The SNS Dissertation Award is granted on an annual basis to an SNS member in good standing who is a student in, or an early career graduate of, a psychology doctoral program. The dissertation must have been completed within two years prior to the nomination and the topic must be relevant to sports neuropsychology. Dr. Riegler was recognized for her dissertation entitled, Understanding the Influence of Sleep, a Modifiable Behavior, in Different Neuropsychological Populations," which explored the relations among insufficient sleep in athletes at baseline and its association with symptom reporting and neurocognitive performance at baseline, as well as its association with risk of sport-related concussion and its outcomes. Dr. Riegler found that, following SRC, sleep disturbed athletes reported more overall symptoms, were more likely to be symptomatic, and were marginally more likely to experience clinically significant depression compared to not sleep disturbed athletes. Results of her dissertation research will provide clinicians with information that can be used to better understand the cumulative impact of poor sleep in the context of concussion. Dr. Riegler received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from the Pennsylvania State University. Her dissertation chair and mentor was SNS member, Dr. Peter Arnett. Dr. Riegler completed her doctoral internship in the neuropsychology track at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. She joined Princeton Neuropsychology and the Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey in August 2023 as a post-doctoral fellow in neuropsychology. The SNS is delighted to recognize Dr. Riegler’s contributions to sports neuropsychology at the level of her dissertation and looks forward to her future success.

At the 12th Annual Sports Neuropsychology Society Symposium, Dr. Rosemarie Scolaro Moser was presented with a recognition award for her service as President of the Society.

Dr. Kaitlin Riegler and Dr. Bridget Mayer attended the 2024 12th Annual Sports Neuropsychology Society Symposium in Philadelphia and presented our Centers’ latest research studies. Get a good look at their research below.

The staff at Princeton Neuropsychology published the journal article “Sports Neuropsychologists’ Ratings of Clinical Criteria Used to Help Determine Concussion Recovery: A Brief Survey Report” at Oxford Academic’s Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Congratulations to Princeton Neuropsychology at RSM for winning the Town Topics® Readers’ Choice Award for Best Speciality Medicine.

Our Staff presented original research at the SNS 2023 Symposium in Denver, entitled “Criteria Determining Clinical Recovery From Concussion.”

Our Staff presented research on Clinical Recovery Decisions in Concussion at the BIANJ Annual Conference 2023.

Dr. Moser, President of SNS, was proud to present our research director, Dr. Philip Schatz with the SNS Distinguished Career Award, here with ED Dr. Donna Broshek.

Dr. Rosemarie Moser, far right, president of the Sports Neuropsychology Society, met with her Executive Board for their Mid-Year Meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida, January 20-21. 2023.

Dr. Philip Schatz, Director of Research, presented our new research about clinical decision-making in concussion recovery at the Concussion In Sport Group International Conference in Amsterdam in October, 2022.

By Dr. Rosemarie Scolaro Moser and Dr. Bridget Mayer Appearing in Princeton Magazine, Sept.2022 issue Dr. Bridget Mayer (BM): Congratulations on becoming elected as president of the Sports Neuropsychology Society! I suspect some readers of Princeton Magazine have never heard of sports neuropsychology. Dr. Rosemarie Scolaro Moser (RSM): Thank you and I don’t doubt you are right. Sports neuropsychology is a specialized field of health care that focuses on the brain health and emotional well- being of athletes of all ages and of all skill levels, whether pee wee, travel, community, high school, college, or pro sports. Sports neuropsychologists helped launch the first programs for concussion testing, identification, treatment, and research in professional athletes back in the 1990s. Soon after, we brought those programs to youth and amateur sports. But we are not only experts in concussion management and brain injury. We are focused on keeping athletes’ brains healthy and promoting emotional well-being. BM: Keeping athletes’ brains healthy is not an easy task, yet it’s critical to emotional well-being. I try to explain that the brain is an extraordinary, complex organ comprised of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These nerve cells connect to send electrochemical messages throughout the nervous system. Basically, the brain is the master controller of everything your body does and feels: your sensations, movements, thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. When your brain neurochemistry gets rattled, all kinds of quirky symptoms can occur: physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional. RSM: Yes! And we need to remember that concussions are not the only things that can disturb your brain neurochemistry. There are other factors to consider like diet, stress, physical injury, hormonal changes, substance and alcohol use, disease, and especially poor sleep. Unfortunately, we are a sleep-deprived culture, and lack of sleep wreaks havoc on brain neurochemistry. Disturbing your brain neurochemistry can result in a variety of symptoms like fatigue, poor focus and attention, learning difficulties, depression, anxiety, and memory problems. These symptoms will affect not only athletic performance, but academics, job performance, and family and social relationships. BM: The message here is that it is not just concussions that cause problems for athletes. Sports neuropsychologists help athletes identify and control the life factors that alter brain function and produce distress. In this way, athletes can improve overall performance and their physical and emotional well-being. I think the public is now becoming more aware of the stress on athletes to perform and compete. RSM: I am gravely concerned that for too long we have overlooked the significant stressors and challenges affecting our athletes. Whether it’s overspecialization at a very young age, the college athletic recruitment process, or pressure to excel at all costs, athletes can be vulnerable to worry, anxiety, and depression. Also, the stories of abuse, trauma, suicide, eating disorders, drug use, stigmatization, racism, and prejudice are heartbreaking. These are what Dr. William Parham, the first ever Director of Mental Health and Wellness of the National Basketball Players Association, calls “hidden tattoos.” Many of us do not realize the enormity of the pressures of competition, the lack of privacy, the grueling practice and training schedules, the sleep deprivation, the isolation, the bullying, and the back- room politics that can target athletes whose passions and goals are at stake. BM: I really applaud those high-profile athletes, like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Lindsey Vonn, and Serena Williams, who are coming forward as advocates of emotional well-being for their fellow athletes. Now, we all need to step up to the plate and provide the supports they need. RSM: Here is my checklist of supports for athletes, and all of these items are equally important: Provide athletes with reasonable schedules that include plenty of sleep, regular down-time, and reduced pressure to perform. Provide mental health awareness training through webinars, podcasts, educational meetings, and printed materials. Allow for user-friendly, non-stigmatized access to counseling, psychotherapy, group workshops, and training in mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation training for stress reduction. Help athletes take care of their bodies with monitoring for concussion and other injuries, proper pain management, and good nutrition. Provide academic supports and accommodations so that athletes can keep up with their academics in the face of athletic demands. Last, but not least, encourage their talents and interests in other areas of life so their self-worth is not solely defined by the sport. It’s important to keep a diversified life portfolio.