Dr Laura Smith, BSc, MSc, PhDLecturer in Health PsychologyEmail: l.j.smith@qmul.ac.ukProfileResearchPublicationsProfileI joined QMUL in 2023 as a Lecturer in Health Psychology within the Centre for Preventative Neurology at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health. I am a Research Psychologist and Behavioural Scientist, whose academic training is in neuropsychology. My research applies psychological theories to better understand, assess and treat neurological conditions. I completed my PhD at University of Kent with a thesis on vestibular contributions to cognitive function. I subsequently held postdoctoral positions at the University of Bath (diagnostic tools for dementia) and the University of Nottingham (cognitive problems in multiple sclerosis), before returning to Kent for a Lectureship within the Psychology Department. I lead research programmes at the Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy, based in Kent. Alongside my research activity, I am Sponsorship Officer for the British Neuropsychological Society and a Trustee for Tree of Hope Children’s Charity. ResearchResearch Interests:I apply psychological and neuropsychological theories to better understand, assess and treat neurological conditions. I am a mixed method researcher and use variety of approaches including non-invasive brain stimulation, electrophysiological recordings of brain activity, qualitative analysis, behavioural assessments and cognitive interventions. I research a range of topics including: - Psychological aspects of vestibular disorders: How is psychological distress experienced and what impact does this have on people with vestibular disorders and the clinical care they receive? What are the underlying mechanisms of psychological aspects of vestibular disorders? How is psychological distress routinely addressed within clinical care for people with vestibular disorders? How could psychological aspects be effectively assessed and treated? - Cognitive problems in multiple sclerosis: What kind of cognitive problems are experienced by different people with multiple sclerosis? How do cognitive problems affect quality of life and daily activities? What are the mechanisms underlying cognitive changes in multiple sclerosis? How can cognitive problems be assessed and monitored effectively? How can cognitive problems be prevented or managed? - Comprehensive care for Parkinson's disease: What would a more integrated and person-centred model of Parkinson's care look like? How can this be delivered? What are the barriers and facilitators to doing so? Can the therapeutic potential of non-drug therapies be boosted by offering these in a combined approach? How can digital tools be harnessed within Parkinson's care? Publications Smith LJ, Wilkinson D, Bodani M et al. (publicationYear). Cognition in vestibular disorders: state of the field, challenges, and priorities for the future. nameOfConference DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1159174 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/94252 Kopčanová M, Tait L, Donoghue T et al. (2024). Resting-state EEG signatures of Alzheimer's disease are driven by periodic but not aperiodic changes. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106380 QMRO: qmroHref Smith LJ, Pyke W, Fowler R et al. (2024). Impact and experiences of vestibular disorders and psychological distress: Qualitative findings from patients, family members and healthcare professionals. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/hex.13906 QMRO: qmroHref Kopčanová M, Tait L, Donoghue T et al. (publicationYear). Resting-state EEG signatures of Alzheimer’s disease are driven by periodic but not aperiodic changes. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.11.544491 QMRO: qmroHref Smith L, Coxon-Meggy A, Shinkwin M et al. (2023). “Happy to close?” The relationship between surgical experience and incisional hernia rates following abdominal wall closure in colorectal surgery. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/codi.16537 QMRO: qmroHref Webster KE, Kamo T, Smith L et al. (publicationYear). Non‐pharmacological interventions for persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness (PPPD). nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015333.pub2 QMRO: qmroHref Topcu G, Smith L, Mhizha-Murira JR et al. (2022). Neuropsychological evaluation and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (NEuRoMS): protocol for a mixed-methods, multicentre feasibility randomised controlled trial. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s40814-022-01073-5 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/80458 Smith L, Tresh M, Surenthiran SS et al. (2022). Living with a vestibular disorder during the Covid-19 pandemic: An online survey study.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.3233/ves-210119 QMRO: qmroHref Smith LJ, Gregory P, Clatworthy P et al. (2023). Working Memory Impairment in Transient Ischaemic Attack: N-back as a Sensitive Measure for Detection. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1017/brimp.2021.25 QMRO: qmroHref Taylor LA, Mhizha-Murira JR, Smith L et al. (publicationYear). Memory rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008754.pub4 QMRO: qmroHref Stothart G, Smith LJ, Milton A et al. (2021). A passive and objective measure of recognition memory in Alzheimer’s disease using Fastball memory assessment. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab154 QMRO: qmroHref Elwick H, Smith L, Mhizha-Murira JR et al. (2022). Cognitive assessment in multiple sclerosis clinical care: A qualitative evaluation of stakeholder perceptions and preferences. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2021.1899942 QMRO: qmroHref Smith L, Elwick H, Mhizha-Murira JR et al. (2021). Developing a clinical pathway to identify and manage cognitive problems in Multiple Sclerosis: Qualitative findings from patients, family members, charity volunteers, clinicians and healthcare commissioners. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102563 QMRO: qmroHref Stothart G, Smith LJ, Milton A (2020). A rapid, neural measure of implicit recognition memory using fast periodic visual stimulation. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116628 QMRO: qmroHref Smith L, Gkioka A, Wilkinson D (2020). Vestibular-guided visual search. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05741-x QMRO: qmroHref Brunsdon VEA, Bradford EEF, Smith L et al. (2020). Short-term physical training enhances mirror system activation to action observation. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2019.1660708 QMRO: qmroHref Grogan JP, Knight LE, Smith L et al. (2018). Effects of Parkinson’s disease and dopamine on digit span measures of working memory. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5058-6 QMRO: qmroHref Bradford EEF, Hukker V, Smith L et al. (2018). Belief‐attribution in adults with and without autistic spectrum disorders. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/aur.2032 QMRO: qmroHref Smith L, Wilkinson D, Bodani M et al. (2019). Short‐term memory impairment in vestibular patients can arise independently of psychiatric impairment, fatigue, and sleeplessness. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12157 QMRO: qmroHref Surenthiran SS, Smith L, Wilkinson D et al. (2018). Short-Term Memory Loss in Vestibular Patients can Arise Independently of Psychiatric Impairment, Fatigue and Sleeplessness (P2.159). nameOfConference DOI: 10.1212/wnl.90.15_supplement.p2.159 QMRO: qmroHref Smith L, Wilkinson D, Surenthiran S et al. (2017). 8 Cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with vestibular disorder. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-bnpa.68 QMRO: qmroHref Grogan JP, Tsivos D, Smith L et al. (publicationYear). Effects of dopamine on reinforcement learning and consolidation in Parkinson’s disease. nameOfConference DOI: 10.7554/elife.26801 QMRO: qmroHref Grogan JP, Tsivos D, Smith L et al. (2017). Effects of dopamine on reinforcement learning and consolidation in parkinson’s disease. nameOfConference DOI: 10.7554/eLife.26801 QMRO: qmroHref Ulrich PIN, Wilkinson DT, Ferguson HJ et al. (2017). Perceptual and Memorial Contributions to Developmental Prosopagnosia. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1080/17470218.2016.1177101 QMRO: qmroHref Surenthiran SS, Smith L, Wilkinson D et al. (2016). Cognitive and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Patients with Vestibular Disorder (P4.266). nameOfConference DOI: 10.1212/wnl.86.16_supplement.p4.266 QMRO: qmroHref