Cognitive, Neurophysiological and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Chronic Moderate-to-Severe TBI.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM

Presenter(s)

Eva Pettemeridou, epette01@ucy.ac.cy

Post-doctoral fellow
CAN-KIOS, UCY
Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

Slides
Mikaella K. Kokkinou, PhD Candidate

Clinical Psychologist
University of Cyprus
Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
FD

Fotini Demetriou, Demetriou, PhD Candidate, MSc Clinical Neuropsychology, BSc Psych

Clinical Psychologist
University of Cyprus
Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

Moderator(s)

Fofi Constantinidou, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIS, FACRM (she/her/hers)

Professor and Center Director
Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus
Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

This symposium addresses the contribution of different markers on the cognitive outcome of chronic moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Poor cognitive outcome is associated with poor reintegration of TBI survivors. We will provide evidence from lessons learned with the Cypriot cohort of individuals with chronic TBI. We will also provide evidence highlighting the utility and contribution of functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in assessing cognitive performance and identifying brain activity related biomarkers that can be used to describe TBI neuropathology and progression. Furthermore, we will provide evidence on the role of cognitive reserve on neurocognitive outcome, in chronic moderate-to-severe TBI. Finally, we will present evidence of brain indices predicting performance on verbal episodic memory tasks, in chronic moderate-to-severe TBI. The ultimate objective is to provide an understanding of markers predicting cognitive outcome in chronic moderate-to-severe TBI; and how these markers should be considered when designing and implementing rehabilitation interventions.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to have an in-depth understanding of TBI-related neurocognitive deficits, including cognitive reserve, verbal episodic memory, decision making and category learning.
Upon completion, participants will be able to gain knowledge on cognitive reserve and how it may affect clinical decisions and rehabilitation planning post-TBI.
Upon completion, participants will be able to gain knowledge in changes in brain activation during complex cognitive tasks requiring novel decision making and category learning and their differences between a group with moderate-to-severe TBI and a neurotypical control group.
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the role of the hippocampus in verbal episodic memory in chronic moderate-to-severe TBI.
Upon completion, participants will be able to comprehend whether neuroimaging and fNIRS are suitable biomarkers in studying cognitive structures and processes.