MD, Specialist in Adolescent Psychiatry, Doctoral student
Contact Information
Niuvanniemi Hospital
Niuvankuja 65
FI-70240 Kuopio
Finland
Email: outi.kaarre (at) niuva.fi
Major Research and Other Interests
My PhD dissertation, entitled “Effects of long-term alcohol use on neurophysiological functioning in adolescents” focuses on how 10 years of alcohol use from adolescence into early adulthood affects the developing brain, especially neuropsychological and neurophysiological function. The latter is investigated with a modern, non-invasive method known as TMS-EEG (transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with EEG registering).
Moreover, my research explores the association between GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) ergic function, cortical activity and attention. My studies seek to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology of alcohol-induced brain alterations, especially during the crucially important developmental “sensitive period” of adolescence.
Other Interests
When it comes to my non-neuroscientific hobbies, my Spanish waterdog takes me for relaxing walks on a regular basis (and also takes care of my oxytocin levels). I am also an enthusiastic, if impatient, handcrafter.
Selected Publications
- Kaarre O, Heikkinen N, Vanninen M, Tolmunen T, Äikiä M, Hänninen T, Kivimäki P, Laukkanen E. Long-term alcohol use in adolescence and neurocognition: a preliminary study. Psychiatria Fennica 2015;46: 85-102.
- Kaarre O, Kallioniemi E, Könönen M, Tolmunen T, Kekkonen V, Kivimäki P, Heikkinen N, Ferreri F, Laukkanen E, Määttä S. Heavy alcohol use in adolescence is associated with altered cortical activity: a combined TMS-EEG study. Addict Biol. 2018 Jan;23(1):268-280. doi: 10.1111/adb.12486. Epub 2016 Dec 23.
- Kaarre O, Äikiä M, Kallioniemi E, Könönen M, Kekkonen V, Heikkinen N, Kivimäki P, Tolmunen T. Association of the N100 TMS-evoked potential with attentional processes: a motor cortex TMS–EEG study. Brain Cogn. 2018 Apr;122:9-16. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2018.01.004. Epub 2018 Feb 4.
- Kaarre O, Kekkonen V, Kivimäki P, Tolmunen T, Könönen M, Kallioniemi E, Määttä S, Laukkanen E. Long-term alcohol use in adolescence is associated with altered cortical activity – a combined TMS-EEG study. Poster presentation in September 2015: 3rd Science Factory: TMS-EEG Summer School, Pajulahti, Finland.
- Kaarre O, Äikiä M, Kallioniemi E, Könönen M, Kekkonen V, Heikkinen N, Kivimäki P, Tolmunen T. The N100 TEP is associated with attention and working memory – a motor cortex TMS-EEG study. Poster presentation in February 2017: Nordic Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology & Kuopio Epilepsy Symposium 2017.
- Kaarre O, Kallioniemi E, Könönen M, Tolmunen T, Kekkonen V, Kivimäki P, Heikkinen N, Ferreri F, Laukkanen E, Määttä S. Gender differences in the alcohol-related alterations in cortical activity – a combined TMS-EEG study. Abstract and poster presentation in September 2017: 30th ECNP Congress, Paris, France. Received a poster and a travel award.
- Kaarre O: Nuoruusiän runsas alkoholinkäyttö muuttaa aivojen sähköistä toimintaa. Article. Erikoislääkäri 2/2017 (27), p.67-70.
Funding
- Finnish Psychiatric Association
- Finnish Association of Adolescent Psychiatry
- Finnish Medical Society Duodecim
- Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies, the Paulo Foundation
- Olvi Foundation
- State Research Funding
- University of Eastern Finland PhD student funding