Cognitive and Sensory Systems Laboratory

Welcome to the CASSL!

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Studies we are currently recruiting for:

brain from brochure

Can passive neurostimulation effectively treat light sensitivity symptoms after a traumatic brain injury? We are currently enrolling Veterans between the ages of 18-65 to see if low-frequency pulse-based neurostimulation can help to reduce photosensitivity following a mild traumatic brain injury and using MRI scans to try to better understand the neurobiological basis of photosensitivity in this population. If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact our research assistant, Caroline Carrozzini, at (617)309-8385. 

 

 

 

Madeleine Nowak & Caroline Carrozzini awards

In recent news...

Spring poster season was a big success for the CASSL with two of our members winning awards at recent poster symposiums! 

 

Congratulations to Dr. Madeleine Nowak and Caroline Carrozzini on their newest achievements.

 

Read more about their work in our news section!

 

 

VCS Battery

A previously completed study included the development of a web-based battery for visual and cognitive functioning. The goal of this project was to develop an effective screening measure that can help to remotely monitor and track changes in cognitive functioning in veterans living in rural regions of the United States.

 

Click here to check out some of the other tasks currently hosted by the Many Brains Project: www.TestMyBrain.org

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact our research assistant, Caroline Carrozzini, at caroline.carrozzini@va.gov

 

 

Recent Publications

Forthcoming

Carlota Andrea-Arasa, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, Aubrey A. Knoff, Catherine B. Fortier, William P. Milberg, and David H. Salat. 2026. “Novel Neuroimaging Biomarker of Cortical Gray White Border Integrity in Blast Related-MTBI”. American Journal of Neuroradiology. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A9347
Carlota Andrea-Arasa, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, Aubrey A. Knoff, Catherine B. Fortier, William P. Milberg, and David H. Salat. 2026. “Novel Neuroimaging Biomarker of Cortical Gray White Border Integrity in Blast Related-MTBI”. American Journal of Neuroradiology. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A9347

2025

Madeleine K. Nowak, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, and David H. Salat. 2025. “Visual Deficits in Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury”. JAMA Ophthalmology, 143, 1. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.5121
Madeleine K. Nowak, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, and David H. Salat. 2025. “Visual Deficits in Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury”. JAMA Ophthalmology, 143, 1. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.5121
Madeleine K. Nowak, James W Whitworth, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, William P. Milberg, Catherine Fortier, and David H. Salat. 2025. “Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With White Matter Volume in Post-9 11 Veterans”. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 57, 7. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003678
Madeleine K. Nowak, James W Whitworth, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, William P. Milberg, Catherine Fortier, and David H. Salat. 2025. “Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With White Matter Volume in Post-9 11 Veterans”. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 57, 7. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003678

2024

Aubrey A. Knoff, Madeleine K. Nowak, Emily J. Van Etten, Carlota Andrea-Arasa, Michael Esterman, Elizabeth C. Leritz, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, William P. Milberg, Catherine B. Fortier, and David Salat. 2024. “Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Reduced Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Young Post-9 11 Veterans”. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 18
Aubrey A. Knoff, Madeleine K. Nowak, Emily J. Van Etten, Carlota Andrea-Arasa, Michael Esterman, Elizabeth C. Leritz, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, William P. Milberg, Catherine B. Fortier, and David Salat. 2024. “Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Reduced Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Young Post-9 11 Veterans”. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 18
Jenalyn M. Jotie, Jennifer A. Gustafson, Jennifer R. Fonda, Catherine B. Fortier, W.P. Milberg, and Francesca C. Fortenbaugh. 2024. “Association of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Other Comorbidities on Photosensitivity”. Optometry & Vision Science, 101, 2, Pp. 90-98
Jenalyn M. Jotie, Jennifer A. Gustafson, Jennifer R. Fonda, Catherine B. Fortier, W.P. Milberg, and Francesca C. Fortenbaugh. 2024. “Association of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Other Comorbidities on Photosensitivity”. Optometry & Vision Science, 101, 2, Pp. 90-98
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