Research
Emphasis Areas

Research Affiliates

Core Services
Behavioral Science Core

Brain Imaging Core

Cellular Morphology Core

Genetics Core

Infant Primate Research Laboratory Core

Instrument Development Laboratory Core

Matthew Speltz, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability
mspeltz@u.washington.edu
206-987-7577
University of Washington, Box 359300, CL-08
Seattle, WA 98195-9300

Dr. Speltz’s current research focuses on the neurobehavioral development of children with craniofacial disorders, including cleft lip and palate, single-suture craniosynostosis, deformational plagiocephaly, and hemifacial microsomia.

In infants with single-suture craniosynostosis, his research is designed to characterize neurobehavioral development, examine relations between neurobehavioral development and degree of abnormality in bone and brain tissue using neuroimaging, to investigate the contribution of genetic mutations, and to develop predictive models of functional outcomes based on measures of early neurodevelopment and medical treatment (e.g., age at which corrective surgery is performed). In a longitudinal study of infants with deformational plagiocephaly, similar aims are focused on charting the neurodevelopmental course of this disorder, investigating etiological possibilities, and examining associations between skull abnormality and brain structures, using MRI and three-dimensional photography.

CHDD Outlook article on craniosynostosis and plagiocephaly (Fall 2005, page 1)

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu