am exploring how these dynamics in brain network activity, potentially driven by environmental and social stressors, could contribute to health disparities. By investigating these variations in brain connectivity, my goal is to document their impacts and understand how they might influence both cognitive and physical health, particularly in contexts influenced by social determinants of health.
Relevant paper: Alvarez, G. M., Rudolph, M. D., Cohen, J. R., & Muscatell, K. A. (2022). Lower Socioeconomic Position Is Associated with Greater Activity in and Integration within an Allostatic-Interoceptive Brain Network in Response to Affective Stimuli. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 34(10), 1906–1927. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01830