In my lab we focus on research issues relating to clinical neuropsychology. We have two broad lines of research that we have pursued here. One pertains to neuropsychological aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS), with special emphasis on contributors to depression, cognitive functioning, fatigue, and general quality of life in this common neurological disorder. One area we have focused on is the possible contribution of secondary factors like slow speech and poor visual acuity to neuropsychological test performance in these patients. Additionally, one of our studies funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) explores structural and functional neuroimaging indices associated with cognitive and emotional functioning in MS. Furthermore, we have begun to explore genetic factors and things like cognitive reserve that may predict or moderate cognitive and emotional outcomes in MS. Finally, we recently completed a multi-site RCT with colleagues in Germany and the U.S., funded by the NMSS, that is designed to assess the effectiveness of an online cognitive behavioral therapy module for treating depression in MS. At our site we have collected structural neuroimaging data and are excited to go about analyzing our data to see how things have turned out!

A second line of research in our lab explores the consequences of sports-related concussion. My students and I conduct neuropsychological evaluations for some of the sports-related concussions that occur in athletes at Penn State. We are especially interested in predictors of outcome following concussion, including motivation at baseline, cognitive variability, premorbid personality characteristics, sleep patterns, and cognitive reserve. We have also published some recent papers exploring genetic factors (i.e., the presence or absence of the ApOE E4 allele) that predict adverse concussion outcomes (i.e., cognition, headache, general symptom reports) following sports concussion. Additionally, we have become very interested in recent years in factors associated with chronic concussion outcomes as well as sex differences in concussion outcomes. Finally, we have developed an evidence-based algorithm using base rates of impairment from approximately 1000 Penn State athletes tested at baseline, that allows us to determine whether athletes are cognitively recovered following concussion even when we have not tested them at baseline. We have been working on testing this model using outcome variables that are not explicitly used in developing the model in the first place.

Both of these research programs provide students with the opportunity to develop their clinical skills and gain experience with two very different clinical populations, while at the same time exploring research questions that have both theoretical and applied implications.

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