Clinical Research: Neuropsychology
Ralph H.B. Benedict, PhD, is a SUNY Distinguished Professor of neurology.
Our mission is threefold: rigorous evaluation, early intervention and cutting-edge research. The sensitivity of our measures and our rigorous neuropsychological evaluation helps intervention to happen the moment a problem arises. Correct understanding of neuropsychological impairments is critical for caregivers and loved ones, promoting understanding and appropriate aid.
Research
Our research aims to employ behavioral measures of cerebral function to elucidate the mechanisms leading to dementia in neurologic disease. Cognitive and psychiatric tests are administered to patients and healthy volunteers, providing metrics of, for example, intelligence, mental processing speed, memory, executive function, depression and personality. The test results are frequently correlated with brain MRI and activities of daily living.
Programs
- Psychometric test development
- Effects of cognitive training
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
- Pediatric neurological disorders
Multiple Sclerosis Research
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Our research focus is cognitive dysfunction in MS with an emphasis on assessment, test validation, personality and MRI predictors.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Research
With help from patients and volunteers, we hope to better understand the cognitive and psychological features related to specific diseases causing dementia, including Alzheimer’s and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Current Studies
ATOPS Pilot Study
We are studying cognitive processing speed (i.e., how quickly you can think) and developing a novel measure to assess deficits in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Conscientiousness App Study
Our team has developed a new psychological treatment aimed at altering and improving lifestyle. Over the course of 12 weeks, we work to develop an individual’s ability to better self-reflect, develop tangible and meaningful goals, and ultimately experience positive and continuous behavioral change. You may qualify if you, are 60+ years old, have no history of substance abuse, psychiatric, or neurological disorders and own a smart phone. Participants will be compensated.
Aging and MS Study
Not much is known about profiles of cognitive impairment in older MS patients and whether they differ from their younger counterparts.We published one paper on the differences in these profiles, and are getting ready to conduct a follow-up experiment that includes MRI data. This study will include the same patients, so that we may study age-related differences in changes over time.