Biography
Dr Ford is a Research Fellow and Co-Lead of the Brain Systems and Neurotherapeutics Lab within the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology. Her primary research interests and expertise focus on characterising the excitatory-inhibitory neurobiology of specific symptoms associated with neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly autism. Dr Ford utilises neuroscientific techniques such as magneto/electro-encephalography (M/EEG), resting/functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (rs/fMRS), and resting state/functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs/fMRI) to better understand brain systems underlying neurodevelopmental conditions, and runs clinical trials examining the extent to which pharmacological therapeutics can modulate these brain systems to improve outcomes for people.
Dr Ford completed her Ph.D. in 2017 at Swinburne University of Technology, in which she investigated the neurobiology of social processing difficulties that span multiple spectrum conditions, including autism and schizophrenia. She then took up a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship role at Swinburne’s Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, where she led the neuroimaging arms of several clinical trials, and ran a clinical trial looking at the combined effects of prescription benzodiazepines and alcohol on driving and cognition.
In 2019, Dr Ford was awarded a Dean's Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, and joined the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit to pursue her primary research area, with a particular focus on brain excitation-inhibition. She has led several studies utiliting neuroscientific techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaing and spectroscopy (fMRI, fMRS) and magneto-/electrophysiology (M/EEG). She is also Chief Investiagtor on a clinical trial investigating the effect of cannabidiol on complex behaviours in children on the autism spectrum.
Dr Ford is passionate about supporting and mentoring students and ECRs both within and outside the tertiary environment, and has been actively involved in supervision and mentorship during her PhD and as an ECR. Dr Ford is an accredited Primary Supervisor for Master and Doctoral students, and has formally supervised Honours, Masters, and PhD students. She have also engaged with the national and international research community through my involvement in the Students of Brain Research (Treasurer, 2015), Australasican Cognitive Neuroscience Society (ACNS) ECR sub-committee (2016-2019), and ACNS Executive committee (2019-present), and Australian Brain Alliance Early-Mid Career Researcher Brain Science Network Steering Committee (2019-2022).
Read more on Talitha's profileCareer highlights
2021 Victoran Biomedical Imaging Emerging Leader Award
2021 Faculty of Health ReseArch Capacity Building Grant ScHeme (HAtCH)
2020 Swinburne Neuroimaging: Facility Access Grant
2019 Swinburne Neuroimaging: Facility Access Grant
2018 Dean’s Research Postdoctoral Fellowship
2018 Emerging Researcher Award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society
2018 Ian Potter Foundation Travel Grant
2017 School of Health Sciences Dean’s Award: Best HDR Thesis, Swinburne University
2016 Woman of Swinburne, Swinburne University’s International Women’s Day Award
2015 Student Travel Award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference
Research interests
Autism spectrum disorder
Social communication and processing
Neurodevelopmental conditions
Neuroimaging
- functional MRI
- magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS]
- functional MRS
- magnetoencephalography [MEG]
- electroencephalography [EEG]
Affiliations
Brain Systems and Neurotherapeutics Lab, School of Psychology
Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology
Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University
Teaching interests
Neuroimaging
Neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder
Social and cognitive functioning
Knowledge areas
Autism spectrum disorder
Social communication/processing
Brain excitation-inhibition
Clinical trials
Neuroscientific methods
- functional MRI
- magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS]
- functional MRS
- magnetoencephalography [MEG]
- electroencephalography [EEG]
Programming languages
- Python
- Matlab
- R
Conferences
2024
- Probing the Excitation-Inhibition Imbalance Hypothesis of Social Processes Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (fMRS). International Society for Autism Research, Melbourne, Australia
2023
- Aperiodic exponent, an index of excitation-inhibition, may predict social difficulties in young adults. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Sydney, Australia.
2021
- The interrelationship between haemodynamics, excitatory-inhibitory modulation, and social processing abilities. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Virtual meeting.
- Investigating functional changes in GABA and glutamate during social processing: A pilot study. Australian Society for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Melbourne, Australia.
2019
- Superior temporal glutamate/GABA ratios drive the relationship between of mismatch negativity latency and psychosocial difficulties. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Launceston, Australia
- Cortical excitation-inhibition ratios mediate the extent to which pre-attentive auditory processing deficits predict interpersonal difficulties. 32nd European Congress for Neuropsychopharmacology Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Cortical excitation-inhibition ratios mediate the extent to which pre-attentive auditory processing deficits predict interpersonal difficulties. Cognomics Conference, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
2018
- Social dysfunctions of autism and schizophrenia are interactively modulated by excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Melbourne, Australia
- #academiclife: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Early Career Researcher Workshop, Melbourne, Australia
- The effect of Ecstasy/MDMA use on psychiatric symptoms in recreational users. “Poster Jam Sessoin”, 31st European Congress for Neuropsychopharmacology Meeting, Barcelona, Spain.
- PhD and Beyond. School of Health and Social Sciences Student Association Symposium Series, Swinburne University.
2017
- Magnetoencephalography reveals an increased P3a, but not P3b, that is associated with high non-clinical psychosocial deficits. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Adelaide, Australia
- A shared autism and schizophrenia spectrum trait phenotype may be marked by increased glutamate/GABA ratio. Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Newcastle, Australia.
- A step-by-step guide for MEG users. Victorian Biomedical Imaging Capability Network Meeting, Monash University.
2016
- Mismatch field in a shared autistic and schizotypal phenotype. Swinburne Brain Symposium, Melbourne, Australia.
2015
- GABA level abnormality may mark the similar Social Disorganisation phenotype in autistic and schizotypal personality traits. Experimental Psychology Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
2013
- MMN in autistic and schizotypal tendencies. MEG Day Symposium, Melbourne, Australia.
Awards
2021
- Award for Excellence in Professional Leadership, Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Deakin University.
- Emerging Leader Award, Victorian Biomedical Imaging Consortium.
2019
- School of Health Sciences Conference Funding, Deakin University
2018
- Dean’s Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, Faculty of Health, Deakin University
- Ian Potter Foundation Travel Grant
- Emerging Researcher Award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference
2017
- School of Health Sciences Dean’s Award: Best HDR Thesis, Swinburne University
2016
- Woman of Swinburne, Swinburne University’s International Women’s Day Award
2015
- Student Travel Award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference
2013
- Swinburne University Postgraduate Research Award
Projects
Characterising the Neurobiology of Social Processes across the Autism Spectrum (NeuroSPA)
Funded by a Dean’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, this study utilises EEG and MRI to investigate the underlying brain processes involved in the social processing difficulties typically experienced by autistic adolescents. The outcomes of this research may be useful to inform therapeutic interventions and improve outcomes for young people on the autism spectrum.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy during Social Processing (SPfMRS)
This innovative functional MRS study investigates the relationship between social communication abilities and the brains main excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, during social processing.
A randomised crossover trial examining behavioural and neurophysiological effects of cannabidiol in children with autism (CBDCA)
This prospectively registered randomised placebo-controlled cross-over trial investigated the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) oil in improving social communication and mental health outcomes in autistic children aged 5-12 years, as well as CBDs modulating effects on brain excitation-inhibition.
Publications
N Parrella, A Hill, L Dipnall, Y Loke, P Enticott, T Ford
(2024), Vol. 169, pp. 113-125, Journal of Psychiatric Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Functional MRS studies of GABA and glutamate/Glx - A systematic review and meta-analysis
D Pasanta, J He, T Ford, G Oeltzschner, D Lythgoe, N Puts
(2023), Vol. 144, pp. 104940-104940, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, United States, C1
A systematic review of cannabidiol trials in neurodevelopmental disorders
N Parrella, A Hill, P Enticott, P Barhoun, I Bower, T Ford
(2023), Vol. 230, pp. 1-15, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
B Aitken, A Hayley, T Ford, L Geier, B Shiferaw, L Downey
(2023), Vol. 251, pp. 1-10, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
B Aitken, A Hayley, T Ford, L Geier, B Shiferaw, L Downey
(2023), pp. 1-11, Journal of Psychopharmacology, London, Eng., C1-1
GABA and glutamate response to social processing: a functional MRS feasibility study
D Pasanta, D White, J He, T Ford, N Puts
(2023), NMR in Biomedicine, London, Eng., C1
T Ford, L Hugrass, B Jack
(2022), Vol. 16, pp. 1-10, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Lausanne, Switzerland, C1
Does empathy predict autistic traits? A multi-modal investigation
P Donaldson, S Bekkali, G Youssef, M Kirkovski, T Ford, P Enticott
(2022), Vol. 196, Personality and Individual Differences, C1
P Enticott, K Barlow, A Guastella, M Licari, N Rogasch, C Middeldorp, S Clark, A Vallence, K Boulton, I Hickie, A Whitehouse, C Galletly, G Alvares, H Fujiyama, H Heussler, J Craig, M Kirkovski, N Mills, N Rinehart, P Donaldson, T Ford, K Caeyenberghs, N Albein-Urios, S Bekkali, P Fitzgerald
(2021), Vol. 11, BMJ Open, England, C1
Talitha Ford, David Crewther, Ahmad Abu-Akel
(2020), Vol. 24, pp. 364-373, Autism, London, Eng., C1
T Ford, W Woods, P Enticott, D Crewther
(2020), Vol. 98, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, England, C1
S McCarthy, T Ford, J Lomas, C Stough
(2020), Vol. 158, Personality and Individual Differences, C1
M Kirkovski, I Fuelscher, C Hyde, P Donaldson, T Ford, S Rossell, P Fitzgerald, P Enticott
(2020), Vol. 14, Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, Switzerland, C1
The role of dispositional mindfulness and emotional intelligence in adolescent males
C Teal, L Downey, J Lomas, T Ford, E Bunnett, C Stough
(2019), Vol. 10, pp. 159-167, Mindfulness, New York, N.Y., C1
Green teens: investigating the role of emotional intelligence in adolescent environmentalism
A Robinson, L Downey, T Ford, J Lomas, C Stough
(2019), Vol. 138, pp. 225-230, Personality and individual differences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
T Ford, A Abu-Akel, D Crewther
(2019), Vol. 88, pp. 235-242, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, England, C1
L Downey, T Simpson, T Ford, G McPhee, C Suo, S Myers, C Oliver, C Stough
(2019), Vol. 6, Frontiers in Nutrition, Switzerland, C1
T Ford, W Woods, D Crewther
(2018), Vol. 271, pp. 1-7, Psychiatry Research - Neuroimaging, Netherlands, C1
T Ford, L Downey, T Simpson, G McPhee, C Oliver, C Stough
(2018), Vol. 10, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
Trait and state anxiety is marked by increased working memory-related parietal BOLD signal
T Ford, T Simpson, G McPhee, C Stough, L Downey
(2018), Vol. 278, pp. 92-97, Psychiatry Research - Neuroimaging, Netherlands, C1
Cluster analysis reveals subclinical subgroups with shared autistic and schizotypal traits
T Ford, P Apputhurai, D Meyer, D Crewther
(2018), Vol. 265, pp. 111-117, Psychiatry Research, Ireland, C1
Emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour in adults
A Hayley, B Ridder, C Stough, T Ford, L Downey
(2017), Vol. 49, pp. 124-131, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, C1
L Downey, B Tysse, T Ford, A Samuels, R Wilson, A Parrott
(2017), Vol. 57, pp. 1330-1337, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, England, C1
Mismatch field latency, but not power, may mark a shared autistic and schizotypal trait phenotype
T Ford, W Woods, D Crewther
(2017), Vol. 116, pp. 60-67, International Journal of Psychophysiology, Netherlands, C1
Confirmatory factor analysis of autism and schizophrenia spectrum traits
T Ford, P Apputhurai, D Meyer, D Crewther
(2017), Vol. 110, pp. 80-84, Personality and individual differences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Glutamate/GABA+ ratio is associated with the psychosocial domain of autistic and schizotypal traits
T Ford, R Nibbs, D Crewther
(2017), Vol. 12, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
T Ford, R Nibbs, D Crewther
(2017), Vol. 16, pp. 125-131, NeuroImage: Clinical, Netherlands, C1
T Ford, W Woods, D Crewther
(2017), Vol. 16, pp. 383-389, NeuroImage: Clinical, Netherlands, C1
Cannabis: an overview of its adverse acute and chronic effects and its implications
T Ford, A Hayley, L Downey, A Parrott
(2017), Vol. 10, pp. 6-18, Current drug abuse reviews, Beijing, China, C1
A comprehensive review of the 1H-MRS metabolite spectrum in autism spectrum disorder
T Ford, D Crewther
(2016), Vol. 9, Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, Switzerland, C1
Talitha Ford, David Crewther
(2014), Vol. 5, Frontiers in psychiatry, Lausanne, Switzerland, C1
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report