RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application

Twamley博士通过开发补偿认知， 培训（CCT/CogSMART）干预措施，并进行随机对照试验，以测试其在以下方面的疗效： 改善认知、日常功能和生活质量。这些结果对退伍军人很重要，他们的 亲人、临床医生、VHA和社会，因为认知和功能能力与残疾直接相关 和社区融合。事实上，认知健康被认为是健康的“第三支柱”，仅次于身体健康。 健康和心理健康，并被认为是至关重要的VA的整体健康方法的医疗保健。博士 Twamley目前资助的研究都集中在有认知障碍的退伍军人身上（例如，由于 创伤性脑损伤、轻度认知障碍、帕金森病、囤积症或其他精神疾病 健康状况）。她目前是VA RRD、VA CSRD、 国防部和国家科学基金会，并担任弗吉尼亚州资助的研究的共同研究员 RRD、VA CSRD和DoD。她的研究使用了她和同事们开发的干预手册， 目标是前瞻性记忆、注意力、学习和记忆以及执行功能的障碍， 在多个神经精神病人群的多个认知和功能领域显示出疗效。 所教授的许多补偿策略都是许多成功人士使用的简单习惯（例如，使用 日历系统的所有调度和检查它定期;使用组织的方法来学习和 记住;通过列出目标步骤并指定到期日来计划满足目标和最后期限）。她 目前的RRD优异奖侧重于CCT为无家可归的退伍军人与精神健康状况接受 住院精神健康康复和治疗;她目前的CSRD优异奖试验正在审查 动机增强CCT为老年退伍军人轻度认知障碍，并结合补偿 认知策略与生活方式策略（例如，体力活动、营养和睡眠相关行为， 降低痴呆风险）。她的新工作旨在寻找实施认知康复的新方法 干预（例如，与靶向脑炎症的药物组合;与其他药物组合 心理社会康复干预;补偿性认知训练与计算机辅助 认知培训;通过移动的应用程序或远程医疗提供;更简短、更个性化的干预措施;通过 认知辅助机器人）。其他研究兴趣包括无家可归者的认知障碍和残疾 退伍军人，支持就业，以帮助那些有认知障碍的人重返工作岗位，认知 创伤后应激障碍，以及使用技术来改善认知和心理健康。特温利医生有一个 丰富的合作者网络在当地，国家和国际上，她与研究人员和 世界各地的临床医生开发，调整，翻译和传播认知健康干预措施。此外，本发明还 她投入了大量的时间和精力指导下一代VA临床康复 致力于改善退伍军人认知健康的科学家。她的服务活动包括科学同行 为退伍军人事务部和其他机构进行审查，为多个专业组织提供行政服务， 在VA研究和发展委员会的服务。特瓦姆利博士结合了广泛的研究 经验和高水平的科学生产力，致力于有效的指导和支持， 退伍军人事务部的临床、研究和培训任务，最终目标是改善健康和生活质量 为了我们国家的退伍军人。

Dr. Twamley bridges neuropsychology and rehabilitation research by developing Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT/CogSMART) interventions and conducting randomized controlled trials to test their efficacy in improving cognition, everyday functioning, and quality of life. These outcomes are important to Veterans, their loved ones, clinicians, VHA, and society, as cognition and functional abilities are directly related to disability and community integration. Indeed, cognitive health is considered a “third pillar” of health, alongside physical health and mental health, and is considered vital in the VA’s Whole Health approach to healthcare. Dr. Twamley’s currently funded studies are all focused on Veterans with cognitive impairment (e.g., due to traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, hoarding disorder, or other mental health conditions). She is currently PI or Co-PI of studies funded by VA RRD, VA CSRD, Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation, and serves as a Co-Investigator on studies funded by VA RRD, VA CSRD, and DoD. Her research uses intervention manuals she and her colleagues developed to target impairments in prospective memory, attention, learning and memory, and executive functioning, which have shown efficacy in multiple domains of cognition and functioning in multiple neuropsychiatric populations. Many of the compensatory strategies taught are simple habits used by many successful people (e.g., using a calendar system for all scheduling and checking it regularly; using organizational approaches to learning and remembering; planning to meet goals and deadlines by listing goal steps and assigning them due dates). Her current RRD Merit Award focuses on CCT for homeless Veterans with mental health conditions receiving residential mental health rehabilitation and treatment; her current CSRD Merit Award trial is examining Motivationally-Enhanced CCT for older Veterans with mild cognitive impairment, and combines compensatory cognitive strategies with lifestyle strategies (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, and sleep-related behaviors to reduce dementia risk). Her newer work seeks to find new ways of implementing cognitive rehabilitation interventions (e.g., in combination with pharmaceuticals targeting brain inflammation; in combination with other psychosocial rehabilitation interventions; compensatory cognitive training in combination with computerized cognitive training; delivery via mobile app or telemedicine; briefer, more personalized interventions; delivery via cognitively assistive robots). Other research interests include cognitive impairment and disability in homeless Veterans, supported employment to assist those with cognitive impairments in returning to work, cognitive impairment in PTSD, and the use of technology to improve cognition and mental health. Dr. Twamley has a rich network of collaborators locally, nationally, and internationally, and she collaborates with researchers and clinicians worldwide to develop, adapt, translate, and disseminate cognitive health interventions. Additionally, she commits considerable time and effort toward mentorship of the next generation of VA clinical rehabilitation scientists dedicated to improving cognitive health in Veterans. Her service activities include scientific peer review for the VA and other agencies, administrative service to multiple professional organizations, and local service on the VA Research and Development Committee. Dr. Twamley combines extensive research experience and a high level of scientific productivity with dedication to effective mentorship and support to the clinical, research, and training missions of the VA, with the ultimate goal of improving health and quality of life for our nation’s Veterans.