Courtney Aul, MA

Research Interests

I am interested in how impairments in cognitive processes predict trajectories and functional outcomes in healthy aging and neurodegeneration, as well as how these impairments can inform interventions to delay or remediate decline.

Relevant Experience

Prior to coming to BU, I worked as a research assistant in the Boston Attention and Learning Lab (BALLAB) at the Boston VA where I was involved in projects examining the translational applications of basic attention paradigms. Specifically, we explored the mechanistic link between mobility changes in aging and sustained attention relative to traditional neuropsychological measures of executive functioning. Additionally, I had the opportunity to collaborate on a project with Dr. Cronin-Golomb investigating how Parkinson’s disease side-of-onset predicts attention deficits and differential motor outcomes following attentional training. I also have experience with electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Current Projects

I will be working with Dr. Cronin-Golomb on a project using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine brain activity during a sustained attention task in Parkinson’s disease.

Hobbies and Interests

In my free time, I love reading, going to concerts, and spending time with my dog, Gracie.

Publications

*Park, H., *Aul, C., DeGutis, J., Lo, O.-Y., McGlinchey, R., Bean, J.F., Leritz, E., & Esterman, M. Evidence for a Specific Association Between Sustained Attention and Gait Speed in Middle-to-Older-Aged Adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13:703434. (*Authors contributed equally to the work and should be considered co-first authors).

Posters and Presentations

Aul, C., Kinger, S.B., Ellis, T.D., Cronin-Golomb, A., DeGutis, J. (February 2022). Parkinson’s disease side of onset predicts sustained attention deficits and motor improvements after attention training. Paper presented at the International Neuropsychological Society 47th Annual Meeting. Meeting held virtually due to Global Pandemic (COVID).

 

Aul, C., Park, H., DeGutis, J., Lo, O.-Y., McGlinchey, R., Bean, J.F., Leritz, E., & Esterman, M. (November 2021). Evidence for a Specific Association Between Sustained Attention and Gait Speed in Middle-to-Older-Aged Adults. Poster presented at The Gerontological Society of America. Meeting held virtually due to Global Pandemic (COVID).