What We Study

Dr. Grigsby’s lab conducts research in the general area of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, and the intersection of the brain and cognition with health psychology. Some of this research is, or has been, funded by NIH, and Dr. Grigsby has had funding from a number of other federal, state, and private sources (e.g., Medicare, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Defense, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). A major emphasis of the lab is on executive functioning.

Research currently in progress includes the following:

• Relationship of sympathetic-parasympathetic tone with executive functioning
• Mutations and premutations of the FMR1 gene, and their phenotypes. This includes fragile X syndrome, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, comorbid autoimmune and inflammatory disorders among females with the FMR1 premutation, and the gut-brain axis in different fragile X phenotypes
• Cancer chemotherapy and cognitive functioning, including the association of the gut microbiota with what is commonly called chemobrain
• Depersonalization and derealization as features of chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment
• A study of children born with sensorineural deafness who receive cochlear implants. We are looking at whether speech/language therapy can be provided to them effectively using telemedicine technology, and at the development of the auditory cortex using event-related potentials (ERPs).

Other research, not currently in progress but recently completed, in the works, and pending application for funding, includes:

• The phenotype of women who have the FMR1 premutation, and its relationship with inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction
• 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine- assisted psychotherapy for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder
• Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for advanced cancer-related psychiatric distress

   Jim Grigsby, PhD, ABPP

Jim Grigsby is a Professor of Psychology on the Downtown Denver Campus, and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Health Care Policy and Research (HCPR) in the CU School of Medicine.  He graduated from the University of Kansas, University of Regina (formerly University of Saskatchewan, Regina), and University of Colorado Boulder.  Specializing in cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology, he is affiliated with the Psychology Department’s programs in Clinical Health Psychology and Behavioral/Cognitive Neuroscience. A former Teamster, concrete mixer truck driver, firefighter, and emergency medical technician, he is board-certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.