Advancing Neurocognitive Rehabilitation

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Advancing Neurocognitive Rehabilitation

The goal of this workshop is to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of neuroplasticity and evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation strategies, enabling them to effectively facilitate recovery and improve functional outcomes for individuals with brain injuries and neuropsychiatric conditions. Through exploration of theoretical frameworks, practical interventions, and clinical applications, attendees will gain actionable knowledge to enhance their practice and promote meaningful cognitive and behavioral improvements in diverse populations.

This virtual workshop will explore cutting-edge approaches to enhancing cognitive recovery and rehabilitation in individuals with brain injury and neuropsychiatric conditions. Attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of neuroplasticity's role in recovery, including five forms of functional adaptation that underpin brain repair and restructuring. Complementing this, the event introduces Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and CogSMART, evidence-based interventions designed to improve cognitive function and everyday performance through practical strategy implementation. Join us for an exploration of these innovative frameworks, offering actionable insights for clinical application and research.

Learning Objectives

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the different forms of functional neuroplasticity.
2. Identify the techniques that can be used to reinforce recovery of function.
3. List domains of cognitive functioning targeted in CogSMART/Compensatory Cognitive Training.

Target Audience: Neuropsychologists, Rehabilitation specialists, Occupational therapists, Cognitive rehabilitation therapists, Psychiatrists, Researchers in neuropsychology, neuroscience, and rehabilitation. This workshop is particularly relevant for professionals and trainees working with individuals recovering from brain injuries, neuropsychiatric conditions, or cognitive impairments.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Jordan Grafman, PhD
Director Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Northwestern University

Elizabeth Twamley, PhD
VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Research Career Scientist
Psychiatry
University of California, San Diego

Price
Members: $60
Nonmember: $75
Trainee: $45

2 CE Credits | Partial credit will not be awarded

When

2/25/2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Standard Time

Where

UNITED STATES

Registration

Registration is closed.

Program

Program Overview

Description
Neuroplasticity and Facilitating Recovery of Function in the Human Brain There may be at least five forms of functional neuroplasticity that can be studied in patients recovering from brain damage: (1) homologous area adaptation, (2) cross-modal reassignment, (3) potentiation of topographic representations, (4) compensatory masquerade, and (5) regional and network repair and restructuring. Homologous area adaptation is the assumption of an anatomically predetermined role (e.g., language expression) by the homologous region in the opposite cerebral hemisphere. Cross-modal reassignment occurs when structures previously devoted to processing a particular kind of sensory input begin to process input from a new sensory modality. Potentiation of topographic representations is the topographic modulation of a functional brain region with repeated performance or experience. Compensatory masquerade is the adaptation of a preexisting process to a new behavioral role. Regional and network repair and restructuring is the reliance upon pre-existing functional assignments within regions and networks despite damage to the region and network. By focusing on these five forms of functional neuroplasticity, several fundamental questions about how recovery of function occurs after traumatic brain injury can be addressed leading to different approaches to intervention. Track Program Overview Time 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 2/25/2025 4:00 PM
CogSMART/Compensatory Cognitive Training for People with Neuropsychiatric Conditions This presentation will describe Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Therapy (CogSMART) for individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions, including traumatic brain injury, serious mental illnesses, and mild cognitive impairment associated with aging. These interventions focus on teaching strategies to improve organization, attention, learning, memory, cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and planning, rather than extensive drills and practice. In other words, CCT/CogSMART emphasizes teaching participants how to improve their cognitive skills by using strategies, practicing their strategy use in the real world, and troubleshooting any difficulties that come up. Implementation practice helps turn these strategies into habits, so they can be used automatically in the real world. By improving cognitive abilities, CCT/CogSMART strategies can help people perform better in their everyday activities and reach their goals pertaining to school, work, social functioning, and independent living. CCT has been successful for people with cognitive challenges resulting from many types of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Results from randomized controlled trials will be reviewed, and key components of the intervention will be described and demonstrated. Clinical aspects of intervention delivery (e.g., identifying candidates, linking cognitive strategies with rehabilitation goals) will be discussed. Track Program Overview Time 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 2/25/2025 5:00 PM

Neuroplasticity and Facilitating Recovery of Function in the Human Brain

There may be at least five forms of functional neuroplasticity that can be studied in patients recovering from brain damage: (1) homologous area adaptation, (2) cross-modal reassignment, (3) potentiation of topographic representations, (4) compensatory masquerade, and (5) regional and network repair and restructuring. Homologous area adaptation is the assumption of an anatomically predetermined role (e.g., language expression) by the homologous region in the opposite cerebral hemisphere. Cross-modal reassignment occurs when structures previously devoted to processing a particular kind of sensory input begin to process input from a new sensory modality. Potentiation of topographic representations is the topographic modulation of a functional brain region with repeated performance or experience. Compensatory masquerade is the adaptation of a preexisting process to a new behavioral role. Regional and network repair and restructuring is the reliance upon pre-existing functional assignments within regions and networks despite damage to the region and network. By focusing on these five forms of functional neuroplasticity, several fundamental questions about how recovery of function occurs after traumatic brain injury can be addressed leading to different approaches to intervention.

Track

Program Overview

Time

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

2/25/2025 4:00 PM

CogSMART/Compensatory Cognitive Training for People with Neuropsychiatric Conditions

This presentation will describe Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Therapy (CogSMART) for individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions, including traumatic brain injury, serious mental illnesses, and mild cognitive impairment associated with aging. These interventions focus on teaching strategies to improve organization, attention, learning, memory, cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and planning, rather than extensive drills and practice. In other words, CCT/CogSMART emphasizes teaching participants how to improve their cognitive skills by using strategies, practicing their strategy use in the real world, and troubleshooting any difficulties that come up. Implementation practice helps turn these strategies into habits, so they can be used automatically in the real world. By improving cognitive abilities, CCT/CogSMART strategies can help people perform better in their everyday activities and reach their goals pertaining to school, work, social functioning, and independent living. CCT has been successful for people with cognitive challenges resulting from many types of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Results from randomized controlled trials will be reviewed, and key components of the intervention will be described and demonstrated. Clinical aspects of intervention delivery (e.g., identifying candidates, linking cognitive strategies with rehabilitation goals) will be discussed.

Track

Program Overview

Time

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

2/25/2025 5:00 PM

Annual Conference