Welcome to the CTRLab
The Cognitive Technology Research Lab at Washington University in St. Louis
The CTRLab at Washington University is run by Jason Hassenstab, PhD and his team. We explore cognition through various technological avenues and are happy to connect with research participants, collaborators, students, and the general public.
Want to join our team?
The Cognitive Technology Research Laboratory (CTRLab) in the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis is seeking post-doctoral fellows to work in a friendly, flexible, and intellectually engaging lab on projects investigating the impact of normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on cognition.
What do we do?
The CTRLab uses technology to improve the assessment of cognition and to increase engagement in clinical studies. We primarily focus on approaches using smartphones and web-based assessments in clinical populations including Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. We are based in the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Knight ADRC) and also lead the Cognition Cores for the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) and the DIAN-Trials Unit (DIAN-TU)
The CTRLab develops, tests and implements:
Web-based cognitive testing
Our online testing has been developed by Drs. Jason Hassenstab and Andy Aschenbrenner, with help from the lab team. This is currently being used in two large cohorts – DIAN and the Knight ADRC. See our Web-based Testing page.
Ambulatory Research in Cognition (ARC)
Our smartphone-based cognitive testing platform has been iteratively developed over the past two years and is in-use in several studies around the world, including DIAN, DIAN-TU, and the Knight ADRC research cohorts. For more information, see the ARC smartphone app page.
Smartphone latency testing
There are at least 20,000 different models of smartphones globally. A vexing issue for cognitive studies is whether differences in devices, operating systems, and operating conditions can bias data collected from smartphones. We have designed and developed several iterations of robotic assessment technologies to rigorously evaluate performance characteristics of smartphones. See Smartphone Latency Testing for more information.
From Our Feed
Check out Dr. Hassenstab’s Twitter feed for up-to-date information.
Jessica Andrews-Hanna and I are hiring a project coordinator for a study on aging and Alzheimer's disease risk factors. Brains, blood, smartphones, and neuropsych. Please spread the word. Link to description of position and how to apply: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/13703?c=arizona
After 12y as @WashUNeurology faculty, taught my first undergrad lecture course today. Psychology of Aging. Mixed up a few facts, wasn't too articulate (nerves), and actually ran out of material. But...THE STUDENTS WERE AWESOME!! Questions for you experienced lecturers 1/x
Fellow academics: What's a petty thing that really grinds your gears? Mine is a second lengthy Doodle poll bc nobody could agree on a time on the first one. #AcademicTwitter
Collaborators
The Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center was started as the Memory and Aging Project (MAP) in 1979 by Leonard Berg, MD. It is currently led by John Morris, MD. For more information.
The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) is an international research study that looks at a rare genetic form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that causes cognitive problems and dementia in younger people who are in their 30s-50s. DIAN was established in 2008 and is directed by Randall Bateman, MD.