# Cognitive and Sensory Systems Laboratory ## **Welcome to the CASSL!** ![CASSL Header](/sites/g/files/omnuum4691/files/2025-04/header_0.png) ### Studies we are currently recruiting for: ![brain from brochure](/sites/g/files/omnuum4691/files/2025-04/brainfrombrochure.jpg) 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](/sites/g/files/omnuum4691/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2025-05/1CDAC756-3CFE-4BE8-B58D-7AB16C1CC5B6.jpeg?itok=VuEW7zFK) ## 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](https://fortenbaugh.hsites.harvard.edu/news)! --- --- ![VCS Battery](/sites/g/files/omnuum4691/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/fortenbaugh/files/screen_shot_2022-03-16_at_4.07.44_pm.png?itok=x_ijBuQ9) 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](https://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](caroline.carrozzini@va.gov) ## Recent Publications Download 5 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=5&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters=&&&format=ris) ### 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](/publication/novel-neuroimaging-biomarker-cortical-graywhite-border-integrity-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](/publication/novel-neuroimaging-biomarker-cortical-graywhite-border-integrity-blast-related-mtbi)”. American Journal of Neuroradiology. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A9347 - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2026/05/07/ajnr.A9347) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2026/05/07/ajnr.A9347) ### 2025 Madeleine K. Nowak, Francesca C. Fortenbaugh, and David H. Salat. 2025. “[Visual Deficits in Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2826884)”. 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](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2826884)”. JAMA Ophthalmology, 143, 1. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.5121 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2826884) Vision problems, including light sensitivity and double vision, are among the most commonly reported symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). While most symptoms resolve within 6 months of mTBI, a substantial number of patients continue to... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2826884) 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](/publication/vigorous-physical-activity-associated-white-matter-volume-post-911-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](/publication/vigorous-physical-activity-associated-white-matter-volume-post-911-veterans)”. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 57, 7. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003678 - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/abstract/2025/07000/vigorous_physical_activity_is_associated_with.14.aspx) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/abstract/2025/07000/vigorous_physical_activity_is_associated_with.14.aspx) ### 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](/publication/metabolic-syndrome-associated-reduced-default-mode-network-functional-connectivity)”. 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](/publication/metabolic-syndrome-associated-reduced-default-mode-network-functional-connectivity)”. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 18 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11682-024-00927-1) Metabolic syndrome is a collection of health factors that increases risk for cardiovascular disease. A condition of aging, metabolic syndrome is associated with reduced brain network integrity, including functional connectivity alterations among the... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11682-024-00927-1) 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](/publications/association-mild-traumatic-brain-injury-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and)”. 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](/publications/association-mild-traumatic-brain-injury-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and)”. Optometry & Vision Science, 101, 2, Pp. 90-98 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/fulltext/2024/02000/association_of_mild_traumatic_brain_injury,.4.aspx?casa_token=hq0dcmJYWMQAAAAA:f5eTmHTcCSFgn60dTCqwsKixjyTFNEU0Pw7eYoB2TacC4pSeDvxxqgDayHGLJGuS1ecNfHB7WAa8R-2GlykYYsS-v5A&casa_token=-C7wjrh2m3kAAAAA:Z) ### SIGNIFICANCE Photosensitivity is common after mild traumatic brain injury. However, this study demonstrates that photosensitivity is also impacted by common comorbidities that often occur with mild traumatic brain injury. Understanding how physical and... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/fulltext/2024/02000/association_of_mild_traumatic_brain_injury,.4.aspx?casa_token=hq0dcmJYWMQAAAAA:f5eTmHTcCSFgn60dTCqwsKixjyTFNEU0Pw7eYoB2TacC4pSeDvxxqgDayHGLJGuS1ecNfHB7WAa8R-2GlykYYsS-v5A&casa_token=-C7wjrh2m3kAAAAA:Z) [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/publications)