Lori Cook, PhD, CCC-SLP
Director of Clinical Research Head of Research, The BrainHealth Project Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Dr. Lori Cook, in her roles as both a clinician and research scientist, has focused largely on the long-term recovery of youth after brain injury, including supporting athletes with persistent effects of concussion. Bringing a curiosity for the developing brain as well as two decades of child and adolescent-centered research experience, Dr. Cook is passionate about translating cutting-edge research discoveries into practical tools to educate, empower, and equip students of all ages and levels to reach their highest brain potential.
The focus of Dr. Cook’s work has been on understanding the rehabilitative effects of long-term follow-up care for children with acquired brain injuries, with the goal of developing a successful format for identifying, monitoring, and maximizing the potential of children with brain injuries in order to help them be successful in their home, school, and community environments. Specific research involvement includes investigating the development and long-term recovery of higher-level language skills as well as executive function abilities (e.g., self-regulation, planning, problem-solving). With her cognitive-communication clinical training, Dr. Cook has played a key role in the development of new assessment and intervention tools for use with various youth and adult populations, with more recent work examining the benefit and application of cognitive training protocols to promote higher-order cognitive skills, particularly in adolescents.
Cognitive Gains From Gist Reasoning Training in Adolescents With Chronic-Stage Traumatic Brain Injury
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) shows how months or even years after traumatic brain injury, SMART™ has the potential to help adolescents improve certain cognitive impairments once thought to be long-lasting.
A SMART Approach for Enhancing Higher-order Cognitive Functioning Following Sports and Recreation-related Mild TBI in Youth Using Telepractice
Findings from this study demonstrate SMART™ tactics can remediate higher-order cognitive processes following mild traumatic brain injury and help prevent negative, long-lasting impacts.
A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-delivered Training During COVID-19
This groundbreaking study examines the potential to revolutionize global health using a holistic, personalized measure of brain fitness (the BrainHealth® Index) in conjunction with SMART™ Brain Training.
Technology and media use is a ubiquitous part of the daily lives of our children and is only increasing. By most estimates, many of our adolescents are spending half of their waking time on media and technology. Understandably, there is much concern and much hope around the impact that this could have on our brains, particularly those that are still developing.
Jarrod Snell's High School Football Concussion Story
Jarrod Snell suffered four concussions in one high school football game. During his recovery, he missed a year and a half of school and rarely left the house. His mother struggled to find solutions. Jarrod joined a Center for BrainHealth concussion research study, and after participating in specialized brain training, his grades improved and so did social aspects of his life.