Silvana L. Costa, PhD, of Kessler Foundation has been awarded a Switzer Research Fellowship by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The $70,000 Merit Award funds her research on "Processing Speed Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis: Exploring the Complex Sensorial Cognitive Motor Interaction."
Merit Fellowships are awarded to scientists with advanced professional training or research experience in independent study in appropriate areas that are directly pertinent to disability and rehabilitation, but who are in earlier stages of their research career, with less than the required seven years' experience, or who do not have a doctorate. Of the six Merit Fellowships awarded by NIDILRR in 2015, two were awarded to researchers at Kessler Foundation.
"Traditionally, Information processing speed has been considered a single cognitive factor," noted Dr. Costa, a Hearst Fellow in Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research at Kessler Foundation. "Processing speed is, however, dependent on how fast and efficiently the individual is able to execute three steps: 1) sensorial speed - related to visual and/or auditory system functioning; 2) cognitive speed ? the speed at which one is able to manipulate information and plan the answer; and 3) motor speed ? the time one needs to provide a response. Understanding how this basic series of steps can be affected by brain pathology is essential to developing effective interventions."
According to Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research, "This is a new and innovative area of MS research that will significantly improve our methods for evaluating and treating people with information processing speed deficits caused by MS. These advances will have the potential to address deficits associated with other neurological disorders as well."
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